Bottles of fate

Not me posting after like 4 months

Author's note: Mwuhahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahaheh👹😈. @ElementalPenmanship here's the chapter. I shouldn't have made a bet with him. Halfway through I forgot what tense I was writing in so don't judge me.

Previously

Giyuu's POV

Once I realised the rest of the hashira were staring at me and Karin, I ran after Shinobu blushing.

-

Still in his POV

I felt my face heat up. The awkwardness hung in the air like a heavy fog. I needed to find Shinobu and apologise.

I hurried after her, my footsteps echoing through the quiet garden. When I caught up, I found her leaned on an oak tree, her hair cascading down her face. The morning light filtered through the trees' leaves, casting a soft glow on her silhouette. Slowly she loooked up. Her violet eyes, usually so expressive, now held a storm of emotions.

Shinobu's POV

As I walked away, my mind was racing. The encounter with Karin had left me more rattled than I wanted to admit. I needed to clear my head, so I headed towards the garden, where the calming scent of wisteria always helped me think.

Normally I tolerate behavior like Karin's. I wonder what's happening to me, I'm so sensitive these days.

Just as I was beginning to relax, I heard footsteps coming from the side of me. I turned my head to see Giyuu approaching, his expression a mix of concern and determination.

"Shinobu," he called softly, "are you okay?"

I forced a smile, trying to mask the turmoil inside. "I'm fine, Giyuu. Just a bit shaken, that's all."

Giyuu's POV

I leaned against another tree, only a few feet away from hers, studying her profile. Shinobu's hair fell in waves, framing her delicate face. She was always so composed on the outside, if you ignored the sudden outbursts she suddenly began to have, so in control. But today, something had cracked that facade.

I stepped closer, my eyes searching her's for the truth. "You don't have to pretend with me. I know that look. What happened back there?"

"I said I'm fine okay Giyuu, leave me alone." She suddenly snapped, her shoulders tensed as she said this. Stop lying to me Shinobu, do you not trust me. Recently, she has just started lying to me about anything really.

I put my thumb under her chin, lightly turning her head to face my icy gaze. She sighed, swiftly removing herself from my grip, before answering, "Okay, it's just... Karin. She reminds me of someone from my past, and I can't shake the feeling that there's more to her than meets the naked eye."

She's lying... again.

"Are you sure that's it, you still seem stressed. Was it me?" I asked, my voice barely audible. She didn't turn around, but her shoulders tensed.

"Just drop it Yuu, I said I'm fine." 

"Shinobu," I said, my tone softer, "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. Karin, she's new, and I don't know what her problem is. But you... you're important to me."

She finally glanced at me, her eyes searching mine. "Important? What am I an object?!" Her voice was edged with bitterness. "Am I important enough for you to defend me?" An angry smile took over her face, one exactaly identical to the one's she used when she was clearly pissed. "Answer me Tomioka."

I winced after hearing her call me by my surname. "I should have-"

"-held her hand tighter?" Shinobu interrupted. "Hmm?"