影と風 | Kage to Kaze | Shinazugawa Sanemi x reader |

11 - I'm Back

"Shadow Breathing: Fifth Form - Dusk Embrace." I wrapped the demon in a cloak of shadow, restricting her movements and draining her strength. I finished her off with a powerful strike and caught her head.

"May the gods have mercy on you," I spoke softly as the head slowly disintegrated. I collapsed to my knees, clutching the open wound on my chest. The demon was stronger than expected. Tengen probably wouldn't have had any trouble with his opponent, but I was feeling a bit nervous for Genya, so I quickly made my way toward him.

Running through a labyrinth of flowers, I came to an abrupt halt.

"Ge-" I shut my mouth, not wanting to disrupt his fight. The boy had grown fangs, and his hair was longer. Something was off. Regardless of his appearance, he was putting up a good fight, having sustained multiple injuries but finally slicing through the demon's neck. He wobbled on his knees, and I quickly caught him before he could fall onto his back in exhaustion.

"Gotcha," I reassured him. He quickly tried to hide his face.

"Don't look at me," Genya mumbled, trying to wiggle out of my tight grip, but he was too weakened from the fight.

"It's okay, Genya. I understand." I patted his head and slowly let go. His features gradually returned to normal, and he stood up.

"Let's go to Uzui," he stated, and I nodded.

I supported Genya as we made our way back to the bathhouse roof, where Tengen was waiting for us. He'd already finished off his demon and was lounging as if the whole thing had been a minor inconvenience. When he saw us approaching, he grinned.

"Nicely done," Tengen said, crossing his arms as he looked down at Genya, who still seemed embarrassed. "You're stronger than you give yourself credit for, kid."

Genya mumbled something, eyes avoiding Tengen's, but he gave a brief nod in acknowledgment.

"Well then, shall we get out of here?" Tengen declared, stretching his arms above his head as if he hadn't just fought a demon. "I think it's time to head back. Our work here is done."

We made our way down, and before long, a carriage arrived to take us away from the bathhouse. As I prepared to leave, I noticed the subtle change in my own mood. Throughout the mission, I had kept my guard up around Tengen, wary of his overwhelming personality and confidence, but something about the way he had led us through the ordeal had softened my opinion of him.

"You did good," he said, giving me a surprisingly warm smile as we prepared to part ways. "I know you're not one to trust easily, but you held your own today. Not everyone can do that."

I blinked, taken aback. "Thanks... I guess you're not as obnoxious as you seem," I smirked. His loud laughter echoed through the street, and for the first time, it didn't bother me.

"Take care of yourself, you know where to find me if you need me," Tengen added as he hopped into the carriage. I waved him off, and as I watched him disappear down the road, I felt a strange warmth. Maybe Tengen wasn't so bad after all.

~*~

The next day, I decided to visit my sisters, Haru and Yuka, at the Butterfly Mansion. They had been training hard under Shinobu's care, and I hadn't seen them in some time. When I arrived, the mansion was as serene as ever, though the absence of Shinobu's calm presence was palpable. She was likely out on a mission, which was typical, but I still felt a twinge of disappointment.

Inside, I found Haru and Yuka in the garden. Yuka spotted me first and immediately ran over, her eyes lighting up with joy.

"Big sister! You're back!" she cried, throwing her arms around me. Haru followed, a more reserved smile on her face, but she too was happy to see me.

We spent the afternoon together, catching up on their progress, and the latest gossip at the mansion. Despite the warmth of their company, I couldn't shake the unsettled feeling that had been gnawing at me ever since we returned from the bathhouse. Sanemi had been gone for far too long. 

By the time I returned home, the sun had set, and the house felt emptier than ever. The silence stretched on as I wandered through the halls, unsettled by the growing absence of Sanemi. I kept telling myself he would return any day now, but with each passing moment, my anxiety grew.

~*~

That night, as midnight approached, the sky opened up, and rain began to pour in torrents. Thunder rumbled in the distance, though it hadn't yet reached the village. I stood by the window, watching the downpour. The moon was barely visible behind the thick clouds, and the sound of raindrops hitting the roof was both soothing and unnerving. I hoped it wouldn't start thundering.

Suddenly, a shift in the air caught my attention. I couldn't hear him, but I felt it, the familiar presence of the Wind Hashira.

My heart leaped. Sanemi.

I rushed to the door, excitement welling up inside me. But when I opened it, the sight that greeted me stole the breath from my lungs.

Sanemi stood there, but he was barely recognizable. His eyes, usually so fierce and full of life, were dull, vacant. His entire body was drenched, not just from the rain but from blood — his own, judging by the gashes covering his torso and arms. One arm hung limply at his side, clearly dislocated, and his uniform was torn in several places.

"Sanemi!" I gasped, reaching for him. He stumbled forward, barely catching himself before collapsing into my arms.

"I'm... back," he rasped, his voice weak, before his knees buckled.

I caught him just before he hit the ground, his weight heavy against me. My heart raced as I struggled to keep him upright, panic clawing at the edges of my mind. His blood soaked into my clothes, the metallic scent overwhelming, and I could feel the cold seeping into his skin.

"Sanemi...!" I whispered, fighting back the rising fear as I held him close, desperate to keep him conscious.

~*~

Taisho-era Secrets

The main protagonist is actually very afraid of thunderstorms and lightening. When she was younger, she was playing under a tree when lightning struck it.