Strength Reborn

Whispers in the Cold

Shinobu's POV

There's been a chill around Giyu lately, and not just the one we've come to expect. No, this one is different. Wherever he goes, it's as though winter clings to him, an unnatural frost in the air. At first, I thought it was my imagination-something my mind conjured to make sense of Giyu's usual aloofness. But the villagers started talking.

They say a spirit follows him. A snow spirit that drains the life of those who wander too far into the mountains.

Ridiculous, I told myself. Giyu may be a lot of things, but a life-draining spirit? Certainly not. But every time he enters a room, my breath clouds in the air. Every time he leaves, the warmth seems to seep back in, like the sunlight finally pushing through clouds after a heavy storm.

And then... there's the way he acts. It's so unlike him. Twice now, I've caught him gripping trees, knuckles white, holding himself as though he's trying not to laugh. The sight of Giyu Douma-like sent shivers down my spine. It wasn't right. It wasn't Giyu.

Still, I've watched in silence, waiting for the right moment. Maybe it's just stress... Maybe.

Mitsuri's POV

I've always loved the winter-the way it blankets the world in a soft, white stillness. But this cold... this is different. Wherever Giyu goes, it clings to him like a shadow. Even the warmth of the sun can't chase it away.

I've tried to talk to him about it, but he's more distant than usual. And there's something about his eyes now, like he's not entirely there. Sometimes, I swear I see his lips twitching into a smile-something almost mischievous-but then, in a blink, it's gone, and his usual blank stare returns.

The villagers have been whispering, though. They say there's a snow spirit that haunts the mountains, draining the life from the lost. It makes me worry for Giyu, but when I ask if he's okay, he just shakes his head and leaves without a word. It's so unlike him, and I can't help but wonder if there's something happening-something he's not telling us.

Sanemi's POV

I don't trust it. I don't trust him. Never did, never will.

But this thing... this cold that follows him around? It's not normal. Not for him. Not for anyone.

And I'm not the only one who's noticed. The villagers talk, say he's cursed. A snow spirit, they whisper. But Giyu's no spirit-he's a pain in the ass with no emotions, always too quiet, too still. Except now... Now he's not just cold. He's... off. Like something's wrong.

Saw him gripping a tree the other day, trembling, like he was trying not to burst out laughing. Laughing! Giyu doesn't laugh. That's how I knew something was wrong. Something's inside him, messing with his head, and it's only a matter of time before it becomes a problem for the rest of us.

I'll keep an eye on him. The moment he steps out of line, I'll be the first to cut him down.

Muichiro's POV

I don't usually notice things like this. The cold, I mean. But lately... there's something strange about Giyu. Everywhere he goes, it's like the air freezes, like he's surrounded by winter. At first, I thought it was just the season, but even on warm days, there's that chill.

Sometimes, I see him gripping trees, his body shaking like he's holding something back. I want to ask him if he's okay, but I'm not sure what to say. There's something in his eyes, something that wasn't there before.

The villagers talk about a snow spirit, but I don't believe in those things. Still, I can't help but wonder if something is following him. Something we can't see.

Rengoku's POV

Giyu's always been a bit... cold. But this-this is something else.

There's a bite in the air now whenever he's near, as if winter itself follows in his footsteps. I'm not one to believe in spirits or curses, but the villagers... they speak of a snow spirit that drains the life from the lost. And though I laugh it off, even I can't ignore the way the air chills whenever Giyu is around.

He's acting strange too. I caught him in the woods the other day, gripping a tree as though he were fighting off some unseen force, his shoulders shaking. It looked almost as if he were trying not to laugh, but that can't be right. Giyu never laughs. He barely even smiles.

It's concerning. Whatever is happening to him, it's affecting more than just his mood. And I can't help but feel like we're running out of time to figure out what it is.

Tanjiro's POV

I'm not sure when I first noticed it, but lately, whenever I try to get close to Giyu, it feels like something is... pushing me away. The air around him is freezing, and it's more than just the cold. It's like the cold wants me to stay away.

The others have noticed it too. Even the villagers are whispering about a snow spirit. But what worries me the most is how Giyu's been acting. I've seen him gripping trees, trembling, and his expression-it's like he's struggling with something inside him.

Today, I couldn't ignore it any longer. I had to ask.

"Giyu... what's going on?"

The other Hashira were there, watching. I could feel their eyes on us, waiting for his response.

Giyu froze, his body tense. And then... his voice. It came out two-toned, like two people were speaking through him at once.

"I... I'm fine, Tanjiro." His words were strained, full of worry. It wasn't like him at all.

For a moment, it was like I was standing in front of someone else. But then Giyu shook his head, coughing, and the strange voice was gone. He straightened up, nodded once, and walked away without another word.

I don't know what's happening to him, but whatever it is... it's not just the cold. Something is wrong with Giyu. And I'm going to find out what it is.