Giyuu had arrived to the Hashira meeting with time to spare, but unfortunately was not spared from his thoughts. New things continued to run through his mind and none of which he enjoyed. His mind had been his worst enemy before any demon spare the thought of Muzan himself or his Upper Moons. He would not deny he thought of her, where she was right now, how she was fairing, how far she's already come. He gave a solemn smile and a sigh before his face became his stoic expression once more. He felt a poke in his back and turned to see Shinobu, he smile as normal as ever. "I must admit it's odd to see you here early Giyuu. Gyomei or myself are the first one here normally, but you even beat both of us here. What bothers you?" He sighed once more as his eyes stayed to her. "As perceptive as ever Shinobu." She giggled as she waited for his answer.
"Yae is on a mission and has been gone for several days now, she took Torakkā as well as Yotogi so the estate has been... Quiet. It has been so long since she has moved in that it's become the standard. It's almost unsettling." He decided to end his explanation there as to not speak further of his issues. He didn't want to bother her over things that didn't affect her. The other thoughts he was having began to haunt him more, he did his best to avoid them but they always lingered. As he almost fell into the pit of his thoughts again, he felt Shinobu jab her finger into his side again. He didn't hold the act against her, he actually think he's needed it this time as a distraction. "You're lost in thought again." He shook his head before rubbing his brow. "My apologies."
Shinobu smiled at him softly as she placed her hands behind her back. "It's alright Giyuu, and I meant it what I said before when we picked her up from Final Selection, I think she's become a good influence on you. You've spent so much time with her, you've gotten use to no longer being alone. Just like how you miss her presence, I don't doubt she misses yours. You still changed and never explained why or what happened to spur it, but I think you've just let your heart open up again. You just don't know how to handle it after so long of being by yourself." Shinobu pulled her hand from behind her and poked his chest where his heart would be. "And there isn't anything wrong with that, you're as human as everyone else." She looked to him with a look of sincerity. "I know you don't like hanging out with us for whatever reason after meetings, but why don't you come today? It'll help you feel less lonely if you do." Giyuu grunted softly as he kept his eyes on her. "Just maybe."
The duo heard footsteps as the others started to arrive, each confused by Giyuu already being there, but gave commendation that he actually showed initiative. Even Sanemi or Obanai who actively disliked him kept silent as they found nothing of him to complain about. He still took his place away from the others, but it would be looked over this time. All awaited patiently until the Master came out, only now his disease had worsen. His vision now was completely impaired as the curse spread over the most of his face. Even as the Hashira stared and felt remorse for what he had to suffer through, a smile did not leave his face. "Good morning my children. I am sorry for being unable to see you all anymore, but I know you all are still as wonderful as the shining sun." Giyuu was the first to raise his head and greet the Master. "Good morning Master, you refer to us as the morning sun, but it is you who shines above us all. Your care washes over us like the light itself, and we are thankful to be in your presence. We only are as who we are, because it is what you deserve from us and nothing less."
Almost all had become stupefied at what Giyuu had said. His compliment without hesitation, yet filled with such depth of care left the others in awe. The only two who were not shocked at just how Giyuu could speak when he chose to was Shinobu, and Mitsuri. They had known just how he spoke of Yae and how he gave prayer for an unknown slayer. He was a man more than capable of speaking fluently, but only in moments when he desired it. Kagaya himself was shocked at the words, but his smile only seemed to radiate a warmth that backed how Giyuu spoke of him. "Your words embarass me Giyuu, but if that is how you view me then I will forever be thankful to be held in such high regard. Are you alright Giyuu? You are not normally one to greet me, this may be the first since you became a Hashira." Giyuu remained silent for a moment as he struggled to explain to himself not just to the Master, but in front of everyone. "As alright as I am capable of being Master."
The meeting had gone as well as could be, with every Hashira giving an update on each of their districts and their missions. Giyuu listened intently for the first time in years to his comrades about their reports, not out of a necessity as he trusted they were all more than capable, but because they were louder than his thoughts. As the meeting ended, Giyuu felt an arm rest on his shoulder. He didn't need advanced training to know who it was. "I must say Tomioka, I never would've expected to hear you have such a flamboyant way with words! Maybe while you had a few drinks, but I never thought sober!" Giyuu sighed as removed Uzui's arm and looked to him. "I can speak when I choose to or when I feel it's deserved, this situation was for the Master, so it was desrved."
