影と風 | Kage to Kaze | Shinazugawa Sanemi x reader |

24 - Nemi

2nd PoV

The grand hall was filled with the warm glow of paper lanterns and the lively hum of laughter and conversation as Hashira and members of the Corps celebrated Rengoku's birthday. You hadn't been back to the Wind Estate for three days, choosing instead to spend time at the Butterfly Mansion with Shinobu and your siblings. Shinobu hadn't pried too deeply, but her curious glances made it clear she'd noticed your absence from the Wind Estate. As for your siblings, they were simply grateful for your presence, assuming your work as a Slayer had demanded your time. Still, part of you felt a familiar ache knowing Sanemi was at this gathering, just as he'd been on your mind for days.

Upon entering the celebration, you found yourself lost in a sea of colors and lively faces. And a bit self-conscious. Your sisters had helped you dress up for the party, doing your hair and make-up. Shinobu smiled beside you, her calm demeanor grounding you. Mitsuri was among the first to greet you, her hair bouncing as she threw her arms around you in a warm embrace. You couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm.

"Ah, I'm so glad you're here!" Mitsuri beamed, her smile contagious. She pulled you into a corner, her eyes glinting with mischief as she leaned in, lowering her voice. "You know, lover's quarrels can spice up a relationship, but don't drag them out too long. Sanemi keeps glancing over ever since you showed"

Your heart stuttered at her words, the image of Sanemi's fleeting glances painting a picture you hadn't dared to believe. You brushed off her teasing, though, laughing lightly. "Lovers? Sanemi doesn't even know what that means." 

She giggled, a knowing look in her eye, and squeezed your hand before whisking herself away to greet others. But your mind lingered on her words, heart beating a little faster as you glanced around. Sure enough, you caught Sanemi's gaze from across the room. You could almost feel the tension between you, like a tether that kept pulling, no matter how you'd tried to sever it in the past few days. He simply gave you a nod, and you tore your eyes from his and made your way around the hall.

Sanemi, on the other hand, was nursing a small cup of sake while sitting with Obanai Iguro. Despite his usual restraint with alcohol, having witnessed first-hand what it was like living with an alcoholic, Sanemi seemed a touch more relaxed tonight, a slight flush on his cheeks as he exchanged terse words with Obanai.

"What crawled up your ass and died, Sanemi?" Obanai muttered, his mismatched eyes narrowing as he tilted his own cup of sake. He could tell Sanemi was on edge despite having sake by his hand.

"Your mothe-" Sanemi bit his tongue, "Shut up". Sanemi cursed you mentally for having rubbed off too much on him. Obanai arched an eyebrow in confusion.

 Sanemi's eyes drifting yet again toward you, his jaw tight. You were laughing, talking with some of the other Hashira you hadn't met before, and something about your ease, your laughter, twisted his chest. He'd tried to push the thoughts away, especially the jealousy that reared its head when he saw you talk to others so freely, but the grip around his heart only tightened. His feelings for you were growing, creeping into spaces he'd locked away long ago, and the mere thought of it irritated him. The past few days without you was lonely. 

Obanai smirked, watching the direction of Sanemi's gaze. "Ah. I see the problem now. She seems to be getting along well with everyone else."

"Like I'd care," Sanemi muttered. He tore his gaze away, trying to focus on anything else. But Obanai's teasing made him realize how obvious he must've looked, and that only aggravated him more. He felt anger bubbling within him, not at you, but at himself. How had he let himself feel like this?

After having met the other Hashiras you'd only heard about from others, you decided to get some fresh air.

~*~