A/N- Reconciliation or Failure?

Disclaimer: Mentions self-harm/suicide and other very sensitive topics, viewer discretion is advised.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Narrator's POV

This was it, he just needs to find the courage to apologize to them... He doesn't care if they're still angry with him... He'd rather have that than have this feeling of guilt eating him from the inside... Right, he also needs to apologize to Shinobu... Even with this memory of his he still can't remember to apologize to her about that too. And he had the chance at the beach already... He'd curse himself internally, he really hates himself...

But here he goes at least, he'd start to ready himself to speak and finally break this absolute silence when a the voice of his mother would call them all over the yard, foiling his plans indefinitely.

"Giyu, Satsuki, Kuruo! It's time for us to eat!" His mother would call out in urgency, with the said group heading towards them...

Everyone else was there now, a few (being Sabito and tIako) were already eating, while the others were feeding the kids first (them being Makomo, Kanae and Shinobu), and the others just waited for them.

"Yuriko, you should've started without us." Satsuki would state, while Yuriko just smiled.

"Nonsense, your visit was sudden but we're glad you guys visited us. Now let's eat before the food goes cold." She'd reply, leading them towards the tables filled with the things they brought.

The feast was started then and there, everyone of them already starting to socialize while Giyu just stood on a corner on his own eating silently.

He didn't want to bother any of them for now, he wanted some alone time. While he does that he starts to plan his approach on apologizing to Shinobu and her parents... And of course Kanae herself... How can he forget about her?

He's definitely in a pickle, it's weird that they don't seem to hold a grudge on him. It confused him, but he's a bit glad that it's like that... Still he wants to apologize to them, it was the right thing to do.

He tried to savor his food, but the constant thought of trying to make a full-proof plan to apologize clouded his mind. Luckily for me nobody approached nor knew where he was, he's really good at isolating himself... Yeah, it's a depressing thought.

After finishing his food, he'd try and approach Satsuki and Kuruo. But before he could even get to them Kanae would grab his hand, dragging him towards a part where no one else could see her, Giyu and Sanemi holding Hana?

"Uhhhh... What did you need me for?" He'd ask confused, looking over the pair and their little girl.

Sanemi and Kanae would look at each other before Sanemi sighs, starting the conversation by gripping Giyu's shoulders and sat him at the chair.

"You answer her questions or I beat your ass." Sanemi would tell him in a threatening tone, with Giyu just nodding and intently looking over the much older woman.

"Giyu, I know something is wrong. You've been a little distant with my family and I. And please don't lie, you know I was a psychologist before I became a botany teacher... You can tell us please, we're not angry with you." Kanae would start the conversation, with Giyu clenching his fists and sighing.

"Okay, you got me. I was distancing myself, it was for a good reason..." He'd reply, before suddenly drifting-off from his conversation.

"What's the reason then? Just tell us Giyu, tell us so we can help at least." She'd ask in concern, with him continuing his statement.

"Fine... Do you remember that time I called you and your parents at night saying that me and Shinobu were the hospital? Well, I was distancing myself so I can think of a way to apologize for all the pain I gave you, your parents and especially Shinobu... Everything went wrong because of me... I wanted to kill myself but she tried to stop me... I didn't listen to her... And she almost died because of it... I wanted to face you guys and apologize... But I couldn't... I tried to face it like how I found my courage to reconcile and finally return to my parents... But when this memory suddenly showed up? I lost all of it... " He'd reply, looking down in shame.

He closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable anger that's about to befall him but it never happened. Instead the warm laughter and sweet smile of little Hana would meet his sight, looking up at his hunched self.

He'd pick her up, Hana giggling and hugging him as a response. Which gave Giyu a small but noticeable smile, the simple gesture form the toddler giving him a little bit of needed assurance. The scene was an adorable sight, Kanae instantly snapping a pic of it and Sanemi trying to convince himself that this was just a moment he could recreate with Hana (he gets jealous that some of the cute father-daughter moments happen to Hana and her uncles, grandfathers, and her godfathers).

"I-... Of course, I wouldn't forget that night... I'd never forget the anger... That feeling of failure as a sister... I'd never forget that... But I know how you feel Giyu... You're a nice kid, and it was all an accident... We all knew that... But I still remember that I blamed you for so much of it... When I didn't have the reason not to... In all honesty, I should be the one to apologize to you... So I guess we're even, right? But, I think you'd need to reserve that apology to Shinobu." She'd reply to his question, she herself explaining the guilt she felt over the event...

