Boundary - [Taiju Shiba x Reader]

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Credit: TikTok (I think?!) (@_.namy.fac)
So so so sorry for taking an eternity to update
life has been ... interesting LOL

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Takemichi, his blonde tuft of hair unmistakable, crouched behind a dark garbage bin in the alleyway, casting nervous glances your way.

You hesitated, caught between the familiar urge to confront Taiju and the urgency of Takemichi's signal. The sight of Taiju stirred a tempest of emotions within you—relief at his presence, fury at the suffering his death had caused, and bewilderment over this altered timeline.

"Takemichi..." you murmured, your voice laced with conflict.

Hina, noticing your wavering gaze, followed it to the alley. "Who's that?" she asked softly, her curiosity piqued.

Swallowing hard, you grappled with whether to unveil too much or shield the delicate balance of this reality. "Just a bird," you replied evasively, straddling the line between past wounds and present urgencies. "I'll check it out real quick."

Takemichi's expression grew more urgent, his gestures insistent. Without a word, you turned away from Taiju, your heart weighed down by unresolved emotions, and moved toward Takemichi, drawn by the intensity in his eyes. As you approached, he stepped out from behind the dumpster, his face bearing fresh signs of recent turmoil.

"Please tell me you're the Takemichi from the future, because I'm thirteen and utterly lost."

He nodded solemnly. "We've jumped back together..."

Scanning the dim alley for eavesdroppers, Takemichi's tone became grave. "There's tension between Shinichiro and Taiju. If tonight goes wrong, it could spiral into the conflict we just escaped from," he whispered.

Your thoughts raced. "How are we supposed to fix this? Shinichiro's alive, and the Shibas seem... harmonious?"

Takemichi's eyes lit up. "Exactly. This timeline is better for Hakkai, Yuzuha, and even Taiju." He glanced over at Hina, who was guiding Yuzuha to the driveway's edge. "There's a crucial meeting tonight with Taiju and Shinichiro. We need to follow them."

"Shadowing Black Dragon leaders? Sounds... fantastic," you muttered, arms folded, shifting uneasily.

The age gap between you and Taiju gnawed at your mind. "What if Taiju recognizes me? I'm thirteen, and he's what, seventeen? It's bizarre."

Takemichi scratched his head. "Yeah, at least Hina and I are the same age. Lucky me."

Suppressing a groan, you forced yourself not to glance at Taiju. Avoiding him felt imperative.

"What do I do if Taiju talks to me?" you whispered, your voice barely audible, eyes locked with Takemichi's.

Takemichi chuckled softly but stopped abruptly, clutching his ribs. "Don't worry. We'll be back in our time soon. Won't be here for long."