Your eyes snap open, body jolting awake. The sun was rising, the reddish hue shining through your window. Your body was now feeling as though you were being squeezed to death.

You were - being squeezed that was - by Sanemi. His eyes are snapped shut but you can hear the faint sounds of whimpering coming from his lips.

"Sanemi…?" you murmur, managing to get your arm out from his embrace. He was still asleep, you took note that he must be having a nightmare.

Your hand gently touches his hair, the white tresses feeling oddly soft at the touch. You recall the many times your older brother had comforted you from your own nightmares - gently rubbing your head and offering a soft hum.

The sight was truly something else. You would often accompany Sanemi when he was training other slayers (whenever he had the time) and harsh was an understatement. He was verbally abusive towards them, hurling out insults after insults. He'd beat them until they were a sobbing, puking mess - and that was just the light work.

His job as a Hashira left him oftentimes returning to his estate with new scars that you'd tend to - even if you insisted Aoi or anyone else at the butterfly mansion would be better suited.

A nightmare didn't appear to be something someone like Sanemi dealt with - but having to risk your life fighting demons on the daily possibly took a toll on him. You never spoke with Sanemi about his own past or family - who was Genya? How and why did he become a part of the Corps? You felt like he knew so much of you and you didn't know him at all.

You begin to hum softly while stroking Sanemi's hair. Through time, Sanemi's whimpering halted and his embrace became looser - yet you couldn't leave it fully for he would just tighten it again. You remained stroking his hair until you yourself was dozing off, moments from losing consciousness.

Sanemi's hums, his closed eyes twitching when an annoying light hit him. The sun was rising and the pounding in his head annoyed him to no end. He snuggles himself deeper into the pillows, inhaling the sweet scent…

Of lavender…and jasmine…maybe even vanilla?

Sanemi's body stirs away before his eyes can open. He feels a movement below only then did his head remove themselves from the soft pillows.

Just for them to not be pillows - but your breast.

The silk kimono you wore is clenched tightly into his hands - that had you locked in a tight embrace.

"Sanemi…" your voice is softer when you're just waking. "...are you alright?"

Was he alright? How could you be thinking of him when you were being suffocated beneath him.

Sanemi lungs himself away from you as if you burned him. The loss of his warmth causes a shiver to run up your exposed skin.

"Did I hurt you?" Sanemi's voice is deep and raspy - dry. His eyes are wide with shock.

Your face is warm by his words. "No. You just…passed out." you giggle, unsure of what the man remembers or not. "...I couldn't really move you myself."

Sanemi inhales. "Why didn't you…pull my hair or punch me?" he questions and now it's your turn to give him wide eyes.

"Why would I do that?" you respond. "You were drunk and tired. I don't mind it."

Sanemi scratches his hair and swallows. He shakes his head. He didn't have time for this - not now. He was a normal man with normal needs, but the last thing he needed was his pants to tighten, especially at the sight of your exposed skin.

"You were having a nightmare." you sit up against the large bed. "I hope you are feeling well now."

The soft touches of his hair and the sweet humming wasn't a part of his dreams then.

Sanemi inhales once more.

"Maybe some tea would be good for you. Does your head hurt?"

Sanemi doesn't get to respond before you're getting up from the bed.

"I'll go get you some." you murmur, making your way into the bathroom to freshen up before leaving out of the bedroom all together.

Sanemi makes it his mission to take a cold shower while you're out - anything to get the release of his swelling cock to go down. The water shocks him, but it doesn't do anything. He curses at himself for allowing Uzui - that fucking Uzui - to get him drunk. He was even more pissed at himself for falling for the bait - but not only that, but to get so out of his mind that he woke up…

Sanemi decides to grip his cock tightly. His boner was never going to go down unless he did something about it. He closes his eyes, trying to think of anything but you. His arms begin to jerk and now he's erratically pumping his cock. His closed eyes begin to think of the many women he's been with in the past, but his mind keeps drifting back to you. He swears he can smell your scent surrounding him at this moment. He thinks of how soft your skin is - especially your breast. It causes his breath to hitch at the thought of his hands being able to-

Sanemi cums hard - so hard he's twitching. "Fuck." he hisses to himself. He was utterly fucked.

