Yae followed Torakkā as they found the tracks, her companion sniffing around for any scent. "Nothing's covered them, and we can see some leaf and stone pressed down from the imprint. He was moving with purpose. Come on girl, move in front and I'll double check the rear." Torakkā barked as she continued on moving ahead. Yae scoured the area for a moment before following after, looking around her surroundings and above in the trees. "He's here somewhere." Yae walked backwards slowly for a moment before turning towards the front. She still felt uneasy, only looking to the moon for slight comfort as it softly basked everything in light.

Yae followed Torakkā as this was the most focused she'd seen her. Her head darted off to every direction there was the faintest of noise, rustling of vegetation, snapping of twigs, the creaking of a tree's limb. Yae could watch her little ears twitching and her tail was horizontal and stiff. 'Really are taken this serious aren't you girl?' Torakkā finally stopped as Yae took a kneel with her rifle and standard knife at the ready. Torakkā stood still as her ears continued to twitch, all before her head darted off to the left and into the thick branches. Yae quickly shouldered her rifle and looked into the darkness. "Found you!" She didn't hesitate and quickly fired her first shot off.

Yae heard her bullet break through the branches, but quickly heard her desired outcome. Her prey dashed out away, coming down to ground level. Torakkā quickly went into pursuit mode as Yae followed suit, choosing to use her rifle as a spear rather than a gun. Her eyes focused, watching his movements as he darted between the trees. When she found proper footing, she harnessed her Total Concentration Breathing and launched herself to close the distance. Her target looked only to see a nichirin blade was ready to strike him through. The hunt was sadly one that would not end quickly.

Her prey stopped in his tracks as he grabbed the rifle, using it to flip Yae over launching her several feet away. As he rushed in to attack his hunter with her own tool, he saw a blur of white fur out of his peripherals. Rather than choosing to attack, he dodged the animal and stayed away, smelling the wisteria on it's body. Circling around, he tried to fire the weapon at the huntress to gain advantage. Not being use to the weapon, he was slow and clumsy with his shots due to not being use to a firearm, but only one would be needed. The huntress dodged around the trees using them as cover. As he lost her, he looked around to try and find the dog, who he lost sight of as well. He kept the rifle at the ready, slowly watching over the area.

"Don't think a Hunter only has one tool at her disposal!" Yae yelled out as she threw a small pellet towards her target. Before he could fix his aim to the direction of sound, he was covered in a haze of purple mist. Coughing violently, he had no other choice but to flee again. His eyes were blinded, he was running wildly, only using his memory of the area to guide him. As cleared his face however, all he could hear was tiny footsteps alongside him. As his vision was now clear, he could see the dog running through his strafes. The dog soon slammed itself into his leg, causing him to crash into the ground. Before he could get back to his feet he found the woman was atop of him with the barrel of a shotgun to his face. "And don't think we only have one weapon either."

"And don't think when an opponent has access to your weapon they won't use it against you." Yae looked down to see her knife pressed against her stomach. "You also shouldn't have yelled to reveal your location. you do what you need to attack without mercy, do not give your opponent the chance to respond." Yae rolled her eyes before getting off of him smiling. "It's you though, I'm not gonna blind side you." "You had enough faith to shoot at me." "That just means I have enough trust in you to dodge in time Giyuu. I already had a feeling you were watching us." Giyuu took off his cowl and used it to clean his face. "It was smart to create these, I'm glad this was only dye and not wisteria, just remember to use the real ones when you do eventually go to Final Selection." Giyuu felt Torakkā lick his cheek as an apology for tripping him. "I'm okay girl."

"We've been training for nearly a year now, and this intensive training ever since my birthday. When will I be ready to go? I already have Total Concentration Breathing mastered and Constant. My reflexes and vision are honed, my aim is nearly perfect, is there something stopping you from sending me?" Yae looked at him as he dusted off his dark blue yukata and pants. He soon stood up and returned her rifle, his face hinting a tinge of pain. "Do you not trust me?" She watched as Giyuu shot her a glare, causing her to give her own apologetic look. "Sorry." He sighed as he looked at her. "Sabito died during Final Selection. He was so skilled at just a young age, he was already capable of becoming a Hashira. Knowing he was that skilled, held that much potentially and STILL DIED, it makes me worried for you. I'm sorry my paranoia comes off as distrust. I just want you to be prepared for anything. No overconfidence, no hesitation, no allowing yourself to be the prey."

