The Shadow Hashira - Tengen X Reader X Sanemi

34

The next morning, I found myself slumped at the dining table, nursing the remnants of a sleepless night. My mind was a storm of anger and agitation, the sharpness of Sanemi's words still echoing in my head, each insult cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. I barely noticed the food in front of me, too busy muttering, "Fucking asshole," under my breath, feeling the need to tear something apart just to let off steam.

In my frustration, I stabbed my chopsticks into my rice, barely tasting it as I took quick, angry bites, my mind still spinning. I was so caught up that I didn't even hear footsteps approach until a low, amused voice interrupted.

"Slow down, Moonlight," Tengen drawled, a playful smirk in his voice. "I don't want to lose you to a piece of rice."

I looked up sharply, caught off guard, and saw Tengen standing there, arms crossed and a glint of amusement in his eyes as he watched me in my frustrated frenzy. His chuckle was soft, almost teasing, and it made my face flush despite myself.

"Didn't know breakfast could get you this worked up," he added, grinning as he pulled up a seat across from me.

"It's... nothing," I muttered, stabbing another piece of food, though my mind instantly flickered back to last night's confrontation. Just thinking about Sanemi's face, his words, made my blood boil all over again.

Tengen's eyebrow arched knowingly as he leaned forward. "Nothing, huh?" His voice held that casual charm, but his eyes were attentive. "Does this 'nothing' have anything to do with a certain Wind Hashira?"

I felt my face grow hot, the frustration from the night blending with an embarrassed irritation. "What if it does?"

Tengen chuckled, resting his chin on his hand, as if my anger was some fascinating spectacle. "Well, I'd love to know what exactly he did to make you look like you're ready to kill someone before breakfast."

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "He thinks he can just say whatever he wants... that I don't belong here. That I'm just some 'stray' tagging along with Oyakata-sama."

For a moment, a flash of anger crossed Tengen's face, but he softened as he looked at me. "You don't have to prove anything to him," he said gently. "He's just got... well, let's say, a certain way of talking to people."

I couldn't help but smirk at his understatement. "A 'way of talking'? That's one way to put it." But his words eased something in me. I let out a long breath, feeling some of the tension melt away.

"Listen, Moonlight," Tengen said, reaching across to put a reassuring hand on mine. "You're here because you're strong enough. And if Sanemi's words still bother you that much, maybe that's just more motivation to show him exactly who you are."

I glanced up, his eyes holding a quiet strength. Despite the frustration still lingering in my chest, a faint smile crossed my lips. "I'll do more than show him. I'll prove that I'm more than he'll ever be."

Just as I felt my pulse slow, Tengen's hand lingered on mine for a moment longer, his eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and affection that made me wary. Before I had a chance to ask what he was up to, he leaned in, swift as a strike, and his lips brushed mine—a feather-light kiss, yet enough to send a shock through my entire body.

My breath caught, and I stared at him, absolutely baffled. Before I could react or even process what had happened, he'd already hopped to his feet, grinning like he'd just pulled off the prank of the century.

"See you at training, Moonlight," he called over his shoulder, practically skipping out of the dining hall with a smugness that was almost infuriating.

"Tengen—!" I finally managed, but he was gone, his laughter echoing faintly down the hall. My fingers brushed my lips, and a wave of heat crawled up my neck. Damn him.