Whispers of Shadows and Bonds

Chapter 47: Reunion in the Butterfly Estate

Giyuu's steps were slow and unsteady as he limped, wrapping his hand tightly around Shinobu's shoulder for support. The journey to the Butterfly Estate had been long and arduous, but he was determined to see his son again. His injuries from the recent encounter with the villagers and his estranged relatives weighed heavily on him.

As they finally reached the tranquil garden of the Butterfly Estate, they saw a sight that warmed their hearts. Haruki, a bundle of energy, was playing amidst a flurry of colorful butterflies. Shinobu couldn't help but smile through her concern for Giyuu. She called out, "Haruki, look who's here!"

Haruki's eyes sparkled with delight as he turned to see his father. Without hesitation, he ran towards Giyuu, jumping into his arms with a joyous shout. "Papa!"

Tears streamed down Haruki's cheeks as he hugged Giyuu tightly, his small frame shaking with emotion. He cried so much that he ended up wetting Giyuu's haori. Hours seemed to pass as the boy clung to his father, finally letting go to ask, "Are you hurt, Papa?"

Giyuu, despite his exhaustion and pain, put on a brave face. "I am a pillar, Haruki. I'm strong," he replied, ruffling the boy's hair with a small, tired smile.

Watching the heartwarming reunion from a distance were Shinobu and the other Hashiras. Sanemi clenched his fists, his anger simmering as he muttered, "Who did that to that bastard?"

Shinobu explained, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and anger, "It was the villagers and his old relatives."

Uzui chimed in, "Not gonna lie, but Giyuu sounds like a perfect father. So flamboyant."

Mitsuri squealed in agreement. "They're so cute!"

Rengoku couldn't help but comment on Giyuu's rare smile and affectionate interaction with Haruki. "That's a side of Giyuu we don't often see."

After some time, Haruki approached Shinobu, his little figure bowing respectfully. "Thank you for saving Papa, Shinobu."

Shinobu's heart melted at his gratitude, and she picked him up, hugging him tightly. The Butterfly Estate had become a place of healing and love for a father and son who had been through so much, and the Hashiras couldn't help but smile at the heartwarming scene before them.

"We should go now" Giyuu said walking towards them "Tomioka-sama have dinner and then go" Aoi said with her utter respect "yes Tomioka-san Aoi has prepared Salmon Daikon for you"  Shinobu smiled.

The evening sun cast a warm, golden hue over the Butterfly Estate as Giyuu and Haruki sat at the dinner table. Aoi had prepared a delicious meal of Salmon Daikon, a favorite among the Demon Slayers. The aroma filled the room, making their mouths water in anticipation.

As they began to eat, they noticed Shinobu sitting at the end of the table, a dreamy smile on her face as she watched them. Her gaze was fixated on Giyuu and Haruki, and it didn't go unnoticed.

Both Giyuu and Haruki exchanged puzzled glances before simultaneously asking, "What's wrong?" Their voices broke Shinobu from her reverie, and she blinked, her smile never wavering.

"Nothing at all," Shinobu replied with a hint of embarrassment, hastily grabbing her chopsticks and starting to eat with exaggerated enthusiasm. She stabbed at her food more vigorously than necessary.

Giyuu, ever observant, couldn't help but notice Shinobu's odd behavior. However, he decided not to comment, focusing on his meal instead.

The trio continued eating, and as they finished their plates, Giyuu and Haruki both offered their thanks to Aoi, whose face turned a deep shade of red. She beamed and stammered out a grateful, "Thank you."

After their dinner, Shinobu turned to Giyuu and said, "Giyuu, please come to my room. I need to check your wounds."

Giyuu nodded and made his way to her room while Shinobu went into the kitchen to start clearing the dishes. "Why is there a syringe here?" Giyuu knew that Shinobu never treats her patients in her room. He saw that there was a bottle near the syringe. Giyuu went near and smelled the bottle "Wisteria?" Giyuu thought "why would she poison someone?" Giyuu eyes widened when he remembered something.

Flashback

"Tomioka-san" Shinobu poked Giyuu's arm "hm?" He looked at the small figure "Do you know-" Shinobu was about to fall down the tree when Giyuu caught her hand "Ah!" She yelled in pain Giyuu was confused. He saw that her arm was banded with small bandages which we use for injections "are you okay? Why are there so many bandages?" Shinobu completely ignored that question "Thank you for saving me Tomioka-san" Shinobu smiled "look I see some demon activity let's go!" Shinobu jumped and left.

End of Flashback

"Wait don't tell me.." Giyuu then finally realized why is she so pale? Why did she have so many bandages on her arm? All the questions were answered.

"Why would Shinobu inject herself?"