Hi everyone! 💕 Just a little heads-up: the blog will be on hiatus for the holidays until August 23rd!
I'm going to take a few days off, so I'll see you all when I get back! In the meantime, take good care of yourselves, enjoy the summer, and sorry for any inconvenience! 🥰
See you soon! 💕
N/A: This fic takes place in the world of KNY, but I’ve made a few changes, so it won’t follow the canon story exactly, and the world may work a little differently from the manga and anime.
* Reader x Rengoku. Slow burn
*+ NSFW +
*KNY characters and KNY world belong to it's rightful owner.
You slipped off the path and climbed into the branches of a nearby tree, forcing yourself to breathe slowly until your racing heart settled.
How could you have forgotten the most important day of the year?
No. Panicking wouldn't help, you had to think. The Spring Equinox was coming. That much was certain. But when, exactly? The villagers weren't wearing their traditional clothes yet, and the festival stalls hadn't been set up.
That meant… You still had one day. One day and one night, at least. You let out a slow breath. There was still time. You had to return to the Butterfly Estate and retrieve your supplies. Without anyone noticing. Especially Shinobu. If she found out… she would never let you leave.
Kyojuro was the last person who knew where you were. It had to stay that way.
Avoiding the main paths, you circled around the Estate until you reached your room from the back. You had kept the habit of leaving the window slightly ajar, just enough to slip in and out without making a sound. You waited for several minutes, watching the courtyard.
Most of the servants seemed busy preparing dinner. No one was near the rooms. Good. You climbed inside. The moment you opened your supply bag… your stomach sank. Almost empty. Four or five dried wisteria petals rested at the bottom. The small bottle was completely dry, and the largest almost finished. Mother's balm had hardened long ago. Only the main bandage remained, clean and neatly folded, and you had your bowl and pestle almost new. It wasn't nearly enough.
First, you needed supplies.
You couldn't gather everything without being noticed, so you would have to rely on wisteria and search the mountains for whatever herbs you could find—chamomile, valerian, maypop, field horsetail… Anything that might help.
The easiest option would have been to gather some wisteria from the paths around the Butterfly Estate. But you knew another place where its effects were stronger.
You hated the thought of getting anywhere near Oyakata-sama's residence right now, but you would have to be quick and precise.
You climbed into a nearby tree and stopped for a few minutes, forcing yourself to steady your breathing.
Time was important. But you had already made enough mistakes today. You couldn't afford to let your nerves take control of you. The Equinox was important enough to spend a few minutes calming yourself and focusing.
Once your breathing had settled, you opened your eyes. It was time to go.
You headed towards the ancient tree in Oyakata-sama's grounds.
As you approached the wisteria path, you calculated where the tree should be and stepped off the trail, leaving it to your right.
When you reached the ancient tree, you paid your respects and silently asked for forgiveness as you gathered wisteria petals, some bark, and a little sap.
Your heart jumped when you noticed the pain in your left arm. It had been soothed for so long… but now the ache was back. And near the ancient tree, where it had eased all the pain in the past.
It wasn’t as bad as it had been before, but it hadn't been there for the past few days. The Equinox was close. Tomorrow, or the day after at the latest.
You were halfway through when you heard voices. You hurried to hide among the branches of one of the nearby trees.
They weren't in a hurry. Your heart began to beat faster.
Come on...
Go.
Just go away...
Fortunately, they were only Kakushi. If any of the Hashira had been there, they would have found you in seconds. As soon as they had gone far enough, you resumed your gathering.
Once you had everything you could carry, you looked back at the ancient tree one last time.
I'm sorry.
Then you disappeared into the forest, heading towards the mountains and carefully avoiding the Headquarters grounds. Luckily, sunset found you far from there, and the demons were even farther away. You dealt with them using your right hand, silently thanking Kyojuro for correcting the cut you had been practicing.
Once you made your first kill, your gaze briefly fell to your left arm.
Not yet.
You kept moving.
You searched the mountains until you found the remains of an old riverbed. Following the rocky path upwards, you discovered a small hollow carved into the stone, just beneath what must once have been a narrow waterfall.
The river had long since dried up.
The cave wasn't deep, but it was hidden enough. It would have to do. You had no time to look for anything better. The pain was already returning, slowly but surely.
-- Kyojuro --
By the time Kyojuro returned home, the sun had already begun to set.
He had barely stepped through the door when Senjuro appeared carrying a small tray.
"Welcome home, Kyojuro."
"Thank you, Senjuro!"
"Are you all right, brother? Kaname told me there was a fight with several demons."
Kyojuro sat down on the engawa.
"Yes! An entertaining one. I'm fine, and so is everyone else. Only a few unimportant scratches."
He reached up and ruffled his younger brother's hair.
Then he looked down at the tray.
"Oh?"
Several small sweets were carefully arranged on it, decorated with the delicate colors of spring.
Kyojuro's eyes lit up.
"What are these?"
He picked one up with interest.
"They're seasonal sweets. The shopkeeper said they had just arrived." Senjuro smiled. "It's because of the Spring Equinox."
Kyojuro paused.
"...The Spring Equinox?"
"Yes. It's tomorrow."
Silence.
Kyojuro's smile slowly faded.
Tomorrow.
His mind immediately went back to you.
See you tomorrow.
Your smile.
The way you had walked away.
He had promised himself he would see you again. Tomorrow.
His eyes widened.
"...Oh."
"Brother... is something wrong?"
"...No."
But Senjuro could clearly see that his brother's mind was already somewhere else.
Kyojuro's thoughts raced. The Spring Equinox is the worst day of the year, you said. You knew when it would come. Shinobu had already said that your pain became unbearable around this time.
And this afternoon… You had looked tired. Your left arm… You hadn't mentioned it, but you had already told him that the pain, better or worse, never truly went away. You had grown up learning how to endure it.
But still...
You had asked him why he wanted to become a Hashira. You had enjoyed the ramen. You had talked about your fear about the mark and Muzan without any further mention. You had promised to cook him your mother's stew. You had laughed.
This afternoon, you had been happy.
You had said goodbye to him as though tomorrow were certain.
But perhaps… You had only wanted him to believe it was.
Unless…
Unless you had never intended to be.
He placed the sweet back on the tray and stood.
“Kyojuro?”
“I need to go,” he said, his eyes widening in sudden realization.
You had said you would meet tomorrow.
You weren't the kind of person who said things just for the sake of saying them.
If you said you would be there, you would.
So if you weren't...
Something was wrong.
“Kaname!”
His crow immediately flew down and landed on his arm.
“Fly to the Butterfly Estate. Find out if she is there.”
Kyojuro's voice was firm now.
“Come back as soon as you know.”
The crow cawed and took flight.
-
Kyojuro paced up and down the engawa, lost in thought, until Kaname returned.
He didn't wait for the crow to speak.
"Did you see her room?"
"Yes."
"Was she there?"
"No. She wasn't at the Estate. But the window to her room was open."
Kyojuro stopped.
He already knew how you used the windows.
If your window was open… You had left on purpose. You didn't want to be found.
His mind raced through every place he knew you might go.
And then he remembered.
The way you had placed your hand against its roots.
The petals you had buried there.
The way you had spoken to it as though it were something sacred.
The ancient tree.
----
You quickly and thoroughly crushed the wisteria petals in your bowl.
You had found some snow near the cave, which was perfect for making a mixture with the sap, the bark, and the few medicinal herbs you had managed to gather.
It was barely enough to prepare the three basic remedies you used during the Equinox.
You didn't have enough time.
The pain in your left arm was growing, and two of the remedies needed to be mixed again and rest for at least a day.
A day you didn't have.
You forced yourself to breathe and started with the balm.
You crushed all the herbs and the tree bark, mixing them together before adding the sap. Then you added a few drops of water until the mixture became a thick paste and left it to rest.
It wasn't complete.
It wasn't even properly prepared.
But it was all you had.
Next, you crushed a large handful of wisteria petals until they became a fine powder.
You mixed half of the powder with the remaining sap in the large bottle, adding some of the snow and waiting for it to melt into the mixture.
The other half of the powder you kept dry and safely stored with the remaining petals.
Then you smelled it. A demon. Just in time, as always. You stepped quietly out of your hiding place, just in case there were more. Your senses had already begun to falter. You didn't need them to know where you were hiding. You could only use Amputation, because the blinding cut might attract more demons with its flash.
The pain was growing. Not only could you feel it, you knew it. Despite the remedies, the hardest part was still coming.
You could sense the mark fighting back.
It was a strange feeling, but you had to force yourself not to reach for your sword with your left hand. You were not in agony. But it was getting closer with every passing minute.
The demon lunged.
You moved.
-- Kyojuro --
Kyojuro had reached the ancient tree.
He had known he was right as soon as he saw the signs: Freshly gathered wisteria. Pieces of bark missing from the tree. Sap still glistening where it had been taken.
You had been there, but you were gone.
Kyojuro's heart sank.
He looked around, searching for any trace of you. The mountains stretched beyond Oyakata-sama's grounds, vast and darkening beneath the setting sun.
If you had been preparing for the Equinox… You would have needed somewhere isolated. Somewhere no one would find you, somewhere you could be alone. Kyojuro followed the faintest traces he could find, moving deeper into the mountains.
He didn't know how long he had been searching when he heard it.
A clash of metal.
Kyojuro stopped.
Then came the sound of a demon's roar.
His eyes widened.
You.
He ran towards the sound.
--
The demon came at you again. You stepped aside. Your sword was already moving.
Another blade flashed through the darkness.
CLANG!
Your sword collided with another.
You froze.
The demon's body fell apart between you.
For a moment, neither of you moved. You stared at the person standing opposite you.
Golden eyes. Flame-colored hair. The familiar white-and-red haori.
Kyojuro.
Your eyes widened.
"...Kyojuro?"
Your blades remained locked together. You stared at each other.
"What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question!"
You both lowered your swords at the same time.
Kyojuro's eyes immediately went to your left arm.
His expression changed.
"...How bad is it?"
"It's manageable."
"That wasn't my question."
You looked down at your left arm.
“It’s manageable, for now.”
He approached you and placed a hand against your sweaty forehead.
“You're burning with fever.”
“It's normal.”
“Is it?”
“Yes, Kyojuro. It is. Please, trust what I'm telling you and don't make me repeat myself.”
“Okay.”
You realized how harsh you'd been with him.
“I'm sorry. Time is running short, and I'm nervous.”
“Don’t apologize. I understand. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Would you mind killing demons for me? I need to focus on preparing the medicines properly.”
“Of course. No problem. Whatever you need, I’m here.”
“I'll be in the cave behind that boulder.”
You headed towards the cave, feeling slightly dizzy and nauseous. It wasn't that you were lying to Kyojuro, but you didn't want to overwhelm him by telling him about every single symptom.
You checked the medicines and added a few more petals to the mortar, just in case. But as you ground them, a sudden, violent jolt of pain shot through the mark, knocking you unconscious.
You woke to the light of dawn.
Your head was resting in Kyojuro's lap, and a damp cloth lay across your forehead and another around your wrists.
“I'm sorry… It came on suddenly. I couldn't warn you.”
“No, I'm the one who should be sorry. I should have been paying more attention. You've been unconscious for several hours.”
“I see.”
You looked towards the entrance of the cave, where the first rays of sunlight were spilling in.
You tried to get up and continue grinding the petals, but your strength failed you. You took a deep breath.
“Please, tell me how it works. Tell me what it feels like. If I have to leave at any point, I don't want to know that you've been unconscious for hours without anyone there to help you,” Kyojuro said, worry evident in his voice.
“It was a strong spasm. They start in the mark, and as the hour approaches, they become more frequent. Then the pain spreads throughout my body, like it's going to break it in a million pieces. I can lose consciousness, become aggressive, hallucinate, lose all sense of time and space… Vomit blood.”
“So that was only a warning,” Kyojuro said seriously, his brow furrowing.
“Yes.”
He gently caressed your cheek with his fingers. There was no pity in his eyes. Only helplessness, and the desire to help you in any way he could.
You took his hand.
“Could you help me up, please? I need to keep going…”
He raised an eyebrow.
“I know how to use a mortar. If you don't mind, I can do it.”
You smiled warmly.
The more strength you could save, the better.
“Thank you, Kyojuro.”
“You’re welcome, burning flame. If it’s only going to get worse from here, try to sleep as much as you can.”
“I’ll try.”
You had been afraid he would be scared when you told him what the Equinox would be like from then on. But instead, he had met your words with determination and a firm resolve to help.
Even though, surely, he must have been afraid too.
Surprisingly, you managed to sleep for a few hours before the next spasms hit. You drifted between fever, pain, and sleep until sunset.
When you woke up, an unpleasant smell reached you. Kyojuro had made a fire outside the cave and had hunted some animal that must have been wandering nearby.
“I was going to offer you some food, but judging by the look on your face, I think it’s better if you don’t eat anything.”
“That’s annoying, you know? This would have been delicious and very appetizing on any other occasion.”
“Then there will be another occasion!”
You smiled weakly.
You should have been in agony by now. You supposed the ancient tree and Shinobu's medicine had done a good job of soothing the mark's pain. But despite that, time was moving forward mercilessly.
“Kyojuro… It's getting worse.”
"How much worse?"
"I don't know."
"You do know."
You were silent for a moment.
"...I should already be in agony."
Kyojuro's expression changed.
"You should?"
You realized too late that you had said too much.
"Kyojuro..."
"How long until it becomes unbearable?"
You looked away. "...I don't know."
Your voice faltered on the last word.
It was coming.
Kyojuro noticed.
For the first time since he had found you, you looked afraid.
Your mark began to throb.
It was time.
“I… I have to go.”
You didn't wait for his answer. You turned and headed inside the cave, unaware of whether he was following you or not.
You tore a sleeve from your clothes and folded it over your mouth. Then you removed your bandages. A barely audible gasp told you that Kyojuro was there. You didn't have time to care.
You spread the powder over the entire mark. It burned, fiercely. The mark fought against the remedy that kept its demonic power at bay. You bit down hard on the cloth in your mouth as you applied the balm, sealing the powder beneath it.
For a few seconds, the pain spread beyond your elbow. Then it reached your head. You felt dizzy. Overwhelmed. This was only the fourth wave of the real pain.
You heard a scream. You couldn't tell if it was yours. Then you felt Kyojuro's hands catching you as your knees gave way. You clenched your teeth. Something wet touched your mouth.
When your vision finally cleared, you saw the cloth lying on the ground. You were biting Kyojuro's arm. And it was bleeding.
It shouldn't have happened. Anger surged through you. Anger at yourself for hurting him. Anger at him for being there. For putting himself in danger.
The mark responded immediately. The pain intensified. You took a sharp breath, snatched the cloth from the ground, and bit down on it again.
With trembling hands, you took some of the freshly melted snow and cleaned the wound on his arm.
“I can take care of it. Keep going with the mark,” Kyojuro said, tending to his own wound.
You took the rest of the powder and sealed it beneath the balm. Then you applied the clean main bandage, made from a special cloth that kept the medicine from spreading beyond the mark. You tore another sleeve from your clothes and began wrapping your forearm again.
But the bandages kept slipping from your hands. The pain was spreading into your other arm. Your vision blurred. You could barely see what you were doing. Then Kyojuro's hands took over.
He finished the bandage, tightening it just enough to keep the blood flowing while holding the medicine firmly in place.
You felt his fingers pause for a moment.
Then he pulled away.
“Is that all?”
“No.”
“What do you need?”
“The bottle.”
You pointed towards the large bottle resting against the wall.
Kyojuro picked it up and handed it to you.
“What is it?”
You didn't answer.
You took a deep swallow. You almost spat it back out. Instead, you forced yourself to keep it down with every ounce of strength you had. It was difficult to swallow, just as it had been when you first prepared it.
