𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞? [KNY] [Giyushino]

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 10: 𝓤𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓻 𝓜𝓸𝓸𝓷

Author POV:

"Ara ara~ Tomioka-san found the demon.." Shinobu murmered as she and Shigeru dropped down beside Giyu.

The demon facing them had Upper Four engraved into it's eyeballs, and wore a red kimono. She was holding a whip that was probably her weapon. She looked extremely menacing and flirty, like Daki, a previously killed Upper Moon.

"Ara ara~ Look who we have here! Another two ridiculous Hashiras. Honestly, I don't know why the Corps keeps sending them. I've already devoured four from the last generation, just around.. hm, let's see here, three more and I'll get moved up. Ha! Well, aren't you three lucky?" The demon said.

"We'll see about that," Shinobu said, gritting her teeth but still smiling. Shigeru was in an attack pose, hoping to look menacing.

"But oh no, how rude of me," The demon smirked, "I haven't even introduced myself yet! You may call me Naomi. And what are your names, hm?"

"Kocho Shinobu. Killer of demon Naomi." Shinobu smirked right back. Shigeru was unsure whether he was supposed to say anything, so he just remained silent.

"Hahahhaha!" Naomi's laughter rang around like bells. Sweet, clear notes of innocent laughter. From the same person that had killed millions.

Suddenly, the demon coughed up blood, gasping, as she slowly turned her head around to look behind her. Giyu had his sword in through her chest.

"Ugh! Get that- disguisting sword- off me!" Naomi shrieked as she pushed the sword out of her, the wound healing quickly.

Giyu didn't say a word and dodged Naomi's wip, which lashed below him.

Shoot, Shinobu thought, While I was busy engaging with a demon, Tomioka-san already stabbed it.

Shinobu quickly joined in the battle, slashing at Naomi and trying to get the needle to get a grip on the demon, but she moved too quickly. Pretty soon, Naomi and Giyu were in a head-on battle at a lightning rate of speed and Shinobu couldn't intercept. She might accidentally inject Giyu with poison.

Naomi was obviously on a different level. Her whip had a crackle of energy to it and Shinobu could tell Giyu had been inflicted with some minor damage by the whip. It seemed if you touched it, it would burn into your skin, causing a bad wound from just a simple touch.

Shinobu felt incredibly helpless as she stood there, trying to find an opening where she wouldn't just be a major pain to Giyu. The water pillar was obviously faster and stronger than her, and he was so focused on Naomi, he might just accidentally hurt Shinobu if she intercepted.

There was so much in Shinobu's head, she didn't even think twice about Shigeru and what he could do. She was so used to fighting with the other Hashiras, and she hadn't been on a mission with Shigeru yet, so she didn't quite know his capabilities or his fighting style.

Shigeru POV:

I hid helplessly behind a tree, hoping Shinobu wouldn't notice me. But I knew she would eventually, and I had no good excuse not to help fight.

Suddenly, I came up with the best idea. I could pretend to be injured, and she would let me off the hook! Especially if it was a bad injury... but she was a medic, so she would probably be able to tell it was fake. It would have to be something- not visible...

It looked like she was just standing there, prepared to leap in and fight but couldn't really tell when to. Which was completely understanable, since that water pillar and demon were literally flying at this rate.

"S-Shinobu-chan!" I wailed, making my voice sound distressful. I was sprawled on the floor.

"Shigeru-kun!" Shinobu whirled towards me, "Are you alright?"

"I- I don't know what happened, but that demon's whip touched me and now both my legs are completely numb! I can't move!" I said, keeping my legs as still as possible.

"W-what?! I didn't know the whip had that effect! Oh no... I'd better get you away from the fight. Take it easy, okay? We'll defeat the demon." Shinobu dragged me by the arm into the forest. My body dragged across the soil. She wasn't strong enough to properly carry me.

My excuse had worked. Everything would be fine now...

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter! I may not be able to update as often for a while, since I'll be a little busy. Also, fighting-action chapters take a lot of time and effort to write, I hope you understand!