kakushigotofanclub · 7 months ago
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The Hashira as pictures of my favorite cat
Tengen:
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Muichiro:
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Sanemi:
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Giyuu:
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Obanai:
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Shinobu:
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Gyomei:
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Mitsuri:
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Kyojuro:
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kozmicmizuu · 1 year ago
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something very underrated i’ve thought about in history class for some reason (im so bored yet interested in history)
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sanemi & giyuu, being below six feet:
gyomei & tengen, being above six feet: tiny men lol.
sanemi: KYS YOU FREAKISHLY TALL MFS
giyuu: it’s ok shinazugawa, you’ll get used to it..
tengen: yeah shinazugawa, you’ll get used to it~!
gyomei: don’t antagonize him tengen. and watch your mouth sanemi.
sanemi, leaning against giyuu: whatever- i hope you burn tengen.
tengen: woah! how spicy you are today!
sanemi: SHUT THE FUCK UP
giyuu: please get off of me-
sanemi: no, i ain’t moving
giyuu: aw- please??🙁
sanemi: … fine
tengen: boy kisser
sanemi: IM GOING TO KILL YOU-
gyomei: the masters here, please be quiet you three.
all three dumbasses: YES SIR, SORRY SIR!
gyomei: that works i suppose..?
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some headcanons teehee
since giyuu was around a year longer, he’s technically, not like literally but he does have some sort of control of anyone who joined after him. so he does have some control sanemi, he doesn’t use it but it’s there.
tengen has and is picking up sane and yuu around and they both aren’t very happy about that, especially sanemi. mf hates it so much.
sanemi and giyuu get eachother, kinda. they can speak without like speaking at all, it’s a weird bond they have despite not getting along the best.
they are also being asked (peer pressured by tengen and gyomei and told by Kagaya) to have weekly hangouts to get along better, it’s painful for the both of them. but it’s getting better for them weirdly enough, they even got a secret handshake!!
gyomei is very happy hanging out with the three, it’s just such a happy feeling when he hears giyuu speak up, or sanemi apologizing and tengen saying legit advice. he’s happy to know that they’re growing better, it’s slow but they’re getting there.
they talk mad shit about the younger generation of hashira (basically the ones that join after them, except kanae, she’s very kind). they even got inside jokes and nicknames for eachother.
the three are well aware of giyuu’s lack of confidence when it comes to speaking, they try to help him but they sometimes just end up lecturing the mf (sanemi and tengen). gyomei knowing that giyuu’s gets overwhelmed and going a nonverbal, lets giyuu hide behind him.
gyomei tells dad jokes and giyuu finds them hilarious and it’s such torture to tengen and sanemi.
before the others came into the picture, these three had SO MUCH work to do. no sleep, no rest, nada. they were so tired of this but held strong for kagaya.
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them, i love them, need more of them pls and thank you
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kleftiko · 1 year ago
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❦ GIYUU X PREGNANT!READER
cw: none, this is fluff, fem!reader
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"you have a wife?!" sanemi yelled.
"you’re lying." obanai mumbled. "that’s sad."
"tomioka, how sweet!" mitsuri called.
giyuu’s eyes narrowed at rengoku, the bright man just smiled innocently.
"i had no idea they didn’t know," he sheepishly said.
as soon as giyuu got back from his mission, the flame hashira informed him that his wife was in the butterfly mansion. something had happened, and she needed to be taken to shinobu. unfortunately, rengoku wasn’t known for being quite—blasted eardrums will do that to a person—so the other hashira in the perimeter got to hear (for the first time) that not only was giyuu NOT single, he was MARRIED.
they ended up following him through the halls, pestering him with questions until they reached the room you stayed in. your husband ignored them like usual, the only thing on his mind being your well being.
his nerves were calmed, however, immediately upon seeing you laying in bed, a smile on your face as you chatted with shinobu.
"how are you feeling?" giyuu’s tone was soft as he blocked you from the prying eyes of the other hashira in the doorway. he made his way towards your side.
"tired." you smiled at him, letting your husband hold your hand and run his thumb over your fingers. "shinobu said it was a false contraction."
"it was caused by stress," your friend’s calming voice said. "makes sense, tomioka, anyone married to you would be on edge."
your husband just grumbled at his friend as you giggled. he then helped you sit up in bed, the blankets falling off to reveal your pregnant stomach to the small audience watching.
"you had sex?!" sanemi screamed.
oblivious to the small mass of people staring at you, sanemi’s outburst startled you, causing you to grab onto your husband’s haori. he instinctively pulled you close, his soft look switching to a death glare towards the doorway.
"hush!" giyuu seethed at him, finally giving attention to the posse. "she’s nine months pregnant; shut up."
although listening and lowering his voice, sanemi didn’t let his question go unanswered. "you’re not a virgin?"
"go away," giyuu deadpanned. "all of you, go away. now."
"it’s okay, darling," you tried to soothe him. "maybe you should introduce me to your friends."
you felt him tense up at that. he didn’t let go of your hand, and he only moved half a step away from you (half of them still couldn’t see you), and he spoke with a monotone voice. "this is my wife, y/n. she’s pregnant with our first child."
the was no verbal reaction from the onlookers, just looks of disbelief from the four of them. it felt like you were an animal in the zoo with the way they were all staring dumbfounded at you.
it took a couple minutes for shinobu and rengoku to get the others out, leaving you and giyuu alone in the room. as soon as the door closed, your husband grabbed your face and peppered kisses all over it, causing you to giggle. he took a seat on the edge of the bed to be closer to you.
"i’m so sorry," he said, kissing your lips. "i’m sorry i wasn’t here."
"it’s okay, baby." you let your head rest on his shoulder. "i’m just glad i didn’t give birth."
"i would never forgive myself if i was gone for that." giyuu’s hand ran up and down your back comfortingly.
you sigh in relief, turning your head to place a kiss on his neck.
"well now that you’re here, let’s get this baby out of me."
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drluvsick · 4 months ago
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𝐆𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌 𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈 𝐏𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐒 — 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐬
you hand make them a replica of themselves in the form of a plushie! 📝 gn! reader. btw relationship is mutual pining. would’ve made the headers as the hashira’s plushies but… coloring would’ve been ughhh. maybe i'll post it separately!
word count : 1.6k+
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𝐆𝐘𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐈 𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐉𝐈𝐌𝐀
“for me?” he’s surprised before it melts into a smile. with the plushie in hand, he rolls it around feeling the details from his hair to outfit, getting a general view of what it could look like.
“this is very kind of you. i will cherish this for the rest of my life.” he puts a hand on your head, gently petting you as you hug him in return. he’s happy at the action, his large body engulfing yours as he hugs you back. you’re relieved that he’s blind so that he’s not able to see your blush, but with your heart beating unusually fast and loud, you’re sure he can hear it and deduct it himself.
gyomei thinks that perhaps you may hear his heart beating abnormally as well in the moment.
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𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐍 𝐔𝐙𝐔𝐈
he thinks it’s perfect. would’ve added more glitter, but then he thinks that maybe it’s better off that the entire plush isn’t covered in the tiny monsters. (he held the gift for a few seconds and then BAM, glitter EVERYWHERE on his hand)
he loves how flashy the doll is. it seems to shine and sparkle even in the dark of night.
he obviously treats you to a shopping spree or restaurant “date” with him after (after both of you furiously wash your hands from all that glitter).
absolutely takes mini tengen with him when he’s with you. you both brainstorm ideas for him and his little comrade to match outfits (off to the fabric store!).
this small gift secretly makes him scream inside. when he gets home from the interaction, you BET he’s going to be humming the entire rest of the day, unable to sleep because his thoughts are all filled of you.
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𝐆𝐈𝐘𝐔 𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐎𝐊𝐀
so surprised that you would give him a gift. why would you want to waste so much time in giving him something? something you handmade, to be precise? he asks this, and when you reply saying that you just wanted to, he swears he fell harder than before.
he’s beyond happy, though. you get the grace of seeing him unconsciously smile at the present as he notices the attention to details. how much time did you spend looking at him to remember all these features? the thought makes him a little lightheaded.
you’re too sweet to him, he thinks. now whenever he’s feeling down and you’re gone, he holds the little plush to his heart for a small sense of comfort that helps him to live another day. and he doesn’t dare take it on missions or anywhere, really. he’s too afraid to lose or destroy something you worked so hard on to make for him.
god forbid you tell shinobu one day that you made a plushie for giyuu. she’d never let him get away without teasing him for actually getting someone to like him well enough to make something for him.
will subconsciously hide behind you when she does start with the teasing as you softly grasp his haori sleeve, making his heart flutter tenfold at the small action.
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𝐎𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐈 𝐈𝐆𝐔𝐑𝐎
(you’ve seen his face without the bandages)
when you hand it to him, he’s on cloud nine. you even made kaburamaru! the snake seems to appreciate it, happily leaving obanai’s shoulders to rest on yours instead.
he practically begs to take you somewhere as thanks and to spoil you, because this gift from you has his face heating up and he wants to draw your attention away from it. and when you do agree (albeit reluctantly), his snake looks at him with a “lmao dude you’re freakin’ whipped”.
while walking, he notices that the bandages on the plushie are removable, asking you if it’s intentional.
“see for yourself,” were your words as he reluctantly removed them. he saw the bottom of the face littered in scars almost identical to the ones underneath his own bandages, with the words on the side of the bandages covering the doll’s face reading: “you’re beautiful, scars or no scars. and from what you’ve shown me, it’s the same on the inside.”
he swears that he could just faint right there and then.
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𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐈 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐙𝐔𝐆𝐀𝐖𝐀
“tsk, what is this?”
you smile as he inspects it; watching his lips twitch, fighting the urge to curve upwards. “it’s a plushie of yourself.”
“you made this? for me?”
“yep!”
he looks anywhere but at you, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck stand as warmth bristles through; his ears turning red as he says, “it’s nice, i guess.”
“just ‘nice’?” you reply back, teasing his quick response. “maybe i should’ve just made a plushie for someone else, liiike… giyuu.” you grin, aware of the facade he’s pulling.
“don’t you dare. it’s amazing, i love it.” he spits out gruffly, but wholly truthful. “…thank you.” he thinly smiles, if not for you observing him you wouldn’t have noticed it.
“aww, you’re welcome!” you snicker.
he turns his head the other way, his face beginning to feel uncomfortably hot.
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𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐊𝐔 𝐊𝐘𝐎𝐉𝐔𝐑𝐎
his plushie literally radiates sunshine, just like the original himself. when he receives it, he shouts the loudest thank you you’re ever going to hear.
talks about all the details and how much it embodies him. he adores it. then he asks if you could make one of you, so that they could be a pair together (AHHHH).
hugs you so tightly that you start to sweat from his body heat. but he means well!
eats with the plushie when you’re not with him. it reminds him of who made it and it just makes his food taste 100x better.
probably keeps it in his pocket and shows it to people like, “look what (y/n) made for me! :D” so that now so many people know who you are.
and when you make that replica of yourself for him? he just can’t get enough of how adorable it is. keeps it with him in his pocket too, it makes his day so much better whenever he sees it because it just radiates you.
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𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐈 𝐊𝐀𝐍𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐈
squeals, she’s just so so so happy. her face turns this cute red and all she can do is just smother you with a hug because of her overwhelming excitement.
she dances around with it at first, screaming about how cute you made it and absolutely loving how you designed the doll to be just like her. you got her into the whole craft business, her new determination to make a doll of you to present to you! she hugs you one last time before rushing off with her new plan.
she quickly realizes that if she gives… whatever she made in her first attempt to you, it’d come across as an insult. so she spends countless days and nights (in between missions, of course) to perfect her gift to her beloved. and when she finally does…
…she gives it to you like a child showing their parent their artwork, except mitsuri’s present was better than just any children’s project.
she’s so giddy when you praise her for it, finally able to collapse from exhaustion when she gets home. but when you kiss her on the forehead, she knows that there’s no way she’s going to get a blink of sleep, especially not when that moment keeps replaying in her head throughout the rest of the day.
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𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐎𝐁𝐔 𝐊𝐎𝐂𝐇𝐎
she’s calm and collected on the outside, having an emotional breakdown and desperately trying not to just tackle you and hug and kill you with kisses on the inside. her logical mind prevails unfortunately.
she dearly thanks you for the gift with the sweetest soft tint of pink on her face.
she takes it for walks around her estate, visiting patients, and when she needs to calm down. it just takes a few minutes with the plushie in her hands for her to think of you to become more relaxed.
she doesn’t take it in her lab, though— worried that something might happen to it. so instead, during those periods, she keeps it in her room in a secret place that only she knows about, because she’s a little paranoid that something may end up destroying it with all the people in the estate and all.
the next time you’re out on a mission? expect a parcel from her delivered by crow with your favorite (non-perishable) food, some trinkets and items you might enjoy, and a note that vaguely suggests her true feelings towards you.
she secretly prays that you’ll take the hint and ask her out.
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𝐌𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐎 𝐓𝐎𝐊𝐈𝐓𝐎
(reader is either same age or muichiro is aged up)
despite his flawed memory/memorizing issues, muichiro does a huge effort to not forget the plushie you gave him.
he’ll write himself notes, bring it with him everywhere, and he finds himself replaying moments with you and daydreaming in his mind more often about you with the doll around.
definitely falls asleep with it gently in his arms, held close to his chest. it helps him fall asleep faster and more comfortably knowing that something resembling your presence was so nearby.
his crow’s definitely jealous by this btw. but she respects you both so she doesn’t lay a claw on the plushie.
one day when you find him hugging the plushie close to him as he was walking around his estate, you decide to go up to him and hug him from behind. let’s just say, he got a lot more clingy after that, hugging the gift at night tighter to try to replicate that warm feeling your hugs always gave him.
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overluvsick | please do not repost, translate, and/or claim my works as yours !!
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eevees-hobbies · 5 months ago
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How the Hashira sleep with you and your 9-month-old between you
Author's Note: I was up at 2 AM last night writing in my notes app because this idea struck me. This is my first time writing headcanons, but as always, I’m inspired by some of the fantastic ideas of other content creators!
Content Warning: You have a child with your partner, and they sleep in bed with you. There is also a brief mention of breastfeeding. This will not be for you if you’re sensitive to those things. This is pure fluff.
How the Hashira sleep with you and your 9-month-old between you
Contains: Rengoku, Uzui, Iguro, Shinazugawa & Tomioka 
Kyojuro Rengoku 
Kyo was meant for this. There’s no reality in which Kyojuro doesn’t want to be a father to as many kids as you’re willing to give him. His arm is always wrapped around you both—having you and the baby in the same room as you all sleep, being able to provide comfort, body heat, and a sense of protection, brings him so much joy. 
Kyojuro wakes up periodically during the night to look at you both as you sleep. He will also pay extra attention to checking on your child, placing a large hand on their small frame and feeling the rise and fall of their chest; he’ll smile to himself��his child is happy, healthy, and safe. 
Rengoku is also great at soothing the baby when they wake up: “Shhh, little one. Let’s let mommy sleep.” 
Nine times out of ten, he’ll be able to put your baby back down to sleep. The one time he can’t, the child will need to be fed, and Rengoku swells with pride as he watches you nurse them.
Once you’re done nursing, he’ll quickly run to get you some water and a small snack because he knows it takes a lot of energy to breastfeed. 
“You’re a good mother,” he says as he strokes your hair, looking over your shoulder at your milk-drunk child. “I can’t wait to do this again and again.”
Tengen Uzui
Tengen is annoyed when you place the child next to you—you didn’t even ask him! You explain that it’s easier for night feedings, and the baby sleeps better between you both. He admits it’s true, and the change drastically improved his own sleep. 
But Tengen HATES giving up the level of intimacy he had with you and many times ponders if kicking the baby out would be the obvious solution. With venom in your tone, you assure him there’s no need to bother his pretty little head with such ridiculous thoughts. He is aghast, but admittedly, he likes that you’re protective of their child, even against him.
Eventually, the child moves to their room, and Tengen has you all back to himself during the night! And, oh, has he missed it.
Obanai Iguro
Obanai really wishes he could get his bed back and is grumpy at first as despite his small stature, he takes up a LOT of space when sleeping. 
But his heart melts as your child always curls up against him, seeking his father’s warmth and comfort. He’ll stare down at them, still unable to believe he contributed to something so beautiful and perfect. 
He’ll plant a kiss on his child’s small tuft of black hair and then on the crown of your head, his arm snaking around his child, and holding your hand while you sleep quietly. So yeah, he’ll start off annoyed, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
When you suggest moving the child out of your shared room, Obanai is taken aback.
“Let’s not be too hasty! They sleep so well with us.”
Sanemi Shinazugawa
Sanemi grew up sleeping in the same room as his family, so he isn’t surprised or put out that the baby sleeps between you both. 
He’d never admit it, but he feels a lot less anxiety at the thought of something happening to you and your child when you’re all sleeping together. 
Sure, sometimes he’ll wake up with a baby foot in his mouth or get woken up by a sleepy yet firm baby smack to his face, but he’ll grumble lovingly and drift back off to sleep, finding comfort in the fact that his family is safe and sound. 
Sometimes, Sanemi has to pull the baby off you at night when it spreads its limbs over your face. 
“Hey, get back here!”
Giyu Tomioka
Giyu is not a fan of a baby sleeping in his bed and will likely never be. He misses cuddling with you, holding your hand as you sleep, and waking up as the little or big spoon to your duo.
It’s hard to be a spoon in a trio—he feels more like a fork.
He’s an amazing father, though, and leads the nighttime routine of bath time, bedtime stories, and gently rocking the small baby in his arms. 
Eventually, he’ll rearrange the futons so that you’re between the baby and himself, which is his way of getting to spoon you again. Clever!
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yoditopascal · 7 months ago
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Home
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“I made it, I'm home.”
Or
Four times Sanemi wants you to use his first name and the one time you do.
pairings: shinazugawa sanemi x fem! reader
warnings: fluff, hurt/comfort, slight angst, sanemi is bad at feelings and communication, slight sanemi/giyu if you squint
a/n: first sequel is up! My Nemi is 18+ so minors DNI
The first time Sanemi crossed paths with you was the day you were introduced to him.
He’d recently become the Wind Hashira and you were requesting to become a tsugoku.
They were all gathered for a hashira meeting to discuss the next training procedures for the lower ranking slayers. As time drew on, Shinazugawa found himself mentally thankful as the meeting drew to an end.
“Before we draw this to close, I’d like to bring one last thing to attention.” Oyakata-sama paused before continuing as you stood behind him head bowed in respect as he spoke
“I’m sure you’ve heard of a demon slayer who has been performing above expectations,” Oyakata-sama said gently. “She’s an exceptional swordswoman and has been recommended by Tomioka-san.”
The training grounds remained silent as the nine hashira waited for their master to continue.
“After some thought, I have reached the conclusion ….” Oyakata-sama smiled. “I’m assigning her to one of you as a tsuguko.”
“Shinazugawa-san,” he offered Sanemi a kind smile. “Since you both trained under the same master I think she would be best in your care.”
“Not interested.”
“Maybe Tomioka-san would be interested then since he-“
That got his blood boiling.
If he didn’t want to do it, why the hell should Tomioka be the one to replace him?
“With all due respect sir,” he said, Tomioka’s head tilts in his peripheral. Sanemi’s index finger plays with the hilt of his sword. “I don’t think Tomioka can cut it.”
“Why does it matter to you Shinazugawa? You already said you weren’t interested.” Uzui raised a brow at him, a hint of teasing behind his words. Obanai nodded his head in agreement in the background.
“It's because I doubt she can handle my training.”
“I’d like to prove myself to you if you’d let me Shinazugawa-sama, '' you said, stepping forward. You were significantly shorter than him, probably around Obanai’s height.
“Cut the -sama bullshit.” He fired back, also stepping forward. He practically towered over you at this point. You were cute he had to admit albeit a little annoying.
You had to admit from your distance you thought he was attractive too. His lilac eyes and fluffy white hair were striking, his scars added a liveliness to his features that you also liked and don’t get you started on his muscles that he proudly had on display.
“Fine then if you think you can keep up with me I’ll take you.” He said snapping you from your thoughts.
“Very well, then.” Oyakata-sama said, pleased. “She will continue training from here on as Shinazugawa’s tsuguko.”
“I can’t wait to work together, I’ve heard so much about you from Giyu-san!”
Giyu?
Why the hell were you already on a first name basis with him?
“It’s Tomioka to you brat.”
“My apologies I didn’t mean to-“
“Don’t let it happen again.”
The remaining hashira grinned teasingly in the background, at the commotion. For someone who had claimed to hate Tomioka’s guts he sure was defensive about the first name thing.
But that wasn’t it at all.
Did he just take on an apprentice because he didn’t want Giyu to have you?
Yes, yes he did.
Did he also correct you just because he didn’t want Giyu to have the satisfaction of being on a first name basis with you?
Of course he did.
He was Sanemi Shinazugawa after all and he had a reputation to uphold.
He had no idea how you two had even met each other with your breathing styles being so different and all or why the hell you two seemed so close to begin with but if you were to train under him he had to squash that in the butt right here and now.
