It had been several months since Giyuu and Mitsuri had formed their relationship. They continued a slow and comfortable progression, both being new to romantic relationships. Kyojuro continued his support of the relationship, choosing to actively become better friends with Giyuu. They could not spend time together often due to their responsibilities as Hashira, but the times they were together were seen as more special because of it.
Mitsuri and Giyuu continued to learn about one another, developing both their friendship and romantic relationship. Updating one another on missions and health, to the rare unexpected visits to each other's districts for a night together. Giyuu slowly stopped questioning the value he placed himself at, no longer worrying about the idea that he wasn't good enough for her. Mitsuri gave him assurance when need be, nudging him on the path of accepting himself. They had not done all that they desired. Mitsuri still desired for him to meet her family, and she still had yet to learn the origins of the split haori's. While it upset her slightly, she knew things came to those who wait. If she waited this long and was given a man like Giyuu in her life, she would trust it.
She made her way to the master's estate, excited to see Giyuu and their friends again due to the required meeting. From how her first meeting had went, all Hashira go out to a village around the master's estate as a get together to spend as a full group. Since it was the convergence point for all of them, with the master's estate surrounded by all of their individual districts, everyone could make the trip and back to their respective areas. She was eager to see if Giyuu would be willing to spend the night at the village alone together, wanting it to be a real date.
She felt her heart about to explode as she finally made it to the others. "Ah, Kyojuro, Shinobu-chan! It's so good to see you both again!" Mitsuri rushed over to the two and quickly hugged them, using one arm each to pick them up as she held them. "It is good to see you as well Mitsuri! I hope that today will be as passionate as your hugs!" "Mitsuri you know we can just use our names right? We've been friends for months now. Also kindly let me down please?" Mitsuri quickly put the two of them down, looking around to see if Giyuu had arrived yet. "Is Giyuu here at all? He was here before the meeting started last time."
Shinobu shook her head, looking towards the path he usually arrives from. "Giyuu has a bad tendency of being late compared to everyone else. He still arrives before the master, but it does put us on edge sometimes. The last meeting the master had specified it was urgent and for us to arrive early, then it turned out you were the reason for it." Mitsuri frowned, hoping to be able to see him before the meeting. She walked over to where he normally stood, wanting to be able to stand with him this time.
Giyuu was not far off from the meeting location. He stayed at his home for a small moment longer to do something. He prayed, prayed for the two people in his life that were no longer with him in body. He told them of how he had found someone he could say he loved again. Talked to them as he spoke in detail of Mitsuri. Even telling them that he we making friends again, that his life was no longer seeming as dark as it once did. He apologized it took him this long, but he figured it was better to be late than never. He also believed he'd have to apologize to Mitsuri making her worry about where he is, the surprise he had for her later should be enough to make up for it.
Giyuu had finally made it to the meeting location, hoping today isn't too difficult to get through. "Giyuu! It is amazing to see you once again!" Kyojuro walked up to him and eagerly placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling widely at his newest friend. "Kyojuro, you saw me and Mitsuri two weeks ago at her estate." "That does not mean it is not amazing to see you now as well!" Giyuu had decided to humor the man, placing a hand back on his shoulder in kind. "Then it is good to see you once again as well." Shinobu let out a smile at the sight, glad to see Giyuu socializing in public.
Giyuu left Kyojuro to move to his usual spot, only to find Mitsuri was already standing there. "Mitsuri, shouldn't you be standing with the others?" He finally stood in front of her, not wanting to stop her as she wrapped her arms around him and looked up to him. "You're who I want to stand by with, and you can't convince me to do otherwise." She quickly planted a kiss on his lips and gave him a smile she knew he was weak against by now. Giyuu wrapped his arms around her and rested his head on top of hers, feeling relaxed during a meeting for once. "How is it that I was good enough for a woman like you again?" "You loved me, I loved you, that was enough."
