Disclaimer:

I do not own nor claim all the rights to 鬼滅の刃 | Kimetsu no Yaiba | Demon Slayer; all rights are reserved to its respective creator, Koyoharu Gotōge. This is purely a work of fiction; names, characters, businesses, events, localities, and occurrences are all extrapolated from the author's writings and imagination or utilized in a fictitious manner. As such, any direct or indirect references to actual entities, dead or alive, or events do not, in any shape or form, resemble the opinions of the author.

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"..." = Dialogue

'...' = Internal monologues

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It had been four, long torturous weeks before the Water Hashira awoke from his long slumber—or, about two weeks following the Insect Hashira's rousing.

Amid that duration, news spread quickly about their exploits in Yokohama.

On the surface, it was deemed that they had defeated an Upper Moon demon, and they were accordingly praised for sure endeavors.

However, more prudent minds au courant with the details of the mission knew that it was not Upper Moons the Water and Insect Hashiras encountered.

Indeed, Kagaya and Gyomei both surmised that a more sinister force may have resided in the depths of the darkness beneath Yokohama.

Yet, in the passing of several centuries, the Corps has been blind to such machinations.

Therefore, it was imperative that Giyuu and Shinobu provide the specificities of the mission; the Corps must comprehend what exactly transpired in the darkness, to understand just how close to disaster they were.

While it was possible to schedule a Hashira meeting for this pressing matter, Kagaya—out of respect for the Water and Insect Hashira's physical conditions—opted to engage in a more private, closed-door conversation with just those two.

Until then, Giyuu and Shinobu had all the time in the world just for themselves.

..

..

..

..

Aoi was making her rounds across the Butterfly Mansion when she came upon Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho peeping into a patient's room.

"What on Earth are those girls doing..." Aoi muttered as she confronted them.

"Hey girls, you shouldn't—!"

"Shh! We don't want to disturb them!" Naho whispered.

Aoi sighed, "You guys know better than to eavesdrop on a private conversation, especially from a patient."

"But Aoi-chan," Kiyo pointed into the room, "look."

Slightly intrigued by what she was indicating, Aoi stole a peek into the room.

"Wait..." she came to a revelation. "Is that—?"

"Shinobu-sama and Water Hashira-sama!" Kiyo beamed widely.

"Oh. That's... different..." Aoi was in awe.

"But why are they—... right, this is Water Hashria-sama's room I suppose..." she concurrently realized.

"Shinobu-sama hasn't left the room since he woke up!" Naho exclaimed.

"And she looks like she's having a lot of fun talking with Water Hashira-sama!" Sumi pointed out.

"Fun?" Aoi said with astonishment.

"Shinobu-sama was so scary after she woke up, but she looks even happier now than she's ever been!" observed Kiyo.

"Yeah, yeah! I was worried Shinobu-sama was going to remain miserable!" Naho said in concert with her peers.

"But she's so joyful now!" said Sumi.

"Joyful??" Aoi blurted.

Then, much like the others, curiosity took hold of the older worker.

The four girls peered through the small crack in the door, eavesdropping on a conversation that was transpiring in the designated private quarters.

Kocho Shinobu was seated by the bedside of the recuperating Tomioka Giyuu—who had woken up about a few hours ago. Since then, the two of them had been doing nothing but communicating with each other.

Albeit, in a very informal fashion.

As the girls listened intently, they could hear giggles, laughter, and playful chatting.

While the nature of the colloquy isn't surprising itself, the individual actors engaging in this particular exchange of words was the most puzzling component of this scene.

Indeed, for the likes of Aoi, Sumi, Naho, and Kiyo, witnessing the Lady of the Butterfly Estate and the Water Hashira speaking so freely was the last thing they expected.

After all, the Water Hashria is always aloof and closed-mouth, and Lady Shinobu, while more socially inclined, has always retained a certain distance from everyone else—her outward demeanor was akin to that of a mask hiding her true thoughts.

And yet, here they are. A crimson tint paints the cheek of the graceful and decorous Insect Hashira as she speaks with such ease in front of a smiling and nodding Water Hashria.

A Lady Shinobu who is bizarrely candid about her feelings and a Water Hashira who apparently has the facilities to support a grin—not to mention the fact that he can hold a casual dialogue with someone as well.

