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Giyu wasn’t the most observant person on the world. He knew that. Especially since the other Hashira had a tendency to tell him so. Yet, when Shinobu slipped into the meeting, he noticed immediately that something was wrong.
Her shoulders were tense, her smile forced. He didn’t say anything. There had been many a day that he hadn’t wanted to be at the Hashira meetings. Do he didn’t blame her for being a bit more snappy than usual, especially in the baking sun and forced to socialize.
Although.. Shinobu always seemed at ease when talking to people. She looked uncomfortable today. Something in her posture, or the way she stood… he watched her wobble a little and frowned.
“Kochou, I have a question about one of the slayers who got injured supporting my most recent mission,” he said, interrupting her awkward conversation with Obanai.
“Tomioka-san, as brazen as ever.“
“I know patient information is supposed to be confidential…” Giyu said, sending a glance at Obanai.
“I’ll leave you two to discuss,” Obanai mumbled, nodding to both of them and heading to join several others. Giyu stepped under the shade of a tree and with a scoff Shinobu followed.
“What’s this about a slayers being brought in for support? I know there hasn’t been anyone come in from helping you.”
“Nothing. It was a solo mission, but Obanai doesn’t know that. You’re welcome.”
“Tomioka-san, are you telling me you interrupted my conversation for no reason, just to get Obanai to leave?” She asked through gritted teeth. Giyu nodded, a little confused at her anger.
“Yes? You looked uncomfortable.”
“I-“ Shinobu stopped, blinking.
“I apologize,” Giyu added quickly. “I didn’t mean to bother you, or interfere. I’ll go now.”
“Tomioka,” she called before he could make a swift exit. “It’s alright. I’m not upset.”
“Oh,” he said.
“It’s not anything against Obanai,” Shinobu added awkwardly, leaning against the tree trunk. He watched as she let her head rest on the smooth bark, pressing her eyes closed.
“I didn’t think so. He doesn’t like me, but I like him.”
“Well he’s certainly unchanging. You like that in people don’t you?”
“I suppose.”
“Hmm,” was Shinobu’s unguarded response. Then she let out a breath and pushed herself off the tree, and strode out into the sun.
He watched her shoulders tense once more, her jaw clench, and then she was gone. He kept an eye on her as she returned to the group, him trailing behind.
He joined the group a moment later, barely listening to the conversation of the Hashira. Something about the rise of a new Lower Moon. He didn’t listen that closely, too busy trying to figure out why there was still a seed of worry planted in his chest.
It was probably the reason he noticed before the others did. He caught the slight unnatural shifting of her weight, the way her eyes suddenly seemed a little bloodshot and unfocused. Then, suddenly Shinobu was listing sideways.
He surged forward, his arms wrapping around her shoulders in one fluid movement. Everyone was suddenly shouting as he carefully lowered her to the packed dirt beneath them.
“Oh my god, Shinobu!” Mitsuri cried
“Is she alright?” Rengoku asked.
“What happened?” Tengen added.
“Is she hurt?” Obanai asked.
“Poor child, she works too hard. Sanemi, send a crow to her house. I shall get her some water.”
“Right,” distantly Giyu heard footsteps as Sanemi rushed off, but he was too distracted by Hashira crowding in close.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Mitsuri was asking somewhere a little further away.
“Let’s give her some space!” He heard Rengoku say as Giyu finished checked Shinobu’s vitals, his field medicine training taking over. He tried to remember what she had done when a very new slayer had passed out during one of their joint training exercises.
He gently pressed the back of his hand to her forehead, but he felt nothing. She had no signs of illness, although her breathing was a little shallow, her heart beat a little slow.
“Come on Kochou, wake up,” he whispered, tapping her face in hopes she’d stir. She barely responded.
“She’s not up?” Sanemi asked, dropping to his knees on the other side of the Insect Hashira.
“No. Didn’t even stir. That’s bad.”
“No fever,” Sanemi muttered, echoing Giyu’s actions a moment before.
“I don’t know if she’s sick. She showed no signs of it.”
“I don’t believe she’s injured. We were discussing our last missions, she said hers went well,” Obanai spoke up.
“She’s not waking up?” Mitsuri asked in dismay. “She needs real medical attention.”
“You’re right, we must bring her little doctors here at once!”
“Any one of us is faster than one of her girls, especially with their equipment. She needs medicine fast, bringing her with will be faster,” Giyu decided, forcing his voice to be strong despite the gazes of the other Hashira. For a moment he felt them judge him.
“You’re absolutely right,” Tengen was the first to agree. Giyu blinked.
“Moving her isn’t the best idea but if she’s really sick or something then Tomioka’s right. She needs help fast,” Sanemi admitted, arms crossed. Giyu gave the man a little nod before scooping Shinobu up. She was light. Too light. She’d always been light but, this felt different. Holding her felt like holding Sabito. It felt like she was dying.
“I’ll take her. I’m fastest, after all,” Tengen said, for once his tone serious.
“Careful,” Giyu instructed, gently passing the unconscious woman to the ninja. Tengen nodded, taking her with genuine care. Then the man took off.
——
“I’m so sorry for worrying everyone, please I really am alright.”
“No you’re not!” Aoi protested, turning to Giyu. “She is not alright. On her way here she-“
“Aoi dear please don’t tell Tomioka-san, he-“
“Finally regained consciousness after at least two minutes, which is very unhealthy, only to empty her stomach on the poor man.”
“Oh this is the most mortifying day of my life, thank you Aoi,” Shinobu hid behind her hands, only peeking out to send the girl a glare, who just rolled her eyes and vanished down the hall. Shinobu added, her voice a little strained, “It was only on his shoe.”
“Are you feeling better?” Giyu asked. Shinobu dropped her hands.
“Yes, I am. Thank you. And please do tell Uzui I apologize, now if you’ll excuse me-“
“Aoi told me on my way in.”
“Told you what exactly?” Shinobu asked innocently, already trying to rise.
“Bedrest for the next day, because you poisoned yourself.”
“Tomioka-san that’s sweet of you to be worried and try to care for me but I have work to do.”
“Okay. What do you need? I’ll bring it to you,” he told her, watching as she grit her teeth.
“It’s really better it I do it myself.”
“Kochou,” he said firmly. “I’m not letting you out of bed.”
“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow, voice dangerously calm. “Lettting me?”
“You hurt yourself. Yes. Letting you.”
“Like you’re one to talk,” she scoffed. Her eyes went wide at this.
“Right,” he said quietly, his heart or gut or something inside of him aching in pain at her words.
“I’m sorry. It’s just- this in my revenge, Tomioka, if all else fails then I’ll still be poisoned, I’ll still kill a demon.”
“It won’t make it hurt less,” he told her softly. “And,” he added, “this won’t make me change my mind. You almost died, so if Aoi says you’re staying put then I will make sure you do.”
“Aww, it sounds like you care,” Shinobu said. Giyu knew she was simply trying to lighten the mood, but answered anyway.
“Yeah. I do.”