The remaining hashira were almost incapable of recognizing what was in front of them. Giyuu Tomioka had just interacted with someone outside of a mission, and now was recieving romantic affection from their newest member. As much as Tengen liked a flashy surprise, this was too much of a shock for him to take a direct approach. He approached Kyojuro, using his skills to jump into the air and land in front of him. "Hello there Tengen! My apologies for not seeing you recently!" Tengen waved his hand at the statement, he indeed missed his flameboyant friend, but he was currently on a mission for answers.
"Good to see you two my fire inspired buddy, I am gonna need to to explain something to me." Kyojuro looked up to him with an expected excitement. Tengen quickly pointed in the direction of the couple. "That. How did THAT happen? Last we all saw Tomioka he was as lively as a demon after sunrise, now here he is being friendly with you and being." He looked over to the duo, almost being floored to see that Tomioka was smiling. He grabbed Kyojuro's shoulders and leaned in closer. "Just what is going on man?! I'm all for Tomioka being more lively and flashy, but what is this?"
Kyojuro laughed as he looked up to his extravagant friend. "Giyuu and Mitsuri have gotten romantically interested in each other several months ago! They had confessed to each other the first time we spent the night at his estate! They have set each other's hearts ablaze and I have already given them my support!" Tengen slowly pulled back and crouched to the ground, rubbing his head. This was possibly the biggest shock to everyone's systems. He didn't see Kocho taking this news as horribly as him, so she must've known about this as well. Deciding to get to the bottom of this, he made his way to the duo.
Giyuu watched on as Uzui was making his way to towards Mitsuri, he rubbed her back as she buried his face in his chest. "Hello there Uzui, was there something you needed?I don't imagine you would come to speak with me unless it was something significant." Mitsuri turned around to look who came to them, having to look up at the tall man. "Oh! So you're the Uzui-san that Kyojuro talked about! The one with multiple wives and has the obsession with being the flashiest one in the area!" Tengen looked down to her with mixed expressions, she was right, but he almost felt called out from it. Tomioka waved his hand as he put a kiss to the back of her head. "Don't feel too bad, she did the same to me when I first found her. Anyways, what was bothering you?"
"I came to ask about this." Tengen gestured to them with his hands. "When? How even? Kanroji, no offense Tomioka, but what drew you to him of all people?" Mitsuri was almost ready to move closer to Uzui-san to question what he was insinuating, but she felt Giyuu pull her back against his chest. She looked up to him and nodded, understanding his desire for restraint. "Three months ago was when it was official. He showed me care unlike anything else I've recieved and I plan to give back just as much. He accepted me as I am and embraced it and I will embrace all he is. I love him, and if no one else can learn what a caring person he is, then that's their loss." She stood on her toes and lightly gave him a kiss on the cheek. "It just means I get more of him all for myself."
Tengen looked at the couple, almost feeling a memory coming to surface. He remembered when he was first out with all of his wives at once. They had recieved odd looks from nearly everyone, either judging him as a womanizer, or asking the girls if they were escorts. He learned that hell hath no fury like that of someone in love. He had to pull Makio off several people, Suma got into an argument with an old woman, and even Hinatsuru was on the verge of losing her composure. He himself actually had to be pulled back after someone claimed he paid the three of them and tried to give Suma money. Coming back out of his memory, he smiled down at the two, putting a hand on both their shoulders.You two are a flamboyant couple, and the love you two have is amazing. Tomioka! Why don't we try a group date with me and my wives someday? We're also the only people in relationships among the hashira, this could be our own time to bond. Plus me and my amazing wives will be able to help plan your own wedding!" He watched as the two went red and unable to speak. Tengen chuckled and chocked it up to the effect he just had on people. "Stay fabulous you two!" They watched as he walked away back to his spot in the line of other Hashira.
"The master has arrived." Everyone was pulled out of their activities and all quickly kneeled. Mitsuri felt Giyuu tap on her hand quickly and looked at her to greet him. She jumped at the opportunity to do so at her second ever meeting. "It is amazing to see you on this day master! May your health be as strong as your love!" Giyuu smiled at her, happy to see her this excited. "Ah Mitsuri, thank you for your sweet greetings. I hope the position of Hashira has not been too hard on you." "Not at all master! I have recieved nothing but support since taking the position! I thank you for all that being here has given me!" She spared a quick glance at Giyuu before keeping her head lowered. "That is excellent to hear my child. Now for the meeting."