The reply would also ease a bit of his doubts, he was still surprised that Kanae held grudges. He'd never expect it, hell even with all these lives he'd lived none of those ever showed her holding a grudge at all.

"Plus, It's really not my forte to hold grudges. I can get angry but I can't just hold a grudge, especially to you Giyu... You're practically family to us, and you've been for us numerous times. More than we can even count, plus Hana likes his Uncle Giyu. Just remember, it's no one's fault... But if you do feel guilty, don't apologize to me, apologize to Shinobu. You at least owe her that, okay?" She'd add, with Giyu just looking over the little girl who smiles at him.

Kanae would then take Hana off his hands, smiling at him with Sanemi stopping from holding him down, leaving him to his own ruse again... Well, before Sanemi would say something to him.

"You should probably listen to her, I know you're about to apologize to my in-laws. As much as I hate you, I already know that they already forgave you a long time ago. But you didn't hear anything from me, you hear me?" Sanemi would tell him, before following his wife and kid.

He stayed there for a bit, contemplating for a bit before returning to the crowd again.

He looks over to the others, looking for any sign of Satsuki and Kuruo. But it seems like that they aren't over here, so it looks like he needs to search the area...

"Yo, Giyu. Where were you dude?" Sabito would call out to him, with him looking at his direction.

"Oh, I was talking to Kanae-san and Sanemi. What happened here while we were gone?" He'd ask, looking at the peach-head who was drinking from a soda can.

"Nothing special, we're still eating and chatting. So, what did you talk about inside?" He'd reply, asking him back.

"It... was nothing special..." He'd reply, grabbing a soda can for himself.

Sabito shrugged it off, getting a stick of BBQ and saying "I'll leave you to it then bud" and patting his back.

He sighs, grabbing another plate and taking some dessert, he might as well eat something while he waits.

"Atleast the cake tastes nice, not too sweet. And it's red velvet..." He'd talk to himself, eating another piece of it.

Timeskip...

After waiting for God nows how long, Giyu found an opportunity to talk the the older Kochous. They were back at the living room again, the pair were talking to his parents and Shinobu before they left for upstairs...

And now, here he is. Facing the pinkette and the bluenette, still nervous as he was a while ago.

"Giyu dear? What did you need us for?" Satsuki would ask him first, looking over him as he itched the stubble growing on his chin.

"I wanted to talk to you, the both of you..." He'd reply, looking over them with a sincere look.

The pair looked at each other before facing him, with him starting afterwards.

"I just wanted to say sorry to the both of you..." He'd start, before the both of them would intrude his sudden apology.

"Why and what are you apologizing for Giyu, did you do something wrong that we don't know of? If we don't know about it, then you didn't do anything wrong right?" Kuruo would ask the younger man, with Giyu just sighing... It was now or never.

"I... know this brings bad memories... Especially to you both but... I wanna apologize for everything that happened... Especially the one before I left..." He'd explain, the pair instantly realizing what he meant.

The pair went silent for a good minute, each second making Giyu even more nervous...

"Giyu, I'm sorry if that still bothers you... But me and Kuruo didn't blame you for it at all... We knew it was an accident... It was never your fault dear..." Satsuki would solemnly, reply looking at him.

"My wife is right Giyu, it wasn't your fault... It was an accident... You already know Shinobu... She would never let any of her friends get hurt... And she's too selfless and stubborn; she's too much like Satsuki here." Kuruo added, smiling at the mine while he gets whooped by Satsuki for the joke.

Giyu's doubts are finally out of his chest, and he's glad that they actually didn't have any grudge towards him; something he's very grateful for...

"T-Thank you... For accepting this overdue apology, I'm very grateful and happy that Shinobu has parents like you." He'd reply, giving them one of his genuine smiles.

"It was never due, nonetheless you're very welcome dear. We're also happy that Shinobu has a great friend like you. And if you do still feel guilty for the incident... Don't apologize to us both, you can apologize to Shinobu herself; but I'm pretty sure she already did forgive you dear." Satsuki would reply explaining, the word friend suddenly resonating over his ears as he could only smile and nod as an answer.

God, no matter how many times he's said it to himself... He still couldn't accept it... Is he really this stubborn? He shook his head for a bit, trying to jumble his thoughts back again. He should just accept it, he can't destroy a perfectly loving family because of his selfishness...

The couple took notice of his sudden shift of emotion and the action he just did, but they didn't inquire further.

The two of them would just thank Giyu, before leaving and heading back to the group; and now Giyu was alone again...

Oh right, he was still holding a can of soda... How could he forget about that? He must've been so engrossed with apologizing at the Kochous that he forgot, silly him...

