Mizu Cho
Stoic, the primary word that everyone would use to describe him, it hit the nail on the head whenever it came to trying to get a grip on who the man was a person. Despite his high status (or now former status), he never acted like he was anyone important or special, always wearing a blank stare, a vacant frown, and distant stance overly conveying his deeper feelings of inadequacy and guilt, he had been that way ever since he had passed the final selection and barely gave anyone a peak behind the vale of his broken stature, and even if he wanted to, he barely knew how to express it.
In his brief, yet long history in the Demon Slayer Corps, only two had ever gotten him to smile genuinely: the first was the boy whom he decided to humor in his vow to cure his little sister's demonization, and would not only succeed in his sworn promise but save and avenge countless lost lives by joining the corps, and defeating Muzan Kibutsuji, Tanjiro Kamado, the kindest boy that he had ever had the fortune of meeting, not only because of his contributions but also his assistance in helping the man deal with his overwhelming trauma of surviving when he believed that other's should've in his stead. Accepting the gift of life that Saito and his elder sister gave him, and finally being proud to be alive.
The other person was someone he had known and fought alongside for much longer, argued with like cat's and dogs, felt like was unbearable at times due to their almost constant need to playfully pester him, caused him genuine annoyance, and was unmistakably…the Hashira he had respected the most, cared for the most, enjoyed the company of the most, and even l-…
…
He wasn't able to say that last part to himself anymore, although finding solace in living on for the one's who made his life feel worth it, that didn't shield him from the pain, an irreverent reminder that surviving would always have it's cost, physically and emotionally. Never was it more obvious, than the symbol of that very fact to him, one of three, but this one had stung worse for the freshness of it in his mind, and that he had yet to try and even make peace with it, in contrast to his bravery when facing down several lower ranked demons, then both the same one that killed his comrade Rengoku and the king that said demon bowed to, stopping the boy who saved him from taking a life when his mind was no longer his own, and facing the world when he'd felt like he'd be alone for the rest of his life, what he was doing right now terrified him. Each step toward his destination, each and every progression toward his destination made his feet feel like cinderblocks, a difficulty from the onset you wouldn't be able to notice, all those catching a glimpse only seeing a fairly-tall, one armed man with an empty gaze out on a morning stroll, the only indicators to his pain being the subtle twitching in his left arm, and it's contents being a bouquet of purple flowers wrapped in a white cloth, they were her favorite…
…
After what seemed like an eternity of walking, he finally reached his objective, gently placing the flowers at the foot of the grave, before sitting on his knee's, and starting fear and sorrow in the face as he always did. Manifesting itself this time as Shinobu Kocho's grave, another person Giyu wished could be by his side right now, she could've seen the world without the creatures that took her sister, where every ounce of their losses had finally not been in vein, where they could breathe before taking in a moment instead of doing it before a strike, where her friends could smile and be happy, where they could've faced the future together, and the beauty of the cherry blossoms delicately riding the breeze, showering the grave of her sister and herself.
Several moments passed as Tomioka sat there, unable to find the words to even say to her, feeling tinges of guilt for not visiting as soon as could like Tanjiro and Nezuko did as soon as they were discharged, but it was different for him in many ways, and felt some time should pass before he could say his goodbye to her and the others.
…
Finally, Giyu opened his mouth.
"You're probably cursing me right now," Giyu softly spoke as he stared at her name carved into the stone, "Forgetting flower's for Kanae, I'm sorry," he lowered his head, his arm traveling over to the empty sleeve of his white kimono, rubbing the miniscule amount of arm he had left, "I can only carry so much now…probably a pitiful excuse in your mind, maybe I should've tried harder, maybe it could've made a huge difference in how things turned out instead of wallowing in my own self pity like an immature child. I would've visited sooner, but…you can understand why I didn't, or maybe you can't, you were always hard for me to understand even at the best of times," Giyu slowly lowered his left arm to his lap, before looking back up at the grave.
