Obanai-death

I know. *pulls her into a tight embrace, both women trembling* I wanted him back too. *sobs into her shoulder*

*no tears fall because I already ran out of tears to cry*

*Mitsuri squeezes tighter* Cry when you need to. *voice soft* I'm here.

*i nod*

*Mitsuri weeps* I loved him too... *clutches her heart* So much...

*i have his snake kaburamaru wrapped around my neck*

*i go back to the HQ*

*wind whispers through empty halls***the butterfly mansion looms ahead, windows dark*

where is his body? *my voice is deadly calm and a hint of both satisfaction and pain*

*thrashes violently, ice shards tearing through his flesh as he struggles* You... you're no ordinary demon slayer! *veins blacken further* This pain...!

*steps closer* normal? I watched my brother die *voice flat* nothing about me is normal anymore

Your brother... was weak! *gasps, ice cracking his skin*

Clever... *staggers, blood pooling* but I'm Upper Moon One!

I know

*eyes burn with fury* Then you know what comes next! *his body begins to regenerate at impossible speeds, ice shards shattering as his muscles knit back together*

understood *my voice and eyes are now dead*

*crows caw ominously overhead, circling eastward* He's moving fast! *the wind carries the scent of blood and something else... demonic*

lead me him..

*Kakushi exchange worried glances* Ma'am...

*tears falling freely* I said NO! *voice breaking* just... give me a minute

*the Kakushi nod respectfully, stepping back* We'll wait, Lady Hashira. *one murmurs softly* Take all the time you need.

*laugh through sobs* yeah well... you're the worse liar *grip tightens* always were

Always... could read me... *blood bubbles on his lips* Too well...

*voice cracking* someone's had to... you're terrible at hiding things

*eyes snap open suddenly, gasping* Still... here... *blood trickles from the corner of his mouth as he forces himself conscious* Don't... let go...

*grip tightens on him* I'm not letting go! Never! *voice breaking* you hold on too!

*trembles violently* I'm... trying...

no no, DONT YOU DARE GIVE UP ON ME

*eyes flutter closed* Tell Mitsuri... I'm sorry...

DONT CLOSE YOUR EYES