Sanemi was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't realize that the meeting had officially ended. As the hashira began filing out of the courtyard you approached him startling him from his inner monologue.
“Are we ready to begin training Shinazugawa-sama?” You asked
“What the hell did I tell you about that honorific shit?” He groaned.
“Fine then how about Shinazugawa-sensei?” You replied cheekily
Knowing that he wasn’t getting through to you he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
He decided then that he doesn’t like being called Shinazugawa by you.
The second time
“Fuck off.” He rasped. You had just reached the inn you were staying at when you noticed him wincing.
“You’re hurt.” You mumbled, noticing the blood dripping onto the floor beneath him.
“‘m fine,” He shook his head, but the state of him said otherwise.
The blood around the wound had already started to congeal, sticking to his skin and clothes. He was starting to go dizzy from the blood loss.
“No, you’re not,” You frowned
“I told you I’m fine.”
“If you’re as fine as you say, then you won’t mind me taking a look.” You persisted with a grunt he submitted to you and your examination
You were looking at the cut now, nose wrinkled as you assessed the damage.
“Well the good news is you’ll live.”
“Oh joy.”
“The bad news is this’ll probably scar up pretty bad” you said standing to gather the necessary medical supplies before returning to his side. You two had foregone bring Kakushi with you this time as you weren’t that far from the butterfly mansion.
“Let me bandage it up so it doesn’t become infected.”
Wringing a rag out, you forced Sanemi to sit as you began to dab at the wound cleaning it, little sparks of pain ate away at him at each stroke of the cloth, his muscles tensing under your delicate touch.
“Sorry sensei, I’ll get this done as fast as I can.”
Again, there it was.
“I told you to drop the formalities.”
You pulled the clean bandages tight as you began to wrap his torso with a small uneasy chuckle.
“Force of habit.”
You were warm and he could smell the soothing scent of you with how close you were to him, the proximity was getting unbearable, a knot was beginning to form in the pit of his stomach.
As your fingers gently brushed against his chest with such tenderness he wasn’t used to since Kanae, Sanemi felt a jolt of electricity in his chest.
What the hell was that?
“There, that should do it.” You smiled to yourself admiring your handiwork as you placed a hand on his shoulder.
“We’ll get Kocho-san to take a better look at it when we return tomorrow.”
“Whatever.” He brushed you off but all you did was smile your same smile at him.
Realizing the close proximity he felt another pang in his chest as his cheeks began to dust pink.
Was he developing a heart condition? He’d have to ask Shinobu about that the next time he saw her.
Easing up from his place on the ground he stood with his back to you hiding his flustered expression.
“Get some sleep. We’re leaving early in the morning.”
“Shouldn’t I be telling you that?” You teased.
“Just shut up and get some rest.”
The third time
Sanemi pulled off your haori and tied it to your torso trying to staunch the bleeding. The feeling of the warm, sticky blood dripped down your side as you approached the Butterfly estate.
He could feel the warmth from your blood soaking through your uniform, staining his own.
Shinobu, who had been tending to the grounds outside rushed to his side at the sight of you and ushered him to bring you inside. It was hard to separate him from you, he was holding on so tightly, his grip almost like an iron vise.
A strong hand on his shoulder pulled him out of his thoughts and got him to loosen his grip. He looked to see it was Rengoku who had also just come back from a mission and was having his own injuries tended to. “Kocho’s got this Shinazugawa.”
"Don't worry, I’m sure she’ll be fine."
He didn’t know that, how could he?
“You don’t know shit.”
“I know that she’s in good hands here. The same hands that treat you and all the other Hashira when we need it most.” Rengoku said, placing a hand on Sanemi’s shoulder which he shrugged off immediately. “So just try to keep a clear head Shinazugawa.”
“Don’t fucking tell me what to do.” Sanemi said, storming off in the direction they took you, feeling more irritated than he was before speaking with the Flame Pillar.
It had all happened so fast.
Both you and Sanemi had been chasing after a demon who had been kidnapping and eating children. The absolute worst of the worst.
You were losing your temper and fighting brash, something he’d never seen from you before but not something he was new to entirely.
Just like Masachika.
You were so blinded by rage over the fact that the victims were children that you could barely hear him as he directed you to coordinate your attacks.
The last thing he remembers is going in for the killing strike when suddenly the demon throws a kid at him, a little girl. He stops his attack mid swing to catch her but in doing so he leaves himself wide open to the demon.
Fucking idiot! He thought as he tried to move out of range in time, before the demon could sink her claws into him he felt a hard push and the next thing he saw was red.
Blood.
It was your blood. Dripping onto the ground forming a dark red puddle around your feet.
When had you gotten there?
You had pushed him out of the way at the last second and had taken the brunt of the attack, your side torn almost clean open.
The smell of copper fills his nose completely and he almost chokes on it.
“Shinazugawa.” Shinobu started firmly sitting at a desk chair snapping him from his thoughts. She had just finished stitching you up and had sent Aoi and the others to get you situated in a bed after you had passed out. “If you need to talk…”
“I don't need to fucking talk,” he said pacing grooves into the the wooden flooring of the hall of the Butterfly estate. “She was a fool for jumping in like that.”
“I know you’re worried about her but-“
“I’m not fucking worried!”
He was but he’d never tell Shinobu that.
His anger clouded his senses, sure he was worried but he was mad more than anything.
Who gave you the right to step in and put yourself on the line like that? For him of all people.
No. To Shinobu he wasn’t worried, he was pissed.
You’re met with the sight of a starch white ceiling as you came to, head pounding you slowly, sit up looking around the room, no one was occupying the other beds. Your body ached at even the slightest movement. For a moment, you thought you were completely alone until a familiar voice greets your ears.
“You finally awake?”
Sitting on a chair next to the bed was Sanemi, his arms crossed over his chest as he glared.
"How could you be so fucking stupid, you brat?"
“It’s okay Shinazugawa-san,” you sigh, “Kocho-san was able to patch me up.”
Shinazugawa-san. As if he wasn’t already irritated enough with you.
How annoying.
“Okay, my ass,” Sanemi grumbled, “and drop the -san.”
“You’re a Hashira sensei, your life is worth at least a hundred of mine.”
“You’re an even bigger moron than I thought if you really believe that shit!” Sanemi snapped “Don’t be so ready to throw your life away!”
“I guess I’m your dumbass then.” You mumble under your breath
“What?”
“Nothing, don't mind me.” You said waving your hand in front of you as if to dissipate the tension in the air.
Silence filled the space between you two.
“I won’t let you die. Not for me.” Sanemi said somberly, refusing to look you in the eye.
“That’s the only way I’d like to go,” you sighed dreamily, only half jokingly.
“Don’t say dumbass shit like that.”
“You’ve made bigger sacrifices. Let someone else make them for you for a change.” You nodded contentedly at what you said. “You deserve to live a full life just as much as I do so let me help you live it to the fullest.”
You would have thought that was the end of your conversation if Sanemi hadn’t stood with such force it knocked his chair over from your bedside.
“Don’t gimme that bullshit!”
“You think you’re so high and mighty talking about sacrifices when you really don’t know shit about sacrificing anything!”
Before you could say anything more, he stormed out slamming the infirmary shoji doors behind him.
He was right, what right did you have to tell him of all people about sacrifice when you knew about his past?
Sanemi hadn’t told you much himself but when you asked Oyakata-sama about him he had reluctantly told you about Genya and his mother.
If anyone had known anything about sacrifice it’d be him.
Slowly getting up from your bed you found yourself leaning against the wall as you limped through the halls searching for your teacher.
The wind whipped through his white hair as he sat in the garden attempting to meditate. He had initially come out here to cool his head by slashing at the training dummies but when he saw other slayers out there training themselves he opted to go to the other side of the grounds just to have some alone time.
He hadn’t meant to snap at you like he did, gods know you weren't wrong no matter how much he hated to admit it, so why did it piss him off so much to hear you talking so easily about throwing your life away for him.
You deserve to live a full life just as much as I do so let me help you live it to the fullest.
You reminded him so much of Masachika it made his head ache.
The wind picks up once again carrying with it the smell of wisterias and…something else he couldn’t quite place.
It was almost like it was trying to tell him something, like he wasn’t alone.
Whipping around just as the sliding shoji doors open up, Sanemi jumped up and made it to you just in time to catch you as you slipped and fell out into the garden having lost your grip on the wall.
“Dumbass! What the hell are you doing up?!”
“I was looking for you!” You cried “I’m sorry Shinazugawa, you were right, I had no right to be so ignorant!” You tried to bow but the searing pain in your side said otherwise.
He tsked as he went to sit you down on the engawa. Setting himself beside you so you could lean on him if you needed to.
“You really aren’t that smart are ya?” He asked roughly trying to lighten the mood but the way it came out made him wince at the harshness.
Thankfully after months of training at his side you could tell when he was trying to lighten the mood, so you simply smiled and closed your eyes savoring his warmth. “No one’s ever accused me of being a genius.”
It was then that he realized you hadn’t called him sensei, or by any honorific. He was simply Shinazugawa.
Maybe he was finally getting something through that thick skull of yours.
The fourth time
When the two of you arrived at the swordsmith village you split off almost instantly Sanemi muttering to himself something about needing a drink. You were so excited at the promise of hot water on your aching muscles that you hadn’t thought to ask Sanemi if he planned to bathe too.
Which was how you two found yourselves in your predicament.
This was good. Way too good. The hot springs were perfect. From where he sat Sanemi could see the steam rising off from the clear water. The atmosphere around it is breathtaking, decorated with rocks, and lush plants. The scent of it was intoxicating.
He can already feel the relaxing effects of the mineral waters soaking into his bones as he sinks further in. Sanemi’s entire body felt overly warm, whether from the springs or the sake he drank earlier that evening he wasn’t sure.
Something like a splash echoed off in the distance and Sanemi turned toward the sound only to find you, sitting with your back to him, eyes closed as you groaned in pure bliss, the hot water easing your sore muscles.
“The hell are you doing here?!” He screamed jumping up to point at your naked form forgetting to cover himself up as he did so.
“Same as you Shinazugawa-san, taking a bath!” You smiled cheerfully “you’re naked by the way.”
You said averting your eyes from his very bare form.
He quickly sank back down into the water, cheeks turning a bright red before he rolled his eyes at you.
There it was again. If you said his last name like that one more time he swore he was going to-
But before he could finish that thought he caught a glimpse of your back, almost completely unmarred and blemish free save for the gnarly scar that twisted up your side and shoulder as you moved to grab your rag to wash yourself.
Sanemi had never seen your body so exposed before, he hadn’t meant to look, he swears he hadn’t but he just couldn’t tear his eyes away from you.
That was my fault.
“It’s not your fault.” Your voice brought him back to reality before he could get lost in his thoughts.
“Huh?”
Now you were sitting next to him, back resting against the warm boulders that surrounded the springs, arms folded, covering your amble chest from his view.
“It probably would've happened either way. I was being too reckless that night.”
“Doesn’t stop me from feeling any less shitty about it.”
A silent blanket fell over the two of you, the rippling of the water beneath you two the only sound that could be heard.
“Don’t get hurt again.” The request came in a tone you’d never heard from your teacher before. There was an emotion in his voice, one that you couldn’t quite place. Fear? Pity?
Nonetheless you smiled at him with a reassuring smile before answering back “I’ll try my best.”
“Good,” he began cheeks tinging pink once again as he looked away from you. “now get the fuck out.”
The one time you do
When the battle with Muzan and the remaining Upper Moons was over and the Corps had officially dissolved, you took your time to heal from your injuries, paid your respects to the fallen and moved back home.
Your childhood home looked more or less the same since you’d left, but it felt different. You couldn’t put your finger on it, maybe it had changed somehow or maybe it was just you that had changed but something felt like it was still missing.
Once you were settled in you resumed work in the family’s tea shop, your family thankful for the extra help. Soon you saved up enough to get yourself a little home on the edge of the village.
It wasn’t a spectacular abode but it reminded you of the Wind estate you stayed at when you trained under Sanemi. A place you like to think of as home.
Speaking of the devil, the arrival of Shinazugawa Sanemi to your village was a spectacle. He sent whispers and murmurs everywhere he went, the town buzzing with excited chatter and imaginative speculations but to you it fills your belly with fluttering butterflies.
You hadn't seen him for months since the final battle, a battle you hadn’t even had the luxury of sharing with him since you were with Shinobu at the time. Had he changed at all? Would you remind him too much of the past? What if he didn’t want to see you? Had you changed?
All those thoughts gripped at your head as you walked home from the store, groceries tucked tightly under each arm. It’s as you approached your home that you stopped dead in your tracks nearly dropping your bags.
There, standing in front of your door, was Sanemi himself.
He was thanking an old man, a regular of yours at the tea shop, on your front porch.
“Thanks for helping me find the place, old timer.”
“It’s no problem, oh there she is now!” The old man waved you over.
“Welcome home! I bought you a visitor!” The man cupped his hand around his mouth shouting excitedly as you approached.
“I see, it's been a long time Shinazugawa!” You smiled at them.
Sanemi looked different, he had even more scars and was missing fingers on one of his hands. Even though he appeared more battle hardened there was a surprising gentleness to his features now. As if there had been a weight lifted from his shoulders.
“It’s good to see you too.” He replied, surprising you with a soft smile.
“You wouldn’t expect it by looking at him, but Shinazugawa is really good with kids.” The old man, who you both realized was still there, teased. “We found him helping out some of the village kids before he asked for you.”
Face reddening, Sanemi ears tinged pink.
“Shinazugawa-san, you’re blushing! Ah I remember my first love…” the old man trailed off, his expression dreamy despite yours and Sanemi’s vehement protests in the background.
“I’ll leave you to youngsters to it then.” He waved you two off as he turned to leave, you quickly pulled Sanemi inside, cheeks equally as flushed as his own.
You invited him in and ushered him towards the back before the old man could say anything more. The two of you soon found yourselves resting on the engawa outside as you served him and yourself tea and ohagi, attempting to awkwardly catch up with one another.
You can tell he’s tired from his eyes as he spoke, and he has every right to be. The battle was hard fought not without great sacrifice even if it was months ago, Sanemi had a lot of recovering to do still.
The two of you sat in silence for what felt like hours admiring the beautiful scenery around you. More than once you caught Sanemi’s gaze lingering on you but he always caught himself and looked away before you could say anything.
“Forgive my intrusion.” He broke the stifling silence first.
“There’s nothing to forgive, I’m glad you came to visit.”
“I really wanted to see you, I even thought about coming to visit your estate but I figured, after everything….” You paused
Maybe you didn’t want to see me.
“You might have needed some space.” There’s a pause before you continue. “Have you been to see him yet?”
“I visit his grave as often as I can,” Sanemi says with mournful eyes that can’t quite meet yours.
“It’s all my fault… Genya….” His voice sounded watery as he trailed off. “I didn’t want anything to happen to him.”
“Please don’t blame yourself. It wasn’t your fault.”
“It feels like it is. Maybe if I hadn't pushed him away…”
He’d still be here.
If only he had taken his place. Sanemi thought as he swallowed thickly trying but failing to hold back tears.
“We’ve all done things we’re not proud of, we all make mistakes, it’s what makes us human.” You said placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
How was he supposed to be going about doing this?
All he wanted was to come visit you, see how you were doing, not spill his guts out to you in the courtyard. He never meant for this to happen.
“I can see the love you had for him. I know he saw it too, otherwise he wouldn’t have fought so hard to get your approval when you pushed him away. People have different ways of showing affection." You started, Sanemi remained silent, his eyes fixed on you as you spoke.
"Genya might not have chosen the path you wanted for him, but he was with you all the way until the end and that’s what matters."
"He was a dumbass," he muttered, wiping stray tears from the corners of his eyes.
"He was your brother, and he loved you to pieces. He forgave you even when you couldn’t forgive yourself. I think it’s time you started trying to forgive yourself too." You smiled warmly. “You’re not alone in this sensei. I'm right here with you.”
“Drop that sensei crap. We’re both civilians now, we’re equal.”
“Sorry, old habits.”
A thick silence envelopes you two once again, this time a little less awkward than it was before as a hint of sadness lingers in the air.
“Please allow me to accompany you on your next visit, I’d like to see him too.” You said leaning into his side.
“I think I’d like that.”
It was getting late, the sun was starting to set over the mountains surrounding your village. The two of you had retired inside your home where you offered to make him dinner. Sanemi accepted and the two of you ate peacefully while you reminisced.
After clearing and cleaning up a bit you returned to your engawa where you sat in a comfortable silence just enjoying each other’s company.
Refusing to meet your eyes, Sanemi moved to place one of his hands over yours. The gesture has your heart thumping wildly in your chest, his too. “I very much wish… to see you again.” His words came out as though he was struggling to say them.
“I’d like that too…Sanemi.”
His name falling from your lips makes him stop in his tracks, looking up at you instantly.
“Say it again. My name.” He breathed out, he wanted to say more, but he’s too caught up in the fact that you finally called him by his first name.
“Sanemi.” you said tested it out on your tongue once more, pronouncing each syllable
At that he smoothly bridged the gap between you, pressing his lips softly against yours.
You almost forgot how to breathe. Cradling your face, he reaches his right hand around you and pulls you closer, deepening your kiss, relishing in the feeling of you.
It was then that you knew what was missing all those months ago when you returned home. It was him, he was your home and your village just didn’t feel like it had a place for you without him.
You're the first to pull away from the kiss, lungs not at all what they used to be back when you had to constantly use Total Concentration breathing, resting your forehead against his you stare into his lilac eyes with a shy smile.
“Stay with me tonight Nemi,” you murmur, fingers lightly tracing along his cheek as he hums in contentment. “Let me take care of you.”
Sanemi does not answer you, instead settling to pull off his haori while going in for another kiss, this one a bit rougher.
You admit to yourself right then that the name Sanemi rolls off the tongue so much better than Shinazugawa does.
706 notes · View notes
ms0milk · 4 months ago
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pitch in a teapot
sanemi x inn keeper
reader has a business to run and sanemi can't help but watch you do it well, barking orders, teaching firmly, smiling and scurrying around like a fancy little bell. There's something he's been trying to get out of you all afternoon but chores keep stealing you away. cw MDNI, frustrated thunderstorm quickie, reader w vagina + penetration, slight manhandling, desperation and a little bit of sass. 4.1k
thank you so much my darling @neiptune for requesting a little sanemi this @ficsforgaza season! you were so generous and patient waiting for this to come out, I hope you enjoy angel
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Six bowls of soup upstairs and an old man somewhere in the bowels of the inn with a limp and half a shoe. Right, okay, send two girls to the garden– no. One to the garden and one to the kitchen. That’s dinner taken care of as long as the scholar with the fat pony– donkey, maybe– doesn’t regurgitate an encore of the rakugo performance that couldn’t have been funny in the first place.
You roll the sleeves of your apron slightly tighter in their tasuki. The cyprus walls of your inn bleed fragrance before summer thunderstorms so you make a mental note too, to order storm doors for the second floor before the clouds go black and blue. Incensed breeze, juniper, wisteria, paper windows, one foot, the next, again, each step down the wooden hallway is a quiet knock. Each summer at home is heavier, heavier, and this year is the flood.
“Oi.”
“Not my name,” you blow from the corner of your mouth without changing pace. That breath was ready to jump off your lip before the demon slayer even called out to you; he hates doing nothing and hates even more what great pains your staff take to avoid his room.
“It reeks.”
“Excuse me?” You huff and this time do turn enough to interrogate him via glare. Sanemi, ridiculous, folds his arms in the doorway of a very nice room, a too nice room, without any of the appropriate embarrassment of someone who has been lying in wait. The stippled blue pattern of his robes doesn’t suit him. They clash with his ugly scars and uglier attitude but don't keep him from wearing the chest wide open like a well paid rent boy.
“Stinks.”
“Whatever of, princess?”
He growls and drops his arms as you brace for the lecture, “Demons.”
His heart is incapable of peace and yours with it, and every summer he’s assigned a post in your mountains by a master you’ve never met and who couldn’t possibly be sane themself. Four years of this. Four years of twelve weeks of sixteen-hour-days of the world’s most neurotic demon slayer.
“The whole property is wide open for any fuck to attack.”
You adjust your grip on a slender bucket handle and the cloth in your other arm and continue back downhall, “You always say that.”
“I’m always right,” he nags and pushes free of his bedroom.
You met Sanemi when you were sixteen and still working under your parents. He was a brand new hashira then and prone to fist fights, spitfire, bloodshed. Nothing special. Nothing new. Hashira come and die and new hashira come again. They arrive in flashbangs and ego and leave like everyone else, in pieces.
Your parents were calm, they had peace and practice, they ran this inn, they welcomed Sanemi with his summer floods. They loved him, took his counsel and died by it, and they probably wouldn’t have lost an old man inside the house. But this is your inn now. They aren’t here anymore and at your inn sometimes old men get misplaced.
“And what would you like me to do about all that, sir?”
The hashira keeps an easy military pace behind you, “The gardens need to be reinforced and–”
“Nine acres of wisteria arbor need reinforcement? Yeah I’ll get right on that.”
“The storm will take out ha–!”
