Without You.. || Obanai Iguro X Reader

Chapter 12-𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue across the Rengoku estate. Three years had passed since Y/N had mastered Moon Breathing, her movements now as fluid as the crescent moon itself. She twirled her woodem sword, the her flawless training catching the light, she then glanced over at Obanai, who was deep in thought.

Obanai sat cross-legged under a gnarled tree, books wide open before him. His heterochromia eyes scanned the written text, searching through breathing styles. Flame Breathing—the sinuous forms, the precision—it intrigued him. But it was elusive, like a serpent slipping through his grasp.

Y/N approached him, her footsteps silent on the dew-kissed grass. "Obanai," she said softly, "have you made any progress on finding your style?"

He looked up, his expression a mix of frustration and determination. "Not enough," he admitted. Flame Breathing is powerful, but it eludes me. I can't quite capture its essence."

She sat beside him, her shoulder brushing against his. "Maybe there's another path," Y/N suggested. "Something that resonates with you."

He sighed, running a hand through his ink-black hair. "Im glad you found your moon breathing, it natches you quite well." he confessed. "It's elegant, precise. But for me—..." He trailed off, unable to find the right words.

Y/N leaned closer. "Is there a breathing style that's based of snakes? " she asked. "It's adaptable, And your past really connects to snakes—wait, im sorry obanai-kun i didn't mean to bring back bad memories!!!.." She said, waving her hand infront of her face.      

"But, Maybe it'll suit you.."she added.

Obanai considered it. Serpent Breathing—the gentle flow, the way it shifted seamlessly between offense and defense. Perhaps it was worth exploring. "Thank you," he murmured. "I'll try it, for you."

Just then, a rustling in the bushes caught their attention. Kyojuro  emerged, his crimson haori billowing. His eyes sparkled with excitement. "Y/N! Obanai!" he called. "Guess what? My father is sending me to Final Selection!"

Y/N's heart skipped a beat. Final Selection—the grueling test that separated the weak from the strong, the demon slayers from the rest. "Kyojuro," she said, "You know what this means?.."

"Ahh! Your gonna be a slayerr! Yayy! And later on me and obanai-kun will join you too!"she said excitingly.

He grinned, flames flickering in his gaze. "Absolutely! I've been training nonstop. I'll make you guys proud."

Kyojuro stepped closer, his voice low. "And when I return," he said, "I'll be stronger. Strong enough to protect everyone I care about, especially you."

Obanai clenched his fists, jealousy burning within him. Kyojuro's words echoed in his mind: *stronger*, protect. Y/N's safety might be at stake, and he couldn't let Kyojuro surpass him. "You'll do well," he said to Kyojuro. "But don't get your hopes too high."

Kyojuro's gaze shifted to Y/N completely ignoring obanai purposely. "And maybe," he added, "when I'm strong enough, we can be together."

Y/N's cheeks flushed, and Obanai's resolve hardened. He would master Serpent Breathing, surpass Kyojuro, and protect Y/N while he's at it.

Days turned into weeks, and Obanai immersed himself into creating a new breathing style, derived from water breathing. Serpent Breathing. He practiced in moonlit solitude, the forest echoing with his hissing breaths. Each movement was deliberate, every strike calculated. He felt the energy coiling within him, waiting to be unleashed.

Y/N watched from a distance, she was done training for a day but she caught obanai doing extra training. Her eyes were filled with both admiration and concern. "Obanai," she said, "Dont push yourself too hard!"

He wiped sweat from his brow, his muscles aching. "I have to," he replied. "To get stronger.. for you.."he mumbled the last part.

She walked over to him and knelt beside him, her touch gentle. "Obanai," Y/N said, "I dont want you to push your self too hard, we can become stronger together, just dont be so hard on yourself, okay? You've got me worried!"she nervously chuckled.

He met her gaze, the moonlight shining on the beautiful h/c streaks in her hair. "I know," he whispered. "But I won't let Kyojuro just try to  steal you away like that."

"Eh..?"

————————

Final Selection arrived, and Kyojuro faced the demons with unwavering resolve. He was allowed to choose an ore, in which they will use to create his nichirin sword. He also received a kasugai crow

When Kyojuro returned, battered but triumphant, Y/N rushed to his side. Obanai clenched his teeth, the serpent within him writhing. "Congratulations," he forced out, rolling his eyes.

"Ahh! You did it kyojuro-kun! We're so proud of you!! Gahhh! Teach me yiyr ways! i wanna be strong enough to go to final selection too!
Kyojuro grinned, exhaustion etching lines on his face. "Thanks, Obanai. And Y/N..." He hesitated, then pulled her into an embrace.

"I did it.. I really did.."he sighed, before smiling as she returned his embrace.

"You did.."she smiled brightly, she pulled obanai to join their embrace, the both of them shared gazes before they both looked at y/n.

"Lets go celebrate with mochi!"She said as she hopped back inside the estate happily.

She stopped at the shoji doors.
"I know where your dad hides the sweeets~"She said as she giggles before entering.

"Right behind ya!"Kyojuro said, before averting his attention to obanai.

"Stop trying so hard, Obanai. It's not like she's into you." Kyojuro said, hands on his hips.

"You dont know that."

         \*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚\
【明治 エラ | 𝗠𝗲𝗶𝗷𝗶 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀】

•Y/N was great help in finding a breathing style for obanai.

•Shinjuro was watching the whole thing.

•Author doesn't have any good chapter ideas that's why she skipped years😔.

Happy forth of july for those who celebrate!!♡