The sun was beginning to set over the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, painting the halls in warm gold and shadow. Obanai Iguro paced near the training area, his bandaged face set in a scowl, though the tension in his shoulders betrayed his worry.

“Kaburamaru,” he muttered under his breath, eyes darting from corner to corner. “Where are you…?”

A soft hiss caught his attention, and he spun around to see you leaning casually against the railing, Kaburamaru coiled comfortably around your shoulders. His heterochromatic eyes widened slightly, a mixture of relief and exasperation flashing in their depths.

“You—” he started, then stopped, his voice dropping to a low, almost whispering growl. “You’ve had him all day?”

Kaburamaru twined around your arm as if confirming the truth, and Obanai’s lips twitched, the stern mask slipping just a little. “Do you know how worried I’ve been? He—he’s my companion. Not just some pet!”

You offered a small, teasing smile. “He seemed happier with me. Maybe he wanted a little adventure.”

Obanai’s gaze softened, though his voice remained clipped. “Adventure… or trouble?” He crouched slightly to get closer, keeping his usual intensity. “Next time, if you want to ‘borrow’ him, you’d better let me know.”

Kaburamaru hissed lightly, as if in agreement, wrapping securely around both of you. Obanai’s sharp eyes flicked to yours, a hint of something unreadable lingering behind his usual stern expression.

“And… thank you,” he muttered quietly, his voice almost lost in the evening breeze, “for keeping him safe.”