The eye of the storm (Sanemi x Reader)

10| Shadows and Solace

As the days passed, I found myself gradually regaining my strength, albeit under the watchful eyes of Aoi and Shinobu, who insisted I remain at the Butterfly Estate. Despite their concerns, I could now walk without feeling dizzy, a sign that my recovery was progressing. Still, Shinobu explained to me that the center for regulating my body temperature in my brain had been slightly damaged, so I might struggle to regulate my internal temperature from time to time, feeling much colder or hotter than others, but otherwise, I was perfectly fine.

However, amidst my physical improvements, there remained a weight on my heart concerning Kaigaku. Four days had passed since I learned of his expulsion from the estate for stealing medicine, yet he had not reached out to me, nor had I been given the chance to confront him about his actions. It was understandable, considering he was barred from entering the estate, but the silence between us weighed heavily on my mind.

Zenitsu had mentioned that he, too, had been unable to speak with Kaigaku, adding to my growing sense of unease. In the absence of direct communication, I found solace in spending time with Zenitsu and his friends, who were dedicated to training and improving their skills at the butterfly estate.

Aoi and Kanao took charge of much of the training regimen, while I offered encouragement and advice to them. Surprisingly, my presence seemed to inspire them to push themselves harder during their workouts. Zenitsu, in particular, displayed newfound determination when he knew I was watching, often boasting about his progress.

Inosuke, ever competitive, also seemed motivated by my presence, striving to prove himself worthy to fight against me. Tanjiro, on the other hand, showed genuine concern for my well-being, checking in on me daily and offering words of encouragement.

It was heartwarming to see Zenitsu interacting with his friends; he was himself and he was happy. As I watched Inosuke, Zenitsu, and Tanjiro engage in their training regimen at the garden, a sense of pride welled up within me. Each of them was dedicated and determined, their unique strengths  shining through in their approach to the exercises.

However, amidst the flurry of activity, a sudden disagreement erupted among them, catching me off guard. I was sitting in the distance watching them, but I could hear their screams perfectly. Inosuke, fueled by his competitive spirit, had challenged Zenitsu to a sparring match, claiming he could outmatch him in combat. 

Tanjiro attempted to intervene, urging them to settle their differences amicably and focus on their training instead. Yet, his words fell on deaf ears as the argument escalated, each of them adamant in their belief of their own superiority.

Inosuke, his voice booming with confidence, declared, "I'll show you who's the strongest! Prepare to be defeated, Zentocho!"

Zenitsu, his tone tinged with bravado, shot back, "You may have brawn, Inosuke, but I've got speed on my side! You won't lay a finger on me!"

Tanjiro, growing increasingly exasperated, pleaded, "Come on, guys, let's not fight. We're supposed to be working together, not against each other."

The air crackled with tension as Inosuke's boast echoed across the training grounds. "I bet I could take you down, Zontachiro! And (y/n) too, without even breaking a sweat!"

Zenitsu's eyes flashed with indignation. "Don't you dare calling her by her first name! You don't have her trust and she is a Hashira, so show her some respect, stinky boar! She could turn you into ashes in seconds if she wanted to!"

"Well, it's already a big step that he said her name right" Tanjiro muttered quietly.

Inosuke laughed mockingly at Zenitsu. "Hah! Your sister? Please! She's nowhere near as strong as me! I recovered much earlier than her," Inosuke pointed at me. "See, she's still wearing the bandage on her head. But look at my healthy body. HAHAHA."