Whispers of Water and Wind

Part 3 Giyuu's Journey to Birth of Tsutako

She opened her eyes, and time seemed to freeze. Sabito—her Sabito—had thrown himself in front of her. His body, now riddled with wounds, had become her shield. He looked at her one last time, his eyes filled not with fear but with love. He collapsed into her arms, his breath shallow, his life slipping away.

"Sabito... no!" Her voice cracked, but it was too late. His body went limp, and the world around her shattered.

A wild, uncontrollable rage consumed Giyuu. The sorrow was unbearable, but the anger—it burned like an inferno. She lost herself in it, her mind and body acting on pure instinct. With every ounce of strength she had left, Giyuu attacked the demon, slashing and tearing at it until it was reduced to nothing but dust. Her sword cut through the night, relentless, fueled by grief and fury, until the demon was gone—nothing more than a vanquished shadow.

When it was over, she crumpled beside Sabito's lifeless body. Her heart shattered, her soul aching, Giyuu held him close, tears streaming down her face. She screamed, loud and raw, her cries echoing through the forest. The last time she had cried like this was when her sister had died—but this time, it felt like her very spirit had been torn from her.

In the aftermath, Giyuu's strength finally gave out, and the world around her faded into black.

When she awoke, she was back at Urokodaki's house, lying in her futon. The pain, though dulled, remained sharp in her heart. Next to her lay Sabito's haori and his sword—the only remnants of him she had left. Her hands trembled as she reached for them, and once again, the tears fell, unbidden and unstoppable.

Urokodaki, approached her quietly. He rested a gentle hand on her head, his voice soft yet firm. "Giyuu, you have to be strong." She said nothing, her heart too heavy to speak.

"As long as you are alive," Urokodaki continued, "Sabito will live in you."

Together, they walked to Sabito's grave, the weight of Giyuu's grief settling deep within her chest. She knelt beside the simple stone marker, holding his haori, her fingers brushing the fabric. Tears blurred her vision, but Urokodaki's words echoed in her mind.

Sabito was gone, but his love, his strength, would stay with her always. And though her heart would never fully heal, Giyuu knew that somehow, she would carry on. For Sabito's sake. For the love they shared.

After Sabito's death, Giyuu's world shattered. The bond they shared was deep, their love quiet but unbreakable. Now, with him gone, she felt as though the earth had been pulled out from under her. Her heart, once full of hope and warmth, now felt hollow.

Sabito's absence weighed heavily on her soul, a constant ache that echoed through every corner of her home. She wandered aimlessly through the rooms they had shared, replaying memories of their time together—the gentle moments, the smiles, the unspoken understanding that passed between them.

In the weeks that followed his death, Giyuu's grief was all-consuming. The loss had cut her deeply, and she found herself trapped in the shadows of her mourning, the world around her losing its color. Each day was marked by a deep sadness that left her feeling numb. She would sit for hours, staring into nothingness, the silence of their home pressing down on her. The future, once bright and full of possibility, now felt bleak and empty without Sabito by her side.

Then, in the midst of this despair, a new storm arose. Giyuu discovered she was pregnant. The news hit her like a sudden gust of wind, leaving her breathless. She had thought her life had ended with Sabito's, that there was nothing left to live for. But now, a new life was growing inside her—a life created with the man she loved. The realization was overwhelming. How could she raise this child alone? How could she bring a child into a world that had lost its light?

One evening, as she sat by the window of their home, watching the rain fall softly outside, Giyuu placed a hand on her still-flat abdomen. The rain had always brought her comfort, a connection she and Sabito had shared in their quiet moments together. Now, it seemed to reflect the complex emotions within her—grief mixed with the stirring of new life. She closed her eyes and felt a quiet resolve settle in her heart. She would bring their child into the world. She would carry on, for Sabito, for their love, and for the child they had created together.

The months passed, and Giyuu's resolve grew stronger. She prepared for the arrival of her child with a quiet determination, channeling her grief into this new purpose. The day finally arrived, and Giyuu, stronger than she ever imagined she could be, gave birth to a baby girl. As the midwife placed the tiny infant into her arms, Giyuu's breath caught in her throat.

The baby had black hair, soft and dark like Giyuu's own. But when she opened her eyes, Giyuu felt her heart lurch. Those eyes—they were Sabito's. The same shade of violet, the same warmth and gentleness that had always made her feel safe. It was as though a part of him was looking back at her, reminding her that he was still with her in some way.

Tears welled up in Giyuu's eyes, and for the first time in months, she allowed herself to cry freely. She had worked so hard to remain composed, to be the strong warrior, but in this moment, she was simply a mother—vulnerable, heartbroken, yet filled with love.

As she gazed at her daughter, memories of Sabito flooded her mind. She remembered the warmth of his touch, the sound of his laughter, the way he would brush her hair back when it fell into her face. She could almost feel his presence beside her, as if he was there, watching over them both.

She traced the delicate contours of her daughter's face, marveling at the beauty of this child born from their love. And in that moment, she knew what she would name her."Tsutako," Giyuu whispered, her voice trembling. "I'll call you Tsutako."

The name held deep meaning for Giyuu. It was the name of her older sister, Tsutako, who had sacrificed her life to protect Giyuu when they were younger. In giving this name to her daughter, Giyuu was honoring both her sister's memory and the love she had shared with Sabito. It was a name that carried strength, sacrifice, and above all, love.

"So from today, you are Tsutako Tomioka," Giyuu whispered to her newborn. "I will love you. I will take care of you. You will grow into a strong and responsible girl. You don't have to become a Demon Slayer. No... You don't have to. I will protect you with my life."

Years passed, and Giyuu's life took on a new purpose. Though she continued her duties as a Demon Slayer, her daughter Tsutako became her source of solace and strength. The little girl's laughter filled their home, softening the sharp edges of Giyuu's once solitary existence. Tsutako was a living reminder of the love Giyuu had shared with Sabito, and caring for her brought a sense of peace that Giyuu had not thought possible.

Though the path Giyuu had walked had been marked by darkness and loss, she had found a light amid the tragedy—a new beginning inthe form of her daughter. She had stumbled upon a precious gem and allowed it to shine, creating a path of healing and hope. Evening the darkest of times, the love she had for Sabito and the love she now had for Tsutako illuminated her way forward, proving that even in the deepest sorrow, there could still be light.

End of Floating Memories

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Next Chapter: Sanemi's Struggle.