And, to top it off, they are on a first-name basis. When or how this happened, nobody knew, but no one dared to question a Hashira on naming conventions; it is entirely possible that they've grown close as colleagues.

Or grown much closer.

Thus, the Butterfly Estate workers were absolutely bemused by this interaction.

"Oh my gosh, she's feeding him!" Aoi whispers, completely entranced by the sight of her superior doting on someone.

"Wait lemme see!!" The three younger girls try to catch a glimpse of this unprecedented development, shifting their heads around in order to get a better view.

..

..

"Say 'aah'~" Shinobu directed playfully as she raised the spoon.

Giyuu, meanwhile, merely stared at her with a bewildered look.

Though Shinobu was still technically "wounded", she was accoutered in her Demon Slayer uniform and her Butterfly-pattern Haori, implying that she had resumed full operation of her former obligations to the Estate and the Corps.

Giyuu, in a more dire physical condition, was robed in a cyan-colored hospital attire, with his signature mismatched haori residing in the nearby closet for safekeeping.

"... D-Do I have to...?" he queried nervously, feeling a pang of embarrassment at the thought.

"Of course, my dear Giyuu~. Now open up," she reiterated.

"Shinobu, you need not trouble yourself. I can hold the spoon just fi—"

"What, you don't want me feeding you?" she frowned, almost pouting in a sense.

"Uhm..." he sensed his heart palpitations quicken in pace, completely enticed by Shinobu's cute countenance.

"Do you remember, Giyuu? Our promise from all those years ago?" she suddenly asked.

"That I would cook for you?" she clarified further.

Giyuu then fully comprehended its significance, "I remember."

How could he forget? It was their last day of "genuine" conversation before tragedy struck.

"But I don't want you to neglect your duties simply because of my needs," Giyuu emphatically conveyed his concern for the Insect Hashira—he is well aware of her tendency to overwork herself.

"It's alright Giyuu. I am doing this because I... want to spend time with you," she said bashfully, the spitting image of a pure maiden smitten by her beloved. "It's been so long since we were together like this..."

The Water Hashira discerned a warm, fuzzy sensation growing in his chest upon hearing her response.

He too did not want Shinobu to leave his side; he likewise so dearly desired her company, especially after untold days since their last interaction.

Indeed, he would prefer it, in fact, if they were almost always intimate and close. An attribute often only shared amongst married couples...

"I do too..." Giyuu admitted shyly.

"Alright, then open your mouth~" She held the spoon up again, her spirit instantly rejuvenated.

Giyuu finally acquiesced, his weakness being the inability to refuse Shinobu's heartfelt requests—especially when she puts on a pouting face.

"Hm," Giyuu hummed as he consumed the rice porridge.

"How is it? Too hot? Cold? Bad?" Shinobu pressed, seeking honest feedback.

"No, not at all haha," Giyuu chuckled. "It's just that Urokodaki-sensei used to make us eat this every day... except it was so much worse."

Shinobu cracked a laugh, "Must have been tough, huh?"

"Eating meat was a luxury—much less fish," Giyuu remarked.

"Oh you poor thing, not being able to eat fish," Shinobu teased.

"Imagine if you didn't have access to Ginger Tsukudani for months on end," said Giyuu as he sought to draw a similar comparison to something more relatable to his partner.

"I guess that'd be terr—... wait, how do you know that's my favorite dish?" Shinobu asked in curiosity.

"I've caught you eating it many times during my visits here in the past, so I surmised that you must indeed like it," Giyuu explained.

"Also, I never forget any singular detail relating to you," he adds plainly, as if he's stating the obvious.

Shinobu felt her heart skip a beat, "Oh my... you're quite the smooth talker, Giyuu."

"I am?" he tilts his head in confusion.

"The cute, dorky kind," she coquettishly grins.

She then leans her head in closer.

"There's rice on your cheek, let me take care of that," she observes.

"Oh, thank—"

He felt a peck.

He immediately blushed, "Shin—"

"Mō, if you're flustered then I get easily flustered too!" Shinobu moaned sheepishly, her lineaments flushed with a deep red tinge.

At this rate, the Water Hashira was going to contract diabetes.

"You're too cute..." he mumbled.

