The Shadow Hashira - Tengen X Reader X Sanemi

22

I slid out of bed, the cool air meeting my skin as I stretched, still feeling the warmth of Tengen's embrace lingering. I dressed in silence, pulling on my Hashira attire piece by piece, the familiar weight of the fabric grounding me. The quiet between us wasn't awkward or tense—it was comfortable, a shared moment of calm before the inevitable return to duty.

Tengen stirred shortly after, and I could feel his eyes on me as I tied the cords around my waist, securing my uniform. There was no need for words—our connection in the stillness was enough. He got up and began dressing as well, his movements smooth and deliberate, but I caught the glimmer of his usual playfulness in his eyes as he slipped on his own attire.

The room remained quiet, the only sounds the rustling of clothing and the faint hum of the morning outside. I pulled my hair into a high ponytail, securing it tightly as I reached for my mask. As I fitted it back into place, hiding the vulnerability I had shown him the night before, I felt his presence behind me.

Without a word, Tengen wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me back against his chest. His warmth pressed into me, and I felt a small smile tug at my lips beneath the mask.

"You know," he murmured into my ear, his voice low and teasing, "I think I like you better without all these clothes."

I rolled my eyes, but before he could dodge the inevitable, I elbowed him swiftly in the stomach, the force of the blow catching him just enough to make him grunt.

"Ow," he winced, stepping back slightly, though I could hear the smirk in his voice. "Okay, maybe I deserved that one."

I turned slightly to glance over my shoulder at him, crossing my arms as I raised an eyebrow. "You think?"

He grinned through the pain, rubbing his stomach, but the mischief never left his eyes. "At least it's not some other guy getting this treatment," he added, his tone light but carrying a hint of possessiveness. "I'm the only one who can handle you."

I scoffed but couldn't hide the small smile playing on my lips beneath the mask. "You're lucky I let you handle anything at all," I retorted, pulling my mask up just enough to flash him a playful smirk.

He chuckled, stepping closer again, his arm brushing against mine as he adjusted his uniform. "Lucky, huh?" His voice dropped lower, filled with that familiar cocky confidence. "I like to think it's skill."

I turned fully to face him, slipping my mask back into place and shaking my head. "You keep telling yourself that."

His laughter was soft, filling the quiet of the room as he straightened up, the teasing moment fading back into the shared silence we'd both grown so comfortable in. We stood there for a moment, dressed in our armor, ready to face the world once again. But despite the layers of duty and responsibility that now separated us from the night before, I could still feel the connection between us, stronger than ever.

Tengen finished adjusting his swords, the gleam in his eyes dimmed slightly as his expression turned serious. "Alright, here's the plan," he began, his voice steady and calm, but I could hear the weight behind it. "We've identified that Daki is hiding somewhere within the upper levels of the district. I'll be infiltrating with Tanjiro and the others. We need to flush her out before her she causes more riot."

I listened intently, my mind running through the scenarios. I knew the strength of Upper Rank demons, and this wouldn't be an easy fight. Still, I couldn't let my own emotions cloud my judgment.

He paused, waiting for my response, but I spoke before he could say more. "Tengen, you know I can't interfere directly," I said firmly, but there was no harshness in my voice. "My role is to stay hidden. I'll be in the shadows, watching and ready to take out anything that adds to the damage."

He turned to face me, a brief flicker of frustration crossing his face, but he nodded, understanding. "Yeah, I know. You've got your orders, and I've got mine." His voice softened, and he added, "Just... don't forget to watch my back."

Silence settled between us, the weight of what was coming hanging in the air. The reality of the battle that awaited us was unavoidable, and we both knew it. I finished securing my gear, ready to leave. Walking over to the window, I pulled it open and prepared to disappear into the early morning.

But just as I was about to step forward, I felt Tengen's hand wrap around mine, stopping me in place. I turned, my gaze meeting his, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. He lifted my hand to his lips, kissing it gently, a gesture filled with more than just affection—it was an acknowledgment of what might be our first or last moment of intimacy.

"Good luck," he whispered, his voice low and sincere, breaking the silence.

I felt the corner of my lips twitch upward beneath the mask. "I don't need it," I replied, my voice cocky as I tried to keep the playful energy between us alive. I hovered by the window for a moment, lingering longer than I intended, before turning away.

Just as I was about to slip into the shadows, I paused, looking back at him one last time. "We still have a game to play, Tengen," I said quietly, my voice soft but firm. "Don't you dare die on me yet, Mr. Sound Hashira."

His grin returned, that familiar cocky smirk I'd come to know so well. "Wouldn't dream of it."

With a final glance, I pushed off the window ledge, disappearing into the cool morning air, my heart still racing from the moment we'd shared. The battle was inevitable, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I held on to the unspoken promise between us—that this wouldn't be the last time.