There were only a few instances in your life where you'd thought you'd die. When you were a child and witnessed the monster - you soon learned was a demon - was the first. Again when you meet the wind Hashira facing another demon, you were certain you'd die.
Now, as you run until the point of your legs aching, you're sure that you can see your life flashing before your eyes. Tengen was serious when he stated he'd whip you into shape to improve your stamina. It took everything in you to not cry due to stress - Uzui was a tough one. He'd scream and yell at you to keep going, that it was unflashy for you to be heavily breathing and sweaty only after running around his estate 3 times.
You were utterly defeated when Uzui finally gave you a break. Your knees fall to the ground and you wish nothing more than to curl up and die. Every morning the past 2 weeks you'd wake, have a quick breakfast with Sanemi where both of you are in a comfortable silence and then you'd go out for the hellish stamina training.
"You must be exhausted."
You're unsure how long you managed to lay onto the ground, but when your eyes flutter open you note that the sun is beginning to set.
"Here, have some water." the voice belongs to Suma, a wife of Tengen. She kneels down beside you with a warm smile and hands you a glass filled with water. "Lord Tengen sure has been determined lately."
You gulp down the glass of water effortlessly in three large gulps. "Thank you!" you wheeze.
Suma giggles.
"How determined is Lord Tengen?" you ask her.
Suma tilts her head slightly. "He believes you are done with the first half of your training!"
Your eyes widen and now your energy - though tired - matches Suma's. You clap your hands together and laugh.
"You can move on to combat now!" Suma exclaims.
Your head tilts. "Combat…?"
"You didn't think all you'd be doing is running?"
You yelp at the sound of Uzui's voice. You never got accustomed to his sudden arrivals - but he assured you many times that not only was he a Hashira or a God - but was also a former shinobi. You never questioned him or his over dramatic self-proclamations.
"No…?"
Uzui doesn't say anything behind you. You take note that he was dressed down in a nemaki, a bright blue one with black stripes and his hair surrounds his shoulders. Your eyes widen slightly in awe - he was so majestically beautiful.
Uzui kneels down to where you sat just as Suma rises. His lips form a small grin.
"You are doing good." Uzui compliments with a slight pat of your head. "You'll be done with your training in due time."
Your eyes widen, face feeling warm. You nod your head curtly. "Thank you, Lord Uzui!" you're unsure why your cheeks feel wet until you feel a calloused finger wipe at your cheek. You were crying - in joy, of course. You're unsure why; maybe because you're not in the same place you were at when you came with Sanemi. You were (slowly) growing into a better person and the feelings are overwhelming.
"Ahh, don't cry!" Suma sniffles with a shake of her head. "You're going to make me cry!"
Suma drops and wraps you in a tight hug. "Please join us at the Onsen! You've been working so hard you should relax!"
Uzui watches as you and Suma scurry off - you with a slight limp - off towards his home. He shakes his head and ponders just how you managed to get caught up with someone such as Sanemi - yet it wasn't his place to ask questions.
Your back hits the stone rock at the onsen, head tilted to the side as you sigh deeply. Your body now felt relaxed due to the hot water of the onsen. Suma had brought you into the home for dinner and before the hot springs, you were allowed to shower off the day's work and even borrowed a nemaki from Suma.
You can hear Uzui's loud voice followed by the soft ones of Makio and Hinatsuru. You had to admit that once you found out about his three wives, you were shocked. Yet, it made sense. There was no doubt Uzui was an extremely attractive man with an insane sex appeal - not only that but also a Hashira. His wives were kind women who matched Uzui's attractiveness and sex appeal - flashy, as he would say. They often ask you to stay for dinner once training was done or offer you water while Uzui insisted you run "one more lap" which turned to 10 more laps.
"How does your body feel, Y/N?"
You flinched, eyes snapping open. You were dozing off.
"Ah," you smile at Suma. "alright. So much better than before."
Suma nods her head. "I'm glad. You've been working so hard!"
Your face feels hot.
"Y/N!" Uzui's boisterous voice booms through your ears. "You're looking as flashy as ever! A different look from the sweat that you're usually covered in."
Uzui was teasing you.
"Lord Tengen says you'll be training with us tomorrow." Makio says. She's leaning against Uzui's right while Hinatsuru occupies his left.
"Ah, yes." you nod. "Combat training, right?"
