Work Text:
There was never a dull moment or any time to feel bored. Moving constantly from the multiple greenhouses, your arboretum, and the shop from sunrise to well past sunset. Checking the soil quality, inspecting the quality of the plants, shoo'ing away pests and showing no mercy to bugs, harvesting and replanting, trimming and pruning, running to greet customers when you heard the chimes attached to the door, and making sure you have all the materials you need to do it all again the next day. You're lucky to eat breakfast or lunch, so you always reward yourself with a nice dinner. You definitely stocked up on the alcohol once spring rolled around.
Today was no different than any other day. You woke up and quickly got ready to run and collect the plants ready for harvest before the sun rises and the heat becomes unbearable. You pull weeds and trim away overgrown or dying parts of plants as you inspect the readiness of the in-season flora. By the time you're done in the fields, the sun is creeping up from the mountains in the east. You're already filthy and sweaty, your usual look.
Walking away, you take your gloves off and place them in your basket. Looking across the field you try to remember which row looked like it needed extra water and make a mental note to check your logbook later. You enter your shop to prepare your harvested goods for your customers - who were all likely to begin arriving relatively soon. Making your way to the back room, you carefully organize, itemize, trim, and package all of the plants. Each jar and vial labelled with the name and set aside the ones you know are for special orders. You're typically faster with the field work because all of them are relatively harmless herbs you sell for medicinal purposes. Greater diligence is required for your more unique requests. Thankfully, those are kept in their own greenhouse to avoid any cross contamination.
Just as you finish placing jars and vials in their listed spots, you hear the chatter of customers slowly approaching the shop. You breathe a deep sigh of relief; you've gotten better at being the only person here now, but it's still a difficult job.
Most of your customers are small time doctors from their own villages or towns, individuals seeking specific plants for unique ailments or conditions, or the occasional priestess in need of ceremonial or healing herbs.
The rest of your day is spent caring for your remaining plants and meeting customers to complete orders and find out what you should have ready the next time they come visit. Your shop is about a week's travel away from the nearest large city so you typically do not get big city doctors, unless there are highly specific materials needed to help a patient. There are very few plants that you don't have. Even the plants that are rare and long thought to be urban legends grow here - though it is mostly kept a secret as to avoid bandits.
By the end of the night, you're as exhausted as always. A bath sounds luxurious right now. You stretch your arms above your head and let out a long yawn. You're beat and need to get some food in your belly ASAP. Just as you reach to extinguish the lanterns around the shop, you hear the chime again.
"Oh my, it seems as though my timing is poor for the third time in a row." You hear a familiar voice say.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite customer." You reply as a smile reaches your mouth turning your head towards the source. "Kochou-san, what have I done to earn the honor of your presence?" You ask in a teasing tone.
Stepping in and sliding the door behind her shut, you lock eyes with the insect hashira - Kochou Shinobu. She was by far your most frequent customer and the only one who purchases enough materials to warrant you having two separate greenhouses. One for medicinal herbs. The other is for creating poisons. Or rather, her sister was the one who initiated the building of the specific greenhouses. She just happens to maintain their need.
"Honor?" She laughs at your tease. "I'm simply here to retrieve the new hybrids for testing. I have a feeling they'll work better than the last ones." Looking at her you never would have known she was talking about a new poison that would slowly torture and eventually disintegrate a demon. She was breathtakingly gorgeous, there was no denying that. Her eyes are round with a deep purple that matches the tips of her hair. Her smooth brow and high cheekbones gave her a kind face that is perfected with her small pink lips.
"Oh, Kochou-san. I am certain I told you they need more time to grow. They aren't fully mature yet and there aren't enough to try testing at multiple time points of development. Though, there are still leftover hybrids from last time that need to be taken before they become useless. Is that ok?"
"Hmm…" She pauses a moment to think, likely trying to find a way she can reasonably convince you to let her take the plants early. "How about this instead? I-"
"No way." You cross your arms. There is always some deal she tries to make with you just to get her way. She has never in the 5 years you've known her ever convinced you. There is not a single more determined and relentless person than Kochou Shinobu - especially when it comes to her work. "It would be pointless to give them to you now because you'll only come back to tell me it didn't work and then all my hard work will be - POOF - gone." You're fully facing her and look down into her eyes more intently, trying to convince her that you're serious.