“It's… good.”
You were paler than snow, your lips already turning purple.
Kyojuro stared at you.
“It doesn't look good for you. What is it?”
“Good.”
That was all you managed to say. You felt as though you were going to faint again. You bit down hard on the cloth, a low groan escaping through your teeth. You needed to keep it in your mouth this time.
You couldn't bite Kyojuro again.
“Please, answer me. What the hell are you drinking? Because it looks like anything but good for you.”
You slowly lifted your head. Your eyes had an odd gleam in them.
“You're in no position to be bossy with me.”
Your voice came out strangely rough.
Kyojuro blinked.
"...Are you drunk?"
“No."
"You sound drunk."
"I do not."
"You just told me I wasn't allowed to be bossy with you."
"Because you're not."
"I see."
"You don't even know what you're talking about."
"I know that you are turning purple."
"...That's normal."
"That is not normal."
"It is for me."
"How many times have you done this?"
"...Every year."
"Alone?"
"Yes."
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because you shouldn't have to do this alone."
"But I always have."
“What the hell are you drinking?”
You didn't answer immediately. Your fingers tightened around the bottle.
“Poison.”
Kyojuro froze.
“...What?”
You took another small sip.
“Poison.”
His expression changed completely.
“You're poisoning yourself?”
“Yes.”
“On purpose?”
You looked at him as though the question made no sense.
“Of course.”
“Of course?” His voice rose. “You are drinking poison on purpose?”
“It's necessary.”
“Necessary?”
“Yes.”
“Then explain it to me!”
You flinched. Not because he had shouted. Because the mark had pulsed beneath your skin.
“It stops it.”
“Stops what?”
You pointed weakly at your arm.
“The mark.”
Kyojuro stared at you.
“The poison stops the mark?”
“Wisteria has poisonous properties too, in sufficient amounts. I can use more because of the demon blood in my body. It slows the mark's effects.”
“And it hurts you?”
You were silent.
“What does it do to you?”
“It hurts.”
“It hurts you?”
“Yes.” The word barely left your lips.
Kyojuro's jaw tightened. “Then stop drinking it.”
You stared at him. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I need it.”
“You just told me it's poison!”
“It is.”
“Then why—”
“Because I'm partially a demon, Kyojuro!”
Kyojuro stared at you.
“I know you're partially a demon!”
His voice rose again.
“But you're partially human too!”
"Then why are you acting like this?"
"Because I didn't know you were poisoning yourself."
“Why are you complaining?”
“Because you're hurting yourself!”
“And whose fault is that?”
"I never asked you to hurt yourself."
“No. You only asked me to live.” Your voice broke into a sob as agony overwhelmed you.
You knew it was unfair.
But the anger and the pain wouldn't let you stop.
“You only asked me to come with you. You told me I didn't have to be alone. You made me trust you.”
Your voice trembled.
“You made me trust Shinobu. Oyakata-sama. The Corps. You took a shaky breath.
“Meet your lovely brother. You made me try new food. Laugh. Talk about nonsense. Relax. Lower my guard.”
Your voice broke.
“You made me forget.”
Kyojuro stared at you.
“You made me forget about the damn Equinox!!!!”
“You said I needed help to defend myself!!!”
You grabbed your sword and threw it.
Kyojuro's eyes widened.
The blade passed inches from his head.
THUD.
It buried itself in the neck of the demon standing behind him at the entrance of the cave.
Kyojuro froze.
Slowly, he turned his head.
The demon collapsed.
Silence.
You were breathing heavily.
Kyojuro looked at the demon.
Then at the sword.
Then back at you.
His expression was no longer angry.
It was something else.
“...You could have killed me.”
You stared at him.
“I wouldn't.”
“Your sword was inches from my head.”
“I knew where it would land.”
“You were in pain.”
“I knew.”
“You were barely conscious.”
“I knew!!!” you yelled.
The mark throbbed again. You grabbed your arm.
Kyojuro immediately noticed.
“Stop.”
“Don't tell me what to do!”
“I'm not.”
He took a step towards you.
“I'm telling you to stop hurting yourself.”
The words echoed through the cave.
Silence followed.
You were breathing heavily. An angry laugh through escaped your lips.
The mark throbbed beneath your bandages.
You looked away.
“I was prepared.”
Your voice was quieter now.
“I always knew what to do.”
You swallowed.
“I knew where to hide. What to gather. What to drink. How to keep the pain under control.”
Your fingers tightened around the bottle.
“I knew how to survive.”
A pause.
“But then you came along. You made me think another life was possible, you make me think I had a future!”
Kyojuro's expression changed, he remained silent.
“And now everything is a mess, my medicines poorly prepared, and you are here, I’m terrified Kyojuro, and I don't know what I'm supposed to do!”
“I’m sorry” Kyojuro said, barely audible.
“Don’t” Your voice was harsh
“I…”
“Don’t apologize”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t regret it” A couple of big tears fell down your cheeks. “That's the worst part.”
Kyojuro stared at you.
“Why?”
You looked at him, tears finally gathering in your eyes.
“Because I don't regret any of it.”
Another heavy wave of pain came shaking your whole body, like laughing at you.
Kyojuro tried to came close to you but you stopped him raising a hand. Your eyes glowing again.
“Would you be able to kill me?”
“Wh… no!”
“Then leave. Or the only one that will be hurt here is going to be you.”
“I’m not leaving”
“Then be a man!”
Your voice broke, and your head throbbed with pain.
“Accept what you did!” The mark burned again.
Your body convulsed. You coughed, staining the ground with drops of blood.
“You wanted me to live!” You screamed.
“So now you have to be the one to kill me!”
A long silence fell over the cave.
The only sounds were your ragged gasps, pained groans, and the occasional cough.
Kyojuro stood still for several long moments.
Then he approached you.
He knelt in front of you and carefully brushed a lock of hair away from your face.
His gaze was intense. Certain.
He cupped your face in his hands.
And kissed you.
Gently. Tenderly.
Without hesitation.
Without caring about the blood staining your lips.
Tears fell down your cheeks.
For a few minutes, the pain became bearable.
“Why?”
You wondered, confused, moved by the way he always found a way to reach your heart.
Couple: Reiner x chubby fem! reader // Reiner x fem!reader.
Warnings: angst, sadness, small violence, and future violence, slow burn, lies
N/A: i would be glad if you read it! Thank you very much!!
Two Weeks Later
"How did the patrol go, Reiner?"
"Nothing."
Annie let out an irritated sigh.
"Again?"
"Yeah."
Bertholdt frowned.
"Do you think we're looking in the wrong place?"
Reiner shook his head.
"No. The Attack Titan is a weapon. Marley would never leave a power like that unguarded, and neither would they. Someone has to know where it is. Military officers, nobles... maybe even the Garrison."
"The Garrison is full of idiots," Annie muttered.
"Exactly. I heard some of them were drunk the day Wall Maria fell. If they're hiding something that important, someone will slip up sooner or later."
"Or maybe we're looking too close to Wall Maria," Bertholdt suggested. "If the king is protecting that secret, the information is probably much farther inside."
Reiner nodded thoughtfully.
"Maybe the information is. But the Titan..." He paused. "I'm not so sure. If they really wanted to protect themselves, it would make more sense to keep it somewhere it could respond if the Walls were breached again."
Annie shook her head.
"It wasn't there. Damn devils."
Silence settled between them.
"If it had been, it would've fought us."
She looked back at Reiner.
"We'll have to take this one step further."
"What do you mean?"
"Enlist."
Bertholdt looked up.
"In the military?"
"Yes."
"It's the only way we'll get any closer to the truth."
Reiner said nothing.
Devils.
That's what Annie had called them.
And yet...
The only image that came to mind was the porridge girl running through the dormitories with a blanket draped over her head.
"Ooooooh! I'm the Ghost of Tickles!"
Children chased after her, laughing so hard they could barely keep up.
For the first time since crossing the Walls...
Reiner wasn't sure those "devils" existed at all.
-
You pulled a small cart loaded with two heavy sacks of bread for the day's food distribution. It wasn't easy, but the wooden wheels made it manageable as they rattled over Trost uneven cobblestones.
This time, the bread rolls were noticeably smaller.
The shortage was becoming harder to ignore.
People had started complaining more openly, and every day more voices joined in, blaming the Garrison for the shrinking rations. Thankfully, a handful of soldiers escorted the cart from the storage building to the serving station. They feared riots, and so did you. Being caught in the middle of an angry crowd while hauling bread sounded like a terrible way to spend the morning.
You weren't particularly fond of the Garrison.
Hannes had found you work helping the refugees after you lost your family. It gave you something to do, something to keep your hands—and your mind—occupied.
In your innocence, you never imagined some of the soldiers would look down on the very people they were supposed to protect. Men, women, children... people who had lost everything.
Until you saw it with your own eyes.
That was the day you decided to smile.
You weren't especially funny, and most of your jokes were terrible. But you weren't afraid of making a fool of yourself, either.
If one awful joke could earn even the smallest smile...
Then it was one small victory against the bitterness that had settled over Trost.
You spotted him before reaching them.
He was already waiting in line.
For a brief moment, you wished you could set one extra piece of bread aside for him.
But if anyone noticed a missing loaf—or worse, an opened sack—you'd be in serious trouble.
Another growing boy forced to live with an empty stomach. And he was a big one.
Big... handsome... and painfully serious.
You wondered what it would take to make him smile.
His expression wasn't the same as the others'. It wasn't simply the look of someone who had lost everything.
There was something older in his eyes. Something steady.
The way he moved. The way he quietly observed everything around him without missing a single detail. The way he rarely spoke unless it was to the tall boy or the blonde girl who always stayed close to him.
It almost felt as though he carried the responsibility of looking after them. Or perhaps leading them.
You supposed you'd never know.
Maybe you could exchange a few words with him while he waited in line. You had the feeling he was hiding something.
Then again... who wasn't?
You just wanted to talk to him a little longer. That was enough.
Eventually, his turn came.
"You look a little less grumpy today."
"I'm not grumpy."
"You always look grumpy."
He frowned at you.
"There!" you said with a grin as you handed him his ration. "That's exactly what I mean."
For the briefest moment, you almost made him smile.
Almost.
-
One afternoon, Reiner spotted the porridge girl in the sleeping quarters, carrying a stack of freshly washed blankets.
A little boy was struggling to drag another bundle tied together with rope across the floor. It barely budged. Without a word, Reiner bent down, lifted it onto one shoulder as though it weighed nothing, and started walking.
"Oh, well!"
That familiar cheerful voice called from behind him.
"What?"
"So you are useful after all!"
"Be quiet and make yourself useful."
She grinned.
"See? I knew those muscles had to be good for something, Mr. Grumpy."
"My name is Reiner."
Her eyes lit up.
"Oh! So you finally told me your name! I was hoping to hear it from you instead of your friends."
Reiner's expression stiffened.
His friends? Annie and Bertholdt. How did she know about them? Was she more observant than she'd let on? Had she been watching them? No... that couldn't be it.
She spent nearly every waking hour helping the refugees, playing with the children, carrying supplies from one place to another. Besides, Annie would've noticed if someone had been following them.
It had to be a coincidence.
Meanwhile, she was already talking to the little boy again.
"There you go, Tommy. You've got someone else to do the heavy lifting now. Go play for a while."
Reiner glanced at the child before looking back at her.
"Is there really no one else to do this? Why are they making a kid carry something this heavy? Isn't the Garrison supposed to help? Aren't there enough volunteers?"
She laughed softly.
"You're naïve."
"What?"
"Where exactly are you from?" She rested a hand on the stack of blankets. “There are volunteers. Plenty of them. But there are also thousands of refugees. We're overwhelmed."
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
"And be careful saying things like that about the Garrison…" A mischievous smile spread across her face. "...or they'll be the ones leaving us without a job."
Then she laughed.
"If it bothers you that much, why don't you put those muscles of yours to good use instead of lurking around corners? We could use the help," she said with a playful wink.
Lurking? It had to be a coincidence.
It had to be.
Still... staying close to her for a while wouldn't hurt.
If she really knew something, he'd find out eventually.
After setting the blankets down, you let out a quiet groan of relief, rubbing your sore shoulders.
"See?" you said.
"What?"
"You're strong as a horse."
Reiner gave you a flat look.
"And I'm built like..." You glanced down at yourself before raising your arms into a round shape. "...a loaf of bread."
You burst into laughter.
"Don't laugh."
For the first time, the corner of Reiner's mouth lifted ever so slightly.
Your eyes widened.
"Wait... did you just smile?"
"No."
"You did!"
"I didn't."
"You smiled!" You pointed at him triumphantly. "See? That's how you light the flame in someone's heart... even if it's only a tiny spark."
Reiner didn't answer.
For a while, neither of you spoke.
The evening breeze drifted through the refugee camp as the two of you sat outside the sleeping quarters, watching people come and go.
"You know..." you said after a while. "Before all this, my parents owned a little bakery in Shiganshina."
You smiled faintly.
"I used to think I was strong from carrying flour sacks and bread trays around all day." You rubbed your sore shoulders. "Turns out I just had a lot more time to rest back then."
A quiet sigh escaped your lips.
Reiner lowered his eyes.
“Did… did you lose them?”
You nodded.
"Yeah."
You looked down at your hands.
"The bakery collapsed on top of them." A faint, bitter smile crossed your face. "People on the evacuation boats kept saying they were lucky." You let out a quiet scoff. "'At least the Titans didn't get them.'"
You shook your head.
"I never understood that."
Your voice was calm. Too calm.
"Dead is dead. Whether a Titan eats you… or a building crushes you… you don't come back."
Your voice was sad, but there were no tears in your eyes. You already have shed too many.
Reiner lowered his gaze.
“My friend…” He hesitated. “...Marcel. A Titan ate him.”
Silence settled between you.
“I watched it happen." He swallowed. “It was...”
He couldn't finish the sentence.
“...horrible.”
“I’m so sorry you had to live that”
“Me too”
After a moment, you looked at him.
"What about you? What did you do before all this?"
Reiner froze.
What could he possibly say?
He was a Warrior. An infiltrator.
Before coming to Paradis...
He couldn't tell you the truth.
"I trained."
At least that part wasn't a lie.
"I knew it!"
He looked at you.
"How?"
"You walk like someone who's always expecting trouble."
His heartbeat faltered.
Could he really be that obvious?
Or was she simply far more observant than she'd let on?
Before he could think of an answer, you stood up and dusted off your skirt.
"Well, I'd better get back to work. There are two hands missing now thanks to you." You smiled brightly. "Good night, Reiner!"
You walked away before he had the chance to reply.
"...Good night," he murmured, knowing you were already too far away to hear him.
"Good night?"
Reiner stiffened.
Bertholdt stood a few steps away, looking at him with quiet confusion.
"Getting friendly with the enemy?"
"No."
"It looks like you enjoy talking to her."
"I'm doing my job."
Bertholdt studied him for a moment.
"If you say so."
He started walking again.
"...But you smiled."
That night, for the first time since arriving on the island...
Reiner dreamed of home.
It wasn't Liberio.
-
Over the following weeks, refugees were sent wherever extra hands were needed. Some repaired roads. Others hauled supplies. Many were sent to work the fields outside Trost in the hope of easing the food shortage.
You spent most of your days in the fields now, returning to Trost only after sunset.
By then, the refugee camp had already grown quiet.
Wisteria and the Flame ~ Chapter 22: Lost in living
N/A: This fic takes place in the world of KNY, but I’ve made a few changes, so it won’t follow the canon story exactly, and the world may work a little differently from the manga and anime.