Tengen thought for a moment about the words. Yes he never really gave any time or attention to Tomioka, but he never considered the idea having untapped flashiness. When he was drunk during his birthday celebration, he showed off a flash of light that held such flare that it was like a whole other person. The joy in his voice, the intensity of his smile, it was a change from a funeral service to a symbol of life. Now to see just how he could speak, Tengen felt an idea born in his head. "Tomioka! Why don't you join us again tonight for our Hashira outing? Your twenty-first birthday is coming up anyways, we can do what we did before and celebrate early?" Giyuu looked to him with skepticism before Tengen backed away with his hand up to surrender. "I won't try to force you to drink, I swear on my wives." Giyuu relaxed his features as he looked to the others. He saw two people that barely seemed to tolerate the idea of him showing, but also didn't seem to not hate the idea of him being with the group.
"Are you sure that I won't be a hindrance on the group?" Tengen was curious as to why Tomioka thought that. He would more than likely be silent during the outing, especially because he didn't seem to have his lady friend around, but even Tokito was quiet the last time they were out. Plus he only promised he wouldn't get Tomioka drunk, nothing ever said he wouldn't try to drink on his own. "Come on, we can see how flashy you can be when you actively try. It'll be a fun distraction to whatever is bothering you." Giyuu wouldn't lie and he was say he was caught off guard at what Uzui said. Had he been read by someone else so easily? First Shinobu, then the Master, now him. He didn't want to become a bother to the group during a time that was meant to be about camaraderie, but perhaps Uzui and Shinobu were right. Perhaps he did need a distraction. "Very well then, I assume we're returning to the same place?"
Tengen smiled as he lead Giyuu to the others. "Oh yeah, the reason why we go to that place in particular is because the village is actually personally funded by the Corps. They know the secret of demons so they see us as protection, and for that we recieve discounts there. Since it's incentive for us to go and spend there, they recieve funding from the Corps and its how they can afford all that they have. And since we keep them safe, give them our money, and help buy nice things with our money, we can enjoy every bit of it that comes with this relationship." Giyuu was shocked and honestly didn't know an entire village had an unspoken deal with the Corps. But then again it made sense he didn't know, he's only gone twice with them. Perhaps this was a place to revisit in the future. "Lead the way then." Tengen was pleasantly to surprised with how much Tomioka was willing to join of his own desires. Saved him the energy of trying to drag him there.
Giyuu intended to walk at the back of the group as that was where he felt most comfortable, but the other Hashira had different plans. Kyojuro and Tengen had brought him to the front and showed him all the different sites and stores the village had. From tailors to craftsmen, to even simpler stores that held souvenirs. It all seemed quaint and cozy to Giyuu. He would occasionally look to Shinobu for some aid for how overwhelming all of this social interaction was, but she only smiled on as he was forced to deal with this by himself. The group eventually stopped before the restaurant they had even from in the past. He still felt out of place, the odd one out, the black sheep of everyone here. He had Shinobu around to help him be comfortable, but this just wasn't a place he really felt at ease in. Giyuu shook his head as his thoughts ate away at him again.
"Tomioka-san Tomioka-san! How has Yae-chan been doing since becoming an official Slayer?" Mitsuri eagerly wanted to know how things have been going with one of her closest friends as she hadn't seen her since her ceremony. "Yae has been doing well. She's now on her second mission and she left well armed. She's been eager to go out, I almost believe she's trying to prove something..." Giyuu placed the order for his food as he sat surrounded by the others. "I have faith in her, but I still worry." Kyojuro and Shinobu looked towards Giyuu as they understood the same feeling. As Shinobu had Kanao as her student and Kyojuro had Mitsuri as his, the feeling of letting the bird out of the nest was always an unnerving one.
