The Shadow Hashira - Tengen X Reader X Sanemi

16

The worst was yet to come and I had to prepare. The night was thick with the scent of pine and earth as I moved through the dense woods. The trees whispered with the wind, but I paid no attention. My focus was singular, my body moving with purpose. The mission loomed ahead, and I had no room for weakness, no margin for error.

I gripped my spear tightly, muscles tense as I prepared for another drill. The cool air felt sharp against my skin, invigorating as I dashed forward, swinging the spear with precision, the blade slicing through the empty space. I exhaled sharply, my breath steady as I shifted into another stance.

"Shadow Breathing, Fourth Form: Phantom Steps."

My movements became fluid, quick as a shadow darting through moonlight. I darted between the trees, my body a blur, striking at invisible enemies that I imagined lurking in the darkness. Every form had to be perfect—every step, every thrust of the spear. The forms were not just techniques; they were survival. They were my way to stay alive in the chaos that was coming.

I practiced for hours, moving through form after form, the weight of the spear familiar in my hand, my muscles burning from the intensity. My breath became heavier, but I refused to stop. I couldn't afford to be anything less than at my peak.

"Shadow Breathing, Second Form: Dusk's Embrace."

I swung the spear with a sweeping arc, the blade dancing in the moonlight as it slashed through the air. The power behind the strike made the wind shift, and I could feel the strength in my arms, in my legs, building with every repetition.

When I wasn't fighting, I ran. Pushing my legs to their limits, I darted through the woods, weaving between trees, leaping over roots and rocks. I forced my body to endure the strain, to build the endurance I would need in the coming battle. The demons we faced wouldn't give us time to catch our breath, and neither would I.

As the night wore on, the stars shone bright above me, a reminder of how far I had come. I wasn't just preparing for a fight—I was preparing for survival. For the first time in what felt like ages, I didn't feel alone in this. The thought of Tengen, of the team we were about to face this with, lingered in my mind, pushing me harder, faster.

Dad gave me a job. I had to be ready. No matter what. 

--TENGEN'S POV--

I stood on the rooftop, the view of the Entertainment District stretching out before me, lit with the glow of lanterns and alive with the bustle of people who had no idea of the darkness lurking beneath their feet. My eyes traced the streets below, but my mind was elsewhere. The plan was coming together, the pieces all falling into place. Now, it was just a matter of execution.

I reached for my swords, the familiar weight of them grounding me. The blades gleamed in the moonlight, the curved edges deadly and precise, a reflection of the task ahead. I slid them free from their sheaths, testing the weight in my hands as I did every night before a battle. The smooth, rhythmic motion of sharpening the blades was a ritual, calming in its own way. It gave me time to think, to focus on the mission and the stakes.

The three boys. My thoughts shifted to Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu. Despite their youth and inexperience, I could see the potential in each of them. Tanjiro's unshakable determination, Inosuke's wild tenacity, Zenitsu's hidden strength—these weren't just kids. They were demon slayers, and they'd proven their worth already.

I chuckled to myself, remembering the letter they had sent recently. In Tanjiro's usual earnestness, he had outlined their progress, how they were blending into the district and gaining crucial information. I admired that kid's heart, even if he was a little too serious sometimes. Inosuke, of course, had written nothing but insults, clearly bored with the undercover work. Zenitsu's letter was barely legible, full of complaints about the women around him, as if he was suffering from being around so many beautiful courtesans. Idiots, I thought with a smile, though I knew I'd trust them when the moment came.

I sheathed my swords, my gaze returning to the district below. We were getting closer to Daki. The pieces were aligning, and soon, we'd strike. But something else lingered in the back of my mind, something I hadn't fully admitted to myself yet. It wasn't just the demons or the mission that had me on edge—it was her.

Moonlight.

Despite not knowing her name or her past, I felt as if I was intertwined with her before. She had been in the shadows this entire time, watching over me, and now she wasn't even hiding it. I couldn't help but think about the way she looked at me when I explained the plan, the way her voice cracked slightly when she mentioned leaving once it was all over. For someone so skilled at keeping distance, she was getting closer in ways neither of us seemed ready to acknowledge.

But there wasn't time for that now. We had a mission to complete, and I had to stay focused. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that when this was over, something between us would shift. She wasn't just another backup, and I'd seen enough of the world to know that I wanted to keep her close—whether she liked it or not.

I sighed, pushing the thoughts aside, and made my way down to where the boys were. The final preparations needed to be made, and soon, we'd face the Upper Rank demons that ruled this place. But until then, I'd let my mind wander just a little longer, my gaze flickering back to the moonlight above the district, wondering what the future had in store.

"I should let off some steam...I'm getting too tense for my own good."

I made my way into the forest, my steps light but purposeful. The need to train, to release some of this restless energy, had pulled me out here. The district was too loud, too crowded, and I needed space—needed to feel the weight of my swords, the rush of air as I swung them, the burn in my muscles as I pushed myself to the limit. But before I could even begin, I heard it—a faint series of clangs, the unmistakable sound of metal slicing through the air with precision.

Curiosity piqued, I followed the sound deeper into the woods, careful not to make too much noise. As I approached, I caught a glimpse of her—the way her body moved in sync with her spear, the fluidity of her strikes, each attack calculated and lethal. She was a vision, even in the low light of the moon filtering through the trees. I stopped, staying hidden behind a large tree, just watching her.

Her h/c hair moved with each motion, catching the faint glimmers of light as she spun and struck again. Every step, every breath, was perfectly timed, each one fuelling the power behind her blows. Her breathing technique was flawless, precise and sharp like her spear. I could hear every inhale and exhale, even from this distance, the rhythm drawing me in like a melody.

Despite the mask she wore, obscuring half of her face, I could remember every detail underneath it. I didn't need to see her face to picture it—the curve of her lips when she smiled, that sneaky grin she'd flash just before delivering a snarky remark. And the kiss. It had been short, but it was everything. A moment burned into my mind, replaying over and over since that night.

I wanted to touch her again. Hell, I wanted more than that. The memory of her lips was still fresh, the taste of her lingering far longer than it should have. Watching her now, moving so gracefully, so fiercely, the temptation to walk over, to wrap my arm around her waist, was almost too strong to resist. To pull her close and feel her warmth again. But I knew if I touched her, it wouldn't be so easy to let go.

The way she fought—it was intoxicating, just like her. Flirting with the girls in the district was nothing but a means to an end, a way to get information. It was part of the job. But none of them held my attention the way she did. None of them made my pulse quicken with just a glance, or drove me to madness with the mere memory of a kiss. No, I only wanted her attention.

I leaned against the tree, watching as she moved through her forms, lost in her own world, unaware that I was there. It was mesmerizing. Every precise strike, every spin, every breath she took felt like it was pulling me closer, until I had to stop myself from stepping out of the shadows and walking straight to her.

But for now, I stayed hidden, entranced by the way she moved, knowing that eventually, I'd have to face the fact that I wanted more than just her skill on the battlefield.