Whispers of Water and Wind

Chapter 16 Beneath the Rain

After Shinazugawa stormed out, Giyuu sank to the floor, her back pressed against the door, heart pounding with a crushing mix of disbelief and guilt. She pulled her knees to her chest, her breath shallow, as the weight of Sanemi's words echoed in her mind.

Giyuu's thoughts swirled, tangled in the chaos of emotions. Betrayed Sabito? The very notion twisted something deep inside her, making her stomach churn. How could she betray the love that had meant everything to her? That had shaped her, saved her.

Memories of Sabito flooded her mind—the way he would smile, his eyes brimming with quiet affection. The warmth of his presence, a steady comfort in a world filled with so much loss. The thought of betraying him felt like a knife to her soul, cutting deeper than any blade ever could.

Sabito... His name lingered on her lips, unspoken yet burning in her heart. She had always carried his love, his trust, like a fragile treasure. How could she have let it slip, even for a moment?

Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away, her body trembling under the weight of her own regret. The pain was unbearable, an ache that spread through her chest, making it hard to breathe. 

Giyuu closed her eyes, fighting the emotions that surged within her. But the memories wouldn't leave her. Sabito's touch, his voice, the way he had looked at her as though she was the only person in the world that mattered. Memories ---

(Author Note: This section is dedicated to SabiGiyuu, focusing on Giyuu's journey through love, loss, and the birth of Tsutako. Giyu and Sabito both survived the Final selection and now Giyu and Sabito are 16 year old.)

Part 1 Giyuu's Journey of Love 

"Caw caw, new mission xxxx Mountain. Caw caw, new mission!"

Sabito groaned, rubbing his temple. "Yeah, we heard it. Can you please stop that?" he muttered, annoyed.

Giyuu chuckled softly. "Sabito, we should leave," she said, her rare smile lighting up her features.

Sabito looked at her and smirked, grabbing his katana. "Yeah, sure. Let's go kill all those stupid demons."

They set off, soon arriving at a large, dense forest atop a hill. The landscape was rough and uneven, with massive rocks and thick trees covering the path. Various plants grew around them, adding to the beauty and mystery of the forest. Despite the peaceful setting, they were focused, knowing a demon lurked nearby. After much searching, they found and swiftly defeated the demon together, their teamwork flawless.

"Let's head back quickly," Giyuu said, looking up at the darkening sky. "I think it's going to rain."

Sabito glanced around, then up at the clouds. "I agree... but why don't we stay here tonight?" he suggested, eyeing the deep forest. "It's kind of far to walk back."

Giyuu frowned. "We should leave. The forest is deep, and there could be dangerous animals around. We should return before the storm gets worse."

Sabito stretched, unfazed. "We won't make it back in time. Look, there's a cave over there. I'm staying here. If the rain gets too heavy, or you lose your way, come back, okay?"

Giyuu, already turning to leave, huffed. "I'm not a child. I won't lose my way."

As she moved deeper into the forest, the wind picked up, and soon, the sky opened, pouring cold rain down on her. The thunder roared louder, and the storm hit with full force. Giyuu was completely drenched, her body shivering from the biting cold. Each step became harder to take, and she began to regret not staying with Sabito. Realizing she wouldn't make it far in this weather, she turned back.