Till Death Do Us Part

It had been a week since Tomioka had left. The Wind Hashira waited for the man to return for their training. He was impatient though and just kept visiting the water hashira's home to see if he returned he didn't sense his presence there and then went to the butterfly mansion to check if he was there for an injury.

"Shinazugawa-san, how may I help you? Are you injured?" Shinobu asked as she found him wandering the halls of the manor. "It that shitty Tomioka back? He promised me we'd train and he it taking forever." Sanemi stated making sure to sound as desperate as possible.

"My apologies but he is not back yet, I'm sure he is just busy making his way back here and will train with you once he is situated." She said trying to get him to leave. "Fine, if you see him send him my way." He said as he walked away, she sighed and walked down a hall way. She opened the door to a dark room and opened the curtains. "Shinazugawa is looking for you." She said as she knew this man was awake. "I don't feel like training. I'm tired and cold." Giyuu said as he turned the other way. She laughed and sat down on a chair in the room. "He isn't going to leave you alone until you do train with him." She said trying to make a point so he could leave and so Shinazugawa wouldn't return to bother her. "Then we will train tomorrow just not now, I need a moment to think..." He said he got really quiet towards the end of that sentence it was strange. "What happened on your mission? Was it easy as always?" She asked trying to break the ice.

"It was alright....nothing too hard for me to handle. I'm trying to think if I did something right." He said so she would stop asking questions but it didn't work. "Well what did you do? I will tell you if what you did was wrong or not?" She said. "It is nothing to worry about, I'll figure it out by myself." He said they both fell back into a silence. Until there was a knock at the door.

"Hashira Kocho, Hashira Tomioka?" It was Aoi. "Yes Aoi how can we help you?" Shinobu asked. "Hashira Shinazugawa keeps asking if Hashira Tomioka has returned yet? He keeps trying to go through the halls and each room." She explained. "I swear that damn man can't give us a break. It has been like 5 minutes. I'll be back." She got up and walked out of the room to go find and scold the wind hashira. Leaving Aoi and Tomioka alone.

"Did you tell him I was here?" He asked wishing she didn't to avoid Sanemi for a little longer. "No, I knew you had came here to sleep due to your recent mission so I didn't mention you." She explained. The man sighed, "Thank you Aoi." He said as he was still seated on the bed. "Hashira Tomioka I have a question?"

"Please we are alone you can drop the formalities. But what is your question?" He said. "Oh, alright then. Tomioka I wanted to know if you are taking a tsuguko at the moment?" She asked she waited for an answer, Tomioka looked at her.

"Does she want to be my tsuguko? Why? There are other hashira's she can go to so why me? Is it because we both use water breathing?" He questioned her actions in his head. "I don't understand your question fully, may you explain a bit better?" He wanted to know her reasoning, he had to know her reasoning. It couldn't have been solely based on their breathing styles.

"I wanted to know if your taking a tsuguko or if you are taking anyone under your wing right now, because I wanted to volunteer for it." She bowed looking at the floor. Tomioka didn't see why she wanted to do it. "Why do you want to do it?" He asked. "Because not only do we use the same breathing styles, I admire your work as a hashira you work your butt off and you don't ever slack off. I want to be just like you, so please allow me to train under you. I want to be useful. I'm not that strong but I want to get stronger. So please consider letting me follow your legacy." She stayed bowed not looking up she didn't want to be met with disappointment. Giyuu was shocked no one has ever talked so sincerely in a long time, he didn't know what to say.

"Ara Ara~ How interesting? Aoi as your tsuguko? What are you going to say to this Tomioka-San?" Shinobu had returned and heard most of the conversation before it went quiet. "Um, Aoi. I'm caught off guard by your request, is that what you really want?" He asked. "Yes, like I said I want to be useful, I want to be a better fighter. I want to be able to slay demons like the others do. So that is why I am asking you. I would already have a head start by knowing the water breathing technique's, all I need is to learn how to use them properly, so I came to you." She said this time she looked up to see his reaction. He stayed quiet for a moment thinking. "A tsuguko? That would be good for me, I could retire early if she becomes as hashira. But she is a little on the weaker side, I don't want her risking her life just to be a little more 'useful', It would be a shame. It seems the only thing I can do for now is put it to the side and think about it." He thought to himself, he sighed. " Well if it is what you want. I will think about it and talk to the Master about it. I will try to give you a direct answer as soon as I make up my mind." He said hoping that his answer wouldn't upset her.