Yae padded his arm as her hand rested on his left side. "I understand. I can't be your student forever though, one day I will need to go. It's the only way I can move forward and feel like my progress was worth something. But if it'll ease your nerves we can hold off." Giyuu looked to her with a tinge of guilt before deciding his mind. "There's one happening after the new year. They wish for the weather to clear up and winter to wane before forcing everyone into harsh weather on top of a life or death instance for a week straight." Yae smiled as she hugged him, resting her head on his chest. "You know I need to keep my promise, you aren't going to lose me." Giyuu patted her head softly as he remained silent. "I'll make it up to you, The Hashira meeting is tomorrow. I know you and Kanroji have become friends, so you can be there to help congratulate her on becoming a Hashira."

Yae felt the wind knocked out of her as she backstepped. "She's already becoming a Hashira?! Oh come on, that strength of hers isn't fair..." She pouted as her leg was being rubbed against by Torakkā. "Rengoku-sama just became a Hashira last meeting too right?" Giyuu nodded as she laughed. "Looks like the numbers are really filling out. I lucked out by getting one as my friend and mentor huh?" She smiled as she watched his face suddenly shift into something she couldn't describe. "Come, let's return. I still need a bath after all. Are you fine with preparing dinner tonight while I clean up?" She nodded as she started to walk away, only to be caught by Giyuu. He sighed as he began to fix her hair into a bun. "I told you to tie this while on hunts. It could be caught on something or grabbed onto." Yae rolled her eyes as she waited for him. "You like my hair down and it doesn't cause as bad headaches when it's tied. Win win."

Giyuu and Yae walked towards the Master's estate, already seeing several others standing by waiting. "Shinobu! Rengoku-sama!" Yae cheered out as she waved the two down, happy to recieve her own waves back. Before she could get too happy in celebration, she quickly felt her attitude turn sour. Putting an idle hand on her harpoon blade, she turned to face him. "Shinazugawa." "What? No honorific? Not going to give your superior any respect?" "That would inquire I actually see you as superior or you're deserving of respect." Yae watched as he the man seemed to be boiling from the inside as she walked towards her friends. As Giyuu desired to walk to his spot, he felt Shinazugawa grip onto his arm. He doubted this would end easily, so he just accepted it. "Yes Shinazugawa?"

"Why is your Tsuguko here? The first time was bad enough already when she nearly killed me, now you WILLINGLY bring her?" Giyuu ran a hand down his face as he looked to him. "She and Kanroji have become friends through Rengoku and I wished to give her the opportunity to congratulate Kanroji in person. Do you think so little of me that you think I'm incapable of doing something nice Shinazugawa?" Giyuu tried to walk away, but still found himself trapped in Sanemi's grip. "I think little of you because your pompus ass treats her like a real damn human, while you treat the treat of us as if we aren't worthy of your time at all. You've known us for years and her not even one, yet she's the one that gets on your good side? She's the one you actually treat with a bit of decency?"

Giyuu still refused to look at the man even as he just wanted to go to his spot in peace. "It is not my fault I am different from the rest of you, just as she will soon be different from me." Giyuu used his free hand to pull his arm free and quickly walked to his spot, doing his best to ignore the furious look of the Wind Hashira. As he made it to his spot, he unfortunately found himself surrounded, albeit this time by friendlier faces. "Hello Uzui, Rengoku." The two men rested their arms on his shoulders as he felt a headache begin to grow. "Tomioka! How are you doing my friend? Are the moon and sun still as lovely as ever?" Giyuu couldn't help but groan as Rengoku questioned him. "How's your flamboyant teachings with your student going? The nights together under the moon, basking in its and each other's presence?" His headache only continued to grow as their teasings continued.

Neither him nor Yae knew just what the two would hint at or tease at in the months they'd been doing it. What would make it worse is they never explained as to what they would imply, leaving both victims in a state of frustrated confusion. He placed his hand on his sword as the two men slowly backed away. "Uzui, quit corrupting Rengoku. I know you tell him to do this because you find it entertainment." The man looked hurt before striking a dramatic pose with the back of his hand covering his eyes. "How dare you so low of me Tomioka? I wouldn't do that to my flameboyant friend here! He is pure hearted, pure of soul, morally incorruptible and has sanctity!" Giyuu stared at him before turning to Rengoku. "Do you even know what you are asking me either?" "Not at all, I am just as lost as you are! I only laughed our first night out due to thinking something funny happened and did not wish to stand there as confused as you!" Tengen groaned loudly before starting at Tomioka in annoyance. "I really need to get you drunk again, it's the only time you're fun and not acting like a funeral service."

