Tell Me That You Love Me... Even if it's fake

Chapter 8 - New Pillar?

"Shinobu-sama! Shinobu-sama! Wake up Shinobu-sama!."

Shinobu began to slowly open her eyes, her not being used to the brightness made it hard to see who was calling for her but after a couple of seconds as her eyes adjusted to the brightness she could see that it was Aoi that had been calling for her.

"Shinobu-sama, you're awake. Me and Kanao were worried about you!." Aoi cried out.

"Ara-Ara Aoi, It couldn't have been that bad. Tell me, what happened?" She said in her soothing tone.

"Well... when I woke up I saw that you weren't up which was strange since you normally wake up me and Kanao. So I went into your room but you were not there. Then I went outside to see if you might have been sitting on the porch but I found you unconscious on the ground. That was 10 minutes ago." Aoi said, still worried for her master.

"My my Aoi, you shouldn't be that worried about me you know? I can take care of myself after all." She said while rubbing Aoi on the head.

"And how may you be doing Kanao?" She asked pleasantly.

'Orders... She ordered me to tell her how I was feeling.' Was the first thing Kanao had thought of.

"Good," Kanao replied timidly.

"That makes me glad!" Shinobu cheered.

"Shinobu-sama I must ask you this, Why were you unconscious outside? Something bad could have happened!, surely you had a good reason right?" Aoi cried out.

"I was just having a very intense training session by myself, I must have been out there for 6-7 hours before I collapsed." She said, It was clear she didn't have much concern for her own safety.

"But why were you traini-"

"Ara, don't ask meaningless questions Aoi." She said gently.

"But-"

"No buts."

Aoi sighed, knowing she would never get the answer she desired.

As Shinobu started to get up and leave the room her crow landed on her shoulder and delivered a message.

"Craw! You are late for the Hashira meeting! Arrive to the Ubuyashiki estate immediately!"

"Ara-Ara, I better get going now. I will see you two later." She said as she ran.

'A Hashira meeting this time of year? I wonder what it could be.' She pondered.

Once the Ubyuashiki mansion came into view Shinobu opened the gate and attendedthe Hashira meeting.

'Apologies Oyakata-sama for being late." She said quickly as she took a seat.

"Ah Shinobu, I thank you for attending this meeting." The master said kindly

"Now that everyone has come. I would like to tell you all why I have brought you all here"

"The first reason is... 2 days ago Giyu and Shinobu defeated Lower Moon 2 and I would like to take a moment to commend them for their efforts."

"Good work Tomioka and Kocho!" Rengoku congratulated the two.

"Shinobu-san good job!." Mitsuri squealed.

"What extravagant work you two have done." Tengen boomed.

"Good work." Obanai said simply.

"Namu Amida Butsu I hope it wasn't too much trouble killing the demon," Gyomei chanted.

"It's not that special to kill a lower moon." Sanaemi grumbled

While everyone was congratulating them both Shinobu felt like she was suffocating, she knew that she didn't deserve any praise since after all that lower moon had almost taken her life. She felt shameful for even being able to sit alongside the other Hashira as an equal. But alas she went along with the narrative that they had both defeated the lower moon. Not wanting to be shamed for being too weak to even be on par with a lower moon.