"Well I can't argue with you on that, now can I? I'll take the old hybrids then. I'll make sure your hard work doesn't go to waste." She winks at you and you do your best not to visibly swoon. I'm a sucker for her, that's for sure.
You breathe a sigh of relief that she gives in easily this time. Typically this banter would continue for anywhere from 5 minutes to an entire hour - she was a very persistent woman.
Exiting the main shop, you grab a lantern and walk with her towards the greenhouse. Crickets sang and fireflies danced around each other in the night and you felt a cool breeze gently pass through. The sky was a deep black that was painted with stars and the moon cast a soft light on Shinobu's face. You rarely saw her in the daytime, but nothing quite beats her beauty under the night sky. Her delicate features highlighted and her eyes reflected the beautiful soft light surrounding her. I wish I could just watch her all night long...Ugh, I sound like a creep though.
She was the only good thing about the night. Ever since that night, you've come to despise the darkness that drapes over the land at the end of each day. Typically, walking to your home connected to your shop a short distance from the greenhouses was a nerve wrecking feat you endured each night. You're likely to not encounter a demon again with all the wisteria you have re-planted around your property since that night, but how can one not be left with some deep damage after being the sole survivor of a demon attack that wiped out your entire family. It has been over a year since that night but the chill you feel at the sight of the night sky and the nightmares you wake up screaming from make it feel as though it was only yesterday.
Shinobu made nights different though. By the time she finally arrived and defeated the demon, she stood directly in front of the rising moon, causing her body to seemingly glimmer and radiate light. You were certain you were dead and she was some type of goddess that was leading you to the afterlife. You stared at her, full of terror and sorrow until she looked deep into your eyes and asked, "Are you ok, dear?"
"Hellooo~" you see a hand wave in front of your eyes. "Are you there? My friend, are you ok?" Shinobu said standing in front of you.
You found yourself in front of the greenhouse, holding the key and lock in your hands but clenching them both too tightly in your hands it hurt. You had been spacing out so bad you didn't even know you made it to your destination nor were you aware of Shinobu trying to get your attention when she saw your face crumpled in concentration.
"Oh...oh! Sorry! Yes, ok. Wow, sorry…" you shake your head of your thoughts and unlock the door and enter the greenhouse with Shinobu following quickly behind. How embarrassing. How long was she trying to get my attention? Ugh, get a grip - she just wants to get her materials and go, stop wasting her time.
The greenhouse is full of different pots and test plots of plants at different growing stages. They are mostly organised by least to most lethal. The entrance has the corresponding antidotes to each poison that is harmful to humans and demons - in the event of an emergency. You hoped you never had to use them. You've seen what her demon poison was capable of and you'd rather not go that way yourself. Hard pass on that one.
She walks up to the planter box with the lavender and violet colored hybrids. Supposedly, these plants were her new side project to help with interrogating demons. After extracting the proteins from the plant and mixing them with other substances, it was intended to attack the peripheral nervous system and prevent motor activity, but leave the central nervous system intact and unharmed. Meaning, her victims would be unable to move but they could speak and answer any of her questions until she no longer needed them alive. You imagine there were also properties that would make moving unbearably painful. She always liked having that in her solutions.
Using gloves, she collects the plants and stores them in pre-labeled vials. You don't know her exact process, she was a chemist and you had more knowledge of plant biology (with only enough chemistry to get by). It was all a mystery to you but you enjoyed when she explained the work she did. You had mixed emotions when it came to her talking about demons - you hated them but were so revolted by them you would rather spend the rest of your life not hearing or thinking about them. But that would mean not having Shinobu around, a thought that made you painfully aware of how much you depended on her.
She chatted with you about how the plants have been working and her various tests with them. Explaining that it works but not as well as she would like - hence the need for the new hybrids. She was saying something about how it took too slow to take effect and it didn't last as long as she wanted - and multiple doses rendered them unable to speak and defeated the whole purpose of the poison.