Hinatsuru nods.
"I'm not much of a fighter." your face grows hot once more. You're embarrassed to be in the presence of kunoichi and a Hashira - three good fighters and a swordsman.
"Neither am I!" Suma wraps you into a hug once more, bare breast against your own. You yelp, flushing deeply, but you know Suma means no harm.
Uzui watches Suma and you closely, both of you giggling amongst one another. Soon Makio and Hinatsuru enter the conversation and leave his finds himself watching fondly on just how welcomed you became with his wives. How in the world did someone like Shinazugawa enter your life - Uzui was unsure. However, whatever the man's intentions were (outside of training you) he hoped they were pure.
A month had passed and Sanemi was beginning to think you lived at Uzui's home. You'd usually come at the end of each day to bathe, eat dinner with him and then head to bed. Now, he found himself eating alone and your bedroom being empty.
Of course, Sanemi was not fazed by this. You were doing what you were told, after all. By what Uzui has told him about your progress, you were doing good. His wives enjoyed your company as you did theirs.
However, what Sanemi was not expecting was your change in attire. He accepted the invitation for Uzui to watch you train with low ranking demon slayers. You were dressed similar to his wives, short, sleeveless dress with white bandages wrapping around your thighs. His eyes find themselves landing on your breast and he coughs.
"She looks different." Sanemi says aloud besides Tengen, who snorts at the man's observation.
"She looks flashy now." Tengen declares."Truly a work of art."
The necklace you wore around your neck also didn't go unnoticed. It was large and gold and also covered in shining diamonds and other unnamed stones he couldn't bother to mesmerize. If Sanemi didn't know who you were, he would assume you were also a part of Uzui's haram.
"You were instructed to train her in stamina. Not play dress up."
Tengen rolls his eyes at the sound of Sanemi's voice.
"Look at her now." Tengen points a manicured finger at you, but Sanemi is already watching.
Sanemi supposed you were better now. You ran without appearing to be seconds away from dying, nor were you as slow as you were nearly two months ago. He had watched slightly impressed that you managed to keep your own up against the low ranks - impressive seeing as you were not yet a slayer.
"What are your intentions with her?"
Sanemi's eyes don't leave you as he ponders on Uzui's question.
"Surely she's more than a tsuguko."
Sanemi makes an annoyed grunt.
"She lives in your home when you wouldn't even allow others." Uzui doesn't want to mention Genya to not upset the younger man. But, it's obvious that is who he is speaking of. It causes Sanemi's fist to instantly clench.
"She had nowhere else to go." Sanemi began.
Uzui furrows a brow.
"She joked about becoming a prostitute."
Uzui chuckles. "Virgin's can be sold for high."
Sanemi's head snapped to eye the white haired man. Just how did he know that you were a virgin?
"She speaks of you fondly." Uzui says after another few moments of silence. "Hina swears she has a crush. How unflashy of her to have one on someone like you."
"What the fuck is that suppose to mean?!" Sanemi roars.
Your attack at the slayer stops upon hearing the scream. Your body turns behind you, witnessing a laughing Uzui and a fuming Sanemi. Your eyes widen, not expecting to see him. You had focused all of your time on training that you would often stay at Uzui's estate.
"Shinazugawa-sama is here." one slayer moans in despair. "I should hide."
"What for?" asks another slayer.
"I accidentally bumped into him yesterday and he threatened to castrate me!" the slayers voice drops a few octovals.
"Sanemi!" you begin to wave, dropping your kunai and begin to sprint towards the man.
"Did she just call Shinazugawa-sama by his name?" one slayer gasps, fearing for your life.
"Is that his girlfriend?"
"No way, no way no way!" another slayer falls to the ground. "There's no way someone cute and sweet like Y/N-chan is dating that psycho!" he shakes his head.
You reach Sanemi and Uzui in a matter of seconds - it causes Sanemi to take a step back, but he keeps his face cool and unbothered. Your hands take his calloused ones and you're excited for him to see the progress you made. Gasps could be heard from the slayers behind you, and besides Sanemi, Uzui is humming with a shit eating grin.
"They do say opposites attract." a female slayer murmurs.
"Is…Shinazugawa-sama blushing?"
