The Shadow Hashira - Tengen X Reader X Sanemi

13

Without thinking, I reached out, grabbed his arm, and yanked him into the water with me. The splash was instant, his surprised expression almost comical as he fell into the dark, cool river beside me. I couldn't help it—laughter bubbled up from my chest, uncontrollable and light. He was always so composed, so sure of himself, but here he was, dripping wet and caught off guard by me.

He surfaced, shaking water from his hair, and despite his soaked clothes clinging to his body, his grin never faltered. "Really?" he chuckled, his deep voice filled with amusement. "You're going to pull me in like that?"

I backed away from him quickly, keeping the water between us, knowing full well that getting too close was dangerous for both of us. The heat between us was always there, simmering just beneath the surface, and the last thing I needed was for that tension to spark into something uncontrollable.

"Maybe you need to be on your toes more often," I teased, wading a little further into the deeper water, my fingers brushing against the smooth stones below. "For someone who's so flashy, you're awfully easy to mess with." I splash him when I said that. My smile still wide at the moments before.

His laugh echoed through the quiet night, rich and unbothered. He looked at me with that mix of amusement and admiration I hated—hated because it made my heart skip, made me want to be closer to him despite every reason to keep my distance.

"Impressive," he said, voice laced with genuine respect. "You always keep me guessing. But don't think I'll let my guard down next time."

I gave him a smirk, treading water while keeping my distance. "Next time, huh? You'd better hope there isn't one."

He shook his head, still grinning, but I could see the shift in his expression as he regained his composure, the playful banter fading as the weight of reality returned. There was no escaping it—no matter how much we toyed with each other, the mission always loomed overhead, and our duty was never far from our minds.

"The village," I began, my voice more serious now. "Things aren't as simple as they seem. There's been movement—Upper Rank Six, Daki, has been spotted. She's here, in the Entertainment District. And she's not alone. Her brother, Gyutaro, is likely nearby too. They're both dangerous. You know this."

He didn't say anything for a moment, just nodded, his playful demeanor replaced by a sharp, focused intensity. His eyes met mine, and despite his dripping wet clothes, I could see the gears turning in his mind. He was already strategizing, already thinking of the best way to deal with the threat. It was moments like this that reminded me why Tengen was a Hashira. Beneath the flash, the showmanship, he was a deadly force—one that demons had every reason to fear.

"I've been watching," I continued, keeping my voice low despite the rushing water. "Daki controls much of the district, hiding in plain sight. She manipulates the oiran and the courtesans, using the brothels to cover her tracks. Her brother, Gyutaro, stays in the shadows, only emerging when necessary. They're a team, and they're strong. Killing one won't be enough."

Tengen wiped a hand down his face, clearing the water from his eyes, but his attention never wavered. "You're right. They'll be tricky to separate. But we'll figure it out." His voice was resolute, his confidence unwavering even in the face of two Upper Rank demons.

I bit my lip, a part of me wanting to warn him, to tell him to be careful, but I knew better than that. Tengen Uzui wasn't someone who backed down from a fight. His arrogance wasn't just for show—it was earned. Still, something gnawed at me, a lingering worry that wouldn't let go.

"They've killed countless," I added, my voice tight with the weight of what we were about to face. "They won't hesitate to kill again. The district is their playground, and we're walking right into it."