Slowly your mind began to wander, mindlessly responding "mmhmm", "interesting", "is that so?" every so often. You were beginning to feel the exhaustion of your day to creep upon you. Your legs and back began to ache, your hands throbbing, and your head feels heavy from not getting enough water or eating. "I really need a drink." you sigh.
"Oh? Is that an invitation?" You hear Shinobu's voice call out. You jolt at her voice, you didn't mean to say it out loud and you definitely didn't mean to suggest she drink with you. She's a hashira, aren't they supposed to be ready to fight against demons at all times? She can't do that if she's buzzed.
"Oh god, sorry. I didn't mean to say that, I was just thinking out loud. I think I'm just really tired."
"You look like it."
"Thaaaanks." You say crossing your arms and rolling your eyes. You know she's teasing but you can't help but be slightly embarrassed that she can tell you look tired. She never got to see you at your best - if you even had a "best".
"Now don't be so moody. I could use a drink too. I'm feeling quite frustrated and sharing a drink with a friend isn't something I've done in ages. Since I'm taking these plants off your hands, I think I deserve some type of reward, don't you agree?"
What type of logic is that? Those plants were her responsibility, she isn't exactly doing any favors by getting what she paid for.
You sigh heavily, dragging your hands down your face and groaning. You successfully convinced her to not take the new hybrids, so she is looking for a chance to win somehow tonight. It might just be best to give in now before it gets too late and she travels home during peak demon hours. You have to be careful and pick your battles wisely with this woman…
"Fine...there is no way you'd take no for an answer anyways…"
"Aren't you a smart one?" She says with a wink and smile. She's such a dangerous woman. Not only for demons but humans as well.
"Alright, let me close up the shop first. Drinks are back at my place." You say as you make your way to the door.
"My my, bringing a lady to your home for a drink so late at night? That's sure to get the town talking, don't you think?"
You laugh nervously knowing she is only saying it to make you flustered. She truly is a dangerous woman. Maybe her tongue was only sharp when she's sober. At least you hoped so.
You both make your way back towards the shop, the night seeming colder than before and your near constant level of anxiety grows. Your hand grips the lantern handle tightly and you're biting your lower lip a little too hard. It's embarrassing to still feel this way after so long, but it's not as if someone can just erase from their minds a massacre of their entire family. Save the thoughts for when I send Shinobu home after a drink. Don't let them get to you now.
The shop is just an extension of your home, but your living space is closed off and divided by a hallway from the shop to your place. You re-enter the shop, finally extinguishing the interior lanterns around the shop and chatting with Shinobu about her most recent big missions. You always keep one exterior lantern on outside of the shop in the event of a traveler needing urgent and immediate service. It rarely happens and there are times you consider turning it off. However, one night you were on your way to extinguish the light as a man came running down the mountain calling for help - it turns out his wife was giving birth and he needed analgesics and other medicinal products. The thought of him not having access to your shop when he and his family needed it the most was too much to bear. Even if some emergency like that never happened again, it was better to have the option than not to.
Extinguishing the last interior shop lantern, you lead Shinobu through the back door. You both walk down the long enclosed hallway that connects your shop to your home chatting about what products were sold today and the customers who came.
"Many doctors have been stopping by these days. A lot of pregnant mothers are having babies in spring, so I have to make sure I have enough for them." You continue through the door and enter your home. "It must be nice to work with them all the time. You get to bring life into the world. I always envy the direct role doctors play - so that's why I work hard to make the best products I can."
"How interesting."
Walking towards your cabinet to retrieve the drinks you turn your head to look back at her. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing in particular. It just makes me...curious, I suppose." She kneels down at your lowered table, resting her chin into her hands as she plopped her elbows on the tabletop. Her eyes follow you as you move, making you nervous.
"About?" You grab the bottle and move towards the next cabinet for glasses.
"Well, what is your opinion of my work then? Since I mainly use your services for death and torture." Her eyes are locked onto yours. What game is she playing?
Her eyes held a playful gleam but she had no smile on her face. You couldn't read her nor guess what she was planning. There was always something with Shinobu. Some type of game or puzzle - you felt like a mouse being toyed with by a hungry, hungry cat.
