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When you were informed of Kanae's death, you were in the middle of cooking breakfast. Shinobu and Kanae had left earlier, you taking the duty upon yourself to make sure both were able to get a home-cooked meal on their return. What you didn't expect, however, was only one of them returning.
As soon as the crow gave you the news you finished cooking. Setting the food on the counter and putting a cover on it. You put your palms on the counter, staring down as you soaked in the realization. You exhaled slowly, your vision just slightly blurred with unspent tears. You were close with Kanae, she welcomed you with open arms when Shinobu introduced you. She allowed you to stay at the Butterfly Mansion.
You used the back of your palm and wiped under your eyes, clearing your vision up. Silently you grabbed two bowls. Uncovering the still hot miso soup, you grabbed a spoon and scooped some into the bowls. Walking over to the table you carefully sat the two bowls next to each other. You stared at it for a second. It felt wrong, without a third bowl. Shuddering off the feeling you started walking towards the door.
Opening the door you walked outside. Shutting it behind you, you sat down on the front of the mansion, staring off at the path that endlessly sunk farther and farther. The wisteria that hung off the roof provided a soft light.
You didn't have to wait long before you saw the blurry figure slowly come into view. Standing up you rushed forwards, not wanting to waste any time. You met the smaller woman halfway. She had stopped in front of you, her head angled downwards. Your heart seemed to break when you saw her wearing the same haori Kanae usually did, slightly stained with blood. You looked down, gently placing a hand over Shinobu's shoulder and rubbing it. In her hands, Shinobu clutched one of Kanae's hairpins.
You stepped to the side, still holding your girlfriend's shoulder as you two walked together. The walk was silent and you moved forward to open the door. Shinobu let you guide her to the table. She set Kanae's hairpin down as you sat next to her. You watched as she picked up the soup spoon. She pushed it around in the bowl. Eating was done in silence. A heavy, gloomy silence that made you lose your appetite.
Shinobu had lost her appetite as well. She barely touched the food before she let go, unable to stomach anymore. You stood up, taking both of the bowls and setting them on the counter. You'd clean up later.
When you walked back, Shinobu was holding the hairpin close to her body, like she was trying so desperately to hug her sister one more time. Your hand startled her slightly as you helped her stand up. You led her to the onsen. The silence was starting to bother you. The way she hadn't spoken, how she reverted to a shell of the person she used to be. She felt lifeless as you led her around. Without you, she probably would've sat outside until the morning hours.
As the water was heating up, you gently tugged on the haori. Shinobu took it off herself as you unbuttoned her uniform. You took a second to see if she had any injuries. After not finding any and helping her fully undress, you let her sit in the now hot bath.
She waited in silence as you undressed, joining her. Inhaling calmly, you decided to take the initiative to offer comfort, knowing Shinobu wouldn't ask for it. She'd rather grief in silence. You ran your hands through her hair and gently rubbed soap into it. After doing so, you cupped some water, rinsing it out. You were careful to avoid her eyes.
You leaned forwards, draping an arm over the smaller's shoulder and hugging her. You pressed a kiss on her cheek before withdrawing. Using a small washcloth, you soaked it, rubbing circles into her back. Neither of you said nothing as you tried your best. Before standing up, you hugged her again, this time burying your head in her back and wrapping your arms against her waist. You stiffened back a sob. She wasn't acting like Shinobu to you, anymore.
Climbing out of the onsen, you dried yourself off and helped her. She felt like a puppet. While she was doing things and going through the routine, she was slow, her hands clumsy. You had to aid her as she put on her clothes. You swore you felt her hands shake. As you were both dressed in your sleep clothes, you again put your hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. She finally looked up at you with slightly puffy eyes. You offered a small smile before withdrawing and grabbing her hand to lead her to her room.
You carried Kanae's haori and hairpin, walking inside the room and laying them on the small vanity Shinobu owned. You heard the door shut behind you, but the footsteps had stopped. You turned around. Shinobu was leaning partly on the door, just standing there with her head angled away from you.
You walked forwards, cupping Shinobu's face in your hands. Your thumb brushed over her cheeks as you looked at her with a softness.
"It's okay."
Those two words had broken the dam. Shinobu's eyes filled up with tears and instantly began falling down as her hands grabbed your own. Your heart shattered as you pulled her into an embrace. You wrapped your arms around her shoulders, bringing a hand up to hold the back of her head as she sobbed into your chest. You guided her backwards, not leaving the hug as you sat on the bed. She sat on your lap, burying her head into her shoulder.
You cradled her like a child, rocking her side to side as you pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Her body shook as she continuously cried. You whispered reassuring words, but they fell on deaf ears. You heard her talk about her sister, but the words were muffled and in between shaking gasps.
You managed to maneuver her so she was laying down, you next to her. She held onto you like you would leave, she was terrified. You rested your head on the top of hers, rubbing circles into her back as she continued to cry. You stayed in the same position for at least an hour. Her sobs began to get softer and her breathing slowly evened out. You didn't move, afraid that would make things worse. You held her just as tight as she held you.
She was asleep. The crying had stopped and you yourself felt exhausted. Your eyes began to close. You gave her another kiss on her head, sighing as you thought about what would happen in the morning. You were concerned that maybe she'd avoid you, embarrassed for her actions. You were worried about how Kanao and Aoi would take the news of Kanae's death. But you shook the thoughts away. Those were the future, this is now. You'd sleep, regain energy and continue the day, comforting your girlfriend.