* Reader x Rengoku. Slow burn
*MDNI + *You must be +18 to follow or interact
*KNY characters and KNY world belong to it's rightful owner.
When you opened your eyes, it took you a few seconds to remember where you were. You had no recollection of falling asleep. You were so comfortable under the ancient tree, your both arms resting painless, with Kyojuro by your side, covered by the warmth of his body and his soft haori…
Oh.
You shot upright so quickly that you nearly tripped over one of the exposed roots.
"Whoa! Careful!"
Kyojuro caught you before you could fall, one arm instinctively slipping around your waist.
You blinked in embarrassment.
"...You must think I'm terribly clumsy."
He looked genuinely puzzled.
"Why would I think that?"
You rubbed the back of your neck.
"Well... if someone gave you a roasted sweet potato every time you stopped me from falling… you'd have quite a feast by now."
Kyojuro burst into laughter.
"That is true! I've certainly earned quite a few sweet potatoes!" He grinned.
"Speaking of food… Aren't you hungry?"
He glanced up at the sun. "We haven't eaten since yesterday evening. It must already be well into the afternoon."
You blinked. "Oh... right."
"Aoi must be furious. I never showed up for lunch."
"We'll deal with Aoi later." He smiled brightly. "Right now it's time for..."
You sighed dramatically.
"Don't tell me… another food lesson?"
"Yes!"
He sounded far too enthusiastic.
"Hmm…" He looked around as though carefully considering the options. "Where should I take you today...?"
His face lit up. "I know!"
Without another word, he took your hand and started walking.
"You already know?"
"I know every restaurant, food stall and little shop around here!"
You couldn't help laughing.
"...Why am I not surprised?"
Together, you headed toward the nearest village. The warmth of his hand distracted you from the dull ache in your left arm.
After walking in comfortable silence for a while, Kyojuro spoke again.
"May I ask you something?"
"You just did."
He blinked. "...You're right."
“Yesterday you were right about the weather. It was about to change, but for good. Today seems a typical change of seasons day”
“That’s not even a question, Kyojuro” You smiled. "Go ahead."
“Can you sense demons?, you sensed the weather change and the demons come with it, like happened years ago, as you said…”
“It depends on what you mean by sensing them… I can smell and hear them from farther away than a normal human can. That’s all. I didn’t know the safe house was going to be attacked, though. I wish I could have.”
“I see. Living in nature for so long must have sharpened your senses.”
“Can I ask you another one?”
“Of course” you smiled.
“Are you afraid of Muzan?”
“Hmm… I’m more afraid of what the mark could do to me if I’m not able to endure it.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.” He smiled. “Are you?”
“No. Not in the way I probably should be. I don’t know. I think fear makes us lose sight of our objective. I respect him, though. That’s what I think. We shouldn’t underestimate him, but we shouldn’t live in fear of him either. I’ve already lived that way, and it wasn’t living.”
“That’s exactly how I see it!” Kyojuro smiled.
“My turn to ask now. How old were you when you began training to be a Demon Slayer?”
“Around two, I think. I started as soon as I was able to walk properly and hold a sword.”
“Wow. No wonder you’re so strong!”
He laughed aloud.
“How old were you, then?”
“Uhm… around thirteen, I think.”
“That’s a good age! And how did you learn your Breathing?”
The question caught you off guard. You had expected it from Shinazugawa, but not from Kyojuro. Avoiding Sanemi's questions would have been easy. Lying to Kyojuro... somehow, that didn't feel possible.
"Oh…" You looked ahead for a moment. "...I..."
"If you'd rather not answer, I understand."
You slowly shook your head.
"No. It's not that. I simply don't remember learning it."
He waited patiently.
"When the temple burned down and I was left alone… I began hiding near the training grounds of the safe houses. I stayed just close enough to hear what the instructors told their apprentices. I started practicing with a wooden stick." A faint smile crossed your face. But eventually... I stole a wooden sword."
You immediately looked embarrassed. "I'm not proud of that. But the difference was enormous. I had practiced meditation for as long as I can remember. So controlling my breathing came naturally.
You looked down at your own hands.
"I just... copied what I heard. I didn't even realize it had become a Breathing Style… until I killed my first demon."
Kyojuro remained silent for several steps.
"...You created it yourself."
"No. I just copied what they taught."
Kyojuro smiled.
"No. You copied their swordsmanship. "The Breathing… that part is yours."
“Oh…” You hadn’t realized it. You always thought what you did was only look and copy what you saw. You stared at Kyojuro half confused.
No one had ever called anything you had done yours before. For the first time, the Wisteria Breathing didn't feel like something you had borrowed.
He smiled before lightly pinching your nose.
"Watch your step. Or you'll trip again."
Almost on cue, your foot caught on a loose stone. Before you could lose your balance, he gently caught your arm.
"Ha! Another sweet potato for me! You owe me quite a few by now."
You laughed.
"Hey! You have warned me late on purpose! Besides, I already gave you a whole bag the other day!"
"That was before we discovered how surprisingly clumsy you can be."
"You're impossible." You pouted. "You just want me to cook for you again!"
Kyojuro laughed openly.
"Hahaha! You caught me!" He scratched the back of his head. "But in my defense… they really were delicious."
“Thank you” You said, blushing slightly. "Can I ask you something now?"
"Of course!"
"Did you always know you wanted to become a Hashira?"
"Yes!" His smile widened.
"My father was the former Flame Hashira. The Flame Breathing has been passed down through my family for generations."
He looked ahead for a brief moment.
"Ever since I was a child… I wanted to become someone like him." His voice grew quieter for the first time “...At least...”
He stopped himself. You had never seen his smile disappear so quickly. The silence lasted only a heartbeat. Suddenly, his head lifted.
"Ah!" His cheerful smile returned as though nothing had happened. "I can smell dinner from here!" He pointed ahead enthusiastically. "We're close!"
Before you could react, he took your hand and gently pulled you along.
"Now it's my turn to ask something!"
"Alright, go ahead." You smiled.
"Could you cook something your mother used to make? Please! I'm curious!"
You chuckled.
"We were very frugal... but I can make her stew. It was delicious."
Kyojuro's face lit up.
"Wonderful! I'll be looking forward to it!"
You smiled.
"My turn, then. How were you already there yesterday, before I arrived?"
"I couldn't sleep very well," he admitted. “So I decided to leave a little earlier than usual. Then the emergency crow found me."
Your eyes widened.
"Just like me."
Kyojuro stopped walking for a second.
He folded his arms dramatically and looked toward the sky.
"...That is a very serious connection."
You let out a small laugh.
"Do you really think so?"
He nodded with complete conviction.
"Absolutely! The world has its own ways of bringing people together!"
Then he grinned.
"My turn again!"
You shook your head, smiling.
"Go ahead."
He looked at you with genuine curiosity.
"Have you ever laughed until you couldn't breathe?"
You blinked.
"...Oh. I... don't think so. Mother and I were rather quiet. We laughed, of course... but we were a quiet family. We spent a lot of time meditating. Besides..." You smiled faintly. The animals in the forest don't appreciate loud noises."
Kyojuro shook his head with a grin. "I don't mean laughing loudly."
"I mean laughing so much that your stomach hurts… until you can't catch your breath anymore."
You looked genuinely surprised.
"...Is that even possible?"
Kyojuro stopped walking and looked at you like you were a green crow.
“It is” He smiled “Then I’ll make it happen”
“You’re oddly confident”
“Very” He smiled broadly.
You smiled back.
Then something caught your eye.
A colorful temari ball had become lodged among the low branches of a nearby tree. It was close enough that you could almost reach it if you stretched... but just high enough that a child never could.
You glanced around.
There were no children nearby.
"Look."
"Some child must have thrown it too high and couldn't get it back."
"I'll take it down and look for its owner in the village."
You stretched your both arms as far as you could. The left one protested with a dull ache. It surely was still sore from yesterday. You stretched your fingers. Almost… Just a little farther… Suddenly, two warm hands caught you by the sides. Their fingers pressed lightly against your ribs. A strange sensation burst through your body.
It wasn't pain. It wasn't fear. It was... something else. A startled cry escaped your lips before you could stop it.
“Aah!”
“Did I hurt you?”
Surprised, you put one hand in your ribs.
“No...I… ¿What was that?”
Kyojuro blinked.
“What was what?”
“That feeling, when you touched me”
Kyojuro was thoughtful for a while. Then he smiled.
“Oh! Were you ticklish?”
“Ticklish? I know what it is, but I've never...”
Kyojuro blinked in surprise.
“...No one has ever tickled you?”
You shook your head.
“...Mother wasn't the kind of person to do things like that.” You hesitated for a moment. “...So… you're the first.”
His smile faded for just a heartbeat.
“...I see.”
Then it returned, just as warm as before.
“We'll have to make sure it isn't the last.” He winked at you. “I'm afraid you've just earned yourself another list to read.”
“Another list?”
“A list of all the things you've never done or experienced before.”
You laughed softly.
“...Now I'm worried.”
Kyojuro laughed with you.
“Don't be!”
“That's what life is all about. Living… and discovering new things.”
You looked at him quietly.
“...Is it?”
He smiled.
“It is.”
You walked into the village, lost in your own thoughts. How many things had you never done?
You wanted to build a snowman. To have a snowball fight. To skip rope. To wear colorful clothes without feeling guilty. To learn how to read and write properly. To visit festivals and pick a kingyo with a poi. To laugh until your stomach hurt. To know what your first kiss would feel like.
...
You frowned.
Since when had that made it onto the list?
Your cheeks warmed.
You quickly pushed the thought aside.
-
You wandered through the village until Kyojuro stopped in front of a small ramen shop. It was warm and cozy, decorated with little spring ornaments hanging from the ceiling.
He smiled.
“Ramen?”
You looked inside curiously.
“Have you ever had it before?”
You thought for a moment.
“...Maybe once, or twice. I'm not really sure.”
Kyojuro's eyes lit up.
“Excellent! Then you'll definitely remember today.”
He laughed.
“The ramen here is absolutely delicious!”
“If you keep saying everything is delicious… how am I supposed to know which one is your favorite?”
“...That's difficult… Food is meant to be enjoyed… Choosing just one favorite would be unfair.”
You couldn’t help smiling.
“Oh my!” the elderly waitress exclaimed as she approached with two steaming bowls.
“Rengoku-sama… Your girlfriend is beautiful!”
Heat rushed to your face, your throat tightened. You couldn't think of a single word to say.
Kyojuro simply laughed, rubbing the back of his neck with an embarrassed smile.
Before either of you could deny it, the waitress had already hurried off to another table.
The ramen really was delicious. You kept asking questions to each other and laughing. After everything that had happened that day, it felt like the perfect ending.
Once you finished eating, you showed the owner the temari ball.
“Do you happen to know who this belongs to?”
Thankfully, he did. It belonged to a little child whose parents owned a fabric shop near the village entrance.
"Now we're going to a fabric shop. I have a question for you."
You looked at him suspiciously.
"Is it even your turn?"
"It is!"
"It isn't.” you laughed “But ask anyway. I can't think of anything right now."
Kyojuro smiled triumphantly.
"Excellent. How would you like your uniform?"
You blinked.
"...Uniform?"
"Your Corps uniform. Now that you're officially a member, you'll need one."
You thought for a moment.
"...Well… I'm not a Hashira, so I suppose it'll have to be like Kanao's…" You hesitated. "...But… I'd rather wear trousers." Heat crept into your cheeks. "I know it isn't very feminine… but skirts…" You shook your head quickly. "...No… I really can't." The mere thought of exposing your legs made you blush even harder.
Kyojuro tilted his head.
"...Why would that be a problem?"
You looked at him in disbelief.
"...Because… girls wear skirts."
Kyojuro smiled as if the answer were obvious.
"Then wear trousers, Shinobu does. A uniform should help you fight. Not make you uncomfortable."
“That’s a good point. I like it!”
-
As you walked toward the shop, an uneasy feeling settled in your chest.
Nothing around you seemed wrong. Children laughed. Merchants greeted passing customers. The streets were filled with flowers and paper lanterns swaying gently in the afternoon breeze.
Everything was exactly as it should be.
So why did it feel as though you had forgotten something?
-
You returned the temari ball to its owner, leaving the little child jumping with joy, and then started walking back toward the Butterfly Estate.
The streets were still lively. Wisterias glowing above the traditional lamps. People wandered from shop to shop, enjoying the last hours before sunset. You hoped they would all make it home before nightfall.
After a while, Kyojuro glanced at you.
“Would you mind if I don't walk you all the way back to the Estate? I've been away since yesterday, Senjuro must be worried.”
You smiled.
“Of course not. My poor child. Give him a big hug from me.”
Kyojuro looked at you with a playful grin.
“May I have one too?”
You tilted your head.
“What was my grade in today's food lesson?”
He straightened proudly.
"Excellent!"
A small laugh escaped your lips.
“Alright.”
“Come here, you jealous big brother."
He didn't hesitate.
He opened his arms, and you stepped into them.
For a brief moment, neither of you moved.
It felt... nice.
Warm.
Safe.
Too short.
Oddly enough...
...the pain in your marked arm had almost disappeared.
“See you tomorrow!”
You smiled.
“See you tomorrow.”
Your smile lingered as you made your way back toward the Butterfly Estate.
You had learnt to love this place, surrounded by blooming wisterias.
Mother would have loved it too… wouldn't she?
You wondered whether she would have accepted this different way of living. You thought she would. It would have taken her time. She had never liked sudden changes. At first, she would have been reluctant. But little by little, in her own quiet way, she would have accepted the changes... even if she would never have changed who she was.
Not completely.
Still...
You thought she would have smiled more.
...
Would she have accepted Kyojuro?
The thought caught you by surprise. Heat crept into your cheeks.
As soon as you stepped beyond the last blossoms of the wisteria path… the ache returned.
At one of the crossroads, you crossed paths with one of the waitresses from the sweet shop Kyojuro had taken you to a few days before.
“Good evening!”
“Good evening, dear. And happy Spring Equinox!”
She walked away without another thought.
You stopped dead in your tracks.
Equinox.
Your heart seemed to stop beating. Of course.
That was what had felt wrong. You had forgotten. You had forgotten the Equinox. Since arriving at the Corps… you had been lost.
N/A: This fic takes place in the world of KNY, but I’ve made a few changes, so it won’t follow the canon story exactly, and the world may work a little differently from the manga and anime.
* Reader x Rengoku. Slow burn
*MDNI + *You must be +18 to follow or interact
*KNY characters and KNY world belong to it's rightful owner.
The sun rose over ashes scattered across the snow.
While the Kakushi tended to the wounded and cleared the aftermath of the battle, Kyojuro extinguished the last of his flames around the damaged rooftops, and Mitsuri cared for the child you had rescued.
You were breathing heavily. Your body still trembled from exhaustion, and it wasn't easy to regain control of your left hand after your sword had found it on its own.
“The child is safe!” Mitsuri called cheerfully, holding him in her arms. “He’s got some wounds but he will be okay!”
You let out a long breath. It felt as though a weight you had carried for years had finally loosened its grip.
You hadn't been able to save the kind girl back then. But this demon would never hurt anyone again.
As Mitsuri approached, the little boy stretched out both arms toward you. Before you could react, he threw them around your waist, hugging you with all the strength his small body could muster. You froze. No one but Mother had ever hugged you like that.
It felt… Warm.
And strangely awkward. Your left arm throbbed faintly beneath the bandages. Probably from overusing it.
“Thank you for saving me.”
“I…” You hesitated. “I only did what anyone should have done.”
Affection. That kind of affection.
Since arriving at the Corps, you had received more of it than in your entire life. Gratitude, kindness, smiles. It always left you feeling slightly uncomfortable.
You never acted in search of affection. You simply did what you believed was right.