Sanemi's ear twitched. His head snaps behind you, hands still in your smaller (and softer) hands. "What the fuck are you waste of space doing?!" he barks at the slayers who all cower. The veins on his neck are pulsing as he screams. "Get out of my sight!" the slayers bow, sending Uzui their farewell before running out of the estate, not looking back now fearing their own safety and well-being.
"How long have you been here?" you ask. "Did you see me sparring with one of the slayers? Do you think I got better? Faster? Stronger?" you're overly excited, so much so that you're slightly bouncing with excitement. Sanemi's eyes couldn't help but flicker to your breast to the hopeful look of your eyes.
Uzui watches with a look of amusement. The tips of Sanemi's ears are red and he wants to tell a perverted joke, but he understands now is not the time.
You reminded him of Suma often. You wanted to be praised - to be told you did a good job and that he was proud of you. But, Sanemi didn't believe in praise. He was an abrasive person and reveled in such abrasiveness. He's watched countless times as Sanemi verbally (and physically) abused slayers - even the Hashira wasn't safe from his wrath.
"Y-Yeah." is all Sanemi said and now Uzui's head is spinning.
Did Shinazugawa Sanemi stutter?
Was the Shinazuawa Sanemi flustered?
A knowing smirk forms on the older man's lips and now he's pondering on all the ways he could bring up this moment to never let the wind Hashira live this down.
"Don't say shit to me." Sanemi hisses to Uzui when you sprint away, declaring that you were going to gather your belongings before leaving Uzui's estate with him.
Tengen cackles loudly.
"I haven't been to Asakusa in years." you say to Sanemi. "Do you frequent here on your missions?" Sanemi nods, tying his yukata to hide his sword. "Similar to today. A few of us are patrolling the grounds to assure there aren't any demon attacks tonight."
There was a festival today, after all. Sumidagawa firework festivals were one of your favorites to witness. You recall being on your fathers shoulders as you watch the colorful firework display. That was many moons ago, and now as Sanemi and you stroll through the streets of Asakusa, you are feeling nostalgic.
"Do you think a demon will attack tonight?" you asked Sanemi. You hoped they didn't - the sight of innocent families and couples litter the streets of Asakusa and that would ultimately be ruined by such demonic attacks.
"Possibly not out in the open, no." Sanemi responds. "But we can't be off our guard, either. We have slayers to assure no one wanders away from the main road." Sanemi recalls the story of Tanjiro coming face to face with Muzan right in Asakusa - he's certain that Muzan would allow himself not to be shown again.
Your head lowers slightly.
"The fireworks should be starting soon." Sanemi notes. "I'm going to patrol the south of Asakusa. Stay here, I'll be back shortly." he stops walking to face you and you slowly nod your head. "Something on your mind?"
You shake your head, not wanting to bother Sanemi with your useless thoughts.
Sanemi doesn't say another word before turning away. Your eyes follow his figure until he fades into the crowd and only then did you bother to look up into the dark sky at the fireworks beginning. All you could think about was watching the fireworks with him.
"Where's your girl?" asked Uzui as Sanemi strolls past. "I got eyes on the south of Asakusa."
Sanemi scowls. "I'll go east."
"East is taken by Iguro and Kanroji." Uzui furrows a brow. "I spotted Tomioka and Kocho going west not too long ago."
Sanemi stops in his tracks.
"There won't be any attacks tonight." Uzui is certain. "Not with this many hashira present."
Uzui scours the crowd around him. "Don't tell me you left your girl all alone?"
Sanemi's eyes glare at Uzui, but the taller man isn't fazed.
Uzui crosses his arms. "To think she got all dressed up…." he shakes his head. "I wouldn't have left such a flashy beauty-"
"Shut up!" Sanemi hisses and now he's heading back north where he told you to remain.
Uzui hums. He enjoys teasing Shinazugawa until his eyes are even more crazed and his cheeks are a dusty crimson color. It only affects him when he mentions you - so much so now that Sanemi would rather flee the scene than to fight him like he'd usually do.
Sanemi slows his pace when he reaches closer to you. He takes in the sight of you - kimono wrapped tightly around your was black and silk and he notes the stitching of pink sakura leaves.
The light of the fireworks are illuminating upon your skin, casting down a colorful hue. There's a faint grin upon your lips - covered in gloss, it does not go unnoticed by him.
You do not notice Sanemi until he's right next to you. You turn to smile at him but don't manage to. "Is…everything okay?"