"What is it that makes her special anyways? Kocho had told us that she doesn't have a defined Breathing Technique." Obanai questioned as his eyes focused on Tomioka, only to see something that hinted as anger being held back. "On a purely physical matter, she's actually caught up to my sister and Tsuguko, and even surpassed her in some matters. Kanao already has keen vision, but Yae almost seems to have perfect senses after all the training Tomioka put her through." Shinobu spoke up as she tried to distract everyone from the building negative mood Giyuu was feeling. "She's correct. Yae grew up as a hunter with not only her father teaching her, but multiple elders of her lodge. She grew up as a Hunter of Animals, and through the training not just by me, but also Kocho, she's become a fine Hunter of Demons." Giyuu stared to Iguro as if to see what he would say next.
"Tomioka. If I may I would like to ask just what manner of training you put her through? If two Hashira as well as a Tsuguko had helped in her training, it must have been extensive." Gyomei asked as he now grew curious how important this girl had to be given such attention. "I first had her master Total Concentration Constant, this was aided by Tsuyuri teaching her the fundamentals of Flower Breathing. After which I made her learn to maintain control of her breathing and mind through extreme measures tested by myself such as extreme cold, limited airflow, or sensory limitations. After that I believe was the reflex training of her vision and body, there was the hand to hand training, knife training, proxy hunts where I hunted her as well as she hunting me. Everything I could think of that would help in her development and become strong, I made her master until it was in nature. If I were to assume, in a few years if she were to hunt us down, not all of us would be the Victor of that challenge."
The table sat in silence as the words hung in the air. Giyuu looked around to see everyone's focus on him, he couldn't help but be confused at the attention. "Yes?" Mitsuri almost seemed pale as her shoulders slumped. "That almost sounds as horrifying as the training Kyojuro put me through..." Kyojuro flinched as he had just been called out by his friend and former student. "What in the hell made you put her through THAT level of training? I get you want her to be strong, but Gods above that sounds like something Himejima would put someone through." Sanemi grabbed his water the waitress placed down for him and took a sip. He was at least keen enough to notice something in Tomioka's eye. "Should anything happen to me, I wanted her to be strong enough to be able to survive anything this world may throw at her." Giyuu soon felt a sting in his cheek as he lowered his head. He couldn't hold back a chuckle as it let itself out. "She's forbidden me to die though, so I'm required to live to see her become even stronger than she is now. I will not complain."
Tengen appeared to be the only one who heard the chuckle that Tomioka let out by accident. He could've sworn he saw some kind of smile as well, but he wasn't certain. "What is her story Tomioka? You have dedicated this much time and energy to her, and you had never taken someone in over the years, what changed?" Gyomei asked as it was now obvious to all how much Tomioka cared for the girl. If he was willing to go this far to train one person, they had to have been important to him. Giyuu felt a pit in his stomach form as the memories of that mission became fresh again after so long. His mind only ever focused on her features she made throughout the mission. Her rage, her determination, her pain, her acceptance of the death by her own hand. She had such comfort and soft expressions as her rifle rested under her jaw. He shouldn't have made it to her, neither of them should've been able to make it to save her. But one rock, one measly stone he found by accident as a foothold was the difference between the last year and some months of his life with her, and having to bury her next to the last of family.
"Giyuu?" He jumped as Shinobu whispered into his ear, his eyes suddenly regaining focus as they glossed over. She was concerned for him as she had to have known what he was thinking. She rubbed his back softly as he shook his head and kept his face lowered. "It is not my story to tell, and I would not ask her to tell it. I saved her life, and that is all I wish to remember." The others were unsure what to make as they had never seen the forever stoic Water Hashira shaken in such a way. Gyomei could feel his comrade begin to waver and teared up as he bowed. "My apologies Tomioka, I do not mean to bring up negative memories. It is clear that some things are meant to stay unsaid, I humbly ask you to forgive my actions." Giyuu shook his head as he waived for the waitress to bring a bottle of alcohol. "It is no worry Himejima, I do not hold anything against you. Some things you want to forget. Some things though, you only want to remember for as long as forever may last."