"Are you forgetting you actually spend most of your money here on my medicinal products? You told me yourself that mine are the best you've found in all of the country." You approach the table with the glasses in one hand and the bottle in the other. You set them down as you continue. "Besides, killing a one demon can save dozens of lives. If you think about it, you get to ensure the survival of families who then can continue for generations. The role you play has a reach far beyond any doctor alive today or any day after."
She tilts her head back and laughs. You feel your nerves settle and you begin to pour.
"Giving me such high praise! I won't say you're wrong, the Corps sole reason for existing is to protect and ensure the survival of humanity. I guess I was just curious what you thought of me. Instead I heard what you think of the organization as a whole." She's smiling again and you feel a tug at your heart.
"About you? Well, be more specific in your questions then. Because how I see you and how I see the Corps aren't exactly the same. Anyways, here's to making it another day." You hold up your glass and pass hers to her open hand. "May our days keep us busy and our lives safe." You knock it back quickly, feeling the warmth spread from your mouth to your throat and slowly reach your belly. A few more of those and you'd definitely be feeling it for sure.
You don't see Shinobu finish hers but you see a satisfied smile and an empty glass.
"Feel better?" She asks in her usual sweet tone.
"Mmm, yeah." You let out a hedonic sigh. "I try not to drink too frequently, it gets in the way of my productivity. But sometimes I just need a night to let go and something to get the edge off. I cannot wait to eat and take a bath."
You pour yourself another glass and Shinobu places hers down next to yours.
"Careful Kochou-san, too many and you'll have a tough time heading back home. I don't take you for a heavyweight."
"Hush, I can hold my liquor just fine. Besides, did you forget I'm a hashira? A demon or two wouldn't even be considered a warm up - my poisons are so effective because I get ingredients from the best shop around." She says with yet another wink and a wicked smile.
"Oh, I know. I saw first hand your skill - I'll never forget." You knock back your second drink and this time it brings a pleasant tingling rush down your spine. You reach to pour a third.
Her glass is up against her lips but she pauses and examines you.
"Ah," she places the glass down, "that's what's bothering you. You've been thinking about that night. How long has it been?"
"One year, 2 months, and 14 days." You say quickly as you begin pouring. You might stop counting one day, but you weren't even doing it on purpose. It was the first thing you thought of when you wake up each morning, it was the last thing you thought of before falling asleep, it was the only thing you dream of, and it was the only reason why you live in your estate entirely alone.
"Hmm, to think it happened so recently. It feels like it has been so much longer. I suppose it's because you still live here that it remains to feel so fresh."
You down the drink and place the empty glass near the bottle.
"This is all I have left. This table is new because the old one broke when he broke in, but this spot is where we all had each meal everyday. My parents and all my siblings. We would talk about pointless things, we'd argue then make up, we pulled pranks on each other…" you felt your tears flood your eyes and begin streaming down your face as you spoke. "We celebrated birthdays, marriages, pregnancies...god, my sister was supposed to have a baby in a few weeks. My youngest brother wasn't even 10 yet." Your breath hitches and you lay your arms onto the table and bury your face. You haven't cried like this in a few months when it was your mother's birthday. You choke out sobs as memories of their smiling faces flooded and mixed in with their faces full of agony and fear. None of them knew the wisteria planted around the property had died, it was such a busy year that no one had remembered to check it. Such a stupid mistake cost the lives of your four younger siblings and both of your parents.
You felt her hand rest on your back between your shoulder blades. You turn towards Shinobu and wrap your arms around her, sobbing into her shoulder unable to speak. It hurts so much everyday. There is not a single day you don't think about them or hear their voices or steps around the house. They're everywhere around you but out of your reach. They're gone and you can't see them again until it's your time to go. You've thought about joining them early - a lot. But you know you have a duty to maintain the shop. Your father instilled a strong sense of responsibility in you from a young age. The family was already preparing for you to take over the shop as they managed other aspects, so you knew of its importance to those in need. You worked through your sorrow and pain because you knew that the tragedy would only lead to more pain if there was no one to maintain the shop. That is what got you through each day and what motivates you to continue working.
But fuck was it difficult. Your fingers grip Shinobu's haori as you continue to sob. You feel pathetic, she definitely didn't come here to watch you drink and cry after a long day.