Yet… Perhaps… There was one person's affection that no longer felt uncomfortable.
Still holding the child, you lifted your gaze.
Across the courtyard, Kyojuro met your eyes.
He simply smiled...
...and gave you the smallest wink.
-
"Tch. So that bastard was at the temple… He knew you."
The Wind Hashira didn’t miss a thing either. In fact, you were sure that everyone had noticed it.
"...He wasn't talking like he'd just found a random slayer… He recognized you… How?"
Kyojuro stepped slightly beside you.
"...You don't have to answer that."
You offered him a faint smile.
"...It's alright, Rengoku-san… He already knows." You drew a slow breath. "...He was there the night the temple burned. ...He killed the little girl who cared about me."
Sanemi fell silent for a moment “...No wonder." For now, that seemed to be enough for him.
But for the serpent Hashira wasn’t enough.
"The demon also said, 'Lord Muzan said to bring her one day.'" Obanai's gaze settled on you. "Those were his exact words. That concerns every one of us now."
He paused briefly. "This isn't the place to discuss it. Oyakata-sama needs to hear about this immediately."
--
The journey back was silent and heavy.
The Wind and Serpent Hashira walked behind you. For a brief moment, you wondered whether they were simply making sure you didn't do anything reckless.
Mitsuri stayed by your side. Strangely enough, she barely spoke. It was nothing like the day she had helped you rebuild the Butterfly Estate. Every now and then, she simply looked at you and offered you a small, reassuring smile.
Kyojuro led the way, unusually quiet, seemingly lost in thought.
You had woken up expecting nothing more than a morning run beside him. Instead, you had found a battlefield.
At least... there was one good thing: the demon who had murdered the kind girl from the temple would never hurt anyone again.
If she had a grave somewhere, you would find it one day. You wanted to tell her, even if she could no longer hear you.
Your thoughts drifted to Kyojuro. Had today's battle changed the way he saw you?
You had come dangerously close to losing yourself. He had been the one who brought you back. That wasn't normal. And if it wasn’t enough, the demon mentioned Muzan. If he decided to keep his distance after this… you couldn't blame him.
But the thought alone hurt far more than you wanted to admit.
Before you reached the crossroads leading to the Butterfly Estate, Oyakata-sama's Kasugai crow descended from the sky and landed gracefully on a nearby branch.
"Good morning, my beloved children. I am relieved to hear your mission was successful. I look forward to hearing your report." The crow tilted its head before continuing. "I would also like all of you to attend… including our guest. I shall be waiting for you."
You came to an abrupt stop.
Oyakata-sama… He had summoned not only the Hashira… but you as well.
What were you supposed to do there? How were you expected to behave? How much did they already know about you? Would they expect you to answer every question… or would you still be allowed to keep some private things to yourself?
Even the simplest matters suddenly felt complicated. Should you remain standing? When were you supposed to bow? Who should you greet first?
You found yourself instinctively searching for Kyojuro. He met your gaze immediately. Without saying a word, he smiled and gave you a small, reassuring nod. Your shoulders relaxed ever so slightly.
Mitsuri slipped her hand into yours, beaming. "You're coming with us now! It'll be alright. If Oyakata-sama asked for you to be there, then that's exactly where you're supposed to be."
You returned a small smile. "...Thank you."
"Tch." Sanemi glanced back without slowing his pace. "If you're done worrying… being late when Oyakata-sama calls is rude."
--
When you reached the wisteria avenue leading to the Headquarters, it felt both beautiful and strangely unsettling.
You remembered the first time you had walked beneath those blossoms with Kyojuro. The hanging clusters of wisteria. The petals dancing lazily on the breeze. The quiet that had wrapped around the two of you.
Nothing had changed.
It was still the most beautiful place you had ever seen. Yet this time, it felt completely different. Your clothes were torn from battle, soot and blood stained your uniform, and four Hashira walked beside you. Somehow, the familiar path no longer felt familiar at all.
When you reached the great ancient tree standing halfway along the avenue, you quietly stepped away from the group and headed toward it.
"Excuse me..."
You glanced back apologetically.
"It will only be a moment."
You knelt beside one of the ancient tree's roots and rested your hand against it. Silently, you thanked it for keeping you alive... and for bringing people into your life who cared about you.
Rolling up your left sleeve, you took out the dried wisteria petals from your previous visit and buried them carefully beneath the roots. Then you gathered a small handful of freshly fallen blossoms resting at the foot of the tree and tucked them safely inside your sleeve.
When you returned to the others, Kyojuro watched you in silence.
He remembered the first petals she had picked there. Almost absentmindedly, his fingers brushed the place where the dried petals that healed his wound still rested inside his own haori.
A small smile crossed his face.
He said nothing.
--
The rest of the Hashira were already waiting in the meeting room.
Before you entered, Shinobu lightly touched your sleeve.
"Come with me for a moment."
She led you to a quiet corner of the corridor, where a small cat wearing an odd little backpack sat patiently.
"This is Chachamaru," she said. "Lady Tamayo's companion." The cat blinked at you before letting out a tiny meow. "He's here to collect a couple of blood samples. Lady Tamayo would like to examine them before meeting you."
"I see."
You crouched down and gently stroked Chachamaru's head.
"Hello, Chachamaru." The cat leaned into your hand with an approving purr.
"Why does she need two samples?"
"One from your marked arm..." Shinobu replied as she prepared the needle. "...and one from the other."
"To compare them?"
"I imagine so."
You nodded.
Something about the way Shinobu answered made you feel she was keeping something to herself. Not out of distrust. Simply because… she wasn't ready to tell you yet.
You decided not to press any further.
If Shinobu believed there would be a better moment to explain, then there probably would be.
After carefully storing both samples inside Chachamaru's little pack, she smiled. "That's all."
The cat dissapeared crossing the wall, as if it was an invisible portal in there.
"I'll join the meeting now." She gently slid the door open. "You'll wait outside. Oyakata-sama will call for you when the time comes."
You returned to the corridor and sat quietly in a corner, far enough away not to overhear the meeting, yet close enough for someone to find you when you were needed.
Oyakata-sama's residence was as peaceful as its owner. The silence felt warm rather than empty.
You closed your eyes. The pain in your marked arm was barely noticeable anymore. For a few minutes, sleep quietly claimed you. When you awoke, you simply remained there, breathing slowly, letting your thoughts settle into meditation.
--
Inside the meeting room, Sanemi had already finished delivering the mission report.
Now Kyojuro was recounting the encounter with the last demon.
"I saw the demon carrying a child behind the safe house. By the time I reached them, she had already engaged it." He paused for a moment. "She attacked it relentlessly... using her left arm."
"Relentlessly is putting it mildly," Sanemi cut in. "She'd completely lost herself."
A brief silence followed.
"But when I stopped her..." Kyojuro continued calmly, "...she came back to her senses. Then she finished the demon properly."
"...Properly?" Sanemi snorted. "She kept hacking at its neck long after it'd already died."
Another silence.
"But that's not the important part." Obanai spoke for the first time. "The demon recognized her… And she recognized it. According to her, it was the same demon that attacked the temple that burned down years ago. The one that killed a child she cared about."
His blue and golden eyes shifted toward Oyakata-sama.
"And one more thing.The demon carried a message from Muzan."
The room grew noticeably quieter.
Obanai repeated the words exactly as they had been spoken. "Lord Muzan said... bring her one day."
For several long seconds, the only sound in the room was the wind brushing through the wisteria outside.
No one spoke.
Not because they had nothing to say… but because everyone understood what those words meant.
Oyakata-sama lowered his gaze for a brief moment, his fingers resting lightly on his knees.
Then he smiled with the same calm gentleness as always.
"...Please ask our guest to come in."
-
A soft knock interrupted your meditation.
A Hashira with long black hair and a mismatched fabric haori bowed respectfully.
"Oyakata-sama will see you now."
You rose to your feet. Taking a slow, steady breath, you brushed the dust from your uniform.
The sliding door opened.
Every Hashira turned toward you.
For a heartbeat, no one spoke.
You stepped inside and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for receiving me."
You noticed a tense athmosphere. As if something important had been said before you came in. That made you try to steady your breath. You sat in one side of the room, near the door.
"Thank you for coming.” Said Oyakata Sama "Please, raise your head. You've already done enough for today."
"The Hashira have shared with me what happened this morning," Oyakata-sama said gently.
"There are only a few things I would like to hear from you personally."
He paused for a moment.
"Did you truly recognize the demon?"
"Yes."
"What made you so certain?"
"I had seen him before... at the temple that burned down seven or eight years ago." You frowned slightly, trying to recall the details. "His neck wasn't as long back then. He looked... different. Smaller."
Oyakata-sama nodded.
"What convinced you it was the same demon?"
"At first... I wasn't sure. But then he started singing." Your voice grew quieter. "The words... they matched what had happened that night. I began remembering things I thought I'd forgotten." You lowered your eyes. “I had gone to the coal shed because we'd run out of coal. The atmosphere felt... wrong. I took a shovel with me, just in case there was a thief... or someone trying to break in."
Your throat tightened.
"When I found…" You stopped for a heartbeat.
Shinobu caught your eye. She gave you a small, reassuring smile.
You drew a slow breath. "...he called me 'little shovel girl.'"
Silence settled over the room.
Oyakata-sama was the first to speak again.
"And how did you feel when you realized who he was?"
You answered without hesitation.
"Furious. He murdered the only child at the temple who had ever been kind to me. I wanted him to suffer. I don't remember much after that.”
You glanced briefly toward Kyojuro.
"I only remember Rengoku-san trying to bring me back. I managed to regain control… but only partially."
“And what brought you back?”
You looked directly at Kyojuro before answering.
“His voice”
“There is something I do not understand,” a deep voice said. It came from the largest of the Hashira.
“Why didn't the demon kill you back then? You were alone with him, were you not?”
“Yes, I was. He laughed at me. He avoided every attack I made, took the shovel from my hands as though it weighed nothing…” You unconsciously brushed the scar at your temple. “…and pointed it at me. I don't remember anything after that. When I woke up, every building was already on fire.”
You lowered your gaze.
“If he had wanted to kill me… he had more than enough time.”
Silence lingered.
Kyojuro's gaze drifted briefly to the scar on your temple. He had never asked where it came from.
Then Obanai spoke.
“And now Muzan wants you brought to him. You know who Muzan Kibutsuji is, I suppose.
You frowned.
“Yes, at the safe houses there was always someone who mentioned him. But Mother wasn’t sure if it was him who marked our ancestor. And about the demon, I always believed he had simply left me for dead. I never questioned it.”
Oyakata-sama's gentle voice broke the silence.
“Sometimes... the questions we never ask are the ones that matter most.”
“Whatever she is...” Obanai said quietly. “Muzan has known about her for years.”
“Or at least since the temple,” Sanemi added.
Gyomei slowly folded his hands. “That demon was waiting.”
“Not necessarily.” Shinobu gently shook her head. “We don't know enough to reach that conclusion.”
Oyakata-sama nodded. “And that is precisely why we must learn more before we act.”
“Lady Tamayo has devoted centuries to studying demons. For now... she is our best chance to understand this mark.”
Mitsuri's expression softened. “If Muzan is looking for her… she shouldn't be left alone.”
“She wasn't exactly helpless this morning.” Sanemi said crossing his arms.
“Even so,” Kyojuro replied calmly. “None of us should underestimate what happened today.”
Obanai spoke once more. “If Muzan wants her alive… that makes her valuable.”
Silence settled over the room.
You lowered your head. You knew exactly where that line of thought could lead.
Before anyone else could speak, you drew a slow breath.
“If that's what is necessary… I'll be the bait.”
“No!”
Three voices answered almost at once.
Kyojuro, Shinobu and Mitsuri. Even Sanemi frowned.
Before anyone could argue further, Oyakata-sama quietly raised his hand.
The room fell silent.
“She is not a tool.” His voice remained as gentle as ever. “She is a member of this Corps.”
Your eyes lifted toward him. You stared in stunned silence.
No one… No one had ever spoken about you that way before.
Oyakata-sama let the silence linger for a few moments before speaking again.
"Lady Tamayo has already requested blood samples."
Shinobu inclined her head. "Chachamaru has collected them. One from the marked arm. And one from the healthy one."
Oyakata-sama turned his gentle gaze toward you.
"Lady Tamayo believes they may help her understand your condition before meeting you."
You nodded. "If my blood can help... she may have as much as she needs."
A faint smile crossed Shinobu's face.
Obanai was the next to speak.
"And what if Muzan sends more demons after her?"
"Then we kill them," Sanemi replied without hesitation.
Gyomei folded his hands.
"The question is not whether we can kill them. It is whether she should continue taking missions."
Silence followed.
Then Oyakata-sama answered.
"She will."
Several of the Hashira looked up.
"Treating her as something to be hidden would only weaken the Corps." He paused before continuing. "However…" His gaze rested on you once more. "Until Lady Tamayo has examined you… you will not undertake missions alone."
"I volunteer," Kyojuro said immediately.
Tengen let out an amused scoff. "Of course you do."
Mitsuri raised her hand enthusiastically. "Me too!"
Shinobu smiled. "She is already living at the Butterfly Estate."
Oyakata-sama's soft voice gently brought the room back to silence.
"Then it is decided. You will meet Lady Tamayo. Until then… continue living as you have."
His smile was as warm as ever.
“And do not let fear decide how you live."
--
When you exit from the main building, you said goodbye and wished a good rest to Kanroji-san, who insisted in call her by her first name, Mitsuri. Then, Shinobu excused herself, saying she needed to have a word with Tomioka-san, who was the Hashira that had invited you in the meeting room. So you were left alone with Rengoku and Tengen, that also was in a rush to attend his three wives.
“Three wives? I mean, Three?”
“Yes! They are a very happy family all four!”
“Wow, i think it’s the weirdest thing i’ve learnt since i’m here, and i’ve learnt a lot”
Kyojuro lauged out loud. You were already used to his loudness, and when he laughed like that it was hard not to smile.
You walked in a pleasant silence for a while. Then you decided to ask him something that had you thinking and puzzled since the meeting ended.
"...Did he really mean it, Oyakata-sama?"
"Which part?"
"...That I'm a member of the Corps."
He smiled broadly.
"You became one the moment you chose to protect someone instead of yourself."
“Oh… that’s very kind of himself…”
He laughed.
“You still don’t know how to accept compliments, do you?”
You blushed.
“Its hard to accept it when you only do what you think it’s right… i don’t know, I accept it now because I know what it means, but still It’s something I don’t understand”
When you arrived at the wisteria path, you yawned openly.
“Come here” Said Kyojuro taking your hand.
“Huh? Were are we going?”
“Not far. Just trust me”
He headed to the ancient tree and surrounded it, so you were hidden behind it.
“We need a good rest” He said sitting on the ground, between two thick roots.
“Kyojuro, the day has just started.”
“So? We came from a mission, we need a well deserved rest! Come here!”
“I don’t need to rest, just sit a little”
You kneeled to sit beside him but he took you in his arms and wrapped you both in his haori.
“I don’t need it, Kyo…” You yawned again
He laughed softly.
“Of course you need it. close your eyes.”
You closed your eyes beginning some meditation, your arm felt unusually light, and maybe… just maybe you really needed to rest.
Before sleep finally claimed you, you felt something warm brush lightly against the scar on your temple.
AU - You are a muralist, spreading your art around the world. This is your first time with a big facade, and you find a peculiar janitor in the building you're going to paint.
Future NSFW content!!
MDNI
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3,
The next morning, after barely getting any sleep because you'd stayed up finishing the sketch, you got to work with renewed enthusiasm.
You took all the necessary precautions to protect the crane, the floor, and the two windows set into the wall you were going to paint.
