What wasn't there before |Sanemi Shinazugawa x Reader|

❄️21❄️

"Alright, (Y/N). Show me what you've got!"

With a swift motion, Uzui dashes forward, his movements too fast to track. His blades swing through the air, a blur of silver. You barely had time to react, raising your nichirin blade to block Uzui's incoming attack. The clash of your two blades echoes through the training ground.

You pushed back Uzui's attack, causing him to skidd on the ground. Uzui recovered quickly, launching himself forward with a battle cry with his expression calm and focused on the battle.

"Not bad," Uzui comments, his voice steady. "You've gotten stronger little miss Hashira."

You smirk at his comment, "Or you're just getting old."

Uzui ramps up his assault and his blades become even faster than you were struggling to keep up. You grit your teeth but refuse to back down. As Uzui prepares for another powerful strike you say an opportunity and decide to take the risk. 

Just as Uzui's blade comes down, you sidestep and use that momentum to launch a surprise attack from behind. You slowed your breathing so Uzui wouldn't notice what you were aiming for. You brought your blade down swiftly to his blind spot First Form: Icebreaker.

Uzui's eyes widened in surprise as he barely managed to avoid your attack, the blade managing to graze his side. 

Uzui grins, a mix of surprise and approval. "Well done, (Y/N). You caught me off guard.

You smile brightly and offer Uzui your hand, "I still have more to work on."

Uzui accepts your hand as you pull him up, before you two can continue a calm voice cuts through the moment. 

"Impressive."

You both turn to see Giyu standing there with approval in his eyes. A surge of excitement fills you at the sight of Giyu.

"Giyu! You're back from your mission!", you ran towards him and pulled him into a hug.

Giyu returns the affection and whispers in your ear, "I've missed you."

A thrill of happiness ran through you at his words, but just as quickly as your happiness was there it was overshadowed by the gnawing worry about the lie that you told Sanemi. Giyu pulls back slightly, his gaze steady and reassuring.

Uzui lowers his blades and gives a respectful nod. "Giyu-san," Uzui greets.

Uzui claps a hand on your shoulder, and grins wide, "Hasn't she improved a lot, all she needs to do is time her attacks a bit better and she could be more flamboyant than me."

You pouted at Uzui's response, "Don't say that, I'm out of breath just from this spar."

Giyu smiled and ruffled your hair, "Keep working hard and you'll be unstoppable."

Coming from both Giyu and Uzui those words meant a lot. It was moments like these that reminded you why you endured the grueling training sessions and the constant danger in missions. 

You bid Uzui farewell and follow Giyu to the main road, waving to Uzui as you two leave. Just as you were a few minutes into your walk, your crow Hoshi circling with a letter attached to his leg. You raised your hand to let Hoshi land as you took off the letter.

"Thank you Hoshi." you gave him a few seeds and sent him off his way. Giyu leaned over your shoulder to look at the letter you received. As you were reading the letter it seemed like you were going to put on a mission tomorrow morning, but as you continued your face paled immediately. Spotting the names: Kanae and Sanemi, you felt sick.

Giyu noticed your uneasiness and immediately offered you his hand which you took and started to walk towards his home. You followed Giyu, your heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The walk was silent with the air heavy with the weight of your thoughts.

As you reached the entrance of Giyu's home, he motioned for you to enter and sit down on one of the cushions. He followed suite and Giyu turned towards you. "Something's bothering you," Giyu said softly, his voice gentle but firm.

You took a deep breath, trying to settle your rapid heartbeat. "Nothing is wrong Giyu, I'm fine as always."

Giyu rests his hand on your cheek as he furrowed his brows, "(Y/N) you know you can tell me anything. I promise whatever you tell me I can take it."

Guilt flashed in your eyes, the suppressed feelings for Sanemi, the lies, and most of all the feeling of deception. You knew you couldn't love Giyu the same way he loves you and this relationship would only hurt Giyu in the end. 

Tears welled up in your eyes as you struggled to find the right words. "I don't want to upset you, Giyu...."

You gasped for air as you tried to catch your breath. Giyu wiped away the tears with his thumb and smiled at you as if telling you to continue.

You take a deep breath, gathering your thoughts. "Back at the hospital after you left, Sanemi had sneaked into my hospital room....I...I lied to him. He saw the hairpin Giyu.....he asked me where it was from and I couldn't tell him the truth. I told him it was from my brother."

Giyu's eyes widened slightly but remained composed. You continued, "I didn't want to tell you and cause any tension between us, I tried Giyu.....I can't deny my feelings for Sanemi. I've tried pushing them aside, to focus on us, but....it's unfair to you to have feelings for someone else while being with you."

You lower your gaze afraid to see the look of disappointment in Giyu's eyes. "I don't want you to be mad at me Giyu...I care about you so much, but these feelings no matter how much I try won't go away."

Giyu squeezes your hand, "I'm not mad," Giyu says firmly. "I know that emotions are complicated." 

You look up to meet his gaze and see the determination in his eyes that makes your heart ache. "I will try even harder in this relationship," Giyu continues. "I'll do everything I can to show you that I'm the one who deserves your heart. I will make you forget about Sanemi and think only of me."

You realize the depth of Giyu's words and commitment to this relationship to which you nod.

You knew this was for the best and you would let Giyu have his chance at this. Giyu pulls you in for an embrace, his arms providing a sense of security you've been craving. Giyu moves his hands underneath your chin and leans forward to which you follow. Giyu's lips lightly touch your own and without even another moment he pulls you in closer and pours his emotions into the kiss, a mixture of longing and sadness. With your eyes closed during the kiss, you thought you were imagining, but felt a tear come down from Giyu's eyes. You just brought Giyu closer to deepen the kiss, not wanting to let him know that you noticed his tears.

As you hold onto Giyu, you know the path of this relationship won't be easy and tomorrow's mission will put you through the test of this relationship.