"We'll be heading out soon!" Kyojuro says loudly to the surrounding demon slayers. "Please be prepared!"

The demon slayers all agree in unison.

"Ah, Y/N!" Kyojuro's boisterous voice echoes off of the wall as you enter the main room of the inn. "Good morning!"

"Ah, good morning, Rengoku-san." you offer a small smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"I slept great!" Kyojuro chuckles.

"How about you, Y/N? Did you and Shinazugawa sleep well?" Uzui asks, a knowing smirk on his lips.

"Her and Shinazugawa?" one slayer murmurs.

"The rumors are true?"

"Wait, what rumors?" "That Shinazugawa-sama has a girlfriend!"

"No way, that's her?!" one slayer falls to his knees. "She's so hot!"

"Yes, Uzui-san. We did." you beam at him. "Your bed was quite large."

"They slept in the same bed?!"

"How can she not be scared of that maniac?"

"I'm glad." Uzui beams back. "Where is Shinazugawa?"

"Back in the room. I've come to make him some tea." you respond. The inn provided breakfast, lunch and dinner that was complimentary. In the main room, various tea bags are displayed alongside a large tea kettle set on a low boiling temperature.

"Did you wake with a headache, Uzui-san? I can get you some tea, as well."

Uzui follows you to the tea kettle where you make Sanemi's tea. "I woke up just fine." Uzui says. "You do look like you got just the right amount of sleep. Your face looks so hydrated." Tengen was hoping he'd walk into you and Sanemi was sweaty with bed hair and maybe even bruises - but he's glad nonetheless that you still looked flashy.

"No way Shinazugawa-san deserves her!" a slayer hisses. "That white hair maniac-"

The slayer feels the wind being knocked out of him. He falls to the ground before he can even finish his sentence.

Sanemi, eyes glaring deadly, pushes past the boy without a care. The room gets quiet and the slayers are far too frightened to even speak in front of the wind Hashira.

"Shinazugawa." Uzui waves, but Sanemi's looks can kill. "It looks like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed." he jokes.

Sanemi wants to hurl insults - and punches - at the sound Hashira. He's sporting a knowing smirk, eyes shining with mischief. Tengen knows what he's done and he wants to rub it in the younger man's face. Sanemi was going to give him the reaction he was looking for.

"Sanemi!"

Then Sanemi hears your voice from behind Tengan. His eyes lower to you holding a cup of tea in your hands. You inch closer to him with a warm smile that has his shoulder faltering from their once tense state.

Kyojuro furrows his brows and grins.

Mitsuri watches from around the corner, her eyes widening and low to herself she's giggling. "How cute!" she squeals and besides her, Obanai is leaning against the wall.

"I made you some tea for your headache." you say to him, offering the tea to him.

Sanemi takes it in his hands, nodding. "Thanks." he murmurs to you, ear tips red. He was going to give Uzui the shit talking he deserved - after he drank the tea you prepared for him.

You nod your head, content in watching him sip his tea.

"No way, how did she manage to relax him with tea?"

"Where did Shinazugawa-san find such a lovely girlfriend?"

Sanemi's head slowly turned to the slayers behind him. He doesn't have to say anything for them to scurry off.

"I hope it tastes good."

Sanemi's head snaps back in your direction. "It does." he murmurs.

"I'm glad." you give him a smile and he nearly chokes on his tea.

Tengen snickers.

Hashira's Views of Y/L Y/N & Wind Hashia Shinazugawa Sanemi

Rengoku Kyojuro: She's cutte & hardworking! She is determined to make Shinazugawa a proud sensei!

Tokito Muichiro: She's like a lamb while he's a wolf. She pats my head often & calls me cute.

