In Silent Step

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Iguro pov:

Obanai  moved through the forest, his senses alert to every shift in the surroundings. Despite the stillness of the forest, his mind was restless, troubled by the slow but undeniable change in his relationship with Giyuu Tomioka.

For weeks, the mission had kept them in constant motion, tracking a demon that seemed to avoid therm at every turn, tzhe constant chasüing was exhausting, but it had lead to an unexpected shift in their dynamic. Obanai had always seen Tomioka as an aloof and insufferable presence.

Obanai’s thoughts were interrupted by a familiar sound—the soft crunch of footsteps behind him. He glanced back to see Giyuu falling into step beside him, his expression as impassive as ever. The silence between them was comfortable in a way that it hadn’t been before.

As they walked, Obanai found himself observing Giyuu more closely than usual. The other Hashira’s movements were fluid and controlled, his presence waas steady the chaos that surrounded them. It was a stark contrast to the earlier days of their mission, when their interactions had been spoken by sharp words and mistrust.

Obanai’s thoughts drifted to the previous evening. After a particularly annoyeing day of searching, they had returned to their camp exhausted. Giyuu had been quieter than usual, sitting by the fire with a contemplative look in his eyes. Obanai had watched him from a distance, a growing curiosity mingling with his usual irritation.

It had been a simple moment a shared meal, a brief conversation about their next steps. The way Giyuu had spoken, the small gestures of camaraderie.
Their mission was proving to be more challenging than expected. The demon they were tracking remained elusive, its presence a constant reminder of the dangers they faced.

As they reached a small clearing, Obanai stopped to examine their surroundings. The area was quiet, the usual sounds of the forest replaced by an almost eerie silence. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, his gaze sweeping over the landscape.

Giyuu, sensing the pause, stood beside him in silence. The lack of conversation between them was not uncomfortable. Obanai found himself appreciating the quiet moments they shared, the subtle signs of trust that were beginning to form.

“I’ve been thinking,” Obanai said finally, breaking the silence. His voice was measured, careful. “About what we’re dealing with. This demon ts smarter than most. It’s been evading us for a reason.”

Giyuu nodded, his eyes focused on the horizon.
“Yes. It’s likely learned our moves and is using them to its advantage. We need to adjust our approach if we’re going to catch it.”

Obanai was surprised by the clarity in Giyuu’s response. There was no hint of the distant witj their interactions, just a straightforward acknowledgment of their situation.

They continued their patrol, the silence between them marked by a  sense of cooperation. The day goes on, and the forest remained quiet, the elusive demon continuing to evade their attavk. Yet, the steady rhythm of their movements and the unspoken understanding between them provided a sense of stability.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor, Obanai and Giyuu returned to their camp. The day’s frustrations were still fresh, but there was a quiet resolve in their demeanor.

The evening meal was a subdued affair, the flickering firelight casting soft shadows on their faces. Obanai found himself reflecting on the changes that had occurred over the past few weeks. The animosity that had once defined.

After the meal, they sat by the fire in silence. The warmth of the flames provided a comforting backdrop, and the quiet of the forest seemed to amplify the growing sense of understanding between them. Obanai glanced at Giyuu, noting the subtle signs of weariness etched on his face.

“There’s something about this mission,” Obanai said quietly, his voice almost reflective. “It’s made me see things differently. Not just about the demon, but about... us.”

Giyuu looked up, his gaze meeting Obanai’s.
,,Did you say something?"

"Why the fuck would i say something to you?"

Author’s Note

Hey everyone!

Just a quick update,I'm currently working on the next chapters, and they’re already in my drafts. I’ll be going over them today to check for any mistakes or tweaks that need to be made. If all goes well, I might be able to post more chapters later today.

Stay tuned, and thank you for your continued support!

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