~𝘓𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳~ // 𝘚𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘻𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘸𝘢 𝘹 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

- 𝕏𝕏𝕏: Wind Estate -

The following chapter was initially deleted, so my apologies for any scatter-brained thoughts that may or may not occur throughout the rewriting of this chapter.

      "Sanemi!" You ran to him and tackled him, clinging to him like a child.

      He was thrown off balance for a moment, but caught himself. He dismissed the group he was training watched them leave the courtyard. He grumbled curses to himself when he noticed they were all crying tears of joy.

      You got off of him and wrapped your arms around his neck instead of fully body squeezing him. "Y/n... I didn't think you'd be done so quickly." He said, not making eye contact with you.

      "Yep! I'm just so good that I completed the training with Himejima in five days!" You giggled.

      "So... for clarification, obviously, you're not mad are you?"

      "Mad? Oh, no! I wasn't ever mad! I was only upset. I don't like seeing you unhappy, not to mention you were beating a child... but that's all in the past! Say, where is Genya now? I'd like to say hi!"

      Sanemi sighed. "Can't he wait a little bit? You can see him before he leaves. I've been treating him fairly, like you asked, so he's almost done with training. Why are you so obsessed with him, anyway?"

      "Well, I thought maybe I should make a good impression on my boyfriend's little brother." You tutted. "Why? Are you salty about it or something?"

      "No. That's absurd. Come on, let's go inside for some tea." He unwrapped your arms and held your hand as you walked inside.

      He sat you down and politely asked one of his many helpers to start preparing your drinks. He sat down next to you and rested his head on your shoulder, his eyes closed.

      "Are you all right?" You asked softly, playing with his hair.

      "Mmhmm." He hummed. "I thought I made you hate me or something... It's weird. I've never cared about if someone liked me or not before you. Well, that's not true, but that was a long time ago..." His gaze saddened.

      You chuckled. "I'm glad that I make you feel that way. It means you care." You said, resting your cheek on his head. "You smell bad, you know that?"

      "I know. I've been working tirelessly for the past few weeks. Recently, I haven't found the time to bathe... sorry."

      "Yeah, no. That's nasty. Go take a bath, now." You pushed him off and grimaced. "Go! Chop, chop!"

      He groaned and stood. "Do you mind taking care of anyone that needs help?"

      "Of course not! Go! Hurry up! Don't take too long, or I'll beat your ass! Plus, your tea will get cold!" You called after him as he left down the hall.

      "Yeah, yeah! I got it!" He waved you off, making you giggle.

-

      He came back with his hair still very damp and sat down next to you. You rolled your eyes at his laziness but let him rest his head on your shoulder again regardless. "I made you more tea. You're other cup was colder than ice since you took so long."

      "Thanks." He said, kissing your cheek and sitting up.

      You had finished your own cup a while ago, but had made a second when you made his, so the tea you held in both hands was still hot.

      You took a tentative sip and smiled with content. "Y/n...?" Sanemi asked.

      "Hm?"

      "The other day... when we argued again... you said that you loved me. Did-?"