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The air inside the Ubuyashiki estate was heavy with incense and silence. Shoji doors were open to the gardens, letting sunlight spill across the polished wood. Outside, cicadas sang, a chorus undercutting the calm. Within the sitting Hashira, not a sound stirred in the room.
Ubuyashiki sat at the head of the hall, his frail hands folded in his lap. His voice, when he spoke, was a little more than a breath. "You’ve all done well. The recent increase in demon activity near the northern border was handled swiftly." His eyes moved over each of them, so gentle, yet piercing in a way that seemed to see beyond just their flesh. "Still… I sense fatigue among you."
No one answered. Sanemi shifted, arms folded, his jaw flexing. To his right, Giyu sat perfectly still, his expression unreadable, as always. Mitsuri knelt, and a faint crease was between her brows as if she was trying not to fidget.
And beside her, Obanai’s posture was a sculpture of discipline, his spine was rigid, and his serpent-like eyes focused unwaveringly on the Master. Kaburamaru was coiled loosely around his shoulders, head resting near his collarbone.
To most, Obanai looked no different from usual: severe, silent, and contained. But Mitsuri, was seated close enough to see the subtle tremor in his hands. She frowned. He’d barely looked her way today, there was not even a glance when she greeted him earlier.
Sanemi noticed it too. He’d caught it out of the corner of his eye. Iguro’s fingers tightened once against his knee as though he was trying to steady himself. There was a pallor to him that went beyond his usual unhealthy shade, a faint sheen was at his temple despite the cool air coming in through the doors.
He looks like hell, Sanemi thought, though he didn’t say it aloud.
Ubuyashiki continued, turning to Shinobu. "Shinobu, how are the wounded from the Yoshiwara outpost?"
Shinobu’s soft voice filled the quiet. "They're recovering, Master. None of them were fatally injured. I believe we’ll have them ready for reassignment within two weeks."
Ubuyashiki nodded. "That's very good. Your work brings me peace."
Her gaze flicked briefly toward Obanai, eyes narrowing slightly. Something was off. His breathing was shallow. Controlled, but too controlled. It was like someone who’d been doing it deliberately for too long.
"Kyojuro," the Master said next. "Your report?" Kyojuro's voice was a bright flare in the dim hall. "Yes, Master! The Flame estate is secure. The demons in our region have been eliminated entirely. However, I’ve noticed strange scorch marks near Mount Akuma. There's evidence of another’s presence. Perhaps a Kizuki."
Sanemi grunted. "You think one of the Upper Moons would bother creeping around the mountains? Seems like a waste of their time."
Kyojuro's grin didn’t falter. "Perhaps not, but it’s worth an investigation, wouldn’t you agree?"
Sanemi rolled his eyes. "Do what you want, Rengoku. I’m already up to my neck chasing down the ones who slipped past you."
"I believe that's enough," Giyu murmured.
Sanemi’s head snapped toward him. "What was that, Tomioka?"
"Hm. Nothing." Giyu said flatly, staring straight ahead.
Sanemi clicked his tongue but said no more, as he was in the presence of the Master.
The air shifted again. It was one of those moments when even the quiet seemed to be listening.
Mitsuri, ever sensitive to the mood, tried to speak up. "Oh! Um, Master! Should we coordinate patrols for the south? I could assist Iguro-san—"
Her words broke off.
Obanai swayed. Not much, at first, it was just a faint lean as though he’d caught himself too late. Kaburamaru helped with lifting his head, hissing softly. Obanai straightened reflexively, but his movement was too quick for him to handle.
His vision darkened. A low ring filled his ears.
Mitsuri turned toward him fully now, alarm flickering in her eyes. "I-Iguro-san...?" He didn’t respond.
His body went rigid, then slackened all at once. His head bowed forward before he crumpled sideways and was met with the floor. The thud of his fall broke the stillness.
For a moment, no one moved. Then, all the Hashiras' attention turned towards the sudden noise.
