𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬

Eyes in the dark

Iguro pov:

The battlefield was  quiet now, save for the occasional distant howl of a remaining demon. The villagers had been given a sense of safety, but the night was still  with danger. The demons that had scattered during the fight were still lurking in the darkness, and the Hashira knew their job wasn't over until the last threat was killed.

Obanai wiped the blood from his blade, his mind still buzzing from the fight. His thoughts drifted back to Giyuu, who was methodically checking his equipment nearby. Despite the chaos and their previous disagreements, Obanai couldn't deny the efficiency and calmness Giyuu brought to their mission.

----

As they moved through the village's outskirts, scanning the shadows for any signs of demons, Obanai's gaze accidently fell upon Giyuu. In the dim light of the lanterns they carried, Giyuu's deep blue eyes seemed almost luminous. They were intense, like a wide, uncharted ocean, reflecting both the calm and the storm of his inner world.

Obanai found himself unable to look away. He noticed the way Giyuu's eyes held a kind of quiet strength, an unspoken depth that seemed to captivate him. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Obanai was mesmerized by the subtle play of light in Giyuu's eyes, the calm demeanor they betrayed.

What the fuck am I doing? Why the fuck am I staring at him like this? The realization jolted Obanai out of his trance. His cheeks flushed a deep red, and he quickly averted his gaze, shaking his head as if to clear away the lingering thoughts.Get it together, Obanai. Focus on the mission.

-----

The two Hashira moved deeper into the woods surrounding the village, their senses heightened. The night was thick with tension and anticipation. Every crackle of a branch or rustle in the underbrush set their nerves on edge. They worked in practiced silence, their movements synchronized and precise as they hunted for any signs of demons.

Obanai's earlier distraction was now replaced by a fierce focus.His heart raced, not just from the physical exertion, but from the unsettling emotions that had surfaced. He tried to push those thoughts aside, channeling all his energy into the hunt.

-----

As the night moved on the tension between them was palpable. Though their interactions were minimal, the air around them crackled with an unspoken intensity. Both Hashira were aware of each other's presence, each silently acknowledging the other's prowess and focus.

Occasionally, their paths would cross, their shoulders brushing or their eyes meeting for a brief second. Each contact, though minor, seemed to spark a deeper reaction in Obanai, who struggled to keep his thoughts in check. The cold distance between them was a barrier that neither was willing to cross, yet it only seemed to heighten the tension.

----
Hours passed without a break, and exhaustion began to weigh heavily on them. They took a brief brake under a large, ancient tree, its gnarled branches casting long shadows. As they sat down, catching their breath, the silence was filled only with the occasional distant call of a nocturnal creature.

Obanai sat across from Giyuu, his back resting against the rough bark. He stole a glance at Giyuu, who was lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the darkness beyond. The sight of him, so resolutely focused, stirred something within Obanai. His earlier feelings returned, though he fought to suppress them.

Why do I feel this way?Obanai thought, frustration mingling with his exhaustion. He tried to shift his attention back to their surroundings, forcing himself to remain vigilant. The demons were still out there, and their mission was far from over.

-----

As dawn approached, the first light of morning began to shine through the trees. Obanai and Giyuu had managed to clear the immediate threat, but they knew they couldn't afford to let their guard down. They resumed their search, their movements more deliberate and less frenetic.

Obanai's thoughts were still a turbulent mix of frustration and confusion. He couldn't deny the strange attraction he felt towards Giyuu, but he buried these feelings under his duty and resolve. His focus remained on their mission, his mind a storm of conflicting emotions that he chose to ignore.

----
As they neared the end of their patrol, Obanai and Giyuu walked side by side, their steps in sync but their conversation non-existent. The night had been long, and both were ready to return to the village, their exhaustion evident in their slow, deliberate movements.