"Oi. Do you have a spare harness?" the janitor called from the ground beside the crane.
"Why? Are you going to tell me how to do my job now?"
"No. But I don't trust you to protect those windows properly. That wood is old, it's in good condition, and it shouldn't get a single stain on it. I want to check the protective coverings myself, and I'll be the one applying the primer to that section."
"Are you the one who hired me?"
"Partly. I own shares in the hotel. I can inspect your work if I want to."
Your expression must have been priceless, because for the first time, you caught the faintest hint of a smile on the janitor's face as he watched your shocked reaction.
"My protective measures are perfectly adequate, but whatever you say, Mr. Shareholder."
He stepped closer until the tip of his nose almost touched yours.
"I distinctly remember telling you my name."
"Whatever you say, Levi." Still smiling, you handed him a spare harness. "What I don't have is a full-body protective suit, so you'll have to be careful not to get paint on yourself."
"Tch."
You raised the crane up to the windows and moved it towards the edges of the walls so Levi could inspect the protective coverings.
Not a single complaint.
You grinned from ear to ear.
"I suppose you won't mind if I check how you apply the primer now."
"No." He said it with absolute confidence.
You didn't. That man had already proven himself meticulous and methodical. He would do the job properly. Perfect.
You could be mischievous and shameless when you wanted to, but when it came to work, you were above all a professional.
Maybe we have more in common than I thought, you mused.
Just as you'd expected, Levi's work was impeccable.
At lunchtime, after you'd climbed down from the crane, he took your hands and rubbed them with the cleaning solution.
"Thanks, Dad."
"I already told you. I don't want a single drop of paint anywhere on the hotel premises. Not even in the bathrooms."
He took off his work coveralls, revealing an athletic, well-trained body beneath his shorts and sleeveless shirt. You tried very hard not to stare.
He folded the coveralls neatly and placed them in a bag beside your things.
"Are you going to supervise me again, Captain?"
"Do your job. I'll do mine."
Unfortunately, you were having a hard time remembering what your job was.
At the end of the day, you changed out of your paint-stained clothes and put on something clean and light. After all, you were going to take a shower anyway.
Even so, when you walked through the entrance, Levi was there waiting to inspect you.
He allowed himself two slow circles around you while you felt his gaze scanning your entire body.
It was both exciting and strangely uncomfortable, making you feel as though you'd just crawled out of a dumpster.
"I suppose you'll be taking a proper shower," he finally said.
"Why? Do you want to inspect me afterwards too?"
"Perhaps I should." He said it with complete seriousness.
You narrowed your eyes at him. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Tch."
His expression remained perfectly impassive.
But you could have sworn there was the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.
-
The week passed peacefully.
Contrary to what you'd expected, Levi let you work without interfering too much. He only climbed back up on the crane when you had to paint around the windows, and he took the liberty of giving you quite a scare by suddenly appearing through one of them while you were distracted mixing paint.
He smirked mischievously at your fright, and you stuck your tongue out at him.
Although you collapsed into bed every night after your shower, that evening you went up to the rooftop to clear your head for a while.
"Pff. What an asshole," you muttered after propping the rooftop door open, thinking you were alone.
"Watch it, brat. This asshole is the one paying your salary," a voice behind you said.
Annoyed by yet another scare, you moved as far away from him as you could so you wouldn't snap at him. With your usual lollipop in your mouth, you settled into watching the city from above, trying to empty your mind.
He simply walked over until he was about a metre away and stood there, looking out towards the building.
Surprisingly, the silence wasn't uncomfortable.
You could be mischievous, but he'd simply been giving you a taste of your own medicine. So you had no right to be angry. At least, not for very long.
"Want a lollipop?"
"No."
"Huh. I could've sworn you enjoyed trying it."
"You're not taking a shower today."
"Why? I'm finishing tomorrow. I'll give myself a proper wash when I'm done."
"What would you know about a proper cleaning?"
"Hey, you've already seen that I take care of my things."
"The appropriate amount."
"The perfect amount, you mean."
"The appropriate amount."
"Ahh, whatever, Mr. Proper. By the way, you haven't looked at the mural even once."
"And what makes you think that?"
"Because we're equally perfectionists when it comes to our work. If you haven't said a single thing about it, it's because you haven't even bothered to take a proper look."
"You judge a piece when it's finished. You can't call a room clean just because I've made the bed."
You stared at him for a moment.
"...Was that your way of saying you have been looking at it?"
"Don't put words in my mouth."
"You know, for someone who hates talking, you sure do enjoy arguing with me."
"Tch."
You stepped closer to him and kissed him again, just as you had that first night.
But this time, for a few seconds, he kissed you back, one hand coming up to gently caress the back of your neck.
"Hmm. Well, I knew you liked it."
His hand remained at the back of your neck for one second longer.
"Go to bed, brat. I want the job finished and signed off tomorrow."
-
The next day, after signing off on your work, you stepped back to take in the entire mural from a distance, the way a mural was meant to be seen.
In your eyes, it was beautiful.
The wicked Titans of capitalism, dressed in tuxedos and ties and made entirely of solid gold bars, were preparing to destroy the city's heritage. Standing against them was an army of fighters led by a certain familiar janitor, backed by a crowd holding a banner in defence of historical memory.
You couldn't help but smile.
Just as the neighbours and a local television crew began approaching, you hurried back into the hotel without even bothering to clean yourself up first.
You weren't a fan of the press. You couldn't be bothered with it.
You did your work according to what you believed was right, and you saw no reason to boast about it in the media.
-
When you reached the second floor, Levi was waiting beside the door to your room, clearly annoyed.
"Oi! Where do you think you're going with all that dirt on you? Are you planning to make me redo all the work I did today?"
"Oh... I'm sorry. I just wanted to get away from the press as quickly as possible."
"Tch. I'll accept that excuse. Just this once. Get inside. Shower. Now."
He opened the door and gestured for you to go in.
You sighed, exhausted after so many days of work.
"Alright, alright. I'll do my best."
"Nobody said you were going to do it yourself."
"Excuse me?"
"Your work deserves a sample of mine."
He paused, his grey eyes fixed on yours.
"Get inside. Shower. Now."
You bit your lip as a blush spread across your cheeks. You weren't even sure you'd understood him correctly, but you stepped inside and headed straight for the bathroom, stripping off your dirty clothes and leaving them in a pile to one side.
"I suppose there's no point in teaching you how to take care of your clothes, even when they're dirty."
Levi was standing behind you, wearing nothing but his boxers, his work uniform folded neatly and placed in the laundry basket.
Your mouth fell open when you saw him in his underwear. By then, you were certain you knew what was going to happen next.
"What? Getting shy now?"
"N... Nope! Actually, it just walked right out the door."
"Good."
-
Levi's hands were calloused and agile.
At first, they moved over your neck, shoulders, back, and arms, stopping whenever he found a knot of tension in your muscles and working it patiently until the ache disappeared.
Then he lathered his hands with shampoo and began washing your hair, massaging your scalp with the same deftness. He found every last trace of paint, rubbing until he had removed it completely.
He continued like that, carefully washing every inch of your body, patiently working at the paint that had stuck more stubbornly to your skin. He scrubbed without hurting you, insisting until the colour dissolved and disappeared down the drain.
He didn't stop until there wasn't a single spot left that wasn't the natural colour of your skin.
The warm water, hot enough to wash away the last traces of paint without burning you, carried away everything that remained of your day's work.
By then, you were so aroused that you couldn't resist turning around and kissing him passionately with a contained moan.
This time, he kissed you back, pulling your body against his, his hands roaming over you with barely restrained hunger, his cock more than ready to get insided you, with that kind of soft wetness that didn’t had nothing to do with the water.
And just when you thought you were finally going to have sex in the shower, he gently pulled away.
"Answer me something, brat. Do you ever leave a wall with only one coat of paint?"
"Never."
"It's like cleaning something only once. A proper job takes persistence and care."
He took more soap and began lathering your body again, this time from the front, taking his time in your most sensitive spots.
Without hesitation, you did the same to him.
Every job has a beginning, a process, and an end.
And neither of you was in any hurry to finish the one you had started together.
AU - You are a muralist, spreading your art around the world. This is your first time with a big facade, and you find a peculiar janitor in the building you're going to paint.
Future NSFW content!!
MDNI
You couldn't sleep.
You had read a lot about the neighbourhood and the city, but you still couldn't settle on a sketch. Tired of scribbling meaningless lines, you decided to find out whether the building had a rooftop or a balcony where you could get some fresh air.
Thank God, it had a rooftop. At least you could walk around for a while.
You climbed the fire escape on foot, and to your surprise, the rooftop door was half open, held in place by a small doorstop on the floor. You were about to close it to prevent a sudden gust of wind from slamming it shut when a familiar voice behind you stopped you.
"Don’t."
Oh, perfect. I was going to have the janitor following me everywhere now.
"Don't close it. It squeaks, and there are people sleeping."
"Alright. Thanks for letting me know."
The rooftop wasn't particularly large, but it was just big enough for you to keep a reasonable distance from the janitor and walk around a little.
You slipped a hand into your pocket.
"You're not going to smoke, are you?"
"Uh... no. It's just a lollipop."
"Good. Don't throw the wrapper on the floor."
"I wasn't going to, Mr. Clean. Believe it or not, I was raised not to do that."
"They could have raised you not to spray graffiti in the middle of a hotel corridor."
You didn't answer.
Arguing with the janitor was the last thing you wanted to do.
Right now, you needed to think about your sketch.
You leaned against the low wall, looking out over the city and absent-mindedly playing with the lollipop in your mouth.
It was an industrial city, a beautiful one, and it would have been even more beautiful if more attention had been paid to preserving its heritage. Like the hotel building, for example. It had probably once been part of a textile factory, and after being remodelled, it didn't look as though anyone had bothered to take care of it properly.
Oh.
Wait a minute.
You turned towards the janitor and walked over to him.
"Can I ask you something?"
"I'm not giving you the cleaning spray back. Not until I find out where they sell it."
"It wasn't about that. You can keep it, for all I care. I've got plenty more."
"Shoot."
"This building used to be part of a factory, didn't it?"
"Yeah. A textile factory. My family worked there."
Right.
Now you understood at least part of his obsession with cleanliness.
"Oh..." You hesitated. "Wow. I'm really sorry I painted the floor."
"A sincere apology?" His eyebrows lifted slightly. "Well, it took you long enough."
"Hey, in my defence, I knew perfectly well it could be cleaned. I make a mess when I paint too, and I have to make sure I don't leave anything behind. Otherwise, they take the cost of cleaning the crane or the site out of my pay."
"Good. They should."
You stared at him.
"You're supposed to feel sorry for me."
"Tch."
That was apparently the closest thing to sympathy you were going to get.
Moving a little closer to where he was sitting, you asked if you could sit beside him.
"Can I sit?"
"Do whatever you want."
"I'll take that as a yes," you said with a smile.
"Tch."
You sat down, leaving a little over a metre between you. You didn't want to assume a familiarity you certainly hadn't earned.
"A textile factory, huh? There must have been a watermill by the river. It must have been beautiful." You looked out over the city. "It's a shame there are so many historic buildings in this city that aren't properly taken care of."
The janitor shot you a hostile look.
"All the heritage buildings in this city are taken care of."
You turned to him, surprised by the sharpness in his voice.
"Just not by the people they're supposed to be cared for by," he continued. "The cleaning and maintenance staff do what we can, but all we have are our own hands to look after them. There's no budget allocated for proper maintenance, and no funding for more staff."
"I see. What a shame."
"Do you really see it, painter?"
You looked at him.
"Every building that isn't properly funded for maintenance is just waiting to be demolished. Sooner or later, some company will come along wanting to build a shopping centre or a housing development. They'll point at the neglect, call it an excuse, tear the place down, and walk away without a second thought."
"So it's titan capitalism that's going to put an end to years of historical memory. Hmmm."
"Exactly."
Your eyes lit up with excitement.
"Want a lollipop?"
"What?"
"If you want one."
"...Of course I don't."
"Hehe. I bet you've never even had one."
"Tch."
Without giving it a second thought, you leaned closer and kissed him softly.
He didn't kiss you back. But he didn't pull away either.
For one brief moment, he simply remained there, perfectly still, allowing you to close the distance between you. You gently brushed your tongue over his lower lip, letting him taste the sweetness of the lollipop.
His eyebrows lifted slightly, genuine surprise flickering across his face.
You pulled away before he could say anything.
"Thank you very much!"
"Hey, you!" His voice finally caught up with him. "What the hell was in that lollipop that made you suddenly get possessed by a demon?"
"Nothing! It was just a lollipop!"
And with that, you hurried back to your room.
You had a sketch to start. And finish.
Behind you, Levi remained on the rooftop, staring at the door you'd just disappeared through.
Wisteria and the Flame ~ Chapter 20: The shovel girl
Thank you all for this 1000 hearts!!! Here goes an advanced chapter!
N/A: This fic takes place in the world of KNY, but I’ve made a few changes, so it won’t follow the canon story exactly, and the world may work a little differently from the manga and anime.
* Reader x Rengoku. Slow burn
*MDNI + *You must be +18 to follow or interact
*KNY characters and KNY world belong to it's rightful owner.
Before you entered the main building, you went to check on the estate’s supplies of coal and firewood. You thanked god it was well provided for a few days. Then you went to Shinobu.
“Please, don’t let anyone out after sunset this days, the weather is going to change”
“Yes, I heard it when you told it to Rengoku-san. You seem pretty worried about it.”
“Oh, I… well, I prefer to be well provided.”
“Dear, we know each other well enough by now, don't we? Does it have to do with something in your past? Your mother’s loss? The temple?”
You sighed. She didn’t miss a thing.
“Can we talk in private?”
“Of course”
-
Shinobu’s room was cozy and beautifully ornamented. Simple but elegant. The first time you got inside you thought you would be happy to live in a small house with a room like that.
“So, what are you so worried about?”
“Demons” Your answer came right away.
“We can handle them, and now there’s not only Kanao and me here to defend all of us” she winked.
“I know.”
“But?”
“But… well, you were right, it was a personal fear.”
“I see…”
“The night I lost everything… it was a winter night, about… seven or eight years ago. The weather had changed suddenly that day. I feel as if it will happen again.” you looked trough the window. “I know we are well protected, and winter is full of days like that, but, still, the safe house that day was well protected too and…”
“It burned down”
“Yes” Your gaze never left the window “I was fetching coal because inside they had run out of it”
“Then how could it burn down?”
“I don’t know, it just did.”
“Did you see any demons?”
“Yes.” You frowned. “Just one. I don't remember if there were any others.”
You stared at the floor.
“I only remember the feeling. The mist… It swallowed everything, like a hungry void coming for all of us.”
Shinobu remained silent.
“...What happened to you?”
Your lips parted.
“…The kind girl she was the only one that cared about me, always asking gently if I needed something or if I wanted to play with them.” Your voice faltered. They were playing hide-and-seek that afternoon.”
A faint smile crossed your face before disappearing just as quickly.
“She hid in the coal shed…I remember thinking it was the perfect hiding place.”
Silence.
“Later… I went there to fetch coal.”
Your fingers tightened around the teacup.
“…There was a voice… It called me.” Your breathing became uneven. “I grabbed the shovel…and went outside.”
You swallowed.
“…When I found her…” The words refused to come.
“…There was… She was...”
Your eyes widened.
“…The demon… It hit me.”
You shut your eyes.
“…I don't… I don't want to remember.”
“Dear, you are pale. It’s ok if you are not ready to talk about it.” Shinobu put her hand on yours, and you realized that you had been talking without thinking.
“It’s Okay… Rengoku-san told me that Kanroji-san had a crow call, I hope he is okay.”