"Like why did you always ask me if I thought demons and humans could live in peace, why I was always so quiet and distant despite my age, taunting my inability to connect with other's right," his expression became pained, his eyes squinted and lips trembled as his hand gripped the black lower half of his kimono so tightly that a vein was visible, "W-why you ordered salmon daikon for me when we went to that food stand, why you waited on me day and night when I got injured by one of the lower ranks, why you said I was I disliked by all the Hashira when you knew how you felt about me," His soft and quiet tone amplifying with his growing emotions, "Why you chose me, out of everyone, why you would even bother with somebody who couldn't even protect you before you died, who wasn't even there to stop it when he should've, who failed you when it mattered most, and who…"
His body trembled, harshly jittering as if it was caught in blizzard so devastating that it could obliterate even the strongest fortress located in it's path, the overflowing guilt and rage threatened to swallow the poor man whole as he did his best to not give into the same despair that plagued his life before, trying to be strong once again in the face of failure.
However, he couldn't, the nightmares, the guilt, and the pain drove Tomioka to quietly stand up from his position, and bow to his beloved's grave, "I'm sorry Shinobu, I should take some more time to myself, I'm not strong enough to face this just yet…forgive me…"
The Water Hashira turned away, one foot following the other as he made his departure from the graveyard, hanging his head in shame as the world began to almost fade away around him.
…
…
Until.
"Hm, funny, I always thought you were fonder of suffering in silence," a female's voice called out, causing Tomioka to abruptly stop in his tracks, shock and bewilderment spreading over his face, slowly turning back around, before being met with the wonderous sight of Shinobu Kocho, playfully sitting on her own tombstone kicking her feet in the air, wearing an autumn colored, leaf patterned kimono, smiling as she looked down at him from her position.
"Sh-…Sh," Giyu tried desperately to squeeze out the words that almost died in his throat, his mouth agape, his eyes streaming hot tears that ran down his face, his vision almost becoming blurry, barely able to make out her form descending from the top of the grave and adjusting her butterfly hair bow.
"My my, the Water Hashira is really living up to his name with all those tears."
"…Shinobu…"
"You know I have to say, this is the first time I've seen you with so much emotion, it's almost oddly unsettling."
"I-I-Is…th-that really y-you?"
"Hmph, I leave you alone for a few weeks and you've already forgotten what I look like?"
Giyu merely sobbed as he continued to stare blankly at her.
"I mean I know the amethyst tips of my hair have become black now, but I believe I have other features to prove who I am."
"…"
"Keep that up and I'll start calling you the crybaby Hashi- RA!"
A circular gust of wind, swirling the bright green and yellow leaves and sakura peddles were the only traces of the black haired Hashira's movement, having dashed as fast and delicate as he could, desperate to close the distance between them. Made apparent by his tight yet soft embrace, as he wrapped his arm around Kocho, burying her face directly into his shoulder, catching the young woman off guard exponentially, her purple eye's widening from the sudden outburst and heavy sobs that dripped down his chin and onto her clothes, barely able to hear his grunt's due to his clenched teeth, the intensity of which almost threatened to shatter them as he poured out every bottled-up emotion he had over the matter that he couldn't put into words.
Only able to keep repeating the same phrase, over and over again in between his sobs, breaking his repetition only to take quick breaths, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm so so sorry."
The Insect Hashira's shock slowly faded, her gaping mouth closing to form a smile, closing her eyes as she nuzzled her head against his, and returning the embrace by enclosing his torso with her arms.
"Im sorry…I'm so sorry Kocho, so so sorry, please forgive me…"
"Hmmmmm, I'll think about it, just make sure you bring Kanae some flower's next time. She enjoys the attention," she chuckled, keeping her aloof persona, "Plus she's taken quite a liking to you."
"…I'm I-I'm glad, but…you k-know that's not what I mean."
"…" Her eye lids narrowed, the corner of her lips tugging downward, "I know."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there…"
"Shhhh shhhh it's fine."
"N-no it's not."
