Chapter Text
It had been a week.
Tomioka Giyuu still hadn't shown up. Ubuyashiki was thinking of sending him on a mission but at this rate he won't be able to. Giyuu's sudden absence without any prior notice has worried him. He's the master of the corps afterall.
The problem with Giyuu was that he was always rather gloomy and not the type of person to engage much with others. It was hard to asses anything from just his behaviour alone but it was safe to say that he did seem pretty depressed most of the time.
Upon asking the other Hashiras, they were not able to say anything that might be useful. Ubuyashiki had known long ago that Iguro and Sanemi never really got along all that well with Giyuu. Maybe Kochou as well but it's limited to slight teasing. It never got as bad as a fight unlike Sanemi and Giyuu or blatant dislike of the other. What better way to make these three bond than to make them go on a "mission" to check up on him? Ubuyashiki thought. If Giyuu was seriously injured it's not like they'll hurt him or be rude to him in that state and besides...Sanemi has been asking about Tomioka from his colleagues a lot lately. He used to be eyeing him every time they were together, quite a lot.
So the next morning he decided to call a meeting.
It was rather sudden and unexpected since there was a very recent lower moon attack which was handled by one of their members. It was none other than Tomioka who had handled this mission and ever since that mission he had stopped showing up. They weren't really expecting another demon attack this soon.
At the corps
Everyone was sat infront of Ubuyashiki except for that one empty spot where Tomioka was supposed to sit. The atmosphere was sort of tense since every Hashira has assumed to be another demon attack as the meeting was held so suddenly without any prior notice.
Ubuyashiki: Is every member present?
All the Hashira's replied with a yes.
Sanemi: Master. May I ask what this meeting is for?
Ubuyashiki: As you all can see Tomioka has been clearly absent from the corps for quite a while. It has been a week without any reply from Tomioka. He hadn't given any prior notice. So I called this meeting precisely because of him.
Everyone was glad that atleast it wasn't another demon attack but also slightly concerned about Tomioka. Yes Even Sanemi. Can you beleive it? That guy! Sanemi! Worrying about none other than that Giyuu?!
This also got Obanai thinking as to what the hell could Tomioka he possibly doing at home. Not that he cared about him all that much but nonetheless it's a fellow Hashira so he must show some form of decency and respect for him. Despite not liking that guy he had to admit that there was something respectable about him and also reluctantly he might also be slightly more powerful than Obanai himself. Was he though...really? Nah it can't be. Just thinking about that made him a little angry.
It's just that...why did it have to be specifically him? Obanai had always assumed that Mitsuri liked him. Maybe it was his jealousy talking but he just can't help but think that. It didn't matter if Tomioka reciprocated those feelings or not. The only thing that mattered was that Mitsuri might like him. Keyword might. Just seeing them interact made him a bit angry inside. He might've said mean things about him and he mean to him but he still wasn't that terrible enough to wish for him to genuinely get sick or worse death.
Meanwhile Sanemi on the other hand didn't know what exactly he was feeling. He was concerned ofc but he told himself it was only because that guy was a fellow Hashira and nothing more. But what was this thing he was feeling? He couldn't quite put a name on it. But it made him restless and very much on a rush to see Giyuu as soon as he could. He didn't know why but he wanted to no needed to make sure Giyuu was safe and sound. The thought of something even remotely terrible happening to him made his stomach twist. But why did he feel this way? Maybe it was because he had gotten so used to this guy's presence and bickering with him that he got attached to him somehow? But how is that possible? Weren't they sworn enemies? Didn't they used to hate eachother's guts? Atleast he assumed. He thought that Giyuu might hate him just because of the way he had acted around him.
He has assumed that Giyuu's absence was intentional. He thought that Ubuyashiki might have granted him a leave or maybe he took one. He just assumed that Tomioka must've given some sort of prior notice and took a leave so he didn't really pay too much attention to it. But with each passing day, he couldn't help but think of him. He kept mentioning him more and more to Iguro who was obviously pretty annoyed with it. He asked the other Hashiras about him which was odd. Most of the time he kept on bitching to Iguro about how much of a dick he was solely because of the fact that Tomioka said he was "not like the other Hashiras". He thought that Giyuu might had a superiority complex and thought he was the best amongst them or something although he never really meant any of what he said.
This reminded him of all the times that Tomioka had tried to befriend him by giving him ohagi. He always tried to turn him down but he couldn't really bring himself to do so, seeing Tomioka had put so much effort into personally making these for him. He had always found that gesture endearing but he would rather die than admit that. Maybe he should do the same for him sometimes by bringing him some salmon daikon. Yes he knew it was Tomioka's favourite food. But please don't ask him how he found that out.
