DISCONTINUED- Storm (KNY X Reader)

6

You sit outside of the butterfly estate with a book in hand watching as Shinobu trains Kanao. They're fighting each other with bamboo swords, though Shinobu has the clear advantage with her speed alone. Neither girl is particularly strong but both are fast and agile which makes them great fighters despite the obvious disadvantage. If you were to fight them based purely off of strength you would easily win, though speed could go either way. You've offered to help train the younger girl once before but she simply remained silent after flipping a coin- you haven't spoken to her since.

Sighing, you return your attention to your book as you lean back against a tree. Butterflies float lazily around you as you read, occasionally landing on the pages for a moment before fluttering away. It's peaceful to say the least which is something you don't experience often. Your body and mind is completely relaxed for the first time in a long while, though it doesn't last very long as a shadow soon covers you. Looking up, you find the flame hashira Rengoku standing over you, his hands on his hips and a bright smile on his face.

"Hello, (L/N)!" He greets you enthusiastically as he stares down at you. "Are you busy right now by chance?"

You look down at the book in your hand before closing it, deciding that whatever he must want must be important. "I'm not busy at all, Rengoku. Is there something you need?"

"I would like you to join me for lunch! It has been over a week since you've joined us as a hashira and we have yet to properly talk to each other." His smile remains bright, never once wavering as he speaks.

"Lunch?" You hesitate, glancing over at Shinobu who is watching you both with slight interest. She nods her head at you to indicate that you should accept his offer, the glare in her eyes hinting that you'd regret it if you denied. "I suppose I can join you. I am starting to get a bit hungry anyways."

"Great!" He holds out his hand which you gratefully take as he helps you to your feet. His hand remains around yours as he drags you towards the front gate, likely wanting to go to a nearby town to eat at a restaurant. Surprisingly, you don't pull away from him at all during the entire walk and instead enjoy the warmth coming from his hand in yours. It's odd holding hands with someone you barely know but Rengoku makes it seem perfectly normal. Perhaps he does this with anyone he spends time with.

It doesn't take very long for you both to arrive at a nice little place, the mouth watering aroma making your stomach growl the second you walk in. You both take a seat at a table in the far corner of the place allowing you to have some privacy together. You both order rather quickly, him overwhelming the poor worker as he orders an abundance of food. Soon enough the table is filled with delicious meals- udon, yakitori, tonkatsu, gyoza and of course rice along with an assortment of vegetables. Most of the food is his while you simply ordered a bowl of udon with egg and fish cake.

"I heard that you have already gone on your first mission as a hashira." Rengoku breaks the silence as he begins to dig into the food, muttering how tasty it is between every bite.

"I had a mission with Giyu." You slurp up some of your noodles, enjoying the gentle yet delicious taste. "It was rather easy so I'm not sure why both of us were sent."

"Perhaps Oyakata-sama simply wanted to give you a chance to get to know us, even if it's just one person. He always has his reasons for doing something." Rengoku remains smiling though it's not as bright as before. You brush it off as you continue to eat, watching as he slowly clears dish after dish.

"I'm sure I would've gotten to know you all regardless of going on missions together or not. Shinobu and I talk quite often since I live at the butterfly estate with her and I'm sure everyone else would end up there at some point since she treats everyone's medical problems."