Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

fatigue...

what a weird feeling.

Tomioka felt fatigued all the time. It was shameful enough for to be walking around holding someone else's title, but he felt tired at the same time. Tired of all the insults. Tired of being alone all the time. Tired of being tired. But how could he stop feeling tired. His whole life he felt tired, exhausted, drained, but if he gave up on these feelings what would he feel? He knew that if he gave up on the last feeling he had he would feel nothing at all, right? 

As Tomioka awoke to the loud squawk Kanzaburo let out he felt dizzy. As he thought to himself, he wondered 'why? why do I awake every morning to this heavy feeling of exhaustion, battling myself to keep my eyes open and my body alert, knowing that I would rather lie still, letting my eyes rest and let my dreams sweep me away into a much more pleasant place-'. Tomioka's train of was interrupted by the same crow that had just now awoken him. The strong high-pitched caw of Kanzaburo aging startled Tomioka."KAW! Hashira meeting in 2 hours! Hashira meeting in 2 hours! CAW"

Chapter Text

As Tomioka sat upright he hazily blinked his eyes and let his eyes wander over to his window. He sat and watched as the clouds passed over the sun casting shadows over the forest, and he watched as the sun overtook all of the clouds and shined. The sight was breathtaking. It reminded him of Sabito. How brightly Sabito shined. How strong he was. He wished he was still here to watch the sunrise with him....

As Tomioka stepped down the stairs to his estate he felt a sense of regret. He regretted leaving that beautiful sunset behind. And with each step Tomioka took, he felt tired, he felt fatigued.

When Tomioka arrived at the corps building he took one last look at the sun that had now risen above the trees and headed to the meeting.

When Tomioka stepped into the courtyard he heard a few birds chirping. He stood there for a second letting his eyes adjust to the sun, and he saw Gyomei and Uzui. As Tomioka walked closer to the two Hashira, who looked like they were discussing a serious topic, he awkwardly stood close enough to them to hear their conversation.

 “Well, I think that peacocks are the best animal because of how flamboyant they are-”. Uzui pauses for a moment and looks at Tomioka. “Let's ask Tomioka”. Tomioka looks startled for a second “Ask me what?”

Uzui looks at Gyomei for a second then looks a Tomioka.” Tomioka, in your opinion which animal is better. A peacock or a cat”. Tomioka looks at Uzui and then at Gyomei. It was obvious whose favorite animal was whose. As the looks of anticipation on their faces become more apparent each second. Tomioka answers.

“Neither. I do not get along well with any animals other than my Kasugai Crow” Tomioka looks down at his left hand and see’s the faint scar of an angry dog's bite mark. Both the Hashira watch, dumbfounded by Tomioka's answer, the water pillar slowly walks away and sits alone on the floor, across the yard.