"Saying I'm cute makes me sound immature... call me pretty instead," Shinobu lightly suggested

"You're pretty, beautiful, gorgeous, lovely, charming—" Giyuu began listing off.

"S-Stop that! That's embarrassing, Giyuu," she reddened angrily, red pigments encasing her cheeks.

"—attractive, marvelous, tempting—" he nonetheless continued.

"Giyuu, stop! Haha!" she couldn't help but giggle despite her purported displeasure—she is apparently weak against flattery from her beloved.

"Never."

"Why do you feel the need to do something embarrassing," she raised coyly.

"Not any more embarrassing than the time I got lost in the forest," he remarked.

"Oh! That was during our mission to Hokkaido, I remember!" said Shinobu excitedly.

"I remember I had to spend three hours looking for you. It didn't help that you wandered around like an idiot," she recalled.

"If it weren't for you, I probably would've had to live in the forest and become a nomad," Giyuu quipped.

"Well, it's a good thing I dragged you back, huh?" said Shinobu.

"Anything to escape the brown bears," Giyuu stated with a tired expression.

"You came across brown bears?" The Insect Hashira inquired.

"Yeah."

"Don't tell me you fought them..."

"If I did, Shinobu the doctor definitely would've known. Besides, I'm not that dumb," Giyuu joked.

They both subsequently fell silent and merely exchanged smiles, ones that evinced their utter joy at simply being in each other's presence.

Then, slowly, Shinobu's smile dissipated, her countenance expressing a more mellowed and earnest bearing.

"... If I am to be completely honest," her voice abruptly donned a more sincere and melancholic tone. "When I couldn't find you, I panicked..."

"... Why?" Giyuu questioned.

"What do you mean?" Shinobu asked.

"Wasn't this only our second mission together?" he clarified.

"It was... but I was still quite fond of you back then, despite our supposed distance," said Shinobu. "The memories of our weekly check-ups remained engraved in my head, and I enjoyed your company..."

She continued, "So when you were missing, I suppose I felt a little helpless at the time. It wasn't too long ago that Nee-san died, so, for a moment, I was scared you would leave me too... Because, despite everything, I still cared about you..."

Hearing this, Giyuu's eyes instinctively widened as she divulged aspects of her feelings he never really considered.

'She was fond of me even back then?' he pondered.

From her direct account, he was informed that feelings of attachment sprouted amid their initial days in her study—where she took it upon herself to drag him for regular examinations.

And he had assumed that such sentiments waned following Kanae's passing, that her drive to become a Hashira and achieve vengeance had eschewed what little sympathy she held for the distant Water Hashira.

Yet, she disclosed the simple notion that perhaps the aforementioned feelings were never forsaken—that Giyuu had always been deemed special, one way or another, to her from afar.

It almost dilutes the weight of those years of loneliness; for someone to care for him consistently is a notion that enlivens his very spirit.

Always so kind, always looking out for him.

He loved her with all his heart.

Shinbou then chuckled in a self-deprecating manner, "Still, me, a new Hashira, was worried about the veteran Water Hashira. A little silly, wasn't it?"

"Not at all," Giyuu gently landed his hand on hers, "I'm glad you valued our bond with such sincerity back then. Even when I should've been more open with you... But it makes me happy nonetheless."

They looked into each other's eyes.

"I'm happy you thought of me, even when I often didn't myself," he said.

"Giyuu..." she uttered by impulse.

He always thought too little of himself.

Blaming himself for being at her side, for being too weak, and for his inability to protect the people he loves.

Yet, he had done so much for her.

He pulled her out of the chasm, out of the darkness that nearly consumed her mind and soul immediately after Kanae's death.

He offered her ideas and motivation, asserting that she was qualified to be a Hashira despite her petite, weak build.

He became her inspiration.

Whether it was during those blissful days, or the murky times afterward, her eyes always followed him.

He who adored her, loved every part of her—even her imperfections. Who told her that she ought to be proud of herself.

It was he who confided his faith in her, believed in her when it seemed like no one else did.

Who was willing to bear the burden of her suffering.

He who lived the last of his days loving her.

Always so compassionate, so selfless.

She adored him—tenderly, passionately, and lovingly.

