It was exactly three nights later when Giyuu was lying in bed feeling ever so lonely in his private recovery room, staring up at the ceiling resisting the constant urge to go to Shinobu when he heard the door gently open and then close.
It was dark and the lights were off. The moonlight shone through the gaps of the window illuminating the room with strings of silver.
Like a quiet shadow, he suddenly felt the blankets being lifted up from him and he soon felt a warm body snuggle up to his, her back molding against his chest perfectly.
Even though Giyuu couldn't see her face, he knew her presence all too well to know it was his love. Giyuu smiled and wrapped his arms around her to hold her tight to his warm embrace as he took a moment to breathe in her scent of lavender and vanilla that he loved and had missed. For a moment, the two just relished in the familiar feel of being close to each other again as it had been so long and difficult for the both of them.
Shinobu, after two weeks and three days of stubbornly refusing to see or speak to him since his pathetic brawl with Sanemi, had at last made her way back to him as she succumbed to hormonal weakness of being separated from him.
Giyuu placed his gentle palms against her belly as he began to caress it and familiarize himself with how much it had changed in the time that they had been apart. He loved this woman who carried his child so much. Feeling her belly against his palms and knowing that their little creation made from their love was growing strong and safe within her womb brought joy to his heart.
Giyuu pressed kisses to the back of her shoulder as he whispered sweet apologies to her while massaging and holding her belly. His head rested in the crook of her neck as he leaned in to plant butterfly kisses against it.
"I missed you so much." Giyuu whispered in her ear.
Shinobu turned to look at him and then closed her eyes and pressed her lips softly to his. Their kiss started off slow and sweet as their lips reconnected with the display of so much love and affection for each other. It almost felt like their first kiss all over again. Their kiss deepened and Shinobu felt Giyuu's tongue invade her mouth as he gently pushed her against the futon so that she laid on her back and he hovered over her, bringing his hands up to gently hold her face.
Giyuu kissed the corner of her mouth and then pressed kisses along her jaw until he reached her neck. Being without her for so long had made him erratic and eager for her body as he was quickly becoming aroused. He first licked the nape of her neck before he lavished it with light nips and kisses causing butterflies to run through Shinobu's stomach. She quietly moaned as she stroked her fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp.
After successfully leaving a bruise on her neck, Giyuu kissed back along her jaw until he reached her lips again. His hands ran all along her body worshiping her womanly figure that had developed a thicker feel to it further along the journey of her pregnancy, he needed to see all of her. He reached down to her bump. It had grown so much in the time that they had spent apart and he lovingly caressed it before undoing her night yukata and pulling it apart so that her body was bare to his gaze and touch. Her skin glowed against the pale moonlight.
"You're always so beautiful." Giyuu told her.
He pressed his forehead to hers and paused for a second as he looked down between them at her exposed belly that was perfect and round. He smiled and Shinobu gently guided his bare hand to lie on top of it as she caressed the back of his palm. The baby wasn't active at the moment but Giyuu could feel the child's energy as it grew stronger in Shinobu's womb every day. He was so grateful for her and the sacrifices that she had made. What a woman's body was capable of doing amazed him.
Giyuu kissed her chest and left a trail of kisses along her collarbone and looked up at her for permission which she granted him before he kissed her breasts. Shinobu closed her eyes in content at feeling how loving Giyuu could be towards her and how extra gentle and cautious he was while she was carrying their child.
He pressed kisses along her breasts and stomach until he reached between her legs and he parted her thighs so that she was entirely exposed to him. Giyuu was already rock hard and fully aroused for her but his cock jolted at the sight of her wet and wanting pussy.
Giyuu kissed and nipped at her inner thigh before running his tongue along her rosey petals causing Shinobu to sweetly moan and clutch his hair as she urged his face in deeper. Giyuu used his tongue like an expert knowing her body so well in order to pleasure her and soon she was moaning his name as she came against his mouth and pulled him up so that she could hastily remove his shirt and pants. She was desperate for him now.
Shinobu pulled his throbbing member out and began stroking him while Giyuu crushed his lips to hers, groaning in pleasure at the feel of her hands on him. Their lips glued together filled with a desperate want for each other.
Giyuu rubbed his cock against her wet folds and Shinobu removed her hand from him to wrap around his back. He carefully thrust his cock inside of her and they both moaned at the pleasure of being reunited. He leaned his face down to kiss her lips and he moved at a steady speed. He was being slow and gentle with her but eventually picked up the pace, thrusting harder and deeper as they both built up a sweat. He made her orgasm again.
A few more thrusts and Giyuu came inside of her shortly after and quietly groaned as his dick pulsed with thick hot cum. He kissed her lips as he gently pulled out and laid down next to her. They both breathed heavily and Shinobu rested her head against his chest feeling exhausted as they both caught their breaths whilst coming down from a pleasurable high.
"I love you so much." Giyuu said to her.
"I love you." Shinobu quietly whispered before falling asleep.