Mitsuri gasped, hands flying to her mouth. Sanemi was already half-standing, the wooden floor creaking under his sandals. Shinobu moved next, faster than anyone else, kneeling beside him in a blur of motion.
"Iguro-san!!" Mitsuri’s voice shook.
Muichiro finally spoke up, "Is he hurt?"
Shinobu’s fingers pressed to his neck, her expression turning sharp. "His pulse is weak and he's breathing shallow." She glanced at Kaburamaru, who coiled protectively at his shoulder. "He’s severely dehydrated… and his blood pressure’s low. How long has he been like this?"
Sanemi’s voice was rough. "He’s been off since we got here. Barely said a word."
"That’s normal for him," Shinobu replied, but there was no humor in it. She tilted Obanai’s chin, checking his color. "He’s undernourished. Probably hasn’t eaten in days."
Mitsuri’s eyes widened. "He said he wasn’t hungry earlier! I should have— Oh gosh! I should’ve noticed!"
"Don’t blame yourself," Shinobu said quickly, her tone soft but brisk. "Shinazugawa-san, please help me lift him. We’re taking him to the Butterfly Mansion."
Sanemi blinked. "Why me? Isn't Himejima suited better for this?"
"You’re the only one here that he gets along with the most. He trusts you and I trust that you'll work with me smoothly. Come along now, I need to monitor his vitals."
He grunted but moved immediately, bending low and sliding an arm around Obanai’s waist. With steady strength, he lifted him against his body, Obanai leaned on top of Sanemi.
Obanai's body felt light. Too light. It was limp in a way that made Sanemi’s gut twist. Kaburamaru slithered aside but stayed close, curling around Obanai’s wrist once Sanemi had him secured. Ubuyashiki’s voice drifted across the room again, soft as ever. "Go, Sanemi. Take him. The meeting will adjourn here."
Sanemi hesitated only long enough to nod.
Mitsuri rose too, her hands trembling. "Can I—"
Shinobu cut in gently. "We’ll send word once he’s stable, Mitsuri. For now, please stay and finish the debriefing."
"Don't worry, Shinazugawa! I will fill you in with all the meeting's details!" Kyojuro beamed, despite the tension in the room.
Tengen crouched nearby, his usual flamboyance tempered. "Never thought I’d see the Snake Hashira drop like that. Damn."
"Watch your mouth," Sanemi muttered, shifting and then hefting Obanai carefully onto his back. His arms looped under his knees.
"Easy," Shinobu said quietly, adjusting Obanai’s position so his head rested against Sanemi’s shoulder. "He’s fragile right now. Try not to shake him."
Sanemi snorted. "I’m not a damn cart." But his movements gentled anyway.
The others watched in tense silence as he carried Obanai out through the open shoji, Shinobu following close behind.
The walk to the Butterfly Mansion was long and quiet. Wind stirred through the trees, and leaves rustled in a whisper.
Obanai’s breathing was faint against Sanemi’s shoulder, each exhale brushing his neck. "He’s really out," Sanemi muttered, a little worried.
Shinobu walked beside him, eyes sharp even as her expression remained calm. "He pushed himself too far again. He has a habit of prioritizing discipline over self-preservation."
Sanemi huffed. "Sounds familiar."
Shinobu’s gaze flicked toward him briefly. "You’re one to talk."
He didn’t argue, he respected Kocho too much for that, she was right anyway. The steady rhythm of his sandals on the dirt path was the only sound for a while. When the mansion finally came into view, Sanemi let out a slow exhale he hadn’t realized he was holding.
Inside, the Butterfly attendants moved swiftly under Shinobu’s direction. A bed was prepared within minutes. Sanemi lowered Obanai carefully onto it, crouching as Shinobu began her examination.
She pressed a damp cloth to his forehead, then reached for a small vial from her kit. "His pulse is improving. I’ll start with fluids. He’ll wake up soon."
Sanemi sat back on a chair, watching silently. Kaburamaru had settled near Obanai’s hand again, its tongue flicking the air anxiously.
"He doesn’t take care of himself," Shinobu murmured.
