The Crystal's Whisper and The Wind's Embrace

Chapter 59: Before It's Too Late

Lightning cracked across the sky, though no storm brewed overhead.

Only rage. Only sorrow. Only the twisted sound of Hiroshi's laugh echoing through the clearing.

"You always said you'd protect me," he spat, demonic veins surging across his arms. "So protect me now, Tsukiyo. Show me your love. Fight me—or watch him die."

He vanished.

Tsukiyo spun just in time, her blade catching Hiroshi's claws mid-strike, the impact forcing her back several paces. Her boots tore furrows into the forest floor as her breath left her in a gasp.

"Hiroshi—please!"

Her voice trembled, not with fear, but grief.

"You don't have to do this. You can still come back."

"Come back to what?" His eyes blazed with fury. "To watching you shine while I rot in your shadow? To being the footnote in your legend?"

"No—! You were never behind me! You were beside me!"

But he was already gone again.

He reappeared above her, descending with a guttural roar and talons arched wide.

"Crystal Breathing, Fifth Form—Prism Piercer!"

A dome of crystalized energy exploded around her, catching his claws—but not in time. His strike tore through the edge of the barrier, cutting deep into her side.

She cried out, stumbling, blood staining her haori.

Still—she stood.

Still—she would not strike to kill.

From the edge of the trees, Sanemi crashed into the scene, eyes wild with horror.

"Tsukiyo!!"

Her name tore from his throat just as Hiroshi turned toward him, his lips curling into a sneer.

"Ah. The Wind Hashira himself."

Sanemi's blade was drawn before his feet hit the ground.

"You lay another claw on her, I swear—"

"Swear what?" Hiroshi hissed, baring fangs. "You'll protect her? You'll take her from me like you took everything else?"

He lunged for Sanemi, faster than lightning.

Tsukiyo screamed, "No!"

She leapt between them again, deflecting Hiroshi's strike by a hair's breadth.

Sanemi caught her as she staggered backward, another gash bleeding along her shoulder.

"Dammit—why are you protecting me?!" he growled, voice raw.

"Because I won't lose either of you," she gasped.

"Then you'll lose yourself," Hiroshi roared.

He unleashed a barrage of attacks—claws slashing in frenzied arcs, his demonic speed overwhelming. Tsukiyo and Sanemi fought back to back, blades meeting bone again and again, but Hiroshi fought like a wounded animal—wild, desperate, merciless.

"Crystal Breathing, Seventh Form—Emerald Edge!"

Tsukiyo's blade split into mirrored crystalline arcs, each one catching Hiroshi's talons. The air cracked with the clash of glass and fury.

Hiroshi twisted mid-air, caught her arm, and hurled her into a tree with bone-crushing force.

She hit the trunk hard, the impact snapping through the clearing like thunder. She dropped to one knee, blood trailing from her mouth.

Sanemi roared, "You bastard—!"

"Wind Breathing, Fourth Form—Rising Dust Storm!"

His blade tore through the underbrush in a spiraling cyclone, slamming into Hiroshi's side and sending him crashing into the earth—but the demon rose again, snarling, healing.

He turned slowly, eyes locked on Sanemi.

"Let's see who matters more now, Tsukiyo."

And with a shriek, Hiroshi lunged—this time not for her, but for Sanemi's throat.

"NO!"

Tsukiyo's blade ignited with radiant energy, veins of crystal light racing along its edge.

"Crystal Breathing, Sixth Form—Diamond Drill!"

A piercing burst of energy shot from her sword, striking Hiroshi's flank mid-lunge. His body convulsed, twisting in agony, but he kept going.

Tsukiyo pushed forward, blood trailing down her arms, vision blurring. "Second Form—Ruby Rain!"

A rain of brilliant crystalline light descended like a meteor shower, catching Hiroshi in a barrage of cutting arcs. He screamed, clawing through the air, trying to reach Sanemi—but he was slowing.

He was weakening.

One final burst of light cleaved through the darkness—and her blade pierced his chest.

Time stopped.

Hiroshi gasped.

His claws dropped, twitching. His knees hit the ground. And for a long moment, all was silent except the sound of her shuddering breath.

He looked up at her—eyes no longer red.

Just brown.

Soft.

Afraid.

"...Tsuki..."

Her grip trembled on the hilt. "H-Hiroshi..."

He lifted a hand, touching her cheek with blood-stained fingers. "You... chose him."

"No." Tears fell freely now. "I chose you, again and again—but I couldn't let you take him from me."

"I was... jealous," he whispered. "Of you... of him. I thought if I could just take something back... maybe I wouldn't feel so empty."

Tsukiyo dropped to her knees, clutching him.

"You were never empty," she sobbed. "You are my brother."

He smiled faintly.

"I didn't... deserve you as my sister."

His body trembled.

"But I couldn't stop myself."

"Hiroshi, please—don't leave me too."

"Listen to me," he whispered, voice fading. "Muzan... he's planning something. He knows you'll gather. The Hashira... he wants to strike while the corps is the least prepared. He'll send the Upper Moons—more than one. He's not waiting anymore."

"W-what?"

His fingers slipped from her cheek.

His final breath left him in a whisper:

"...Don't let... it end like this."

And he was gone.

The clearing was silent.

Her blade clattered to the ground.

And Tsukiyo screamed.

Not out of anger.

But heartbreak.

Sanemi stood frozen behind her, his chest heaving, his jaw clenched.

Then—slowly—he stepped forward, dropped to his knees, and wrapped his arms around her shaking form.

She didn't resist.

She collapsed into him, sobbing uncontrollably.

And for once—

Sanemi didn't try to hold back.

He just held her, burying his face into her shoulder, blood and grief between them.