She uses one hand to hold the back of your head and the other to slowly stroke your back, lightly speaking kind and comforting words that you couldn't entirely comprehend through your crying. She held you like that for some time, waiting for you to calm your breath and wait for your wave of sorrow to pass over. When you finally felt as though your eyes could physically not produce tears anymore and your erratic breathing turned to full bodied pants to recover, you finally pulled away. Wiping your tears, you thank her and apologize for crying so suddenly.
When you look into her eyes, you see her usual sharpness replaced with kindness and a hint of their own sadness. You know she has her own pain she faces everyday. She told you that night when you were sobbing that the demon should have taken you too. You know that the Corps goal to protect humanity is motivated by the pain from those whose humanity was taken away at the hands of demons. If anyone understood your pain it was Kochou Shinobu.
You felt her hands cup the sides of your face and a gentle smile reach her lips. "My offer still stands, you know? My home is big enough to house your entire operation. The climate is the same and it is the same distance from all the places you service, just in the opposite direction."
"Kochou-san, I can't d-"
"Please, say "Shinobu". I've told you so many times now to call me Shinobu." She chides softly.
"Shinobu...how could I just leave? It feels like I'm abandoning them. This home is all I have and all I will ever have. Even if it's painful, the memories and time spent here...I can't leave them!" She's tried to convince you before. She was never this direct and never forced the subject, and at first you thought she only offered out of kindness. The topic would always be dropped when a customer would enter and pull you away from her. But this time there was no customer to cut the conversation off.
"You said it yourself already when I first offered you. This shop is your family. So long as your plants live, so do they. You don't need to be haunted by the past by living here. You can use their love and their memories to build a future. The role you play may be indirect but it is crucial for saving lives. Do you think you can continue to live like this and be productive? Will sorrow maintain the quality of life of the products and your life?"
You think of the trees your great-great grandparents planted when they first established the shop. They've grown to unbelievable heights and it is a testament to the dedication your family had to the land and your trade. How could you leave not only your childhood home, but the place that your family has called home for generations?
She squeezes your face and shakes it quickly, snapping your attention back to her.
"How does living in the place where your family was slaughtered help you or anyone in this world? Hmm? Please, tell me. If it's a convincing enough argument, I'll move to the home where I lost my parents and saw them torn apart alive."
Your hands wrap around hers and you bite your lower lip to stop it from trembling. You know she's bluffing. She knows whatever argument you present she'll find a way to knock it down and prove you wrong. Plus she would never willingly move to her childhood home. But she doesn't look like she is willing to give up and that's what makes it difficult.
"How would I get my plots set up?". Mind racing, you begin to grasp at straws.
"We could hire people to help ready the land."
"What about my two greenhouses?"
"You know this, I already have my own greenhouses. We'll just replace my failed attempts with yours."
"And my arboretum? My entire arboretum? My great-great grandparents started that, we'd have to start all over!"
"Oh ho ho~, "we"? You're already imagining doing it, so just agree already. Besides, I love new projects."
"Shinobu, stop. What about my shop? Don't tell me you already have an entire shop built and ready to use."
"Well, I don't h-"
"See?" You interrupt, "I can't leave here because building a shop would take so long and cost too much money that I don't have." You were quickly running out of excuses. How does she have a solution to everything?
"But! I do have an unconnected flat on my property along the path that is easy to access for travelers." She says with a grin and eyes that just scream "gotcha".
Fuck.
"Huh. A solution for everything, how convenient." You say rolling your eyes. "Then tell me this, where exactly am I supposed to live? There is no way in hell you have a separate house too."
She tosses her head back and laughs, releasing your face from her hands. She rests one hand on her chest and her other hand goes to grab your own resting on your lap. She weaves her fingers between yours and tilts her head to the side and she continues with a smile.
"You'd live with me of course."
Your face already warm from crying now begins to burn hot on your cheeks.
HUH?
"I'm sorry...what? I'd live -"
"With me, yes. Is there something wrong with that? Considering I would be giving you a space to operate and a safe home to sleep in for free, I think it's a great deal. You're a plant biologist, but you must know a great business deal when you see one."
