Wait..what!? (sanegiyuu)

chap 23

Giyuu trudged back from his mission, feeling the familiar exhaustion settling into his bones. As he approached the Butterfly Mansion, he noticed an unusual flurry of activity. Kakushi were bustling around, urgently tending to wounded slayers. His eyes widened as he recognized three of the injured being transported: Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke. They were all heavily bandaged and clearly in bad shape.

Heart pounding, Giyuu rushed over to one of the kakushi. "What happened?" he demanded.

The kakushi looked up, clearly strained but trying to maintain composure. "An upper moon was defeated by Kamado, Agatsuma, Hashibira, alongside with Uzui-sama," they explained quickly.

Giyuu nodded, a mix of pride and worry swirling within him.

"Thank you" he said, his voice tight with concern. He hurried inside the mansion, his thoughts racing. He lingered in the halls for a while, unable to shake his anxiety, until he finally saw Shinobu approaching.

"How are they?" he asked urgently.

Shinobu gave him a reassuring smile. "They're fine, Giyuu. But they'll be unconscious for a while. They need rest."

Giyuu sighed in relief, the tension easing slightly. "And Nezuko?" he asked.

"Oh, she's in Tanjiro's room," Shinobu said, pointing to a nearby door.

Giyuu thanked her and made his way to the room. He gently opened the door to find Nezuko sitting beside Tanjiro's bed. She looked up at him and hummed in delight, her eyes lighting up.

"Hello, Nezuko" Giyuu greeted her softly. He approached Tanjiro's bed, looking down at the boy's injured but peaceful face.

Relief washed over him, knowing that despite the injuries, they were alive. He turned his attention back to Nezuko. "Would you like to stay with me while Tanjiro is resting?"

Nezuko looked at her brother for a moment before nodding and humming. She reached out her small arms, and Giyuu gently picked her up.

"Let's go" he said softly, holding her securely. Nezuko nestled against him, and they left the room together. Giyuu felt a mix of emotions, but he was grateful to be able to offer some comfort to Nezuko and to be there for Tanjiro and the others as they recovered.

As Giyuu left the Butterfly Mansion with Nezuko in his arms, he noticed a nearby Kakushi organizing some supplies. Approaching them, he asked, "Excuse me, did you happen to bring a box for Nezuko?"

The Kakushi nodded and replied, "Hai Tomiok-sama, we did. Let me find it for you." After a few moments of searching through their supplies, they found the box and handed it to Giyuu.

"Thank you," Giyuu said, setting Nezuko down gently. "Nezuko, could you get in the box, please?"

Nezuko shook her head no and hugged Giyuu tightly, indicating she wanted to stay in his arms and not in the box.

Giyuu sighed but smiled lightly. "Looks like she wants to stay with me."

The Kakushi bowed before saying"Have a good night, Tomioka-sama."

"Thank you" Giyuu replied, nodding before continuing his walk home with Nezuko in his arms and the box in his hand. 

As they walked, he felt Nezuko drift off to sleep and was glad she could rest. His thoughts wandered to Ren, wondering if he was asleep or waiting for him to come home again. He spoke softly to the sleeping Nezuko, "I hope Ren isn't too worried about me. He always stays up."