- Y/n Tsugikuni -

Chapter 25 - I'm Adorable -

The pillars stood around the bed where Y/n lay in coma, their faces a mixture of concern and anger. Their leader, Ubayashiki, was especially tense, having just been informed of the brutal attack on the pillar by the first Upper Moon, Kokushibo.

"He nearly killed him," Giyu reported. "By the time we arrived, the upper moon was already gone, and
Y/n was left on the ground, bleeding."

"He held on fighting him. For hours to end." Shinobu says. holding the latter's hand.

"Damn, this guy is persistent. Why wouldn't he just tell us what the Tsugikunis are!" Sanemi yells at Y/n's face. still no response.

"He's still a Hashira. He should know better." Obanai sighs.

"What can we do?" Tanjiro asked, his voice just above a whisper.
"This is a personal vendetta between the Tsugikunis. How can we intervene with an Upper Moon involved?"

"We'll just have to be careful," Ubayashiki said, his voice firm. "We can't leave Y/n vulnerable to another attack. We'll need to keep him under constant surveillance, and if possible, prevent him from being alone."

Shinobu nods. "Silvy and I will keep surveilance on him."

"Who?" Kagaya ask.

Shinobu was dumbfound at that question. What answer is he expecting? He knew Silvy was a demon slayer, but...

"It's... Y/n's... little sister??" She presumes, getting a slight nod from Kagaya. His wife and children then helps him leave the room.

One by one, the Hashira filed out of the room, leaving only Y/n and Shinobu. His eyes closed and his body still, while she stood watch over him.

The silence in the room was deafening, and Shinobu was lost in her thoughts, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Y/n had been attacked, and by none other than Upper Moon 1. It was a personal affront, a brutal quarrel between the Tsugikunis. who could have imagined that things would come to this?

As Shinobu pondered these thoughts, she couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility for what had happened. She was the senior most Hashira present, and she should have done more to protect Y/n.

As Shinobu sits next to Y/n's bed, she can't help but feel a sense of déjà vu.

It's as if the two of them had been in this very same situation before--
Y/n getting hurt, her taking care of him, and watching him sleep.

But this time, everything feels different. The atmosphere is heavy, and the weight of the Upper Moon's attack hangs in the air like a dark cloud.

She wonders if things will ever go back to the way they were before, if the two of them can ever overcome their argument and be friends again.

As she sits there, watching him sleep, she can't help but feel a sense of sadness and regret. This should have never happened.

They should have been friends, allies, not enemies. And yet, here they are, torn apart by one stupid argument. They won't be able to sort things out if he doesn't wake up.

Shinobu takes a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She has to be strong, for Y/n's sake. She has to protect him, just like he protects her. just like before.

She had just finished changing the bandages on his head when she felt a sudden tug on her shirt.

Startled, she looked down to see Y/n's hand, still wrapped in bandages, slowly and gently dragging itself along her uniform until it came to rest and grab on her chest.

Shinobu gasped in surprise, feeling a warmth rise in her cheeks as she realized what was happening.

Y/n lay there, his eyes closed, unmoving, but he had somehow managed to grab ahold of her uniform and pull himself closer to her. She couldn't help but feel her heart racing at the realization that he was still alive, still fighting, even in his comatose state.