Shinobu stretched her arms as she woke up from her sleep. As she tried to get off the futon, an arm was holding her back. The young woman turned around at her husband, who seemed reluctant to let her. "Giyu, I need to get up." Giyu rose up and hugged Shinobu, digging his nose into her hair. "Please don't leave." "That's not really an option, Darling. We can't stay in bed all day. Well, maybe you can, but not me." Giyu sniffed his wife's hair. "Your hair smells nice." "Well, this hair needs a makeover, now if you don't mind..." Shinobu stood up, leaving her husband making a complaining groan.
He watched with sleepy eyes at her taking off her sleepwear and putting on her everyday wear. "Giyu, if you want me to make you your favorite breakfast, then you should get up too." Giyu smiled, feeling his energy slowly coming back to him. His wife could make a killer tamago kake gohan, after all.
He stood up, rubbing his eyes. He then noticed that Shinobu was about to fix her hair. He's always wanted to help her with it, but never got an opportunity. Now was probably the best one. "Could I help with that?" Shinobu looked at him confused. "With my hair? You can do that?" "I tie my own hair, remember? I'm sure I can do this."
The young woman walked over to the bed and sat down, giving her lover the signal that it was alright for him to style her hair. He took the butterfly ornament from her hand and was put aside. Her hair was positioned and pinned into place.
"There." Shinobu stood up and looked at the mirror. "Giyu, my hair doesn't look this." Giyu looked closer and saw that he made a duck tail. A very split duck tail. "Could I try again?" Shinobu giggled. "Okay." She sat back down on the bed, and Giyu started from scratch on her hair. Once again, it wasn't so great. Neither was it the third time.
"Alright, maybe we should just go make breakfast." Giyu looked down a little disappointed in himself. Shinobu placed a kiss on his cheek. "Don't be sad. You tried, and that's what counts."
She walked out of the room, with Giyu joining shortly after.
. . .
"So, you need my help?", asked Sanemi. Giyu nodded. "Please. It's really important", he said, bowing down. "Important? All you're doing is styling some hair." "But it's Shinobu's hair."
The wind Hashira grumbled. "Fine. But this isn't just like tying a ponytail like you always do. This requires a lot of work." Giyu straightened himself.
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes." "Good." Sanemi walked over to the door. "Kanroji!"
The love hashira came in. "Yes?" "Tomioka here needs to learn how to tie a lady's hair. You up for it?" "Is it for Shinobu?", Mitsuri asked. Giyu nodded. "Oh, how romantic! Yes! I'd be honored to help!" The woman took out everything that was keeping her hair in shape, letting it fall loose.
Sanemi looked at Giyu with a malicious smirk. "Let your training commence.
Giyu made an audible gulp.
. . .
Shinobu stared out the window into the night, wondering when her husband would be home.
On cue, the door opened, and Giyu walked in out of breath. "Giyu? Are you alright? You look like you've been running quite a distance." "Shinobu, can I do your hair?" "Again? Do you wish to give me another cute hairstyle?" "Can I?" Shinobu sat down and loosened her hair. "Go right ahead."
Giyu took a handful of her hair and positioned it into her signature hairstyle, and pierced the butterfly ornament through it. "I did it. I did it! I DID IT!"
Shinobu felt around her head, and it did indeed feel like how does whenever she styled it. "This must be quite important to you."
"Now I can finally help you with your hair." "Why?" Giyu scratched his head. "Isn't that... what couples do?" Shinobu giggled again, resting her hand on the water pillar's cheek. "Sweetheart, what's the real reason?" "Honestly, I don't know. I just... wanted to do it." Shinobu shook her head. "Giyu, if you want to do something, and you aren't so good at it, you don't have to try so hard to be good at it. I like you just the way you are." She placed a sweet kiss on his lips.
Giyu sighed. "What did I do to deserve you?"
"Look very attractive with your expressionless face?"
Giyu chuckled, then felt his ponytail being loosened.
"Shinobu?" "You did my hair, it's only fair I do yours now." Giyu smiled. "Go right ahead."