Sanemi didn't believe the first time he was told by Uzui that Tomioka drunkenly smiled during their outing last year. It took him a year to actually realize it was the truth and Tomioka was the giggly happy kind of drunk. The restaurant had apparently recieved a new alcohol from international waters called whiskey and Tomioka had more than just a few sips of it. All he did was laugh and giggle as if all his cares or problems had vanished. Sanemi needed his own drinks to even process what he was seeing. Eventually he started to go on about the girl Hasinaw. If not for the words he spoke for the Master this would've been just as much a shock to the rest of them, now though it just seemed like the bastard was finally being honest with how he thought. He wasn't acting as his loner self and didn't have his "I'm different from everyone" attitude, so Sanemi figured he'd let tonight slide.
"There's just something.. a- uh, about her that just RADIATES this life from her. Like she just, she's just energetic and outgoing, and just..." Giyuu giggled as he rested his head on his arm. "Mizuki calls her little spark... It doesn't do her justice. She's so much more than just a itty-bitty spark, she's a damn wildfire." Giyuu smiled as he felt comfy. He was almost tempted to sleep if not for the smell of hot food coming his way. He looked up to his bowl, but found it wasn't salmon like he wanted. "Where's... Where's my salmon daikon?" Shinobu patted his back softly as she saw he was upset by his meal. "You didn't order it because you said you liked how Yae makes it." She used her free hand to eat her ginger tsukudani, enjoying seeing her friend de-stress and the taste of her meal. "It's not my fault if it tastes better how she makes it..." He forgot his complaint as soon as the taste of chicken catsu had touched his tongue and ate in bliss.
Mitsuri felt as if she was about to explode from hearing all this emotional speak! She was bouncing in her chair at learning even more how Tomioka-san felt about Yae. She couldn't wait for her to return from her missions to be able to tell her! She also couldn't believe just how freely Tomioka-san was smiling, he was so passionate and free while doing it, it reminded her of her own family! She now wanted to try and hang out with the two more, but quickly remembered Yae and her crush on the man. Mitsuri shook her head and quickly distracted herself with her bowls of food, she would not act as passenger to their relationship! She didn't mind the spectator position though.
The night ended with more positive cheer than anticipated, but Shinobu really felt none could complain. Giyuu, even if he was drunk, seemed to have a good time. The others enjoyed the night as well and were exposed to his more lively side, so she considered tonight a victory. She requested Uzui-san to help carry Giyuu back to his estate as he had the strength to do so and she was the only other one to know where he lived exactly. He seemed upset he wouldn't immediately be able to make it back to his wives, but he still seemed happy at learning more about Giyuu. Her smile became a genuine one as she was happy it appeared others finally enjoyed having him around.
Tengen carried Tomioka on his back and he was thankful it seemed the man was already unconscious. His heartbeat was definitely slower than it should be, but it must've just been from how calm he finally was. "Hey Kocho is Tomioka always like this? Hiding his flare for only her and anyone lucky to see it?" The man genuinely now thought Tomioka was just someone who held himself back, the man had flash but damn how big were the gaps between the moments to shine? "I've been lucky to see as much as I have Uzui-san, I think really Yae may be the only thing that gets him to appreciate life." Tengen wore a face of annoyance as he looked back to the man he was carrying. "I swear you two are confusing. Can't blame you two all that much though, sometimes you just need specific conditions for things to happen. Maybe she can help you be more personable with the rest of us though."
Shinobu helped Giyuu into his room and laid him onto his sleep mat. She left him wearing his uniform as she refused to change him, but she did at least leave him some medicine to take when he woke up. She remembered just how he faired the last time when he woke at her estate. As Shinobu and Tengen were beginning to leave, they caught site of a familar figure. Shinobu smiled as she hugged Yae as she just came back from her mission. She was in her official uniform with pants this time, but did not leave out her Matagi roots. She wore a fox skin that rested on her shoulder that ran down her back that acted as a cape. She even wore a deer skin pelt around her waist. "Giyuu is inside and I just put him to sleep. He... had some bad memories come up so he did drink again, you may want to check on him." Yae sighed and smiled before shaking her head. "I was the one on the mission, but he's the one that makes me worry?" A smile didn't leave her face as she walked to the door. "Thanks for looking out for him tonight you two, I owe ya!"
