𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐌𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 | 𝑺.𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒛𝒖𝒈𝒂𝒘𝒂

𝟒𝟏 | 𝐀 𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝

~*~

THREE MONTHS LATER - AT THE DRAGON ESTATE

"Just breath in........and out,"

In deep focus of Zen meditation Kaito was on the floorboards, legs half crossed with his eyes closed with a relaxed expression; contrasting from earlier when he was contorting in discomfort and irritation. I did the same, but remained focusing on to focus on his breathing pattern and how he can channel his breathing techniques with this meditation. He inhales and exhales deeply, before by my command I allow him to open his eyes.

"How do you feel?" I ask him softly, noticing that the tension had left him. "You were quite uptight and distressed earlier........am I not wrong?"

He remains in his position before his shoulders slump forward to relax, "I apologise.......just didn't get much sleep,"

My brows hike up with concern, "I've mentored you for three months, and I've watched and observed you every time I train you or see you in your spare time," I spoke up, while hearing the rain against the tin room above us within the dojo. It was close to the afternoon meaning another mission will be closing in, as the crows should be flying in to inform us our next hunting mission. "You can't get past me......."

He wearily smirks and rakes his fingers through his hair, "I know.......I've been begging for you to mentor me, but......" a troubling sigh leaves him. ".......can I do it? Can I really be the next Dragon Hashira? To learn such a beautiful and yet such a strong breathing technique?"

Raising a brow I couldn't help but chuckle, "I wouldn't have given you a chance, a few months ago if I didn't think you were capable," before standing up, following him to stand up as well when he approaches me. He suddenly bows before me in respect to our training session, with his form strong but gentle. 

"Guess I shouldn't doubt you, Big Sis," He lifts his gaze, seeing bags beneath his eyes. 

"Maybe......you should sit out tonight's mission?" I suggest softly, with a warm tone. Reaching forward I cup his face feeling his body stiffen in response before relaxing, as my thumb brushes his cheek. He seems rather exhausted and fatigued than I assumed, maybe I shouldn't take so much time in the day for training if he needs rest. "You've fought repeatedly this week, so I think you deserve a break.......get some sleep and focus on your health."

Usually he would push away from me, but this time he wasn't even neglecting my concerns.

"Fine.............I'll take you up on the offer," he gives me a small pout, earning a small scoff from me. "Seriously..........I swear your more like a mother to me......"

"Is it so bad for caring?" I question, as he gives me a wry smile.

He soon gives me a warm smile back even if it was weak, "No........no, it's actually nice...." leaning his head into my hands, seeing another vulnerable side of him. 

In the past three months of mentoring him it took some time and a lot of patience, and now he's at a level where his rank is Tsuchinoe. He still had a ways to go, but he was slowly cleaning up certain techniques and learning new ones simultaneously. Sometimes I catch him in the middle of the night training instead of sleeping when not on missions, and I overhear his impressive work in other groups when he's not with me on my high ranked missions. Like what Hashira are meant to do, we're meant to be patrolling and ensuring the safety when a dire emergency occurs or gets out of hand.

~*~

A WEEK LATER 

"......ya know that food isn't gonna eat itself?"