“And the other half will hold until autumn. Go berate the kitchen staff for their unpreparedness– they’re all unarmed you know? Totally unprofessional.”
“Y/n–”
“Shinazugawa,” you spin and it all comes out as a threat, a hiss, instead of just a whisper so much so that the water in your bucket nips up your sleeve. “I am the lady of this establishment and you will not address me so familiarly.”
Dark cyprus, cool hallways, the undeniable scent of thunder. Sanemi rests his hand on his sword to glare like he does when his hands don’t quite know what to do with themselves. His eyes roam, quiet under long lilly lashes until they have traced the shapes your tasuki makes with your waist and rise again to your gaze. “We’re not fucking finished.”
“Go eat,” you snap and turn back down the hallway, red at the ears. Lady of the establishment, great job.
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Feet aren’t complicated, bone to tendon, tendon to muscle, muscle to skin, one step and another. You tilt your head back and an eager girl rises to wipe sweat from your temple.
“Like this,” you hum and tilt the old man’s heel in your palm. He winces but lets you continue while the girl stares on. “When the skin is split like this it can’t receive moisture– sorry sir, better?” You set his foot on the hammock of cloth between your thighs, “So you need to soak it first before applying salve. Yeah?”
“Yeah,” the girl parrots, still unable to look away.
“Yes.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
You smile through an eye roll but gesture for her to come sit beside you. You’ve been like this since he’s met you, too old for your body.
You’ll train anyone who asks, hire any runaway girl, absorb the cost of thieves when runaways are exactly that, and you will wash old men’s feet before eating dinner with the self preservation of a samurai. Famously long-lived, those. Sanemi has to look away when you take scissors to the gnarled yellow nails and almost covers his ears when your pupil starts asking you questions about it.
“Feels good right?” You chuckle at the man’s response to your ministrations, and then a little louder, when you realize just how seriously the girl beside you is trying to focus. Birdsong. “Do you have companions on your pilgrimage, sir?” He shakes his head.
You lean away again so the girl can dab your brow and push back stray hairs and turn back to explain overdetailed care instructions to this man who is obviously so embarrassed he can’t hear a word you’re saying. Something about tallow and socks, Sanemi tries to read the syllables off your lips and loses focus the second time your teeth catch damp and pillowed pink.
The man seated in front of you grumbles some and flexes a few fingers around his cane like old men do, but doesn’t protest your instructions. He nods instead of thanking you like a real tough guy.
“Fetch a new pair of sandals from the garden shed,” you instruct your girl who bolts up and out the door past Sanemi without so much as a breath. “And you,” you turn back to your patient, “keep the nails short, you hear?”
He nods again, increasingly avoidant of eye contact. Sanemi tenses in the dark outside the guest’s complimentary room and hates ungrateful fucks enough for both of you.
“And don’t skip any more meals.” 
The man’s wrinkled skin unfolds at his eyes and he pulls his legs back underneath him. You dry your hands after scrubbing clean in a soapy pot and stand to collect your tools. “I couldn’t find you this evening and I hate to lose track of my guests at mealtime.”
You are going to feed every stray you find until the economy collapses. Peasant monks, pickpockets– you’d put up a demon if its stomach growled. After too many unnoticed minutes watching you, following the white x between your patterned shoulders, eating your voice, warming the hallway, you finally pick out Sanemi’s eyes in the dark behind the sliding door. He’s waiting for you. You clear your throat for the broke old pilgrim one last time, “You don’t owe any money. Do not skip meals.” And bid him a wordless good night. The door cracks shut behind you. It isn’t late enough for sunset. Thunderstorms make it so dark so quickly and they mask the scent of blood with all their rain and iron. “What is it?” You deadpan and shuffle towards the stairs with all the confidence in the world a tenured hashira will work to keep up with you.
“Not fucking finishied with you,” Sanemi grunts, working to keep up with you. The apron over your service kimono forces your hips to sway in tight little circles and Sanemi sucks his teeth. He doesn’t look away.
Through the hallway and down the servant stairs, socks on polished wood, you tap, tap, tap nimbly to your next assignment. The room below radiates heat and life. “What do you want?” you whisper.
“I–” he slips barefoot on the slick last step into the kitchen and you stumble in your newly damp right sock. “Euh, I–”
“Mimiko!”
“Lady?”
“Wet.” You point behind you, palming Sanemi out of the way, and a free washerwoman dives for the spot with the rag tucked into her belt. The kitchen rages silently in the easternmost corner of the mansion; men and women sweat over donabe, rinse their body weights in rice, and beat little fires with littler fans. Two women and a boy linger just outside the paper door in clothes that match yours for formality and Sanemi assumes as he weaves through the bustle, that they are responsible for bringing food to customers and for doing everything they can not to sweat through their pretty borrowed uniforms. Your own kimono is purple tonight, a cool little shape bobbing nimbly between flames.
Sanemi opens his mouth to shout after you and shuts it again just as quickly to grind his teeth instead as you lift your apron over your head. You let a girl feed you a spoonful of something on your way out of the room and she wiggles when you nod several times before ducking through the door.
Laundry next, then a double check of the firewood cache and the whole while Sanemi occupies your shadow. A few times you hiss over your shoulder at him for looking so gruff, for looking like a bodyguard, for making your customers imagine your distrust of them, always you bite back before he can get more than a few words out but mostly you just scurry in preparation for the storm picking up warm wind outside.
You avoid the entrance with him so close in tow, armed and obstinate, but make a show of circling both tatami halls where guests come after dinner on rainy nights to stretch and smoke by the brazier with strangers. A female musician trills her koto. The sky hasn’t let loose a single drop of rain yet but wet hangs like a fog and thunder scents the air ahead of its arrival. As Sanemi trails the outer walkway of the mansion behind you, the sky bleeds with the last of day’s light in the cracks between bruised and racing storm clouds.
“Second floor secure?” You confirm with the men slotting thick panels into grooves where paper doors usually go. They nod in their white uniforms. Beyond the porches, beyond the east garden and its fat green vegetables, beyond dogwood trees and sarusuberi and maples that have begun to tremble violently in winds buffeted by humidity and nightfall, the wisteria arbor glows. You radiate a cool purple pull beside him just like your flowers.
The arbor surrounds the property on all sides for half a mile and all three paths away from the house are barred by gates of twisting wisteria vine. The inn belongs to your family, but does not serve Ubuyashiki. Theirs is not the only house that discovered a use for these flowers. Yours is not the only wisteria business in the country. 
“Do you see that?” You murmur at so much the same tone as the wind that Sanemi almost cannot hear you.
Three years ago he left before the end of summer, called away to investigate a massacre nearby. A tree fell that season. It crushed a straight path through the edge of the mountain forest and onto your property where, lured by so much blood and wine, a pair of sister demons descended through the broken orchard and devoured everyone who wasn’t fast enough to hide in the flowers like the slayer suggested they should in an emergency. Your parents evacuated the house and died in it with the guests who couldn’t walk on their own. Nestled under three braided vines at the far edge of the property, you listened to them die.
The winds kick up sand from your vegetable garden and you step off the porch into the start of the storm. Tiny and purple. “Y/n!” Sanemi lunges for you. His sword whips the meat of his thigh and you step out of his way before he can grab any part he intended to. The men on the porch watch you both scramble through the backyard. You snap at the strange guest and duck when he swings a hand towards you, hop in your sandals when he tries to trip you into his arms and dart away like a dragonfly.
“Get back here!”
“Go inside!”
“Y/n!”
“How dare you!”
“Motherfucking, Y/n!” 
“That’s enough!” You bark and twist back towards the garden shed. Your pupil left the door wide open and all its shining tools caught your eye across the yard. Sanemi was staring when you stepped outside. His eyes feel like beads of sweat on the few bare parts of you. His gaze is all teeth on the back of your neck.
With all but one storm door up, not a single guest can hear the ruckus you two kick up outside in the prologue of the storm. “It’s about to pour!”
“Then go join the other guests!” You shout through a particularly violent breeze and you have to grip to the break in your kimono closed. He does not. By the time you lay a winded hand on the wall of the shed, it has started to rain.
A silencing wall of water falls from the back of the property straight towards you. It kills dust clouds in its path and paints every surface soaked in a perfectly straight line. Sanemi rushes from behind and nearly lifts you off your feet to get inside the shed as you watch the supernatural army advance on your home.
“Shit,” he grumbles and winces when the rain overcomes the little shed and splashes off the pavement into his face. He pulls you deeper inside and you jolt. The first crack of thunder is a scream that shakes the ground, “Scared of thunder now?”
“Scared of my profit margins, you oaf.”
Under his shoulder you are glaring at the storm between this shitty stuffy shed and your business. You are so small and wrapped so tightly in layer after layer of fabric. It must be hot. The damp drips down his open chest and thighs, it frizzes his hair at his ears. You must be sweating somewhere in that formal getup. Wet glistens at the curled little hairs on the back of your neck where the skin is just barely visible and it sparkles under your high collar.
“I can’t walk back inside soaked,” you groan, “there’s not enough time to change before final rounds.”
Sanemi takes his hand off his sword. There must be damp parts of you hiding from him. He brushes his knuckle up the bare skin of your neck, across your throat, and you falter slightly.
“Sanemi–”
“Nuh uh, don’t address me so familiarly,” he smirks and cups your cheek in his big hand when you jerk around.
“That’s not–!”
“Not what?” He smiles now, and drops his hand back to his sword so that you might find your own weapon and finish the fight. Four years of this.
You shove a finger into his chest, “You’re such a clingy fuck Shinazugawa,” and shout a little because you know the thunder will hide it. A sudden gust blows the sheet of rain sideways and straight inside the open door of the garden shed, up your dress and down his robes and through your prettily pinned hair. “Y/n this, y/n that, I’m busy Sanemi, I’m stuck in a shed! You’re the only one who calls me and people think we’re fucking! You want my attention you have it so please tell me all about the demons that’re gonna slurp up my customers and fuck my taxes to shit and–”
The door creaks in Sanemi’s hands even through the oceanic sounds of storm when he begins to close it. He nods as you get louder, nods as he slides the door closed and flicks the latch.
“Do not,” you growl, “there’s five thousand–”
“Five thousand little bitches in there lost without direction? They’re fine, Y/n.”
“Don’t call me that here.”
“They’ll survive, little lady.”
You spit, “not better.” And the new humidity of the closed shed begins to swallow you whole. It fills your throat. “What about all the demons you’ve been crying about?”
“You’re such a cocky cuss.”
“And you’re needy,” you taunt. It’s Sanemi’s turn to wince and his frustration starts to drip from all those places he shoves it away from you. He's been gentle with you since that summer. He lets you interrupt him, he follows where you go. “I watched you check perimeters this morning, you don’t need to talk to me about demons.”
“Eyes everywhere huh?” His throat is pink, “Lady of the house.”
You grin and pull him by the loops of his robe into your tiny purple kiss, “Shut up.”
“M’lady,” he growls against your lips and succumbs.
Four years of stolen touches, lips on damp summer skin, coming out of empty rooms too ruffled and pulling the hashira between your legs without disturbing the folds of your work kimono. “Don’t call me that either,” your breath hisses against his throat like an iron and he drops his sword quickly to gather you in his arms.
Too much fabric. Shovels and shears clatter against the floor and one another when the thunder shakes their little house again, and they tremble at every thump and roll of your body against Sanemi’s. He pulls your hips against his and guides your legs around his waist so he can sink into those soft parts of you. So he can tilt his head back to look up at you, so you can pour your kisses down his throat like wine.
You drag your nails up the back of his head when he offers his tongue to your lips, biting, suckling, drawing out gentle sounds and eating them before they compete with the rain outside. Where his hips dig into your own the folds of your skirt fall apart. Legs that glisten with sweat and rain part nicely for him and his own robes grow clingy with exertion where he grinds hard against you. Every subtle roll breaks your concentration in kisses, in lips sliding, begging with salvia and rainwater. His hands cup your cheeks, thighs, the collar of your kimono shudders open for him when he dips to suck bruises under your jaw and the swordsman’s hand loses control as he grips your belt to free you from all this formality. He’ll press crescents into your breasts, he’ll lower his tongue through your peach sweet folds and drink until you cry– but you pull his head back with a sharp yank of your wrist.
Your breath comes in clouds. The inn glows with candlelight across the yard but the light through the shed’s window is too weak. Welts of lighting illuminate the flush of your chest and cheeks. Two seconds of bright and twelve of dark warmth, shaking swirling thunder and then only rain. Sweat rolls from your temples and into the depths of your kimono. It’s been days since he’s had you like this and longer since you’ve had true privacy, others a whole yard away.
You can’t be gone long, he knows. Staff watched you race in here together, watched him shut the door, he knows he knows, he just can’t put you down yet. He leans in for another kiss and you let him fall close enough for his chest to crush yours before pulling back on his hair again.
“Y/n,” he’s suddenly not above begging but you hold his gaze tight. You watch him as your hand slips between the place your bodies meet. Pretty fingers reach for the heat between his legs. Pretty knuckles ghost over the swell of his robes and draw the fabric aside instead of ordering he bring you back inside. Sanemi’s cock perks up in free air as high as this position will let it and rests heavy under the swell of your ass.
He kisses you again, toothy and smiling and when you kiss him back your sharpest teeth clink together. He ruts into your desperation against the wall, harder than the rain, harder than the wind that threatens to blow your shed away and you with it. Obviously he wouldn’t let it but the thought that nature might be jealous of the rumple you made of each other drives him harder against you. Slipping, cock hard and suddenly shifted up against the hair under your belly. Peach fuzz yields to warm slick and Sanemi drops his head to your chest when he shudders to avoid whimpering into your mouth. He slips through your folds with a tight hold still under your thighs and drags himself up, down, up, hypnotized always by the faces you make when you’re trying to keep quiet.
The scars across his body are forever numb, but when your clammy hands paw is his chest he swears he can smell color. He can touch light when you pull his face back to yours frantically, when your hips with all their fabric flowing off of them buck sloppily against his, when he thrusts once deeply inside of you and forces a broken gasp from the back of your throat.
Before you can catch your breath your lips have crashed against his and his hips against yours. Sanemi keeps the relentless, restless, starving pace you like and knows he’ll last only the next few minutes before the worst of the storm blows over. Again and again he carves a palace for himself inside of you. You guide him with the falter of your kisses when he finds that perfect spot and with the slick that coats both of your thighs. Your voice escapes you in choked whimpers, his name comes out in hiccups. You’re a little bell in his arms folded in half and singing for him.
Again and again, out and so deep back inside, Sanemi’s feet grip the floor as he plunges his hips into yours and both of your bodies into the swelling wood walls. His rhythm staggers as you flutter around him and with his head against your shoulder he watches the circles you draw on your clit with the tips of four clumsy fingers as your other hand muffles your voice. He grabs that quieting wrist without thinking and without taking his eyes off the place your bodies connect with lewd squelches and sticky white threads. His threatening grip, his thick cock and your fingers push you right over the lip of your pleasure and fluttering becomes milking spasms quicker than Sanemi can think to treat you gently. That half-sobbing voice he loves so much cheers him towards his own climax and the more sensitive you grow the easier it is to coax those sounds out of you that you try to keep hidden, “Don’t– don’t be so quiet.”
“Inside,” you whisper in reply and draw his face into your hands as his pounding stutters in pace and loses all flow completely under your dreamy gazes. Sanemi can’t keep his eyes open when he cums. His pretty lilly lashes flutter with lost concentration. He shudders, ruts you deeper into the wall and groans with release as he fills those swollen wet parts of you. Warmth pools in your belly and trickles off his cock still buried. Sweat falls like the rain outside.
“Wanna taste,” Sanemi rumbles without setting you down or stilling his thrusts fully. He nuzzles somehow farther into the dip of your collarbones. Soft snow white hair, a heartbeat in the fingers that grip you. Every twitch of his hips is a starving ache.
“C'mon,” you grin, “dinner’ll get cold.”
“Let me taste you.”
“Sanemi, what will I eat if you eat me?”
“Have a few ideas,” he smiles back through the trembling of the shed in encores of thunder and gale. A leak tip tap tip taps nearby. Four years of this, maybe more.
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xxsabitoxx · 1 year ago
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Where They Are Sensitive 18+
Warning: contains smut (obvi), talks of thigh grinding, cunnilingus, hickeys, nipple sucking (lmao)
A/N: @muzanswaifu got my brain working overtime after the Giyu Drabble she wrote. So here are my personal takes on the Hashira and where they are most sensitive
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Tomioka Giyu: his thighs, his neck, his lower back
When it comes to Giyu’s thighs, he didn’t realize how sensitive they were until you sat on his lap
Mid-make out session, literally only the second time y’all had ever done something like this, you climb onto his lap and suddenly that man is a goner
Your weight on his thighs as reduced Giyu to a whining mess, his hands roaming your body with more fervor, his kisses turning rougher, the whole nine yards.
If you grind on his thigh? He’s making just as much noise as you are. The steady rhythm of your cunt gliding back and forth on his tensed thigh has his eyes rolling back.
Giyu’s neck is ticklish, which in turn makes it very sensitive. You discovered this during the same Make out session towards the beginning of your relationship
Your lips on Giyu’s neck is his absolute kryptonite. That man is putty in your hands the second your tongue glides along the column of his neck.
Giyu’s lower back is a place he never knew was sensitive until he met you. Thanks to your hands, he realized.
You were giving him a back massage because he had gotten hurt on a mission. As your hands crept lower, the heat on his face rose. So did the noises he made.
Now, even the slightest of touches along the small of his back has him tensing, your giggles only making it worse.
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Kocho Shinobu: her hips, her stomach
The moment your hands rest on her hips, she’s clenching her jaw in hopes of not making any noises
They are just a tad ticklish, when your hands massage the flesh it doesn’t help her case
She enjoys the feeling of course, especially when you’re going down on her. Nothing makes her feel as helpless / at your mercy than your hands on her hips, holding her still.
Hold her hips while you kiss her, she’ll melt into your touch, holding you tighter in fear of you letting go.
Shinobu’s stomach is ticklish, even the slightest of touches will have laughter spilling out of her
You found this out unintentionally, your lips gliding from her neck to her chest, down to her stomach with the intentions of going lower
All it took was a couple of pecks and she was laughing softly, nearly breathless. Which surprised you a lot considering the mood of the situation.
You use it against her a few minutes later, face buried between her legs while your hands trial across the plain of her stomach.
This earns you a mixture of noises, breathless laughs and moans. Tears glimmering in her eyes from the intensity of the sensations you’re bringing her
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Rengoku Kyojuro: his chest/nipples, his jaw, his earlobes
The feeling of your hands resting on his chest is enough to send Kyojuro spiraling. Now take things further and lick or suck on his chest? It’s a miracle if he doesn’t cum.
He didn’t know how sensitive his chest was until you began leaving hickeys on it. The gentle sucking sensation sending shrills of arousal straight through him.
When you licked his nipple for the first time, his face turned the deepest shade of red you had ever seen. A nearly guttural moan tumbling from his lips as you suck.
Kyojuro’s jaw was another surprising revelation. Your teeth gently scraping the skin, goosebumps trailing through his body as you moved towards his ear.
You know that space, right where your jaw ends, that little space between the bone and your earlobe? Nip at that, suck on it, it does something to him (this one is super specific so I hope it makes sense lol)
Sucking along his jaw will have him melting under your touch, soft moans escaping him while his hands hold your hips as tightly as possible
Biting his ear lobe was just to tease him, but the gentle, almost ticklish pressure, sent Kyojuro into a fit of breathless giggles and moans
He’s embarrassed about this, because you know it’s an easy target. If he gives you a hug, you’re going to bite his earlobe. If you cuddle at night? You’re going to nibble his earlobe. It’s become a game at this point
Combine all three of these sensitive areas and you’ll have him whimpering for you.
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Uzui Tengen: his thighs, the back of his neck, his chest
When it comes to his thighs, it’s more about gentle touches. Truth be told, Tengen is sensitive all over but only when the touches are gentle.
Being gentle with Tengen will melt his heart, turn his brain to mush, he’ll be putty in your hands, whining softly.
Sitting on his lap, running your fingers along his thighs, you’ll notice him turning red, that confidence he always has it melting away and he’s getting shy.
You discovered the back of his neck was sensitive when you were doing his hair one morning.
The feeling of your fingers threading through his hair, just barely scrapping the back of his neck. The moan that slipped past his lips was enough to silence all of you.
Naturally that means you have to tease him, kissing the back of his neck and biting it until he couldn’t help but gasp out a “stop”. Not because he wanted to go stop, rather, he was embarrassed
When it comes to Tengen’s chest, it’s no surprise that he’s very reactive to your hands on him
Especially if you’re straddling his waist, dainty hands trailing along his pecks and smiling as a blush creeps down his neck
Luckily, he has you, makio, suma and hinatsuru. You can easily stimulate all of his “weak points” at once
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Kanroji Mitsuri: her hips, her breasts, her inner thighs
Now I know what you’re thinking, some of her most sensitive areas are usually exposed when she’s wearing her uniform. Lemme explain.