Iguro Obanai: Soft spoken. For Shinazugawa's sake, I hope she's never in harm's way.

Himejima Gyomei: Shinazugawa's demeanor often \changes when Y/N is around. His murderous action disappears when she's watching.

Tomioka Giyu: She talks to me nicelt. Shinazugawa glares more when she does.

Uzui Tengan: Amazing figure with such childbearing hips! I enjoy tesding them.

Kanroji Mitsuri:i LOVE HER! She's so cute & always makes Shinazugawa blush!

Kocho Shinobu: I like her! Shinazugawa smiles more often. Even when he isn't aware of it.

"First!"

You lift your sword - an extra one given to you by Sanemi - and dash your body forward as fast as you could and slash your sword in a round, cyclone pattern. You do so until Sanemi speaks again.

"Third!"

Sanemi never did the forms in order. He stated that it was to keep you on your toes.

You swing your sword around just as Sanemi instructed you to once before. He stated this form was to protect yourself from incoming attacks.

"Second!"

You inhale, attempting to keep your breathing intact. You lift your sword upwards to the right and above your head. You release several vertical slashes at once.

"Stand down."

You fall to your knees, breathing heavily. You were using pure will to keep going and to not disappoint head lifts to the sky, finding it to be late into the evening and soon the sun will be setting.

"That's all for today."

You're covered in sweat. You wanted nothing more than a bath to release yourself from all the sweat and grime from training all day.

"I'll bathe then begin dinner." you say to Sanemi and stand on your feet.

"No need." Sanemi says. "I'll have the servants-"

"I insist!" you declare. You enjoyed cooking for Sanemi - it was a way for you to show your thanks and gratitude for allowing you to stay with him for a year now. You'd watch what the servants of the corps would make for the two of you and learn from there of his likes and dislikes.

Sanemi doesn't respond and you take your leave. Your bath isn't long but it leaves you refreshed. You tie your kimono around you loosely and prepare yourself to cook. You've gathered a few vegetables the day prior and left them outside in the basket. You hum to yourself as you go and achieve them towards the back.

You face crashes into something hard and you're falling backwards just as you open the shoji doors. You fall flat on your ass, your kimono slightly unraveling. "Ow…" you huff, going to tie the kimono back into place.

Your eyes catch dark olive green trousers from where you stand, different from what Sanemi usually wears. Your eyes lift to the person - a tall one at that - until they noticed a purple yukata. It indeed was not Sanemi.

You stand to your feet and huff. You had to lift your head to face the person - a boy with a scar on his face. Your eyes widen slightly - he appeared to look like Sanemi (the scars and eyes gave it away).

"You…" you begin, coming closer to the boy. "...are so cute." you beam at him - it causes his face to fully turn red. "You look so much like Sanemi. You must be Genya!"

Genya's face and overall body is hot at your words. He's embarrassed. He wasn't expecting to find a woman at his brother's home, yet he recalls the rumors around the corps of his brother having a girlfriend.

"I-I…" Genya takes a step back.

"You must be hungry." you say and grasp his hands into your own. Genya now stands straighter when he feels your hands. "Come, please!"

Even if Asakusa was nearly a year ago, you recall Sanemi's drunken words of not wishing to die because of a Genya - you never asked around about such a person. You wished to wait for Sanemi to bring up this person when he was ready, but he never did.

You instructed Genya to sit at the table while you prepared the meal. He didn't speak much while you cooked, but it was alright because you did most of the talking.

"Sanemi must still be bathing. He sure does enjoy that." you ramble off as Genya sits completely still. "You sure are a big boy, Genya! So young and tall." You ponder how tall your brother would be at his age in an alternate world where he didn't die.

Once dinner is done - beef sukiyaki - you place a bowl down for Genya, Sanemi and yourself. You smile at him. "Go on. Eat."