Sanemi doesn't respond and now you're worried. "Sanemi-"
"Are you having fun?"
You're taken aback by his question. "Yes." you tell him. "It's so beautiful!"
Your eyes turn back to the firework display in the sky, but Sanemi's eyes remain on you. Beautiful.
You were beautiful.
Sanemi's heart jumps at the sight of you - was he sick? He was sure he was starting to feel ill. Maybe he'd have to visit Kocho when they met up later and see if she had any medication on hand.
The firework display goes on for another half an hour until it's done. The night sky is filled with smoke and the surrounding people are all chatting amongst themselves. Those with families are scurrying off with their fussy children. You recall when you were once a fussy child begging your parents to stay longer.
Meeting the rest of the Hashira wasn't something you'd thought you'd do. Meeting two was an honor - but all? Your heart jumps at the sight before you. You had accompanied Sanemi to a dinner the Hashira were having to celebrate a successful night free of demons.
Mitsuri was the first Hashira you were introduced to. She introduced herself mostly and then the rest of the Hashira to you in order in which they were seated - Iguro, Rengoku, Kocho, Tomioka, Himejima and Tokito. The sight of a young boy catches you off guard, but he doesn't appear to be bothered with anything around him besides staring off into space.
Since you weren't much of a drinker, you opted in eating more food with Mitsuri while those who did drink mingled with one another.
"Why aren't you drinking?" Uzui asks, lifting his own shot glass and takes a swig.
Sanemi wasn't a drinker.
"Can't handle it?" Tengen chuckles mockingly. "Fight all those demons just to be scared of a little alcohol?"
Sanemi's hands grasp the glass from Uzui's hand after he fills it with another shot. He down said alcohol effortlessly.
"Well well," Uzui cackles aloud. "Look at the big shot."
As the night dragged further on, you noticed that most of the Hashira were beginning to bid their farewell. Shinobu and Giyu were the first to leave, Giyu suddenly standing and an annoyed Shinobu trailing after him. Gyomei and Muichiro followed soon after, the younger boy not saying a word while Gyomei wished everyone a good night. Obanai stood only when he noticed Mitsuri did so, bidding you a goodbye and claiming that she wished to see you soon. Kyojuro watches with amusement as Tengan and Sanemi appear to be in a fierce drinking battle, both men refusing to back down.
"Excuse me." you announce lowly, standing from your cushioned spot.
Uzui's eyes follow you to the restroom before turning back to a fuming Sanemi. A knowing smirk forms onto his lips and Kyojuro is sure that he was going to have to break up whatever fight would break out.
"Y/N-chan is beautiful." Tengen says, downing another shot. "Such a flashy kimono she's wearing. Right, Kyo?"
Kyojuro's head stirred with the question, but he nodded his head nonetheless. "Yes. Y/N-chan does look beautiful tonight!"
"I-"
"Shut up!" Sanemi doesn't want to hear anything else Tengen has to say.
"Such an un-flamboyant response." Tengen shrugs. "I believe she smells nice, too. Like…lavender. Maybe Jasmine."
Kyojuro watches the way Sanemi's hands clench the shot glass as he chugs it down.
"Why you smellin' her?!" Sanemi hisses, eyes glaring daggers at the Sound Hashira. "Fucking pervert." he murmurs to himself.
Tengan enjoyed being an agent of chaos, so much so that he thought ahead of time. Just as you were returning to the table, Uzui stood. "We have an early start back to headquarters tomorrow," he announces. "We should be going to bed."
Kyojuro also stands and wraps an arm around Tengan.
"Oyakata-sama covered the rooms for us tonight." Kyojuro says back to you and Sanemi. "Tomorrow we'll be heading out, so please get enough rest!"
Sanemi doesn't say a word, just stands. His body sways a little and you're surprised to see him stumbling. "Are you alright, Sanemi?" you asked with caution. "You're-"
"I'm fine."
But Sanemi doesn't appear fine. It takes another 20 minutes to get back to the inn that was provided for the Hashira and yourself.
"Shinazugawa." Sanemi grumbles to the owner.
"That room was taken about 10 minutes ago." the worker hums. "The only room we have left is for…Uzui Tengen."
Sanemi's fist clench and he bangs it against the counter. The owner yelps, eyes widening and he's flinching away from the man. "That fucker took my room!"