When it comes to Mitsuri’s hips, she’s very particular about what makes them sensitive. Gently putting your hand on her hip won’t really earn a reaction.
However, squeezing her hips, massaging them, holding them tight while you kiss her or do other things? She’s whining and melting into your every movement.
For Mitsuri’s breasts, it’s the same kind of idea. I mean she doesn’t wear any wraps or bras, just puts on her uniform and prays. Despite the sensitive skin being exposed, her uniform top is tight enough that they don’t move.
Now, when you touch them, lick them, suck on them, she’s a whining, squealing mess.
She’s almost embarrassed of how sensitive they are, her face warm and eye lids heavy while she watches you lavish them in bites and kisses
The only part of her thighs that are super sensitive are her inner thighs. Even the lightest of touches will have her instinctively trying to close them
Leaving hickeys on her inner thighs will drive her insane, the process and the result are almost too much for her to look at never mind endure
She’s also very ticklish, so don’t be shocked if touching her anywhere has her turning a shade of pink
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Iguro Obanai: his chest, his dick, his neck
Obanai is a man of …modesty… for lack of better words.
He’s not used to being touched never mind being touched in particular places with further intent. So it’s not all that shocking that something like your hands on his chest has noises coming out of him that he’s never made.
Your hands on his chest will have his brain doing cartwheels. He’s not use to such an intimate touch and the moment your fingers ghost his nips he’s losing it
Now I know what you’re thinking “May, his dick?” Yes, his dick. Hear me out, please.
Obanai isn’t one to masturbate, he’s not one to really to think about pleasuring himself. So the first time you touch him, he’s gasping for air, praying he doesn’t instantly cum.
He gains a tolerance of course, but those first few times he’s absolutely at your mercy. Making noises he can’t stand because he finds them embarrassing
Now, his neck being sensitive came as a shock because Kaburamaru usually sits there.
The thing is, he’s grown a tolerance for Kaburamaru. But your tongue feels a lot different than a snake slithering around his neck and shoulders
The thing with Obanai is the fact that he’ll grow a tolerance for all of his more sensitive areas. But that doesn’t mean he won’t get the chills and melt into you when you touch him.
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Shinazugawa Sanemi: his abdomen, his tip, his thighs
Lord, it’s me again. He’s so confident in the fact that he isn’t sensitive nor is he ticklish and there is nothing you can do to convince him otherwise…
Until your hands are on his hips, kissing your way down to groin and suddenly he can’t stop the blush covering his face. Not only that but he can’t stop the noises.
Your teeth scraping along his abdomen, tongue sliding along his v-line, he’s closing his eyes so you can’t see the fact that they are rolling backward.
It also doesn't help that the sight of you licking and sucking along his abdomen and hip bone looks so utterly lewd
When it comes to the tip of his cock, there is no controlling the noises he makes. The moment your lips wrap around him, he’s an absolute goner for you.
You don’t even have to worry about the rest of his dick, you could sit there and lavish the head and he’d be content, probably spilling into your mouth or on your face within seconds
When it comes to his thighs, Sanemi can’t contain his noises as your nails scrap across the plains of his skin.
If you ever want to work him up in public, just rest your hand on his inner thigh and go no futher.
Combine these three things together and you just may bring Sanemi to his knees. I'm serious. He'll go weak in the knees.
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Himejima Gyomei: his neck, his shoulders, his hips
This man is covered in muscle so you’d think it would be pretty hard to find some weak points on him
However, despite his height and build, I can assure you that Gyomei is a simple man with simple desires
Your lips on his neck make him, of all people, feel small. At your mercy even, willing to do whatever you desire.
He finds it a bit scandalous if you leave marks on him, but he secretly enjoys it. He also likes that you tell him you’ve left a mark behind because he can’t see it lol
Massaging his shoulders will earn you many pretty noises
Honestly, this man will start to purr if you massage body just right. But his shoulders will really get him going.
His hips are something sacred to be fully honest, he’ll turn a shade of red when he feels you touch him there
Your small hands on his waist, sinking to his hips, is almost amusing to him. But that doesn’t stop the shrill of arousal that shoots down his spine when your grip tightens
A special bonus is just sitting on his lap while kissing his neck or massaging his shoulders. The added pressure drives him a bit wild.
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raysrays · 3 months ago
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Fatal Attraction Chapter Two (NSFW)
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18+ MDNI‼️
CW for the entire story: Breeding, Size Difference,Size Kink, Jealousy, Scent Marking, Age Difference, Vaginal Sex, Possessive Behavior, Angst, Twisted, Creampie, Angry Sex, Vaginal Fingering, Hair-pulling, Biting, Master/Pet, Light Dom/sub, Violence, Knotting.
Content disclaimer: This story is inspired by the amazing artist @PammyJammy117 on Twitter/X. I in absolutely no way own or claim the idea of the “Cryptid Rengoku” character. Please give credit to the original artist who inspired the story.
Chapter One
He let me go. I can’t believe what just happened as I stumble back to the small, secluded residence where Tamayo has been housing us. My ankle hurts, but not as badly as before. The pain lingers, though it's less intense after resting and talking with that monster.
I'm in shock and disbelief. Out of all the people who have been searching for these mythical monsters for years, I had the misfortune of encountering one—and a dangerous one at that.
I think back to that haunting smile, those sharp teeth, and the glow of his red eyes. However, Tamayo's rambling might have saved me in a way. I never looked Kyojuro Rengoku directly in the eyes, which means he couldn’t sway my emotions.
If I remember correctly, the Hashira—or more specifically, these cryptid creatures—have the ability to influence a person’s control once you look into their eyes. This could be a means of protection or a manipulation tactic. I didn’t care what Kyojuro Rengoku’s intent was. Once I realized the situation I was in, I kept my gaze low.
He seemed not to notice, or at least he never mentioned it.
My mind is racing, and there's a nauseous feeling in my stomach. The full realization of the situation crashes down on me all at once: I encountered one of the nine most dangerous monsters our group has been researching. And I can’t breathe a word about it to any of them, especially not Tamayo.
The guilt didn’t set in until I finally made it back to the small house. I could see Tamayo, Yushiro, and some of the others talking in a group through the window.
There they were, discussing theories and ideas, while I stood outside with a twisted ankle, no flower, and a huge secret I had to keep from them.
In that moment, it felt like the world was working against me. I didn’t even believe in any of these ridiculous creatures, and now I’m stuck returning to see one every other day.
And return I did. Once my ankle healed, I kept my promise to him, bringing offerings of different foods and teas. I tried bringing blankets and fabric once, but he didn’t seem to enjoy those.
Even though sneaking around at night to see him was difficult, I made it work. Our dynamic was confusing, but I tolerated it. The first few times I visited, we sat and ate together. He would ask me questions about myself and my life, which I usually answered briefly. I didn’t want a terrifying monster knowing everything about me. Recognizing my face was bad enough.
When I tried to ask him questions, he would either change the subject or ignore me completely. If anyone else behaved like this, I’d probably tell them off. But when you’re dealing with an eight-foot-tall cryptid with teeth sharper than any blade, I let it slide.
Today, on my way to see him, I felt different. I’ve been visiting him for around two weeks now and never felt us getting closer, but I’ve started getting used to his company. As I continued to see him more, his appearance began to grow on me.
The blonde fur, the sharp teeth, and the red glow emanating from his eyes became something familiar, something I expected. Over time, these once terrifying traits started to become... not so bad.
"Why do you look like that?" His booming voice jolted me back to reality.
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking."
"It seemed like you were staring... Haven't you gotten used to me yet?" He flashed a smile so terrifying yet charming it sent shivers down my spine.
"No, it's not that. I was just trying to decide what food to bring next time."
"I really enjoyed the sweet potato dish. Bring it again." His ears perked up almost like a dog's. It was kind of cute.
"I've brought that one too often. You should try other dishes. Besides, I won't be able to come see you for a few days, so you'll have some time to think it over."
I waited for a response, but there was none. Slowly, I looked up at him. His face was scary, his sharp smile replaced by a terrifying scowl. His ears flattened.
"That's not what we agreed upon, Y/N. Why won't you be able to come see me?" he growled.
I struggled to find the words. Tamayo had informed the group that we'd be moving locations for a few days to cover new ground. I thought he'd understand. I never assumed he'd be upset by my absence.
"My group has to move locations for our search for a while. It shouldn’t take too long. I’ll return soon. It will only be a couple of days."
He got up and moved closer, and I felt every part of my body tense as he approached.
"Where exactly will you be going?" His face was so close to mine now. I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest.
"North… we’re going north."
I didn't have to look at his face to feel the intense glare he was giving me.
"You can’t go. You won’t," he snarled, pulling away.
"I don’t have a choice—"
"I don’t care. You aren’t going."
I didn’t understand. Is it just for the food? Why would this terrifying legend of a monster care if I came to see him or not?
"Why is it a problem? Why can’t I go?" I somehow managed to push the words out.
He was quiet, then I suddenly felt something around my wrist. I looked down to see his tail tightly wrapped around me, pulling me closer. That’s when I felt his sharp-clawed hand lifting my chin.
I instinctively shut my eyes.
"Look at me, Y/N." That usually happy tone had vanished from his voice, replaced with a voice as cold as ice.
Every bone in my body wanted to comply with his demands, but Tamayo's warning lingered in my mind.
"I can’t.”
"Look at me," he repeated.
I couldn’t resist. I knew Cryptids could influence humans, but I didn’t realize how much.
Slowly, I felt my eyes open, adjusting to the sight in front of me.
My mouth fell slightly open. I’d never seen such deep red glowing eyes before. That smile I’d grown accustomed to was completely gone.
I was scared, but why was I so… attracted to him?
"You will not go, Y/N. I'm sure you can come up with some excuse for this Tamayo woman you speak of so much," he spat.
I wanted to protest, to argue, but I just couldn't.
"Okay, I'll talk to her."
With that, he let me go, his tail slowly unwrapping from my wrist. His smile returned.
"Very good! You'll return to me tomorrow. I want the sweet potato dish once more!"
I could practically hear my own heartbeat—what a one-eighty.
As I walked back to the safe house, I planned what I would say to Tamayo, what excuse I would give for not going with the group.
Yushiro was definitely going to give me a hard time about it. But this whole situation sucks. I don’t want Tamayo to kick me out of the only place I have to call home, but on the other hand, I risk getting killed by one of the scariest creatures known to man.
-—————-
"Where have you been?"
I glanced up to see Yushiro and some of the others packing for the journey.
"I just stepped out to get some fresh air."
"Seems like you've been stepping out a lot lately," Yushiro muttered, rolling his eyes.
I had no idea why he was so hard on me. His attitude had only worsened the longer I stayed.
Ignoring him, I walked away. I don't answer to Yushiro. I answer to Tamayo, and that's who I needed to talk to.
My hand felt heavy as I knocked on the door to her office.
"Come in."
I opened the door slowly.
She was nearly hidden behind a giant stack of papers and books. As I approached, she stood and walked around to meet me.
"Y/N, what is it?"
I couldn’t believe how intimidating this small woman was.
"Tamayo... I can't go with you and the rest of the group up north."
She looked at me blankly for a moment. "Why's that?"
"Because I'm afraid I might be coming down with a cold... or something..." I hadn't really thought of a convincing excuse.
"You look fine to me. You're going," she said coldly.
Damn.
"I want to, I really do. It's just that I don't feel well, and I'm afraid I'll hold everyone back."
She scrutinized me. I knew she could tell something was off, but she was making this difficult on purpose.
"Y/N, I've asked you to look for the same flower for weeks now and you've brought me nothing. Now I'm asking you to join the group on our search up north and you're telling me no?"
When she said it out loud, it sounded ridiculous.
"You will go with us, Y/N, or you can't continue to stay here. The choice is yours."
So, my options were to face this 4'11" intimidating woman or an 8-foot-tall cryptid monster.
I'll take my chances with Rengoku.
After all, Tamayo controlled whether or not I had a place to sleep at night. I'm sure he wouldn't be too angry with me as long as I brought him more food.
"Suddenly I feel a lot better. I'll be ready to go in the morning," I said, forcing a small smile.
"That's what I figured." She retreated back behind her desk.
Something inside me felt off, my body a little uneasy. Yeah, he's going to be upset, but he'll forgive me. Right?
I walked up into my small room to get things ready, but I started to feel a little strange. My body felt odd, as if I was doing something wrong.
Climbing into the covers I think about everything, this whole situation that I’ve gotten myself into, with Tamayo, with Rengoku, all of it. I just don’t understand why it had to happen to me.
I never wanted any of this.
I was feeling confident until this morning. As I was helping Yushiro get things ready for the set out, my body kept feeling weird.
It’s like I kept having this odd sense of I’m doing something wrong. Like I’m in danger. I kept trying to shake it off but, it doesn’t go away.
Things only got worse once we hit the road. Tamayo may have thought I was lying earlier about being sick, because I was. But now, my whole body feels awful.
But it’s just a few days. I can push through. I’ll come home, make Rengoku a large dish of the sweet potatoes he loves, and all will be forgiven with a little ass-kissing.
“Y/N, are you ready?”
I look over and see Yushiro and the others staring at me.
“Yeah, sorry. Let’s go.” I push the sick feeling down and start to move.
I can’t help but think about why Rengoku didn’t want me to go up north. I know the territory mark ends, but really that shouldn’t mean anything. It’s not like I’m staying up there permanently.
As I walked with the group, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I felt like something was staring at me. It only felt more intense the closer and closer we got to the border that separated our usual territory from the north.
Once we started to step over that line, I glanced over my shoulder one last time. I practically felt my heart stop as I noticed two shining red eyes glaring at me in the distance.
He saw me, and he looked furious. I made the wrong call.
———————
To say that the trip up north was a waste of time would be an understatement—at least in Yushiro's words.
We searched around but found very little. To be honest, I was more paranoid about what we couldn't see. Knowing about the Hashira's existence has made me overly wary of wandering around.
While we were camping out, I read that we were in the territory of Sanemi Shinazugawa. His description was just as horrifying as Rengoku’s.
But what truly scared me was how violent this monster was compared to Rengoku. I knew these monsters were fierce, but the tales of Shinazugawa were extreme.
I felt so guilty keeping this secret. My group had no idea how much danger we’d be in if we ran into him. And it would be all my fault.
Honestly, if Sanemi Shinazugawa wanted to find and kill me, I wouldn't complain too much after the way Rengoku looked at me on my way out. I figured I was painfully dead either way.
I could feel my steps getting heavier as we walked back towards the safe house. It’s not like I wanted to stay in a monster-infested forest, but I definitely didn’t want to be there with Rengoku.
I’ve looked through books and journals of Tamayo’s and still can’t find much about him. Everything I found was positive. He was a kind, protective cryptid who watched over the main village in this area until humans deemed monsters too dangerous to trust.
There was nothing on his origins, background, family, or anything—certainly nothing about a temper.
So why was he looking at me like that? Like he wanted to kill me for going against him. Honestly, it felt like my body wanted to punish me for it too.
Ever since we left—no, ever since I agreed to go—I’ve felt sick and worried. I just kept feeling like I was doing something wrong.
“Y/n, when we get back, I need you to get some firewood.”
I glanced over to see Tamayo looking at me.
I’m dead.
“Oh, okay.”
The rest of the walk, all I could do was dread what would happen to me. Not only was Tamayo forcing me back into the place I wanted to avoid, but I’d also be going without some sort of food offering.
I might as well have signed my own death certificate.
Once we made it back, I helped unload everything and then slowly made my way back into the forest to get the wood. As soon as I stepped out of the clearing, a shiver ran down my spine.
Then the clicking started. He’s here.
“Y/N L/N.” The way his echoing voice spoke my name made me want to run, but my feet stayed planted.
Once he emerged from the shadows, his tall, broad figure just as terrifying as I remembered. But this time, there was no sharp smile or perked-up ears. Instead, angry, glowing eyes and a scowl that would scare any man.
I stepped back as he approached.
Just as I was about to speak, his tail wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer.
He leaned in and sniffed me. When he pulled back, his whole demeanor changed. His eyes darkened.
“You disobeyed me,” he growled.
“I had to. If I didn’t go, Tamayo was going to kick me out—”
His grip tightened, and his ear twitched with annoyance.
“You could have stayed here, with me. You don’t need her approval. The only person you should wish to please is me.”
His glare was piercing.
Stay with him? What is he talking about?
“I’m sorry, I really am. I didn’t want to go.”
“I cannot believe you would deliberately disobey me. You even smell like him,” he hissed.
“Who?”
His clicking intensified with his agitation.
“Shinazugawa.” He growled fiercely.
“You left me to fall into his company? He is a vile, horrible creature. You dare to choose him over me?” His eyes flashed with anger.
I felt my heart racing as his words sank in. My mind scrambled for something to say, anything that might diffuse his rage.
“No, it’s not like that! I didn’t choose him over you,” I pleaded. “I didn’t have a choice.”
His grip loosened slightly, but his eyes remained fixed on me, burning with anger and something else—betrayal.
“You always have a choice,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You chose to leave. You chose to put yourself in his path.”
I didn't know what to say. I hadn't even interacted with Sanemi Shinazugawa, yet somehow his scent was all over me.
I looked up at him, my eyes pleading. "Please, Rengoku. I would never choose anyone other than you."
His glowing eyes bore into mine, as if trying to gauge the truth of my words.
Suddenly, he pulled me closer, his large, clawed hand grabbing my face roughly.
"Prove it to me then. Prove you're loyal to me—not to Tamayo, not to Shinazugawa, to me."
"How? How can I prove it?" I was practically shaking. I would do anything to get out of this life-threatening situation.
His intense gaze lit up, his sharp smile returning. He leaned in close to me.
"Become my mate, Y/N L/N. Prove your loyalty to me, and become mine." His echoing voice suddenly sounded less sinister and more sincere.
Become his mate?
I felt my face heat up. There’s no way. There’s just no way Kyojuro Rengoku, a cryptid, a Hashira, one of the most dangerous beings to roam the earth, is asking me, a human, to become his mate.
“What? What do you mean?”
His smile only widened at my curiosity.
“Become my mate, Y/N. Stay with me, love me, and I’ll protect you for all eternity.” His ears perked up.
I didn’t know what to think. Am I actually considering this? I’ve always found Rengoku oddly attractive despite his terrifying nature, and yes, I do enjoy coming to see him. But was becoming his mate really what I had to do to survive?
And how exactly would I hide this from everyone?
As I looked into his eyes again, they flashed. Something in me felt different. Why was I suddenly feeling more attached to him?
I remembered the first time I looked into his eyes. I could tell he was influencing my body and emotions, but this time it was different.
Everything I’ve felt for him just felt amplified: fear, intimidation, attraction, lust.
Was I seriously about to bend to the will of this monster just because my twisted mind was genuinely attracted to his horrifying appearance and oddly charming personality?
If it’s going to keep me alive, then Yes. Yes, I was.
“Okay, I’ll do it. I’ll become your mate, Rengoku.”
His eyes widened, his smile growing larger as his grip on my waist tightened.
“If you agree to this, you must know I’ll never let you go. No matter where you run, I’ll always find you and bring you back to me.”
That sentence startled me, but I never expected to succeed in any escape attempt. I knew I couldn’t outsmart a monster like him.
“I understand. And I agree.”
That seemed to be all he needed to hear. He pulled me closer, our distance vanishing. His animalistic nature began to show as he sniffed and licked my skin.
“I’ll erase every trace of him on you. You’re mine,” he breathed.
I couldn’t help but feel my cheeks grow hotter, my body reacting to his possessive words.
In an instant, he was on top of me, pressing my body against the grass.
I struggled to breathe, his weight nearly suffocating me.
His eyes were locked on mine, his glowing red stare seeming more passionate than threatening now.
Suddenly, he pulled back and tore the clothing from my body, his hands groping and feeling my exposed skin.
My heart raced. I knew what was about to happen, and it terrified me. But I was also strangely excited.
He was quick, his claws shredding the remaining scraps of fabric from my body, leaving me bare beneath him.
I couldn't believe what I'd gotten myself into. This terrifying, mythical creature was about to claim me as his own. And the thought of it drove me wild.
As his large, clawed hands gripped my waist, he positioned himself between my legs.
His eyes looked at me, hungry.
"Y/N L/N."
"Yes?"
"You're mine."
I felt a surge of excitement run through me as I nodded.
"Say it," he growled.
"I'm yours."
His clicking started up again and he positioned his face between my legs.
I can’t believe it, is he really going to—
"Aah!" I cried out as his long, rough tongue began lapping at my sex.
My back arched as he lapped and teased, his sharp teeth nipping and tugging at my sensitive flesh.
I could barely catch my breath, the pleasure almost overwhelming.
I could feel my legs shaking, and my body begin to tighten as his tongue flicked against my clit.
"R-Rengoku..."
His glowing eyes peeked up at me.
“Kyojuro.” He corrected.
“If you are to be my mate, you will not address me so formally anymore.” He growled, sucking marks onto my thighs.
He returned to licking and teasing my pussy.
I can't believe this is happening.
I felt the heat building in my stomach, the pressure building as he lapped at my sensitive spot.
"Ahh... K-Kyojuro, I'm close," I moaned.
