Blood in Flame and Water

The Love of a New Friend

A large breath was pulled out of Kanroji's airway, forcing her to heave for a fresh lungful that never seemed to come due to an invisible pressure hugging around her organs. She never got why running was so difficult for her. She understood that her muscle density was different; thicker than a normal woman's, but it wasn't fair that in result of the muscles she's gained, she lost stamina in turn. It made it difficult for her to keep up with her fellow Pillars during training and sparring. Even worse when she was needed on a mission and she couldn't get there in time.

But now she was given a task, and she will fulfill it. Mitsuri was fueled by the desperation to see her ex-sensei turned cohort, and Tomioka-san. Knowing she'd have to give Shinobu her Master's summons, it pained her to know that her friend was under scrutiny. However, though she knew less of Genya and certainly even less of Mitski and Yasha, Kanroji could tell there was no reason for them to lie about this situation and create drama where it wasn't needed and certainly unappreciated.

So to imagine Shinobu going out of her way to go against their Master's judgement and turn a blind eye to trial contract seemed almost completely out of character. Unfortunately, if this whole thing was true, maybe Mitsuri never really did know Kocho to begin with. That hurt, if it was all true…it would really hurt.

It seemed like almost forever by the time Kanroji arrived in the Yamaguchi prefecture. The sun was low in the sky, encasing everything in a warm orange and fiery red glow. It reminded her of her time with Rengoku when she was his tsuguko, learning under his tutelage while he himself was just learning to be a Hashira along with the others. They would spend time outside on the roof of his estate, watching the sunset after a grueling day of none stop training with piles of bento boxes on the side for them to enjoy. It was the warmest she felt during those times back then. But now, she was surrounded by a plethora of friends she can confide in.

One of those friends, undoubtedly, was Tomioka-san. Even if he didn't think he was, no matter how much he tried to distance himself from the others, Kanroji was hellbent on becoming at least acquainted with him. He was cold at first, when they met for the first time, not wanting to or not knowing how to talk with Kanroji as she boisterously greeted him. Looking back on it, Mitsuri could see the lines within the elder's face behind that facade of calm he tries to convey. She saw the crease in his brow that showed shock and confusion, saw the twitch in the corner of his lip like he wanted to smile but didn't know how, and the slight twinkle in his deep diamond eyes when she expressed that she wanted to get to know him better.

To her dismay, Iguro had stepped in and not so quietly expressed that Tomioka-san would reject her, so she should just quit while ahead. She had been dejected, basically deflating on the spot as Tomioka-san grew solemn and apathetic once again, turning his back to the two and walking off down a path that bled into the forest. It had hurt Mitsuri, honestly. To watch the man she almost cracked on the first day disappear. She never got the chance to spend time with him from then on. Never getting as close to breaking down one of his walls since that day.

Ever since he'd always rejected her invitations to different Hashira gatherings. Overhearing the others whispering about his arrogance and apathy always drove him away. Iguro would often times interrupt her when she's tried to talk to him any other time, but always blamed it on coincidence and then offered to take her to the village for mochi. Stupid her for not realizing what was happening until now. Rengoku really wasn't lying when he told her she was oblivious.

Shaking her head, Kanroji rid her mind of anymore negative thoughts and focused on the path ahead of her. The short and choppy patches soon turned into a gravel pathway leading towards the unsuspecting yet beautiful building. Slowing to a walk, Kanroji caught her breath and quickly wiped her forehead of any sweat that lingered there. Her uneven gait soon turned steady as she finally made it close to the estate. The distant smell of medicine, sugar, cleaning supplies, and wisteria lingered in the air and became more pungent the closer she got to the nursery.