𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞? [KNY] [Giyushino]

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 11: 𝓑𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮

Shigeru POV:

I leaned against a rough tree trunk, the bark digging into my scalp. My body was aching from the exhaustion. Before this job, I had been a simple part-time boy, working for ice-cream shops instead of mudering demonic creatures.

As a little boy, I'd been raised with little money. Not poverty, but there was never enough money for a new haori, or enough cash for a snack before dinner. I'd been taught to grow up and take any job I could get, to live my full life and become rich.

So I'd worked over five part-time jobs as soon as I could, in anywhere you could think of. Ramen diners, grocery stores, street-side stalls, anywhere I could get into.

So when Mitsuri, an old friend, offered me this huge sum of money to pretend to be a Slayer, I was more than happy. That money was enough to let me live the life for at least three weeks! There was no way I was going to pass it off.

But the job was starting to get to me. I had to quit multiple jobs for this full-time, and demons were both horrifying and terrifying. I suffered exhaustion and some minor injuries every mission. The harsh conditions and work hours of the Slayers kept me on my toes.

I even had to go through training with Mitsuri to be able to run as fast as a Hashira. I thought I was going to die at training, and all that had kept me going was the money I was going to get.

But I wouldn't get it if I didn't complete the job. I was really hoping those two pillars would just get together. This job had already taken over a month. A month of torture. Sometimes I had nightmares where I was a pillar for years.

Don't get me wrong, Shinobu is a nice enough lady and pretty fun to date, but I was getting kind of sick of her. Her constant smile made it hard to read her emotions, and she was always kind of closed off.

I didn't know much about the water pillar. He hadn't even said a word to me during the whole month, and I never had any missions with him. He seemed super cold and unfriendly. No wonder the other pillars didn't like him.

I shuddered as a creepy-looking spider scuttled it's way past me. The forest was dark and full of critters. My hands were grimy with dirt and my haori had a rip in it.

This job was really, really harsh and I just sometimes questioned Mitsuri's sanity. Offering so much money and probably getting into so much trouble just to get a loner and a butterfly together? Maybe she was too dedicated as a matchmaker.

I sighed as a chilling wind blew past. I tightened my haori around my shoulders and lay back, hoping the battle would be over soon.

Suddenly, I heard a high-pitched scream pierce the night.

Shinobu POV:

I stared in horror as Naomi's wip lashed onto Giyu's side, causing a sizzling burn of flesh.  Giyu gritted his teeth and leaped backwards, away from the whip, keeping his pain in.

I was frozen. Until I let out a loud scream, then rushed to Giyu's aid.

"Are you alright? Oh no, this burn is bad, let me..," I fumbled around for my first-aid kit and something cold.

"I'm fine, Kocho," Giyu answered coldly, "Let me go." I had a tight grip on his arm.

"No. There's no way you're gonna keep fighting in this condition," I said firmly, my grip becoming a death grip, "Let me fix you up."

"Kocho, Naomi is going to get away and you can't fight her. Let me go," Giyu said, losing his patience a little.

The demon laughed at the sight. "Ara ara~ Hashira 2 is dragging you behind now? Weak butterfly, he'll survive. I didn't get to chop through everything, y'know. Come on, play with me a little longer before sunrise, will you?" She smirked, spinning her whip.

"Oh, you will pay for this!" I turned to Naomi, still smiling, but my veins popped out.

Suddenly, a whoosh of air shot by behind me, and I gasped to see Giyu's sword gouged in Naomi's neck. He'd attacked again while I was distracted!

Naomi was shocked by the sudden, unexpected attack, but she quickly recovered and slashed her whip towards Giyu.

Everything happened in slow motion.

The whip, inches away from his body.

The sword, dripping with dark red blood.

His blue eyes, widening.

A/N: Soo yeah, this book is a litttle.. different from my last one. If you want a happy ending, please go to {Key to My Heart} 😭