The Shadow Hashira - Tengen X Reader X Sanemi

33

As the Hashira meeting dispersed, I found myself wandering the garden alone, my mind still processing everything. The meeting, the challenges ahead, and the lingering memories of the last battle weighed heavily on me. My fingers grazed the petals of a nearby blossom, grounding myself in the feeling of the world around me. The wind swirled, cool and refreshing, carrying with it a sense of clarity. I closed my eyes, drawing in a deep breath, letting it steady my nerves and calm the restless storm inside me. I needed to show everyone, especially myself, that I was more than my fears. I'd fought an Upper Moon and survived; I had strength, and now I just had to prove it.

Just as my resolve settled, I felt a familiar presence nearby. I smirked, not needing to turn around to know who it was. "I knew I smelled trouble," I said aloud, not breaking my gaze on the horizon.

Behind me, Tengen chuckled, leaning casually against a cherry blossom tree, his gaze soft and admiring. "Trouble? That's no way to greet me," he replied, playfully oblivious. His eyes sparkled with that unmistakable glint. "I was just admiring a pretty woman."

A flutter of warmth rose in my chest, but I kept my cool, giving him a sly smile. "How sweet. I couldn't say the same for you." Before he could respond, I activated my shadow technique, slipping into the shadows before reappearing beside him. I tapped his shoulder, my hair brushing against his arm as I moved. He didn't flinch, keeping his stance as if he expected my little trick.

"You cut me deep, Moonlight," he murmured, his deep voice sending a shiver up my spine. His gaze held mine, warm and intense, and in that silent exchange, a thousand unsaid words passed between us. Our shared struggles, our silent understanding, our budding feelings. We hadn't spoken those words yet, but... maybe, just maybe, we both felt it.

Breaking the silence, I straightened up and gave him a teasing smirk. "I need to go, and you, Mr. Sound Hashira, have more physical therapy to get through. Don't think I don't know you've been training in secret."

Tengen smirked, raising his hand in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. You caught me." His voice dropped, tone playful but rich with a deeper meaning. "And how exactly will I be punished?"

He leaned in slightly, challenging me with that flirtatious smile, our faces just inches apart. I could feel his breath, the tension between us taut and electric. But just as he waited for me to make the first move, I pulled back and, with a smirk, kneed his thigh gently. He groaned, shaking his head, laughing at my "punishment."

"Trust me, there's more where that came from," I teased as he gave a playful sigh of defeat. He tilted his head, smirking as he replied, "Touché."

With a wave, I turned and began walking away, letting myself slip back into the shadows of the corridor, casting one last glance back at him. He stood there, watching me disappear, a lingering smile on his face that made my heart flutter as I slipped away into the quiet halls.

———

The nights grew colder as I trained under the watchful gaze of the moon. My shadow technique blended seamlessly with the night, allowing me to vanish and reappear like a passing breeze. I'd found a secluded pond nearby, the water still and reflecting the stars above—a perfect place for my training, away from prying eyes.

During the day, most of the Hashira had returned to their homes in preparation for the competition, but a few of us lingered close. Tengen, Sanemi, Giyu, Mitsuri, and the Serpent Hashira all stayed at Master's mansion, training in their own way whenever it suited them. I had crossed paths with only a few so far, but Mitsuri's warmth and genuine curiosity had left a lasting impression on me.

-Flashback-

I'd been wandering through the halls one evening, lost in thought, when I nearly collided with a bundle of color and energy—Mitsuri, balancing a mountain of food in her arms. She gasped, teetering for a second before steadying herself with a wide, relieved smile.