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homura (DarkMudkip/Jikkah)

Botan’s face flushed at the complement. “Nonsense, it’s slayers like you that allow me to make wonderful swords- you’re a good friend.” Botan was truly grateful for Yuko, always glad to make swords for her and catch up when they had the chance.
A soft knock came at Yuko’s door, one of the kakushi speaking through the door. “Yuko-chan? We’ve received summons- we’re to return with Mitsuri-sama. They’ve called a Hashira meeting.”
 
Yuko looked to the door and stared quietly, a soft dread pouring over her.
"A-Ah...hai... arigatou...I'll help see Bo-chan out safely." She said.
 
Botan looked from the door to Yuko, seeing the color drain from her face. “Are you alright?” She asked softly. “You look sick.” Of course she looked sick, she was going to be in the same vicinity as Sanemi now, and it only made things much more complicated.
 
"Um, just...my leg...I'm ok..." She said softly, "Will you be ok on your own? Why not come with us for now?" She asked, looking worried.
 
“Ah, I’ll make it back on my own, I kinda ditched my kakushi escorts on the hike up here, but they should be catching up soon.” Botan said, looking a bit sheepish. “Promise I’ll wait for them before heading back. Just take care of yourself.”
 
She nodded, "I will. I'll find the time to visit you at the village. I'll bring sweets with me." She smiled, "But, please, let me at least see you to the door? You came all this way for me."
 
Botan nodded. “Of course, of course.” She set her tea down and stood, following Yuko out after putting her mask back over her face to keep it hidden.
 
Yuko walked with Botan to the entrance of the inn, where her kakushi escorts had just arrived in a winded panic.
"Botan-dana, please never run off like that again!!" One said. Yuko giggled softly and turned to her friend.
"Please be safe. I look forward to seeing you again." She said, "And thank you, again, for such a lovely blade. I'll keep it with me, even if I don't need it."
 
Botan merely waved off her kakushi escorts. “Of course I’ll be safe, there’s nothing to worry about!” She said, more than happy to hear her blade wouldn’t go to waste. “Worry about keeping yourself and your Hashira alive.”
Mitsuri and the others were already ready to leave, allowing Yuko to chance to say goodbye to her friend.
 
She smiled and pat the grip of her nichirin blade affectionately, "I will, never you worry." She said. She bid Botan a very fond farewell before turning to leave with Mitsuri and the others. She was rather anxious to be heading back to headquarters, knowing full well Sanemi would not be happy to see her. She took her medicine so her leg wouldn't hinder them during their journey back, her mind on how her interaction with her former master would go. What if she brought him ohagi as a peace offering? No, she didn't have the time to make it. Maybe she should just keep away from him. That would be hard, there wasn't anywhere she could really go that he wouldn't be. She tried not to overthink it; if she was lucky, they wouldn't run into each other.
 
Luckily Yuko didn’t have to attend the meeting herself, so that allowed for the biggest chance of interaction to be eliminated, but that still left so many other chances. Perhaps if she hid off the estate grounds until she saw Sanemi leave? But how pitiful it would be if she were to hide purposefully from Sanemi.
“Yuko-chan?” Mitsuri’s voice broke through her thoughts as they traveled, the other kakushi traveling ahead of them as to allow the two to speak alone.
 
“No, no, I had the others hurry ahead so we could talk!” She said, offering a kind smile. “You seemed bothered by something, and I wanted to offer you the time to talk about it if you wanted.”
 
She blushed and looked down at her feet as she walked, her steps uneven compared to Mitsuri's. "Oh, just... anxious to see Sanemi-dana after all this time...I'm worried he might still have a poor opinion of me..."
 
“Ah, Shinazugawa-san..!” Mitsuri lowered her voice to a whisper, as if the two were telling secrets. “He can be scary, but I think he means well, have you tried to talk to him since..?”
 
She became rather nervous at the suggestion, "N-No...he threatened me the last time we spoke...I assumed he didn't want much to do with me.." She said, just as quietly.
 
Mitsuri got that same sparkle in her eye she always did when she was excited. “You should try speaking to him again..! Shinazugawa isn’t very good with words, but I think if you talk to him, surely you’ll reach his heart..!” It was a struggle for her to keep her voice down, being so excited, but she managed somehow.
 
She nodded excitedly. “I’ll be rooting for you..!” She said. “I could even send Shinazugawa-san your way, make sure you don’t miss him..!”
 
Oh, that sent a raw panic over her faster than running head long against a demon did. "A-Ah...if you think that's best...? He's so scary, isn't he...?" She didn't really think so, she knew that just times it was an act, but she was so anxious.
 
Mitsuri nodded with conviction. “Shinazugawa-san may be frightening, but you must tackle your feelings head on..!” She encouraged. Ah, that was right, love really was scary. “I believe in you, Yuko-chan..!”
 
She blushed darkly and looked down at her feet again, "O-Ok...thank you, Mitsuri-sama...you've always been very helpful when it comes to Sanemi-dana..."
 
Mitsuri’s face was flushed too, happy to find that love bloomed even amongst slayers in such troubling times. “Of course..!”
 
The travel time took a little longer, Yuko apologizing each time for her leg and absolutely refusing to have Mitsuri carry her. She knew the Hashira could do so easily, but she was so embarrassed and didn't want to burden her with such a thing. But when they finally managed to arrive, Yuko tried very hard not to just stand outside the gate and wait for Mitsuri. She swallowed roughly and moved inside; just avoid his usual spots, she told herself. He can't yell at you if he doesn't even know you're here. She pulled on her hair in anguish, remembering Mitsuri would send him to her anyway. Why did she agree?! She was so scared! What would he say?! What would he do?! She could cry right now!!
 
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