Chapter Text
You find yourself standing on a road, the satchel on your back laden with camping supplies. You tried to balance traveling light with absolute necessities for the outdoors, but it was still more than your usual. Still, you had no choice. This time, your journey was going to be long. When the raven gave you your mission, your jaw dropped; Oyakata-sama wanted you to eliminate a threat all the way down in Tanegashima, miles to the south.
After a few minutes of standing in place, musing over the logistics of such a trip, you notice a raven land on the ground and stare up at you with beady, black eyes. After a moment, it flits off. Shortly afterwards, the unmistakable silhouette of the water Hashira rounds the corner to approach you.
You exchange greetings. Polite, stiff, formal. You note that like yourself Giyuu is clearly prepared for a long journey, an oil lantern hanging from his side and the tip of a tatami mat peeking from the bag slung over his shoulder. After working out where to go, you both proceed to set off on foot.
After a few minutes, you notice that it is quiet. Unbearably quiet.
“So…” you begin, trying to break what felt like growing tension, “ever been to Tanegashima before?”
Dull blue eyes look up from the road to regard you.
“No.”
“Well”, you continue, “There’s a first time for everything. Looks like we’re in for a long trip though, eh?”
Giyuu doesn’t even look up from the road this time.
“Yeah.”
The corner of your lip twitches. Okay. No more conversation.
It is the peak of summer, something you can already feel in the warm, muggy air as you hike. It is still morning, and the quiet air between you and Giyuu is regularly interrupted by the dull roar of cicadas. As the heat of the day grows, even the insects give way to a stifling, all-consuming silence.
From time to time, you would turn to glance at your traveling partner. Giyuu almost never returns your gaze, staring fixedly at the road ahead, expression remaining almost infuriatingly blank. You quietly marvel at his physical condition, though it’s clear he lacks in social skills. Though you both had endured unimaginable training to get to where you are, there are times where he will walk up steep slopes without breaking pace while your own stride slows, or wind through dense forest without brushing against a single leaf while you inevitably stumble here and there.
The day passes by pleasantly enough, if not laced with an eerie silence. Honestly, for you, it’s not much different from traveling alone - barring the reminder of the gap in skill between you and a Hashira. As night falls, your eyes widen with relief as the lights of a town come into view. Though you will never admit it, even at sword point, the breakneck pace Giyuu has set leaves your calves burning.
As the two of you check into separate rooms you smile to yourself, grateful for what may be one of your last nights for a while in a cozy futon indoors. Still, as you lay down, rest does not come as easily as you thought it would. You can’t stop thinking about the mission ahead. Or, if you’re being honest with yourself, him.
‘I thought the actual trip was going to be the most difficult part of this mission. Or maybe trying to actually hunt down our target in unfamiliar terrain. But…the most trying part may be just enduring an entire trip with a partner like this.’
You forcefully exhale.
‘How uncomfortable. I’ve had better conversations with severed demon heads. At least he’s…well…at least he’s rather…’
You begin to blush in shame and bury your head into your pillow, chiding yourself for even going there. Giyuu is a respected swordsman, not some doll to admire. And if he had any idea you had thoughts of that nature….well, you’re sure you’d probably hear what he would have to say then. And it probably wouldn’t be very nice.
Eventually, the steady chirping of crickets outside drown out your anxious thoughts. You manage to drift off to sleep.
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You are woken up by Giyuu early. Very early. Your eyes slowly open to find him standing at your inn room door, already fully dressed and prepared for the road. It’s not easy to see him in the early morning light; it cannot be any later than 6am.
“Tomioka-san, the sun isn’t even up yet…”
Giyuu folds his arms.
“We have a lot of ground to cover. Let’s go.”
You grumble and sit up on your futon, rubbing one eyeball. You feel the slight slip of fabric as your yukata, loose from a night of tossing and turning, begins to sag down to your elbow and reveal a shoulder and a portion of your upper chest.
Though your eyes are still half-blurred from sleep, you can see a subtle change in Giyuu’s expression. A widening of the eyes, followed by them very briefly following your yukata down to stare at your shoulder and chest. After less than a second his gaze snaps back up to your face before he abruptly leaves the room, muttering.
“And get dressed, won’t you?”
You are now awake. Very awake.
“Um! Yes, sir!”