The 10th Hashira - Rengoku X Reader

Chapter Five - The Actual Encounter

The sudden summon from Oyakata-sama ended up bringing all of the Hashira together. I try to hide behind Gyomei, and believe me it is easy, so as to not be seen by Rengoku. Yes, I still have yet to apologies, so my only other option is to avoid. I don't think Gyomei really minds either, he has been like a big brother to me, and everyone, since we each joined the slayer corps. 

I catch a glimpse of some flamboyant hair accessories and immediately recognize that it's Tengen. It has been a hot minute since I have seen him. I lean forward in an attempt to say hi, however in the process I collide into someone's chest. I stumble back at the sudden encounter. I try to reach my arm up to grasp onto their sleeve before I fall back onto the gravelly ground but the pain from my injury does not allow me to complete this action. I close my eyes tightly to prepare myself for the hard fall. 

An arm quickly wraps around my back and grabs my waist to gain leverage. I feel their arm shift to support my head while a sudden warmth touches my cheek. 

"Are you alright? Did I frighten you?" waaah, what an angelic tone they have. So vibrant and sincere. 

I slowly open one eye, hoping to take a peek at my future husband. However, I am met with flaming eyes. He is so close, he just saved me. He is so handsome. His hand, the hand I saw him using the other day to...it's touching my face. It's so warm and rough. I can feel the passion and strength seeping from his gently fingertips into my cheek, or is that just me turning into a tomato? 

The concerned look on his face suddenly changes a shade of red as well. Maybe because he recognizes me from yesterdays unfortunate encounter.

"You, did you-" he begins but is cut off by another voice. 

"Gosh, it has been too long. How are you doing little flower?" Rengoku maintains his hold on me but shifts his glance to the side. I follow and am met face to face with Tengen. 

Rengoku helps prop me up into a standing position, however his hand stays present on my side even after I regain my composure. 

"T-thank you so much. I'm sorry for suddenly jumping out at you," I say as I bring my hand down and pat the one he has placed on my waist, hoping he would take it as a message let go, but his grip slightly tightens and he pulls me closer to him instead. Why does he have to torture me so?! 

"It is no problem! Please feel free to rely on me even more in the future as well," Rengoku's smile is quite contagious and I can't help letting a little smile form on my face accompanied by a slight laugh. Though, I'm getting that itching again, like there is something about him I need to place. 

"Well, I have been well, and it seems like you are healing up just fabulously," Tengen reaches out and delicately takes my injured arm in his hand while rolling up my uniforms sleeve to investigate the progress of the my recovery. The heavy bruising has thankfully disappeared, and the bone is completely healed as well, I just have to do frequent exercise to warm my arm back up to its former glory. "I look forward to seeing you back in the field soon, I've missed having joint missions with you."

"Oh? So then you didn't just miss me doing all the work?" I snap back as I pull my arm from his hand. I feel Rengoku's own hand leave my waist, but he remains standing just as close to me as if he had not taken his hand away at all. Jeez, I'm getting really nervous and self conscious now. 

I hear the slight shuffle of feet on the estates flooring and turn to see Oyakata-sama standing before us. We all simultaneously bend to our knees in respect. Rengoku is still a bit too close when we do this, causing his hair to fly into my face and tickle my nose as well bend down. This causes an abrupt sneeze to erupt from me and break the silence that was intended for Oyakata-sama. 

"Pfft," a soft and inaudible laugh comes from my side and I look over at Rengoku who has a bright smile on his bowed face. This jerk! 

"Bless you. I'm glad to see your health is returning, we were all hoping for your fast recovery," Oyakata-sama remarks on my sudden outburst.

"Thank you Oyakata-sama, I should be well enough to return to my normal duties in the next few days," I say. 

"I see, then I think it smart enough to pair you with our newest pillar on his first mission as a ranked Hashira," wait...what? "That is the reason for me calling this meeting. Our newest member comes from the Rengoku family. Kyojuro Rengoku will be our standing flame Hashira from here on. I would like you all to welcome him at this nights banquet we have prepared. Please take your times introducing yourselves now before the banquet," Oyakata-sama announces before retreating back to his room. 

Rengoku? Kyojuro Rengoku...Kyojuro...wait a didily darn second here. I turn to take a long look at Rengoku, who looks back at me with an unwavering smile. 

"You...WAIT! You're the kid from the streets that made me drop my sweet potato?!" My memory is a steel trap, sometimes I really wish it wasn't. 

"Ha ha! You finally remembered! It is fate that we meet here again. I look forward to finally getting to know you better. The food you brought me yesterday was also delicious! I hope you can show me some more of your cooking skills in the near future as well," he brings his hand out towards me and begins with a couple normal pats to the top of my head, but then runs his hand down through my hair till he is holding the tips between his fingers. "You have grown up to be very beautiful," I am completely caught off guard. We are still in bowing position, my hair is being fiddled with, and he is just so handsome. 

"Ah, and you're not the same crying kid I saw on the streets that day either," I bring my hand to his still playing with my hair and grip his wrist, "haha, to think we would meet again here, and in a situation like our first encounter, what luck am I right?" I couldn't hold back my laughter and end up maybe showing a little too much happiness at this "luck" encounter I am referring to. His face changes from a smile to a look of surprise. 

The wrist I am still holding onto extends up and clasps my cheek. I feel my face being pulled forward until a warmth touches the top of my forehead. It is soft, calming, and I can feel the heat transfer into the rest of my own face and down my neck. I then notice that what I am looking at is not Rengoku's face anymore, but rather his neck. Boy, he has really grown up, he has the neck of a man now. With this thought I unthinkingly bring my hand to his neck and trace my finger down it until it is stopped by the neck of his uniform. 

I feel a slight jolt come from him as he pulls away to face me again. 

"Is there something on my neck?" he asks innocently. Of course there wasn't! There was manliness on your neck that's what! Was I not supposed to touch...ya, I probably wasn't. That was a really bold move. What did I just do. Wait. What did he just do?!

I raise my hand to my forehead and touch where the warmth was still resonating. 

"What..." I cant even get any words out. I don't know what to say because I can't process what has just happened. Did he kiss my forehead while I was preoccupied with his neck? Wait...preoccupied with his neck?!

"I'm sorry about that. You just looked so lovely smiling  I could not help but give you some affection in return," he ends his sentence with strong laughter and proceeds to stand up to greet the other Hashira. I remain bowed, confused, and mentally drained. 

A hand places on my shoulder, "Seems like spring is finally hitting you, little flower."

"Hah," is all the noise I manage to make as I release the stress from my shoulders.