"Perfect," he rumbled, his echoing voice vibrating through me.
His grip on my thighs tightened as he pushed his tongue deeper into me, licking and sucking at my throbbing sex.
The pleasure was overwhelming.
"I'm gonna cum... I'm gonna cum," I moaned softly.
He growled continuing his assault on my clit.
His voice, his touch, it was all too much.
I cried out, my body shuddering and spasming as the intense waves of pleasure crashed over me.
Kyojuro held me in place as my orgasm washed over me, his tongue never slowing its pace.
The pleasure was so intense I couldn’t think straight. My body had never felt so used like this.
As my mind started to settle I couldn’t help but crave more. And by the way he was looking up at me between my thighs. I could tell that wasn’t enough for him either.
Once he arose up in front of me, I took in his body. The ripped muscles beneath his blonde and red fur. His tail and ears, and now…
Now for the first time I’m finally looking all of him. His cock was the biggest I’d ever seen. It was thick and curved and had a large knot close to the base.
my body shivered with pleasure, I wanted more. I needed more.
As if reading my thoughts, he smirked and positioned himself between my thighs, his cock teasing my entrance.
"Tell me what you want," he taunted.
"I... I want you, Kyojuro. I want all of you," I panted, my body aching with desire.
That was all the encouragement he needed.
He grabbed both my ankles holding them with one of his large hands above my head.
I’d be lying if I said this position wasn’t slightly embarrassing, but at this rate I didn’t care. I don’t know if it was the cryptids influence or if I was just fucked up in the head, but I was willing to let this monster use me in any way he wished.
With one smooth motion, he pushed his thick cock inside of me.
I moaned out as he stretched and filled me.
He paused, letting me adjust to his size.
"My mate," he growled, his eyes locking onto mine.
I panted, feeling his cock twitch inside me.
He started moving slowly, his cock rubbing against my walls, sending sparks of pleasure through my body.
"Oh god..."
I couldn’t hold back any longer.
I gripped the grass below me tightly as he slid in and out of me, his knot pushing against my entrance with every thrust.
The pressure was building, the heat spreading through my body as he picked up the pace.
"Oh fuck," I moaned, my body trembling with pleasure.
He clicked and growled in pleasure, his glowing eyes staring into me with a mixture of passion and possession.
He was relentless, his hips pounding into me with a primal fury.
"Fuck, Kyojuro," I cried, my body surrendering to the ecstasy.
The pleasure was so intense, it was almost painful.
His eyes flashed with desire, his pace never faltering.
I felt his cock twitch inside me, his knot pushing into my entrance stretching me even wider.
It was painful but I didn’t care, the high of my orgasm made it bearable. His cock was buried so deep inside me I thought my mind was going to blank with every thrust.
even after I came he still kept going, chasing his own release.
His rhythm grew more erratic, his breathing labored.
"Mine, my mate." he growled.
"Yes," I panted.
My words sent him over the edge.
He let out a roar, his teeth digging into my neck as he spilled his seed inside me, filling me with his thick, warm cum.
I cried out in pain and pleasure, feeling his cock pulsing inside me, his cum not spilling a drop due to the thick knot inside of me.
I was breathless, my body exhausted and sore, but my mind was completely satisfied.
"My beautiful human." he whispered, his voice heavy with lust and possession.
I held onto him, my body still trembling.
He released his grip on me, his clawed hand releasing my ankles.
I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed as he pulled his softening cock out of me.
As the warmth of his body faded, the chill of the evening air set in, sending shivers down my spine.
But before the cold could sink in, he covered my body with his own, his warm, heavy frame keeping the chill away.
His face nuzzled into the crook of my neck, where he had bit me. his nose taking in his scent on my skin.
What have I done?
Next>>
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thisisxli · 4 months ago
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𖣘Apricity𖣘
٭.・゜゜・*
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٭.・゜゜・*
Rs: Sanemi Shinazugawa x fem!reader
Warnings:
major character death,
slight heavy angst,
slight spoilers!
summary: Sanemi doesn't allow himself to get close to you. When he lets his guard down just for a second, things turn out the opposite way he wants them to.
wc: 1.5k
edit: btw Sanemi doesn't get reincarnated, he just has a descendant that's super similar to him :)
If you enjoyed and liked this post, you can go to my page and check out my other works! MASTERLIST /
ABOUT ME
Sanemi literally blatantly ignores you when you become part of the now nine-filled Hashira.
He wasn't biased, no, he was far from it.
He just didn't like how you made his heart pound. He was sick of it. He didn't have time for any lovey-dovey shit. He realizes that too, would only hold him back; one would end up dead and the other heart-brokened. Although he promises himself he would never let his partner be killed, theoretically, he would never forgive himself if he ever got them killed.
He knew he was a goner when he found himself above you, pounding you into the sheets like there was no tomorrow.
He avoided you after that. Of course, he didn't want to hurt your feelings, he knows he did, but he also knew he had to. He couldn't get close. No way. So when you came up to ask him, he said,
"I don't want anything to do with you."
His words were like swords driving through your heart. But, you understood. So you walked away with a shattered heart, his own broken one missing the warmth of yours.
Of course, he couldn't avoid you forever. Far from that. But he couldn't be nice to you either. But you went into a mission with the damn maroon-head teenager he found so aggravating. He was worried cause he knew that kid brought bad luck. Honestly, he swears that kid brings nothing but chaos.
When he found you unconscious, carried by the kakushi, he immediately rushed to your side. He ignored the kakushis' protests when he scooped you in his arms, quickly going to Shinobu for you to recover. He was nervous because your injuries seemed pretty serious. When he had Shinobu nurse your injuries, he almost stayed by your side the entire time. Excluding the time where Shinobu changed you into brand new clothes. Technically.. He has seen you naked before. But it was inappropriate. And he wouldn't know what to do if Shinobu saw him stay. Before Kanae's death, Shinobu had rather.. a bad-temper and was also rather off-putting.
It took you two days to wake up; of course, with Sanemi sitting by your side. He flinched when he saw your eyes open, both of your faces holding surprise.
"Sanemi?"
His breath hitched, looking down at your lap. "I just wanted to see how you were doing," he mutters, thickly swallowing his saliva. "How.. are you doing?" He looks up at you again when he doesn't get a response, a shocked grunt escaping him when he sees tears pouring from your eyes.
"I.. I..."
Quick like it was on instinct, he pulls you into his arms, hugging your head against his chest. "I was so.. so useless! I could barely-" you hiccup, "barely help Mitsuri! I was so distracted on saving the villagers, I got caught so off-guard when it snatched me off my feet and-" Sanemi pulls you in for a kiss.
You whimper, tears still streaming down. Your hands clutch onto his haori, feverishly returning his kiss before he disconnects them.
"Don't ever say that about yourself. You did what you can and that's final. There's no what you didn't do or couldn't do. You saved people. And that's all that matters."
You sob almost uncontrollably on his chest, one of his hands petting your hair. "You're more than enough."
Sanemi grins when he spars with you, wooden swords making a 'clack' sound each time they connected. Everyone had their Hashira training, even the actual Hashiras.
You, Sanemi, Obanai, even Muichiro, would spar at night, leaving bruises on your skins. You and Sanemi especially sparred the most, wooden swords moving at such a fast speed, bodies moving across the pebble courtyard.
He knocked you off your feet with a swift motion of his leg before catching you with one arm. He smirked at you and you only gave back a fond smile.
Forget losing all the damn lover bullshit. He had you now and he wants you. He gives in to his selfish needs and has you. Making sure Obanai and Muichiro weren't looking, he kisses you. You kiss back, scrunching your fingers through his silver hair.
Boy, was he so wrong.
He should've kept his distance from you. To ignore you and weaken your spirit with insults.
He should've never met you at all.
You were standing there, coughing blood out from your mouth. You were fighting Muzan. Everyone was fighting Muzan. It just happened to be you.
You,
The one whose body was penetrated by his arm.
Your vision was hazy and you were breathing haggardly. God, he couldn't believe it.
Muzan quickly removes his arm from your body, your blood splattering across the floor. You fall to your knees, your breath becoming heavier, blood seeping more onto your uniform. Sanemi quickly swoops you up before Muzan could attack you, laying you down against a wall of a building.
"Y-you..." Sanemi sputtered, anger etched across his features. His brother, now you?!
You smile softly at him.
His angry expression quickly fades away. He panics, his hands roaming above your body, ghosting above your touch. He was scared, like if he was gonna touch you, you'd instantly die. Tears were already falling from his eyes, eyebrows furrowing together until his forehead hurt. He shut his eyes tightly, hanging his head low, hyperventilating, praying this was all but just a dream.
He imagined a normal life with his siblings, being closer to Genya more than ever. Then he would find you, be with you, marry you, have kids with you, and grow old with you. Why was that so hard to have?
A sob rips out from his throat, feeling your hand cup his cheek. He looks up at you as you look back at him with those same fond eyes.
"I love you, Sanemi. You were all I could've asked for."
When your hand falls from his cheek, he shrills. Instantly, he holds your body close to his for comfort, hugging you tightly as if you were gonna disintegrate like his little brother. His heart hurts. Hurts so bad. It was so much to bear.
He kisses your temple before looking at you one last time, going back into battle.
He takes in his last breath, his only last and ever thought being you.
Sanehiro takes his patrol on the sidewalk, whistling as he watches the wind blows against blossomed trees. He loved this time of year-
"Crap... I'm so sorry!"
Someone had bumped into his chest. It was a woman. He sees her bowing at him which he waved off, a vein popping out in his temple. "Hey- it's no worries. Just-" he pauses, his face falling when he sees you rise, your face coming into his view.
You nervously fiddle with your fingers, chuckling. "That's good, I hope I wasn't any trouble for you sir. Or!- or a distraction!" You grin at him. He quickly takes his cap off, bowing at her. She flinches in surprise, watching him silently. "You're no distraction to me at all, miss," he says, standing up straight. He runs a hand through his silver hair, smiling at you fondly. You stare at him, mouth open. You quickly shake your head, chuckling awkwardly.
"Would you.. ever wanna hang out some time?" He perked up at your suggestion before nodding. You both exchange numbers before bidding farewell.
Oddly enough, you found yourself with a prideful and rude white-haired man. Again.
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kakushino · 1 year ago
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Relax
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Tomioka Giyuu x GN! Reader
As the Water Estate's Kakushi, it was your duty to make Tomioka Giyuu's stay as comfortable as possible while he recuperates between missions.
Tags: fluff, domesticity Word count: 0,9k
AN: One of my dearest friends sent me a message one time saying "I think Giyuu would find it so relaxing when you take care of him. Let him bathe, brush his hair so gently and while he soaks in the water, you make some tea for him." Minus the tea, I think I nailed it.
Masterlist
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It wasn't the first time you prepared a bath for him nor was it the first time you saw him naked - though it had been entirely innocent the last time, as you wanted to help him relax by giving him a massage. It was the first time you offered to wash his hair though, and also the first time you were in the large bathtub with him - in a bathing yukata, of course. Giyuu hadn't protested, and you'd taken it as a sign of approval. 
You moved your sleeves away from your hands while preparing for it. Giyuu's hair was… a mess, a tangled mess which would need quite a long time untangling, but determination filled you anew. He spent days, weeks, years fighting demons to keep everyone safe; it was your duty, a kakushi’s duty, to support him in any way you could, even if it was as small as helping wash his exhausted body.
"I will tilt your head back now, Giyuu-sama," you murmured before you acted, keeping him nice and pliable under your hands. You had already taken off the tie which usually kept his hair back.
You used a small cup to collect the water before you carefully poured it over his hair. With gentle hands and gentler touch, you used the special hair soap your friend recommended you on the mess on Giyuu's head, trying to work it in to let it work its magic. To make the wait less tedious, you made sure to give Giyuu's scalp a massage.
The Hashira, on the other hand, was on cloud nine. It had been years since he felt comfortable enough to be vulnerable in front of another person. And you? You brought him so much of that comfort he could melt under your skilled hands. A slight flush took over his cheeks, one he would blame on the hot water if you pointed it out.
As you worked through each knot and tangle loose with your fingers, you hummed a simple rhyme you learned from your father when you were young. Your fingers were sore and pruney by the time you deemed Giyuu's hair sufficiently soaked.
While washing out the hair soap, you took time to scratch him gently, eliciting a shudder that made you smile in secret. He seemed to be enjoying himself if the blush on his face and peaceful expression were anything to go by.
Once done with his hair, you used a tie to hold it up and got to washing his back gently. His skin was littered with scars of various origins, and you tried to be gentle around them, knowing the nerves can be a bit sensitive. Yet again, you made sure to scratch him lightly with your nails and knead his muscles where he accumulated the most stress of his days, particularly in the shoulder area. His sighs of content were music to your ears.
As the water gradually got lukewarm, you coaxed him out of the bath.
Your bathing yukata was thick enough to not be see-through thankfully, and he quickly put a robe of his own on while you averted your gaze. The air was thick with steam and smelled faintly of sakura blossoms.
“Giyuu-sama, please sit here,” you fetched a stool for him so you could continue the hair treatment, this time with oils to help with combing. You’d also noticed his hair was a little- okay no, very dry, and you were damned if you didn’t try your best.
You quickly found out the ends were irreparable.
“May I cut your hair, Giyuu-sama?” you whispered, trying not to break the tranquility of the bathroom. He tensed under your hands as you ran your fingers through his hair. “Just the ends.”
“Fine,” he muttered, not unkindly. 
A smile bloomed on your face and you quickly grabbed scissors from the box where you kept your bath products. You’d been meaning to cut your own ends soon, but Giyuu took precedence.
Giyuu always took precedence.
You straightened out his hair as much as you could with a boar-bristle brush and snipped away, evening out the choppy hair strands as much as you could and cutting through some of the unsalvageable knots. You continued humming the tune from before as you worked.
This kind of domestic peace was rare with your charge… and crush. You were determined to enjoy it to the fullest.
You put down the scissors when you deemed that part done; now you just had to comb out his hair.
Giyuu was so quiet you nearly didn’t hear him. 
“Thank you.”
Heat rose to your cheeks. “It’s no problem.” I enjoyed it.
It brought you joy to be able to glide through his hair smoothly now, though you knew he would go and mess it up by going to bed with wet hair the minute you released him from your clutches. An idea sparked in your mind - one which you immediately acted upon.
Starting at the nape of his neck, you weaved a simple braid into his hair, tying it off with the tie from earlier.
“All done, Giyuu-sama,” you told him and took a step back, collecting all the products and putting them away, quickly getting rid of the mess of snipped strands as the Hashira walked off. 
You wondered if he noticed, and if he did then if he liked it.
He did notice and insisted on you caring for his hair the next time he stayed at his estate again. One day, he would also offer to wash your hair, he promised himself.
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dividers made by the amazing @/benkeibear
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silverynight · 2 months ago
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The omega's call
It's one of those days; sometimes it happens to the other slayers who are alphas too, after a very stressful mission, in some cases, the presence of other alphas nearby triggers them too.
Their inner alpha takes control of them. The kakushi are also prepared for this; they have omegas trained to deal with those kind of situations. With the slayers, it takes any omega to calm them down; it's not easy though since only perfect matches and destined mates are the ones who have complete control over the wild alphas, but at least it's enough to convince them to drink something in order to make them drop or just sleep.
However, it's a completely different case when it comes to the Pillars. They don't usually go into alpha state because they've trained to control those impulses so they don't affect them during a fight against a demon, but even they're vulnerable sometimes.
And that's when the real problem begins. Mostly because normal medicine doesn't work on them.
It's even worse when they all are together.
Of course, that's what happens right before a hashira meeting; they come after finishing a couple of exhausting missions and even Ubuyashiki asks them if they want to reschedule, but most of the time, the Pillars are proud and overly confident so they assure him they're fine.
Which is not exactly a lie, but not a complete truth either as the kakushi in the butterfly estate find out later.
The Pillars don't usually go to that place unless Tanjirou is there. All the kakushi know the hashira are very fond of that omega and like to pay him a visit whenever they can.
The ones who have seen them interact together believe the nine alphas are in love with him, but to others that's a little bit weird; perhaps just a rumor to make their friendship more interesting.
All the doubts dissipate that day.
As soon as the nine hashira arrive, they ask about the omega; Aoi rolls her eyes at them as the three butterfly girls that everyone sees as pups, tell them Tanjirou is currently resting.
"Can we still see him?" The flame hashira asks, not even trying to hide the desperation in his voice.
"We'll be careful and quiet!" Kanroji swears, pouting a bit when Aoi pinches the bridge of her nose.
"One at a time."
That's when the real problem starts; the wind hashira is already snarling at Iguro because they both want to see Tanjirou first.
First, their scents change; they grow tense as the others join the discussion because none of them want to give in.
Then, their sharp teeth start showing, a couple of omega kakushi step closer because everyone can feel what's about to happen.
Aoi pushes the butterfly girls behind herself, although they're not probably at risk at all; powerful alphas are territorial, which means they'll attack the strongest alphas in order to assert dominance.
The omegas try to distract them with their scents, but it doesn't work; Uzui should be the only one not affected by it since he's already mated, but the others should be more relaxed now. But they're not, it's like the omega kakushi around don't exist at all.
It's rather concerning.
The first one to snap is Tokito; they all watch as his eyes go completely white before losing his ability to speak. He growls.
The others follow right after. The stone hashira fights his instincts a bit, but he eventually loses the internal battle against himself because the others look like they're about to jump at each other's throats.
Stepping a bit closer, the omegas try again, but Tomioka bares his teeth at them as a warning.
What can they do if omega's scent doesn't work on them?
"You!" Aoi locks eyes with one of the kakushi, a beta. "Go call Tanjirou!"
The girl gets startled for a moment; she knows calling another omega won't help at all because the Pillars seem to be immune to them. She wants to tell Aoi that, but the other girl looks even more irritated after noticing the hesitation in her eyes.
"Now!"
The kakushi girl runs towards the recovery rooms until she finds the omega with red hair and a scar on his forehead. Fortunately, she doesn't have to wake him up. He's already out of bed, wearing his uniform and haori.
He closes his eyes and his cute nose moves like a little bunny's would.
He's a very beautiful omega. Not only that, his scent smells amazing; it's like the best parts of spring combined. The kakushi girl swears it's so delicious it's like he has little flowers floating around him all the time.
"All the hashira have snapped, haven't they?"
The kakushi girl nods, glad she has her mask on and the omega can't see her blushing.
Tanjirou looks calm and even smiles at her.
"Yes. They're in alpha mode."
"Are there not omegas around?" He asks then, like he's trying to assess the situation.
"There are, but the alphas have rejected them."
Tanjirou frowns, already rushing towards the backyard.
"That's weird. They always react positively towards me."
Always? The kakushi girl finds it hard to believe. Also, this has happened before and the redhead has somehow been able to handle it successfully?
What's going on?
Fortunately, by the time they reach their destination, the Pillars haven't attacked each other yet, but they're still ready to fight at any moment.
"My alphas!" Tanjirou calls out to them as soon as he steps outside and the effect is immediate; the nine hashira turn their heads towards him.
The kakushi girl narrows her eyes in confusion as she realizes Tanjirou is using an omega's call. Which is weird because even though it's powerful, it only works on mated couples, and judging by the redhead's scent, he's not mated to any of them.
"I've missed you so much," he tells them gently as his scent becomes stronger. "Why don't you come to me?"
Like they have been commanded, the nine alphas do as the pretty omega tells them to; it's like they're so focused on doing what their omega asked them to that they have forgotten they were growling at each other seconds ago.
However, the wind hashira's shoulder bumps into Rengoku's accidentally, and the white haired alpha bares his teeth at the other for a moment.
"Sanemi-san!" Tanjirou scolds. "If you do that again, I won't cuddle with you!"
It's effective. Shinazugawa stops what he's doing and even makes a distressed sound like a kicked puppy.
"It's alright," the omega assures him. "If you behave, I'll scent you."
The whole butterfly estate goes absolutely silent as the hashira stop right in front of Tanjirou; the omega looks absolutely relaxed, like none of them are being controlled by their basic instincts.
He's either really brave or trusts them completely.
Maybe it's a bit of both.
"Great! You're very good alphas!" Tanjirou praises them, prompting them to purr in delight. "Now, can you kneel for me?"
The kakushi girl closest to Tanjirou gasps and notices that her other fellow kakushi and the slayers are as shocked as her.
There's no way they will submit–
But then, they all kneel in front of the omega without a second thought.
It's like he has complete control over them.
"You're the best alphas I could've ever asked for!" Tanjirou beams, getting closer to each one. "Now let's see if you're hurt."
They only seem to have a couple of scratches on them, but Tanjirou calls a couple of kakushi to bring him something to clean and patch them up.
"It's okay! They won't hurt you!" The omega assures them.
"Seriously, it's fine," Aoi confirms, looking around at the ones who look scared. "As long as Tanjirou's here, they won't hurt you. Actually, they won't even pay attention to you at all."
She's right. Their head are turned towards the omega, following him around as he moves among them to patch them up. It's like no one else exists at the moment.
"However, if you're an alpha, don't come near Tanjirou. The Pillars are possessive." Aoi says after reconsidering.