"The Master has arrived." All present scattered to their positions, Yae quickly rushing over to Giyuu kneeled behind him to his left. Kagaya stood out as he felt the sun on his face, his right eye barely strong enough to still see all who kneeled before him. "Hello my children, it is wonderful to do be able to see you all this fine day." He smiled at all as Gyomei was the one to greet him this time. "Good morning Oyakata-sama, we are pleased tell see that you are still in good health. I pray for your flame to continue to burn bright and pure so you may continue to see the next day. We act in your will, and in your desires." Kagaya nodded as he was thankful for him. "Thank you Gyomei. To be in your prayers is something I am utmost thankful for." His eye slowly shifted to his right as he saw someone unexpected. "Yae? It is a pleasant surprise to see you here. I take it you are here with reason?"

Yae felt her face become flush as she raised her head to meet his gaze. "Yes Master. Giyuu had told me of Kanroji-sama becoming a Hashira today, he offered me the ability to come and congratulate her in person. She's my friend, I wished to support her." Kagaya smiled as her speak, he soon asked something else that he hoped would alleviate his past worries. "Such a lovely idea, I am sure she will be thankful. I would like to speak with you after this meeting if that is alright Yae?" She quickly nodded as she was confused why he would ask for her permission. "Of course Master, it is your desire so it will be my action." He smiled at her as he raised his hand back towards the doors. "You three may come out now. Come forth, and meet your new comrades." All watched on as three individuals walked out of the estate and kneeled before the older Hashira.

Yae watched in excitement and curiosity. She saw Mitsuri, but her attention shifted to the two men. One wore a striped white and black haori, with two different colored eyes and a snack wrapped around his neck. The other was nothing more than a kid, who almost didn't look like he knew where he was. His eyes almost looked like Giyuu's at some points: Aloof, glazed over, in his own world. "Here who is before you all is Mitsuri Kanroji, Obanai Iguro, and Muichiro Tokito. They have met the requirements of becoming Hashira, and thus, shall be joining your ranks. Please everyone, welcome the Love Hashira, the Serpant Hashira, and the Mist Hashira. One thing I would like to add is Muichiro suffers from memory loss, his mind is a fractured one. So please, be patient with him and his ways."

After everyone reported in on their districts and introductions of the new Hashira were completed, the meeting had come to an end. Kagaya approached Yae and Giyuu, causing the two to kneel without hesitation. "Please, stand you two. I wish to see how you two have developed since your start here Yae. Have you two treated each other well enough?" Yae nodded as her eyes left the Master for a moment to focus on Giyuu. "It's no surprise I wouldn't be here without him. He's given me everything, helped me to become something greater than I ever thought I could be, he's been a great friend. I wouldn't trade him for anything." Yae turned back to the Master as he seemed pleased with the answer. "What of you Giyuu? What do you think of Yae?"

"She is highly passionate person who radiates life itself. She's outspoken, caring, headstrong in what she wants... She is nice to have around at home, things do not feel as lonely anymore. I was hesitant at first, but I am glad she's here. I do not have a doubt in my mind she will reach greater heights than I can. With her will and her firearms able to slay demons, I would be a fool to not have faith in her." Giyuu spoke with no hesitation as he believed in every word that left his mouth. Kagaya let out a breath of relief as he placed a hand on the two. "Yae, I hope you have kept your promise you made?" She nodded as she noticed she a got a look at Giyuu. "And no more... unfavorable choices?" Yae shook her head violently as instinctively held onto Giyuu for a moment. "Not since the first time Master..." Yae soon found herself being hugged by the Master as she heard him whisper in his ear. "Thank you for taking care of one of my sons. And thank you for allowing him to take care of you as well. We must also thank that weapon malfunction."

