Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Huh...? Where am I?" The [H/C]ette's voice wavered, her tone barely above a whisper as she abruptly sat up on the pristine white medical bed. Her sudden movement triggered a searing pain that shot through her head and down her spine, forcing her back down onto the bed's soft surface. The ache was sharp and relentless, making her feel like she had been split in two. For a moment, all she could do was squeeze her eyes shut and wait for the pain to subside.
When she finally dared to open them, her gaze darted around the unfamiliar room, taking in the sterile white walls, the cabinets lined with various medical supplies, and the faint scent of antiseptic that hung in the air. Directly across from her, two other people lay asleep on their own beds, their faces obscured by the dim lighting. The sight of them brought a jolt of panic that made her heartbeat quicken. 'Where am I?' she wondered, her breaths coming in shallow pants. Her thoughts raced as she tried to recall the events that had led her here.
'Ow... my cuts.' The throbbing in her body flared up with each shallow breath, her wounds making themselves known. She shifted slightly, grimacing as she felt the strain of stitches pull at her skin. 'The spider bites... I can feel the stitches straining, like they might tear open if I move too much.' Her mind spiraled into a flurry of questions: Who had tended to her injuries? Why was she here? How had she survived when she was certain she had been on the brink of death?
Her musings were interrupted by the sound of a voice—gentle, yet confident—breaking the stillness.
"Hello there, [L/N]~ I'm Kocho Shinobu!" The woman spoke with a small but warm smile gracing her lips. She was petite, with a grace that seemed effortless, her presence commanding attention despite her slight frame. Her lavender eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement as she regarded the girl on the bed. Shinobu's gaze flicked over the girl's nervous movements, and she raised a finger in a playful yet stern gesture. "Ah, try not to move too much, or the stitches will come undone. It would be quite the hassle to redo them, don't you think?"
The girl's heart skipped a beat at the realization that someone was caring for her—a Hashira, no less. Her cheeks tinged a light shade of pink, embarrassment and happiness flooding her at the same time. "Ah! I'm so sorry, Shinobu-sama!" she blurted out, her voice wavering slightly as she bowed her head, mindful of her injuries. "I'm [L/N] [F/N]. I'm sure you already know that, though..." she trailed off, unsure of what to say next. There was something about Shinobu's calm demeanor that put her at ease, yet made her feel a little like she was under a microscope.
Shinobu tilted her head slightly, her smile never faltering but there was a glimmer of something else in her eyes—curiosity, or perhaps a touch of mischief. "Well, aren't you just a... doll?" she replied, her tone sweet, yet laced with a subtle undercurrent of amusement. The way she said it made the girl feel both flattered and self-conscious, as though Shinobu was testing her somehow.
The girl's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, and she couldn't help but grin, an overwhelming sense of admiration bubbling up inside her. 'Wow, she's so strong...!' she thought, her chest swelling with a mix of awe and determination. 'I wish I could be as cool as her!'
Shinobu's voice pulled her back from her thoughts, slicing through the silence. "Also, [L/N]-" she began, catching the girl's attention, "I would like to ask you a question." There was a lightness in her tone, but also a hint of something else—something that made the girl feel as though this question was not just a casual inquiry.
Intrigued, the girl nodded, signaling for Shinobu to continue.
"I would like to know... what rank are you in?" Shinobu asked, her expression shifting slightly as though gauging the girl's reaction.
"Oh! I'm in rank Tsuchinoto!" the girl responded quickly, feeling a small surge of pride at being able to answer confidently. But then, a thought occurred to her, and her expression faltered. "How come you're asking? Isn't it displayed on the back of my hand?" She raised her hand to show her rank, only to find the marking absent. Panic flickered in her eyes as she stared at her bare skin. "What...? It's gone...?"
Shinobu's gentle laughter broke the tension, and she waved a hand dismissively. "Ah yes, it only appears when you say the password," she explained with a teasing lilt in her voice. "It's quite the handy little feature, isn't it?"
The girl's brows furrowed in confusion. "Password? But... I didn't know there was a password for it..."
Shinobu leaned forward slightly, her gaze softening as she regarded the girl's puzzled expression. "It's alright," she reassured, her voice gentle once more. "You've been through quite the ordeal, after all. It's understandable if a few details slip your mind." Her tone took on a slightly more serious note as she continued, "But you should know that your rank isn't just a title—it's a measure of your strength, your progress, and your potential."
As Shinobu's words sank in, a newfound determination began to kindle within her. She had been given a second chance—whatever ordeal had brought her to the brink of death had not claimed her, and now she was here, with the chance to grow stronger. To learn from someone as capable as Shinobu, of course only if she'd take her. The thought made her pulse quicken. 'I'll do better... I'll prove that I can be just as strong as her... maybe even stronger!'
Blushing at the thought of being able to surpass or just to be almost as strong as someone like her.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