"T-Thank you." Genya's voice is a mere whisper. He does as he's told, enjoying the wonderful taste. He's unsure if he should be here without Sanemi knowing first, but he doesn't want to disrespect you as his girlfriend.

Footsteps could be heard against the wooden floors and Sanemi entered. He's dressed casually outside of his regular uniform and his hair is wet. His eyes are soft when he enters and smells the food, but they harden once his eyes catch sight of Genya.

"Sanemi, dinner is-"

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

You're taken aback by Sanemi's tone. You can feel the tension radiating from both males - brothers.

"Aniki, I-"

"Get out."

"Sanemi…" you stand to your feet as does Genya. You're shocked by his harsh tone towards the younger boy.

"You are not a brother of mine." Sanemi spits.

"Aniki. I only came to apologize-"

"Take your apology and leave." Sanemi turns away, his appetite ruined. "You should leave the corps all together. You're a weakling who cannot even use breaths. You're going to die.."

Sanemi goes to walk away and your heart breaks at the harshness of his tone.

"Aniki-"

Sanemi strikes - you note - but you're already interfering in his attack. You place yourself in front of Genya and push him away, your body shielding him from whatever attack Sanemi was attempting to do.

You do, however, feel hands on your back which you assume was supposed to be meant for Genya.

"Y/N!"

You fall in front of a stunned Genya. "Are you alright?" you ask the young boy who only nods. He's convinced you were crazy to get in front of an attack from Sanemi - a Hashira at that.

Your head turns back to Sanemi. His eyes are wide with shock.

"I can sense your intent was to truly hurt him." you murmur to Sanemi, voice low and lace with…disappointment? The jump is happening in his heart again, Sanemi notes. It's different now - it causes his muscles to tighten and his heart to ache. "I won't allow you to do that."

Genya gasps at your words.

"What he and I have is none of your concern." Sanemi mumbles. The look you're giving him is a look he's never witnessed from you before. You never looked at him with such disdain - such disgust.

"It may not be." you say. You stand to your feet, offering Genya a hand that he hesitantly takes. "But I won't allow you to attack your brother in my presence."

You turn back to Genya and give a sad smile. You were at fault for inviting him into Sanemi's home and later, you would apologize. You do not know what both brothers are dealing with and in due time, you wish to understand. As of now, you need to get Genya away.

"I can walk you back to your home." you say to Genya.

Sanemi's eyes follow you and Genya until you're completely out of sight.

The walk was quiet and peaceful. The sun is setting and the cicadas are buzzing louder.

"I'm sorry for causing trouble."

Genya is the first to speak.

"No trouble at all." you smile his way. "I'm the one that should have not interfered."

Genya gulps. Another ten minutes of silence falls before he stops in his tracks.

"I don't want you to see Aniki in a different light."

Your head tilts at Genya. His cheeks are a dusty red as he speaks.

"I know he tried to hurt me and all but it's not his fault! He…I'm the one who blamed him for killing our mother. He did it to protect me."

Your blood runs cold at Genya's words.

"If I would've known she was a demon then I…I wouldn't have said those things to him…"

Genya falls to his knees, pain erupting through his chest. He hates to appear vulnerable in front of others, but he cannot bear his brother for hating him more if he lost you as a partner.

Genya feels hands in his hair and his body stiffens.

"It's not your fault." you say to him, gently rubbing his hair. "Sanemi doesn't hate you, Genya."

Genya's head snaps up to look at you, eyes blurry.

"I sense no hatred from Sanemi." you say to him, kneeling down to his level. "Can I tell you a secret?"

Genya nods hesitantly.

"He told me he wants to stay alive to protect you." your voice is so low that it barely registers in Genya's ear. "I know Sanemi loves you. He just…" your mind flashes to Sanemi's attempt to attack Genya. "...has a hard time showing it." you say. Sanemi will still be the same who held you so tight while he was drunk, claiming that you were beautiful and he needed to be alive for Genya.

