The skies were now blazing with orange and red hues. It had been a few hours since the demon had been killed. Everything went smoothly. Except for the fact that Zenitsu ended up being beaten by this kid who wears a boar mask. You could still remember the sound of Tanjiro giving him a massive head butt.
In a twist of events, Zenitsu was now the one being carried by Tanjiro. Each step all of you took, Inosuke would challenge Tanjiro for a fight. Ever so often he would disappear and run straight into a tree. Not really sure what message he was conveying, both you and Tanjiro decided to leave him be.
"So where will you go now, (Y/N)-san?" Tanjiro asked.
"Two towns south. I'll be meeting up with... Giyu."
"Whoa! He finally sent a message for you?" He adjusted Zenitsu who was as still as a rock. You couldn't help but admire how much strength this sunshine boi had.
"He did... But..." Taking out the small note from your pocket, you read the words once more and furrowed your brows. "I don't know. I doubt Giyu would write something like this."
When Tanjiro stepped in a little closer to examine the note, he too choked on air at the contents. His eyes darted from you to the note and then back to you.
"Are you... sure that's Tomioka-san?"
The junction where you would split with the boys was now within sight. Calculating the distance to the next town, it would take an estimation of 45 minutes by running. Folding the note and tucking it back into your pocket, you stared at Tanjiro's maroon eyes. Warmth spread all over your body.
"Will be alright carrying Zenitsu, Tanji?" You asked with a worried tone.
"Yeah. I'll be fine~ It's not that big of a deal anyway." Tanjiro smiled as he shifted his weight once more.
Thinking of a way to help him, a candle lit up in your brain. Though you weren't sure if it would work, the result of waking up the blonde would most probably help Tanjiro in the long run.
Lifting a hand up, you began to cup Zenitsu's cheek. That small action caused him to stir a tiny bit. Tanjiro stared at the scenario and somewhat hoped that that would wake the boy. Leaning in towards Zenitsu's ear, in your most seductive voice, you whispered to him.
"Till we meet again my husband~"
Safe to say, it worked and the boy practically leaped out of Tanjiro's arms and engulfed you in a tight hug. Tanjiro simply mouthed his thanks while you patted Zenitsu's shoulder and slowly pulled yourself away from him. It took a while to escape but you now found yourself waving farewell to the three boys as they began to walk straight forward.
Taking in the sunset, you began your quiet journey to the next town. Once the skies would turn dark, that's when you would start picking up your pace to avoid any unnecessary demons along the way. The air was a little too humid for you taste but nothing too much to handle. Crows could be heard every now and then but Karasutori didn't appear which made you thankful that you had enough time to meet up with the raven haired man.
On the 20th minute mark, you were now halfway to town. Catching your breath, you began to walk. The stars were now shining brightly in the sky. The lights from the houses were now visible. The humidity had now disappeared and you thanked the kakushi's for the warmth your uniform had to offer.
Halting in your tracks, you saw a familiar form not too far from where you were standing. His two swords resting on his back was a sight you would not miss, and the fact that he was tall too. His white hair glowed under the moonlight. The bangles wrapped on his arm were really accentuating how ripped he was.
"Uzui-san!"
Hearing his name, he turned around and gave you a beaming smile. The hanging diamonds on his bandanna glittered like the stars. Noticing that his eye didn't have those violet markings on them, you deduced that that was a way to make him more 'flamboyant' as he would say.
"Ahh! (L/N)-san!" He waved both of his hands and even stroke a pose when you caught up with him. "Fancy seeing you here at this time of night~"
"Same goes to you. You on a mission?"
"Luckily, I'm not. I'm meeting up with Rengoku in a bar. D'you wanna join?" He bowed but his head was still looking at you. A wink to accompany his handsome features. You couldn't help but imagine that this man used to be a shinobi. Still you accepted it.
Not too long after, you were now seated in a bar with the Sound and Flame pillar. Both men laughing their hearts out with each sentence they told each other. When the bottles were now placed on the table, you offered to pour them a drink but they insisted the do it since you were the 'leading lady' for the night.
One shot. Two shots. Three bottles. On your 6th glass, you promised that would be your last.
"So! (N/N)!" Rengoku chirped as he rested his elbow on the table. His cheeks tainted pink. "How're things with you and the Water Pillar?"
"Ha?! Well... things just got more interesting my friends." Uzui said after he almost spit his drink out.
Glaring at Rengoku, he still continued smiling at his question and waited for an answer. Uzui seemed to be eager as well. For a moment, you regret accepting the offer to drink. Still, these people were your fellow slayers and one of them your best friends. Shrugging with a sigh, you chugged the remaining sake left.
"We haven't seen each other in 6 months." Suddenly your empty glass looked very interesting.
Uzui released a hearty laugh at your answer. Clutching on to his stomach.
"Ahh. Love is ever so flamboyant when it comes to observation."
Both Rengoku and you stared questionably at the white haired man. Brushing the strand of hair from his face, he leaned on the table and ushered the two of you to come closer. Following his orders, you and the blonde leaned in.
"So hear me out. The last mission I had was actually with him, but that was 2 weeks ago. During that time, I manage to have a drink with him." His smile grew wider as he whispered. "The young man is a lightweight. I'll tell you that. And by the time he was tipsy, he was swaying left and right and only one thing came out of his mouth."
"And that is?" Rengoku asked. His eyes wide in anticipation.
"Shinobu."
"Huh?..." In your mind you were expecting, maybe a little, that he mentioned your name. Yet the name he mentioned was not yours. In all honesty, you wanted to just stand up and run towards the next town. Meet with him and settle as to what his note meant. Why would he even write the note if he stated another name?
"That's what he kept on repeating. Shinobu this. Shinobu that. If I'd ask him why, he'd just stare into space and drift off. Incoherent mumbling every now and then. Now, my question is..." His eyes were now focused on you. "How does that make you feel?"
All eyes were on you now. Choosing not to look them in the eye, you simply played with the rim of your shot glass. How did you feel?
"Meh." That's all you could utter. For now at least. Your mind was slightly intoxicated and anything you say, they might take that against you once you sober up. Excusing yourself, you exited the bar and went up the stairs. Thankful that they had chosen one that was an inn as well. When you found your room, you entered darkness and locked your doors.
Taking the note out, you walked towards the small window.
"Miss you. Let's meet."
That's what the note said. Was this a wrong sent kind of message? The note always managed to anger you knowing that this was something he would never write yet chose to send anyway. You opened the small window and whistled for Karasutori. A few minutes later, the raven was now perched on the sill and waited for your command.
Coming out of the washroom, you saw your raven and immediately held him on his sides. The visibly shaken raven had eyes wide open.
"Tell me the truth, Karasu..." You shook him gently. "Did you ever meet Giyu during those last months?"
The bird seemed to tremble. Not sure if you were not as sober as you thought you were or you held on to the bird a little too tight. Releasing your hold on him, you flopped on your bed and heard the flap of wings. The next thing you knew, Karasutori seemed to be making a nest by crumpling the sheets. Poking your cheek with his beak, the bird lowered his head and hid it between his wings.
"Tomioka-san told me not to tell you. Tomioka-san told me he couldn't face you." Followed by a caw.
Using your index finger, you patted your raven till you felt sleep creeping in your system. Tomorrow, you would finally get answers and hopefully still your aching heart as to why he suddenly avoided you.
- - - - -
a/n:
uh oh... looks like no fluff yet~
however! i will be uploading again within the next day ;) see ya'll tomorrow ;)