He drank the now lukewarm drink, his expression changing into one of disgust and discomfort. God, that's a weird sensation to the tongue, he probably should've drank it a while ago.

Feeling that the can was already empty, he crushed it with his scarred hands before throwing it at the trashcan over the stairs.

He'd notice the door to his old room facing the stairs, memories flooding his mind.

He didn't even notice that he was already close to his room, and already up the stairs.

It was just, such joyful times. One of the best childhoods he'd ever have, and he's lived more than 2000 lives... It brought a small smile...

Weirdly enough, his room was actually open. The door was slightly opened enough that you could see the lights were on.

Who could be in there? He hasn't heard anyone climbing up, nor seen anyone at all.

He knocked on the door before entering, surprised to see that Shinobu and Hana were there...

Giyu's POV

It was a surprise to see them here, Hana must've fallen asleep at the party and my parents must've told Shinobu to lay her here...

"Giyu, I'm sorry that we didn't ask for permission to you first but your parents told me that I can lay Umi here for the meantime. If it's fine by you at least, we can totally use the couch downstairs if you'd like." She'd speak as she noticed me, while I just shook my head.

"It's fine Shinobu, you two can stay here. Man, this room brings back some memories..." I'd reply to her, whispering the last part...

Although even though I did whisper it, I heard Shinobu sigh before saying "It does..." which kinda surprised me but made me smile.

So she still does remember the times we'd go here as kids, I'm glad those gave her some good memories of her childhood at least...

"Yeah, remember the time I showed you those swords and the notes that came with them?" I'd reply, asking if she stillq remembers that time I showed her our past... Lives we used to live...

"Oh yeah, I definitely remember those. It definitely left a mark, I'm still surprised that there were people who had exactly the same names as us in the past. Also, I want to ask if you still had those? They were very beautiful, especially the one with the 4 petalled tsuba that looks like a butterfly. You know? The one with the tip as it's only blade and bent?" She'd reply to me, wondering if I still had her sword.

"I remember storing them here, I did it after I left home when we had dorms at highschool. I'll try to find them if you'd like, I think I also have some other things here that accompanied the sword that I haven't showed you yet." I'd reply to her, offering to find it.

"Oh sure, if it doesn't bother you that much. I really wanted to see those again, last time I've been here was when like 16 right?" She'd accept my offer, before asking a question that I nodded to as a response.

"Yes, the last time we were here was when you helped me pack for the dorm rooms at highschool. It was so long ago..." I'd reply, shuffling over the huge closet I had and looking for the stuff I hid.

It took me a good few minutes before I saw the familiar case, and the box that had the other memorabilia inside of it.

I took it out and dusted it for a bit away from Shinobu and Hana, before I went over to Shinobu again.

I opened the case first, the bent katana showing it's former glory as I picked it up as carefully as I could.

"It's still very beautiful, is it not?" I'd ask her, looking over as I extended my arms for her to take and hold the katana for herself.

She took it, holding it as carefully as I did before replying "Yes, it's... So nostalgic and natural, almost as if I've held this before... But I haven't even had the chance to do so, it was always in display above your huge closet..." She'd reply, with me just smiling at how true her words were... If she only knew...

While she put the katana at the case, I looked over the box for some of the other relics I've found over this life.

I pulled out a piece of cloth, it was one of the very few I've collected. It was a piece of an old demon slayer's uniform, around the part with the large print of the "extermination/exterminate" kanji.

I found another print of the picture we took after the final battle, giving it to Shinobu as she remembered the encounter we had with the teens.

"You still have this picture? I remember the day we accompanied Kanao to her first day in highschool... Still can't believe they're in their first year of college now..." She'd speak, looking at the picture.

"Time flies fast right? It feels like yesterday when we were just in elementary, where we first met. Now we're here, having kids of ourselves..." I'd reply, still searching through the box for something else.

"Yeah, it's been a long time... We're getting older by the second." She'd reply, while I could only smile.

Then, I saw it... I still can't believe they still left this alone. Well I'm glad that nobody touched, this... Is special to me at least.

It was Shinobu's haori... Well, what's left of it... It was a just a patch of it left...

It was already wrinkled and dirty like a rag, I should've washed this a while ago. But I must've forgotten about it...

I passed it to Shinobu, with her looking at it confused for a second before actually holding it.

"This textile, even with how dirty and old it is... It feels familiar... The pattern is also familiar, it's a butterfly pattern yeah?" She'd ask me, while I nodded.

