Can't Do it Without You

✨ Chapter 3 ✨

Two weeks have gone by and Toji's injuries had practically healed good as new, albeit some tenderness while training, but nothing that shouldn't go away in a couple days.

Toji was packing his stuff and preparing to finally leave the Mansion as he had been approved by Aoi to return to duty.

He was in the middle of folding his extra demon slayer uniform and was humming to himself. He finished and was about to place it inside his travel pack but accidentally dropped the uniform shirt onto the floor.

He sighed and bent down to pick it up.

Toji inhaled sharply as his whole body was struck with an intense, searing pain.

He gripped the bedframe to stop himself from toppling over but as soon as the pain came, it was gone.

Toji tried to catch his breath while grabbing his chest. Sweat had accumulated on his forehead and he felt slightly lightheaded.

"What the hell was that?" Toji thought in a daze.

He quickly drank the glass of water on his nightstand and slowly breathed in and out, trying to regain his composure with his breathing technique.

"I'm sure it was just a side effect of the medicine Aoi gave me, my body is still getting back in gear after sitting in bed for so long. That's all" Toji thought, trying to convince himself.

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Making his way out of the Mansion's front doors he was stopped by a voice calling his name behind him.

"Toji-kun! Where are you off to in such a hurry? Not even going to say goodbye?" Shinobu giggled as she approached the young man.

"Shinobu-san" Toji bowed.

"I didn't know if you were busy and I thought I'd just show myself out since Aoi approved me for duty the other day"

"Ah I see, well where are you heading if you don't mind me asking? On a mission already?"

Toji pointed to his back.

"Swordsmith Village, my blades are in need of repairs so I thought I'd get that out of the way as soon as I can"

"You're not going back to Uzui-san's estate first?" Shinobu asked tilting her head to the side.

"I'd rather he didn't see the condition of my blades. I'll just tell him that the damage isn't as bad as it really is and they're just sharpening them for me" Toji laughed nervously.

"Ara, I didn't think you'd be one to lie to your own teacher like that, Toji-kun. How do I know if you haven't lied to me either" Shinobu giggled, covering her mouth.

Toji blushed and immediately raised his hands in front of him "No of course not! I would never lie to you, Shinobu-san! It's just.... I would rather avoid getting an earful from Tengen-sama"

Shinobu raised a brow and smiled mischievously.

"How do you know I won't tell Uzui-san myself next time we see each other?"

"Wait-" his eyes widened.

She placed a finger on her chin and continued "Now that I think about it, we do have a Hashira meeting scheduled for next week. I could always tell him there if I wanted to~"

Toji put his hands together and bowed deeply "Please don't! I'll even come back and do chores around the Mansion once I drop off my swords! I'll sweep the whole building if you need me to!" he pleaded.

"The laundry?"

"Yes!"

"Dust off my laboratory?"

"Of course!"