Genya's head hung. "Thank you, Y/N." he says. "I can walk the rest of the way. Please talk to Aniki."

You watch fondly as Genya stands and bows to you. He looked so much like Sanemi in his own way that it makes you simper at him.

You do as you're told, following the path back to the Wind Hashira's mansion. You find it silent, everything where you left it.

Maybe he doesn't wish to talk, you say to yourself. You decided to eat alone and head to bed, leaving Sanemi's food on the table in case he'd want to eat it later.

Taisho Era Rumor!

Kamado Tanjiro: I heard Y/L-san & Shinazugawa-san aren't dating officially. But neither of the two ever correct those who say they are! How cute!

Sanemi wasn't a drinker.

Whenever Sanemi drank, it reminded him of his father. The man was nothing but a drunk who'd come home and often beat his children and wife - even if he didn't need to be drunk to do so.

Sanemi recalls the many times in which he had fought his own father to ensure that his rampage didn't go too far. He didn't care what bruises, black eyes or cut lips were left behind as long as his siblings and mother were safe.

But Sanemi failed, he thinks. He couldn't save his mother from turning into a , Teiko, Sumi, Shuya, Koto…he couldn't save any of them. Not even Genya, as pathetic as it was. Genya remains a part of the Corps and his life is threatened when he goes on missions - no matter how many times Sanemi tries to get him to leave, he doesn't.

The sky is dark and starless when Sanemi returns home. His vision is hazy and his head is spinning. He can hear it, the sword hitting against the tatami mats. You were still awake instead of being asleep like you should be.

You slice against the tatami mats roughly and with ease, eyes focusing on them.

You gave up on trying to sleep. The first hour consisted of you tossing and turning. You got up to check and see if Sanemi had arrived yet, and once finding his food cold and untouched, you decided to wait for him. You gave up on the third hour mark and decided that if you weren't going to sleep that you'd mind as well be training.

"Why are you awake?"

You're startled by the sudden voice joining you. "S-Sanemi."

Sanemi's swaying slightly and his eyes are low. "Have you been drinking?" you ask, but you're aware of the answer.

"Why…are you awake?"

Sanemi's words slur slightly.

"Couldn't sleep." you respond. "Are you hungry? I-"

Sanemi unsheathes his sword and points it at you.

You stop in your tracks.

"Come at me." Sanemi commands.

You gulp. "No."

"Come…at…me…" Sanemi says through gritted teeth. "I won't ask you again, tsuguko."

Your heart is pumping outside your chest. You're trembling but you do as you're told.

Sanemi pushed himself to the side before you had the chance to connect your hit - even if that wasn't what you wanted. "Weak. Try again."

You inhale deeply. You swing your sword once more and again and again and again. With each swing of your sword, the Hashira easily dodged or parried your attack.

"You think you're going to go to Final Selection with skills like this?" Sanemi spats. His words are harsh and your mind is unsure why he's like this. Was it the alcohol?

You swing your sword and just when you're sure it would connect with his own sword, Sanemi dodges and the opposite side of his sword hits your side. It doesn't slice you, of course, but it sends you tumbling.

"Stand up." Sanemi demands, inches away from you.

"I don't want-"

"Stand up!" Sanemi suddenly roars. It echoes off of the trees of the night. "No demon will allow you grace!"

You drop your sword at his feet. You weren't sparring with him any longer. He wasn't in his right mind now.

"I'm leaving-"

Sanemi's hand, rough and calloused, cups your jaw tightly. It causes you to yelp and you're caught off guard. He's kneeling down in front of you with wild eyes. "No demon is going to allow you to walk away." he spits. "Do you think that husband of yours would've allowed you to run away if you were with him?"

Your hands push at his chest, but he doesn't move.

"Do you think he would've stopped fucking you because you told him no?"

Sanemi only comes closer. His breath is thick with alcohol and for the first time, you question if he'd cause you any harm.