"S-Sanemi!" you place your hands onto his bicep, attempting to stop his assault on the counter. "Let's just takes Uzui's room. It can't be that bad."
Sanemi's skin is burning under your touch, but he doesn't push your hands away.
It was bad, Sanemi knows it. Oyakata-sama knows of you and your situation and before Sanemi heads out for Asakusa with you, Oyakata assured that there will be two beds for you and Sanemi.
However, Tengen had planned this. He left in a hurry so he could get Sanemi's room where one bed would be free while you and he took Uzui's room - one king size bed sitting right in the middle of the room.
"I should bang that door down." Sanemi grumbles lowly to himself, slamming the door shut behind him. "Drag his ass out of my room…castrate him while I got the chance and-"
"You can have the bed, Sanemi."
Sanemi's grumblings halt once he hears your voice.
"You're a Hashira, after all." your voice is soft and sweet, it does something to his heart once more. Sanemi has to see Kocho tomorrow morning for sure now.
Sanemi shakes his head, but soon regrets it. He was becoming dizzy and now he sits upon said bed. "I…you can take the bed."
"Hm," you hum. "We can share the bed. You can take the right and me the left." you suggest and now Sanemi feels claustrophobic. He's never shared a bed with a woman - not even the ones he was intimate with. They were nothing but stress relievers, after all.
But, Sanemi doesn't deny. He loosens his yukata and falls onto the mountain of pillows. His eyes close and now you're giggling to yourself. He was asleep already, the drinking fest (or competition) with Uzui took a toll on him.
You dim the lights and make your way around to your side of the bed. You, too, loosen your kimono and allow yourself underneath the covers. You cover Sanemi, who stirs slightly but doesn't say anything.
Just as you feel yourself dozing off of consciousness, Sanemi's voice catches your ear.
"Y/N."
"Huh?" you turn your body around to face him. The window sat open across from the bed and the moon shines right through the window and onto Sanemi's face.
"You smell nice." Sanemi murmurs, swallowing thickly. His mind is swirling with the amount of alcohol in his system. "Like…lavender…and jasmine…" he inhales, nostrils blaring to catch your scent.
Your cheeks are hot at his compliment. Unknowingly, you scoot closer to him.
Sanemi allows his eyes to close for a mere second before opening them once more.
"Y/N." he calls you again and now he's slowly rising.
"Yes, San-"
Sanemi erupts in a fit of coughs. You rise from your position from the bed and come closer to help. "Do you need to throw up?" you asked with wide eyes.
Sanemi shakes his head. His coughing stopped but he can feel your hand upon his back, gently rubbing,
"You're beautiful." Sanemi murmurs so low that it's inaudible to you.
"What, Sanemi?" you come closer attempting to hear his words and Sanemi feels even more intoxicated with your scent.
Sanemi is strong. Within a few seconds you're beneath him in a tight actions catch you off guard, but yet you do not feel frightened by his sudden action. Lilac eyes stared into your wide ones.
"Are you afraid of me?" Sanemi's words are slurred.
You should be scared of him, he tells himself. He was a man that could hurt you - take advantage of you. How easily it was for him to do so even intoxicated proves that you would be frightened-
"No."
Sanemi freezes. No?
"I don't believe you'll hurt me intentionally." you continue.
Sanemi is stiff, your words replaying in his mind. You weren't frightened of him - not of his appearance, not of his personality or demeanor.
Sanemi again feels the jump in his heart, reaching all the way down to his stomach to his abdomen. If he didn't find a cure to whatever upcoming sickness he had, he'd surely fall out.
Sanemi buries his face into your breast - that had slightly spilled out when he embraced you suddenly. You do not move, unsure of what to do. Sanemi slowly rubs his face against your breast and when he's done, he lays his head against them and releases a sigh.
"You're beautiful, Y/N." he murmurs just when his eyes feel heavy. "I think I'm sick."
Sanemi felt warm all over, but he didn't appear to be sick. His face is flushed and you've already concluded that it was the alcohol taking over.
"My heart…jumps when I'm with you. I think I'm dying." he murmurs again. Your breathing hitches. "I can't die…can't leave Genya…" Sanemi's babbling now and he doesn't stop, not until his words become low gibberish and you note that his breathing evens out.
Kocho Shinobu: Now it's time for a Taisho Era Rumor! Shinazugawa came to Aoi requesting for medicine because his heart always jumps around Y/N!