“Oh, Mitsuri is stronger than she seems! Besides, Obanai is always covering her tracks just in case. Don’t tell her that by the way… she winked.
Shinobu gave your hand a gentle squeeze.
"Thank you."
You looked at her in confusion.
"For trusting me with that."
-
After dinner, Shinobu warned the girls and everyone living at the Estate to avoid going outside after sunset or before sunrise over the next few days.
You went to bed with mixed feelings. Part of you wondered if you were simply being paranoid, just as Mother used to be. But another part… Another part couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen.
Sleep barely came that night. Every time you closed your eyes, you saw the kind girl again. Her smile. The mist. The coal shed.
About an hour before sunrise, you gave up trying to sleep. You got dressed quietly, intending to go for a run while you waited for Kyojuro.
You hoped the fresh morning air would be enough to quiet your mind.
-
Not wanting to run too far from the Estate, you chose a northern trail that formed a loop, always bringing you back close to the main grounds. Your attention never left your surroundings.
One hand hovered near the hilt of your sword, ready to draw it at the slightest sign of danger.
You were halfway through the circuit, the thick mist swallowing the trees around you, when a caw cut through the silence.
“Emergency! Emergency! Demons at the southern safe house! Emergency!”
You didn't hesitate.
Turning sharply, you took the nearest path leading south, pushing yourself into a full sprint.
“No… Please… Not again.”
You ran as fast as you could. The closer you got, the brighter an orange glow became through the mist. Your breath caught. You ran even faster, your lungs burning in the freezing dawn air.
Then… You stopped. Only a few dozen meters away.
Panic swept through your entire body.
Flames. Towering flames. A haori the color of fire.
Your vision blurred. Your knees nearly gave way.
"Oi!" Rough hands grabbed your shoulders. "Oi! Stay with me!" Someone shook you hard. Through the haze, a familiar scarred face came into focus.
"...Shinazugawa… It…" Your voice trembled. "...The safe house… It's burning..."
Sanemi frowned for half a second before realizing what you were seeing.
"Tch. Those are Rengoku's flames, dumbass." He gave your shoulder one last shake. "You've seen them before."
His voice turned sharp. “Pull yourself together. They need our help.”
Before you could answer, he disappeared in a flash of green.
“Breathe.”
Kyojuro's voice from the mountain hut echoed in your mind.
“Breathe.”
You drew a slow breath. Then another. And another. Your heartbeat gradually steadied.
You tightened your grip around your sword.
Then you leapt toward the battlefield.
-
You landed on the roof of the safe house.
Smoke drifted across the courtyard. The building was still standing firm. Relief hit you so suddenly your knees almost weakened. It wasn't burning. Not really. Only one corner of the roof had caught fire where Kyojuro's flames had struck a demon moments before, and with a simple windblow it was extinguished.
There were more demons than you expected. Kyojuro's blade traced arcs of fire. Shinazugawa was already on the ground, cutting through two lesser demons and ready to attack two more. Behind them, in the annexed buildings, Kanroji and the Serpent Hashira were fighting together.
Several Kakushi were already evacuating the civilians.
Then...
A child's cry echoed from inside the safe house.
Without thinking, you vaulted through an upper window.
The moment your feet touched the wooden floor, the sounds of battle outside seemed to fade away.
Smoke lingered in the corridors.
"Hello?" you called, trying to keep your voice steady. "Where are you?"
"Help!"
The frightened voice was small, muffled.
"I can't get out!"
"Where are you?" you shouted back.
"I'm hiding!"
"Where?"
"Down the stairs."
You rushed downstairs. There was no one. Only a trail with small drops of blood scattered across the wooden floor. Something had dragged a small body away.
Your stomach dropped. You ran after the trail that lead outside the main building from the back of the house, searching frantically for the child.
Where are you?" you shouted again.
"Outside!" The child's voice broke into a sob. "He caught me! Please! It hurts… I don't want to die!"
"I can't see you!"
"The coal shed!"
...
The coal shed. Your blood ran cold. No. Not there. Not again.
You got there in seconds. The child lay crumpled against the wall of the shed, one small hand still reaching toward the doorway.
For one dreadful heartbeat, all you saw was another silhouette standing before the coal shed.
Then it moved. It was a demon. Tall and unnaturally thin, its head grotesquely oversized, as though its body had never been meant to carry it.
“Coal and blood,
blood and coal,
the nicest scent in the worrrrld”
The demon sang with his rusty broken voice.
“Wisteria Breathing, First Form: Amputation.”
Your blade cut through the air.
The demon bent backwards with impossible flexibility, its spine folding like soft rubber as the slash missed by inches.
It giggled. “Wisteria…” Its huge grin stretched even wider. “Ohhh... I knew there was another smell here…” It sniffed the air greedily. “What a lovely surprise! I had the feeling something was missing, yet here you are! The demon tilted its oversized head, sniffing deeply as it swayed from side to side.
"Smoke and flames...
Wisteria and fear...
Fresh blood to tear awaaaay...
Marked little flower...
Never fade...
Lord Muzan said...
Bring her one daaaay…"
The demon stopped singing.
Its oversized head tilted slowly.
"...You grew."
You froze. It couldn’t be… Your mind flooded with memories all at once.
"...You…"
"...You're the little shovel girl." He smiled.
With a furious cry, you lunged at the demon, striking wildly, barely aware that your sword was now in your left hand. Your marked arm burned with rage… and with a hunger that wasn't entirely your own.
The demon cackled.
"You smelled sweeter back then!"
A crimson slash burst from its claws, forcing you back.
You were already pushing off the ground to charge again when a firm hand caught your arm.
"Wait."
Kyojuro stood beside you.
His grip was steady.
"Don't let it reach your heart."
"He killed her, she was only ten! I don't care if it reaches my heart as long as this bastard dies!"
The demon laughed madly
"Only ten…" It licked its lips. "The sweetest ones."
Kyojuro’s grip hardened.
“Look at me, look at me!” he yelled in front of you.
You did, already half out of your mind.
His grip never loosened.
"...Please."
Please.
The mountain clearing beneath the wisterias. The first time he'd stopped you from collapsing.
The Butterfly Estate. The ruined mountain hut after your fight with the Wind Hashira.
Always that same "please."
Never demanding. Never doubting.
Simply believing you still could choose.
Please.
“Wisteria breathing, combinated form: Unseen Amputation.” A bright light mixed in white and purple covered the demon. You vanished inside the white-and-violet glow. and the blow reached it’s neck. The head rolled across the ground.
You followed it. Again. And again. And again. Your blade hacked through what remained of its neck long after it had stopped moving. You weren't looking for the right place to cut. You simply couldn't allow it to rise again.
“That’s enough” Kyojuro said calmly.
You kept cutting.
“You did it, i’ts over.”
You cut it two times more.
"Oi." The wind Hashira was standing behind you "...It's already dead."
Kyojuro stepped by your side and gently took your hand. And it made you stop.
With one final kick, you sent the severed head rolling into the first rays of the rising sun.
Here's a little preview of the first chapter! The other chapters might take a little while to come out, but I hope you enjoy this first glimpse into the story!
Couple: Reiner x chubby fem! reader // Reiner x fem!reader.
Warnings: angst, sadness, small violence, and future violence, slow burn, lies
N/A: i would be glad if you read it! Thank you very much!!
Dawn painted the smoke above Wall Maria gold.
The screams had stopped hours ago.
The cannons had fallen silent soon after, leaving behind an eerie stillness that felt almost worse than the chaos before it.
Hundreds of refugees waited in line for a single bowl of watery porridge. It wasn't enough to fill a child's stomach, but there were too many mouths to feed and far too little food left to spare.
The silence was broken only by the occasional scuffle over food and children crying themselves to sleep. Everyone else spoke in hushed whispers, wept in silence, or simply stared at the ground.
The porridge was so thin it barely smelled like food.
"Come on, smile a little," the girl tending the steaming pot said.
She stirred the pot with exaggerated seriousness.
"You're making the porridge nervous. It already has enough water in it. It doesn't need tears too."
An old man let out an exasperated scoff.
A little boy giggled before hiding his face behind his bowl.
The girl smiled at him as though she had just won a battle.
Halfway down the line, a blond boy watched the exchange, his bowl cradled in both hands.
He had expected to find monsters behind the Walls.
Instead, he found a girl making a child laugh while the world still burned.
For the first time since crossing the Walls, he didn't know what to think.
She greeted each refugee with the same warm smile, restless despite the large queue of refugees that stretched around the corner and continued down the main road.
When his turn came, he almost didn't notice.
"Next."
The blond boy was lost in his thoughts.
“Reiner, it’s your turn” said a tall black-haired boy behind him.
He stepped forward without a word.
She filled his bowl and dropped the last piece of bread on top before glancing up.
Her smile faltered for the briefest moment.
"You look exhausted."
Before he could answer, she smiled again.
"Eat slowly. It won't taste any better if you rush."
He left the line holding the bowl with both hands. Before he knew it, he glanced over his shoulder.
She was still there, serving bowl after bowl with the same warm smile on her face.
He turned away and disappeared into the crowd.
Yet for the rest of the day, whenever he closed his eyes, he saw the girl smiling behind the steaming pot.
--
Days after the fall of Wall Maria, the atmosphere in the cities was bleak. Many mourned their dead, while others wandered aimlessly, with no home to return to and nothing left to their name.
Tensions ran high. There were not enough homes, not enough food, and not enough supplies to go around. Scarcity brought out the worst in people, sparking fights over food, sleeping arrangements, or the simple injustice of some having survived while others had not.
Reiner was somewhat shaken by the scale of the destruction they had caused, but he was also satisfied. Their mission had gone perfectly. They were now infiltrated, and the devils of Paradis were beginning to suffer the consequences of their betrayal against Marley.
Now they only had to wait and follow the orders they had been given as Warriors.
The girl from the food line continued handing out rations with her usual smile and terrible jokes. By now, people had grown accustomed to her, and some even played along.
Others, however, had no qualms about insulting her or taking advantage of her youth in an attempt to get a larger portion of food.
Whenever that happened, the Garrison troops would replace her with a broad-shouldered adult with a permanently sour expression—the kind of man no one dared argue with. The girl would then be sent to the sleeping quarters, where she handed out blankets and whatever supplies might be useful to the refugees.
In the end, though, they always sent her back to distribute food.
People knew she was generous whenever she could afford to be, and despite the fact that the circumstances were hardly ideal for her peculiar sense of humor, the refugees often asked for her to come back.
Somehow, the girl with the terrible jokes had become a small, familiar source of comfort in the middle of the ruin.
Wherever she went, she always seemed cheerful. Before long, she had begun bringing that cheerfulness to the youngest refugees as well, earning grateful smiles and occasional thanks from the adults in charge of them. She had a way of keeping the children entertained, giving them a few precious moments in which they could forget the tragedy surrounding them.
Reiner was tying his boots when he heard her.
She was wandering from one side of the room to the other with a blanket draped over her head.
"Ooooooh! Ooooooh! I am the Ghost of Tickles! Ooooooh! I'm going to get you all!"
She let out an exaggerated cackle.
"Ahahahaha!"
The children squealed with laughter, running circles around her. Even some of the adults couldn't help but smile.
Then, in a moment of clumsiness, she wandered a little too close to Reiner, tripped over him, and went tumbling to the floor.
Reiner opened his mouth to scold her.
Before he could say a word, the children pounced on her, delighted that they had finally caught the ghost.
She had probably hurt herself in the fall, but she kept laughing and carried on with the performance.
"Nooo! They've caught me! Ahahahaha! I can't move! Ahahahaha!"
With so many children piling onto her, the blanket eventually slipped from her head, leaving her sprawled on the floor.
Her hair was a complete mess, and her skirt had ridden up higher than it should have. But the morning sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating her smiling face as she hugged the children and encouraged them to return to their parents.
Reiner completely forgot what he had been about to say.
When the last child finally ran off, she looked at him, suddenly embarrassed.
"I'm sorry. I hope I didn't hurt you too badly. I'll be more careful next time, I promise."
She immediately began helping him straighten the nearby beds, which had been knocked out of place during the game.
"You don't have to do that." Reiner said, irritated.
She looked up.
"Do what?"
"Keep smiling."
For once, she didn't have an answer immediately.
Then she smiled again.
"I know."
She picked up the last pillow from the floor.
"That's why I do it."
Reiner was at a loss for words.
He had started to think that she was just a silly, funny girl who wasn't particularly bright. But her eyes were intelligent. Determined. Steady.
She smiled because she chose to.
How could she do that in the middle of such devastation?
Marley was at war. They needed help. Reiner couldn't remember ever seeing anyone there worry about making children laugh while their country was caught in a war. Marley trained future soldiers.
Helping others wasn't something you did because you wanted to. It was your duty.
But here, in Paradis, this girl was slowly teaching people how to smile again.
And no one had ordered her to do it.
And yet, somehow, she was giving them hope again.
--
Reiner was taking a walk through the silent streets of the refugee district at dawn.
He couldn't sleep.
Guilt kept him awake, his thoughts torn between the Warrior and the boy, tormenting him with questions of right and wrong. And the worst part was that, in Marley, the line between the two had always seemed so clear.
Here, in Paradis, it had become blurred beyond recognition.
Halfway down the street, on his way back to the dormitory building, he thought he heard voices.
He turned the corner and saw her.
Two older boys were roughing her up, one of them gripping the collar of her shirt.
"Give us the food, you fat cow!"
"I don't have any food, you idiots!"
"What do you mean, you don't? Look at you! You probably take half the rations for yourself and your family!"
"I eat the same as everyone else! I'd never steal anything!"
"I don't believe you. You probably can't even fit through a doorway! Bet your mother's even fatter than you!"
"Don't you dare mention my mother, you creep!"
She drove her knee into his groin.
"Hey! You two!"
The boys froze.
"Garrison soldiers! Shit, run!"
The two boys took off running.
"Are you all right?" one of the soldiers asked her.
New fanfic coming! First chapter in the next post!! But first, I would like say something about it.
N/A:
I wrote this story with a chubby reader in mind, but the story itself won't revolve around her body or mention it very often, because that's not the main focus. Her being chubby is simply one aspect of her character, not what defines her or the story.
I know some readers might be thinking, "I'm not chubby, so this isn't for me," but that's not the case at all! Just like with my Rengoku story, I won't be describing her specific features or appearance in detail, so I hope everyone can still see themselves in her and connect with the story.
That said, her body will be acknowledged from time to time. There may be moments where her weight affects how others treat her, where she feels insecure about it, or where it comes up naturally as part of her journey. But those moments won't be the focus of the story, and they won't define her character.
I actually ran a poll for this story, and the majority of readers voted for a chubby reader, which is why I've decided to write her that way. But that doesn't mean the story is going to be about her weight or her body. It's simply one characteristic of the protagonist, while the romance, the plot, and her journey remain at the heart of the story.
Please, give it a chance!!!! Thank you very much!!!
Wisteria and the Flame ~ chapter 19: Sweet afternoon.
N/A: This fic takes place in the world of KNY, but I’ve made a few changes, so it won’t follow the canon story exactly, and the world may work a little differently from the manga and anime.
* Reader x Rengoku. Slow burn
*MDNI + *You must be +18 to follow or interact
*KNY characters and KNY world belong to it's rightful owner.
Kaname arrived only a few minutes after you whistled for him.
He greeted you with a cheerful caw before landing lightly on your forearm and nudging your cheek with his beak. Smiling, you sat beneath the shade of a nearby tree and explained what you needed from him. He listened with surprising attention, tilting his head every now and then as though carefully considering every word.
