~Lower moons~
The wooden panels beneath your feet creaked as two figures emerged from the shadows. Both demons had jagged, grotesque features, their twisted grins revealing rows of sharp teeth. One had an unnervingly long neck that coiled like a serpent, and the other had multiple arms, each wielding a different weapon. Their eyes flashed a lower moon three and four.
"Well, well," the serpent-like demon hissed. "The Hashira and their little trainee have come to play."
"Let's make them regret it," growled the multi-armed demon.
Obanai didn’t waste a second. With a swift movement, he lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air in a blur.
"Serpent Breathing, Third Form: Coil Choke."
His blade twisted like a serpent, aiming directly for the demon with the long neck. The demon dodged, its neck stretching unnaturally as it coiled around a support beam.
You took a deep breath, feeling the energy surge through you. You had been practicing this form for weeks, and now was the time to show your worth.
"Celestial Breathing, Second Form: Starfall Strikes."
Your blade moved in a flurry, glowing faintly as it traced arcs like falling stars. Each strike aimed for the multi-armed demon, forcing it to retreat as it blocked with its various weapons. Sparks flew as your attacks collided with its blades.
"Idiot!" Obanai snapped as you narrowly dodged an attack. “Focus on defense!! Don’t give it openings!”
“I’m fine!” you shot back, irritated by his tone but too focused to argue further.
Sanemi laughed darkly, joining the fray. “Let’s make this quick. I have better things to do than play with weak demons.”
With that, he unleashed a brutal attack.
"Wind Breathing, Fifth Form: Cold Mountain Wind."
A powerful gust blasted through the room, forcing both demons to stumble. Obanai capitalized on the moment, striking at the serpent demon's neck. The demon screeched as the blade bit into its flesh, though it wasn’t a fatal wound.
The multi-armed demon snarled, its weapons flashing dangerously as it turned its attention to you. It lunged, swinging wildly. You dodged two strikes and blocked the third, the force reverberating up your arm. As the demon was about to attack you, obanai quickly ran towards you, blocking the attack.
"Stop attacking mindlessly and defend yourself too!" Obanai barked again, his voice sharp with anger.
“I’m not!” you shouted back, your irritation boiling over. “I’m doing just fine without you breathing down my neck!”
Obanai scowled but said nothing, his focus returning to his target.
The serpent demon suddenly whipped its neck toward obanai, attempting to strangle him. Kaburamaru lunged, sinking its fangs into the demon’s neck, forcing it to loosen its grip. Obanai didn’t hesitate, his blade slashing through the demon’s torso in one clean strike.
"Serpent Breathing, Fourth Form: Twin-Headed Recoil."
The demon let out a guttural scream before disintegrating into ash.
Meanwhile, you faced off against the multi-armed demon. Its attacks grew wilder, its frustration evident. Your breathing steadied as you prepared your most powerful form.
"Celestial Breathing, Fifth Form: Comet clash."
A radiant burst of light surrounded you as you leaped into the air, your blade arcing downward like a shooting star. The demon roared, raising all its weapons to block out the attack, but your attack shattered through its defenses, cutting it cleanly in two.
As its body crumbled into ash, you landed softly, exhaling deeply. The faint glow of your blade dimmed as you lowered it.
"You’re reckless,” Obanai muttered, his tone colder than usual. “Do you even think before you swing your blade? If I hadn’t been here, you’d be dead.”
“I wasn’t reckless!” you shot back, frustrated. “I handled myself just fine. Or did you not notice the second demon I killed?”
Obanai’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. “You’re arrogant, and that arrogance is going to get you killed. Next time, I won’t be there to clean up your mess.”
Without another word, he turned on his heel and left, Kaburamaru hissing softly as he disappeared into the shadows.
Sanemi watched him go, shaking his head with a smirk. “Man, that guy’s got a stick up his ass, doesn’t he?”
You let out a deep sigh, your shoulders sagging. “He’s impossible to deal with.”
Sanemi chuckled and gestured toward the door. “C’mon, let's head back"
The walk back was quiet, the adrenaline of the fight slowly fading. As you reached your destination, Sanemi glanced at you.
“You’re not as bad as he says...” he said, his tone surprisingly soft. “...And i don't think he hates you..he just doesn't want to see you get hurt. He cares about you a lot"
"yea as if" you scoff
"trust me, I've know him for a while now" sanemi begins again "As for me, you did good today, you'll become a hashira in no time" he finishes and pats your head.
A small smile tugged at your lips as you nodded. “Thanks, Shinazugawa-san.”
“Don’t get used to the compliments,” he replied with a smirk, turning to leave. “By the way next time, try not to get stuck in a cupboard.”
YOU ARE READING
𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 || 𝙸.𝙾
Fanfiction[ON HOLD] "You're reckless," Obanai muttered, his tone colder than usual. "Do you even think before you swing your blade? If I hadn't been here, you'd be dead." "I wasn't reckless!" you shot back, frustrated. "I handled myself just fine. Or did you...
