I woke up in the Butterfly Mansion, the light filtering through the delicate shoji screens. The soft chirping of birds outside contrasted sharply with the turmoil swirling in my mind. As I sat up, the weight of my thoughts pressed down on me. What kind of Hashira was I if I couldn't even defeat an upper-rank demon? The memories of the last battle echoed in my mind: the screams, the blood, the hollow feeling of failure. I didn't want to stay any longer, to face the pitying looks of my comrades. I slipped out of bed and left without saying a word, the silence following me like a shadow.
Upon arriving at my estate, I spotted Yuzu on the porch, the sunlight glinting off her hair making it shined like silver. She looked up as I approached, her face lighting up with a smile that tugged at the corners of my heart. “Welcome back,” she said, her voice a gentle melody in the stillness of the evening.
“Thank you,” I replied, sinking down onto the porch beside her, the familiar comfort of her presence washing over me like a soothing balm.
“I missed you,” she added quietly, her gaze lingering on the horizon as if searching for something lost.
“How long was I out for?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Almost a week,” she answered, her eyes shifting to meet mine, concern etching her features.
“Do you think I should be where I am today?” I couldn't help but let the bitterness seep into my words, my head hanging low in shame.
“Of course! What makes you think otherwise?” she asked, surprise mingling with worry.
“I’m not capable like the rest of the Hashira. I can’t even cut an upper moon’s head off,” I confessed, the guilt twisting in my gut.
“Don’t say that! Just because you can’t do something doesn’t mean you’re not deserving of your position,” she insisted, her hand warm and reassuring on my shoulder. I felt a flicker of hope at her words but extinguished it quickly, unwilling to indulge in false comfort.
“What time is it?” I asked, trying to divert the conversation from my insecurities.
“It’s around 5:00,” she said, glancing at the sun dipping below the horizon, casting warm shades of orange and purple across the sky.
“I’ll go make dinner,” I said, standing up, but the heaviness in my chest remained. I walked inside, the familiar surroundings feeling foreign.
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Time skip brought to you by my sleep-deprived, coffee-induced state.
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As night fell, I found myself sitting on the roof of my estate, the stars twinkling like diamonds scattered across a velvet cloth. The cool breeze ruffled my hair, but it did little to ease the turmoil inside.
“Hey, Luna,” I murmured into the night “If you think your time is worth watching me from heaven, I'm afraid you're mistaken. I failed you. I’m sorry I couldn’t be strong enough. Sorry I couldn’t be fast enough. Sorry I had to be the way I am.” My voice cracked, and I fought to hold back the tears threatening to spill.
“Tsuki?” Yuzu's voice broke through my despair, soft and tentative from behind me. I turned, surprised to see her silhouette framed against the moonlight.
“Oh, Yuzu...” I said, my heart leaping at the sight of her.
“Are you okay?” she asked, stepping closer, concern etched on her face.
“I’m fine,” I lied, but the tremor in my voice betrayed me.
She sat down next to me, the space between us filled with unspoken words. “I think you’re perfect the way you are,” Yuzu said, placing her hand gently over mine. I ached at her kindness, the sincerity of her gaze forcing me to look down. I didn’t have the courage to meet her eyes.
“I don’t want to be this way… not forever…” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper, the weight of my vulnerabilities hanging in the air like a dark cloud.
“If you’re talking about your attitude towards others, then you can stop by congratulating them—maybe complimenting them,” she suggested lightly, a hint of playfulness breaking through the tension.
“Thank you. You’re one of the reasons why I still believe in hope,” I said, allowing a small, sad smile to cross my lips. She mirrored my expression, her smile tinged with a sadness that made my heart ache.
“Hope is a double-edged sword; it can save you or destroy you,” she replied, her voice lowering as she stared up at the stars. The weight of her words settled between us, heavy and poignant.
At that moment, something inside me cracked, and I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. “Every night, I lie awake replaying every conversation we’ve had, every smile you've given me. It's a beautiful torment, knowing that the closer we get, the more impossible it feels to be just friends.” It felt like I was confessing my feelings, and the vulnerability of the moment made me tremble.
Her eyes widened in surprise for a heartbeat before softening. “I love you too,” she said, a single tear glistening as it slipped down her cheek. “But we can’t…”
I looked down at my lap, my heart heavy. “I’m scared of what could happen, and I don’t think I can handle it,” I admitted, each word feeling like a weight pressing down on my chest.
“Can you promise me something though?” Yuzu asked, her hands suddenly enveloping mine, warmth flooding through me. I turned to face her, mirroring her grip.
“If we are able to defeat the Demon King, can you promise me that we can be together, even if it’s just friends?” Her eyes were earnest, searching mine for an answer.
“Of course! You don’t even have to ask,” I replied, my heart racing at the thought of a future together, however uncertain it may be.
In that moment, time seemed to freeze. We leaned in, our lips brushing against each other in a hesitant kiss. It was sweet and gentle, a shared breath under the vastness of the night sky. For that brief moment, everything outside our little world fell away. But as quickly as it began, it ended. I pulled back, the distance between us feeling impossibly vast.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. I stood, my heart aching, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down on me like a heavy shroud. As I walked away, I couldn’t shake the feeling that our moment had changed everything, leaving behind a bittersweet memory that I would carry with me, a reminder of what we could be and what I feared we might never have.
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YOU ARE READING
the way of the eclipse
Actionthis is a story about it I was in demon slayer so bear with me