They looked fixedly into the unspoken words imparted merely by the shade of their pupils.

Then, a strange, attractive force bound their thoughts together; the prescience of which indicated that both had the desire and means to undertake whatever they yearned to accomplish.

An esoteric language, of sorts, is being communicated.

To that end, as their gaze remained glued to one another, they unconsciously drifted closer—pulling together like magnets on opposite poles.

As the cast of luminous sunlight streamed through the glass window, a pleasant and benign atmosphere was adrift.

So exhilarating to the heart, yet so soothing to the soul.

Their souls, never empty, find solace.

..

..

"Oh... Oh! OH!!!" Aoi couldn't control herself.

"Aoi-chan! Aoi-chan! What's happening, I can't see!" Naho complained, on the account of her diminutive stature.

"Me neither!" Sumi and Kiyo concur.

"Oh my gosh," Aoi was all red, panting through her words as she failed to contain the thrill of this discovery, "they're actually a thing..."

"Aoi-chan, what do you mean by that??" Kiyo inquired, with Naho and Sumi nodding furiously.

"Aoi-chan?" A voice beckoned from behind.

Aoi, still in a daze from her observations, was caught off-guard by this sudden intrusion, "K-Kanao-chan?!"

"Kanao-chan, Kanao-chan, can you see what's going on inside? Aoi-chan won't tell us!" Sumi requested.

"Please!" Kiyo begged.

"In...side...?" Kanao said with confusion.

Intrigued by their description, she, too, sneaked a look through the small, narrow crack along the door frame.

As she did, she bore witness to images of a carefree Shinobu—untroubled by the weight of her responsibilities or personality she hitherto adorned.

She had such an exuberant expression; she had never been so happy as she appeared to be now.

Not since Kanae's passing. 

Kanao indeed saw the Shinobu of all those years ago: the Shinobu that was full of life and free from the proverbial shackles of her grief. 

After scrutinizing the scene for a few, fleeting seconds, her face articulates a smile imbued with warmth and satisfaction.

This was fine.

She pulls back from the view.

"Did you see it?" Aoi said frantically.

Kanao nodded.

"They're a couple now!" Aoi exclaimed.

Kanao merely returned the gesture with a genuine smile of her own, "Yes, isn't that wonderful?"

Such a simple answer, yet so equally profound in its message.

Aoi gawked at her, eventually coming to an implicit understanding with her fellow peer.

She, too, was worried about their elder "sister". And she too wished eternal happiness for her.

"You're right," Aoi's lips quirked up. "That is indeed wonderful."

"Kanao-chan, what did you see?" Naho asked.

"Oh, please tell us!" Sumi implored.

"Please!" Kiyo supported.

Kanao, however, merely bade farewell via a traditional bow and continued walking thither, ignoring the pleas of the little girls.

"Kanao-chan!" Kiyo called out. "Where are you going—?"

"Come on girls, let's get back to work," said Aoi.

"But, Aoi-chan," Sumi protested, "what about Shinobu-sama?"

"I'm sure Shinobu-sama merely desires privacy at the moment. Besides," she raised an eyebrow, "you girls are too young for this adult business."

"Aww, c'mon Aoi-channn!" Naho whined.

"Hush now, and back to work," Aoi answered sternly as she discreetly shut the door—forever occluding any further discussion into the affairs of the Insect and Water Hashiras.

"Let them enjoy these moments together."

..

..

"By the way," Shinbou raised.

"Hm?" Giyuu hummed in response.

"I've been meaning to show you this, since it was explicitly stipulated that we both read it, but I was given a letter from Akihiro Yui," she explained.

"Akihiro-dono?" Giyuu recognized the name.

"She apparently received Himejima-san near Yokohama, directing him to our approximate location for extrication," Shinobu expounded.

"I see... have you read it yet?" Giyuu asked.

"No, since I wanted us both to read it," said Shinobu.

"I'm sure you've wanted to read it beforehand," Giyuu broaches.

"I suppose, but I think this letter is directed to the both of us. So, it's simply more appropriate if we both read it concurrently," Shinobu rationalizes.

"... You and Akihiro-dono were close?" Giyuu inquires.

"Yes..." Shinobu affirms. "She was a sweet lady who carried immense wisdom and offered insightful advice..."

