Cycle // Giyushino

Through Thick and Thin, Remember?

Kocho's POV:

"My beloved children, thank you for coming and see you for our Hashira meeting. Dismissed," said Oyakata-sama as he waved his hand at us. 

One by one, the Hashira left, leaving me with only Tomioka, Sanemi, and Obanai.

"My Serpent and Wind Hashira, thank you for staying. I would love to talk to you after I tell the Hasira's Tsugukos some words," Oyakata-sama announced.

"Shinobu Kocho and Giyu Tomioka."

The two of us then proceeded to kneel respectfully in front of him. "Yes, master?" 

"From now on, I would like both of you, as the successors of your mentors, to start attending the Hashira meeting. Recent matters are rather now, crucial than before to the Corps and I would like to have more inputs from other than Hashira."

"Yes, master we will."

"Splendid. Thank you and dismissed."

I watched Tomioka get up from his former position and slowly dragged himself out of the estate. And as for me, I stayed behind to ask Master Oyakata-sama two urgent and quick questions.

"Why are you still here, Shinobu? Do you have a question?" he asked as he looks into my eyes with a soft smile that gives people warmth.

"Yes, master I do. For one, why is the Water Hashira not present during this meeting? And two, when is the Hashira meeting?"

"Well, my beloved child, I have not informed him of this meeting and the details of it. I believe that his successor, Tomioka, has to present this special case to him, not me. After all, our Water Hashira is currently finishing his mission right now. And secondly, the meeting is at sunset."

"Thank you for answering my question, Master. I'll be going now."

"Yes, dear go ahead."

I then stood up and bowed down to him. Again, respectively but as soon I looked up to meet his eyes again, he put his hand on my shoulder. "Secondly Shinobu Kocho, I hope your sister wakes up soon."

"Thank you, Master. See you in the evening. "I gave Oyakata-sama a soft and "fake" smile in return and left the mansion to catch up with Tomioka. 

I decided to walk over to Tomioka's residence since he was currently my number one problem so far. He needed to talk with me. Immediately. 

After 15 minutes, I was now standing in front of a medium-sized housing. I knocked on the door and there stood my problem, Giyu Tomioka. 

"Come in," he said, leading his hand inward.

I dashed right in and sat down in the middle of the room. He knew that this was going to be a long talk. Good. 

He sat right down onto the opposite futon across from me and said,

"I can explain."

"You don't need to explain actually since Oyakata-sama already did for you."

"I can explain," he insisted again.

"There it is again!" I raised my voice, "Your idiocy! How can you!?"

It was my turn to talk. It was my turn to talk freely. It was my turn to be the bigger voice... for at least this one time. Properly.

"How can you keep this secret for more than 3 years?!"

Rush. Keep on talking.

"I thought you trusted me?!"