"I don't think–"
"Trust me on this," she insists, cutting Tanjirou off.
Only betas and omegas approach him and even they are careful not to touch Tanjirou.
The redhead is the first one to notice Ubuyashiki's crow watching everything from the roof.
"Oh!" He smiles as he finishes patching Kocho up and nuzzling against her hair before turning towards the bird. "Could you please tell Oyakata-sama that they'll be there, just a little bit later than expected?"
"It's okay, Tanjirou," the crow says with his deep, beautiful voice. "Take all the time you need."
"Are they your alphas then?" A brave, omega kakushi asks him as he hands Tanjirou a wet cloth so the redhead can clean a cut on Uzui's arm.
Tanjirou shakes his head as he blushes to the tip of his ears.
"No!" He laughs nervously. "They're just my friends!"
Everyone goes quiet, but they keep staring at Tanjirou in disbelief.
"I swear!" The blush spreads down his neck and he looks so adorable, no one blames the Pillars for their obvious devotion. "But when they're like this, they think I am their omega for some reason."
That kind of devotion doesn't appear just because of someone's instincts; they obviously have strong feelings for the omega already to act like that in their alpha state.
But Tanjirou doesn't see it.
Suddenly, they start making needy sounds. It's weird to see such powerful swordsmen acting like that. But fun at the same time.
Aoi rolls her eyes at them.
"You're so impatient!" Tanjirou chuckles. "Alright, since everyone's okay now, I'll scent you."
He starts with the love hashira, who immediately purrs and whines until Tanjirou allows her to scent him back.
Even though the next ones can smell the others on him they don't get upset; their scents combined with Tanjirou's make him smell even better than before.
As he nuzzles against Iguro's cheek, he makes sure to pat Kaburamaru's little head.
Even kneeling, Himejima looks taller than Tanjirou.
"Gyomei-san!" Tanjirou chuckles as he falls into the alphas laps because he's really strong and got too excited when he pulled Tanjirou closer.
The flame hashira gets really happy when Tanjirou rubs their noses together, he lets out a loud alpha purr in response.
Tomioka runs his fingers through Tanjirou's hair when it's his turn.
Uzui nuzzles against the omega with enthusiasm, so lost in his scent that he leans closer when Tanjirou tries to move to the next one.
It's almost a shock to everyone around to watch as Shinazugawa exposes his neck first, allowing Tanjirou to scent him as much as he wants.
Kocho buries her face against his chest, breathing in his scent deeply.
The mist hashira wraps his arms around Tanjirou, smiling like it's the best day of his life.
When he's done with them, he asks them to stand, which they do immediately.
"Now, Giyuu-san, why don't you bring me some tea? I want something to eat too! Can you take care of that, Mitsuri-san?"
He asks the others to help Aoi with her chores and supervise the slayers that are training alone for a while.
When he notices that everyone is staring at him, Tanjirou blushes again as he rubs the back of his neck.
"I don't like bossing them around, but I found out doing things for me helps them relax and makes them go back to normal quicker than they would under different circumstances." He explains, looking shy suddenly.
They all watch as the Pillars act like lovesick puppies and do anything Tanjirou asks them to do until they start "waking up".
They look a bit confused and disoriented at first, but Tanjirou is there, holding their hands, patting their arms and explaining to them what happened.
"Did we hurt you?" Tomioka asks, like the mere thought of it is tearing him apart.
"Of course not!" Tanjirou reassures them and they all let a collective, relieved breath out. "You're very good alphas!"
They all purr at the praise, prompting Tanjirou to blush immediately since he realizes that they are completely out of the alpha state and yet they're still acting like they did before.
All of the people around can see it; the adoring stares, the way they approach the omega and gather around him protectively, the way their demeanor softens and their scents change.
Tanjirou could ask them for anything and they'd do it without a second thought.
They're completely conscious, and yet nothing has changed; they still act like Tanjirou is their omega.
"Do you need anything?" The serpent hashira asks in a way that makes him look almost eager to hear Tanjirou's response.
They all want him to ask them to do something for him.
"You have a meeting to attend to," the omega reminds them with a smile. "Don't leave Oyakata-sama waiting."
They take it as an order. They nod, kneel before him one more time, prompting him to blush again.
"We'll be back, my boy!" Rengoku says, as his eyes glimmer with unrestrained devotion.
"Alright, I'll be waiting for you."
When they're gone, everyone relaxes completely and approach Tanjirou shyly. By the way he speaks about the Pillars it seems he hasn't quite gotten that they're in love with him.
The kakushi girl hopes he realizes it soon, before something like that happens again.
***
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luckydii · 17 days ago
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A Delicious Feast
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(Chapter 4)
Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3
Rengoku rescues you from an unexpected attack. You repay him by making delicious meals that he gladly devours.
Later on, the man starts craving something else rather than your food.
"The food smells delicious!" Mitsuri explained as she held the bento box close to her nose. "I know little Sukoshi made an effort on my plate." The small boy was absolutely adorable in her eyes. The relationship he had with you made her want something she's never thought about. Having kids.
"That boy really is something." Kyojuro chuckled. The conversation he had with Sukoshi kept replaying in his head. Marriage was a topic he would usually avoid, so it was definitely surprising when a nine-year-old decided to bring it up to him. Being a Hashira kept him away from getting into a relationship. Slaying demons at night, and recovering health in the day didn't give him enough time to socialize outside of the Demon Slayer Corps. He knew he wanted to start a family one day and grow old. Those were his two life goals. If you were willing to accept his proposal, he would try his hardest to make time just for you.
Every single day you hoped to see the flame hashira once more. You would wake up, and muster up the courage to speak to him, but sadly you were never greeted with warm tones. This routine kept going for about two weeks, and when the demon slayer finally decided to show up. You wanted to run away and hide.
Seeing him stand in front of the bar made you nervous. This time he wasn't accompanied by the pretty lady. Sukoshi noticed you stopping dead on your tracks, looking at Rengoku with an overwhelmed expression from afar. The boy gently grabbed your hand, startling you, but immediately feeling a sense of calmness flow over your body. His tiny smile gave you some strength. Okay, come on, you can do this. Even Sukoshi believes in you.
As you walked closer, Rengoku's head snapped at your direction like an owl. The sudden eye contact made you coward back, but your nephew was ready to hold onto you before you had the chance to run away. Right, you got this.
"(L/N)-San! Sukoshi! What a pleasant morning to see you both!"
"You're standing in front of our restaurant." Sukoshi said once y'all were close enough to him, tilting his head.
"Yes I am, my boy!" His loud laugh could be heard from the end of the street. Although it didn't stop it from being contagious. The little one joined in after a second.
"It's nice seeing you again, Rengoku-San." You bowed, staring at the ground a little too long to avoid the intense gaze that seemed to stare you down. Not intentionally, of course. Because of where you were looking at, you didn't even notice the man bowing back. He didn't like how your eyes weren't on him.
His hands met your shoulders. Even if they weren't bare you could feel his hardened palm filled with victories from wielding his sword so bravely. "Don't avoid me, please." His tone had gone soft for the first time around you. It made your cheeks warm. He knew exactly why you were denying eye contact. The little boy must have told you about what they were talking about the last time he came by. "I'm not avoiding you!" You said a little too loud, making your nephew look up at you with a crazy expression. It's like he was internally telling you "Real nice, Oba" with that little sassy tone of his.
Your lip twitched into a frown. All of that confidence you been storing for the past two weeks had been gone in a snap. You couldn't even look at the man in the eyes. "I'm not trying to avoid you, but..." You trailed off as you finally made eye contact with Rengoku. Those beautiful irises stared at you with wonder, begging for you to say what's on your mind.
Your lips forced themselves to seal shut. You couldn't do it. It wasn't as easy as you thought it would be, so instead you had to come up with something else.
"Would it be possible for you to stay until we close?" Your face was filled with heat. It wasn't like you were asking him out, so why were you so embarrassed to ask such a thing. A big smile plastered on his face, nodding his head in full agreement. "Of course, (L/N)-San!" He was just glad to be invited to what he was guessing a talk. You on the other hand didn't even know what to do. Were you just supposed to ask him out or what? Anxiety was rising in you.
Yet, again, Sukoshi came to the rescue. He tugged your hand, leading you to the inside of the restaurant, so you wouldn't stand in front of Rengoku any longer. You exhaled a big breath once you two got to the back of the restaurant. This was nerve-wracking, but at least you made small progress for the mean time. The boy looked up at you and patted the small of your back since that's what he could reach for. "You'll be okay, oba! I'll be there the whole day and night!" His reassurance did help you, although you didn't know what to tell him about the last part.
"Suko, I rather talk to Rengoku-san by myself tonight." This brought shock to the little boy. He tucked out his bottom lip. "Why?! I want to be there as well." You shook your head, and patted his hair. "No, Suko. This is going to be a talk between adults, you understand?" You traced small patterns on his head to distract him from your so-called betrayel.
"Yeah.." He quietly spoke while looking away. You sighed with a small smile forming on your lips. You crouch down to his height, booping his nose in the process. "I thank you for making this an opportunity for me." That's when Sukoshi's tiny pout turned into a wide grin. "You're welcome!"
When both you and your nephew entered through the back door, you were met with Rengoku once more, who had already made himself comfortable in the small stool. You felt slight intimidation, but you had to remind yourself. This man would never do anything to humiliate you or harm you in any way, right? This admirable man would never do such thing.
"What would you like to eat?" You asked, looking directly into his eyes.
The day went on like the usual. You served a whole lot amount of food while Sukoshi and him conversated. Customers had started piling up at your little restaurant a few minutes after Rengoku's appetite was finally satisfied. One thing both of the relatives always wondered was why did Rengoku constantly said "delicious!". It was rather strange, but it did bring you joy since he was showing his liking towards the meals. Oh, so that's what you thought.
"Rengoku-San why are you always saying delicious?" Gladly, your nephew took one for the team like always and tried to feed his curiosity.
Rengoku gave him the same planted smile he always wore. "I want to enjoy every meal before I die!" He said with such enthusiasm. Some customers stopped eating and stared at him from the corner of their eyes. You stopped cutting the onions and Sukoshi just stared at him with a mouth wide open. That immediately took a dark turn. 
"Huh?" Sukoshi frowned at the thought of Rengoku dying. "One never knows when they're going to die. As someone who's constantly in the battlefield I'm at a higher risk of dying. That's why I want to savor every meal before that happens." He gently smiled down at the boy whose bottom lip was trembling. Although, his little speech didn't have such motivation for your customers. They stopped eating midway, and now were staring at their plates. Well, gladly they already paid for it.
"But I don't want you to die! You can't!" He yelled while his hands turned into fists, as a tightening lump formed on his throat. The Hashira knew that if he spoke about being killed with honor, it would not make the situation any better, so instead, he made up a reason, one that only contained the truth. "No need to worry, Sukoshi. I shall use the conquering of your oba's heart as motivation to not leave this world yet." That made the situation worse, at least for you. You didn't even want to turn around just yet, it was impossible to ignore the intense pupils burying themselves on your figure. The good news was you no longer needed to ask him out. Rengoku made it clear he was going to win you over no matter what, even if he has the break the laws of life, and not meet the reaper with a deep wound in his body. The bad news... The customers had returned to eating their meals, happily listening to this week's brand new gossip.
Shit.
Throughout the day, your nerves were at their highest. You were completely aware you were the one that invited the man to stay until closing, but now that you were cleaning up the bar. It was difficult to calm the tension you felt. Ugh, why did you have to be awkward with men? Maybe it had to be with past experiences turning into bad results.
Once everything was properly cleaned, you had finally freed yourself from the thin knots of the apron you wore. Sukoshi had done that not too long ago, at the moment he was enjoying conversation with the male, and from what you caught, it had to do with the stories of his family. Apparently, he had a younger brother that won a few years against your nephew. Wouldn't it be fun for them to meet? Ha, if you do get married to this man, you'll already be giving him Rengoku's brother. The boy sounded rather timid compared to his extroverted older brother, so it would surely be a cute meeting between the two babies.
At last, you finally locked up the shop for good. "Are you boys ready?" You asked, walking towards them. They both nodded their heads, almost matching each other's enthusiasm. One was joyful to finally go home and rest, while the other was glad to exchange a few words with you alone.
As Sukoshi walked between the two adults, you couldn't help but gain a domestic feeling inside your chest. This is something you have always wanted, to have a husband and a child stepping alongside you. This warm feeling nearly made your tenseness loosen up. Keyword: 'Nearly'. The path to the (L/N)'s humbled residency was quiet, the only thing that could be heard were those of the tiny insects that roamed around the village, and the footsteps that were dragged against the path covered in dirt. The sunset was explicitly beautiful, the dark hue gently covered the orange rays of the sun. The colors brought slight comfort, earning the bravery to turn your gaze from the sky towards the male, and to your surprise. Rengoku was already looking at you with a smile. You were quick to break eye contact, forcing yourself to focus on the sky once again. Your heartbeat skipped a few beats as a blush hovered over your cheeks. Your panicked expression wasn't hidden from his sight, it brought out a chuckle, not helping your inner conflict at all.
A quiet sigh left your lips, seeing that everyone was standing a few feet away from your home. You stopped on your tracks, grabbing your nephew by the shoulder to put a pause in his steps. "Please wait here, Rengoku-San. I'll be back in a few minutes." You mentioned before nudging Sukoshi to say goodbye, but instead of bowing the boy went up to him and wrapped his arms around what he could reach, embracing him with a hug. He grinned towards the older man, speaking his farewell before letting go. Rengoku's pupils grew a shine to them as he stared down at him, a pure sight for sore eyes. He patted his head, unfortunately repeating the goodbye.
You paused as you and Sukoshi were right in front of the entrance. Crouching down, you cupped his face with both palms to catch his attention. "Sukoshi, you must promise me something. Do not tell anyone about Rengoku-San and I."
His eyebrow quirked with confusion. "But why? Obaasan would be so happy to hear you might get married soon." He wasn't technically wrong, your mother would be awfully overjoyed to hear the news of a man finally wanting to be engaged with you. "Yes, Suko, but.. y'know how she gets. She immediately spreads the word, and then.." That's how it was. When she made an announcement it's like these men were embarrassed to be known as a soon-to-be spouse for someone like you. It caused them to take back their words and leave you with unwanted heartache. "Well, what if Rengoku-San decides to change his mind? She would be devastated like the previous rejections."
"He's too nice for that."
"How do we know, Suko?"
"Because!-"
"Sukoshi." Your mouth hovered over his lips. His voice was getting loud, and you did not need your family to hear this conversation. "Just promise me that you're not going to bring this up to her or your mother. Please." Your hand left his face, holding up your pinky to complete the deal. The boy was obviously not happy about this, he wanted for you to trust his decision. There was no reason for you to doubt him. "Okay, Oba." He hooked his own pinky onto yours. A soft smile forming on your lips. Giving him a peck on his forehead, you mumbled a few words that made him bright right up.
"I love you, Sukoshi."
He pulled you into a tight hug, whispering, "I love you too, Oba." You knew that deep down he just wanted the best for you, but going through this was easier said than done. "C'mon. I'm sure you're hungry." After a full day of cooking, it was your mother that gave you the relief to relax as she put together a meal for the both of you.
Once the two entered the solace of their home, a greeting from your mother was immediately thrown your way. You quickly explained how you forgot to do inventory of the bar, and needed to go back to do it. "I'll try not to take long." You mentioned merely escaping her list of questions.
Hooray! You successfully escaped. Butterflies were summoned in your stomach as your eyes hit familiar irises. He held a smile that never seemed to leave his skin. It's simply a talk. Yeah.
Taglist:
@queenmalhinewahine @kashasenpai @slutfor-fictionalmen @snowflakeanimelover @imaisbae @simpforerensattacktitan
Hey... hey y'all... How y'all doing..? 😭 Y'all will keep seeing my apologies since I can't keep a constant schedule. One thing that I do promise is that there'll be AT LEAST one update a year. Is it worth the wait? Idk. But to those who are still interested in this series. I love y'all and appreciate y'all mwah.
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demonslayedher · 6 months ago
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Nerdy cultural details about the word "Hashira"
Some details can be hard to pick up without context or in translation. I recently went over a few details about the Hashira's names, Breaths, or symbols, but today I want to focus on the word "Hashira."
To get this out of the way, I use "Pillar" all over this blog because I thought that's what they were called. I was astounded that phrase was not translated, as it is a (somewhat rare) case of a one-to-one translation equivalent. They are the pillars that support the Demon Slayer Corp, after all. The kanji for it (柱) very literally means "pillar" in any modern day Japanese to English dictionary. But since you all know the word "Hashira," let's climb up and see where it takes us! First, the kanji itself (brought over from China and given the Japanese pronunciation "hashira," based on the existing spoken Japanese language), is composed of 木 for "tree" and 主 for "master" or "main/principal," among other semi-literal or more widely applicable possible meanings in modern kanji dictionaries. However, Prof. Owada Tetsuo, a retired university professor who published an unofficial book of his own Kimetsu no Yaiba interpretations based on Japanese demon slaying folklore, points out that 主 can also be interpreted as a still flame atop a candlestick, and that 柱 (hashira) is a tree that cannot be moved. (I'll continue to use a lot of Prof. Owada's details in this explanation, as well as details I have picked up in other research.) That makes 柱 closely associated with holy trees found in, or treated as, Shinto shrines throughout Japan. As Shinto is a nature-based belief system, trees are often something that a kami (deity) will inhabit. Keep Shinto in mind, because we're going to focus on that a lot.
Before that, let's finish up with the kanji 柱. According to the first official fanbook, there is an upper limit of nine Hashira because there are nine strokes in the 柱 kanji. (See this dictionary entry for a breakdown of those nine strokes.)
Now that the easy official tidbit is out of the way, back to the Shinto fun stuff and conjecture! We need to dive a bit more into the spoken Japanese language, from which a lot of Shinto terms derive. For starters, the Japanese language uses counter words for when you say a certain number of beings or objects. You could think of this as "a sheet of paper" or "three rolls of tape." It is an annoying part of starting out your study of the language because there are a lot to memorize based on sizes, shapes, types of animals, etc. Deities also have their own counter word: 柱 (hashira). This goes to show how the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corp are something more than human, what with how much power they possess.
Now if we think about the pronunciation of the spoken Japanese word from long before a Chinese written character was assigned to it, the "hashi" of "hashira" is a "bridge." Clever ones among you might know that "hashi" also means "chopsticks." But even chopsticks have the same effect as a bridge! They serve as a connection, bridging the gap between you and what was another living thing, that which will become a part of you as your sustenance. "Hashira," as pillars, are likewise something that serve as a connection, in this case, a vertical one. They are that which connect us with the heavens, or in the case of the Demon Slayer Corp, they bridge the gap between the limits of human strength and the inhuman strength of demons.
As another Shinto tie, one of the connections that Prof. Owada and I both made was that there are nine pillars that support the main sanctuary in shrine architecture like that of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine. Or rather, in the case of at least one of the historical iterations of Izumo Taisha, there were nine groups of three massive tree trunks each, resulting in a shrine over 48 meters in height (see here for photos of how big the remains of those pillars are and how exciting the archaeology is). These pillars give you a sense of awe for just how powerful pillars can be, especially when you have a spread of nine to distribute the weight. Now, there's more that Prof. Owada and I would both say about how Izumo Taisha also ties in with the "Ubuyashiki" surname or the "yakata" title by which the Hashira address him, but that's a dose of nerdery for some other time.
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gyutar0ss · 1 year ago
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Not anymore
•Tanjiro x male reader
•Genre: Fluff
•Summary: How does Tanjiro react to a reader who used to be a demon but they turned back into a human without knowing.
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When Tanjiro first met [Name] he could tell the boy was a demon. At least according to his nose. The truth was [Name] was a demon, but he was a human now.
You see, [Name] was a human, but he still has demon traits. Such as fangs, and demon like eyes. However he could walk in the sun, and he didn’t eat humans.
“I don’t know how to put it, maybe I should ask him?” Tanjiro asked Nezuko, his younger sister giving him a small “Mmphh!” In return. “Yeah, you’re right I should ask him!” Tanjiro said as he quickly got up to go look for the boy.
“But how should I approach him?” Tanjiro asked his younger sister again. Nezuko let out a “Nmmph nmph!” As Tanjiro nodded his head in agreement. “Got it! I’ll be back soon Nezuko!” Tanjiro waved as he left the room.
It didn’t take Tanjiro long to find [Name]. His scent was different, it wasn’t human, but it wasn’t demon. It was somewhere in between.
“Oh Tanjiro! What brings you here?” [Name] smiled as his fangs popping out. This action made Tanjiro a bit flushed. “Oh! I came here to talk to you about something that’s been on my mind for a while.” Tanjiro replied back snapping back into reality.
[Name] quickly sat by Tanjiros side, giving the boy his full attention. “What’s wrong?” [Name] said a small pout on his face. “I heard that you were really injured in a battle a few weeks ago. Normally it would take someone a really long time to recover. I heard it only took you one day. Is that true?” Tanjiro asked, his head tilting a bit to the right. [Name] mimicked his movement leaning his head to the left as well.