Yae opened the door to Giyuu's room and wasn't the only one to enter. Torakkā quickly ran over to Giyuu to sniff at him and check for his safety. Yotogi perched on his head as she did much of the same. She smiled at how at peace he looked as he was asleep. Kneeling down next to him, she undid his ponytail and began playing with his hair to get it more loose and broken up. She spoke in little more than a whisper as she looked down to him. "Giyuu, guess who's home? What are you doing drinking? You couldn't remember what happened last time dummy, I thought you would've learned." He finally began to open his eyes as he reached around for her. She offered him her hand and was caught off guard to see him place it against his cheek. "I remembered the mission. I remembered seeing you in pain... I remembered seeing you turn the gun on yourself... I wanted to drink to forget that... And to remember everything else about you..."
Yae frowned as she started to rub his cheek. "Oh Giyuu..." She continued to comfort him as she played with his hair. "Don't worry big guy, I'm still here. You didn't lose me, you won't lose me okay? Look at me, look at me and know I'm always going to be here." Giyuu turned onto his back as he looked up to Yae, his mind still fuzzy from everything. He looked at her eyes as they were still as warm as ever. "I don't want to lose my sunshine, I'm not alone anymore. But you already shine so brightly, I almost feel I'm not worthy of your light." Giyuu passed out after finishing his sentence as he just felt too comfortable and just wanted to stop thinking all together.
Yae just sat there with her hand still resting on his cheek, her jaw dropped as she stared down at him. She only came out of her stupor when Yotogi started to peck at her hair and Torakkā whined to make sure she was alright. She pulled her hand from his hair and placed it on his other cheek as she just smiled. She couldn't help but love how adorable this man could be when he didn't even know he was doing it. "After next month, I'll be your sunshine for as long as you want me to be Giyuu Tomioka. I'll be your sunny skies, you can be my heart of the ocean."
The following morning was the same as last time Giyuu consumed alcohol. He unfortunately couldn't remember anything once again, the last thing being his conversation with Himejima at the restaurant. He must've said something as Yae almost seemed to be glowing throughout the day, but never explained. It shouldn't have been too bad if it made her happy. All the residence of the Water Estate were invited to the Butterfly Mansion to help celebrate Giyuu's birthday. He recieved looks from each of the girls again with almost expectation that he would do something. They seemed satisfied when he smiled at the spread of food before them all. He smiled at something else, he was happy could remember the celebration this time.
It was finally the day of Yae's eighteenth birthday. A smile was on her face from the moment she woke up, but terror was all that filled her mind. 'FUCK IT'S TODAY! I FINALLY HIT MY GOALS AND NOW I NEED TO ACTUALLY GO THROUGH WITH CONFESSING! WHY DID A PART OF ME THINK I WOULDN'T GET THIS FAR?!' It almost seemed as if Torakkā could smell the worry Yae was giving off as she tackled her owner and started to lick across her face. Yae scrambled to get Torakkā's off of her before walking to the bathroom. With a sigh, she rinsed her face off and looked down to her trusted and still too smart companion. "Thank you girl." Yae soon walked to the dining room to see Giyuu making breakfast. She could smell the pork belly, fried eggs, potatoes, and rice and almost sighed in bliss.
"Good morning. After breakfast we can figure out how to celebrate for your birthday. My apologies for not thinking of anything until now, but I simply haven't been able to come up with anything that was enough." Giyuu prepared her plate and tea and placed them before her at the table. She waved her hand as the animals sat around them. "It's nothing to worry about. As long as I'm spending the day with my friends and having a good time it's more than enough. My birthdays weren't fantastical before I came here anyways, so I'm fine with things being relaxed." The two sat in silence eating in peace, until all heard the violent knocking at their front door. "I'll get it." Yae got up and ran off as the animals stared at her plate. "You two already ate."
