The Shadow Hashira - Tengen X Reader X Sanemi

17

--Y/N POV--

I was in the middle of another strike, my spear slicing through the air, muscles tense with focus, when out of nowhere, I felt it—a shift in the atmosphere, a presence I recognized all too well. I barely had a moment to react before the unmistakable clang of steel rang through the air. I whipped around to find Tengen's swords crossed with my spear, his grin smug and challenging.

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow, letting the surprise wash over me before my lips curved into a smirk. Our blades were locked, faces mere inches away from each other, his breath warm against my skin. "You couldn't resist sneaking up on me, could you? Afraid I might be better than you?"

He chuckled low, the sound reverberating between us. "Just thought I'd give you a challenge, Moonlight," he teased, his voice smooth, his grip firm as he pressed his swords closer to mine. The tension crackled between us, the closeness sending a rush of adrenaline through my veins.

With a flick of my wrist, I pulled my spear back, breaking the lock before spinning and aiming another strike at him. He deflected it with ease, his grin widening. "Don't get too cocky," I warned, launching into a series of rapid strikes, testing him, pushing him. But Tengen matched my speed effortlessly, our weapons clashing with each move.

"You seem tense," he said mid-swing, his voice a little too casual for my liking. "Or is it because you're distracted?"

I scoffed, deflecting another strike. "Please, distracted by what?"

His smirk deepened as he locked his swords against my spear again, leaning closer, his face just a breath away. "Maybe by me," he said, his voice dropping lower, eyes darkening with something that wasn't just about the fight. "Or maybe by how good you felt when you kissed me."

The comment caught me off guard, my pulse quickening despite myself. Damn him. I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks, and it annoyed me how easily he could fluster me with a single sentence.

"You wish," I shot back, though my voice wasn't as steady as I'd have liked. His smirk only grew, clearly sensing the shift in my composure.

Annoyed and refusing to let him get the upper hand, I spun away from him, jumping back just enough to gather myself. Then, with a swift motion, I activated my breathing technique. "Shadow Breathing, Seventh Form: Veil of Dusk." A thick mist of shadow enveloped us, swirling around the clearing and hiding me from view.

I could see Tengen tense, his eyes narrowing as he glanced around, trying to locate me in the haze. I let out a soft giggle, letting it echo through the shadows, teasing him. "What's wrong, Tengen? Can't find me? Don't tell me you're scared of the dark."

He swung his swords defensively, eyes scanning the mist, his impatience slowly growing. "Very funny," he muttered, his voice still confident but laced with a touch of frustration. "I prefer to see my enemies, Moonlight. Especially you."

I slipped through the mist, moving silently, unseen. The thrill of the hunt stirred in my chest, knowing he was searching, knowing I was right in front of him, yet he couldn't sense me. His impatience was almost tangible now, and it only fuelled me further.

Without warning, I appeared behind him, close enough to hear the steady rhythm of his breathing, to feel the warmth radiating off him. He was still oblivious to my presence, his guard up but his back exposed. With a mischievous smirk, I leaned in, just close enough for my lips to brush the nape of his neck.

I kissed him lightly, the contact brief but enough to send a jolt through him. His entire body tensed, the surprise evident as he froze in place. Before he could react, I disappeared back into the mist, giggling softly once more.