The 10th Hashira - Rengoku X Reader

Chapter Four - The Long Awaited Encounter

Making it to 18 was a job in and of itself. Almost losing your life more times than one can count before even reaching actual adulthood should not be condoned in any situation. But, alas, here I am, and here are all the other Hashira. Not to mention, we have a couple more faces to our family. Many are incredibly new, like, officially a Hashira today new. 

Sanemi has been with us for a year now and is currently 19. He has an intensity about his character that, doesn't scare me, but it rather encourages me while also making me a little sad. I have found out through my short yet long seeming life, that there is always going to be something you can find in someone you dislike, and there will usually be something in them you do like. You just have to weigh each one and come to your own conclusion afterwards. So even if I do point out all my fellow Hashira's personality traits I dislike, that is only because the things about them I do like are just too obvious that I feel I don't need to explain them. I'm just a picky person and I feel like all those individuals around me are super amazing, I just, well, we all just tend to focus on the bad points of people rather than appreciating their obvious good comings. Long story short, I really like Sanemi and am happy he is a new addition to the family. 

Today there is also a new Hashira joining our ranks! His name is Rengoku. I have yet to meet him, but I am currently making his meal right now. Since I severely injured my sword wielding arm in a surprise battle against one of the Twelve Kizuki a month back, I have been taking care of every one of my fellow Hashira's meals while I recuperate and recover. 

I have learned a lot about each one of my Hashira's likes and dislikes. Perfect blackmail and torture methods in the future. This time of recovery for me has been pretty enjoyable because of this. However, I do feel like I'm falling behind, while also causing more work for my family. I do not want to be an inconvenience, so that may also be why I am doing this side chore, so as to make up a little bit for the stress I am adding to them. 

Anyways! I heard that our new arrival enjoys pretty much any foods, but sweet potatoes are a big favorite of theirs. Good choice! They seem to have a superior palate. I want him to feel right at home and comfortable, so I've made him sweet potato tempura with some warm miso soup accompanied by my specialty homemade dipping sauce. 

I gently place the food on a bamboo tray along with an assortment of flowers accompanying it, and begin to exit the kitchen to make my way to his room. As I shuffle along the outside path I see Yaku, the young boy that arrived at the estate the same day I did. His full name is Boukyaku, but that is both unhandsome and a mouthful, so Yaku is the nickname I decided to give him. 

"Yaku! How does the day go?" I holler over to him while he is raking the leaves, leaving a very tempting pile that I wish I could go jump in and destroy.

"Ah! Good morning! It goes well, I am almost done with the morning chores. I'll leave this pile here for you when you return empty handed," he smiles gently and ushers me along with hand motions. 

Yaku has grown to be a fine fellow. He used to cry every night when we first arrived with Irrelevant, but, embarrassingly enough, I would allow him to sleep beside me because he was just such a baby. Now he can sleep on his own and do the chores around the estate without following me around like a little duckling. I bet he is embarrassed about his past behavior as well, so I don't usually bring it up at all to allow him to keep some face. 

The morning air is getting brisker as the season comes closer to winter. I'll soon be changing to my winter clothes, my favorite clothes. As I think this a leaf falls and lands on my head, but I can't yet lift my injured hand high enough to brush it off, nor do I want to drop the platter of food I just made, so it shall remain in my hair for the time being. 

I arrive at Rengoku's door and kneel down before announcing myself. 

"Rengoku, I have your meal for you."

"..."

"Rengoku?"

"..."

Is he not in? Did I make this food for no reason? That would be sad, but I'd rather make sure he wasn't here so I could eat his food without any restraint or guilt. 

"I'm going to open the door," ah yes, reminds me of the many times I've had to open Giyu's door to not only give him his food but wake him up. This shouldn't be any different, at least I'm hoping. I just jinxed myself didn't I...

As I begin sliding the door open a muffled male voice reaches my ears, 

"W-wait! Don't enter!" but it's too late.

I can feel my entire face drop into an expression of shock. My mouth opens slightly as my eyes widen and my eyebrows lift suddenly. Rengoku, what is he doing? His shirt is disheveled, his pants are down, his hand, it's, it's gripping his dick. That is his dick right? My eyes shoot up from his lower body to his face. He is even more shocked than I. His face is in a heavy blush while sweat runs down past his cheek and off his chin. A gently moan, or sigh, escapes his lips. Our eyes meet and I can't help but let out a little gasp as I lean back. 

"A-ah, f-food. Please eat well and rest well and finish well...NO! Um, here!" I quickly place the food in his room, close the door, and scram. I run along the wooden path adjacent to the estate, but find myself coming to a slow creep until I am crouching into my knees. 

Oh my goodness gracious goshities. What did I just witness? Oh no! Oh no no no no no! I mean, he is a teenage boy, so of course he would do that at some points. But why did I have to be stupid enough to open his door without permission first! I totally overstepped my bounds. I treated him like the other Hashira's without taking into account he is not them. I need to apologies. Not right now though... when? When then? It's going to be totally awkward now, all because of my stupid inability to listen! 

"You okay down there?" ah, I guess the sudden image of me in crouching agony was bound to catch some attention. I look up to see Yaku peering down at me. 

"Yakuuuu, I messed up," I whine. 

"Oh jeez, what'd you do this time?" he asks as he removes the leaf from my hair without hesitation. 

"I overstepped my bounds, and now a friendship is ruined..." wait a second. Rengoku. He had such familiar hair, and his eyes looked nostalgic, but their intensity was a bit stronger than any I have seen, but maybe that's because he was in the middle of...NOOOO! Why?! That image will forever be burned into my head now. What do I do?!

I continue my silent whining while Yaku presses my hair back from my face and gently touches the scar above my eye. 

"Hah, you always overact because you brood over everything. Just apologies for what you did and go from there. Nothing will progress if you just leave it be," he pulls away with a silent air to follow. He is right. I need to apologies. The next time I see Rengoku I will be sure to get on my knees and kowtow like a true repenter. 

I stand up abruptly, causing Yaku to jump back and stare at me concerned. 

"Direct me to your leaf pile," I demand. I need to release stress and consider my next steps moving forward, and I will do that while I graciously destroy Yaku's wonderful leaf pile.

"Hah, right this way."