The 10th Hashira - Rengoku X Reader

Chapter 21 - Together Forever

"She knew she was not going to be returning." Yuta stands in the doorway of her room, scanning over the few items she owned. He kneels at the doorway and continues to peer into the room.

"She showed the true spirit of a Hashira. She went knowing the risks, and she went in style. Her sacrifice will inspire me to fight just as hard as she did." Tengen appears behind Yuta, looming over him. "Losing a loved one is a feeling you will never fully recover from, but, Yuta, you are alive as she would have wanted," Tengen leans down and pats Yuta on the shoulder. "Let's go, comrade; we will miss the procession," Tengen extends his hand to Yuta, helping him up from his hunched-over state, and they make their way to Ubuyashiki's residence.

They remain silent along the way. Yuta looks at the ground as he goes, Tengen slowly striding beside him. Tengen stops and bends down, plucking two small flowers from the ground. One a vibrant yellow, the other a cool blue.

"Now, these are just as flashy as them..." Yuta watches as Tengen stays kneeling for a short while, tears welling in his eyes, but a gentle smile never leaving his face. He shoots up from the ground abruptly. "Let us hurry, Yuta. We will miss the procession!" Tengen passes swiftly by Yuta, and Yuta jogs to catch up to him as their pace increases.

The rest of the Hashira stand in procession as the sun rises, illuminating the newly erected grave stones. Yuta and Tengen join them, the feeling of melancholy surrounding the group. This is not the first procession they have attended, and it will not be the last.

"A new day, just as warm as the last," Tengen says as he pats Yuta on the back. He takes a few steps forward and places the flowers on top of the graves. "I know you two are with each other as you rest."

Yuta steps forward, placing a hand on both of the gravestones.

"I will miss both of you dearly. I will make sure to live just as strong as you did. I-" Yuta feels the tears clinging to his eyelids and takes a step back from the graves. He watches as the sun highlights the names on the gravestones and makes the flowers that Tengen offered shine.

Ubuyashiki's voice hums in the background as the procession starts, but all Yuta can see and feel is warmth, almost like he was receiving a farewell hug from both Rengoku and her.

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The light reflecting off the white blankets blinds me as I open my eyes from a deep sleep. It is so warm and safe. I feel like I have been absorbed by a cloud and brought to the reaches of the sun to bask in its rays. Tangled strands of yellow and red rest on the pillow beside me, and I bring my hand out to run my fingers through them. The sun itself? No.

"Rengoku," he turns over, revealing his tired face. Eyes half open, mouth slightly ajar, and face smooshed into the pillow like a marshmallow.

"You're here," his arms reach over my shoulders, pulling me into his warm grasp. He holds me tightly, like I might slip away any second. "I have something I have been wanting to say to you. I wanted to tell you earlier, but, I just could not bring myself to tell you as I was ashamed for feeling the ways I did."

Rengoku? Feeling ashamed? I look up at him. He was shutting his eyes tightly, waiting for me to give him to okay to explain. I bring my hand up and cup the side of his face, coaxing him to open his eyes. He looks down at me and I smile up at him. 

"Rengoku, I would never be ashamed of you. Tell me anything, everything, I want to be here for you as much as you have always been for me. Please, we have all the time in the world now, right?" he smiles down at me, but with a smile that reflects sadness and loss. 

"I wanted to run away with you that night. I wanted to leave everything behind: the Hashira, Ubuyashiki, the mission. I wanted to. I just, I couldn't, I-" I pinch his nose between my fingers.

"We are together now, aren't we? And it would not have been really Rengoku of you to do that. I love you because you are Rengoku, and I know you love me. That is all that matters," I slip my arms around him and pat his back gently. I gaze up at the endlessly white sky, feeling my arms going numb. Rengoku nuzzles his face into my neck, breathing me in and tickling me with his warm breath.

"If I fall asleep now, will I be able to see you again?" I bring my hand up to the back of his neck.

"We are asleep now, are we not?" Rengoku replies.

"Then why do I still feel sleepy?"

"The warmth does that. Your heat is making me tired as well," Rengoku rolls me over so I am lying on top of his stomach and chest. "Let us rest a little longer, and when we wake, we can have as much fun and adventure together as we want."

"Promise?" I say as I lift myself to look him in the eye.

"Promise." Rengoku slides his hand up my back, my neck, and into my hair as he pulls me towards him. I press my lips against his chin before lifting my head and planting them on his lips.

"I expect to see you bright and early, with more vigor than ever, very soon, my beautiful food-loving masterpiece." I smile as I take in his happy smile, his eyes narrowing, his lips curving, his cheeks light pink.

"Of course, I'll be all ready for you." I lay my head back on his chest and let myself drift off to a deep sleep, filled with anticipation for our next meeting.