The meeting had gone as every other had gone. For once however, Giyuu did not stand alone. Mitsuri stayed by his side the entire time. He continued to feel as though she was simply too good for him, but she continued to remind him that she would go nowhere. Giyuu saw the hashira converge together to catch up as always, but was unexpectedly greeted by someone. "Giyuu." He recognized the voice immediately, turning on his heels and bowing. "Master. What do you wish of me?" Kagaya helped Giyuu to his feet, smiling at the man before him. "I wanted to check on you. My apologies, but I had overhead you and Mitsuri are now together."
Giyuu was slightly worried that the master disapproved of Hashira dating each other. His worries disappeared when he took ahold of his hands and smiled. "I am glad you found something to make you happy Giyuu. I will not lie when I say you sometimes worried me. You have not stood with the others since you accepted my request to be a Hashira. But I heard Mitsuri's voice in the direction I hear yours, I am glad you two have found each other. I only have one request." Giyuu agreed, not wanting to deny something from the master himself. "Enjoy this to the fullest while you are capable. None of us are immortal, I certainly am not." The master laughed softly. "We all know that death is inevitable, so make sure you do not live with regrets of not doing something with her. Cherish the time with those you love, while they are still here. While YOU are still here."
Giyuu stared into the blind eyes of the master, seeing that they were staring right back at him. They were full of honesty, full of a self realized concept. Everyone knew of the master's illness, they all wished for his health to stay strong, but knew nothing could be done for it. He was not even the oldest person who attended these meetings, but he still spoke with a wisdom beyond anyone's years. "I will master. I promise you." Kagaya smiled at Giyuu, finally letting go of his hands. With saying all that he needed to, he left as he was guided by his children. Giyuu watched as he left, memorizing their conversation down to every word. He turned around slowly and converged to the others.
"So then my amazingly flashy comrades, shall we head to town and celebrate another fine meeting?" Tengen looked over everyone, attempting to read the mood of the group and what things were needed for tonight to be worthy of them. "All I know is I need a drink, I've had a few missions were those bastard demons were playing hide and seek. Some of them ran for so long the sun almost took the kills." Sanemi rubbed the back of his head, wanting to be able to kill his nerves. "At least you did not have to escort trade routes. The demons have gotten smarter, attacking those outside of villages to have better odds." Obanai said as he took to his spot in the trees again. He remembered back when he was forced to walk with people for hours who were near useless. He wished he had some degree of good company during those moments.
"Uzui, are you and the others still planning to go into the village as always?" The trio had heard Giyuu behind them as he approached. Tengen would've been confused at Tomioka's questioning, since the man had never gone out of his way to talk with them. But after witnessing his change due to his new flamboyant relationship, he welcomed it as a good change of pace. "Indeed we are Tomioka, are you finally wanting to join us for once?" "That's exactly it." Sanemi finally spoke up, feeling uneasy as to just what this situation was.
"Just what is going on with you? Last meeting and every meeting before that you were the biggest isolationist around here. Now you're finally deciding to try and join us? Even having a girlfriend and showing you're actually capable of emoting like a normal person. Finally got off your high horse and come down to the rest of our levels? I'm not about to let your 'I'm not like you guys' argument you had for so long suddenly get swept under the rug." Sanemi stood his ground on his argument. He hated the man for how much he always claimed to be different, how he never explained and just chose to leave it at that. "Just what are you at Tomioka?"
Giyuu looked at Shinazugawa in his nearly rabid eyes. "what I finally am, is happy. I have something that makes life worth living again. I am different, from you, from her, from everyone that stands here, but I have never thought myself to be better than any of you. All I have ever wanted was for us to try and get along, but now I understand I don't need your friendship. I have something far more valuable. Hate me all you wish, I'll be enjoying feeling alive again." Giyuu turned around and walked away, seeing Mitsuri, Kyojuro, and Shinobu leaving already.