Yae got closer to the door and it seemed the knocking only got more intense, as if the person was threatening to break the door. "I'm coming! Break the door and you pay for it!" Yae pulled the door open and was confused and both scared to see who it was. "Mitsuri?" Yae felt her friend grip tightly onto her shoulders as their faces became closer. "Didyoudoityetdidyouconfesswhatdidhesay?!" Mitsuri whispered but still came off as loud and energetic as Yae was trying silence her. "Mitsuri the day just started! We were having breakfast as you nearly broke in." Yae broke out of her friend's grip as she now looked a bit shy.
"And no... I haven't said anything yet. I don't even know how I'm going to say anything. I know I said I would confess once it was my birthday, but in case you forgot I grew up in the country side as the only kid where relationships weren't the biggest priority or thing on my mind. I have no idea what I'm doing!" Mitsuri groaned as she looked to her friend and didn't want to hear the excuses. "How hard is it to say I love you can we be together with someone?!" "Have you ever done it before?!" Mitsuri felt any words die in her mouth before she could continue the argument. "It hurts knowing you're right..."
The two were so distracted in their argument they hadn't noticed Giyuu approach from behind. "Oh Kanroji. Good morning." Yae tilted her head up to look at Giyuu standing directly behind her and squealed slightly at the appearance of him as they used him as the topic of conversation. "Good morning Tomioka-san! I just wanted to visit Yae-chan today and wish a happy birthday." Giyuu appreciated that Yae had been able to make good relationships with the others. "Would you like to join us for breakfast then? I know you must have burned some energy to make the journey here." Mitsuri looked to Yae as if for approval to come in, she was happy to see Yae invite her. "Yes please!"
Giyuu fixed Mitsuri a plate as he was happy the animals remembered to leave the food untouched. "Boiled and seasoned fried potatoes, fried eggs with chili sauce, seared pork belly with various sauces, and steamed rice. My apologies if it isn't enough." Mitsuri quickly bowed as she grabbed her chopsticks. "Itadakimasu Tomioka-san!" Mitsuri quickly began to eat, but found herself actually showing down. She ate a little bit of everything, taking down the taste of everything. "Tomioka-san. Do you always cook like this?" "Not every day, but for days involving training, before missions, or special occasions." Mitsuri turned to Yae before whispering something in a series tone that was almost unnatural to come from her. "If all he's done for you on top of this cooking you get to eat near constantly isn't enough for you two to end this in marriage, I'm ending this friendship." Yae spat out her tea as she was sure her face became a deep red.
"Yae, Kanroji, why don't you two go out and enjoy the day together? You two haven't been able to spend time together since the beginning of the year, it could be a pleasant way to celebrate your birthday." Tomioka spoke as he began to put away his dishes. Yae looked up to him as she cleaned her mess. "Are you sure? What about you though?" "Yae, we live together, you two don't get to see each other often. Go out, have fun, I'll see you at the end of the night." That was all Mitsuri had to hear. She quickly scarfed down breakfast much to her dismay and watched as Yae finally finished her food. As she was all but dragged out of the house, Giyuu continued to think he was thankful they Yae had good someone a good a friend as her. He only hoped he was held in high regards as that.
Mitsuri had kidnapped Yae to a nearby village in Giyuu's district. Yae was the one that told Mitsuri of the village, but given Mitsuri's strength she was essentially taken there by force. "We can use this as a chance to not only get you something for your birthday, but also something to help you with your confession." Yae blushed as she was pulled along by her friend as they went from shop to shop. "You act like I'm going to do it today." Mitsuri stopped in her tracks as she turned back to her friend. "You both have today off, you said after you became older, and the more you make excuses to not do it the longer it'll take and you'll eventually be too scared to ever get it done! You'll be stuck in a perpetual place of wanting to be more but being too afraid to try and obtain more!" Yae felt defeated as she realized the title of Love Hashira came with being romantically intelligent. "Alright... Let's see what's here."
Mitsuri and Yae had found a clothing store and soon found themselves browsing through the selection. Yae didn't feel she needed any more given the large collection Giyuu bought her already, but Mitsuri had insisted this was going to be her birthday gift and couldn't deny it. "So how was he when you got back last night?" Yae stayed silent as her mind went to what he said. She knew her friend was too smart to hide anything from, so she just told the truth. "He called me something new last night while he was still drunk." Yae watched Mitsuri stop searching through the clothes as her attention was fully given to her. "He called me... His Sunshine." Mitsuri squealed as she bounced where she stood. "Just how lucky can one girl be?! A strong man, amazing cook, a way with words that can take you off your feet. Why did you wait this long to ask him out?! I was getting engaged at the age you learned how you felt and Uzui-san got married at fifteen. No one would've minded your relationship."
