Scars Of Love | Iguro Obanai

10

It has been days ever since you awoken. Even though it was quite a hassle with the others trying to let you rest for a month despite telling them that you're good to go, but unfortunately for the others you insisted to go back as soon as possible.

"Are you really sure about this?" it Uzui who asked you now with a calculating look, he wasn't smiling or grinning at you like usual but he was looking at you with concern instead.

His large hand hovered your shoulder to emphasize his worry before looking forward to see someone approaching from afar, his eyes narrowed as he tries to hear the footsteps properly.

You on the other hand shoved his hand away gently and looked at where Uzui was staring, "Is something wrong?"

"It's not that." The sound pillar shook his head in assurance when he spotted a familiar raven haired boy approaching.

"I just heard Iguro approaching."

Your gaze immediately landed on the said boy with a look of surprise hovering your face, but it was immediately replaced with neutrality when you saw how mad he looks when he finally had the courage to stare at you. Iguro stopped in his tracks with a scowl, he was already in front of Uzui.

"Have a flamboyant mission" Uzui exclaimed as he smirked at you before disappearing to wherever he was going.

You on the other hand became blank in realization, Uzui wasn't your partner for the mission.

It was Iguro.

What made it more worst was that he wasn't even looking at your direction anymore and he's already walking towards wherever the both of you were assigned. A soft sigh left your lips as you followed behind, making sure to keep a safe distance between the two of you just in case he'll blare insults.

It's better to be safe than have him burst into a fit of anger, right? Well, that's wrong because he was already turning around to meet your nervous gaze.

"Look" his voice finally called you out after minutes of ignoring each other "I do not care about whatever the fuck will happen to you while we're on a mission together, make sure you don't get in the way and do it properly."

Oh

So that's what it was, he didn't want you to be a hindrance again. He didn't want you to be another obstacle, well that hurt. You really thought he'll be kind with you after what happened, guess assuming so much had its consequences. That hurt to be honest, and embarrassing.

A pillar who's a hindrance to whoever, that was embarrassing. But it wasn't your fault that you aren't physically strong now, is it?

You trained harder to be like them, you tried fighting off demons without the headquarters knowing. In every winter, it was you who'll be in patrol. Something that was given to you the moment you became a pillar, it was an achievement you were proud of as one of them.

But then of course your achievements aren't enough for Iguro, what are those anyways? Anyone can always replace you even if you're still alive, anyone can patrol during the winter, maybe even better than you.

"I don't even understand why Oyakata-sama would pair us up again after how much you fail to keep up with me."

Your gaze fell on the ground, it was true. You couldn't keep up with him no matter what, it was always Iguro who'd finish everything off. While you were just there to what? Be a distraction? Some decoy? Some person to add a few injuries towards a demon who can heal in a second?

A pillar can kill a demon alone, why can't you? Why can't you kill it immediately? If it was only you alone, why can't it be done fast? Unlike the others.

You always had a hard time fighting it alone.

"Maybe it's because you're too weak that you couldn't even–"

Iguro's eyes widen at the harsh slap that flew on his cheek, his other hand slowly went to cup the slapped area as his gaze darted towards you in shock.

You on the other hand was just as shocked as him after you slapped him, lips parted, wide eyes, hand still in an after slap position. It was a lot, you could see Iguro gritting his teeth. But what you didn't expect was you finally told him something.

You, who has been quiet about everything. Who has been tolerating his behavior finally snapped.

"I do not know why" your voice was quiet but loud enough for him to hear, it was like you were hesitant to say such things.

But who am I to stop what I've already started?

A chuckle left your lips dryly as you thought about every single bit of hardships that you went through just by trying to prove yourself and become a pillar, to be the person you are right now.

"I do not know why you hate me so much." His eyes were still looking at you in surprise and coldness "All I did was admire you, like you."

A low growl left your lips as you closed your eyes in frustration, "All I did was love you. Why do you hate me so much?"

"But I get it, I understand your hatred." You glared at him tiredly.

"You will never be her."

"Because I'm not Mitsuri, and guess what?"

It felt nice to release every single bit of anger inside, to tell the person that you had enough of his antics. You weren't going to let him get to you once more, you're already done with that.

"I won't ever try to be like her for the sake of you, I can do better than that." You threw your sword right behind him as it got stuck in a tree.

You almost killed him.

"Your words may have affected me, but I will never stoop down to your level Iguro-san. I'm better than that.

"Better than what you have thought of me as."