Shinobu also had thought nothing of his absence much like the other Hashiras. She just went about her day, working in the butterfly mansion. She always thought that Tomioka was a bit gloomy but that's about it. It was fun to tease him and try to get a reaction out of him as he was a rather stoic person. She would like him more if he actually tried to talk and engage with the rest of the hashiras. Upon hearing this she was slightly concerned and mentally prepared herself to deal with Tomioka if he was actually injured or sick. He was just a colleague to her.
Muichiro on the other hand was oblivious as always since he was amnesiac. He didn't think too much of it since he didn't really have a deep impression of Tomioka unlikeRengoku who has a significant impact on him.
Gyoumei was worried upon hearing that immediately began to pray as always for Tomioka to be safe and sound. Tears rolled down his face as the big red beads in his hands rattled.
Uzui and Rengoku were also a little concerned. Though they might not know him much but they saw how gloomy he was for the most part.
Mitsuri was quite concerned for him. Bless her heart for always caring about each and every one of the members in the corps. She expressed her concerns to Iguro who comforted her but was super jealous on the inside to even hear a mention of Tomioka's name.
Ubuyashiki: As you all know that I have asked all you about his health and how he has been doing or as to where he might be and none of you could give me a clear answer.
Ubuyashiki: He hasn't been answering his letters and neither could we find his crow.
Ubuyashiki: So as you can see I am quite concerned for him and his well being. I trust that it wasn't any of you that might've caused this behaviour in Tomioka right?
All the Hashiras replied with a no.
Ubuyashiki: So I would like to send both Sanemi and Obanai to his house to check up on him. If you both need anything for the mission then let me know.
He handed over Tomioka's adress which was written on a paper slip to the both of them. They weren't exactly very thrilled to hear this. It was actually Obanai for the most part. God he'd rather die in a demon fight than be all friendly with Tomioka. Just the thought of Mitsuri talking to this guy made his blood boil. Although he wasn't complaining much since there's a possibility that the guy could be actually sick instead of being out on vacation somewhere.
Sanemi on the other hand was sorta happy that he was picked to check on Tomioka instead of someone else. But he'd rather die than admit it to himself. He was actually concerned beleive it or not. Maybe Tomioka's ohagi actually worked some magic on him and actually made him fall for that guy? The thought of Tomioka not showing up to his house to give him ohagi or trying to befriend him made him upset. Again it's not like he'll admit that to himself.
He pretended to be upset and bitched about it to Obanai. Unlike Sanemi Obanai was genuinely annoyed. He had half a mind to ask the master if he could assign someone else other than him for the mission but he respects the trust their master placed on him so he didn't.
Mitsuri: Master can I also go? I'd like to see Tomioka san and make sure he's okay!
Mitsuri said whilst looking concerned.
Rengoku: May I go aswell? I can help carry him if he's injured or anything!
Uzui: Me and Himejima- san can go if needed.
Gyoumei: I will pray for him to be safe and well. Namu amida butsu.
Gyoumei prayed once again with tears in his eyes as his beads rattled.
Shinobu: I have a lot of patients to attend to today. But I will be there if you need me. I have medications of all kind.
She said with her signature smile.
Ubuyashiki: There is no need for all of you to go unless stated otherwise. I am sending two very capable Hashiras to check on him. It's better if the rest of you stay here. I know that there has been a recent lowermoon attack and there most likely won't be another one for a while but it is better to stay on guard. And besides you can always visit him later on your own.
All the hashiras agreed.
Mitsuri: Aw... I hope Tomioka san is well. I really wanted to go. But since I can't then I'll send my Sakura mochis that I made for lunch for him! Won't you deliver those to him Iguro san <3?
Obanai: Ofcourse I will make sure to deliver them. Don't worry about it.
Mitsuri: Thank you Iguro san! (≧▽≦). You really are the best. Please say hi to Tomioka san for me!
Upon hearing Mitsuri's request he couldn't help but be angry at Tomioka. What had he possibly done to deserve these Sakura mochis personally handmade by Mitsuri! He really wanted to have these for himself and didn't wanna share it with anyone. Not because he was super hungry like her or Rengoku but because it was made by Mitsuri, HIS Mitsuri! He knows he could just ask Mitsuri to make some for him and she'd never deny that request. But this isn't about that damn it! As much as he was tempted to do that, he didn't. He would never disrespect her wishes and disappoint her just because he was pissed at Tomioka.
Rengoku: That won't be enough! Here take my bento box too! It's really delicious and would fill his stomach with some much needed carbs and protein! And say hi for me aswell!
He gave his bento box to Sanemi. Great they gave extra load to carry on top of it aswell as if Tomioka himself wasn't enough, thought Obanai.
Ubuyashiki: The meeting ends here for today. Everyone can take their leaves and the two of you start heading out now so that you can reach there by afternoon.
Everyone took their leave and they began heading out.