"It is, besides," she released her left arm from the grip to travel up his right sleeve, "You're not the only one who feels guilty about something…"
"This is nothing."
"As a former medical professional, I can safely say it's not."
"I'd give a thousand arms if it would mean you'd be standing here right now…"
"Then how would you be able to hug me as tightly as you are, hm?"
"…"
"It'd certainly be difficult to do that with your legs Tomioka."
"Shinobu…"
"...Hehe, sorry, old habits."
"…"
"…"
"I'm so sorry."
"You couldn't have known."
"I should've."
"You didn't, and neither did I."
"But I sh-"
"Hush, hush, don't blame yourself for anything, I don't, so why should you?"
"Because I survived…"
"And what makes you think that's a bad thing?"
"I failed you…"
"No, you didn't."
"Yes I did."
"So you see living and moving forward even without me as a sign of failure? I always knew you were odd man, but this certainly defies my expectations."
"…"
"Giyu…"
"Why?"
"Hm?"
"Why aren't you upset at me, how can you even stand the sight me enough to even appear here today, why aren't you condemning me for being such a weakling and a fool for not being able to save the people he cares about from dying!? Why aren't you even slightly mad or upset with me?"
She lowered her left hand from his sleeve, raising it to his cheek cupping it with her palm, using her thumb to wipe a strand of his tears away, "You know why," she whispered into his ear, before turning her head to kiss his cheek, "And no amount of irrational self-proclaimed failure will change that," she backed up, allowing for Tomioka's to loosen so she could look him in the eye, "Not now, not ever."
"D-do you…honestly believe that?"
"Heh," she leaned forward to rest her forehead against his, Giyu following her lead as they closed their eyes, "Always."
For the first time since he arrived, the Water Hashira finally felt a little bit at ease, a warm feeling rushing up from insides as his mood swiftly changed. Gaining a sense of peace, for the first time in a little while, as he opened his eyes to take in her intoxicating beauty for as long as he could, Shinobu eventually catching him by opening her eyes once more to stare back into his.
"I see that you cut that kilometer long hair of yours."
"I felt like I should've before it reached past my back, plus Nezuko insisted that I should do it and that she be the one to cut it. Seeing it as a way of repaying my kindness for protecting Tanjiro."
"Next time you see her, give her my thanks, it looks nice on you."
"Thank you, and I will."
"You better, or I'll hauuuuunt yooooou!"
"I don't think that's a bad thing."
"Then you clearly haven't seen my scary side as often as I thought you had."
"I'll take my chances."
"Hmph, I miss how annoyed you once were with me."
"No you don't."
"No, I, don't," they slowly leaned their heads upward, closing the miniscule distance between their lips to encapsulate the other's, tenderly connecting as they took in each other's warmth, engrossing themselves in the moment that was granted to the two them. Giyu raising his hand to the back of her head, maneuvering it so that he wouldn't knock out her hair pin, whilst Kocho gripped the sides of face to try and somehow pull him even closer, their lips transitioning from stillness to motion as they fought for dominance, capturing other for a brief moment before letting go and trying again, the two having held in their eagerness and anticipation for as long as they could before now pouring their feelings into the embrace as much as humanly possible.
After a few moments Giyu reluctantly broke the kiss, his vital organs reminding him of the importance of oxygen, softly panting as the blood that rushed to his face slowly faded, opening his eyes again to see the sight he had missed so much: her pleasant and welcoming smile.
"My my, such passion, never would've expected it from you."
"…I missed you."
"…I miss you to."
"Is that why you're here?"
"That, and your crying woke up the cemetery," her joke making him grimace, "For a quiet guy you sure are a loud crier."
"As Always your sense of humor is aimed at my expense."
"Oh that never would've changed and you know it."
"I had hoped it would."
"Never."
"Great," he sighed, almost smiling but stopping short to keep his neutral expression.
"Ah ah, was that a smile I just saw?"
"No."
"Yes it waaaaaaaas."
