影と風 | Kage to Kaze | Shinazugawa Sanemi

21 - Guard Dog

The morning light filtered into the room as I sat across from Sanemi at the breakfast table. He ate his rice in silence, his expression as gruff as always, but I'd gotten used to reading between the lines of his hardened exterior. 

"So," I began, as I set down my cup of tea, "any missions today?" I could tell he wasn't too happy about me heading off to the Sound Estate. Sanemi shook his head, still chewing before responding. 

"Nope. Day off... unless something urgent comes up." He glanced up from his bowl, and a teasing smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Why? You want me to tag along? Need a strong man to escort you, brat?" 

I felt heat rise in my cheeks, caught off guard by the teasing tone in his voice. "No," I protested quickly, averting my gaze, "I was just curious what you had planned for the day." But then, despite myself, I softly added, "I wouldn't mind if you joined, though." 

Sanemi paused mid-bite and looked up at me. His face took on a slight pink hue. He cleared his throat and shrugged like it was no big deal. "Yeah, sure. Anything for the lady of the house," he grumbled, but I saw the flicker of a smile on his face. 

I grinned. "You're getting soft, Windy Pants."

"Watch it," he shot back, though his tone lacked any real bite. 

The walk to the Sound Estate was peaceful, the air crisp and cool as we made our way through the forested path. Sanemi was his usual quiet self, but I liked that about him. The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable; it was something we had grown into. Soon enough, the Sound Estate came into view. Before we could close the distance between the estate and our walk Sanemi's crow swooped down from the sky, perching itself on a nearby branch and cawing loudly. "Sanemi! Sanemi! Message for Sanemi!" He let out a long-suffering sigh. "What now?" he muttered under his breath, standing still as the crow delivered the message. Sanemi gestured for me to continue without him. The grand, ornate gates opened to reveal none other than the flamboyant Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, leaning casually against a pillar, a cocky grin already plastered on his face.

"Well, well, well, look who finally made it," Tengen called out in his booming voice, his crimson eyes gleaming with mischief. "Where's your guard dog? I thought he'd be right by your side."

Before I could retort "he's not my-", 

"Right here, fuckface." Sanemi's voice cut through the air. He stepped so close behind me that I could feel the warmth of his breath on the back of my neck. The intensity of his presence made my pulse race, and I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure as Tengen's grin widened.

Tengen chuckled, his arms crossing over his chest as he observed the dynamic between us. "Not jealous are we, Shinazugawa?" he teased, raising an eyebrow. I glanced back at Sanemi, who stood way too close for comfort, and then back at Tengen. 

"I am suffocating by all this toxic masculinity" I muttered under my breath before quickly greeting Tengen's three wives; Hinatsuru, Makio, and Suma, who had just arrived behind him. 

"Good morning! Sorry for the commotion," I said, bowing lightly.

Hinatsuru smiled warmly, waving a hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry about it," she said, her soft voice always so calming. Makio grinned. "This is nothing" she quipped. Suma giggled beside her. "So much tension. I love it."

I chuckled, but my ears couldn't help but pick up on the conversation between the two Hashira behind me. "You're not afraid I'm going to beat up your little girlfriend, Shinazugawa?" Tengen said, smirking as he crossed his arms.

Sanemi, let out a huff of air, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "You're forgetting who trained her," he said with a defiant grin. His voice held a mix of pride, the typical fire in his gaze daring Tengen to underestimate me.