In Kanazawa

Infiltration

Trigger Warning: Mentions of death, descriptions of gore.

The Diamyos mansion was much larger than either Hashira had expected. Workers and maids were littered all over the place, though both Hashira were over qualified for this side mission they assigned themselves. They had no issue entering and sneaking around, in search for signs of a demon.

The search lasted for hours, and not one clue had been found. Both fell silent as they took in the fact they were outsmarted by a demon.

Hajimari's quarters were cleared of suspicion, Hana's quarters were cleared of suspicion, even the workers were cleared. Frustration took hold of Sanemi as he struggled to keep in his anger.

"Perhaps we should leave." Giyuu finally offered.

"Fuck no." Sanemi scowled at him. "Bitch we haven't even checked the bathrooms."

"Shinazuga- Jesus, what do you think we would find in the bathrooms? It's late, the demon has vanished. We need to go." Giyuu spoke incredulously, exhausted from the experience. "Let's go." Giyuu grabbed onto the sleeve of Sanemi's Haori and he ripped it out of his grip.

"Don't f'ckin touch me." Sanemi grimaced. He sighed in defeat. "Let's get out of here."

Giyuu gave a slight nod as both found an exit.

Zero issues.... A very lightly guarded mansion.

Sanemi groaned as they walked back to their house. "I don't get how there can be such a strong presence if a demon, and then it just vanishes. That's not normal."

Giyuu nodded, not that it mattered, Sanemi didn't pay attention, rather, he kept talking with malice.

"The demon should've just fought us, that fucking pussy! Instead we are racing around town like fools, instead we break into the home of nobility, and find fucking nothing?!" Sanemi shouted as they walked into their home. It had gotten late, and festival activities had finally slowed down.

"Shinazugawa, it's okay. We'll find out more about..." Giyuu trailed off as he spotted a piece of sealed paper on the table. Sanemi kept spouting angry nonsense as he stormed off to his room, not taking in anything other than his repetitive words.

Giyuu approached the paper, picking it up and smiling softly.

'Giyuu' was scrawled on it in the same handwriting from before.
—
After Giyuu finished his reply to the young Shinazugawa, he sent it on Kanzaburo, his crow. Giyuu never admit it to anyone, especially another Hashira, but he actually liked his crow. He enjoyed taking care of it and relished in the idea of the life of a Kusagai crow.

The letters had been filled with a mix of things. Genya told stories of his current life, often mentioning random things Muichirou had done, making the mist Hashira seem incredibly esteemed; and asking about Giyuu's life undercover.

Giyuu found the stories as a light in his life after a week of stress over the mission. He always enjoyed reading the frivolous tales Genya wrote about. His writing had also changed drastically compared to his initial letter, Giyuu assumes Muichirou had helped him write it. Genya didn't write improperly, however it was much more laid back, and slang was often used rather than the full word. Giyuu enjoyed it. What a sweet kid. He had thought.

Giyuu always replied, filling him in on the basics of their mission and any updates, always reminding him that Sanemi is doing fine, and always wishing him the best.

It was the least he could do, considering how much free time he has now, he enjoyed the extra work of writing back.

Once he saw Kanzaburo vanish into the night, he closed his window and found comfort in his bed, sliding Genya's letter with the rest, in his nightstand drawer.
—