|| RIVALS AND ROMANCES || sanegiyuu

Chapter One - Bonds of Duty and Desire

Sanemi Shinazugawa stood at the precipice of his greatest achievement yet. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the courtyard of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. Tonight, he would be officially appointed as a Hashira, one of the elite warriors tasked with protecting humanity from the scourge of demons.

As he adjusted the hilt of his katana, Sanemi's thoughts drifted back to the journey that had led him to this moment. Years of grueling training, countless battles against the demonic forces that threatened his world, all culminating in this singular opportunity to rise to the pinnacle of his calling.

But amidst the anticipation and pride that swelled within him, there lingered a sense of restlessness. For standing not far from him, clad in the familiar garb of a Hashira, was Giyu Tomioka. The stoic Water Hashira whose very presence seemed to cast a shadow over Sanemi's achievements.

Giyu's unruly black hair caught the fading light, framing his serious expression as he exchanged nods with their fellow Demon Slayers. Sanemi couldn't deny the undeniable skill and strength that Giyu possessed, but there was something else, something intangible that irked him.

Perhaps it was the quiet confidence that Giyu exuded, or maybe it was the way his sapphire eyes held a depth of understanding that Sanemi couldn't fathom. Whatever it was, it grated against Sanemi's competitive spirit, igniting a simmering rivalry that burned deep within him.

But as the ceremony commenced and the title of Hashira was bestowed upon him, Sanemi's attention was momentarily diverted. For standing beside Giyu was another figure, one whose presence stirred a different kind of emotion within him.

Kanae Kochou, the Flower Hashira, radiated grace and strength as she stood with her hand resting lightly on Giyu's arm. Her long, flowing hair caught the last rays of sunlight, casting a halo of golden light around her. Sanemi couldn't help but feel drawn to her, captivated by the warmth and kindness that seemed to emanate from her very being.

Kanae and Giyu shared a bond that transcended mere comradeship. They were like siblings, their connection forged through shared loss and mutual understanding. Sanemi couldn't help but envy the closeness they shared, even as he begrudgingly acknowledged the admiration he held for Kanae.

As the ceremony drew to a close and the newly appointed Hashira dispersed, Sanemi found himself unable to shake the lingering sense of unease that gripped him. His rivalry with Giyu had only intensified, fueled by a burning desire to prove himself worthy of the title he now bore.

But amidst the fierce competition and unspoken tension, there was another emotion that stirred within him. A longing, a yearning for something beyond the battlefield, something that whispered of forbidden desires and unspoken truths.

And as he stole a final glance at Kanae and Giyu, their figures silhouetted against the fading light of the setting sun, Sanemi couldn't help but wonder if there was more to their bond than met the eye. If perhaps, amidst the chaos of their world, there lay the possibility of a love that transcended duty and destiny.

But for now, as he stepped forward into the uncertain future that awaited him, Sanemi knew that his path was clear. To become the strongest Hashira, to protect those he held dear, and to confront the demons that lurked both within and without.