There Are No Limits (Sanemi x Reader)

Chapter 3

-(Y/N)’s POV-
Sanemi’s footsteps echoed behind me, his energy practically sizzling with irritation. ‘Good. If he thought he could ignore me after I’d risked my life taking down a Lower Moon, he had another thing coming.’ I thought, slightly smirking. So I shut him out, kept my eyes forward, and let him stew in his silence.

I could practically feel his gaze boring into the back of my head as we made our way to the Master’s Estate. Each step we took, my resolve only hardened. If he wanted to be difficult, two could play that game.

The trees thinned as we reached the clearing that held the Master’s home, quiet and peaceful under the warm glow of paper lanterns. Sanemi finally stopped shooting daggers into my back long enough to glance around, that usual scowl of his darkening the moment he caught sight of the Master waiting on the veranda.

We approached, both of us bowing in respect as Ubuyashiki-sama offered a warm smile. “(Y/n), Sanemi, thank you both for your work tonight.” His voice was as calm as always, a gentle presence that seemed to make even Sanemi relax. “I heard you faced Lower Moon Two. Tell me, how did it go?”

I stepped forward, keeping my tone steady. “I was able to locate the lair and successfully take down the demon, Master.” I glanced at Sanemi, feeling that subtle, lingering irritation, even if it was hidden behind his usual stoic look. “Sanemi arrived shortly after… but the demon had already been defeated.”

I saw his jaw clench, though he stayed silent. The Master gave me an approving nod. “Impressive, (Y/n). I’m grateful to hear it, and that you both returned safely.”

After we’d finished our report, Sanemi lingered by Ubuyashiki-sama a little longer, muttering something under his breath. I took the chance to slip away quietly, making my way back toward the trees, the cool night air refreshing after the tense atmosphere.

But it didn’t take long before I heard his footsteps again, trailing behind me. I ignored him, kept my pace steady as I moved deeper into the forest, feeling the tension between us thicken with every step. Finally, I stopped under an old oak, turning just in time to see him pause a few feet away, staring at me with that intense, unreadable look.

“You’re stupid! You know that. And reckless, boring, blunt, bold, annoying, and distracting.” Sanemi stated as he ran his hand through his hair as he often does when he’s annoyed and not sure how to express it. “But you’re talented…” I stared at him in shock, mouth slightly agape. “And you got potential.. So..”

He took a breath, looking more irritated than ever, like he’d been thinking into whatever he was about to say. “Look, I saw what you did back there. The way you handled that demon…” He hesitated, just for a second, as though the next words took effort. “If you want… you can train under me.”

My heart did a weird flip, but I kept my face steady, hoping the dark of the forest hid the faint warmth rising in my cheeks. Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, known for his strength, his raw intensity, was asking me to train under him? I’d watched him from afar, admiring his strength and resolve, but I never thought he’d actually offer to mentor me.

‘The person I admire is willing to train me. What should I do? Do I say yes!?’ I thought, panicking inside at the thought of training with him. I was extremely excited to say the least. Keeping my tone as neutral as possible, I nodded. “Fine. When do we start?”

A flicker of surprise crossed his face before he gave a short, curt nod. “Tomorrow morning. Don’t be late.” His voice was gruff, as though he didn’t want to give any hint of encouragement.

He turned to leave, but I caught a hint of something softer in his expression, though it was gone in an instant. “Get that wound treated.” He stated before he turned to walk away, I took a slow breath, reminding myself to stay guarded.

Admiring him was one thing, but getting attached… I’d learned the hard way not to let my guard down. Thinking about the incident made me clutch my arm, before heading home for the night. Stopping abruptly with a plain face before grabbing my face, “HE DIDN’T TELL ME WHERE!!” I yelled, stretching my arms up before jolting in pain because of my side.

“He’s right.. I should get this treated…” I said to myself as I walked along the path further. “I’ll treat it when I get home…”

~An hour before :)~

-Sanemi’s POV-
As the shorter slayer and I approached the mansion, both of us bowed in respect as Ubuyashiki-sama offered a warm smile. “(Y/n), Sanemi, thank you both for your work tonight.” His voice was as calm as always, which instantly made me relax despite my touch demeanor. “I heard you faced Lower Moon Two. Tell me, how did it go?”

The slayer called (Y/N) stepped forward, as I spaced out thinking her name suited her. “I was able to locate the lair and successfully take down the demon, Master.” She said, turning her head to glance at me, which made me irritated as she wouldn’t talk to me the entire walk.. “Sanemi arrived shortly after… but the demon had already been defeated.”

I clenched my jaw, but I stayed silent. The Master gave her an approving nod. “Impressive, (Y/n). I’m grateful to hear it, and that you both returned safely.”

After we’d finished our report, I lingered by Ubuyashiki-sama a little longer, muttering something under my breath, so (Y/N) wouldn’t hear what I had to say, and she took the chance to slip away “quietly”, even though I noticed, I stayed with the master for a second.

“What is on your mind, my child?” Master said in a soothing voice that can make anyone calm by just hearing his voice. “I don’t know how to explain it, I guess.” I gunted lightly at the end of what felt like a confession. “Is it about the mission?” I stared at the ground for a second before nodding. “Hmm.. Could it be that she interests you in some way?” He chuckled softly as my face turned red. “HUH!?! Why would you think that!?” I yelled, before quieting down immediately as I stared at the man in front of me. “That ain’t it at all… She irritates me, yet I want to be next to her, and she is extremely talented and strong, yet she’s stupid and brash.”

The master nodded as he listened to me talk on and on, before stopping me. “Why don’t you be friends, or make her your tsuguko? You can learn a lot about each other.” I thought about it for a while before thanking Ubuyashiki-sama, taking his idea into consideration. “Thank you Ubuyashiki-sama, I will talk to her about it.” I then left after the slayer.