She held her haori piece closer, as if she's trying to remember the sensation... It was interesting to see that she's trying to pinpoint this sudden sense of nostalgia...

"Yes, I haven't shown you this yet right? It was a part of past Shinobu's uniform, It's her haori." I'd reply, with Shinobu just nodding and handing it back.

"It still cool, to have such relics of the past... Ones from people who are literally named like us." She replied, while I just nodded.

We chatted even more, catching up and continuing talking about things we used to do before.

It was, fun... It was like the old times... The old, old times... Where in we would talk in our missions, well she was the one who talked... I just nodded most of the time, or completely ignored her.

"Yeah, I remember that... You remember the time when we would run around your yard over your grandparents house with Makomo and Sabito? Where you almost tripped and almost tumbled down a hill?" She'd remind me, while I just smiled at that memory.

It was around the time we had a vacation to my mom's family home, I tripped over the same old apple tree which was over the top of a hill.

"Yeah, luckily you somehow grabbed me before I could. We earned a scar because of that right?" I replied, pointing over my left elbow.

"Yep! Over here." She'd reply, pointing over her right arm, where we'd laugh over the memory.

We stopped for a second, before silence took over... And so it was quiet again...

My mind went back to what Kanae-san and Shinobu's parents told me, I really do need to apologize to her...

Well I tried to speak... But I couldn't find my voice... And when I tried to, I would suddenly get cold feet... Which made her start a new conversation...

"So... How have you been Giyu?" She'd start, while I would snap towards her and stay silent for a few seconds.

"I'm fine... I should ask you the same but I think I don't even need an answer already right?" I replied, with her just smiling and nodding at the reply.

"Yes, I'm just swell. No problems at all, but even if you did say you're fine I feel like something is clouding your head. Is anything wrong at all?" She'd ask me, while I just sighed in response... God, she still knows me so well...

"Fine, I do have something in my mind that's bothering me. I'm surprised you saw through me." I'd reply, looking at her as she just giggles.

"Well? You can tell me." She'd reply, insisting on listening about it. I could only sigh, before finally speaking...

"I know I've hurt you... A lot... physically and mentally... Well if you still remember all those things that happened..." I'd start, looking down at the floor.

I looked over to her, the smile she had faded into one of confusion... taking a second to realize what I meant before her face suddenly shifts in realization.

"Yes, I couldn't forget all of that... That time I almost successfully killed myself, when I felt distraught after you distanced yourself when I punched Daki... That time you got worried about me locking you out my room where you even had Himejima-san break it down for you, with Sanemi almost killing me... And especially later that night... That night where I tried to kill myself again but you were there... Trying to stop me from doing something stupid... And you got hurt... Almost died... Because of me... I was so close to losing you... I was so close to taking you away from everyone that cares about you... I was so fucking close... Just because of my selfish need to just end it all... I-I... I wanted to say, sorry for that... I know sorry will never be enough for all the permanent damage I caused... But I'm still gonna try to say it as sincerely as I can... Because I truly am sorry; for everything I've done to you... everything I've done that has affected you... So much..." I'd continue, looking at her intently...

She sat there in silence, looking down as I once did... While I waited there, nervous about her reply...

I was more than nervous... I looked at her shakingly, sweating profusely as I do so...

"I-I... Giyu... You still think about that? You don't have to apologize for that you know... I did all of that in my own volition... I wanted to help you... You're very dear to me Giyu, we've been friends since we were kids... I just didn't want you to get hurt... And I don't want to change a thing about what happened, I would've done it a million times over. I'd do it for everyone, and you weren't an exception Giyu" She'd reply smiling at me, while I sighed in relief...

I... Should've expected this... She's just too nice... But I'm glad... I'm glad that she still accepted my overdue apology...

"T-Thank you... For somehow still accepting my apology..." I'd reply, smiling  back at her...

"It's nothing Giyu, you helped me more times than I could count... Remember the time you literally pushed me out of the way when I almost got run over by a car, and you saved me multiple times from people either trying to sexually harass me or trying to rob me. So I had to repay it somehow right?" She speaks, while I could only nod...

Yeah, I remember everyone of those incidents... She's a magnet for trouble when I'm always with her... Or the other way around, she could be just collateral.

"I remember, I always thought that I was the one attracting the danger to you though... Still, I'm sorry about all of that... Especially the day I left... You know, that day was the most scared I've ever been? Running to the hospital... As you bleed to near death; Hell I didn't even know if you were already dead in my hands... All I knew was that I had to bring you there... I still haven't asked how you were afterwards. I remembered how severe the injuries were... Especially the part where the knife pierced your stomach and burned some parts of your intestines... " I replied, still apologizing for the incident and asking how she was after all of those years.

