in the depth

Part 3

I grit my teeth angrily as I dragged giyuu back to headquarters, thoughts racing my mind, thinking on what I would tell the others, how I would explain the story. my crow tried talking to me, but I didn't listen. its angry calls drained out the negative thoughts in my mind.

The weather had changed drastically to a warm spring day, frost lightly bouncing on top of the spiky grass, as the light breeze made my cheeks slightly rosy. The walk was longer than I expected, but maybe that was because I had extra weight hanging onto my shoulder, muttering if we had arrived, or if we were nearly there. Feeling drained, I stopped at a small tea house a half hour away from headquarters, to rest and hydrate. Giyuu slumped on a chair and put his head in his hands wearily. I paid for his tea but he barely even took a sip. 

When we arrived, I could see Shinobu Kocho and Obanai Iguro , a pair of hashiras, training. Hearing Giyuus groans as I placed him on the ground, they rushed over, shinobu going pale and obanai looking extremely concerned.

"What happened to him?" Shinobu exclaimed, her hairclip wilting to the side as she jumped on the spot nervously.

"He got attacked by a demon" i explained to her. "i came just in time. The demon didnt even try to drink his blood, but she did this" i showed her and obanai the markings on the tree in red lipstick, and both of them looked worried but intrigued.

"finally, something INTERESTING around here!" Obanai exclaimed in relief, slumping down on a bench and taking a bite out of an apple. "ive been getting bored, all the demons have been going into hibernation i guess" he added.

Giyuu started at them menancinly "HELLO?" he shouted, pointing to his leg. This isn't some sort of twisted murder mistery you know, lets just go find this wretched demon and kill it already." he said, trying to lift himself up but failing to do so

I laughed at his poor attempts but then i turned to him "Giyuu, you DO realise that your leg is almost hanging on its last threads, we cant let you risk your life to come with us! ill go with shinobu and obanai, it shant be too much trouble. Giyuu muttered something i couldnt make out and slumped back down, shaking his head.

"fine"