Trudging along the a small path, my sandals kicked up sand, creating tiny clouds of dust as I walked. I decided the take an afternoon stroll, but couldn't see the rolling thunderstorm in the distance. The further I got, the more gloomy I felt, and as the sun disappeared, I cursed. There was a dampener on my mood already, as I'd gotten into a quarrel with one of the other Pillars, and decided to walk it out. 

It didn't feel like an afternoon -- more like the early evening. Nevertheless, imaging the time right now didn't help at all. Initially, I was beyond pissed, and it took all my energy to avoid destroying master's finely built house. The angry state I was in drained all my energy, something I noticed once I was a few hundred meters away from the big courtyard. By then, it was too late (not to mention awkward) to go running back in. 

My fingers curled and uncurled tirelessly as I stressed myself silly, thinking of ways in which I could proceed. I stopped for a moment to think, but felt a slow wind and the first beginnings of rain. Muttering profanities, I took a look at the sky above. 

April showers coming early, huh?

It was dark, so much so that when I looked back down on my hands, I realized that it seemed as if a shadow was looming across them. The grey nimbostratus effectively shielded the light overhead, sending droplets of rainwater pealing down onto me. 

I was miserable. Wet, nowhere to go, nobody to hold, nothing to eat. It was shameful to be a hashira and still have this effect me. All I felt like doing was crying. Groaning, I wiped my eyes with the backs of my hands, already stained with water and blinked a couple of times. Furrowing my eyebrows, I didn't allow myself time for tears. While trying to calm myself down, the drizzle turned into a downpour, buckets upon buckets of water flooding the valley, wetting my clothes and cooling my skin.

It was relieving, in a way, to be physically cooled down. Times like these didn't come often, when nature herself is comforting you. A heavy breath came out from the pits of my chest as I wrapped my arms around my shoulders and closed my eyes.

You're okay. You're going to be okay. Just let the showers sink in, and you'll be ready to go back.  

So I accepted the sky's kind offering, raising my head and letting the small drops splash against my face, hands open and receiving to the rain. With my arms raised, I gratefully accepted all that Mother Nature had to offer to me. Though my clothes dragged me down and pulled me to the ground, I could feel my heart beat steady and my legs stop trembling. 

With one final breath out, my eyes fluttered back open again and I returned to a normal standing position. However, I didn't feel the rain anymore. The faint pitter-pattering still rung in my ears, but there wasn't any water going on me. The ground in front of me still soaked in the monsoon, yet I was dry.

Finally taking a hint, I glanced back up to find a black umbrella resting over my head, and a hand holding it. Turning around, I could see none other than Gyomei gazing at me, a delicate expression gracing his features.

My cheeks brightened, burning against the cold skin around it. 

"You saw everything, didn't you?" I murmured, wrapping my sopping robes around myself, hoping to get some warmth. He merely nodded and gifted me a towel, to which I took and started to wipe myself dry with. We stood in complete silence as the clouds cried above us, their tears splattering with angel whispers onto the fine dirt path around us. 

"If you want, you can have my robe." I offered him a thankful smile but shook my head, already blown away by his sincerity towards me. Himejima stared at me for a moment, noticing my weak figure and semi-forced expression. I saw his figure tower over me for a second before bending down and scooping me up in his arms.

Stammering, my face turned ten shades of red, calm exterior completely usurped by the action.

"I-I can walk m-myself!" I exclaimed, sneezing right after, "I'm fine!" The Stone Pillar nodded again, recognizing my pride and pushing it aside for the time being. He patted my shoulder until I remained quiet, then spoke in a meaningful tone. 

"I know." It was a long way back, probably tens of miles until we arrived at the estate again, and I think we both knew it was too much for my strength-deprived body. I then remembered how much ground I'd covered. 

My lips flattened as my mind jumped to the thought of Gyomei's unexpected arrival to pick me up. Did he travel that far to get me? It must've taken him hours to track me down. Of course, I didn't know how much time had passed, as I couldn't see the sun through the thick clouds, but it was a rough estimate, based on where we were.

I looked up at my savior, eyes shimmering placidly after the sudden thought. My expression softened, the edges of my lips lifting up slightly. The tension in my muscles began to dissolve as I relaxed in his comfortable hold. Placing a hand on his chest, I listened to the thrumming of Gyomei's heart beat as it pumped smoothly. It was consistent, like his spirit, his drive, his motivation and expression. Never once had I distrusted him, or thought that he'd fail me in some way.

When I was alone, he was there, holding an open umbrella. His considerate mindset showed in every breath he took. He cared so much about those close to him. Unwavering and bold, he stood tall on a pedestal that only carried the ones with hearts of gold. 

"Gyomei," I spoke docilely, "I have something to say to you." He stopped moving, turning his attention to me, the smaller figure in his arms. I beckoned for him to lift me up so my face was right next to his. Cupping my hands around his ear, I whispered to Himejima my feelings about the acts he'd done for me this afternoon.

"Thank you." About to deliver a response, the Stone Pillar was cut off by my lips gingerly pressing against his cheek, my arms affably cradling his head. He paused, hands wrapping tighter around my torso and laughed mellowly -- one of the many rare things I'd seen him do. 

"You're welcome, (Y/N)," he finally replied, blank eyes crinkling with a real smile. I hummed at his reaction and nuzzled into the crook of his neck after he lowered me back down again, to about mid-chest level. The mood lifted even though the rain still poured down as harshly as ever before. Rushing water filled the surface of the valley, Gyomei's feet sloshing in the sludge.

Nevertheless, he continued to walk, holding his umbrella, and his grip on me just a little bit more secure than before.