Chapter Text
Seppuku.
The word rang in his ears. He felt his smile falter. His chest tightened.
At the end of the row of kneeling Hashira, Tomioka remained silent, expressionless.
Kyojuro was at a loss.
As he watched the Kamado boy and his demon sister be taken away by the kakushi, he couldn't help but wonder what about those two made it worth losing one's life over.
He understood the willingness to die for a cause, for the lives of innocent people, but for a demon? What on earth had compelled Tomioka to risk his neck and his position as a Hashira to vouch for a demon?
Just because the girl had not once eaten a human, or so that had been the claim, did not guarantee that she wouldn't in the future. And as incredible of a feat as it was for her to resist Shinazugawa's tempting marechi blood, Kyojuro wondered just how long she could maintain that restraint until the inevitable snap.
Just how long could Kamado's naïve hope last until it would cost Tomioka his life?
It wasn't often that Kyojuro found himself feeling like this - or would allow himself to submit to it - but that was because he normally would have already resolved on what to do and had the fortitude to push forward.
His mother had died, but he carried her will. His father had fallen apart, but he continued his legacy. His comrades died every day, but he believed in their hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow.
But in this case, Kyojuro didn't know what action he ought to take when it came to Tomioka.
He knew that the Water Hashira would be unreceptive to any words, whether that be admonishing or encouraging, albeit the former was more likely to echo in his ears than the latter. And being the reclusive soul that he was, Tomioka would sooner draw himself into his dark corner than hear anyone out after the turbulent morning that they had.
Of course Kyojuro would know this. He had firsthand experience. He had persistently made attempts in getting Tomioka to come out of his shell ever since they had met as Hashira. And the results of his attempts had brought him no closer in getting to know the man than when he had begun.
So if Tomioka wouldn't open up to him after the years that they had known each other, then what could Kyojuro possibly do to ensure that the other man wouldn't die from the shortcomings of his insight?
"That does sound difficult," Senjuro commiserated.
When the Hashira meeting had come to a close, Kyojuro had helplessly watched as Tomioka had disappeared as quickly as the Kamado siblings had. Although he hadn't had any words to impart, a pang of longing had left him desiring that he at least had a chance. As usual, Tomioka wouldn't even spare him a crumb.
Uzui had slung an arm around his shoulder and had insisted that they all go out to eat, Kanroji cheerfully agreeing to the plan, but Kyojuro had amicably declined. He had used his little brother as the reason, but, to his quiet shame, it had also been an excuse. He wanted time away from his colleagues to think.
And to talk about Tomioka without hearing any derision thrown at the man.
"I know that you've been very earnest in your pursuit of friendship with Tomioka-san," Senjuro said, eyes sympathetic. "This must be very troubling for you, Brother."
Kyojuro breathed out softly. Senjuro had heard plenty of his "pursuits" without him meaning to. Whenever he would regale to his brother about his adventures, he would end up mentioning Tomioka in some fashion. One day, he would be praising the Water Hashira for his elegant swordsmanship; the next day, he would be shouting about how he would get him to talk the next time around. It wouldn't be a surprise if Senjuro already had figured out the nature of his feelings regarding Tomioka.
"It truly is," Kyojuro said. His hands cupped around his tea, warmth emitting from the porcelain. "I think this may be one of those instances that Tomioka Giyuu has left me completely baffled!"
Senjuro hummed agreeably. "Tomioka-san doesn't strike me as someone who would spare a demon. And from how you describe him, he sounds like he would abide by the rules than break them. I wonder what he saw that stayed his blade."
"Indeed!" Kyojuro nearly exploded by the incredulity of the situation, awash with relief that there was another person who was of the same mind. Granted, Senjuro didn’t have the most objective point of view because he learned about Tomioka through Kyojuro’s own bias, but he nonetheless felt justified. The others would think that Tomioka had simply lost it. Well, while that could be a possibility, Kyojuro wanted to have faith that there was more to it than that. "This is behavior entirely uncharacteristic of him! There must something about the Kamado's…"
"Well, maybe you could talk to this Kamado Tanjiro and his sister. Assess them personally," Senjuro suggested. "Then you can make your own judgment on whether the sister really is tame or not, and see if you can understand where Tomioka-san is coming from."
Kyojuro's eyes widened before he broke into a beam. Trust his brother to bestow him wisdom when he needed it right now. Why dwell on the unknown when he could just find the answer himself?
"You are right, Senjuro!" he said. "In fact, you've given me an idea!"
"Oh? And what's that?" His brother smiled curiously.
Before Kyojuro could divulge his plan, an empty sake bottle flew in between them, followed by their father's annoyed shout of "Keep it down over there!"
The brothers exchanged glances and then looked down at the shattered pieces. "Perhaps we should carry this conversation elsewhere?" Senjuro said.
"Right as ever, my dear little brother."
Kyojuro had thought that Lord Ubuyashiki’s response would have taken quite some time given the nature of his request, so he was delightedly surprised to find a crow perched on his window not a day later than when he had sent his own crow.
His grin broadened when he read the master's answer.
Without wasting another second, Kyojuro grabbed his haori and sword, and headed for the Butterfly Estate.