"I see."

"Also, she knew about us..." Shinobu said shyly.

"Us?" Giyuu replied with perplexity.

"She knew I had feelings for you," she said with amusement. "It gave me quite a stir."

"Oh... That's... interesting..." Giyuu didn't know what to make of this.

"I was quite surprised myself, but I guess it makes sense given her prior experience with marriage and the like," Shinobu remarked.

"Her husband was a member of the Corps, wasn't he?"

"Yes, a Hinoe-ranked slayer upon his death. He hailed from a family of demon slayers," she clarified with a hint of gloom.

"It must've been hard on Akihiro-dono," Giyuu, taking notice of his partner's tepid response, stated.

"Yeah," Shinobu frowned slightly, "she married him despite knowing the risks of losing him."

"And here we are, loving each other despite BOTH being demon slayers," she added sardonically.

"Although," she then raised her arm and lightly caressed Giyuu's cheek, "that doesn't mean I will stop loving you."

Giyuu gently placed his hand atop hers, "Neither will I."

The corners of Shinobu's mouth curved upward, "What a naughty boy. Willing to entertain the heart of this pitiful woman."

"You are no pitiful woman, my dear. Quite contrary, you are most extraordinary," Giyuu countered.

"And you, my beloved, are most charitable—enough to extend the warmth of his kind soul to the smitten heart of mine," she lovingly answered.

"Both my soul and heart are all yours, fair maiden," Giyuu gave a chivalrous response.

"I am but a breath away from pouring my pure, unadulterated love unto you..." Shinobu lasciviously whispered, feeling the tincture of her intense passion.

"Shinobu..."

Tension was slowly building up, culminating in anticipation of something both of them so clearly desired in their hearts.

"Yes, my sweet Giyuu?" Shinobu said, breathless.

She felt pangs of excitement stroking her skin, her palpitations beating ever so fast.

She drew closer than ever.

"Aren't we supposed to be reading..." Giyuu abruptly reminded.

"..."

"..."

Shinobu let out a heavy sigh, "Alright..."

She removed her hand from his cheek and sat upright.

"Shall we read?" said Giyuu, oblivious to his partner's yearning.

"I suppose we ought to read Akihiro-san's letter..." she gave a defeated look.

Giyuu, however, was under the duress of his own raw emotions; he was compelled to resist the urge to indulge in his dearest Shinobu since he didn't think it would be possible to stop afterward.

In other words, if they started now, it would never end.

"I have it right here," Shinobu reached for her pocket.

After unveiling the envelope and unfolding the paper hiding within its confines, the Insect Hashira sat atop the hospital bed adjacent to the Water Hashira.

There, she displayed the contents for both to read.

..

..

Dear Kocho-san and Tomioka-san,

At the time of this writing, I had only just assisted Stone Hashira-sama and the Kakushi workers in making preparations for your evacuation from the vicinity, and, henceforth, delivery for further convalescence at the more suitable facilities of the Butterfly Estate.

Nevertheless, it was to my heart's content and great joy to know that both of you survived this great ordeal.

And while I cannot say for certain when either of you will rouse from your respective slumbers, I have made accommodations to that end with this written message.

To start off, I want to extend my deepest gratitude for the service you two have undertaken in subduing the evil that hitherto resided beneath Yokohama.

There is no doubt that the trials and tribulations you folks have confronted deep within the ruthless and unmerciful chasm have left an indelible mark in your minds—for better or worse.

And yet, your oath to the Corps has liberated a people so oppressed by the malice and terror unleashed upon them. Your actions alone have guaranteed the goodwill and livelihood of posterity.

For that, you should be proud of your accomplishments. Be proud of the fact that it was Kocho Shinobu and Tomioka Giyuu who triumphed over an evil that had festered for centuries.

You are the unsung heroes of millions, yet the resonance of your deeds echoes without heed, and your actions will go unnoticed by the very people you serve.

But nothing will change the true totality of your great feats; you are the unsung heroes, but you are heroes nonetheless. Posterity will not remember you, but they will owe their very lives for your selflessness.

I believe the heavens will grant a reward that will be commensurate for all your sacrifices. A reward that will brighten the days ahead, slowly ameliorating the painful memories of the past and propagating a hopeful outlook toward a better future.