Giyuu smiled at her sleeping frame and held her tighter to him and pulled the blankets up over them both. They both fell asleep in each other's warm and comforting arms.
The next morning, Giyuu woke up to Shinobu's gentle hands caressing his faded bruises and scars that had been marked on him courtesy of Sanemi.
"Good Morning." Giyuu said as he kissed her forehead.
"Morning." Shinobu replied in a sweet and quiet tone… there was a slight hint of sadness to it.
"Does it still hurt?" Shinobu asked him after a while of observing and skimming her palms along his recently recovered injuries.
"Pfft not a bit." Giyuu said proudly in a joking way as he thought back to his fight with Sanemi. They really had dealt serious damage to each other and it had been a while since he needed urgent medical care.
Shinobu smirked but didn't laugh as she continued to caress her fingers lightly against his body. Any more of that and Giyuu would soon be ready for another round with her so he grabbed hold of her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles in a reassuring way to let her know that he was really okay.
"You really scared me that night…" she confessed to him as she looked at him with such worry in her eyes. Giyuu felt guilty.
"I know… I'm sorry baby. I didn't mean for it to happen but Shinazugawa had just pushed me too far. When it comes to his personal thoughts and opinions about me, I don't care… but when he expresses them aloud to my family…" Giyuu looked sternly towards the ceiling. He wouldn't just allow Sanemi to go telling his partner that he's incapable of protecting her and their unborn child.
"You're so sensitive." Shinobu said as she looked up at the Water Hashira who was now lost in a deep thought. "Hey… you know I don't agree with Shinazugawa-san right? He has always displayed hatred towards you and I have always ignored his comments. I know you're the strongest pillar baby." Shinobu said to him in a cute attempt to cheer him up.
Giyuu smiled at her in appreciation and leaned down to peck her lips. They laid quietly together enjoying each other's company as they rewarded themselves with sleeping in for a bit before having to get up for their duties.
"Do you wish for a boy or a girl?" Shinobu asked him as they both rested their hands against her bump that contained their precious child.
Giyuu smiled thinking about it. "Both." He truthfully replied.
He could see himself happy with a son whom he would raise to be strong and brave, valiant and true and yet he could also see himself delighted with a daughter whom he would also love and protect and raise to be strong. He just knew that he was gonna be a suck up of a dad who would probably let his children get away with everything while Shinobu would be the strict parent.
Shinobu giggled at his response but she really wanted to know. "Seriously… would you prefer to have a son or a daughter?"
"I really don't mind if it's a boy or a girl. So long as the baby and you are healthy. That's all that matters." Giyuu lovingly replied.
"You're right. So long as the little bean is healthy. Boy or girl I'll still be dressing it up as a little chubby butterfly." Shinobu spoke and giggled.
Giyuu smiled and kissed her head before resting his cheek against it. The future was looking bliss and he just couldn't wait for the birth of his child.
It had been less than a week later and things had taken a drastic turn. Something was coming. Something big. All the Hashira's could feel it. There was an airiness in the air and reports of any demon attacks had stopped altogether. No sightings. No suspicious deaths. Not a single sign of a demon meaning just one thing, Muzan was gathering his army for an attack.
It was in the morning and all Hashiras were present at the Ubuyashiki Estate, on their knees and in an orderly line as they knelt in front of Lady Amane for a Hashira Meeting. She had just finished a briefing of what was to be expected upon the coming days and ordered everyone to be on high alert as though it was impossible to find and no matter how impenetrable that headquarters was, the likelihood of an ambush was relatively high and expected to happen at any moment.
Giyuu glanced across at his pregnant partner who was also present at the meeting as she represented herself as the Insect Hashira and was listening attentively to Lady Amane speak.
"Shinobu-sama, have you any updates on the cure?" Lady Amane asked her in a strict and authoritative tone.h
"Hai, Amane-sama. Tamayo-san and I are so close to perfecting a final concoction and we expect to complete the cure within the next coming days." Shinobu confidently reported.
She was five months pregnant now and could feel everyone's eyes on her… especially the intense stare of her lover as she spoke.
"The need for this cure is now vital and of utmost importance. I know you're working hard to complete it and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Shinobu-sama." Amane finished.
Once everyone was dismissed, the Hashira were left to discuss amongst themselves. Everyone was silent. It was a gray and grim day and everyone was on edge, worried for what was to come. Shinobu stood up to excuse herself.
"I must leave to work with Tamayo-san." Shinobu said as she turned to exit.
The Hashira's watched her leave and not one of them didn't harbor a small feeling of pity and concern for the Insect Hashira who still whilst being in her condition, continued to work. They were all thinking the same thing and Giyuu quickly got to his feet and trailed after her until they were just outside of the Ubuyashiki estate, that's when he grabbed her arm to stop her. Shinobu looked at him with sharp and stern eyes, as if she was daring him to say it.
"I…" Giyuu began. "-I think you should leave. It's not safe here."
