Chapter Text
As a demon slayer, your life is always at risk. Be it the demon you're facing or your own sanity. And that applies even more to a hashira, whose missions are harder and more dangerous.
Shinobu knew of this fact but when Rengoku sadly departed from them she was reminded of the risk all the hashira face.
She never liked it when her older sister had to go on a faraway mission but she always put up with it, she had to after all. Until Kanae left Shinobu. For good. Perhaps the older grew tired of the younger's antics, Shinobu wouldn't blame her.
It would be unreasonable for Shinobu to blame herself for her sister's death, but she couldn't help the thoughts creeping their way through.
As she held her dying sister in her arms Shinobu wished she went on the mission instead. She would have met the same fate no doubt but at least Kanae would still be here.
The insect Hashira was acutely aware of the immense affection her peers held for her older sister, Kanae. It seemed nearly impossible not to adore her; her radiant smile and warm presence drew admiration from everyone around.
But amidst the admiration and warmth, there was an undeniable shadow that loomed over Shinobu. She had witnessed the way the Wind Hashira's gaze lingered on Kanae, full of unspoken feelings, and now that those feelings had been lost in the wind, the weight of grief pressed heavily on her chest. It was all Shinobu's fault, or so she convinced herself.
If only Shinobu had fought harder, spoken with greater urgency, begged her sister to remain by her side. If only she had been better—if only she had found a way to protect Kanae, perhaps the warmth of her sister's laughter would still echo through their home. This ache gnawed at her heart, a constant reminder of what had been taken from her.
In the wake of Kanae's departure, she donned the mask of her sister's wishes. She forced a smile upon her lips, even as a storm of emotions brewed within.
Anger, sorrow, and confusion twisted inside her, yet she wore her facade like armor. With each passing day, she became more and more like the elder Hashira—her grace, her charm—though shadows of self-doubt whispered that she would never match the brightness Kanae exuded. That truth terrified her.
But change had settled around her like a cloak, and there was no turning back. The world knew her as the composed, ever-calm Shinobu, but beneath that surface lay a restless turmoil. She felt weak, achingly fragile beneath the weight of expectations.
Yet, deep within, a flicker of determination ignited. She craved to be strong, to be that pillar of support for others, the one they could lean on when life grew unbearable. And so, with heavy breaths and a steely resolve, she embraced this new version of herself, determined to move forward, even if it meant stepping into the shadow of someone she had lost.
She bore this burden in solitude until the fateful moment she met him. Shinobu had always admired him for his unwavering strength and the calm facade he presented to the world, yet a palpable distance lingered between them—a veil of unspoken words and unacknowledged feelings.
This distance remained until that pivotal mission when, for the first time in years, Shinobu's mask slipped away. She held her breath, bracing for him to erupt with questions or accusations, but instead, a softness enveloped his tone, and her heart raced in an unexpected rhythm.
"I won't deny it; I'm curious. But I have no right to ask you, nor do I expect an answer," he replied, his voice unusually gentle.
Even upon their return, he remained silent, never uttering a word to anyone about what had transpired. Shinobu’s mind swirled with questions—why had he shown such vulnerability? What had ignited this unexpected kindness, this respectful demeanor?
And why did he have to look so adorable while saying those words?
To quench her insatiable curiosity, she sought out his company more often, but he was a very closed-off person, making it challenging to break through his walls. However, Master Ubuyashiki, perceptive as ever, seemed to notice the way her eyes sparkled when she looked at him.
He began assigning them to missions together frequently, providing the two of them ample opportunity to bond.
At a glance, many perceived the Water Hashira as cold and aloof, but Shinobu would passionately counter that assertion. If one truly endeavored to know him, one would uncover a deeply warm and compassionate soul beneath the surface.
As their paths intertwined further, they discovered how similarly they viewed the world, forming a connection that drew them inevitably closer.
Shinobu found herself falling for Giyuu, and to her delight, she realized he felt the same—though in his own understated manner, they worked hand in hand to bridge that gap. Eventually, after what felt like a beautiful eternity spent together, they decided to marry.
Initially, the Insect Hashira had hesitated, fearing it might disrupt their missions, yet her yearning for a life shared with Giyuu was profound.
When they approached the master to discuss their relationship, he welcomed the news with open arms, having already sensed the bond that had blossomed between them.
Their wedding was an intimate affair, held at the butterfly estate, limited to just the master, Giyuu’s sensei, and a select few. They chose to keep the news from their fellow Hashira for a while, but once they were married, they felt a newfound freedom in openly expressing their love, or so they thought.
Shinobu found herself glancing at the empty spot beside her for what felt like the hundredth time, her heart racing with anticipation.