On a more personal note, meeting the two of you was initially quite a strange occasion for me.

When I first spoke with you, Kocho-san, on the train, I saw myself wondering if I was speaking to a mirror image of myself; so similar our experiences were, yet so disparate in our endowed contemporary statuses.

Kocho-san, I know you have seen and felt great loss in life. I know what it is like to lose everything and despair. I know what it is like to fear—the fear of losing it all again.

But, shall I preface my remarks by asserting that you ought not to be afraid to fear, as there are always going to be uncertain times. You, however, should not let that fear define you.

I have lost my dear Hiroto in the line of duty, but I cannot and shall not despair; all the memories we shared together, all the children we brought to life into this world, all of it makes the lived experience worth it.

And, most of all, I have my children; Hiroto's love continues to live within them—they are living proof that our love has not evanesced from the memory of this world.

Therefore, I ask that you be hopeful, Kocho-san. Because you will experience pain once more in the future, but you will have years of bliss and happiness to remind yourself that such suffering won't scar—that you will not succumb to despair because you will know what happiness is.

And Tomioka-san, though I haven't been much acquainted with you personally, Kocho-san has told me plenty about you.

I sincerely hope you have come to understand just how much you treasure Kocho-san, and how the deeds of the past do not besmirch the bright future you shall share with her.

Learn to not only forgive yourself, but to let go of whatever burdens you carry in your soul. You have no sin to atone for because there is none. The weight of the past is meaningless in the face of the endless possibilities of the future.

Much like how my husband did for me, let Kocho-san shower you with all the love and care she conjures. Embrace your life as it is, without being bound by whatever lies behind.

It has been an honor meeting you two.

How strange fate is in how it brings people together, creates bonds, and ensures a future far different from what one might otherwise expect.

When I first gazed upon you, Kocho-san, and the half-asleep Tomioka-san on the train cart, I saw my husband and myself within you both.

In doing so, I shall say this to both of you now: Look ahead, look forward.

Let your everlasting bond guide you forward, allow yourself to leap into the expansive grassfield of lush green and golden yellow—wide, bright, and full of opportunities.

Best regards,

Akihiro Yui.

(P.S. I recommend a sushi restaurant for a date.)

..

..

The two Hashiras remained seated in a numbing silence, requiring time to properly digest all this.

In the ensuing quietude, they sat in each other's company—a comforting fact that allowed for a peace of mind within both.

As they pondered, they both attempted to gauge the expression of the other via peripheral vision.

In doing so, they gradually noticed the other doing the same. Consequently, Giyuu and Shinobu slowly glanced at one another until they were looking eye-to-eye.

They were both straight-faced—inscrutable and without much animation.

Then, slowly, Shinobu's countenance perked up, and Giyuu kindly reciprocated.

"She certainly knows how to write descriptively," Shinobu commented, still smiling.

"I wonder how many drafts it took," said Giyuu.

Shinobu giggled, "That's your first impression?"

"More or less," Giyuu shrugged.

"You are a piece of work, my dear Giyuu," Shinobu cheekily jested.

"But," she added, "I suppose it goes to show that she put much effort into this."

"A product that justifies the toil imbued upon it," said Giyuu.

"In other words, it was wonderful," Shinobu translated.

"Quite encouraging."

"In what sense?"

"She's rooting for us," Giyuu clarified.

"That's put it very lightly," she answered.

"Akihiro-dono has been privy to the many facets of life. Her wisdom shines through this paper, and I am glad we befriended her," he surmised.

"We? More like I befriended her. You were just being unsociable as usual," Shinobu regaled with her account of the affair.

"Was I?" Giyuu questioned.

"Gosh, you forgot? This is why nobody likes you, Tomioka Giyuu," she sarcastically huffed.

"But what about—"

"No one is allowed to like you except me, got it?" Shinobu proclaims with all her conviction.

"Of course."

"But you're right," Shinobu cracked a smile, "Akihiro-san is too kind. She's always been offering advice like this."

She continued, "And I'm grateful for all that she has done for us: healing us back into good shape, allowing us to sojourn at her residence, and sharing her thoughts and feelings so freely so that we may do the same. Without her, we wouldn't be here. She's just a wonderful woman."