Shinobu rolled her eyes at him and snatched her arm away as she continued on her path to the Butterfly Mansion but Giyuu rushed after her.
"I'm serious Shinobu. I think you should find asylum somewhere safe and far away from headquarters. I can send a raven to Urokodaki. He would be more than happy to accomodate-"
"I appreciate your concern Tomioka-san but I respectfully decline." Shinobu said in a formal and final tone.
Giyuu stopped and watched her as she walked away from him. He just couldn't help but be overcome with dread and worry. He knew that she would never agree to leaving and it was pointless to argue on it further.
'Fuck.' Giyuu thought to himself.
He looked around scanning the area and declared that it was safe before hurrying after her. If she was going to stay, he would be with her at all times. From now on, he won't leave her side. He would keep her safe from any potential threat and would be ready to defend his family from everything and anything.
Giyuu caught up to the Insect Hashira and looked around attentively, staying on high alert before he felt her grab hold of his hand. He hadn't noticed that she was shaking...
In truth, although she was stubborn and wouldn't budge to leave to find sanctuary at a safer place… she was very scared and afraid.
Giyuu held her hand tighter and kept one hand on his sword at the ready for anything. He knew that Shinobu was fearful as well and if her role wasn't so important in this war, perhaps she would have done what was safest for their child… but she had no choice. She had to stay and play her part in order to have the best chance of victory.
1 week ago… they were okay… 1 week ago… Everything was normal… 1 week ago Oyakata-sama was alive… now… Kibitsuji Muzan had infiltrated headquarters and had been cornered by every Hashira who came running towards where the explosion had happened…
A sight of smoke, debris and fire… nothing left but Muzan who was caught in a bush of thick thorns as Lady Tamayo attempted to take him on with Himejima.
A loud earth rattling explosion erupted and every Hashira had come running as the news of a demon infiltrating headquarters and confronting the Ubuyashiki household was just too shocking and dire to ignore though it was outrageous and impossible to believe.
Giyuu stood with Tanjirou as he looked up to see Shinobu standing at a safe enough distance atop of a roof. She was standing with them, though pregnant she had still come to the master's aid as every Hashira had done.
"It's Muzan!" Gyomei shouted.
Everything happened in an instant. Every Hashira went for the kill after realizing that this man who appeared before them as a human… This man was Muzan, the King of Demons and this man had caused the death of their beloved master. It was unforgivable.
Another instant went by and suddenly they were falling. Flashes of red and orange lights blinded them as the ground vanished beneath their feet and they fell deeper into the pits of hell. The infinity castle. An alternate dimension. Home to the demon king and his damned disciples. There was no light here… only an eternal tunnel of darkness that reeked of death and despair.
"Shinobu!" Giyuu shouted as he panicked seeing her falling in a different direction than he was.
He tried using his water breathing to get to her but before he knew it, his body landed with a hard thump as a platform suddenly appeared beneath him out of nowhere and she was gone from his sight. Tanjirou landed next to him, fortunately they had landed together.
Giyuu unsheathed his sword and was looking around frantically as his heart was racing against his chest. His eyes scanned the area for a way out but there were a million directions to go leading to unknown areas.
"FUCK!" Giyuu shouted as he looked back towards where he had last seen Shinobu that was now concealed by a solid wall and beyond that, a hundred more walls.
Tanjirou was on his feet also anxiously scanning the large room that they were in as he too tried to figure out where the exit was by using his sense of smell. It was no good! The castle went on endlessly and the odor was overwhelming with the scent of reeking and decaying flesh.
"We need to find Shinobu!" Giyuu stated as he began running off towards the first door he saw. His breathing was heavy as he sprinted from room to room desperate to find her.
Shinobu was falling for a very long time and she clutched her sword as she braced herself to land, seeing a platform appear to be growing bigger beneath her. She tried to steady her breathing as she prepared herself to land in the safest way possible that would protect her baby. She groaned as she used a graceful insect breathing maneuver and landed on her feet that hurt like hell as she couldn't follow through so was forced to put all the impact on her legs that buckled as soon as they touched solid ground.
"UGH!" She cried out as she immediately collapsed to her knees upon feeling the painful impact that the hard fall had caused her.
She clutched at her belly praying that her child was okay as she breathed heavily through gritted teeth as she looked around at her surroundings. She was at the entrance of what looked like a huge mansion that looked to have more than twenty storeys.
She was surrounded by similar looking buildings all of which were floating and glowing with warm yellow lights… this must be Muzan's lair… shit… she had to be careful. This was demon territory and she could sense the vale of evil all around her.
Shinobu got to her feet, grasping the hilt of her sword and holding her belly as she caressed it soothingly. Her baby was wide awake and kicking wildly at the sudden feeling of adrenaline. With nowhere to go, Shinobu unsheathed her sword, closed her eyes and steadied her breathing. She cleared her mind in an attempt to calm herself down. If she was going to stand a chance and make it out alive… she was going to have to fight.