"You don't need to apologize as I've said, as for the stab? Well, yeah a few parts of my lower bowels, the pancreas even parts of the liver were burned a bit from the stomach acid leaking after I got stabbed, luckily for us though it was just a small amount of acid. Apparently the doctors said that I was lucky that I was around the time where the stomach was starting to change and get neutralized by the body so not a lot spilled. It did cause some infections on some of the mentioned parts, especially over the lower bowels so a few surgeries were made other than the hemorrhage and the said burns. It did give me a cool scar like you have though. So don't worry about it too much, it's a price to pay to save my best friend." She explains, even showing me the large scar and her smiling... Calling me her... Friend...

"Thank you, again... I really am sorry for getting you into that debacle... It was stupid..." I replied, looking at her.

She hugs me out of nowhere, so sudden that it surprises me... With me hesitantly hugging back.

"I told you already, I did what I had to. No need to apologize, you did the same for me so many times already. So don't get yourself too worked up on it, I'm alive and here right? So please stop worrying about me." She'd reply, while we hugged.

I thanked her again, retreating from the hug as we just laugh and smile at this...

We were laughing so much that we actually woke up Umi up from her nap, I noticed her sitting up right and rubbing her eyes.

I nudged Shinobu, with her following my gaze as she instantly went over to the little girl.

"Hey there baby, so how was your nap?" She'd talk to her, sitting right next to her with the little girl asking where they were.

"You're in my room kiddo." I'd reply to her, while she seems to perk up from my mention.

"This is your room Uncle Giyu?!" She'd reply, her childish interest piqued.

"Yeah, this was my room before me and your mom started to live at our school dorms." I replied, while she seemed to be confused.

"What's a dorm?" She'd ask, looking at me and Shinobu, while I let Shinobu explain it to her.

"Oh, so what are the things over there mom? Are they Uncle Giyu's?" The girl asks, with me and Shinobu both nodding as an answer.

This is gonna be an interesting discussion...

TIMESKIP...

Narrator's POV

And so here he is, Giyu explaining everything to a child what the antiques were, while Douma (who recently joined them) and Shinobu watched as the little girl is amazed.

"So that's it, basically these are antiques I found that are weirdly connected to people named exactly like us." Giyu would finalize, still hiding the fact that it was past thems items.

"I'm still confused..." Douma and the little girl looks at them and speak simultaneously, tilting their heads confused.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised. Shinobu was the same the first time I showed it to her when we were kids." Giyu replies, with Shinobu nodding in confirmation.

The group would talk for a bit more before deciding to go down, with Giyu staying so he could fix and put the items back at his closet.

He was already halfway through putting them back when he suddenly thought about it, finally realizing that he should take this with him... It is important, and he didn't want to just leave it here rot and deteriorate.

After packing the items, he was called over downstairs by his parents.

It seems that it was already pretty late so the Kochous, Uzui and his wives were already about to go.

They would say their goodbyes to everyone, circling both Sanemi and Giyu in an uncomfortable position and squishing the two of them.

Giyu, Iako and Sabito's Family would also  follow afterwards. With Giyu being the last one to leave, wanting to say his goodbyes personally.

"Mom, Dad, Kaito, Sis. Thank you, for having us today. I'm sorry we can't stay, but I promise I'll visit again." He'd smile, looking over them.

"Don't worry about us dear, you visiting and you just being here is good enough for us. We're thankful that you returned to us for so many years, with Sabito, Makomo and their kids no less. Plus, you introducing us to our grandbaby Iako is an added bonus, so we're satisfied." His mother replies, with the others nodding in agreement.

"Mom's right little brother, you being here is enough for us! So don't worry about it, just make sure to not break your promise though! Plus, we'll be visiting you too." Tsutako would add, hugging her little bro.

"Thank you all... I guess I better get going... Also, I took some stuff in my old room mom, dad. I hope it doesn't bother you." Giyu replies, hugging everyone.

"Don't worry about it dear, it's your things. It's yours, we don't have the right to do anything with it. So take whatever you need, just promise to visit us yeah?" His mom replies, with Giyu just nodding.

Picking up his things, he looks over them one more time as they waved goodbye at him; Giyu saying goodbye one more time before finally heading towards to their car...

And so, here is where it ends... For the time being at least...

🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️🕳️

A/N: Welp, another chapter done. See y'all next time bruvs! Inferno signing off!

                                                    ~July 8, 2023