Before Yae could say anything Kagaya had walked away seeking the shade of his estate once again. "Weapon malfunction?" "I told the Master a lie as to not paint a worse picture..." Before she could focus on anything, she was ambushed by another hug, this one with much more strength to it. "Yae-chan! Thank you for being here to congratulate me! I can't tell you how much it means to me!" Yae was at the mercy of Mitsuri as she was swung around in the hug, her life line of Giyuu destroyed from the sheer momentum she was moving. "Kanroji, I would greatly appreciate it if you did not kill her before she goes to Final Selection or her birthday." Mitsuri yelped as she quickly put Yae down. "I'm sorry Yae-chan I'm sorry Tomioka-san!" Mitsuri quickly looked between the two as she soon focused back to Yae. "I got too excited at seeing my friend here to support me..." Yae focused her mind after the dizziness left and gave Mitsuri a reassuring hug. "It's alright Mitsuri, I'm alright. Don't worry about me, today's your day after all."

Mitsuri's eyes seemed to glow at this as she looked to see now Kyojuro stood with them. "Congratulations Mitsuri! From my student, to now my equal! I cannot tell you how aflame my heart is with pride in you!" Mitsuri hugged him next as she quickly became a sobbing mess. "Tomioka I thank you as well! Bringing Hasinaw here to help celebrate, if it makes Mitsuri happy, than I am happy with it as well!" Giyuu waved it off before watching the two girls talk. "I thought of it as a way to apologize for waiting to send her off to Final Selection. I remember you saying you sent Kanroji after six months, but I NEED to make sure she's prepared. We may focus on blade training with her knives once we're home up until the new year." Giyuu was now the one surrounded, as he felt Tengen stand next to him again. Although now instead of speaking in a booming manner like before, it was a gentle whisper.

"Oi, Tomioka. Is everything alright with her? I can't turn my advanced hearing off so I heard the Master talk about something that happened. You two looked pretty shaken." Giyuu felt his eyes to wide as he turned his full focus to the man. "Nothing that needs to be concerned of anymore. To my knowledge, things have only gotten better since taking her in." Giyuu was ready to speak in defense of her and himself as to make sure to not make others worry. His mind still focused on that image in his head. When he saw the barrel pointed towards her underneath her jaw. A familar burning or tingling sensation started to appear in his hand as he sighed. "Everything is fine, there isn't a day that goes by when she isn't smiling." Giyuu was pulled from his thoughts as Kanroji suddenly pulled at his hands.

"Please can we go out to celebrate?! Please you and Yae-chan need to come! She's one of my friends and you're Kyojuro-san's friends! You two have to be there!" She all but pleaded with him as he looked towards Yae, a knowing smile already on her face. "If you tell her no, I don't doubt the others aren't just gonna drag you along anyways. Come on we really haven't had a day off of stuff since the last meeting. Your birthday may have been free but we spent mine on making my ammo and knives, and you've had me on intensive training since. One day off isn't going to hurt." Giyuu wanted to object, once again feeling as if he was the out of place one. However seeing Kanroji's eyes akin to that of a puppy's, and Yae's calm but still determined eyes, he felt he just couldn't. He let out a deep sigh as he looked to the girls. "Alright fine, no one leave me alone with Uzui though. He plans to get me intoxicated again." He was soon dragged off by the Sound and Flame Hashira once again. "Himejima, Kocho, help me!"

Yae giggled at her friend being dragged off, but soon found herself now being the one held hostage. "Soooo Yae-chan, have you two finally told each other yet? Kyojuro and Uzui-san have told me how often you two say it. Oooh It's just so amazing!" Mitsuri giggled as she found herself bouncing up and down. Yae sighed as this was a repeat of the last conversation they had a month prior. "Mitsuri I told you last time there's nothing going on between us, he's just my friend and I'm just his student." Mitsuri actually looked confused as she turned to Shinobu. "You were being serious that they meant it literally?" "Yes, you just happened to doubt me because the new Love Hashira seems to think everything must be about love." Shinobu teased as she poked Mitsuri's forehead. Yae finally had enough and just tackled the situation head on. "Can someone just explain to me what is being talked about with me and Giyuu?!" "It's about how you two have been confessing your love in secrecy the last six months!"

Yae felt her face suddenly become hot as she fumbled over her words. "What the- who- when- START EXPLAINING!" She held onto the uniforms of the only two girls as they wore expressive combinations of worry and entertainment. "To ask someone if the moon is lovely is a way to confess to loving someone in secrecy. If they agree it means they reciprocate the feeling of love. I learned of this when my sister Kanae would be confessed to by other slayers that were too scared to say it outright." Shinobu explained as Yae finally let her uniform go. "It's why we all laughed last time, we hadn't expected for you two to quite literally mean the moon was pretty." Yae felt herself trembling as he face only became more and more warm. "I do not love him! You mean to tell me you all have let us go around saying that stuff for this long and never said anything until now!?"