You had always loved that expression. During the years you had lived in solitude, you had spent countless hours observing both people and animals. It had always saddened you to see how carelessly some people treated the creatures that shared their lives, whether pets or livestock. To truly know an animal, learn its habits, understand the quiet language between you. To care for it until affection grew naturally between your two lives. That was something priceless.
You gave him one last gentle pat and thanked him in advance before watching him disappear into the sky.
Then, remembering something, you hurried toward the kitchen.
-
That afternoon, you spent hours training with your right arm. The pain felt wrong, as though you were making an unnecessary movement or your stance was slightly off, but no matter how hard you looked, you couldn't find the mistake.
Since the fight with the Wind Hashira, you had been reluctant to put a weapon back into your left hand, so you didn't dare mirror the movement to compare it with your right.
“I thought you were left-handed.”
You turned around happily surprised.
“Kyojuro! Good afternoon!”
“Good afternoon, training flame!” he greeted with his usual bright smile.
He watched you repeat the movement a few more times before speaking.
“How long have you been practicing that same cut?”
You stopped, slightly out of breath. “A while.”
“I thought so.” He tilted his head. “It hurts, doesn't it?”
You nodded. “This isn't the usual soreness after training. It's sharper... as though one specific movement is forcing my body into an angle it wasn't meant to take.”
Kyojuro smiled. “Exactly. I'm glad you noticed.”
He walked closer. “Then why not try the movement with your left hand and compare the two?”
Your expression fell.
“I…”
Your eyes lowered to the ground.
“…I'm not ready to trust my left hand with a sword.”
Kyojuro's smile softened.
“…I see.”
Without saying another word, he gently took your left hand. His thumb brushed lightly over the bandages covering the place where the mark rested.
You froze. “...You shouldn't do that.” Your voice came out barely above a whisper. “Please.”
He looked at you, genuinely confused.
“Why?”
You gently placed your hand over his.
“You know why.”
Kyojuro shook his head. “No.” He looked at you with the same unwavering honesty as always. “I know you shouldn't be afraid. Fear makes us act irrationally. Don't misunderstand me.” His voice softened. “I would treat it with respect…but never with fear.” His gaze fell briefly to your bandaged arm before returning to your eyes. “It's your body. You bear the mark. The mark should never bear you.”
He exhaled slowly.
“We've both seen what happens when people let fear rule them.”
You lowered your gaze. “...It's not that easy.”
“I never said it was.” His voice remained warm. “I can't even begin to imagine what it's like to bear that burden.” His eyes drifted to the bandages around your arm. “But it rests on your arm.” He looked back at you.
“Don't let it reach your heart.”
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves above you, neither of you broke the silence. Your eyes searched his, desperately looking for hope. His held nothing but quiet certainty.
No one had ever spoken to you like that before, as though the mark and you were not the same thing. To everyone else, they always had been. You felt your eyes sting with unshed tears. Before they could betray you, you quickly changed the subject.
“...So… Do you know how I should be doing that cut?”
Kyojuro's face lit up. “Of course I do! Here, let me show you!” He handed you your practice sword before stepping closer.
He stopped just behind you. “May I?”
You nodded.
With gentle, careful movements, he adjusted your grip around the hilt before guiding your wrist and elbow into place. Then he corrected your shoulders. Your hips. Finally, your feet. You felt a slight goosebump at his gentle touch.
“There. Now try again.” He said softly near your ear.
His warmth lingered even after he stepped back. Somehow, the afternoon air felt colder without him standing so close.
You tried again several times, and the pain quickly disappeared. You kept practicing under Kyojuro's attentive gaze. He watched you with quiet satisfaction as each repetition became smoother than the last. So pleased to see you improve so quickly, he didn't notice Shinobu approaching until she spoke.
Shinobu watched the two of you for a moment before smiling to herself.
“Rengoku-san...”
“Yes?”
“Do you need a bib?”
He blinked. “...What?”
“Nothing.” She let out a quiet laugh. “Good afternoon, Rengoku-san. I see you're training her as well.”
“Good afternoon!” Kyojuro replied cheerfully. “What do you mean by as well?”
“She went running with Shinazugawa this morning.”
“WHAT?”
You jumped. Your concentration shattered, and your practice sword slipped from your fingers, landing on the ground with a dull thud. You looked from Kyojuro to Shinobu in confusion. Whatever she had just said had clearly surprised him.
Knowing Shinobu...
You sincerely hoped she wasn't talking about you. Those hopes vanished the moment Kyojuro looked at you in disbelief.
“…You went running…With Shinazugawa?”
“...Oh.” You blinked, leaving the sword and getting close to them. “Yes. Early this morning.”
Kyojuro looked genuinely puzzled. “…Why didn't you ask me?”
You frowned, just as confused by the question.
“…Because he was already there.” You shrugged. “I almost bumped into him at the crossroads on the southern trail.”
“You still can ask me for tomorrow”
“Why?”
Beside you, a strange sound escaped Shinobu, as though she had almost choked on her tea.
An awkward silence fell between you two. Kyojuro opened his mouth as he wanted to reply, but nothing came out.
“N...nevermind… just keep practising, i didn’t want to bother you…”
You went back confused, with the feeling you had missed something you should have understood.
Shinobu slowly headed to the main building into the kitchen, looking at the ceiling and leaving her cup on the table. “These two are going to be the death of me”
-
After finishing your training, when the training grounds had grown quiet, you sat beside Kyojuro, letting the gentle breeze quiet your thoughts.
“Are you free to go running tomorrow morning?”
“Oh?”
“You told me to ask you, so I ask.”
“Of course I am!” He laughed. “I'd love to!”
“Then at sunrise?”
“Fine! I’ll come for you at sunrise!”
“Done then.”
“So,” he asked, “what did you decide about Oyakata-sama's request?”
“I said yes.” You smiled faintly. “I'm not exactly eager to meet a demon, but... if Oyakata-sama trusts her, and all of you trust Oyakata-sama... then I'll give her a chance.”
His smile softened.
“I'm glad.”
A comfortable silence settled between you.
“Thank you for letting me borrow Kaname to deliver the message.”
“You can borrow him whenever you like!” Kyojuro replied cheerfully. “He was so excited when you called for him. He kept saying, “Pretty girl called me! Pretty girl called me!”
He burst into laughter.
“Ouch…” You immediately covered your face with both hands, cheeks burning.
“You're blushing again!” He tilted his head innocently. “Did he say something wrong?”
“…Oh, shut up.”
He laughed even harder.
The afternoon breeze continued to swirl around the training grounds, carrying a colder edge than before.
“It feels like the weather is about to change,” you murmured.
You could already feel the temperature dropping. Frost had begun to gather on the plants despite yesterday's warmth.
Kyojuro looked up at the sky.
“Do you think so? I don't like snowstorms.”
“Neither do I…” Your thoughts wandered, uninvited, to the kind girl from the temple.
The weather had changed that day as well.
“…We should stay indoors for a while.” You spoke almost absentmindedly. “And make sure there's enough coal and firewood.”
“…Yes.” He looked at you for a long moment. “You know…” “Sometimes it's difficult to tell whether your mind is here…” He smiled gently. “…or somewhere far away.”
You suddenly clutched his hand.
“Please.” You looked straight into his eyes. “Whatever happens... don't let Senjuro go outside.”
He didn't ask why. He simply closed his hand around yours. “I promise.”
Then he stood.
“I'll head home now... just in case.”
“…Ah—wait!”
You hurried toward the kitchen and returned moments later carrying a rather heavy leather bag.
You held it out to him.
“This is for you.”
Kyojuro blinked.
“For me?”
Then the aroma reached him. His eyes lit up.
“OH!! Did you made these?”
You nodded
“…Yes.”
A shy smile appeared on your face.
“To thank you... for everything you've done for me.”
I know I still have Levi unfinished, sorry about that! I haven't abandoned it, though! I'll finish it someday, sooner or later >__< The Captain is just a little harder for me to write ~~^____^~~
When you arrived at the train station, it was so crowded that you were afraid you wouldn't be able to find your host. All you had was their surname: Braun. It would've been nice if someone had at least told you what they looked like.
Luckily, you were wearing your painting clothes, so they would be able to recognize you. You looked around until you spotted a small handwritten sign with your name on it.
Finding your host had been easier than you'd expected.
But when you looked at the man holding the sign, your heart skipped a beat.
Tall. Fit. Blond, with short hair. Handsome… No. Sexy! Definitely sexy.
"Are you Mr. Braun?"
"Yes, that's me. Pleased to meet you!" he replied, a shy smile spreading across his face as a faint blush colored his cheeks.
He was young. Younger than you'd expected, anyway. Only a few years older than you.
You shook his hand. His grip was firm—strong hands, the kind that clearly belonged to someone who was used to hard work. You loved this kind of hands.
"May I help you?" he asked, reaching for your suitcase.
"Thank you! I'm used to carrying it myself, though."
"But you must be tired. Please, let me."
You reluctantly handed it over.
Well...
You certainly weren't going to complain.
Your eyes followed the movement of his arms as he lifted the suitcase, watching the muscles in his forearms flex beneath his sleeves.
You quickly looked away before he could catch you staring.
-
The drive to his house was surprisingly pleasant. The scenery was beautiful, a city surrounded by quaint houses, with the countryside stretching beyond it.
Mr. Braun lived on the outskirts of the city, where the houses were charming and the landscape felt more rural than urban.
"They delivered the scissor lift early this morning," he explained. "But they left it at the entrance to the property. If you need it, we can call them and have them move it closer to the wall."
"Oh, that's not necessary. I'm used to working with these kinds of lifts. I can handle it myself."
"Really? Good!" He smiled. "Your supplies haven't arrived yet, though. I hope that won't be a problem."
"Not at all. First, I'd like to talk to you. I want to ask you a few questions so I can make my sketch better suited to what you have in mind, Mr. Braun."
"Oh, if we're going to be spending a whole week together, you can just call me Reiner."
-
When you arrived at the house, Reiner showed you to your room and gave you a tour of the rest of the house. He had moved upstairs so you could have the entire ground floor to yourself while you worked.
It was a cozy country house, clearly built for a family. You could imagine parents living on the ground floor while their children occupied the rooms upstairs.
The garden was large and filled with plants, colorful flowers, and trees. Behind the house, where you were going to paint the back wall, stretched a wide, empty piece of land.
"You have a beautiful house, Reiner! It's so charming!"
"Thank you." His gaze grew distant for a moment. "It belonged to my mother."
There was a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Oh..." You glanced around the house again. "She must have been a lovely woman. She certainly had exquisite taste. Everything feels so warm and cozy."
Reiner smiled faintly.
"She did."
There was something in the way he said it that made you realize there was a story behind those two words. You didn't ask. Not yet.
-
You went to check on the lift, took the key from behind the platform and got ready to move it to the back of the property.
“Have you ever gone up a scissor lift, Reiner?”
“Nope, never.”
“Come on, get up, it’s funny!” You smiled.
“I wouldn’t mind, I’m not afraid of heights… but we both would need a harness, don’t we?”
You smiled mischievously.
“Technically... but i’m only going to move it, I won’t lift the platform, I swear.”
“Then I swear I would keep my mouth shut” He replied smiling back.
You turned the key in the ignition, and the lift slowly began to move.
Reiner stood close by your side, watching with great interest as you operated the controls.
His scent suddenly caught your attention. He smelled like one of your favorite men's shampoos and shower gels. He must have showered before coming to meet you.
A rather lustful image suddenly popped into your mind. You quickly turned your face away, hoping he hadn't noticed the way your cheeks had warmed.
And then...
Bump.
You hadn't noticed the small pothole in the ground. The lift jolted slightly as one of its wheels rolled over it. Nothing dangerous, but enough to startle you. Before you could react, Reiner's arm wrapped around your waist, pulling you against him and keeping you from losing your balance.
"Whoa! That was unexpected!"
"Yeah, I didn't see that coming!" you replied, still very aware of how warm and comforting his arms felt around you.
"Careful. There might be more potholes around here. I still have to plow this part."
"Are you going to grow a vegetable garden? You're going to plow all of this yourself? That's quite a lot!"
"Yeah. I like the countryside. It's quieter, and I love having somewhere I can clear my mind. Maybe I'll get some chickens... and a sheep or two."
"That sounds lovely!"
"Yeah..." His voice softened.
You glanced at him.
"That's what my mother wanted, too."
-
You left the lift where it was and went back inside the house, since your supplies wouldn't arrive until the afternoon.
You picked up your tablet and stylus and started sketching human figures, trying to get some ideas for the mural.
You were so lost in your thoughts that you barely noticed the time passing.
Then, a delicious smell caught your attention.
You set your drawing tools down on the wooden table and followed the scent into the kitchen.
Reiner was there, preparing lunch.
A pot of soup simmered on the stove, while several beautifully grilled steaks waited on a plate.
"Wow... that smells amazing."
Reiner glanced over his shoulder.
"You're hungry?"
"Starving."
You quickly joined him, helping with the salad. You felt a little guilty for not having gone to help him earlier.
For dessert, he had made an apple pie using apples from the tree in his front garden.
"I made it yesterday. It's my favorite. I hope you like it."
You took a bite. Your eyes widened.
"It's delicious! Reiner, you're a great cook!"
He rubbed the back of his neck, smiling shyly.
"Thank you!"
You looked at him for a moment. Certainly, that man was husband material. Whoever married him would be very lucky!
-
"So, what did you have in mind for the wall? Tell me about it. You said you wanted to honor your mother, right?"
The two of you were sitting on a cozy sofa in a cool corner of the living room, each holding a cup of tea.
"Yes."
Reiner took a quiet breath.
"I don't remember my father. He abandoned us when I was just a child."
His gaze lowered to his tea.
"My mother was the one who raised me. She worked two jobs at a time just to pay for my education."
He paused for a moment.
"I joined the military when I was young. One day, we were attacked by the enemy, and I had to come home early after suffering several injuries and severe PTSD."
You remained silent, listening.
"I spent some time in a psychiatric hospital. The doctors said I would never be the same again."
His fingers tightened slightly around his cup.
"But my mother never gave up on me."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"She kept paying for my treatment and rehabilitation, and when I finally came home, she took care of me herself."
He looked around the room.
"To pay the medical bills, she had to sell part of the land around the house and rent out the upper floor to a family."
His gaze wandered toward the window, toward the garden outside.
"After I was discharged, I found a job. It took me years, but eventually, I managed to buy back the land we'd lost."
He smiled softly.
"And... well. Here I am."
You stared at him for a moment.
"What an incredible woman."
Your smile softened.
"And so are you."
Reiner blinked.
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
You gently placed your cup on the table.
"What you've both been through... it's incredible. The fact that you managed to rebuild your life after everything that happened to you..."
You smiled at him.
"That's not just inspiring, Reiner. That's resilience."
The doorbell rang.
Your supplies from your sponsor had finally arrived.
You went to help Reiner carry the paint cans and other materials inside. Once everything was safely stored, he returned to his own chores while you organized your supplies and worked on the final sketch.
After dinner, you finally showed it to him.
The mural depicted a mother gently cupping her teenage son's face in her hands, their foreheads touching as he leaned into her embrace.
They were standing inside a white room with thin beige stripes along the walls, reminiscent of a hospital room.
Through the window behind them, however, there was another scene.
A house surrounded by a lush garden, with a vegetable patch stretching behind it.
Reiner's house.
The home he had spent years rebuilding.
The two images blended seamlessly together: a mother comforting her injured son in a hospital room, and the home they had fought so hard to reclaim waiting for them beyond the window.
Reiner didn't say a word for a long moment.
Then, barely above a whisper, he muttered:
"Sorry."
You watched him head toward the front door and disappear outside.
You didn't follow him immediately.
You were used to seeing people react to your work in all sorts of ways. Some cried. Some laughed. Some simply stood in silence, unable to find the right words.
