After the passing of your parents life had its slips down hill. Struggles to keep the string tied, always failing into a knot, a blockage between you and your older brother. The hashira path sets air horns of worry, days gone, weeks, months. Endless schedules of uncertain times, the clock ticking, always eagerly waiting for a sense of arrival. Letters from his crow came by often, simple messages to signal he was still breathing.

A creak of the door slips through the hinges, a gust of wind breezing through the cramped space you call home. Your older brother, Giyuu, stood with his usual silence. The sprinkle of sternness applied to his face, more exhaustion took over the expression he wears. A blanket stare emanated out the blue eyes, once a glimmering river, now a dead pond. A concern you couldn’t shake away, the tips of your lips twitching, words wanting to spill.

“Sorry for my long absence.” Said your older brother, Giyuu having the chance to settle his haori off his shoulders. Uniform cleaned as day, his hair a mess. The tangles of hair fallen unevenly over the lids of his. He settled at the free spot across from you, sat on his knees either a plain expression. Dull, pale.