Mitsuri yelped and quickly hid behind Shinobu, which the latter found almost ironic. "If you didn't love him to some degree you wouldn't be feeling this strongly about this bothering you." Yae felt her breath hitch for a moment before trying to think rationally. "After nearly a year of living with him and after everything he's done for me, I'd be crazy to say I don't care about him." Mitsuri quickly peaked out from behind Shinobu, her features suddenly becoming more serious. "Think about it Yae. How has he made you feel? What moments between you two have happened to really cause you to care for each other? I may not know everything or been here that long, but there has to be something." Yae looked through her memories as she tried to see if there really was anything that caused her to feel that weird feeling of desire.

Her first memories of feeling positively were the second day she stayed with him. When she couldn't sleep for hours out of fear of her nightmares, he was there rubbing her back in solace, making sure she was okay and could actually sleep. He went out for a month to find her Torakkā, all for the desire of helping her be less alone while he and Kanzaburou were away on missions. She thought back to their promise to always act in defense of each other, to keep each other safe by any means if it meant survival. There was his birthday celebration, and that infectious stupidly adorable smile he had. He looked so happy, it was almost like every bit of his pain was gone. There was his birthday dinner, where she was the one who told him who told him she'd make the estate feel like a home. Finally was when he placed his hand on her cheek on her birthday. All it was was him cleaning it from blood that spattered onto her, but she still couldn't help but enjoy the touch. Yae could feel the blood and color drain from her face as she soon had to face the reality of her emotions. "Oh dear God I think I love him."

Mitsuri squealed as she came out from behind Shinobu, picking Yae up off the ground in a hug. "I told you! It's nothing but pure unadulterated love!" Yae felt herself squirming in Mitsuri's death grip, trying to find some way to make up a reason for what she meant. "I mean he's like family by this point! We've lived trained and done everything together, he's like a brother or something I don't know! It's like how Shinobu is with Kanao!" Yae desperately tried to deflect from the idea that she had fallen for Giyuu, not at all being use to the idea of romance. 'Everything was good everything was just fine. I am NOT falling for Giyuu there is no way I love him that way.' "Yae." Yae looked in a slight panic to Shinobu. "Don't you remember our conversation during your first stay at my estate?"

Yae thought back to her stay with Shinobu and the girls before sighing. "You talked to me about how it was alright to actually tap in to my feminine side. That since I spent so much time being Matagi, I didn't bother to try being a girl or a woman. It's why you and the girls were so nice to me, giving me compliments, helping me with my appearance. I still fails to see how me loving Giyuu comes back to this." Yae quickly realized what she said before glaring at the girls to keep silent. "It's as you said that night we met you, we can still enjoy things about life while being a Slayer. You can enjoy life, the opportunities for love, everything that regular civilians can. I've seen the looks you've given him. I don't doubt there's been moments of you two complimenting each other as if it's been normal to do so." Yae thought back to the first time he did so, how it was so random she laughed it off.

"He told me my eyes shined like gold at first, before calling them the morning sun on my birthday and ever since. He's happy I started to wear the clothes he bought me, he likes the look of my hair down, he's told me he loves my cooking even if he's the better chef.." Yae squirmed as every memory of nearly a year between them came crashing at once. She refused to admit she liked it, even if it would've been the honest answer. The attention, the time with him, every small gift, she began to love every bit of the indulgence. "And what is it you told him? What have you complimented him on?" Mitsuri interrogated with almost a hungry desire. "I... told him his eyes are sapphires and stolen drops of the ocean. His haori is beautiful for what it symbolizes, his hair is pretty like raging waves of black water when it's not tied... I wouldn't trade him for anything... Oh no..." Yae crouched down as she curled into a ball, desperate to not think about this. "I... Am I even meant to feel this way? I'm still his student and I'm not even eighteen yet. What do I do??" Mitsuri took hold of Yae's hands and spoke in a serious but comforting manner.

