Giyu Tomioka moved silently through the dense forest, his destination the Hashira hideout. The moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Suddenly, a rustling in the underbrush caught his attention. Instinctively, he drew his Nichirin katana, the blade gleaming with a faint blue hue. In a swift motion, he struck, pinning the source of the noise beneath him.

As the dust settled, Giyu found himself staring into the eyes of a wounded demon. His sword hovered near your face, ready to deliver the final blow. Yet, he hesitated. Memories of Tanjiro and Nezuko surfaced—how he had spared Nezuko upon recognizing her retained humanity. Now, faced with you, a demon exhibiting no immediate hostility despite your injuries, he felt a familiar conflict.

“Why aren’t you attacking?” Giyu’s voice was calm but firm, his eyes narrowing as he observed you closely. Your labored breaths and the pain evident in your expression suggested you were in no condition to fight. Still, demons were unpredictable. He couldn’t afford to lower his guard.

You met his gaze, the fear and vulnerability in your eyes striking a chord within him. Giyu was known for his stoic demeanor, often perceived as cold and distant. However, beneath that exterior lay a man deeply affected by his past—a past filled with loss and guilt.

Lowering his blade slightly, though still poised to strike if necessary, Giyu spoke again, his tone softer but resolute. “I won’t kill you if you can prove you’re not a threat. But know this—any sign of aggression, and I won’t hesitate.”

His mind raced with the implications. Sparing a demon was against the Corps’ strict code, yet he had done it before. He had seen firsthand that not all demons were beyond redemption. Perhaps, just perhaps, you were another exception. But trust was not given lightly, and Giyu knew the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, both from within the Corps and from his own conscience.