"Yeah, well," Sanemi said, rubbing the back of his neck, "half of us are the same way. We just hide it better."
Shinobu gave a small, knowing smile. "Perhaps. Still, he’s lucky you noticed."
Sanemi blinked. "Kanroji noticed first."
"She panicked. You acted. That matters, Shinazugawa-san."
He frowned but didn’t respond. His eyes lingered on Obanai’s face. It was pale, the tension usually locked into every line was now softened by unconsciousness. Without the faint scowl or guarded posture, he looked younger. Vulnerable.
"...Will he be all right?" Sanemi asked.
Shinobu nodded, adjusting the drip beside the futon. "Yes. Once he’s rehydrated and has something in his stomach, he’ll recover fully. But.. I’d prefer if someone stays here in case he wakes up disoriented."
Sanemi glanced toward her. "You mean me, don't ya?"
"You’re already here," she said. "And he trusts you more than most."
That made him snort quietly.
Shinobu’s expression softened, before she left the room.
Hours passed. The sun had dipped low, spilling amber light through the paper screens. The soft hum of the mansion filled the space. Attendants were moving, doors sliding, the faint clink of glass.
Sanemi stayed seated. Obanai stirred occasionally, a faint twitch of his fingers, a shift in his breathing.
When his eyes finally opened, the first thing he saw was the ceiling, white and blurred at the edges. Then a weight at his side, and Sanemi’s rough voice.
"You’re awake."
Obanai blinked, his throat dry. "Shinazugawa…?"
"Yeah."
He tried to sit up, but Sanemi’s hand pressed his shoulder gently back down. "Don’t move. Kocho will kill me if you rip out her damn needle."
Obanai frowned faintly, then glanced around. "The Butterfly Mansion."
"Kocho said you passed out from not eating," Sanemi said bluntly. "What the hell were you thinking?"
Obanai’s jaw tightened. "I didn’t intend to.. I was going to grab a meal after the meeting, I swear."
"Yeah, I know. I trust you, don't worry," Sanemi cut in, his tone sharper than he meant. “But you still scared the hell out of Kanroji. And the rest of us, for that matter."
Silence stretched.
Obanai looked away. His voice, when it came, was quieter. "It won’t happen again..."
Sanemi studied him for a moment. "Good. It better not."
Kaburamaru shifted along Obanai’s arm, flicking its tongue at Sanemi, it was a thank you. The sight drew a rare, almost imperceptible smirk from him. "Your snake likes me."
"Were you worried about me?" Obanai wondered out loud.
Sanemi played with Kaburamaru and ignored Obanai's comment. Too stubborn to say yes.
Obanai didn't take it against him. He knew how he was. He glanced back at Sanemi. After a pause, he quietly spoke up, "You carried me here?"
Sanemi shrugged. “Kocho’s orders. Didn’t have a choice.”
But Obanai saw through the deflection. His voice was dry, but softer now. "Thank you."
Sanemi grunted, looking away. A faint blush crept up his neck. "Don’t mention it."
Obanai’s eyes lingered on him for a long moment before he said quietly, “And you stayed..."
"Kocho told me to make sure you didn’t pass out again."
"That’s all?"
Sanemi hesitated, then sighed. "You think I’d just leave after all that?"
Obanai blinked. The faintest shade of pink rose at his cheeks, but he didn’t comment. He just let his eyes drift closed again, exhaustion tugging at him.
"Rest," Sanemi said, voice low. "You need it."
Obanai nodded faintly, and silence settled between them.
Outside, evening cicadas began their slow chorus. The world dimmed to gold, then violet.
Sanemi stayed there long after Shinobu returned to check on her patient, long after the lanterns were lit.
When she found him still seated by the bed, she smiled quietly to herself and thought it'd be best not to comment.
By the time night fell, the mansion had gone still. Obanai slept more peacefully now, color returning to his face.
Sanemi leaned back against his chair, arms crossed loosely. He wasn’t good with words, and he sure as hell wasn’t the nurturing type. But watching Obanai breathe evenly again brought a strange calm even he couldn’t name.