"Yae, I was seventeen when I was meeting people for marriage proposals. I didn't get the opportunity to feel any love towards them because they were all organized, I didn't get the chance to love them. But you felt this way all on your own, your own feelings were allowed to be born and you should enjoy them while you can. It may be scary, but it's alright, everything we do involving the Corps is scary. Are you going to tell me admitting your feelings is more terrifying than putting your life on the line to protect others?" "Absolutely." Yae said with a dead look as Mitsuri was shocked at the bluntness. Shinobu almost choked on her breathing as she began to laugh. "But... I'll try. AFTER my birthday. When we're both adults, and both official slayers. No sooner." Mitsuri let out an exaggerated breath as picked up Yae. "Come on let's meet up with the others! We can't get too far behind!" She sprinted off with Yae in her arms begging to be put down. Shinobu only smiled as she shook her head at what just happened. "Ah love, you certainly are a weird mistress."

Once again as the afternoon shifted to evening, the Hashira traveled together in almost a pack. Giyuu had given up escaping as he was carried my Tengen and Kyojuro. "Himejima I am entrusting you to not allow Uzui to force me into anything sinful. I wish to stay sober tonight." Gyomei placed his hands together as his beads rested between them. "If he were to try anything, I promise to thee I will inform his wives Tomioka. I apologize for not doing it before, I was too enjoyed at seeing you in a pleasant and shining mood. May you and the holy spirits forgive me for my negligence." Sanemi could only scoff as was starting to grow tired at the perceived lie. "I'm still doubting Tomioka did anything remotely close to being other than the moody prick he is." "He does almost look like he doesn't want to be here." Obanai spoke up as he paid attention to the expression the Water Hashira was making.

"If it makes you feel any better Shinazugawa I don't remember what happened that night either. Now though I recieve odd looks at the Butterfly estate." Giyuu sighed as he was finally put down, dusting himself off. "And I do not wish to be here, my only reasoning is because my student is a friend of Kanroji." Tengen's had perked up as his eyes looked back to where they came from. "There they are, wondered what took them so long." All turned to watch as Shinobu, Mitsuri, and Yae finally caught up. Giyuu watched as Yae was slowly put down from Mitsuri's arms. "It seems we were forced into the same fate. And you laughed when I was carried away." Obanai moved in to inspect Yae. "Are we really going to allow a non Hashira here with us?" He quickly heard Kaburamaru hiss as he saw a knife point at him almost as if it wore a chore.

"I've treated snake meat before and used their skins as decorations. Watch that forked tongue of yours and we'll tolerate each other nicely enough." The man was almost dumbfounded at the blatant threats, even more so when no one seemed to react from it. "Are we really just going to allow this woman to threaten us?! We're Hashira! We've earned our place and she doesn't even have a uniform!" His eyes darted to Sanemi before the man shook his head. "I caught her off guard and that ended with me having a bruised groin and a gun in my mouth. She's got more guts than I thought, and if she can get this bastard to actually act human I don't care about her tagging along." Obanai mumbled something as Giyuu shot him a slight look before pulled Yae to his other side.

"Are you alright? You look as if something is bothering you." Giyuu watched as Yae almost seemed skittish, unfocused. It was unusual given her natural confidence. "Oh yeah I'm fine totally fine. Just had a talk with Shinobu and Mitsuri and that's why we were late. We don't talk about anything important so don't you worry about it." Yae uncomfortably giggled as she rubbed the back of her neck as she couldn't even look in his direction. Giyuu couldn't help but be curious, but shrugged off any feelings. Looking up to the sky, he felt relief at seeing his companion in the sky. "The moon is out again, and it's full tonight as well. It's always lovely, but it's most beautiful like this isn't it? It's calming." Yae flinched after hearing him speak. She couldn't tell if Shinobu and Mitsuri were just trying to prank her with earlier, but even then the idea of him saying it still caused her stomach to feel inverted.

"You're right... It's reflection on the lake at home is beautiful... I think it's one of my favorite views.." The entire group turned to hear Mitsuri squeal at such a pitch they thought animals would flee. When she saw that all eyes were on her, Mitsuri couldn't help but fluster up. "I'm sorry I'm sorry! I just uh... Saw a cute couple we past by having a moment together!" She started pointed in paths they had already passed in the hopes of being more convincing. Mitsuri could almost feel the two holes being bored through her as Yae looked back to her. As they entered the restaurant, Yae laid her arms down on the table and rested her head as she already felt tired. She had to stop herself from jumping as she felt him rub her back. "Are you sure everything is alright?" She raised her head slowly and nodded before looking to Tengen. "Uzui-sama get the sake please? My head is killing me and right now I don't want to think." Tengen quickly looked to Giyuu before nodding. "She's off to Final Selection after the new year begins, might just be nerves."

