The Shadow Hashira - Tengen X Reader X Sanemi

26

With my spear poised and my heart pounding, I faced Gyutaro, ready to unleash the techniques I had honed during years of relentless training. The air was thick with tension, and the night pulsed with the sounds of battle, but in this moment, it felt as if the world had narrowed to just the two of us.

"Let's see what you've got, little shadow," Gyutaro taunted, his scythe twirling menacingly as he prepared to strike.

"Honestly? More than you can handle," I shot back, a smirk plastered on my face. I closed my eyes briefly, centering myself and focusing on my breath, summoning the strength of my Shadow Breathing forms. The techniques had been ingrained in me through years of torture—I mean, training—under Urokodaki, and now, they surged forth like a tempest.

"First Form: Whispering Shadows!" I called out, lunging forward, my spear slicing through the air. I aimed for Gyutaro's midsection, but he barely managed to dodge. "Guess you're not as quick as you think," I quipped, following through with a swift pivot, transitioning into my next form seamlessly.

"Second Form: Veil of Night!" Shadows enveloped me, enhancing my speed and agility. I darted around him, my movements fluid and silent, like a wraith in the dark. Each thrust of my spear kept him on the defensive. "Maybe you should take some notes, Gyutaro. This is how a real fighter moves," I taunted.

Gyutaro growled in frustration, swinging his scythe to counter my relentless assault. I felt the wind from the blade graze my cheek as I ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding the lethal arc. "Aw, did I hurt your feelings?" I called out mockingly, regaining my footing and launching myself back into the fray.

"Is that all you've got?" he sneered, but there was an edge of concern creeping into his voice. I could sense that I was forcing him to adjust his tactics, and it filled me with a flicker of hope.

Meanwhile, I could see Tengen rallying with Tanjiro and Zenitsu as they charged toward Daki. They needed to kill the siblings simultaneously to ensure victory, and the pressure of that knowledge weighed heavily on me. But I couldn't afford to falter now; I had to keep Gyutaro occupied.

"Third Form: Cloak of Shadows!" I shouted, summoning a veil of darkness around me that cloaked my movements. I moved like a ghost, flanking Gyutaro from behind as he struggled to track me. I struck low, aiming for his legs, and landed a grazing blow that sent him off balance. "Oops! Did I get your leg? Hope you don't need it for anything," I teased.

"Damn it!" Gyutaro spat, anger flashing in his eyes. "You're going to pay for that!"

I could feel the adrenaline surging through my veins as I danced around him, staying just out of reach of his scythe. Each time he attacked, I could see Tengen's efforts against Daki in my peripheral vision—their battle raging as fiercely as my own.

"Y/N, now!" Tengen's voice rang out, and I could feel the urgency behind it. He was fighting with everything he had, but Daki's speed was formidable. I knew it was time to push forward.

"Fourth Form: Shadow Strike!" I leaped into the air, channeling my energy into a powerful thrust aimed directly at Gyutaro's heart. The move was risky, but I had to go for the decisive blow.

Gyutaro reacted, twisting to deflect my spear, but my momentum carried me through, and I shifted mid-air, redirecting my attack to aim for his side. The impact connected, and I felt a surge of satisfaction as he staggered back, the realization dawning on him that he couldn't underestimate me.

"You're stronger than you look, little girl," he snarled, wiping blood from his mouth as he glared at me, but I could see the unease in his eyes.

"Just wait until we finish this," I shot back, determination coursing through me. I glanced over at Tengen, who was still locked in combat with Daki. The moment was coming—our victory would depend on timing, and I needed to keep Gyutaro occupied until then.