You're shocked. You're utterly stunned. You have no idea what to think because what the hell. You're dreaming, there is no way this is happening. You only have nightmares and this is the first dream you're having since that night but it's still a terrifying dream.
"You're drunk, you must be. I knew it, you're a lightweight - I shouldn't have given you anything to drink you're saying things you don't mean."
You try to pull away but she grabs your other hand and squeezes tightly as she keeps her eyes on you. "Will you please be with me?" She doesn't have a playful gleam in her eyes or a teasing smile. Her face is serious as is her tone. You hate how her beauty captivates you so easily and how you feel like you're melting when she speaks to you. She rarely gets serious, she always has a smile and is switching between friendly and flirty - but she is almost never serious.
Your heart is racing and your mouth feels dry and it is hard to speak. Was it the fact you were crying? The drinks? Both? Or was it because the woman you have feelings for is asking you to run away with her? No. Not run away. She's asking for you to join her life.
"Am...am I allowed to?" Your mind is jumbled. Are you allowed to leave? Are you allowed to leave your family's land for a woman like her? Are you allowed to experience happiness when your family is dead? Are you allowed to be in love with her? How could such a blessing be given to someone like you?
"Allowed? Of course you are. Don't you think your family would've wanted you to be happy? Assuming that I can make you happy."
"You do!" You shout it louder than you expected and she looks startled at your sudden burst. "Sorry. Sorry, I just...I mean, it feels wrong to do this when they're all gone. How can I be happy when they can't experience it anymore? It feels so wrong."
"But feeling despair for the rest of your life is ok? Is that how you would want them to live if the roles were reversed?" She's closer now and you can't escape. You truly feel like a mouse trapped in the paws of a cat, except she isn't toying with you anymore. She's so dangerous.
She's right and you know it. You've never lost an argument with her before and she's never been able to convince you or bargain with you. This is a first.
"You won't let me refuse will you?" You lower your head and chuckle sadly at your defeat. There was no escaping her by this point.
"Oh my~, aren't you a smart one?" She says for the second time tonight with a playful tone.
"Maybe I should've just let you get the hybrids." You roll your eyes and sigh.
"Dear, I had no intention of getting those materials. I knew they weren't ready. Did you actually fall for that one?"
You snap your head up to see a devious smile painted on her face and your jaw hangs open. Here you thought you were winning but in reality you were merely a game piece on her board and she was the one in control. Just who the hell is this woman?
"Oh, I guess you did~. You're getting rusty. Or was it the late night drinks?"
"Maybe it's just because I'm a fool, Shinobu." A fool in love, that's for sure. You give her hands a brief and gentle squeeze. "Ok. Ok...yeah, I'll do it." You breathe in deeply, feeling light and fuzzy - but it might just be the drinks getting to you. "The earliest we can move everything is the end of spring, but that likely is still too soon. We'll have to plan this carefully…"
"Hmm, if we began before the start of fall, when do you think you would have the shop up and running again?" She's still wearing that grin and you can't help but wonder how long she's planned this.
"Well, preparing the soil will take months and we won't even be able to test its ability to yield quality seasonal products until the summer I bet. But the greenhouses will be fine, those plants are easy to move. Thankfully, the shop has a full stock of most of my products that c-"
"So, how long?" She cuts you off before you get too stuck in your own head.
"Um...late winter...no, spring. It would be mostly operational in the spring." If the plants can all survive the move and grow without issues, those planted now will be ready in the spring. The seasonal plants will have to be managed very carefully.
"That timing is perfect, the cherry blossoms will be blooming! I love that time of year." She says with a bright and cheerful smile. Again, sometimes it is so difficult to believe that this woman creates deadly poisons to torture and kill demons with no hesitation.
"What a combo, we have cherry blossoms and poison." You could imagine cherry blossom trees beside the shop and smile at the thought of the petals falling around the entrance.
"Oh~, isn't that a fitting name for a new shop? Cherry Blossoms and Poison?"
"Shinobu...no one even knows I help you gather ingredients to make poison...I don't think that would bring a good reputation anyhow…" She was seriously a dangerous woman, and you were seriously in love with her. If you were to rename it, it would only be fitting to name it after the woman who brought light even in the darkest of nights.