"She's almost like a caring grandmother..." she concludes warmly.

"Did you know your grandparents well, Shinobu?" asked Giyuu.

"No, not really. They died when I was quite young, so I don't recall much of anything. Nee-san, though, was close to them, but her death heralded the end of such precious memories," Shinobu explained softly.

"I see..."

"What about you, Giyuu? Did you ever determine the fate of your grandparents? I know you never met them," Shinobu also inquired.

"They likely died long ago. Neither I nor Tsutako-Neesan ever knew them personally," answered Giyuu.

"But I'm... sorry about your grandparents. If the Flower Hashira was alive, I'm sure she would have much to share about them," Giyuu acknowledged apologetically.

"It's alright though. Like I said, I didn't know them too well. But Akihiro-san makes me wonder if that's what grandparents are truly like," Shinobu opined.

Giyuu then gently strokes Shinobu's head, before landing a kiss on her forehead, "In any case, we have expectations to live up to."

Shinobu, now red as a tomato, coyly murmured, "No fair... I wanted to do that first..."

"Beat you to it," Giyuu grinned.

Following this, she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, locking the two in an intimate position.

"This is payback," she whispered into his ear before their lips locked.

It was now Giyuu's turn to be flustered.

"Let's go on that Sushi date someday, hm?" Shinobu, switching positions, now tucked her arm into his, leaning slightly against him.

"Shinobu..." Giyuu muttered sheepishly as his arm intertwined with hers.

"What? Don't want to?"

"No, it's just that... it's getting late. I think we've been talking all day," he observed.

"Oh dear, you're right. It is approaching nighttime. How clumsy of me to not take notice!" Shinobu chuckled.

"You ought to retire for the night, Shinobu."

"Alright."

"..."

"..."

"... So, are you going?"

"Whatever do you mean, Giyuu?"

"I mean, are you going to your private quarters?" said Giyuu.

"Hm... Nope!" Shinobu rejected.

"Wh-What?"

"I think I'll stay here tonight!"

"..."

"..."

"Shinobu, as much as I am tempted to agree with your scheme, and I really want you by my side, I must advise you that you have to tend to your duties," Giyuu tried to delineate carefully and methodologically.

"My duties do not entail sleeping in my room, so I will rest here tonight!" she answered cheerfully.

Giyuu sighed, "Shinobu... If you stay here, I won't be able to sleep at all."

"And why's that?"

"Just imagine if I were in your private quarters right now, how would you feel?"

"... Quite... excited..." she seemed to be panting slightly, as if the idea alone was enough to elicit such a strong reaction.

Seeing Shinobu with such an improper and unladylike disposition also served to "stimulate" him.

Mustering all his willpower, he tried to placate his senses, "... And that's why I won't be able to sleep if you stay..."

"I wanna stay! And I know you want me to as well!" Shinobu whined.

With each passing second, Giyuu felt his resolve faltering—he was close to accepting her presence here.

"Shinobu, we can't get caught like that... together..." he justified further.

"Hmph, fine! Don't blame me if you desire my body at any point in the night!" she pouted angrily before storming off.

*RATTLE*

She slammed the Shoji screen shut.

"D-Desire?! B-Body?!" Giyuu was caught off-guard.

And thus concluded the first day of his rehabilitation training—which involved resisting the irresistible, sensual desire.

..

..

"Idiot, why doesn't he want me? I want him just as badly..." Shinobu muttered as she marched off to the other side of the mansion.

..

..

'PURGE ALL SINFUL DESIRES!' Giyuu meditated.

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..

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"Kocho-san... Listen to me...."

"I am about to depart... like everyone else..." he said wistfully.

"Why..." her voice breaks. "Why?! Why'd you do it?! I don't understand you... Why do you want to protect me?"

Giyuu simply smiled and whispered, "Because, Kocho Shinobu... I was... always have been... and always will be... in love with you."

..

..

Shinobu woke up in a cold sweat, gasping for air.

Caught within a heightened sensory state, her vision was blurry and there was an incessant ringing sound in her ears.

She was panicking.

"Giyuu... Giyuu..." she whispered, choking through the heavy breathing.

She felt utterly helpless, with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Oh, Giyuu..." her voice quavered.

She realized what she had to do.