"Are you all leaving for the village already? We may need to go ahead of everyone else." Mitsuri and Kyojuro looked towards him in unexpected glee. "Giyuu you are finally joining us for our outings? This truly is a glorious day!" Mitsuri quickly threw herself onto Giyuu's back, hugging him closely. "This is so amazing! I was actually going to ask you if you wanted to go just the two of us for a real date tonight. What made you want to join for the outing though?" Giyuu responded with close to zero hesitation. "risk of blackmail." He suddenly felt in fear of his life, noting that Shinobu was now walking next to him. "I mean I want to spend time with those dear to be and the woman I love." He noted as Shinobu stopped giving off a murderous aura, and let out a breath of relief as they all walked.
Obanai watched on as Tomioka really did seem to have changed on a level no one could've predicted. It was weird to see his mono expression rat face actually be able to smile. His eyes moved to watch over Kanroji. It was still strange, as much as he grew a distrust for women, he felt calm around her. She was able to change Tomioka of all people to become a slowly but surely outgoing person. "Who could've thought you had this kind of luck Tomioka? It's almost funny, where I found her and was too afraid to try and help, you found her and helped with no hesitation." Obanai shrugged as he dropped from his tree. He wondered how much of a headache he would develop from him now coming with them to their after meeting nights out.Giyuu, Mitsuri, Shinobu, and Kyojuro had made it to the village before the others. Giyuu found the place foreign to him, never having visited this place even on his own time. "This is my first time here, I will trust you on where we go." Shinobu shook her head, pointing to a large restaurant ahead of them. "That's where we all go to, they all know us so they already know how to accommodate our numbers." Giyuu nodded, thinking of the restaurants in Mitsuri's and Kyojuro's district. As they were about to walk in, Mitsuri had tugged him to the side.
"Giyuu? Is there any chance after this, we can stay the night here? Or even we stay at your estate just the two of us? I'm glad you came out with us, but we haven't had the chance to really be by ourselves in a while. I'm glad for the time Kyojuro or Shinobu ate with us, but there are times where I want it to be only us." Giyuu looked down at her, feeling guilt wash over him as he realized she was right. In their time of devoloping a friendship, they hadn't done much to progress their actual relationship. He gave her an affirming kiss and nodded. "We'll go to my estate after we're done here, we can do anything you'd like as well." Mitsuri smiled as she gave a kiss back. "Let's get inside, the others may think you left them while they weren't looking."
The couple walked in, already seeing Shinobu and Kyojuro sat down. What they didn't expect was that Himejima and Tokito had already beaten everyone to the restaurant. "Himejima, Tokito, I didn't expect you to be the first ones here." Gyomei looked up in the direction of Giyuu, caught off guard to hear his voice. "Tomioka? My apologies for not sensing you, I also did not expect you to see you here. Don't you usually not come to these gatherings?" Giyuu took a seat in front of him, wanting things to be easy. "Things have... Changed. Things are getting better, people around me thought this would be a good way to help."
Gyomei began to shed tears as he heard Tomioka speak of a better future. He had known the man for several years, but during that time he also knew his soul was in pain. "I thank those that watch over us from above for this change in course. I must ask Tomioka, what was the catalyst that helped start this change? I have known you for many years, this would not have happened without something significant." "That would be me, as everyone around us has been saying. Mitsuri Kanroji, I'm Giyuu's lover. I'm sorry we didn't properly introduce each other last time, Himejima-san." Mitsuri paid attention to the man in front her, noting that he appeared to be blind.
"I thank you Kanroji, I must make a prayer to the gods for allowing our comrade to find his happiness because of you. Namu amida butsu." Mitsuri watched as he did in fact, go into prayer in the middle of the restaurant. She looked next to him to find a young boy. She had seen him at her first meeting as well as this most recent one, but she still couldn't comprehend that someone as young as him shared the same rank as the others at the table. "Hello there Tokito-san, I'm Mitsuri Kanroji. It's nice to finally meet you." Muichiro looked up to the stranger in front of him, she seemed eager but loud, it almost reminded him of a baby chick. "Pretty hair."