Yae played with her hair as she had stopped tying it when not on missions. "I was still just his student and I felt I needed to be more mature, grow more into who I could become... Someone that he deserved. He calls me confident but ever since I figured out how I've felt... You were right. I've been afraid. We have such a good thing going on and if he doesn't feel the same way, we're stuck living in the same home having to face each other every day. It's my home, HE'S my home, I just don't want to ruin it." Yae's head hung low as the thought of rejection started to ache in her brain. She noticed Mitsuri walked up to her and hugged her softly, it was honestly the most gentle she had been since her visit.
"Remember what I said about how I wasn't allowed to really love who I was getting engaged to because they were appointed meetings?" Yae nodded against her friend's shoulder. "I still don't know who I will fall in love with, as much as I want to find the person right for me, I don't know when I'll find them. You seem to have found that person though. You held onto these thoughts and emotions for so long, you know this is how you feel about him and you can say it without hesitation if you aren't scared. You need to just have hope. If you don't tell him tonight, when will you ever it you continue to be afraid of what might go wrong? Think of what might go right. He cares for you deeply already, you just need to find out how else he can think of you, and you already know how to get those answers." Yae sighed as she hugged her friend and finally felt more calm and confident. "Alright, tonight when I'm home. I promise." Mitsuri smiled as she broke the hug. "Good. Come on let's keep looking!"
Giyuu had finally returned home as the sun was setting and it was turning dark out. After Kanroji and Yae had left, he had actually left the estate as well. He didn't feel Yae's birthday should've gone without at least one gift, so he ventured out in hopes of finding one. He did find two things, and he only hoped it would be enough for her. As he entered his estate, the smell of food immediately hit his nose and he was left confused. "Yae?" "I'm home! I didn't know when you were coming back since you left too, so I got started on dinner! It's done I just wanted to wait on you!" He sighed as his plans were thwarted. "I was going to make you nikujaga stew for your birthday." He spoke to himself as he moved to the dining room and waited patiently.
What he saw shocked him deeply. Yae walked out and was wearing a kimono that mirrored that of the rising sun. Her sleeves had radiant going from a bright yellow into a deep orange. As he saw her turn his back to her, he could see the image of the sun itself sitting on her back, it's stitching intricate and methodical, yet brazen and demanding to be known. She also wore a sash of deep blue across her outfit that reminded him of the horizon when staring out at the ocean. His eyes traced up to meet hers, the light from the candles danced in her eyes as if they were living fire. Not as intense as the morning sun, but still holding a warmth that only came from something truly alive. Her hair was left down as some ran down her back and her chest. She was entrancing in his eyes, something he wasn't sure he should be allowed to see at all. "What do you think?"
Giyuu could only stare as he just couldn't find the words to describe what he saw. Yae awkwardly giggled as she placed down their food. "I finally left you at a loss for words. I'm not sure if I should be scared or proud of that.." Giyuu blinked a few times and quickly regained his composure. "You look beautiful Yae. No fancy or feathery words I could ever speak would be as strong as the straight forward truth." Giyuu had to turn his head away just to force himself to stop staring. Yae smiled at her victory and the blatant compliment. "Sometimes though I like your fancy and feathery words. It's like how Lady Mizuki put it: That silver tongue of yours gives your words more weight, and more value than you could ever think by yourself." The two finally grabbed their chopsticks as they start to eat.
