(OC x Kanae Kocho) My Precious Butterflies "Kimetsu no Yaiba"

Chapter 13 - Recover

Shinobu's voice was soft, almost pleading. "Nee-san, please get some rest. You haven't slept for four days."

Giyuu stood nearby, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever, but his concern was evident in his eyes. "She's right, Kanae-san. Don't blame yourself for what happened with Yamato nii-san. Any one of us demon slayers would have done the same thing."

Kanae's face was drawn with fatigue, her eyes hollowed by sleepless nights. She nodded, but her voice was heavy with doubt. "I know... I should be happy that he's still with us, but I can't help but think... what if he hadn't survived?"

Another day passed, and exhaustion finally overcame Kanae. She fell asleep beside Yamato, her hand clasped tightly around his, as if letting go would mean losing him all over again. Kanao, ever observant, noticed her older sister's vulnerable state and quietly approached with a blanket. She reached up on her tiptoes, trying to cover Kanae, but couldn't quite manage.

Giyuu, watching from the doorway, stepped forward and lifted Kanao gently, allowing her to drape the blanket over Kanae. "You're a very kind kid, Kanao," he whispered, his voice warm with admiration. "I need to go now, but please protect them for me, okay?"

Kanao looked up at him, her large eyes filled with determination. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. "Sa—..."

Giyuu leaned closer, his brow furrowed. "What?"

Kanao swallowed hard, mustering the courage to speak. "Safe... St-Stay... safe..."

A rare smile tugged at the corners of Giyuu's lips. "I will, Kanao."

With that, Giyuu turned and made his way out of the house, his footsteps quiet but purposeful. As he reached the gate, he found Shinobu waiting for him, her figure framed by the pale light of the moon.

"Where are you going?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Giyuu paused, his gaze steady. "With nii-san still out of commission, I have to stay vigilant. Demons are growing stronger by the day."

Before he could say more, Shinobu closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. It was so sudden that Giyuu froze for a moment, surprised by the unexpected embrace.

"Shinobu?"

"Please stay safe..." Her voice wavered, and she choked on her words, trying to keep her emotions in check. "If those Upper Moons managed to do this to Yamato nii-san... I can't bear to think of what they'd do to you. Please... be careful."

Giyuu's expression softened as he held her close, his voice low and resolute. "I'm always careful. But protecting others means I have to be willing to risk my life..."

Shinobu's grip tightened, her voice breaking. "I don't want to lose you..."

"Me too..." Giyuu paused, the weight of his own words settling between them. "But I need to protect those who can't. Please, take care of nii-san and bring him back to full health."

Shinobu pulled back slightly, her eyes searching his face for reassurance. "Okay... but please, if you're ever backed into a corner, promise me you'll run away."

Giyuu opened his mouth to protest, but the look in her eyes silenced him. He sighed, a rare moment of hesitation passing over him. "You know I can't d—"

"Just promise me, okay?" Her voice was firm, but there was a desperate edge to it, one that cut through Giyuu's resolve.

He met her gaze, the unspoken fears between them heavy in the air. Finally, he nodded. "I promise."