it kept repeating.. 'You can't protect anyone! You're weak and useless! And you have this damn complex, thinking you're better than everyone! That's why no one likes you!' And Giyuu has had enough of it repeating in his head. What did he do? Why did you say that? And why did it hurt? Why did it make his eyes water and his nose sting and his chest hurt? Since when did being called lonely hurt so bad..?

Giyuu was meditating in his barren house. The wooden floors creaked softly beneath him as he sat cross-legged, the only sounds coming from the wind outside and his own measured breathing. It was devoid of everything except a sleeping bag rolled neatly in the corner and his sheathed sword resting against the wall, its blue hilt catching what little light filtered through the paper doors.

A gentle knock interrupted his thoughts. 'Tomioka-san! I just wanted to let you know that dinner's done!' Mitsuri's cheerful voice called from outside. He heard her footsteps fade away as she continued on her rounds, leaving Giyuu to his thoughts. For several long minutes, he remained motionless before finally rising, sliding open the door just enough to retrieve his meal from where it had been left, and retreating back into isolation to eat alone.