"So you want me to speak like that way for you?" Giyuu asked curiously as his eyes darted to and from her figure. She knew she was blushing, but made her promise and continued to push forward. "I wouldn't ask for what you think if I didn't want the truth Giyuu." She ate some more before staring to him, keeping her eyes on him. "You've told me my eyes are like gold, or that of the morning sun, but sometimes... I want to know what you think of me as a whole. As me, as how you see me." Yae nervously swallowed as her mouth became dry before quickly drinking some tea. "Yae, ever since we have known each other, your passion has become infectious. You are so full of life, that it feels like with you around the world has more color. You are nothing short of a blessing. My life as you may know or can guess, it hasn't been much other than committing to my responsibilities. But with you here, well... It's like how the others have always said: Life is something worth living for, there are things that make it enjoyable. I don't know what may be in store in the future, but I know I do not want to go through it without you."
Yae had to look down as to hide her tears of toy, giggling like a damn fool at just how warm she felt from hearing him talk about her like that. "We both know I wouldn't be here without you Giyuu, but there's no where else I'd rather be, or anyone else I'd rather be with. You have given me everything and I can't even begin to say how thankful I am for it all, but it's you that I'm most thankful for. I've never felt more alive, I've never been happier, and I have memories that I only have because I got to meet you." Yae put her chopsticks down as she clung to herself and had to force the next words out. "I want to go through life by your side, because frankly there's no other way I want to live." She heard Giyuu get up and walk next to her, forcing her to look up to him. He was holding two small boxes before her. "I could hear you crying, so I thought bringing these out would help to alleviate whatever may be bothering you. I wanted to wait, but I thought you needed them."
Yae grabbed the box first in his left hand, opening it slowly and gently as could be and was shocked to see what it was. It was a comb with a glass sunflower to act as an ornament. Tapping the petals, Yae could tell the glass was dense. She doubted they would easily break. She watched as Giyuu grabbed a candle and held the flame next to the flower, and was in awe of watching the light dance through it as it glowed. "This one I thought would be more fitting for you, but I will not deny I thought you would make this other one worthy of being on display." Giyuu opened the other box, revealing another comb, but now with a small cluster of glass hydrangea. "My apologies if they don't seem like useful gifts, but here." Grabbing the sunflower comb, Giyuu took control of Yae's hair and softly rolled it into a bun before putting the comb through to keep it all in place. "Look in the mirror."
Yae went to the living area and looked at her hair in the mirror, watching the light continue to bounce off and through the flower. She honestly couldn't find the right words to describe herself. Just like Giyuu couldn't. "You didn't need to get me anything." She smiled widely as a few stray tears ran down her face. "Being by your side is gift enough." Giyuu shook his head at the thought. "I may not have thought of anything you needed, but I wanted to think of something you deserved." Giyuu was tackled by Yae as her arms wrapped tightly around him, her hiding her face in his chest. "I love them. I love everything you've given me..." She raised her head to look at him and found her hand slowly making its way to his face. She rested it against his face as she struggled to say the words she's waited to say.
She couldn't even force them out now as she wanted them to be genuine. She wasn't as good with words as he was, but she'd do it in actions. "Can you close your eyes for me?" He looked confused at the request, but did as he was asked. Yae felt her mouth become dry again as she looked up to him waiting for her to act. She started to lose control of her breathing as she was starting to be fearful again of just what would happen if things went wrong. She remembered the promise she made to Mitsuri, the promise she made to herself. She slowly raised her head closer to his, wanting to finally show him just what she felt.
The two heard wings flapping and a caw break through the air and saw a Kusagi Crow perch itself on the window frame. Yae suddenly felt anger replace her love as she started to look for her shotgun. "Are you kidding me?! You had to show up now?!" Giyuu placed a hand on her shoulder as he stared at the crow. "Yae... That crow wears the Ubuyashiki family crest... The Master himself sent it." Yae immediately understood the seriousness of the situation and let her anger go. "Caw! Giyuu Tomioka! Yae Hasinaw! Report to the Master's estate immediately! Reports of a Moon level demon at Mt. Natagumo! Report to the Master for briefing!" The two stood in silence before Yae ran off to her room desperate to get her uniform on. "Giyuu go without me I'll catch up! Torakkā, Yotogi, we have a mission and I need you both at peak performance!" She heard Giyuu scramble to get his own uniform and sword ready. "Okay, step by step plan: Kill Moon level demon, confess to Giyuu, don't get heartbroken."