“Yeah that’s true! Miss Shinobu and the other girls at the estate we’re really impressed!” [Name] smiled, as his eyes lighted up. This new information made Tanjiro even more curious. “Not to insult you, but are you a demon?” Tanjiro asked the boy in the nicest way possible.
[Name] stared at Tanjiro for a while with a blank expression on his face, until the boy calmly said, “I’m not a demon anymore.” This made Tanjiro stare at the boy with a confused expression on his face.
“I don’t quite understand what you mean by not anymore [Name]…” Tanjiro mumbled. [Name] looked at Tanjiro with a smile on his face as he opened his mommy and laughed, “Prepare for a long story Tanjiro!”
“I got transformed into a demon when I was really young! However for some strange reason I turned back into a human. I don’t know the reason for that though!” [Name] explained with a few giggles in between his sentence. “Ohh, that makes a bit more sense!” Tanjiro said as he gave a small smile to [Name].
“I don’t really think you’re a full human though.” Tanjiro mumbled to himself, now comprehending what he just heard. “You’re somewhat right, I still have some demon features. But I could still walk in the sun!” [Name] said, as he nodded his head in agreement.
“If you don’t mind, could you tell me more about when you were a demon!” Tanjiro politely asked, getting a quick nod from [Name]. Tanjiro quickly went to go get his sister, thinking that she’d wanna be friends with [Name]. And he was right!
The three spent a long time talking to one another and getting to know each other even more.
Eventually Nezuko fell asleep, but that didn’t stop [Name] and Tanjiro from talking. They about a lot of stuff. But what interested the two the most was there meetings with the Hashiras.
“When I first met the Hashiras I was so confused and scared!” Tanjiro whined as he remembered his first meeting with the nine demon slayers. “How terrible!” [Name] whispered, while Tanjiro went on with his story.
“When I met them they interrogated me about whether I was a demon or not. One of them even tried to kill me! But it was a fun experience.” [Name] said as he reminisced about his first time meeting the Hashiras.
Eventually the two got tired and decided they should go to bed. “Hey [Name], do you wanna hang out tomorrow?” Tanjiro asked, giving the boy a soft smile.
[Name] looked at Tanjiros face, and started smiling without even realizing. “I’d love to [Name] replied back with a huge grin on his face.
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pxob · 1 year ago
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cold hands warm heart
Sanemi Shinazugawa x Fem!Reader
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MINORS BEWARE!
Word count: 8502
Category: Enemies to lovers, slow burn romance, angst and fluff.
Warnings: Manga spoilers (if you squint), mention of gore and blood, injury, violence, heavy swearing, slight sexual content and kissing.
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Presented in the tranquil stone garden of the Demon Slayers headquarters were nine noble warriors, each with astonishing power and unwavering resolve. Masters of their own unique breathing techniques, they represented the pinnacle of the Demon Slayer Corps. Adorned with various strengths, each Hashira was devoted to safeguarding humanity from the terrors of Demons and pledging never to allow harm to befall the Ubuyashiki clan.
As Ubuyashiki stood on the engawa, the Hashira hung their heads low in respect. Their muscles tensed as they felt the powerful presence of another.
Suddenly, the gates to the Demon Slayer headquarters creaked open, and a gust of wind stirred up the silence. Two Kakushi scurried in, bowing low as their eyes fell upon the nine pillars and Ubuyashiki. They addressed him, "Ubuyashiki-sama, she's here," before swiftly leaving.
The Hashira’s sat in stunned silence; their eyes widened in surprise as they beheld the figure before them. Your presence was palpable, your power radiating from every pore of your being, sending shivers down their spines. As you drew closer, they could see the determination burning in your eyes, and the confidence with which you moved was almost otherworldly. Your footsteps were so quiet that you seemed to blend into the air around you, as if you were a being of pure elegance. When you finally reached Ubuyashiki, you bowed with such grace that even the stone garden seemed to hold its breath in reverence.
Ubuyashiki's gentle voice reverberated through the garden as he greeted you, "How wonderful it is to have you among us." His kind eyes scanned the gathered Hashiras before he continued, "Allow me to introduce our newest member," the weight of their collective gaze fell upon you. You stood tall and met their stares with unwavering confidence, “The Night Hashira,” he continued.
“I am deeply grateful for this honour, Oyakata-sama, and to stand among the esteemed Hashiras." As the words left your lips, a sudden surge of power erupted from within you, causing even the stoic Tomioka to choke in response. The air around you seemed to hum with electricity as the other Hashiras eyes widened in awe. Tengen let out a low whistle of admiration. "Well, well, well," he said, his trademark smirk appearing on his lips, "I think we're in for a real treat with this one."
“Please, make her feel welcomed,” as Ubuyashiki's words reached your ears, you couldn't help but feel grateful for his kind gesture. A soft smile graced your lips as you bowed your head in acknowledgement, hiding the emotions that threatened to spill over. "Thank you, Oyakata-sama," you whispered, hoping he could hear the sincerity in your voice. With that, Ubuyashiki left the engawa, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips, leaving you alone with the Hashiras.
You knew that earning their approval would not be an easy task, but you were determined to prove yourself worthy of your new title.
"Hello- Hi! I'm Mitsuri Kanroji," exclaimed the young woman with thick, greenish-pink locks, her voice filled with enthusiasm. She flashed you a bright smile. Beside her stood a short boy, half of his face obscured by bandages, with striking heterochromatic eyes. "And this is Obanai Iguro," she introduced her companion, who offered a polite nod in your direction.
“Shinobu Kocho,” said a young woman with hair in shades of purple.
“Ah, hello. It’s an honour to be introduced to all of you,” you said with a bow. “I apologize for my abrupt entrance,” you added.
Kanroji beamed with a warm smile, “Oh, no need to apologize, we’re happy to have you here! It's great to see another woman among the ranks. We'll finally have someone who can help keep these boys in line," she teased, winking playfully.
Kocho chuckled softly, "Yes, indeed. There's too much testosterone in this group. A little bit of feminine charm might do them some good," she added with a sly smile.
"This is ridiculous," a voice interrupted from behind you, causing Kocho’s face to turn sour.
You turned around to see a man with scars littering his body. Despite his rough exterior, you found his scars strangely attractive, a testament to the battles he must have fought. However, his attitude was far from attractive.
"You, a Hashira? We ain't ever seen you fight or train," he sneered, his eyes scanning you up and down with a smirk. "Who said ya got the capabilities? I've seen enough to know you're just a weakling who got lucky."
“Shinazugawa-san," the tallest one warned sharply. The girlish-looking boy spoke up, "He does have a point. If she proves herself, she might be worthy of our approval."
"You're entitled to your opinion," you replied calmly, your voice echoing through the garden as you met Shinazugawa’s piercing gaze. "But let me tell you, I didn't get here by sitting idly. I have faced countless demons and emerged victorious from each encounter. So, I assure you that I'm more than capable of holding my own in battle."
Your words hung in the air, and for a moment, he started prowling towards you, his steps slow and calculating, as if he was sizing up his prey.
As Shinazugawa drew closer, you couldn't help but notice the scent of sandalwood and lavender emanating from him, a combination that was both soothing and intense. It was a stark contrast to the scars that criss-crossed his muscular body.
Finally, he stopped a healthy distance in front of you, his eyes searching yours for any sign of weakness. You held his gaze, unflinching, until he finally spoke. "You talk big shit, but it’s all cheap," his teeth were gritted. "Actions speak louder than words, so show me what you can do, bitch," he spat venomously.
“Oi, Shinazugawa-san that’s enough-“
Your hand instinctively reached for the hilt of your Nichirin sword, a weapon crafted uniquely for yourself to better face the demons you were born to fight. Today, it was to confront Shinazugawa and his shit attitude.
“Stop them-“
As you drew your sword, you could feel Shinazugawa’s eyes on you, his body tensing in preparation for battle.
“I want to watch them though.”
The metal rang out as it left its scabbard, filling the air with a sharp, piercing sound.
“Tokito-kun, don’t say that.”
Without hesitation, Shinazugawa also reached for his own sword, a fierce determination etched onto his face.
“Himejima-san, please stop them.”
You knew then that this was it - a clash between two Hashiras, each one determined to prove themselves the stronger.
“Sto-“
With lightning speed, you charged towards Shinazugawa, your sword raised high above your head. His eyes widened in surprise as he barely managed to dodge your attack, but you were one step ahead. As he turned to face you, you disappeared from sight, only to reappear behind him in a flash of movement. Without giving him a chance to react, you swept his feet and tackled him to the ground, pinning his neck with the hilt of your sword, legs constraining his arms while you positioned yourself to straddle him.
Shinazugawa thrashed beneath you, his muscles straining against your hold, but you refused to let go. Your heart raced with adrenaline as you felt his hot breath on your face, but you held fast, determined to prove your worth.
“You know,” you leaned closer to Shinazugawa’s ear, your hair brushing against his cheek. “If you wanted to ask me out, there are better ways to do it than trying to kill me,” you whispered in his ear, low and dangerous.
He jerked his head forward in an attempt to brutally headbutt you, but you swiftly dodged, disappearing from on top of him in a split second, with your sword returning to its scabbard. Shinazugawa’s eyes were now glowing red, his appearance the embodiment of pure rage. "You fucking wish," he spat, the saliva landing beside you as he struggled to regain his footing.
“No, I do not,” you said firmly, your gaze fixed on Shinazugawa’s enraged expression. Turning on your heel, you walked towards the gates, leaving the gathered Hashira behind you.
“Well deserved!” exclaimed Rengoku, clapping his hands together in admiration. Shinazugawa growled in response, his eyes still glowing with fury. "Shut the fuck up, I went easy on her," he retorted as he stood up, dusting off the dirt and pebbles from his uniform and skin.
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A week later, the Swordsmith Village.
“Seeing Shinazugawa-san that angry was truly painful for me,” Kanroji sighed, her expression pensive. “You must have really struck a nerve with him. No one has ever started a fight with him on first meeting.”
You sunk deeper into the hot spring, relishing the warmth as you tried to shake off the encounter with Shinazugawa.
Kanroji’s voice interrupted your thoughts, drawing your attention. "I haven't seen him since then, no one has," she said, her tone filled with concern. "I wonder if he's okay."
You lifted your head slightly, watching as Kanroji rested her elbows on a nearby rock and buried her face in her hands.
As you soaked in the hot spring, the sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase. Looking up, you saw a female Kakushi approaching.
"Kanroji-san, your blade has been restored," she said, bowing respectfully.
“Oh, how lovely! I'll be down there shortly,” Kanroji replied with a bright smile. Then she turned to you, her expression still joyful. “I hope to see you at dinner too! We're going to have such a feast, I can't wait! Just thinking about all the food makes me so happy!” As she spoke, she started to wrap herself in her kimono.
“Yes, I’ll join you. Please, go ahead,” you said kindly, as you began to submerge yourself into the hot spring, blocking out any noise that tried to penetrate your senses. You couldn't help but overhear muffled voices from above the water's surface. You recognized Kanroji’s voice, she sounded shocked, but there was a deeper tone that made your heart race.
No.
Oh god no.
You immediately popped your head up, scanning the area to see if anyone was approaching. Surely, Kanroji would have warned any potential visitors that a woman was currently bathing in the hot spring. But it appeared that she had not, typical love Hashira.
It had been a week since the incident with Shinazugawa, and there he was, standing before you. He looked just as striking as before with his artwork of scars and chiselled muscles.
You were gawking at him.
But you quickly regained your composure, realizing that you were both staring at each other in complete silence. His expression was one of shock, and you felt a rush of embarrassment wash over you.
You could practically hear Kanroji’s playful laugher. She’s going to get an earful at dinner.
He mumbled an apology, and you sat there dumbfounded. “What?” you blurted out confused.
"Like... walking in on ya takin' a bath," he replied, his words a little muddled.
As you looked at Shinazugawa, you couldn't believe that this was the same person who had tried to put up a fight with you. Just as you were about to stand up from the hot spring, the realization that you were completely naked hit you, and you quickly sat your backside down again, not wanting to expose yourself in front of him.
"Do you mind-" you began to say, but trailed off as you noticed Shinazugawa staring at you.
"Huh?" he replied, seeming to have missed your question.
"Just turn around for a bit," you said, feeling your face grow hot.
"Oh- oh yeah. Yeah, my bad," he said, quickly turning around.
"Shit," you muttered to yourself. “Sorry, could you pass that?" you asked.
"Pass what?" he asked, confused.
"My kimono, it's right beside you," you said, feeling a bit annoyed.
"What? Oh, yeah," he said, tossing your kimono backwards to avoid catching a glimpse of your naked body.
You quickly wrapped yourself in the kimono, skipping the process of drying yourself just to get out of the awkward situation. Your hair stuck to your face and the thin material of the kimono felt like a damp towel that made you shiver as your skin's moisture clung onto it.
You were freezing and Shinazugawa took notice.
As you made to pass him, Shinazugawa extended his arm to stop you, and you gave him a puzzled look. He then removed his haori and offered it to you. "You're freezing your tits off, take it," he said with a gruff voice.
You hesitated for a moment, looking up at him to find him looking anywhere but you. You felt a bit embarrassed about accepting his gesture, but the cold was too much to bear, right? So, you gratefully took the haori and wrapped it around your shivering body. The fabric was warm and devastatingly smelt of him.
He mumbled something under his breath, but you couldn't quite make it out.
“What?" you asked, looking up at him, hoping he would repeat himself.
He snapped back, "Said, get outta here."
You stared at him for a few seconds, taken aback by his sudden hostility. As you descended the stairs, you couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy about the whole situation.
You turned back to look at Shinazugawa. He was still standing there, like a statue, and you couldn't help but notice that the tips of his ears were tinted red.
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As you entered the room, Kanroji greeted you with excitement, exclaiming, "I knew it would work! Your best friends now!" You were still processing the encounter with Shinazugawa, but the aroma of the dishes brought you back to reality.
You noticed the variety of dishes laid out on the table, and your stomach grumbled in anticipation. "Let's eat, Kanroji-san," you sat down at the table, still lost in thought, but the food managed to distract you.
As you ate, Kanroji chattered on about different topics, her bubbly personality keeping you company even when your thoughts trailed away. You found yourself gradually relaxing, enjoying the meal and her company.
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"Damn it," he muttered to himself, as he sat in the hot spring with his head tilted back, staring up at the night sky. Everything seemed to remind him of her, and it only served to further infuriate him. "She's so fuckin’ annoying," he grumbled, his frustration growing with every passing second. "Why the hell did I give her that?" He shifted his gaze to the stairs where he had last seen her, his jaw clenched tightly.
His Kasugai crow landed beside him, and Shinazuagwa peered at him, tracing his index finger over the soft feathers of his head.
“We’re going on that mission,” he spoke to his Kasugai crow, which perched on a nearby rock. Its beady eyes peered back at him, as if acknowledging his words. “Twelve moon, right?” Shinazugawa continued, his expression showing a hint of excitement. “Gon’ be a piece of cake,” He smirked.
Shinazugawa ran his fingers through his hair and exhaled deeply. “Need to get outta here anyways,” he muttered, gazing out at the surrounding landscape.
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You approached the Flame Hashira with a respectful bow as he trained. "Rengoku-san," you said, catching his attention. He turned towards you with a smile and asked, "Oh! What brings you here?"
“Ah, well,” you said sheepishly. "I was hoping you could help me. I'm looking for Shinazugawa-san. Do you happen to know where he resides or where I could find him?" You paused for a moment, feeling a little nervous.
Rengoku expression softened as he noticed your nervousness. "Of course, I know where he lives. Would you like me to escort you?"
You nodded, grateful for the offer. Rengoku stood up from his seat and gestured for you to follow him. As you walked together, he asked, "Is everything alright? You seem a bit uneasy."
You hesitated for a moment before answering, "I just need to return something."
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"No, Shinazugawa-sama is not here," the female servant informed you with a polite bow.
You pressed on, "Do you happen to know where he is?"
"He's on a mission," she replied.
You grew impatient and asked, "What type of mission?"
"It's something in relation to the Twelve Moon," she responded calmly.
You could feel Rengoku stiffen at the mention of the Twelve Moon. "Twelve Moon?!" you exclaimed.
The servant nodded, "Yes, he's perfectly capable."
"Shit," you whispered under your breath. "When will he return?" you asked the female servant, feeling a sense of urgency.
"It could possibly be less or more than a month," she replied in a respectful tone.
Your jaw dropped in disbelief. A month was longer than you had hoped.
"Why don't you give it to her instead?" Rengoku interjected, noticing your disappointment.
You shook your head, "It's okay, I'll return it to Shinazugawa-san myself," you replied with a small smile, determined to wait for his return.
Rengoku stared at you, his eyes widening for some unknown reason. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, both of your Kasugai crows swooped in, relaying the same message.
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You both ran with fervour, your hearts pounding with urgency as you raced towards your destination.
Upper Moon 2 and 3 attacking a village to the west
Shinazugawa was there, alone with those demons. The thought of him facing those powerful beings by himself sent chills down your spine, and you pushed yourself to go faster.
As you approached the village, the scene before you was nothing short of chaos. Smoke billowed up into the sky, blackening the once peaceful atmosphere of the village. The sound of screams and cries of panic filled your ears, a clear indication of the destruction that had taken place.
As you ran through the streets, you saw houses that were once sturdy and intact, now reduced to rubble and debris. The lifeless bodies of citizens lay scattered among the ruins, their blood seeping into the ground beneath them. Some of the survivors were running frantically, trying to escape the horror that had befallen them.
Amidst the chaos, you suddenly caught a whiff of sandalwood and lavender, a scent that you recognized all too well. Without a moment's hesitation, you drew your sword from its scabbard, ready for whatever lay ahead.
"Rengoku-san, follow me," you ordered, as you began to sprint towards the source of the scent.
"It's not just Upper 2 and 3," you informed Rengoku, your eyes scanning the area. Weak demons were scattered all around, causing chaos and destruction. Suddenly, one demon leaped towards you, and Rengoku yelled out a warning.
With one swift stroke of your sword, you effortlessly decapitated the demon and continued towards your destination.
“Rengoku-san,” you said firmly. “Please take care of the civilians. I'll handle the upper moons on my own.”
Rengoku opened his mouth to protest, but you interrupted him, throwing him a reassuring smile over your shoulder. "I'll be fine," you said, your tone calm.
After a moment of hesitation, Rengoku nodded reluctantly, “Be careful.”
He circled back towards the heart of the village where the citizens were gathered, offering them his full support. Meanwhile, you were making your way towards Shinazugawa, but as you got closer, you felt a sudden drop in temperature, the air growing icy cold.
The ground beneath your feet was no longer dirt, but instead, it was now coated with ice.
Doma.
You sprinted towards the scene of the battle, your heart pounding against your chest as you saw Shinazugawa fighting fiercely against the upper ranks. He was holding his on, his sword gleaming in the dim moonlight as he expertly dodged and parried their attacks.
But as you drew closer, you could see that his movements were becoming more sluggish, and sweat was beading on his forehead. He was clearly tiring, and the demons were taking advantage of it. Doma casted ice into small particles, filling the air with a freezing chill.
Your mind raced as you realized the danger Shinazugawa was in. If he breathed in that ice, his lungs would collapse, he’d be unable to fight any longer. You opened your mouth to shout a warning, but before you could make a sound, Shinazugawa unleashed his seventh form.
In an instant, the air was filled with a gust of wind as Shinazugawa’s technique cast away the ice particles, scattering them in all directions. The force of the attack sent the demons staggering backward, giving Shinazugawa a momentary respite.
“Fifth form, Shooting Stars.” With lightning-fast movements, you darted through the field, attacking the two demons from every angle.
Your swordsmanship was unparalleled as you gracefully weaved through the air, moving with a fluidity that seemed almost otherworldly. The two demons were caught off guard as you darted around them, striking with a speed that left them reeling. Your strikes were precise, aimed directly at their weak points, and you took advantage of every opening with a calm and calculated efficiency.
"Doma, you little shit," you growled. Your eyes narrowed as you saw him chanting. You braced yourself for the worst as an enormous Bodhisattva statue surrounded by lotuses made of ice spawned from the surface you were standing on. You tried to dodge, but the ice vines sprouting from the lotuses entangled you, snaring all over your body and dragging you towards the statue, towards Doma.
You struggled to break free, feeling the vines tightening around your limbs and cutting into your flesh. You knew that if you didn't act fast, your bones would break under the pressure.
"Little Night Hashira, we meet again!" he exclaimed with a smile, completely oblivious to the fact that you were only seconds away from delivering the final blow. "You are still as gorgeous as ever, and you smell heavenly too," he added, his tone suggestive.
You had only crossed paths a handful of times in missions, yet he acted as if you were old friends.
Your grip tightened around the hilt of your sword, your eyes narrowing as you glared at him. His smug expression only served to infuriate you further, the veins tightened even more.
"You’re mistaken if you think I have any interest in your flattery, Doma," you spat blood. "I’m here to end your pitiful existence.”
Doma's expression faltered for a moment, but then he chuckled. "Oh, my dear, you’re always so fierce. That's what makes you so irresistible."