"I thought you were disgusted with my smile."
"You still remember that?"
"…"
"Of course you do, well I lied."
"You what?"
"Yep!"
"Wh-why?"
"Because, I didn't wanna give off hints of how I felt, your smile was honestly so cute that it almost made me blush, so I quickly covered it up and you were none the wiser."
"What about the cook that also saw it?"
"Oh, no he was just genuinely disgusted."
"I see…"
"His loss," she caressed his face with her fingers once again, the two going quiet to just take in the pleasantries and atmosphere as the wind began to blow, the sakura petals falling over them beautifully.
…
…
Much like those petals however, it did not last forever, as a frown overtook her smile, their eyes shifting in the same direction before looking back up at the other.
"You still have to leave, don't you…?"
She nodded.
"Will I ever get to see you again?"
"You will," she choked out, her own tears beginning to fall, "I-It'll be awhile, but you will…"
"Don't cry," he said as he ran his fingers through her hair, "I can wait however long it takes."
"…Y-you were always so patient."
"Gladly so."
"Of course you'd say that."
"You knew I would."
"Always so easy to read for me, no matter how hard you tried to make it difficult, no wonder I annoyed you."
"…"
"…"
"Thank you Shinobu, for loving me."
"Don't mention it."
" *sigh* Shino-"
"And thank you Giyu, for loving me as well."
"Always…"
"One more? To remember me by?"
Tomioka nodded, before the two leaned in to kiss one last time, this time he held it for as long as he could, forgoing his need for air in favor of enjoying the moment that fate gave him to see his lover again, although it was brief, and not as long as he could've wanted, the young man would remember this moment for the rest of his life. His eyes were still closed after she parted her lips from his, keeping the warmth he felt from it as an extension of the moment, before hearing her speak.
"You better marry me in whatever next life we have you got it?"
"I will, no doubt in my mind."
"Good, just what I'd expect from the Crybaby Hashira."
"Hurray, another nickname."
"Get used to it darling…you're stuck with me."
"Happily," he whispered, gradually opening his eyes, and seeing only the rows of graves spreading out infront of him, a smile creeping over his lips as he looked back at the bouquet of flowers he left for her.
Half of them were at her grave, the other half were left at her sister's.
Giyu chuckled.
Breathed deeply.
Looked up at the clear blue sky, and closed his eyes.
"Goodbye Kocho."
Then he departed, peacefully awaiting whatever the future held.
The End.
Author's Note: Well this is certainly new Territory for me, I never expected that I would ever actually branch out like this and especially with a story that is pretty somber yet fairly optimistic, I knew I wanted to have that kind of vibe from it since I finished Demon Slayer's Manga a couple weeks ago and since I got into this ship afterword's I wanted to add a little bit of tragedy yet hope to the idea of Giyu and Kocho being a couple before the end of Muzan in the manga. Then I thought about how ghosts work in Demon Slayer, remembering Sabito's involvement in Tanjiro's training despite being dead and thought about how bittersweet and emotional it would be to have a similar incident happen just in a different context.
Sorry if I mishandled Giyu in this one, I just feel that with the added bit of him and her being together before the final arc that Tomioka would semi-replase into his survivors guilt and depression since he couldn't protect the woman that he loves from meeting her end, plus even though he is very stoic and rarely shows a lot of emotion I feel like t serviced the story to have break through that to get all his frustrations out now that the war with demons is over.
Idk, maybe i'm over thinking it, but i'm breaking into a new world here and I'm just a little scared and insecure with how this will turn out in terms of your guy's reception to it, feel free to review and tell how much you disliked it, enjoyed it, feel I need to work on some areas when I write Demon Slayer Fanfics, constructive criticism, and the likes, at least as long as you keep it civil anyway.
Id really appreciate the support all things considered, I'm primairly an MHA writer but I felt like shaking things up, and for what it's worth I hope this did well in your eyes and at least gave you a good read.
Anyway, be safe out there, be good, take care, and keep up the good work!
