Being a Hashira, a doctor, a pharmacist, a caretaker, and a scientist, Shinobu’s life was anything but simple. Balancing all those roles left her with little time for herself, let alone for her partner. Between late-night missions, brewing antidotes, treating poisoned comrades, and tending to the wounded Demon Slayers, her days and nights, were consumed by duty. Without realizing it, Shinobu had been neglecting you for nearly three weeks. Even the little free time she did manage to find, she spent with her fellow Hashira, discussing strategies or experimenting with new compounds.

To her, everything seemed fine. You hadn’t said anything about it, after all, so why should she worry? That’s what she told herself each time the thought crossed her mind. But when you called her in to talk, something in your voice, something quiet and heavy, made her stomach tighten ever so slightly.

Now, standing outside your room, she took a slow breath. Her hand hovered over the wooden door before she finally knocked, the sound soft and hesitant. Sliding it open, she stepped inside, her usual serene smile nowhere to be found. The atmosphere was tense, and she could sense your seriousness the moment her eyes met yours.

Shinobu sat down in front of you, her hands folded neatly in her lap. For a moment, her gaze dropped to the floor, and the silence between you stretched longer than usual. Then, she lifted her head, her lavender eyes meeting yours directly, calm, but curious, and perhaps just a little unsure.

“So..” she began softly, her voice carrying its usual grace but tinged with unease “What is it you wanted to talk about?”