But before you could retort, your attention was diverted to Shinazugawa’s whereabouts. You scanned the area, but he was nowhere to be found. Panic set in as you realized he could be in danger.
You darted your eyes around, searching frantically for any sign of him.
"Looking for someone, Little Night Hashira?" he asked with a sinister tone, grinning. "Hm... Your little Wind Hashira, perhaps?" He giggled, clearly knowing something you didn't. "He's an amazing fighter, you know. Akaza wants to turn him. He'd be an amazing Upper Moon." His voice was taunting.
A searing pain erupted in your side, causing you to gasp for air. You looked down to see a deep gash across your abdomen, blood flowing freely from the wound. You gazed back at Doma, his fan covering his mouth as he hid his smug smile.
You tried to speak, but blood gurgled out of your mouth, choking you. “Where-“ you managed to gasp, desperately trying to finish your question.
“Where what?” he taunted, pretending not to understand.
“Is he…” you wheezed, barely able to speak as the pain in your chest intensified.
“Look over there, pretty girl,” Doma said, pointing with his fan. You turned your head to see Shinazugawa locked in a fierce battle with Akaza. Your heart sank at the sight of him fighting alone against such a powerful opponent.
Your attention was quickly brought back to your own predicament as the ice vines continued to tighten their grip around your body. The coldness was seeping into your bones and you could feel your strength waning. You gritted your teeth and tried to break free, but it was no use.
"Once Akaza gets his final blow in," Doma leaned in, bringing you close enough to see the spectrum of colours in his eyes. "We will turn him into a demon. If he refuses, well..." His smile faded, “We’ll tear every single limb of his off.”
You reached your breaking point, your mind became clouded. “Thirteenth form, Nightmare.”
Suddenly, the world around you transformed into a dark and ominous realm. The air was thick with the scent of fear, and the sound of screams and cries echoed all around you. Doma was now trapped in a terrifying nightmare of his own making.
The vines that had been tightly wrapped around you suddenly loosened, and the statue that Doma had created melted away at an intense speed. You plummeted towards the ground, hitting the hard surface with a deafening thud. You let out a silent cry. The impact should have caused numerous broken bones, but you refused to succumb to the pain.
As you surveyed your surroundings, you noticed that the shadow of Doma was writhing in agony, his face contorted with terror. He clawed at the air and his own face in a desperate attempt to escape his own nightmare. You took advantage of the opportunity and prepared yourself for the final blow, concentrating all your power into your stance as you chanted, "First form, Meteor."
"AKAZA!" Doma screeched, just as you were about to land the final blow on his neck, slicing through the skin. You could sense Akaza's presence from your peripheral vision as he swiftly moved towards Doma and took him into his arms. The force of your sword met nothing but air, and the ground where Doma should have been standing erupted into a deep crater from the sheer power of your attack.
You let out a string of curses, the words echoing through the empty air. Taking a deep breath, you tried to calm yourself down, but the pain you were in made it even difficult as bones were constricting your lungs. However, you refused to let it stop you from finding Shinazugawa.
You spotted Shinazugawa just a few meters away, his gaze fixed on you. He stood there, motionless, much like he did back at the hot springs. As you turned your attention towards him, you noticed Rengoku approaching you from behind.
You let out a raspy breath before collapsing to the ground, causing Rengoku to rush towards you, leaving Shinazugawa behind. As you struggled to catch your breath, Shinazugawa’s voice cut through the air.
"You lost him," he stated flatly.
Confused you replied, "What?"
Shinazugawa’s eyes widened as he continued, "You're so fucking useless. Why are you even here?"
Rengoku interrupted, his anger palpable as he yelled, "Shinazugawa! Can you not do this right now?"
Shinazugawa ignored him, spitting out his words with contempt, "You are so fucking useless, you should have died."
You stared at him, taken aback by his harsh words.
Your breathing became shallow, and your heart felt like it had dropped to your stomach. The weight of Shinazugawa’s words felt heavy, crushing down on any sense of self-worth you had left. You tried to hold back tears, but you could feel them welling up in your eyes. The pain was almost unbearable, and all you wanted to do was curl up into a ball and disappear.
“Why?" you choked out, your voice barely above a whisper.
"Quit the fucking corps," he said, his tone cold.
“Shinazugawa,” Rengoku removed his haori and quickly wrapped it around your bleeding torso. “She did more than you could have,” he said, his voice laced with a mix of anger and frustration directed at Shinazugawa. He held you close, trying to ease your pain as you groaned in agony. The wounds were deep and you could feel the blood trickling down your skin. Despite Rengoku’s efforts, the pain was still overwhelming, making it hard for you to focus on anything else.
You saw black.
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“Is she in a stable condition?” Ubuyashiki inquired with a deep concern etched in his voice.
“Yes, Oyakata-sama. The Kakushi just arrived in time to prevent further blood loss,” Rengoku replied.
“I’m glad. She fought valiantly, didn't she?” he remarked, with a tone that suggested it was not a question. Ubuyashiki was well aware of your formidable strength, which could rival even Himejima, if not, surpass him. However, even such strength had its limits, and you were not invincible.
Shinazugawa sat in silence during the meeting, his eyes fixed on a spot on the floor without even a single blink. Ubyashiki addressed him, "Shinazugawa?"
Shinazugawa jolted out of his trance, "Oyakata-sama."
Ubyashiki asked, "What did you tell her?”
Shinazugawa hesitated, swallowing hard and opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water. Eventually, he managed to say, "I told her she was useless."
Rengoku interjected, "Please continue, Shinazugawa-san."
Shinazugawa glared at Rengoku and continued, "And that she should have died."
Ubuyashiki turned to Rengoku and said, "You may leave now, Rengoku."
Rengoku looked at both Ubuyashiki and Shinazugawa, and replied, "As you wish, Oyakata-sama."
Once Rengoku was out of earshot, Ubuyashiki confronted Shinazugawa, "Why do you express your concern through hostility, Shinazugawa?"
"I don't understand, Oyakata-sama," he responded.
"You care for her, do you not?" Ubuyashiki questioned. "She's finally opening up to the other Hashiras, enjoying their company, and communicating more. Yet you try to push her back into the hole she has been desperately trying to climb out of. Do you not see the emptiness in her eyes? She looks so hollow, and you only seem to make her feel more disconnected from this world."
"She's not my responsibility. She made her own decision to get involved."
"You are a Hashira, Shinazugawa. You have a responsibility to your fellow demon slayers, especially one who risked her life to help you."
Shinazugawa’s jaw tightened. "I didn't ask for her help."
"But you needed it," Ubuyashiki countered. "And now she needs yours."
Shinazugawa opened his mouth to argue, but Ubuyashiki interrupted him. "I understand that you are not used to showing kindness, but that does not excuse cruelty. She deserves respect, and so do you. Please think about that, Sanemi."
The use of his first name caught him off guard, and he stared directly into Ubuyashiki's eyes, unsure of what to say.
“You may go, Shinazugawa,” Ubuyashiki said with a hint of sadness in his smile.
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Time passed in a blur as days and nights blended together, but fragments of memories kept you grounded in reality.
You struggled to open your eyes through the hardened mucus that clung to them.
You heard the clatter of a plate hitting the ground, causing you to turn your head in the direction of the noise. Your eyes fell upon Kocho, who was standing by the door.
“Two months,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion as tears welled up in her eyes. Her vulnerability caught you off guard. “You were unconscious for two whole months, and I was losing hope that you’d ever wake up.” She slowly made her way towards you, kneeling beside the bed where you lay recovering.
“Every damn day there was an ohagi on your table that I had to clean up,” she said with a hint of annoyance. You gave her a quizzical look, wondering what ohagi had to do with anything.
“I'm sorry,” you said, even though you weren't entirely sure what you were apologizing for.
You remembered then, “Shinazugawa-san and Rengoku-san?” Kocho handed you a glass of water, which you eagerly gulped down, relieving your dry throat. As you drank, Kocho continued to speak.
"Shinazugawa-san deserves a beating," she said with a hint of anger in her voice. "I offered to create new scars for him, but Himejima-san told me not to." Despite her words, she gave you a sweet smile, a contradiction to her previous statement.
“I was scared,” she admitted. "You were in such a bad condition," she added.
“I'm fine now, Kocho-san,” you replied with a reassuring smile.
“You certainly are. We made sure to take care of you every single day," she said, before adding, “Oykata-sama would visit every day too. We often caught him doing so.”
“He didn't have to,” you said, shocked by the revelation. Kocho smiled softly. “He cares for you deeply, just as he does for all of us. After all, he sees us as his family-”
“You're awake!” Kanroji bursted into the room. “How are you feeling?” She was bouncing with energy. “Meals without you just weren't the same.”
“Kanroji-san, thank you for the ohagi,” you bowed your head. “What ohagi?” She asked with a smile.
You stared at her, “The one on my table every night, according to Kocho-san?”
“I never brought any ohagi. But if I had seen it, I definitely would have eaten it all!” She retorted with a playful grin.
As you stared out of the window, the gentle breeze rustled the curtains, and you breathed in the fresh air. Suddenly, your stomach grumbled and you found yourself craving some ohagi. "I could really go for some ohagi right about now," you murmured to yourself.
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As night settled in, you took your first few steps after being stationary for two solid months. You had lost a considerable amount of muscle and weight during your recovery, but Kocho assured you that your training would come back to you in a few days.
You padded softly towards the window, staring into the gardens of the Butterfly estate. The night sky always had a calming effect on you, especially when the moon is full. The beauty of the moonlight shining onto your face made you close your eyes and bask in its presence.
You felt a subtle shift in the air as the door silently opened, a clear sign of someone skilled in stealth. Without hesitation, you turned your head towards the door.
White hair and a scarred body. In his hand, he held a box wrapped in furoshiki cloth. As he walked in, his gaze immediately went to the bed where you had been comatose.
Not finding you there, a flash of panic was evident in his eyes as he began to scan the room. Finally, he noticed you standing there, looking at him with a stunned expression.
“Shinazugawa-san?” You said softly.
He dropped the box in surprise and walked slowly towards you. His scarred face was twisted in a mixture of surprise and guilt. He reached his hand out, but you flinched, taking a step back.
That immediately stopped him in his tracks. He let out a bitter laugh and ran his hand through his hair. “I’m so fucken stupid,” he muttered, his voice laced with self-disgust.
“Yeah,” you choked out, your voice cracking as tears welled up in your eyes. You couldn't bear to look at him, so you turned your back towards him, staring blankly out the window.
"Please look at me," he whispered, his voice barely audible. You couldn't bring yourself to do it, your gaze still fixed on the window. He said your name, your first name, in the most tender voice you had ever heard.
“Please.”
The moonlight cast a soft glow around you as you turned to face him, illuminating your figure. Tears continued to flow uncontrollably down your face as you gazed at him, and the sight of him only seemed to intensify your emotions.
His body was taut, restraining himself from taking a step towards you and enveloping you in his arms. He respected the invisible boundary you had created. His eyes softened when he looked into yours, a stark contrast to his usual gaze that made your stomach churn. His moods were so volatile, but in this moment, it seemed as if he was trying to convey something deeper, something vulnerable.
He was clenching and unclenching his hand, his eyes pleading with you as he whispered, "I'm so sorry. I'm so fucking sorry." The raw emotion in his voice made your heart ache.
“I should have never said any of that, I’m so sorry.”
"I just-“ he paused, his voice cracking. He rubbed his face vigorously before continuing, "I don't know. I don't even know you," he let out a sad, bitter laugh. "What the fuck am I doing?"
“You're not useless," he said softly, his voice filled with remorse. He repeated the phrase again, as if trying to erase the hurt caused by his previous words. "You shouldn't die either, fuck, why did I ever say that," he muttered, his eyes full of remorse.
You stared at him, not knowing how to respond. He looked away, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I don’t want you to die. I said those things," a tear fell down his cheek. "I said it because I didn't want you near any of this shit."
“You’re so fucking strong, I know,” he said, his voice breaking. “But I still worried. You almost fucking died, holy shit.” He took a deep breath before continuing. “You hit that ground, fractured a shit ton of bones, and yet you still moved. I was so fucking scared, I just wanted you to stop but you didn’t. You kept on going and I couldn’t bear to watch it go down.”
You took a soft step toward him. “You almost had him,” he continued, tears streaming down his face. “But when that other demon left me, I thought he was going to finish you off. You had no idea how fucking scared I was.”
"Two months, I came here every single day," he choked out, "and you never stirred. I was terrified," he whispered your name.
"I didn't want to lose-" he was cut off by the gentle touch of your hand on his scarred face. He snapped his head towards you, eyes widening in shock.
“But you did,” you said gently, your voice breaking as tears continued to flow down your face. “The moment you said those words to me.” Your words hung heavy in the air as you both cried, the pain palpable.
Your hands were trembling as you wiped away his tears. Shinazugawa took hold of your hands and brought them to his lips "I won't ever say that shit again," he promised. He pressed a soft kiss onto your hands. "If I ever say anything like that again, these beautiful hands of yours can land the final blow on me."
“Shinazugawa-san,” you said. Shinazugawa gently released your hands and brought his own to your face, wiping away the tears that threatened to spill from your eyes. His hands were so large, almost enveloping your entire face, and they were warm and comforting. You couldn't help but nuzzle into them, savouring the feeling of safety and reassurance that came with his touch. It had been a long time since you had felt this kind of comfort.
"Sanemi," he said, and you looked up at him, questioning.
"Please, call me Sanemi," he added with a gentle smile.
"Sanemi," you said softly.
He averted his gaze, his cheeks turning a soft shade of pink under the moonlight.
As you gazed at him, the world suddenly tilted and you felt yourself losing balance. Your legs gave out and you began to fall, but Sanemi's quick reflexes allowed him to catch you before you hit the ground.
"Careful," he said, holding you tighter as you were bundled in his arms. His strong arms enveloped you, making your heart race. You couldn't help but blush at the sudden situation, grateful that your hair was hiding most of your face.
Sanemi remained in the position that he caught you in, not moving a muscle. As you rested in his embrace, you found yourself entranced by his familiar scent once again, feeling yourself becoming drowsy.
"Sanemi..." you murmured, your eyes drooping.
Sanemi stiffened at the sound of his name, realizing that you were about to pass out. He looked at you in panic as your eyes shut. "Hey, stay with me," he called out, but you didn't budge. With a swift motion, he lifted you up and carried you to the bed, surprised at how light you were in his arms.
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Sanemi skidded to a stop, almost colliding with Kocho. "What are you doing here, Shinazugawa-san?" she asked him with a flat expression.
"She passed out. I don't know what happened. She was standing, then she fell and passed out in my arms. Kocho, please help." He pleaded desperately.
Her expression turned concerned upon hearing that, and she quickly made her way to your room. Upon entering, she found you peacefully sleeping on the bed, tucked into the covers. As she checked your vitals, she noticed the box that Sanemi had dropped when he first entered the room. Looking up at him with realization, she said, "You were the one bringing the ohagi."
Sanemi's frustration boiled over, "She passed out and you're concerned about that damn snack?!"
"She's fine," Kocho said reassuringly. "She's just extremely iron deficient. Since we've been administering vital minerals through injections, her iron intake has been insufficient, among other things," she explained.
“No wonder she’s so fucken light,” Sanemi pieced together.
Kocho nodded, then turned her attention back to Sanemi. "What are you really doing here?" she asked again, her tone serious.
“None of ya business," he said, still keeping his gaze fixed on you.
"You said some really terrible things to her, Shinazugawa-san," Kocho reprimanded. "If I hear even the slightest whisper that you've caused her any harm,” she gave him a sweet smile. “I will gut you.”
Sanemi smirked at that, “I’d like to see you try.”
Kocho gave you one last look before sending Sanemi a vulgar gesture and leaving the room.
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As you turned on your side, you felt a slight dip in the bed. Cracking open your eyes, you were met with the sight of a sleeping Sanemi. He sat on a stool with his arms resting on the bed, which served as makeshift pillows. He was softly snoring, and it was clear that he must have been watching over you until he fell asleep.
A gentle breeze wafted into the room, causing his hair to fall over his peaceful face. Without hesitation, you reached out and brushed his hair aside. The light touch made him choke on a snore and slowly open his eyes.
He gave you a sluggish smile, then gently took hold of your hand and pressed his lips against it, just as he had done the night before. Your body froze as a rush of warmth washed over you, making you feel a little flushed.
“Mornin’,” he said groggily, his voice sending shivers down your spine.
“Good morning,” you replied quietly, your stomach fluttering at the sound of his voice.
He ran his hand over his face in an attempt to wake himself up. "Let me get you some food," he said, his voice still thick with sleep.
You were about to protest and get out of bed yourself until he said, "Sit your pretty ass down."
You sat down.
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Two weeks later
You approached the well-trodden path that led to a destination you had visited a few months earlier. As you neared the entrance, you politely knocked on the sturdy gate, which was soon opened by a female servant, who peered out cautiously.
As she recognized you, her eyes lit up with familiarity, and she quickly bowed low in greeting, gesturing for you to come inside the manor.
She led you through the house and towards the kitchen, the clanging of stones and ceramics hitting each other growing louder with every step.
"Shinazugawa-sama has a keen interest in domestic activities," the servant informed you. You couldn't help but suppress a smile at that. As you reached the entrance of the kitchen, she said, "I'll leave you here," and smiled.
You walked into the kitchen and were immediately hit with the aroma of various dishes. As you looked around, you saw Sanemi's godly figure standing at the counter. He wore black a hakama, a shirt nowhere in sight.
He was entirely focused on his task, his eyes fixed on the fishes in front of him as he sliced them with precision. You couldn't help but admire him, the way his muscles flexed as he worked and the sweat that glistened on his skin.
The servant's words from earlier made sense now - Sanemi had clearly been invested in domestic activities lately, and he seemed to have a talent for it.
You crept towards him until you were close enough to wrap your arms around his waist. Sanemi's body tensed for a moment as he jolted in surprise, causing him to almost drop the knife he was holding mid-air.
He quickly recovered, turning around to face you with a look of mild annoyance mixed with amusement. "Don't sneak up on me like that," he grumbled, though the corners of his lips turned up slightly.
As you chuckled, your breath tickled Sanemi's skin. "Couldn’t resist," you murmured, moving closer to him. Your lips brushed against his skin as you traced the scars on his back with feather-light kisses.
Sanemi's body tensed and he let out a choked sound. However, he didn't push you away. Instead, he slowly turned around to face you, his eyes meeting yours with a hint of desire.
You smirked at his reaction and began to detach yourself from him, intending to playfully tease him. However, before you could take a step away, Sanemi quickly grabbed your wrist.
You couldn't help but let out a surprised gasp as he pulled you closer to him, your bodies now pressed together. His grip on your waist was firm but not rough, and you could feel his warm breath on your neck.
You tilted your head, gazing at him through your lashes, "You fucken minx," he growled.
Your hands trailed up his thick arms, fingers gliding over the defined muscles before wrapping around the back of his neck. You played with his white hair, tugging at the strands lightly as you gazed deeply into his eyes. He couldn't help but flicker his gaze between your eyes and lips.
"I'm a minx now, Sanemi?" you playfully teased, emphasizing his name.
"Fuckin' don't start this," he ordered.
Your eyes flickered to his lips before returning to his gaze. "I really want to kiss you, ‘Nemi," you admitted, your voice low and sultry.
Sanemi's grip on your waist tightened, and he leaned down until his lips were dangerously close to yours. "Do it," he said, roughly.
Your heart raced with excitement as you finally gave in to your desire and pressed your lips to his. His taste was a sweet addiction that you couldn't get enough of. "Finally," he cursed, his lips parting to deepen the kiss.
As your bodies melted together, Sanemi lifted you up, your legs instinctively wrapping around his narrow waist. A soft moan escaped your lips as his tongue traced your lips, seeking entrance, and you eagerly granted it.
He set you on the counter and your hands trailed up to tug on his white hair, eliciting a low growl from him. He bit your lip in warning, and you couldn't help but let out a whimper of pleasure. The intensity of the kiss was overwhelming, and you were completely lost in the moment, consumed by your desire for him.
"’Nemi," you whimpered, feeling his lips trailing a path down your neck. You couldn't help but pull on his hair, urging him to continue as he left a trail of kisses and nips on your skin. Your heart was racing with desire as he found a sensitive spot on your neck and began to suck on it. The sensation was so overwhelming that you had to clap a hand over your mouth to stifle the sounds that threatened to escape.
"Lemme fucken hear," he rumbled, pulling your hand away from your mouth.
"I wanna hear everythin’ that escapes your pretty mouth, every moan, every gasp," he murmured in your ear, his breath hot against your skin. "I wanna know that I'm makin’ you feel good." The intensity in his voice sent shivers down your spine, and you couldn't help but let out a soft moan as he nibbled on your earlobe.
"’Nemi, the food-" you began.
"Fuck the food," he said.
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Notes: This is my first post on Tumblr, as well as my first foray into writing. I'm not sure how it will turn out in the long run, but if you happen to be reading this, thank you for taking the time. I hope you have a lovely day!
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