The Shadow Hashira - Tengen X Reader X Sanemi

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Thank you for choosing my story! Hope you enjoy :)

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"Y/N... are you there?" Oyakata-sama called softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

I was by his side in seconds, kneeling at the edge of the tatami. His health had been worsening recently, and I found myself attuned to every breath, every faint word. His body, once strong, now lay frail, and his eyes—once clear and sharp—were losing their light. It was painful to see the master of the Demon Slayer Corps, the man who saved me, deteriorating this way.

"I'm here, Oyakata-sama," I said gently, taking his hand in mine, careful not to hurt him.

"How are you?" he asked, his weak smile sending a familiar pang through my chest.

"I'm well, Father. I just returned from the mission you assigned me," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. The mission hadn't been too challenging—just a lower-ranked demon terrorizing a remote village. It didn't take long to dispatch it, but every time I leave, my heart stays here, with him. As the Shadow Hashira, I handle the more clandestine tasks, things that can't draw attention to the rest of the Hashira. "The village is safe. The demon has been eliminated. You don't need to worry about the missions you give me. You trained me well, Father."

He squeezed my hand lightly. "I never doubted your strength, Y/N. But that's why... you must remain hidden, at least for now."

His words, though familiar, never failed to remind me of my isolation. I nodded, fighting back the sting of tears. "I know. For now, I will remain in the shadows, cleaning up after the other Hashira and ensuring order. I'll stay hidden as long as it's needed to protect you... and the family."

A lump formed in my throat, but I pushed it down. Every time we spoke about my role, the fear of losing them resurfaced. Oyakata-sama had taken me in when I had nothing. Demons had ravaged my village when I was just a child, leaving nothing behind but ashes and death. My family... I don't even remember their faces anymore. I wandered, starving, abandoned, until the Demon Slayer Corps found me, and Oyakata-sama became my father. He saved me from that dark, endless void.

"Y/N... you're lost in thought again," he murmured, pulling me from my memories.

I blinked and smiled sheepishly. He always knew when my mind wandered. His kindness, his guidance—it never ceased to amaze me how he took me in, raising me as one of his own when I was nothing.

"Don't dwell on the past too much. It will only weigh you down. Focus on your duty, on protecting what's ahead," he said, his voice full of wisdom. "That will lead you out of the darkness."

"I'll keep trying, Father. I promise to make you proud," I whispered, lowering my head to rest it beside his.

"Now, now, go get yourself some food and rest. I know you've been training from dawn till dusk since your return," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I tensed, caught red-handed. "What? No, I haven't..." I mumbled, my eyes widening in mock innocence before I quickly stood and rushed out of the room, calling back over my shoulder, "See you at dinner, Father!"

As I sprinted down the hall, a laugh escaped me. Even as Shadow Hashira, tasked with staying unseen, Oyakata-sama always saw right through me. I'd have to be quieter in the future—if only to keep him from worrying.

My stomach growled as I made my way to the kitchen, thinking of what my mother had prepared. She wasn't my biological mother, but her love and care filled the void left by my past.

"Y/N! Don't eat so fast!" my mother scolded, hitting me on the head with the back of her wooden spoon.

"Ow!" I winced dramatically, rubbing my head with mock tears in my eyes. "What was that for? I'm just trying to appreciate your cooking by eating it all at once!"

She sighed, shaking her head in that usual calm yet exasperated way she always did. "I swear, you have the appetite of a Hashira and the table manners of a demon."

I grinned, continuing to devour the meal while my younger sisters giggled at the exchange.

"You two better not follow your sister's example," she warned, pointing her spoon at them sternly.

We all laughed, and for a moment, it felt like everything was normal. Sometimes, I wished things could stay like this forever.

"Right, I'm off now." I ruffled my sisters' hair, thanked my mother for the meal, and headed out.

As I wandered through the house, my thoughts returned to the responsibilities weighing on me. Oyakata-sama's condition, my missions, and the ever-growing threat of Muzan Kibutsuji and the Upper Moons loomed in my mind.

"Can't believe Father caught on to my training," I muttered, shaking my head at my carelessness. I didn't want him to worry, but I needed to keep improving. The stronger I became, the more I could protect him and the family.

I clenched my fists. "Guess I'll just have to train harder... and quieter next time," I whispered to myself, my resolve strengthening.

The fight against the demons was far from over. As the Shadow Hashira, I'd do whatever it took to keep my family and the Corps safe—even if it meant staying in the darkness.