The Crystal's Whisper and The Wind's Embrace

Chapter 35: Confusion and Uncertainty

At the training grounds, sweat glistened on Tsukiyo's brow as she diligently practiced her forms. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the scene. Just as she was about to take a break, she heard a familiar, gruff voice.

"You're dropping your left shoulder again," Sanemi called out, his tone stern but not unkind.

He walked over, his eyes focused intently on her stance. "If you keep doing that, you'll leave yourself wide open."

Tsukiyo straightened, trying to hide her embarrassment. "I thought I had it right this time," she said, her voice tinged with frustration.

Sanemi shook his head, stepping closer to adjust her posture. His hands were firm but gentle as he corrected her stance. "Here, like this. You need to stay balanced."

She felt a jolt of electricity where his hands touched her, and her heart raced uncontrollably.

His proximity, the intensity of his gaze, and the unexpected gentleness of his touch all combined to make her pulse quicken.

"There," Sanemi said, stepping back and crossing his arms. "Better. Now try again."

Tsukiyo nodded, her mind swirling with thoughts as she resumed her practice.

She was aware of his eyes on her, observing her every move, and it made her more determined to get it right.

After several more attempts, she finally managed to maintain her balance and form.

"Good," Sanemi grunted, a hint of approval in his voice. "Keep practicing like that."

As he turned to leave, Tsukiyo couldn't help but call out, "Sanemi, thank you."

He paused, glancing back at her with an unreadable expression. "Just doing my job," he muttered before walking away, leaving Tsukiyo with her heart pounding uncontrollably. She couldn't tell if it was from the intense training or something else.

Later that evening, Tsukiyo found herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions as she sat in her room, reflecting on the day's events. Sanemi's touch, his stern yet caring demeanour, and the way he seemed to believe in her potential had left her both flustered and contemplative.

"Why do I feel this way around him?" she wondered aloud, her mind racing.

She thought back to the times he had saved her, the moments when his rough exterior softened just enough to reveal a glimpse of something more. The memory of him pulling her to safety during a demon attack, his eyes filled with concern, sent a shiver down her spine.

Another memory surfaced of a rare moment when he had shared a quiet laugh with her over a meal, his stern features softening briefly, revealing a side of him she had never seen before. These moments played over and over, adding to the confusion swirling in her heart.

Tsukiyo also realised that she has been acting strangely whenever Sanemi is around these days.

(Flashback)

Tsukiyo shifted uncomfortably as she and Sanemi sat next to each other, a strange fluttering sensation in her stomach that she couldn't quite shake. She frowned, trying to brush off the feeling as mere annoyance at Sanemi's gruff demeanour.

Sanemi noticed her unease and raised an eyebrow. "Something on your mind?" he asked.

Tsukiyo hesitated, unsure how to voice the swirling emotions inside her. "I... I don't know," she admitted, feeling a blush creeping up her cheeks. "I just feel... weird."

Sanemi's expression softened slightly, a rare hint of concern in his eyes. "Weird? How?" he pressed, his voice quieter than usual.

Tsukiyo swallowed nervously, her heart pounding in her chest. "I don't know exactly," she confessed, avoiding his gaze. "But it's like... like my heart races a little faster, and I can't seem to think straight."

Sanemi's gaze softened, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. "Sounds like you might be catching a fever."

In the next second, Sanemi leaned in, his forehead touching hers to check her temperature.

Tsukiyo's face flushed, her heart pounding louder with his proximity, feeling his warm breath on her skin.

"You're really warm, seems like you really have caught a fever. Let's go to Shinobu now," Sanemi remarked, trying to pull Tsukiyo along to the Butterfly Estate.

Unable to withstand the closeness and overwhelming emotions, Tsukiyo pushed Sanemi away suddenly, flustered. "No... it's okay. I am feeling fine. I... I am just a little tired, I will go back to have a rest first."

And with that, Tsukiyo fled, afraid her heart might burst. She had to get away from Sanemi; every time she was near him now, she felt strange and out of control.

"Oi!" Sanemi called out, but Tsukiyo ran off at top speed, not giving him any chance of catching her. "How can she run away so fast with a fever? This crystal girl is giving me a headache!"

(End of flashback)

Her heart raced again, and she realised she couldn't ignore these feelings any longer. Were they mere admiration for a respected comrade, or was there something deeper at play?

Uncertain and wanting to seek clarity, Tsukiyo decided to confide in the one person renowned for her expertise in matters of the heart – Mitsuri, the Love Hashira.