Gifts and roses..-*

Chapter 6 - Injured.

Sanemi woke up the next morning in his own home, groaning as he stretched and shifted on his bed. The medics fussed over his injuries, but he stubbornly pushed them away, insisting on handling his wounds himself- an obstinacy he'd never outgrow.

Tomioka, however, had been unconscious when the Kakushi arrived, leaving him with no choice but to be rushed off to the Shinobu's estate for treatment. Sanemi, not exactly familiar with the place, shrugged off the thought of it. He rose slowly, wincing as he treated his wounds with a practiced, if somewhat irritated, hand. He had always managed on his own before, and this time would be no different.

Lucky Tomioka wouldn't have to endure today's meeting, Sanemi thought with a touch of bitterness.

As he dressed and prepared to head to Ubuyashiki's mansion, he couldn't shake a sense of disquiet. Despite everything, he found himself oddly unsettled that Tomioka would be absent. It was strange, almost disconcerting, how his perspective had shifted in twenty-four hours. Giyuu had been the source of his irritation for years, the constant thorn in his side. Yet, seeing him in that vulnerable state, dealing with a panic attack, had somehow humanized him in Sanemi's eyes.

The aloof facade that had once seemed so insurmountable now appeared fragile, and Sanemi found himself grappling with unfamiliar feelings. He had always been quick to dismiss the Water Hashira as arrogant and insufferable, but the reality of Giyuu's weakness had stripped away that image, leaving a raw, vulnerable truth in its place.

As he entered the Master's mansion, Sanemi couldn't help but reflect on how deeply the experience had affected him. It felt as though the barriers he had erected against Giyuu were crumbling, revealing an unexpected complexity he hadn't anticipated.

Sanemi's thoughts were abruptly interrupted when a streak of pink blurred past him. He staggered back, caught off guard by the sudden burst of colour and energy. Mitsuri's enthusiastic voice greeted him with her usual cheerfulness.

"Good morning, Shinazugawa-san!" she chirped, practically bouncing beside him.

Sanemi groaned, rubbing his temples. "The hell do you want?"

She giggled, "I was wondering if there are any updates on the secret admirer! Have you figured out who it is yet?"

Sanemi's face twisted into a scowl. "My mind's been elsewhere lately. I haven't exactly been focusing on that."

Mitsuri's excitement didn't dampen in the slightest. "No updates at all? This isn't fair!"

Sighing, Sanemi pinched the bridge of his nose "Fine, fine. There've been more gifts. I got some sweets recently. But I still haven't managed to catch who's been sending them."

Mitsuri's eyes widened. "Aww, really? And you still don't want me to find out for you?"

Sanemi's eyelid twitched involuntarily. Nothing in him wanted more than to know who was behind the gifts, but he couldn't bring himself to ask Mitsuri to investigate on his behalf. He clenched his jaw, struggling with his pride. "I'll figure it out myself."

Mitsuri pouted playfully but seemed to take his words in stride. "Alright, but if you change your mind, you know where to find me!"

They entered the meeting room and took their seats, the other Hashira already seated, waiting for the master. They all sat, exchanging quiet conversation for a few moments.

Obanai scoffed, his voice laced with disdain. "Typical of Tomioka to waltz in late as if punctuality doesn't apply to him."

Sanemi's eyelid twitched. His voice cut through the conversation with a fierce edge. "He's not coming."