Giyuu had gone on a mission and had not returned for a few days. He had reassured her not to worry, insisting it would only be a short while.
Yet restlessness clawed at her, filling her mind with dread—what if something had happened to him? What if his crow had gotten lost, delayed in delivering its message? What if he—
"Shinobu, my child," Ubuyashiki's voice drifted gently through her thoughts, breaking the chains of her worry.
"Yes, master?" she replied, shaking off her anxieties.
"Do you mind fetching Giyuu for me? He just returned from his mission," he said with his ever-present warmth as if he instinctively knew the tempest brewing in her heart.
A wave of relief washed over her, her ever present smile grew softer, but she kept calm, “Yes, master." She stood from her spot, "I’ll be right back.”
As she made her way down the familiar path, her mind swirled with thoughts and emotions, but the tension began to dissipate when she finally spotted the distinct mess of unkempt black hair that belonged to her husband.
Shinobu sprinted towards him, her heart soaring. "Shino—” he began, but his words were cut short as she threw herself into him, clutching his clothes as if anchoring herself to him.
He let out a soft chuckle, "I haven't bathed yet; I'm sure I stink."
She paid no mind to his modesty, burying her face against him and inhaling deeply; yes, he was right, he did smell, but it was his scent—familiar and comforting. “I missed you,” she confessed softly, pulling his face down to inspect him. “Are you injured? Hurt anywhere?”
She moved around his face, worry etched on her features, which only provoked more laughter from him.
"Really, I'm fine,” he reassured.
She sighed in relief yet remained slightly tense, “Good. But if you're lying like last time, I swear—”
“Calm down, love. Seriously, I'm fine,” he said, tugging her against him once more, warmth enveloping them both. “I missed you too.”
They lingered in that embrace, soaking in each other's warmth until Shinobu gently pulled away.
“Come, we have a meeting with the other Hashira.” Giyuu nodded, intertwining his fingers with hers, a small swing in their arms as they walked together.
"Is it just me, or did Shinobu-san seem a bit happier just now?" Kanjiro ventured, breaking the thick silence that had enveloped the room like a heavy fog.
"What do you mean, Kanjiro-san?" Iguro inquired, his brows knitting together in curiosity.
"Yeah, she seemed the same to me," Shinazugawa interjected bluntly, his tone filled with indifference.
Kanjiro shifted in her seat, the warmth of the room contrasting sharply with the uncertainty in her heart. "I don't know... she just seemed a bit off before the master asked her to fetch Tomioka…" Her voice trailed off as she realized her words had escaped her, "Ack! Sorry, I was just thinking out loud!" Her cheeks flushed warmly.
Iguro gave her an understanding nod, shaking his head slightly. "No, it’s fine. But you mentioned she looked off? What made you feel that way?"
Kanjiro inhaled deeply, gathering her thoughts. "Yeah, I mean, even though she was smiling, there was a tension in her shoulders… almost like she was holding something back. I-I might just be reading too much into it," she added, her hands waving dismissively in an attempt to brush away her concern.
"Hmm, Kanjiro is onto something," Uzui remarked thoughtfully, tapping his chin with a finger as he scrutinized the situation. "Her heartbeat sounded faster than usual."
Shinazugawa raised an unimpressed brow at him, his patience thinning. "And you didn’t think to mention that sooner?"
Uzui shot him a challenging glare. "Hey, at least I noticed something was off, unlike certain people," he retorted, a smirk playing on his lips despite the tension in the air.
"You trying to say something to me?" The wind hashira turned his icy gaze towards Uzui, the atmosphere between them crackling with unspoken challenges.
"Yeah, I am," Uzui quipped, his bravado unfazed by the evident danger simmering in the air.
Iguro let out a resigned sigh, muttering under his breath, "Not again," as the bickering intensified, voices rising with playful animosity.
"My, my, I wasn’t even gone for ten minutes, and you’re already at each other’s throats," Shinobu’s melodic voice lilting through the air like a gentle breeze, cutting through the tension like a blade.
Kanjiro, who had been desperately attempting to quash the squabble, slumped back in relief. Shinobu carried an aura of respect that commanded the attention of everyone; her presence brought a calm that settled over the room.
Turning her gaze toward Tomioka, who was composed as ever, she smiled brightly. "Oh, Tomioka-san, how was your mission?"
"It was fine, thank you for asking," he replied, his voice steady and polite, as he settled onto the floor.
'Kya! Tomioka-san is always so courteous!' Kanjiro's heart fluttered at his response.
In that moment, Kanjiro found herself forgetting her earlier question, along with the rest of the hashira, as their thoughts were swept away by the more pressing tribulations of the day.
It wasn’t a big deal anyway; Shinobu was probably just caught up in her own thoughts, right?