Still accoutered in her informal kimono garments, she nonetheless emerged from the futon and stood on the Tatami mat.

She then proceeded with her trek out of her room and down the stairs...

..

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Shinobu was being swallowed up by the Upper Moon Two.

"Please...!" he begs.

Her body is halfway through the demon's skin.

"DON'T DO IT!!!" he screamed at the top of his lungs.

But his pleas fall on deaf ears.

Shinobu was now completely devoured by Douma.

"Anyway, tonight is a good night. Such fine feasts keep showing up one after another," the bastard demon maliciously smiles as he holds Shinobu's purple butterfly ornament.

"NOO!! AUUGGHGHH!!! SHINOBU!!! SHINOBU!!!!" he desperately beseeched her.

"KAWWWW! DEAD!! KOCHO SHINOBU IS DEAD!! SHE DIED AFTER A CONFRONTATION WITH UPPER MOON TWO!!"

"AGGHHHH!" he screamed into the darkness.

"KAWWWW! DEAD!! KOCHO SHINOBU IS DEAD!! SHE DIED AFTER A CONFRONTATION WITH UPPER MOON TWO!!"

"KAWWWW! DEAD!! KOCHO SHINOBU IS DEAD!! SHE DIED AFTER A CONFRONTATION WITH UPPER MOON TWO!!"

"KAWWWW! DEAD!! KOCHO SHINOBU IS DEAD!! SHE DIED AFTER A CONFRONTATION WITH UPPER MOON TWO!!"

..

..

He woke up with a scream trapped in his throat.

Sweating, suffocating, and panicking, he scoured his surroundings.

"Shinobu... Shinobu..." he mumbled in his madness, a wetness enveloping his eyes.

As he shifted around in this state of apprehension, he felt something warm clinging to him.

Upon the mere sight of her, it was as if the weight of the world fell off his shoulders; he felt instant relief and delight upon discovering the identity of the woman lying beside him on the bed frame.

Shinobu was quietly cuddled in Giyuu's embrace, fully taking comfort in his presence.

Seek further consolation, though, he gently and carefully takes hold of her hand and tenderly snuggles it against his cheek.

His rough, cold hand caresses her stiff knuckles while her soft, emollient palms placate his skin.

Almost therapeutic, he experiences a gradual relaxation of his perturbed mind and spirit.

It was then that the light of her eyes fell upon him, piercing his heart. He stared completely enchanted by her amethyst irises.

She extended her arm and lightly nuzzled her hand against his cheek. His heart skips a beat.

"Did you have a nightmare?" she softly asks.

"Yes..." he answered wearily.

"Me too," she smiled weakly.

"I—... Shino—" Giyuu stammered, on the verge of breaking into tears.

"Shhh," she snuggles closer. "Don't think about it. Let's just think of each other. Here and now. We're both here right now. That's what matters."

"I thought I lost you again..." he whispered.

They cuddle even closer, now with each other's embrace.

"So did I... You were dying... I couldn't bear going through the night without you..." Shinobu whispers back.

"Stay with me... please," Giyuu quietly pleaded.

"Always," Shinobu reassures.

As night fell, voices in the dark grew stronger—their traumas gnawing away at their sense of reality.

What if none of this is real?

What if I never could confess my love?

What if he or she was actually dead?

What if this was all just a dream?

For once, they did not find escape in the imagination; for the first time, they sought solace in the now—in the reality they see before them.

They wept together that night, in anguish of the pain they've suffered, but in celebration of the happiness they now share in this wonderful union.

That night, they tightened their embrace and shared countless passionate, intimate kisses—expressing their love and adoration for one another in full.

Because this was not a dream.

This was all real.

Their bond has outlasted their fears.

And they will forge ahead, unwilling to be chained to the burdens of the past.

Yes, the grassfield of gold and lush green was there.

And together, they leaped into it.

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So, I once again had to cut down the Chapter cause it was just too damn long. 

In the end, I think I'll probably leave everything for the Epilogue (next chapter), which will make it ENORMOUS. Like I'm talking probably up to 20,000 words maybe. 

And this final chapter won't be released until like August or something. 

Or I could potentially release one more Chapter in April so that the final chapter isn't as bloated. Feel free to share your thoughts on this matter.