"Pick up your sword and fight me as if I'm a demon." Sanemi's grip on your jaw tightens. The sane part of him screams at him to stop - that he's hurting you. "Fight me as if I'm the husband your father sold you to."

You're now punching at his chest to get him away from you, but Sanemi's stronger. He's solid.

"If I allow you to go to Final Selection, you're going to die." Sanemi's sane mind hates himself now for how he's speaking to you, but the alcohol in his system is angered; at himself more than anything.

Sanemi couldn't save his mother or his siblings.

Sanemi couldn't save Genya from joining the Demon Slayer Corps.

Sanemi couldn't even save his friend - Masachika died alongside the demon they slain.

Sanemi's certain how his heart would crumble if you didn't make it through Final Selection - that you would be another person he couldn't save.

Sanemi's words hurt to hear. Had he no faith in you? You've trained hard everyday. Uzui's training left you sore for weeks on end, but you never stopped. You even decided to ask Mitsuri for help whenever she was free. How you managed to spar with Muichiro, you were unsure yourself. His crow berated you for even attempting to go near him, but you did so regardless because you wanted to become stronger.

You wanted to make Sanemi proud; that his time in saving you wasn't a complete waste.

Sane Sanemi is going to hate himself when he regains complete control once more. He doesn't like to look of disdain in your eyes when both of his hands yank your hair.

You're beautiful, Sanemi notes, even when there's tears blurring your vision.

"I won't fight you…like you're a demon or that man…" you gritted out, shoulders faltering and now you're sobbing. "You're not like them."

Sanemi's eyes widened. He pushes you onto your back roughly and his hands grip your kimono stash.

You don't question him but your body trembles when he yanks your kimono apart. You're not naked beneath it, but you were expecting to go to bed before training so what you do have is limited.

"Make me stop." Sanemi hisses. He leans closer to you, eyes not leaving yours. "A demon is going to kill you as they please. That husband of yours," Sanemi leans closer so that his body fully traps yours beneath his. "would take you as he pleases."

"Then take me."

Then take me.

Then take you?

Sanemi's head spins.

"You are no demon nor are you the man I was sold to." you speak, voice weak and low. "I'm not afraid of you, Sanemi. I sense even now that you won't hurt me."

Sanemi pushes himself away from you as if you burned him. He turns his head away as you fix your kimono.

"You…" Sanemi speaks after a moment. You both sat upon the ground and neither of you moved from your spot. "...remind me of my mother."

You don't say anything. This was the first time Sanemi was speaking of his past.

"She would protect us from our fathers wrath." Sanemi scoffs. "When you jumped in front of my attack on Genya…you reminded me of my mother. In that moment, I knew in his eyes that I resembled our father."

You flinch upon hearing Sanemi crash upon the ground. His eyes are closed and you pondered if he passed out.

"You're so kind, Y/N. Kind and beautiful." Sanemi rambles, repeating the same words over and over again. "I feel it again. The jolt in my heart." Sanemi holds his chest and sucks his teeth. "Aoi said that there's nothing wrong with my heart. Little brat was laughing at me when I told her my symptoms."

You find yourself smiling at the wind Hashira. Were men always this dumb?

"We should get you to bed." you tell him.

"No." Sanemi responds far too fast.

"Why not?" Sanemi doesn't want to tell you it's because you won't be coming with him. Instead he releases a grumble. "Don't feel like it."

You decide to lay beside him, back against the hard ground and eyes up at the starless sky.

"Final selection is in a few weeks." you say.

"I know."

You lick your lips. "I'm going to come back alive."

I hope so, Sanemi thinks, but he says, "I know."

Your head turns to look at him. His eyes are closed and now his breathing is slowed.

Sanemi's eyes stirred awake when he felt his face being touched. You're tracing the scar that stretches from his cheek to his nose. He feels it again, the jolt in his heart.

Kocho Shinobu: Shinazugawa will just have to find out on his own that he loves Y/N!

All Night (Story 2 to Cruel World) is now Posted!