❤ ~ The Greatest Gift ~ ❤

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Weeks following the trial, Tanjirou found himself once more on the road with his group in tow. Once more cast into the world beyond, left without the watchful eyes of the Hashiras. However, most knew eyes still observed. The ravens above were proof of such thoughts. Each assigned to a slayer, but the eyes for Kagaya himself. That said, Tanjirou rarely ever saw his raven recently. In the past few days since their departure begun, his raven seemed to not show. It never came to his sightline and as strange as it was, Tanjirou merely brushed the odd scenario away. 

That said, the sudden disappearance did draw the concern of Giyuu, who had also felt strangely cautious the past days. He hadn't spoke on it, but he'd felt concerned for the single fact that he felt eyes on them. Whether good or bad, he'd yet to determine. All he did know, was that there was a possibility that the disappearance of the raven and the sudden feeling of eyes might have been correlated somehow. 

In the end, he chose to disclose his concerns the moment night fell. As the moon rose in the sky and a fire was lit, the group gathered in the warm heat and offered a charming glow or reds and oranges. 

It had started with a basic conversation on the details of the mission, followed by the possibilities and situations that might arise. However, Giyuu hadn't paid much attention. He was too worried, allowing his gaze to linger the tree line as Tanjirou finally seemed to notice the tension. Viewed Giyuu, whose eyes spoke volumes. "Giyuu? What's bothering you?" 

The other seemed to shift his focus only momentarily as his words fell like a whisper. As if he feared someone, or something, would hear. "I've been feeling strange these past days... Like someone is watching us." 

Those words alone left Kyoujurou to nod, his hand rubbing his chin as he frowned slightly. "I can agree. I've felt the same, just figured it was nothing. I was planning to ignore it, but it seems I'm not the only one to notice." 

"I would have preferred you not remain silent till now... I dread the idea of being watched by prying eyes..." Shinobu sighed, his fingers tapping along the hilt of her sword. In the end, Tanjirou spoke up, his own gaze roaming the dark. The only difference was that his eyes were better during the night. 

"Shinobu-san is right. You should have voiced the concerns earlier. However, we both understand that situation. What do you suppose we do?" Giyuu shrugged, his eyes narrowing slightly. In the end, Shinobu spoke up in the growing silence. 

"Why not fan out. Whoever is watching should be close. If we find nothing, we know the concerns are irrelevant." Kyoujurou seemed to agree with it, leaving Tanjirou to peer to Giyuu. Seeing how the other seemed conflicted. It left Tanjirou to voice his idea, though not much different from Shinobu's. 

"How about grouping when we fan out. You can never be too cautious, and if it happens to be a demon, having an ally to aid would be best."

"That's true." Shinobu nodded, Kyoujurou doing the same. However, Giyuu was the one to speak up first. His tone a bit harsh, though Tanjirou saw no fault in it.

"I'll go with Tanjirou. The usual pairings: not that anyone would oppose." The other two seemed to consider fighting him but gave in with Tanjirou's looks of pleading. It left the conversation to come to an end as Shinobu began the opportunity. In one swift motion, she put out the fire as all four were engulfed in darkness. Shinobu and Kyoujurou had quickly dove toward the West, leaving Tanjirou to grab lightly to Giyuu's hand as he guided them both East. However, something seemed to linger in his mind as he considered the possibility. As the question haunted his mind as they merely kept moving, cautious of their surroundings. What if it was a trap?

In the end, Tanjirou wasn't sure how far they'd run. Nor how long had passed. All he knew, was the desire to catch his breath. He was in much better shape than Giyuu, but that didn't mean the rapid movements didn't tire him. It left him leaning along a tree, eyes seeming to glue to the raven. View the other, who seemed to fix his haori. 

"I can feel your eyes burning into my back, Tanjirou. Might I receive privacy?" Tanjirou couldn't help but chuckle at the statement, his words a teasing tone. 

"You've never desired it before, so why now? Is it because eyes are watching?" Giyuu huffed quietly, his gaze softening as he peered to Tanjirou. 

"Truthfully, the feeling of being watched vanished some ways back." There was a lingering silence as Tanjirou pushed from the tree. Brought himself forward as he approached Giyuu, stepping before the other, who quickly closed their haori. However, Tanjirou merely grabbed the edges, shooing Giyuu's hold away as Tanjirou worked to fix the attire. 

Why wait so long? You know, we're probably making the other two wait-" 

"Who cares?" Tanjirou fell silent as he peered upward, meeting gazes with Giyuu. Viewing those pools like oceans, how they seemed endless. Seemed willing to pull him in, under the currents. However, he quickly brought his mind back into his own hold as Tanjirou frowned, finishing his aid for Giyuu, taking one step back.

"You're being rather selfish, Giyuu..." The raven seemed to sit on those words, his eyes sharpening as he stepped forward. Made Tanjirou flinch slightly as those eyes bore into him. Left him in silence as the moonlight seemed to create an outline around Giyuu's frame. Made him so vividly apparent. 

"What if I am? I've a right to be selfish, Tanjirou. It's been a while since I've had time with you, and you alone... I just missed the past times... Is that so wrong?" Tanjirou felt his heart shake as he shook his head, his mind seeming to understand. It left his to smile softly, his words like a whisper. 

"It's never wrong to miss the past but try not to ruin the moments present. I'll ignore it this once, if you wish to remain here for a time. After all, I can understand. It must be lonely sharing the time that once had been all yours." The raven nodded, the air seeming to shift as both fell into a silence. It left Tanjirou more aware of scents, now that his attention was free to shift. It made him sharpen his focus as he twisted his head, his sudden actions alerting Giyuu. Leaving the raven to ready himself as Tanjirou let his voice fall, his mind filled with a familiar smell. A smell that felt so surreal. A heavy scent of wisteria that made his heart shutter. "Come out, whoever you are. I know you're there!"

A faint sound of rustling leaves from the bushes seemed to fill the silence as Tanjirou waited patiently. Watched as a figure seemed to stand straight. Tall, yet still averages in build. 

"Step forward. Into the lighting." Giyuu's orders seemed to bring the stranger to a stop, hands raising up as one foot led the figure. Brought them further from the dense shade and nights hold. Offered them into the moonlight that brough the world crashing around Tanjirou. Left his heart a mess as his mouth peeled open. As his words fell like a shattered prayer. 

Not once did he think the reality before him possible. Yet, that very moment, it was like the world sat upon him, crushing his beliefs into dust. Leaving him empty minded and stiff. Forced his body to ignore the warnings and concerns as he felt his eyes seem to soften toward the figure. His words breaking the space and bringing the reality together in the mind of the raven, who was lost to the situation. 

"Otousan..?"

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It's finally happened ya'll. You've been waiting for the reunion, so here it is. Let the true story begin! Hope you've enjoyed this chapter and let me know your thoughts on what might happen. I'd love to see what you all believe might happen in coming chapters.