Tengen, Sanemi, and Obanai finally arrived to the restaurant. They saw Tomioka sitting with the others, looking like he really wasn't trying to be alone this time. "So Tomioka, how's it feel to finally have a bit more flash in your life? You're finally looking like you stepped into the light with how dark and gloomy you use to be." Tengen looked over to Tomioka, seeing he was attempting to enjoy himself. He was openly talking with Himejima and Kocho. Kocho seemed to be checking his vitals for something, but he wasn't quite sure why.
"When was the last time you used it? We've been so busy getting you to actually socialize, I haven't been able to check your health." Giyuu allowed Shinobu to check his heartbeat on his wrist and neck, he indulged her on being thorough for her medical check-ups. "Shinobu I'm fine, I've had mastery over it for years now. There hasn't been any long term effects." Shinobu stared at Giyuu in silence, giving him one of his deadpan stares he would give everyone else until recently. "You see, I'm the head doctor remember? Of the entire demon slayer Corp. I'm the one that gets to make the analysis. You are just some oaf who decided to make a breathing form that quite literally effects your health."
That piece of information seemed to have caught the attention of the other Hashira, with all eyes now being focused on the two. "Giyuu! Why is it that you never used this secretive technique you made when we sparred before? I am not hurt, but I am curious!" "Tomioka added to an existing breathing style? You're getting flashier the more I learn about you!" "Giyuu? What is Shinobu talking about?" Giyuu looked around now slightly panicked, seeing now he was the center of attention. He would've played it off as nothing serious, but he turned and saw the look of concern Mitsuri was wearing. He could feel a pit form in his stomach, deciding it was just better to be honest.
"It's a form I had created, unofficially the eleventh form of water breathing: Dead Calm. I enter a meditation like state and slow down my heart to calm down my body and focus my mind. It's my ultimate defensive technique. I had picked up mediation from Himejima during times when my mind wasn't clear. It helped me greatly in private, and so I applied it to my fighting capabilities." Everyone looked at him as if he was slightly crazy, creating a technique that actually jeopardized his health. Tengen viewed it slightly differently however. "You utterly flamboyant madman! We're sparring when there's an opening in our schedules! I need to see this in action!"
"Tomioka, while I appreciate you are thankful for the time we spent in meditation, I do not condone using it to such a degree your health is on the line." Gyomei looked to his comrade, without a single tear being shed. "Demon slayers always put their very lives on the line for others, we are no exception. But that is by the demons we fight, not our own actions." Giyuu sighed as he was getting lectured by everyone, understanding their concerns. "Where's the outcry against Shinazugawa? He quite literally cuts himself for his rare blood type to put demons into a drunken stupor. How many of those scars he has are from him cutting into his own skin for that to work?" most all eyes quickly shot to Sanemi, as he was caught off guard from Giyuu's outburst towards him. As Sanemi was annoyed blame of poor tactics was deflected to him, Giyuu felt relief he no longer was the center of attention.
Mitsuri kept her eyes on Giyuu. To her, after learning just what his technique was about, nothing else was around them in her mind. She stood up from her seat, holding his face with both hands as she moved in closer. "Promise me Giyuu. Promise me that you'll only ever use that technique when you really need to. If you have to defend yourself, or someone else. And only then as a last resort. Do you understand me?" Mitsuri wasn't angry, so much so she was upset at what he was putting himself through. She trusted him that he knew what he was doing, but she could still worry about her partner. Giyuu softly kissed one of her hands, looking back at her. "I promise. I know well enough the limits of it, but I'll keep my word. Only as a last resort to defend someone else, or myself."
The Hashira stayed in the village long into the night, finding it rather fufilling that everyone was there for a change. While Sanemi and Obanai still had their own issues with Giyuu, they saw he was putting in effort to be with everyone. Giyuu had found through the help of those closer to him, saw the others as good company. As he had promised, he and Mitsuri would finally spend their first night truly alone with each other. Retiring for the night at his estate, the two found solace in having the home for themselves.Giyuu and Mitsuri were changing out of their uniforms and into more comfortable clothing. They indeed had become more comfortable with the presence of one another as they would change. Each would have a moment of weakness and steal a glance at the other, but neither would openly admit it if asked by others. The two found each other attractive and would admit it with zero hesitation, but both were afraid of making things uncomfortable for the other. Giyuu found himself remembering the advice the master had given him, one of the multitude of times others had urged him to move forward. 'Enjoy everything to the fullest while you can. Don't live with regrets. Do what you can while they're still here.' He looked to Mitsuri as her back was turned to him. He blushed and mentally prepared himself. "I've start death in the face, yet being romantic with my partner has me terrified."
