The first time the former water hashira came by after his discharge from the Butterfly Mansion's hospital wing, he looked different. And she was so shocked that the first thing that came out of her lips was a loud, unrestrained gasp. And then laughter. Cackling, snorting laughter.
"Is it that bad?" The man said, picking tufts of his bangs between his fingers and peering at them, as though he'd be able to see how they looked like from that angle.
"No, no!" She said, her side in stitches. "Well, kind of! Did you use your sword?"
His eyes widened, and the former butterfly pillar snorted at the thought that he was surprised someone could tell.
"No shears in your master's house?"
"No, there are. But well... it's faster."
"Faster?" She piped, raising an eyebrow at him. This man, really. She sighed sympathetically as her laughter died down. "Tomioka-san, you're not supposed to do these things 'fast.' It should be done with care! You know, so that it'd look good!"
"I just needed most of it gone," he shrugged. "It was pretty heavy."
"Hm." Shinobu hummed, nodding. Thinking back at the former state of his hair, she realized that he must not have thought about how it looked like once. He only ever did tie it up and call it a day. Not that she could blame him. "When was the last time you got a haircut?"
"Last w--"
"No, Tomioka-san. A proper haircut. Not this... this murder you committed with your sword."
"Oh." Shinobu had to bite her lips to contain her laughter. He didn't even deny it. "Well. I just... cut off the ends with a blade when they obscure my vision... but it was Tsutako-neesan who used to cut my hair for me."
A pang shot through Shinobu's heart. His response hit too close to home. "Of course..." she murmured.
They fell silent, each visiting their own memories of the sisters they lost to the ugly war against demons. The man looked off in the distance, but unlike before, he did not have an empty, angry, and jaded stare. It was soft. And pained. Like the eyes of a child lost and unable to find the way home. Much like her own eyes in the mirror everytime she was alone.
"Tomioka-san..."
"Ah. I'm sorry," Giyuu apologized after he realized he had gone quiet.
Shinobu simply shook her head. "That's okay," she said, offering him a smile that she hoped told him she understood completely.
Giyuu returned it. It was a brief, frugal smile, but Shinobu knew it was genuine.
"Anyway, I shall not trouble you any further. I'm visiting the Kamados and the rest today."
"With that hair?"
Giyuu turned to her with a glint of his signature scowl. But before he could think that she was teasing him again, she immediately followed up.
"Oh, no! I mean, I think you should have it fixed! You know, so that the kids would love it. I'm sure they'd be so proud of you!"
Giyuu sighed. "I guess. Well, I'll go back to Urokodaki-san's and borrow his shears--"
"I have shears in my office, too."
"Ah, that's nice." Giyuu answered automatically, missing the implied invitation. "It's probably time I get myself one."
Shinobu sighed, rolling her eyes. "Tomioka-san, I'm saying I can cut your hair for you."
"Ah. I see." A pause. Then, a realization dawning. "Oh. Oh, I don't want to take up much of your time, Kochou. Thank you, but I'll just--"
Shinobu sighed again. This man! Really! She grabbed his arm and pulled him to the direction of her office. "No, no. You're not touching that hair again. I'll do it."
"But--wait, Kochou--"
"It wouldn't take too long! What else is there to do around here anyway?" Then she beamed at him cheekily, adding, "Besides, you've already got my work cut out for me~"
It was Giyuu's turn to roll his eyes, "Very funny."
"Of course~ I'm very funny!"
Giyuu chuckled. Probably the first time she had ever heard him do so. The most he had done in the past was smile. This was new. And it was very welcome.
"So, how would you like your hair? Shall I style it like Murata-san's? Shall I make you bald so you wouldn't have to mind it for a while?"
"Kochou!"
She giggled. And it was answered by another chuckle from him. And then, after a pause, he very quietly and solemnly murmured, "No, really. Please don't cut it all off."
Shinobu could not help the fresh wave of laughter and snorts from his plea. This man... Really.
--
guess who just posted a part 2.
update: part 3, part 4
