Heart of Peace | A Kny x reader insert |

~11~

Note: It's a bit late but I had graduation then got sick. I am still running a fever so excuse the editing mishaps.

Also pay close attention~ I've been dropping hints to future plans but this chapter is very heavy with more obvious hints.

When I open my eyes, I'm in the space again... the dark void. I see her, but she's different this time... faded. She drags me to my core and points. I stare at the two orbs sinking into each other. The straight line now zigzags slowly spreading into each other's half. I stare at her, and she keeps her eyes on the core.

It's silent for some time before she puts her hand on the core and tells me to do the same with a motion. It's like she's trying to force them apart... but she doesn't succeed. "You put our life on the line to force this. I could have lent you small enough drips to make a negligible difference, but instead of hiding, you went for him... I didn't take control... that would have ruined everything we wanted.

Our first life... was meaningless. You remember your life... school... friends... the trauma we still managed to pile up... we wanted to mean something to somebody... to be loved... so we got a second chance... but things are different... When mom didn't make it back that night to take us with her to... paradise... when I realized we were two, not one... when I found our split core... when I realized our birth was different... We were punished for breaking the laws of life. The further you go... the further from a happy ending for yourself you get. You've put a target on your back..."

I stare at myself, tears streaming down her face. "This was the destined course... we wanted to change things for ourselves... we won't get to be happy, because they will see a monster. You can't win every battle. Things have to balance one way or another."

"What... am I?" I whisper, staring at her, and she weeps as we watch the halves cling closer and closer.

Just when I'm sure they would combine, they stop and slide back slightly. "Open your eyes and figure that out." She retains that monotone voice as I am pushed out.

I jolted awake, gasping for air. I roll over and cough... blood slips from my mouth. Small hands help me sit up. I keep my eyes shut and press my hands there. I can still see... or sense rather... "Shinobu... how bad... are they... okay?"

"It took a long while for everybody to wake up and start recovery, but nothing debilitating and no slayer died." She's soft with her words as she takes my pulse. I open my eyes slowly, sensitive to the light. I wince shutting them again. "Let me draw the curtains. You have been out for nearly three weeks. You're bound to be sensitive to bright lights. 18 days... You worried Rengoku, Giyu, and poor Uzui thought himself responsible for your nearly dead state. Honestly, I'm not sure how you lived. Your will is something else Y/n." I swallow as she pulls the curtain. I open my eyes slowly again, and everything hits me. Nausea overtakes me, and I shut my eyes. I swallow the bile and open my eyes again.

I finally got used to the vibrancy of the world around me... the light surrounding Shinobu. I flinch at the wide eyes she stares at me with. "Oh gods... what?" I mumble, and she rushes to hand me a mirror. Both eyes are bound in gold slit down the center. "I overused my technique..." I blame it on that...

"Can you see?" She stares at the change, and I nod...

Hesitantly, I set the mirror down. "Better than I could... I guess I'm gonna need sunglasses added to my uniform... it's like they are stuck..." I mumble and she nods heading out of the room.

I head back to sleep, but startle awake to the door opening. God, everything is heightened, more present than before. I'm noticing things I never would have before. I glance at the door to see Kyojuro. His eyes... There are dark circles under them. "I was told you were awake... dinner?" He sits by my bedside and I smile.