Second Chances: A Love That's Bound

Chapter 1 - Chance at Redemption

Years have now passed since the final battle between good and evil, slayers versus demons, hashira vs Muzan. The scars of that night have all but healed now and with it a form of friendship and a new understanding of each other between the two only remaining hashira: Giyu Tomioka and Sanemi Shinazugawa. The world has found a sort of fragile peace, but the memories of their fallen comrades and friends never truly faded.

After many times recounting on each others lives and laughing and living, both Sanemi and Giyu wanted the same thing. To make amend of everything they did wrong. One night Sanemi came up with the idea to travel together, they rarely were paired together on missions and so never travelled over a long distance either. With each others 25th birthday edging closer they both decided to end this peaceful life in a calm relaxed journey with a friend by their side.

They each started their journey together, with both of them seeking a new purpose and redemption from a world that now needn't demon slaying. Their journey took them through silent villages and bustling towns, their presence a silent tribute to the battles they have survived.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of red and gold, they arrived at a small secluded village. It was a place that has been untouched by time, nestled in an ancient forest, hidden away by the shadows. Surprised by its sudden appearance Giyu and Sanemi sought to take refuge at a local inn or open house. As they entered, they could hear mumbling with only a few words echoing of the emptiness of the village. They spoke of a mysterious women, someone who could see into the future, her prophecies as true as her word, were both feared and revered.

Intrigued and with little else to do; it was far too dark to travel any real distance but too early for them to call it a day, they decided to seek her out. The women, they found, lives in a modest hut just on the outskirts of town. As they approached, the air grew thick with an out-worldly energy. The door creaked open before either of them could knock, revealing a small, dimly lit room filled with the scent of incense burning and the soft glow of candles. The women, draped in dark, flowing robes, was sat behind a low table. Her eyes, sharp and knowing, seemed to pierce through the very fabric of reality.

"Welcome" she said, her voice a soothing, melodic whisper. "I've been expecting you two"

Sanemi frowned, his hand instinctively tightening around the hilt of his katana, although he had no real thought of using the weapon. "Who are you?" Although there was no malice there was as hint of skepticism towards the women.

"I am simply a guide" a hint of a smile formed at the corners of her lips as she spoke. "You wish to see your future? Or is something from the past keeping you from moving on?"

Giyu looking at Sanemi and his unenthusiastic approach to the women decided to step forward, his expression inscrutable. "I want to know what happens next for me"

"Very well" The women nodded, her eyes flickering with a strange light. Giyu and Sanemi both noticed, those eyes seem similar, almost like a demons. "But know this, the future is not all it seems. You may find the answers you seek, but these could come with a price to pay"

She gestured for them to take the seats in front of her, as they both did the women pulled out a deck of cards from behind her. "Eh!? Tarot Cards? These are a load of -". Sanemi was quickly nudged from the side by Giyu, they might not believe what comes with tarot reading but he was always mindful that this was this women's business. With graceful and practised movements, she laid them out on the table, with each card depicting different scenes of fates and futures, among them a couple caught the eyes of the two slayers.

Seeing this the women smiled. "Each of you are marked by destiny" her voice low and resonant. "Your lives are intertwined with the threads of time and your future, both of you, are bound by a singular, unavoidable fate"