The eye of the storm (Sanemi x Reader)

7| Echoes of Doubt

The morning sunlight spilled into the room as I slipped into the comfortable, worn-out training Haori that once belonged to my grandfather. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant hues of the celebratory attire I wore last night. Today marked a return to reality—a reality of training and, unfortunately, my next session will be with none other than Iguro.

As I tied the belt around my waist, I couldn't help but mentally prepare myself for the intense training session ahead. I hope he doesn't use the training to murder me in cold blood and get away with it. One thing was clear, Iguro was very intimidating when Mitsuri wasn't around. Although in the end, Iguro didn't seem so angry at the party yesterday, maybe he'll spare my life.

Despite the lingering apprehension, there was another concern weighing on my mind. Zenitsu. The selection final had concluded yesterday, and I hadn't received any news from him. The worry gnawed at me, prompting me to dispatch my crow to seek information on Zenitsu's results. I could only hope for a positive outcome for my dear little brother.

The training grounds stretched before me as I approached the designated spot, where Iguro awaited with an air of indifference. We exchanged curt nods before beginning our training session. The initial exchanges were marked by a tense atmosphere. Iguro's sharp gaze hinted at his reluctance to cooperate, and my attempts at conversation were met with his usual aloofness. But his face kinda changed a bit when we started training, showing he was getting interested.

The real challenge began when our blades clashed, each movement a dance between offense and defense. Iguro showcased his formidable skills, maneuvering his katana with an otherworldly grace. I focused on evading each strike, my instincts guiding me through the combat. As Iguro unleashed a series of unpredictable attacks, I dodged and weaved, avoiding the razor-sharp edge of his weapon. 

The tension in the air thickened as Iguro, realizing that his attacks weren't having any effect on me, decided to unleash the full extent of his skills. With unparalleled concentration, he pushed his abilities to the maximum, contorting his katana into unimaginable shapes. It was a display of precision that few could match.

I, however, met his onslaught with an unexpected prowess. My movements became a dance of evasion, an intricate ballet of dodges that left Iguro's strikes in vain. In a moment of keen observation, I found an opening and lunged forward, forcing Iguro to retreat several steps to avoid my counterattack.

As we caught our breath, Iguro's gaze held a genuine spark of surprise. I even surprised myself by being able to fight like that. In a rare admission, he acknowledged, "You've managed to surprise me. I didn't expect you to evade every single attack."

The words served as a small victory, a confirmation that I had surpassed Iguro's expectations. Buoyed by this, I urged him to return to a defensive stance, eager to continue the sparring. This time, Iguro wouldn't elude me; he would feel the impact of my strikes and witness the untapped potential he had doubted the other day.

As the hours of training drew to a close, I couldn't help but crack a smile at Iguro. "Not bad, huh?" I said, trying to inject a friendly tone into the conversation. However, Iguro didn't reciprocate the amicable expression. Instead, he retorted, "Don't think you've earned my favor just because you did moderately well in training."

My smile faltered, weary of Iguro's persistent arrogance and cold demeanor. I pondered what Mitsuri saw in him. Just then, Kaburamaru, the snake coiled around Iguro's neck, unexpectedly extended its head toward me with gleaming eyes. Ignoring Iguro's stern gaze, Kaburamaru approached me, resting its chin on my head.

I was dumbfounded. Was Kaburamaru showing affection? Iguro seemed greatly disturbed by this unusual display, forcefully commanding Kaburamaru to retreat. He shot me a glare that could kill and muttered, "Forget this ever happened," before disappearing from my sight. The encounter left me perplexed, wondering about the mysterious connection between Iguro and his serpent companion.