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"Just don't drop him, Rengoku."
To the other Hashira in the room, Sanemi's voice didn't hold its usual wind-snapping bite. It wasn't completely soft but the tone was less stinging. Sanemi's softer tone towards Giyū and Kyōjurō had varying reactions from the other Hashira. Obanai, along with his snake Kaburamaru, looked on in a curious way. It had Tengen blinking several times. Gyomei and Mitsuri both shared sympathetic looks, hearing Giyū still crying.
"I would never drop Tomioka."
The warmth and genuine care that could be heard in Kyōjurō's voice wasn't unusual however it wasn't as booming loud as it usually was. It was like the Flame Hashira knew to temper down the loud flames of enthusiasm for Giyū's sake. Upon the exit of the Wind, Flame, and Water Hashira, the remaining Hashira were left in the meeting room to dwell on what had happened.
"Do you think Tomioka-san is okay?"
Mitsuri's voice came out filled with concern as she held her hands to her chest.
"I'm sure Tomioka is fine. He is just being overly dramatic."
"Remind me to heal your next small wounds extra slowly, Iguro-san."
Shinobu spoke in her usual tone where one can't tell if it's a threat or a promise. It was almost chilling the way she seemed to be the only one who was calm and not confused after Giyū's breakdown.
"Why would you do that?"
"Because if you're in so much pain and complain, I will assume you're being overly dramatic."
There was a very brief silence before Tengen shifted in his spot, leaning forward, one hand held under his chin as he did so. His tone when he spoke the question that was on most of their minds was not of mockery but genuine curiosity.
"What exactly was it that happened to Tomioka? Also why were Shinazugawa and Rengoku very quick to take care of him?"
Shinobu sighed softly to herself, hands folded gently in her lap as she began her lengthy explanation.
"What we witnessed from Tomioka-san is a coping mechanism known as age regression. It allows one's mind to revert to a time when things were less scary or stressful, and lets others take control so they can relax. Shinazugawa-san and Rengoku-san were quick to react because they're both big brothers who know how to deal with young children."
Tengen nods along with the explanation the others listening intently too when the Sound Hashira goes to speak again it's to question Shinobu on why Giyū needs it.
"Right makes sense but why would Tomioka use this method of coping? Seems pretty run away and hide from the problem to me? I don't mean anything mean by this but how does being childish help him?"
"If I had to guess Uzui-san it has to do with some unresolved trauma that messed with his psyche before we all met him."
Her hands remained in her lap but her usual teasing tone was absent as she spoke however before she an continue giving more of her thoughts there's a low hiss from Obanai's snake before the Serpent Hashira speaks up.
"Well if Tomioka's psyche couldn't handle becoming a Hashira maybe he shouldn't have tried so hard to become one."
There is a devastatingly long silence after Obanai's cynical words however it's broken by one that wasn't expect to say anything at all as the Mist Hashira Muichiro had been quite silent through out the whole ordeal.
"Actually I don't think Tomioka thinks he tried hard enough. I remember hearing him mumble on the way to his estate once that someone named Sabito should have been the Water Hashira and that it should have been him who died on Mount Fujikasane."
"Well that's not very flashy thinking of Tomioka. He's by far one of our strongest."
Everyone in the room takes a moment to digest the tidal wave of information that Muichiro dropped. For most in the room it felt like a blow to the stomach Tengen suddenly felt bad for all the teasing jokes he made about Giyū looking like a walking ghost, Mitsuri feels bad for trying to force him to talk more with everyone and Obanai while he still feels like this is all being blown out of proportion understands how isolation could feel safer.
The soft click of prayer beads and the mutterings of 'Namu Amida Butsu' are heard in the room before Himejima spoke, his voice gentle as always.
"If Tomioka's mind ails him with bad memories that make him feel too small how can we as his comrades in arms put his mind at ease?"
Shinobu's smile softened more losing all it's usual clinical edge it made her feel a bit happier knowing that a few of the other Hashira wanted to help Giyū feel more comfortable about his regression.
"Small things really can help a lot. Don't force him to talk, if he decides on his own to talk and it comes out jumbled don't judge or correct him. Also simply bring him items of comfort, soft blankets and pillows. Do treat him as the age he's acting it and when he comes back to himself do not poke fun at him."
Her last sentence is spoke with a pointed glare at Obanai. Mitsuri is the first one to jump up with excitement to help out after hearing Shinobu's suggestions.
"We should all bring something with us when we go to check on them. I think it would be like a nice peace offering."
The others seemed to agree with her as they each gathered something to bring. Mitsuri chose to make some small sweets to bring. Tengen had gone off to his estate to grab a plush from one of his wives collections for Giyū. Gyomei chose to bring a spare of his prayer beads that make a soft pleasant clicking noise when rubbed together, and Muichiro he hands Shinobu a paper airplane to give to Giyū knowing he might forget to tag along with them.
Obanai stays silent through out all the fuss choosing not to bring anything he wants to simply observe things for himself. He trails the others as they travel to the Wind Estate the spring breeze carries the scent of wisteria and is gentle like the world knows it needs to be softer in this moment.
The crunch of the gravel under their feet is the only loud sound everything else is peaceful including the Wind Estate which in now in view. The estate itself is quite bland in comparison to the other Hashira's own estates, the Wind Estate is made of a simple sturdy wood simple like it's usual solo resident. Approaching the estate they can hear the hushed voices of Sanemi and Kyōjirō through the slightly opened shoji door.
"We all heard him call for his old mentor. I think we should send word to the old man about Giyū. You know to let him know we'll take good care of him or whatever."
Sanemi's voice was quiet no harshness could be heard in it as he spoke to the Flame Hashira who sat nearby. The two are both busy focusing on the sleeping regressed Water Hashira they barely hear the slide of the shoji door opening.
"You know, you don't have to pretend you don't care Shinazugawa, it is very obvious you do."
The opening of the door shoji door reveals to the other that Kyōjurō had spoken those words in a lowered voice to Sanemi all while leaning into the Wind Hashira both knelt beside the futon that held Giyū who was peaceful at last. The Water Hashira's breathing was even under an old worn out blanket. The sight was unusually soft most being used to Sanemi's harshness and Kyōjurō's loudness.
Their presence wasn't noticed right away but once it was Sanemi gave them all a look that seemed to silently tell them not to make too much noise. And so they silently placed their offering down Tengen specifically reaches over very delicately for am an of his large size to tuck the stuffed white fox under Giyū's arms before backing up to give space.
Obanai stayed the furthest away from the peaceful scene Kaburamaru who was usually coiled around his neck slithered forwards as if tasting the air before coiling back in it's usual spot it seems both serpent and Hashira are now opening their minds to the facts before them.
"He looks more relaxed like this."
It's a simple observation that he makes before leaving not wanting to over stay his welcome besides he thinks it's best that Giyū be surrounded by people who actually knew how to properly show they care not someone who doesn't know how too do such things. His footsteps are silent as he makes his escape leaving the others to do what he can't.