The Sound Hashira's Apprentice // tengenuzui x reader

Chapter 7

Ever since that mission, something had changed. Not in me but matter of fact in Tengen Uzui.

I recalled the jarring image of the way he had looked at me that day when he gave me those gifts. The intensity in his usual bright eyes made me feel naked under his gaze, all of me to bear. It had become a norm for him to steal glances that I was sometimes oblivious to, and sometimes I would catch him in between training as he mirrored that darkened look before hiding it once more with the mask of his casual cheeky smile.

I had no idea why he was doing this, and moreso I couldn't decipher what it meant. Perhaps he had changed the way he had viewed me since seeing the dramatics of slaying that demon many weeks ago. We hadn't spoken about it since that day like we were suppose to, but I still anticipated that it would be brought up somehow in the coming future.

On this fateful morning I received a knock on the door.

"Just a sec!"I called out finally tying my hair up in it's bun, making sure I was dressed presentably before sliding the door open.

Instead of the expected Sound Hashira, Kyojuro stood in front of me with a wide smile plastered on his face.

"RENGOKU-CHAN!"I squealed jumping up to hug him.  It seemed like forever since I had seen the Fire Pillar.

"You look well Y/N-Chan, I knew Uzui would take great care of you!" He exclaimed while patting my head.

"What are you doing here?!"I questioned happily.

"To visit my dear friend of course! We are going to be having breakfast together,"

"Oh really! Wait, where is Tengen-Sensei? I think we are supposed to be training..."

"No worries, he's in the kitchen making breakfast!"

"What?"Tengen Uzui cooking? I've got to see this.

And indeed, in the kitchen was the Sound Hashira frantically tending a sorts of pots and foods. I had never seen Tengen Uzui so out of his element, nor had I seen him so flustered. The usual carefree and authorial individual had a strangely hopeless look on his face. I found myself greatly amused with how his movements in the kitchen contrasted against how he was in combat training.

"Ah, you two! Sit right down it will be ready in a moment!" He forced a confident smile when he noticed us standing by him.

"Hey what about I take over?"I offered, coming to the rescue. He didn't hesitate to volunteer his utensils. I observed the mess he had concocted and I admitted to myself he hadn't done a bad job so far that it was easy for me to finish up the meals in no time.

Hands loaded with freshly served plates, myself and the pillars all exited outside to enjoy the morning sun that bathed us with comforting warmth. I noted how long I had been under the Sound Pillar's wing based on the weather today. I had first started at the end of a short yet brutal winter, and now we were at the end of a forgiving season of spring. The grass was starting to darken and trees ceasing all fruit. Summer was soon upon us.

"Umai!"Rengoku shouted just as I sat down, almost making me jump up completely so the food on my plate nearly fell off.

"Does that mean you like it?"I say, a little taken aback at his outburst. Rengoku-chan nodded warmly before continuing to stuff his mouth.

"Yes, I must say the flavours have flare! I didn't know your cooking skills could produce such flamboyant meals,"Tengen agreed.

"I only finished what you started Sensei,"I reply bashfully.

"Nope, that was all you and from now on part of your training is cooking one meal a day for me to eat!"

I blinked a few times and gawked at the idiot. "I don't know what that has to do with me becoming a Hashira."