As the night continued on, it had proven to be more peaceful than the last Hashira outing. Tengen could not convince Giyuu to drink to prove he could in fact "act flashy" much to his dismay. Yae felt the need to let loose as her mind continued to betray her. What did not help was her unease of her newly discovered feelings caused her the desire to drink, as the only way she knew that caused her to not think. But with how much she consumed it caused Giyuu to continue to try and comfort and check on her, which only resurfaced her feelings about him, which caused her desire to drink. It was a horrible cycle that fed itself but she had no idea what else to do, at least the food they ordered helped to not make the effects of alcohol not as intense.

Before the night out reached it's end, Giyuu thought it would be a good idea to return home given Yae's condition. He carried her in his arms as he and Shinobu walked out of the restaurant. "Kocho, can you help bring anything to help her with this tomorrow? I fear she may have overdone it." Shinobu agreed before hearing Giyuu sigh. He almost looked as if he was dealing with something himself. "Is it something I did? She almost seemed uncomfortable didn't she? Almost as if she was on edge from my sheer presence." Shinobu honestly felt bad for the man. He's been an all work and no play kind of person for as long as she could remember, he knew about as much about romance as Yae. "It's nothing you did Tomioka, Yae just needs to figure some things out on her own." Yae slowly opened one of her eyes to look up to him as her head was pulsating. 'It's everything you did.'

Yae wasn't sure how long she was asleep for, but she could tell they were almost home. She barely kept her eyes open as to watch the serene environment pass by them. Her head continued to rest against his chest and shoulder as he carried her so easily. "You truly have come along away, you're maintaining Constant in your sleep. You truly are ready to become more than just my student." She heard Giyuu speak up as she looked up to him. She smiled as she rubbed her head against him. "I had someone amazing teach me everything I know." They finally slowed down to a walk as they approached home. "Look." She turned her head to see they were in front of the lake. The full moon stood by itself only in the sky, and it's reflection from the perfect clear waters gave it a companion. It wasn't alone now. "You said this was one of it favorite sights, I wanted you to see it before we went in." Yae turned back to him, as his eyes were focused upwards, hers were focused somewhere else. "One of, but I think I know what my favorite is now."

As Giyuu brought her inside and to the direction of Yae's room, she tugged on his uniform slightly. "Am I alright to sleep in your room tonight? I uh... Don't want to risk feeling sick by myself from drinking too much. Even if I have Torakkā with me, she won't be able to tell you what I might need, and it'll be faster." Giyuu thought of it for a moment before finding it rational. "Alright, I'll put you down in mind and fetch your mat while you rest up. Torakkā, here girl." Giyuu whistled quickly much to the dismay of Yae's headache already forming. Both could hear the quick pitter patter of steps as their faithful animal sat before them. "Yae isn't feeling too good, she's sleeping in my room tonight and I entrust you to help keep her company while I fetch her things." Torakkā quickly moved to ask fours and barked. "Good girl."

Yae felt herself get placed down in Giyuu's mat as she looked up to him. "I'll be right back, but I don't doubt you'll be asleep before I return." She nodded and waited for him to leave. Once she was sure he was gone and away from the door, she looked to Torakkā as Yae pulled her close for comfort. "I think I'm in trouble girl." Torakkā whined softly as her head rested on the mat. Yae knew what she had to acknowledge after everything she and the girls talked about. The words caught in her throat, almost choking on them as she felt herself unable to speak them. Any attempt she tried the words died before they were even given the air to be said. She forced herself to take in a deep and force all the air out her lungs, almost to attempt to force the words out as well. "I love Giyuu. I love him and more than just as family. I want him... And I want him to want me." She quickly heard the door open and shut her eyes to pretend to be asleep. She heard him kneel down and rub Torakkā softly. "Goodnight girl." Yae soon felt his hand against her own head, only now noting how warm it was. "Goodnight Yae." She watched him move into her mat that she brought in and turn over, presumably falling asleep instantly. She spoke only more than a whisper. "Goodnight Giyuu..."