Mitsuri almost had the sleepwear Giyuu bought her on, when she felt him wrap his arms around her waist and and plant kisses across the back of her neck. She let out a gasp of surprise, but didn't object to the action. "Giyuu?" She didn't turn to face yet, silently appreciating the attention he was giving. She felt her breathing hitch as his hands placed themselves on her waist, as they glided up and down on her sides. Finally turning around, she looked up to him as he looked as red as she imagined she did. "Giyuu? I'm not going to complain about this, but..." She pushed her chest against his, wrapping her arms around his neck. "We haven't tried anything yet, and I want to know what caused the sudden urge."
"After the meeting, the master had come to me to speak of something. He approves of us, but he also gave me advice." He leaned down and moved his head into her neck, slowly kissing it repeatedly. "He said for us to not live with regrets to do what we can with who we love. To cherish every moment to the fullest." Giyuu had lifted her off the ground, and she instinctively wrapped her legs around him. "With our lives being on the line every mission, I realized what his words meant. I want you Mitsuri. And I want to go everything with you while we still can."
Mitsuri looked up at him as her eyes went wide at his truth. He wanted to be everything to her. She couldn't help but smile and cry at hearing what he had to say. She unhooked her legs from around him, slowly making her way back to the ground. "Mitsuri? If you didn't want to do this yet I'm-" She tackled Giyuu onto the bed, mounting him as she kissed him in a hungry nature. Giyuu returned the passion, grabbing her by her hips and wrestled with her tongue with his. She slowly pulled away, looking down at him with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. "You better take responsibility for how you make me feel Giyuu Tomioka. We're meeting my parents, you're going to tell them all about our future, and how you somehow made me fall in love with you time and time again."
"We may also have to hold up Uzui on his offer he told us earlier." Giyuu felt himself be taken over by his desires. He grabbed onto her and flipped her over, taking over the one in the top position. From above, he looked down at her and savored the image of her. Her naked form was bathed in moonlight, her skin was free of any blemishes or scars. His hand rested in the center of her chest, tracing his fingers slowly down onto her stomach. She was twitching as his fingers moved, Giyuu honestly found it quite cute this small gestures at such an effect on her. Leaning down he moved his mouth just next to her ear. "Let's see just what other reactions we can have tonight."
Before they could both lose themselves in romantic lust, they both heard wings flapping from the window. Looking up, it was a crow sent by the master himself. "Caw! Giyuu Tomioka, report to the master immediately! Reports of potential moon demon at Mt. Natagumo! Multiple slayers have sent emergency requests for backup! Shinobu Kocho has been contacted as well for aid!" The couple looked to each other in frustration, but understood their responsibilities came first.
"Mitsuri I promise I will make this up to you!" Giyuu stumbled around the room as he frantically tried to put on a fresh uniform. "We can meet your parents, or go to a village together, or anything you'd like as soon as I'm back." Mitsuri grabbed him and held him in place, helping him to come down. "Sssshh. It's okay. Aren't you supposed to be my calm and collected little water slayer?" Giyuu blushed at the pet name she was trying to come up with, but found himself calming down by her assurance. "Just come back to me alive and safe. Then we'll worry about what happens next. I love you." She gave him a small kiss and a soft smile. Giyuu found himself smiling back and returning the kiss. "I love you too." She saw as Giyuu jumped through the window, rushing off to where he was needed. She found herself successful in dressing herself this time, laying down in the bed they've gotten so use to sharing already. "Stay safe Giyuu. We have a lot to get through after tonight, and you better be here with me every step of the way." She took one look at her favorite blue socks, and felt assured he'd be okay.