♣︎•3rd POV•♣︎

"Kibutsuji Muzan."

The air fills with shock and anticipation as everyone's eyes land on a certain snow haired girl, kneeling down before their Master.

Their eyes widen, and their body movements stiffen. The tension heaves on Yashimi's shoulders as she hated the fact that their slightly agape mouth and widen eyes are for her.

"Kibutsuji? Where was he?"

"What did he say?! Did you two meet during a mission??!"

"Was he strong? Where did he fled to?"

"Did you two fight?"

Questions mess with Yashimi's head and her heartbeat with each sweat that slowly rolls down on her forehead. Today was exceptionally hot in the middle of the morning for her.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya lifts an index to his lowly-smiling soft lips, silencing the Hashiras. The loud talking was quickly replaced with the blowing wind as everyone immediately bowed their heads, not uttering another single word.

This showed how much respect Hashiras and everyone give to Oyakata-sama. Even though he isn't in control with anyone, everyone still sees him as a very important person.

"I know that you all have questions that you want answered, but let us all hear what Yashimi has to say." Oyakata-sama says, turning to a sweating-in-nervousness Yashimi.

Giyuu slightly turns his eyes to her silent presence and quickly nudges her with his elbow, a signal that Oyakata-sama has called for her.

Yashimi snaps her head to Giyuu, then to Oyakata-sama, with his head direction towards her. "Well.." Everyone's eyes and attention immediately went to her small, skinny figure.

"I was just sleeping when he came in and.. touched me."

Loud gasps from the lips of Kochou-san and Kanrouji-san were heard, and Yashimi can immediately sense their aura, turning sad and pity for her.

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★•Giyuu POV•★

My eyes widened at the words that came out of Fujimura's mouth. Is that why she was hesitant to tell me what happened because,

He touched her?

It's not a surprise that he doesn't care about consent, but to touch Fujimura is too much. He definitely has to pay for touching her.

Let alone for scaring her half to death. She's gone paranoid for hell.

The area is now once filled with anticipation and pity. As I turn my head to Fuimura slightly, her body tries to stiffen but fails under my stare.

After she had continued explaining, I looked up to Oyakata-sama, his face slightly surprised by Fujimura's explanation.

I raise my hand, catching everyone's surprise and attention. "Oyakata-sama, please excuse me, but I do have a request if I can." I say, and Oyakata-sama nods with a gentle smile.

"I want Fujimura Yashimi to permanently stay at the Water Estate as I can protect her if she's close to me." Everyone's heads turn to me, but I ignore it.

You can say they did not expect this as I am very strict with my own personal space, but for my tsuguko, I will not have some man touch her and get away with it.

I want to make her feel safe.

I want to make her happy.

I want her by my side.

So I can protect her.

"But.. Tomioka-sama.." Fujimura mumbles in guilt. "We will talk after this." I say, and she quiets down.

"I promise that I can protect her. She won't ever be touched by.. Kibutsuji." I firmly state. I know that I can make her feel safer if she's in my estate. She can train better under my supervision and roof.

Oyakata-sama turns his head to Fujimura, smiling, "I will accept your request then, Yashimi, you are to move to the Water Estate in 2 days."

"Yes, Oyakata-sama. I will do as you wish." Fujimura says.

Oyakata-sama then turns to Kochou. "Shinobu, your opinion?" He says, making her jerk up in surprise. She looks up at Oyakata-sama, at Fujimura, then to me.

Having that knowing, sly yet kind and soft smile, she nods her head in agreement. "I will agree to your wishes, Oyakata-sama. As long as Fujimura will feel safer and have a better fixation on her training."

"And for Tomioka-san to have a friend to accompany him in his alone, centered estate." She quickly adds, and a slight chuckle comes out of Kanrouji's lips as she tries to cover her face with her hands.

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☆•Yashimi POV•☆

As we walk out, sweat rolls on my face. Is it because of nervousness? I think yes. I just told everyone and Oyakata-sama what had happened.

Kochou-san and Kanrouji-san were sensitive about it. Which made me feel validated and still accepted as one of their swordsmen even after that happened.

My head wonders where Rengoku-San is. He should be here. The unwondering flam-haired of a person should be kneeling his respect for Oyakata-sama.

Tomioka-sama walks beside me as our footsteps step on the dirt ground. Itsukori and Kanzaburo fly in the sky above us as the air becomes a little tight to breathe.

An abrupt stump of a foot makes my body stiff as I turn around, only to see Tomioka-sama looking down. I can sense his aura getting angrier and guilty.

"Tomioka-sama..? Are you okay? We should keep going. You know, I have an idea of my little fare–"

"Why, Fujimura?" He cut me off, looking up, and meeting my abnormal-colored eyes. His words make my body stun in surprise.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He mutters, but my ears manage to catch his low voice. I lift my hands to my stomach, fidgeting with each other as an uncomfortable feeling swims around in my mind.

"Because.." I trail off before I can start. I let out a heavy burden sigh that's weighing on my shoulders. "Tomioka-sama, let's talk more about this in your estate. Please." I look down, feeling his eyes observing my movements. As if waiting for some kind of reaction.

"..."

His footsteps start walking towards me. As he passes by, he grabs my wrist, pulling me next to him. "Please, Fujimura. Don't feel burdened. It's that man's fault." He whispers but is quickly replaced with blowing wind.

Soon, a soft gust of wind blows through our strands of hair, carrying my emotionless silver locks as his waves, trying to get around his muscular shoulders.

I stare down to my wrist, his stiff fingers still wrapping around it. A sudden wave of a feeling fills me up to my head.

It feels like a barrier of protection covers us as we walk towards his estate. Even I'm sensing a feeling of a  protective aura illuminating his own body.

I lean my head to his shoulder. A warm sensation interwining with my small and thin fingers.

Surprised replaces that protective feeling as I slightly look down at my fingers and see that Tomioka-sama had our fingers interwine.

I ignore it, feeling like at peace as the heat already died down. "Thank you, Tomioka-sama."

"..."

"You're welcome, Fujimura."