But this time was different.
This time, the story behind the painting had touched you, too.
You told yourself to leave him alone for the night and check on him in the morning.
But something in your heart wouldn't let you. You wanted to find Reiner. You wanted to know he was okay.
So you headed outside to look for him.
You found him sitting beneath the apple tree, his back resting against the trunk.
"I'm sorry."
You stopped a few feet away.
"For what?"
"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"You didn't."
"Then why did you leave?"
Reiner looked back at the house.
"Because you made me remember something I thought I'd forgotten."
"Your mother?"
He nodded.
"No one had ever seen her like that before."
You smiled softly.
"I did."
He looked at you.
"I wanted everyone to see her the way you remember her."
"You know, before you came here, I looked through your portfolio. I love your work. You have a gift for seeing people for who they truly are. It's like you can look into their hearts and bring them to life on the walls."
"That's... a very beautiful way of describing my work."
Reiner got to his feet.
"It's what I see when I look at it."
You smiled softly.
"Thank you. I hope you'll like the final result, too."
"I'm sure I will."
He smiled at you.
"I already like the artist."
You raised an eyebrow.
"The artist, huh?"
His cheeks turned slightly pink.
"Yes."
"Just the artist?"
Reiner stared at you for a second, suddenly looking as if he'd walked straight into a trap.
"I..."
You laughed.
"Relax, Mr. Braun. I'm teasing you."
He gave you a playful look.
“Are you?”
Then he gently cupped your face in his hands, his lips brushing against yours as if asking for permission.
And you gave it to him.
You both melted into a deep, tender kiss.
--
It had been an amazing week.
Working hard during the day, loving each other passionately at night.
Reiner’s hands were gentle, his expert touch learnt soon where were your most sensitive spots and he never missed an oportunity in teasing and stimulating them. The chemistry between you was undeniable.
You both worked hard and took pride in what you did—you with your mural, and him with his home. You seemed to fall naturally into the same routines, sharing your meals and resting at the same time. And how playful and affectionate were you both in bed.
“Reiner” You laughed after the last orgasm noticing he was still hard. “I have to work tomorrow or I won’t finish on time.”
“And you want your host to be pleased, don’t you?”
“Oh? Is he not?” you said scribbling with your fingers a smiley in his abs.
He laughed.
“Hmm...not completely, I think…”
“Not completely huh? And what can I do to fix that?”
“Come here!”
And the sunrise was welcomed with laughs and moans.
-
The next day, you put the finishing touches on the mural and signed your work.
Reiner was sitting on the ground in front of it, staring at the finished piece.
When you approached him, you realized he was crying.
"Hey..."
"It's... it's so beautiful."
His voice broke, and he wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand.
"I wish my mother were here to see it. She would have loved it."
He let out a shaky breath, a couple of quiet sobs escaping him.
You sat down beside him.
"I think she would have loved it, too."
Reiner looked at you.
"How do you know?"
You smiled.
"Because I know you."
His eyes filled with tears again.
"And because..." You glanced at the mural. "I feel now I know her a little, too.”
You hugged him, letting him cry against your shoulder.
-
At the train station, you kissed goodbye as though you were a married couple rather than two people who had only known each other for a week.
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too. But you know you can come back whenever you want. It's your home too, now."
"I see..." You smiled sadly. "But you're such a handsome, good man. You're going to find some nice girl who lives nearby, has a normal job, and before you know it, you'll have forgotten all about me."
"I'll never forget you. I have your signature and your art on my back wall..." He winked. "And I'm not exactly in a hurry to settle down."
"Well, you have my phone number. And I'm the one who sends you kitty pictures saying good morning every day!"
"Ooh, you're not getting rid of me that easily!" he said, pulling you into a tight hug as you laughed.
"Take care, Reiner. It was a pleasure meeting you."
"It was a pleasure meeting you too. Take care, and text me from time to time! No kitties!" he said, poking you playfully in the waist.
"Okay, no kitties. But I will text you more often than from time to time." You winked.
And you knew you'd visit him every now and then, too.
I was thinking about a larger fic about that.. I know reader being a scout is a cliché, but as a chubby girl I always wondered if I she could make it. Chubby girls also deserve to be warriors ;)
Do you want a Reiner x chubby reader/oc long fic?
Yes, Reiner x chubby reader
Yes, Reiner x OC
No way, just short fluffs
Voting ended onJul 6
You lay in Reiner’s arms, exhausted after several orgasms in a mix of rough and soft sex. One of his hands caressing your neck and scalp. The other resting in your waist toward your ass. Breathing calmly the fragance of your shampoo, mixed with your body and the scent of sex.
“Rei, are you sure you’re okay? I’m crushing you…”
“I’m okay doll, you know I adore to have you on me. Besides, this muscles don’t get crushed easily” He says, tenderly kissing your forehead.
“Hmm… with this gorgeous fit body and training skills i’m sure you’re going to survive if titans attack us again” you say flatly. “I’ll be dead in seconds… bam! nom, nom, nom and there I go” you said in a sarcastic laugh. “Only the good die young” You winked.
He stiffened for a second.
“Please, honey, don’t say that”
“Why not? It’s the truth… that doesn’t mean I won’t fight to survive. But we all have seen what does usually happen in the end.
He puts his arms around your waist and pushes you up, face to face with him. You brush his sweated head and play with it shaping it in funny spikes.
“Look at me, babe.” he said seriously
“I’m looking…” you kissed his forehead, the tip of his nose and finally his mouth, licking softly his upper lip.
“Come on, I’m serious about that”
“I know, Rei, but when life can be that short, being serious is so boring!”
“I will protect you, love. I’m stronger than it seems. I won’t let anything happen to you, trust me.”
“That’s my brave scout!” You kiss him tenderly, bitting his lower lip softly “You know, this uniform suits you sooo well”
He chuckles, while lowering his hands to slightly caress your back, making you purr like a cat.
“My sweet kitty, that uniform would look gorgeous on you too.”
You snorted.
“HA! I seriously doubt the scouts make plus-size uniforms. Besides, if I tried to enlist, they'd laugh at me and throw me out before I even made it through the gate."
"They wouldn't."
"Oh?"
"I'm sure you'd do better than half of them."
You looked at him, surprised.
"...You really think so?" Your gaze softened “I’m happy you believe in me”
"I do, you’re the woman I love after all” he pokes your sides, making you giggle. “They can’t afford to lose a good scout… But I can protect you, you don’t need to be on the regiment to be safe.”
“Aww, you’re so cute when you say that innocent things! Rei... you're human. You can't be everywhere. You can't save everyone."
He takes a deep breath and pouts, frowning at you, his hands stopping on your waist.
“I can save you.”
“Now it’s me being serious.” Your voice softened. “My time will come sooner or later. I would sign up for as later as possible but that's the world we live in, isn't it?"
His jaw tightens, so do his arms around you.
“Babe I trust you, really, but it’s a matter of fact. You like it or not.” You say, looking at his hazel eyes. “I don’t want to live in fear. If you are mad, just love me. Love me as if it was our last time”
N/A: This fic takes place in the world of KNY, but I’ve made a few changes, so it won’t follow the canon story exactly, and the world may work a little differently from the manga and anime.
* Reader x Rengoku. Slow burn
*MDNI + *You must be +18 to follow or interact
*KNY characters and KNY world belong to it's rightful owner.
Shinobu and you were sharing a cup of hot tea in her room. A small kotatsu sat in the middle of the room, covered with a beautiful blanket decorated with butterflies in soft shades matching her haori.
You both couldn’t sleep, and as the roof was snowed and outside was freezing, she invited you to her room. You hadn’t had much time to chat lately. You knew she would probably ask, because everyone had asked and joked with the same theme during the last days. But you still had the stupid hope that she would skip the question.
“Ouch, you too, Shinobu?” you frowned while she smiled at you.
“It's far too juicy question to skip.”
“But you already know the truth, don’t you?”
“Yes, but I want to hear it from you!”
You sighed. Because she surely guessed it right before knowing it for sure.
“It’s… complicated”
“What, holding hands?”
“No.”
You frowned.
“That part is actually…” You stopped.
Shinobu's smile widened. “Go on.”
“…comfortable …warm …reassuring.” You covered your face with one hand. “…I don't like talking to you.”
“I see…” she softened her voice with a smirk “It’s all going around the same theme, isn’t it?”
You lowered your gaze to the hot mug, feeling a sudden heavy sadness.
“I… I’ve never wanted a relationship you know?” You sighed. Talking about these things was difficult for you, but you wanted to trust Oyakata-sama with his advice, opening yourself to others. “I don’t want to have children and give this burden to another human being” Your throat was dry, so you took a large sip of tea. “Kyojuro is kind, he listens to me, he never laughs at me, he makes me feel safe.” you paused, not knowing how to put your feelings in words. “…and that's exactly the problem.” You felt your chest ache with anxiety. “Kyojuro is a relationship I can’t afford”
Shinobu sighed sadly. “But, maybe you’re taking things for granted, don’t you think?” She said looking you in the eye with a hopeful gaze “Oyakata Sama is investigating now, he has good contacts, he is a wise man.” A pause. “Maybe you're deciding for Rengoku-san.”
You frowned.
“What?”
“You've already decided what his future should be.” Shinobu took another sip of tea. “But you haven't even asked him.”
“But, Kyojuro is so kind and a good man, I don’t want him to have hope in something hopeless... OUCH”
Shinobu had thrown a cushion to you.
“Are you hearing what I’m saying? Have faith in him, have faith in us!”
A low caw came from outside, low enough to not to wake up the others, high enough for you to notice. Shinobu stepped up quickly “Come with me, now!”
You crossed the main building to the garden, where a black crow with a lilac scarf waited on the engawa. “Follow me, please” Shinobu said, leading the way to the indoors laundry room in one of the annexed buildings.
“He is Oyakata-sama’s crow” She said.
Your eyes widened with curiosity. He said you would be in contact, and his crow surely had some news to share.
“I’m waiting outside” Shinobu said. You took her hand.
“You can stay. If you want. Please.”
“I’m staying, thank you for letting me.”
You two stared at Oyakata-Sama’s crow, waiting.
“Good evening, my children. I hope this evening finds you both in good health. The mark has not left my thoughts. I have spoken with someone I trust deeply. A physician unlike any other. Her name is Tamayo.”
Beside you, Shinobu drew in a sharp breath.
You looked at her, wondering who this woman could be to provoke such a reaction.
“I have shared with her everything we know about your mark, except those matters I believe should come from you personally.”
The crow tilted its head before continuing.
“She has taken a great interest in your case and has agreed to examine you herself. If you are willing, I would like Shinobu to accompany you to meet her. Do not feel pressured to accept. This decision is yours alone. Whatever you choose, you have my complete support.”
“Please, tell Oyakata-sama i’ll let him know my decision as soon as possible” you told to the crow.
It bowed and cawed goodbye. Silence lingered after the crow flew away.
You were the first to speak.
“...Who is Tamayo?”
Shinobu remained thoughtful for a few seconds.
“Someone extraordinary.”
You waited.
“She is also... a demon.”
You froze.
No.
The answer came instantly, almost instinctively. But instead of speaking it aloud, you bit the inside of your cheek. Kagaya and Shinobu had asked you to think. To question your fears instead of surrendering to them. You closed your eyes for a brief moment, taking a slow breath, willing that first instinct to settle before you judged someone you had never met.
“I'd like to think about it.”
“Take all the time you need.” Shinobu smiled reassuringly.
“And if you'd like to know more about Tamayo... I'll tell you everything I can tomorrow.”
You thanked Shinobu for staying with you and wished her a good night before the two of you went your separate ways. You walked back toward your room in thoughtful silence. There was still some time before sunrise, and your mind was far too full for sleep.
As you walked slowly through the quiet corridors, your thoughts returned to a single word. Trust.
How many times had you broken Mother's rule these past few weeks? You had trusted Shinobu, Kyojuro, Oyakata-sama. Even the little girls. In truth, you had broken almost every rule your mother had lived by.
And yet...
Although there had been painful moments, things had not turned out as badly as you had feared. There were still questions you were not ready to speak about. Still fears you could barely put into words. But little by little, you were beginning to feel at home in this new life. Even ignoring the growing pain in your left arm felt easier to endure.
Trust.
The word lingered in your mind long after you had returned to your room. So far, every step you had taken had meant placing your trust in other people: Shinobu, Kyojuro, Oyakata-sama. But now, they were asking you to place that same trust in a demon.
That was an entirely different matter. You tossed and turned in bed, drifting in and out of a restless sleep until the first rays of dawn began to creep into your room. When it became clear that sleep would not return, you quietly got out of bed and prepared for a morning run, hoping the gentle warmth of the rising sun would help settle your restless mind.
-
This time, you headed southeast, following a trail that branched off at the edge of the Butterfly Estate. After running a few miles, you picked up your pace. Sunlight glistened on the snow clinging to the trees, while the morning mist wrapped the forest in a dreamlike haze. Little by little, you let your thoughts settle. Running always helped. For a while, you forgot about Tamayo, trust, and the sleepless night behind you.
Then, as you reached a crossroads, someone burst out from the path to your left. You barely had time to react. Instinct took over and both of you leapt aside at the very same moment, avoiding a collision by the narrowest of margins.
Your heart nearly leapt out of your chest. Standing only a few steps away was the Wind Hashira. And he did not look pleased.
Every muscle in your body tensed. Of all the people you could have run into that morning, he was the last one you had wanted to see.
“Tch. Are your instincts still asleep?” He said while adjusting his clothes.
“.. seems so, I’m sorry.”
“Then go back to bed and let the real runners train.”
You frowned.
“I am a real runner. I just need a proper warm-up.”
Sanemi let out a short scoff.
“Hah. A real runner still warming up this far from the estate?” He smirked. “That's pathetic. I'll show you what a real warm-up looks like.”
Before you could answer, he was gone.
You stared at the empty trail for a heartbeat.
“...Excuse me?”
A spark of annoyance flared inside you. You might not be a genius with a sword… But running? Running was another story.
“Oh, you're on.”
You pushed off the ground and sprinted after him, refusing to let the distance between you grow. Within moments, you had caught up and were running alongside him.
He gave you a quick glance.
“… Not bad”
A small smirk tugged at your lips.
Swordsmanship had never been your greatest strength.
But running… Running had always belonged to you.
You leaned forward and lengthened your stride.
The wind rushed past your face.
One step, then another. Soon, Sanemi's footsteps faded behind you.
It was nice beggining to be again in a good shape. You heard him click his tongue behind you.
“Oi!”
His footsteps grew louder. Faster. Closer.
“I can still do this.” You smiled to yourself and glanced at him for a brief moment.
Somehow, you were both running at the same pace. Neither of you admitted defeat.
After several miles, your sprint gradually became a steady run. The silence between you no longer felt tense.
Only the sound of your footsteps echoed through the forest.
"...You're fast."
You let out a small chuckle.
"You too."
"I know."
You hadn't expected any other answer.
The two of you kept running in silence for a while.
"...Can I ask you something?"
He shot you a brief glance.
"...Go on."
You hesitated. Of all people, Shinazugawa was probably the last person you should be asking this.
Then again… Oyakata-sama trusted him. Shinobu trusted him. Perhaps you could, too.
"...Would you ever trust a demon?"
Silence. Sanemi's pace faltered for the briefest instant. He turned to look at you as though you had just asked the most absurd question imaginable.
"...No." Plain, certain, without the slightest hesitation.
You lowered your gaze.
"...I thought so."
Neither of you spoke for several moments. Yet, from the corner of your eye, you caught him looking at you more than once. Finally...
"...Why?"
Once again, you hesitated. Somehow, it felt strange discussing something so important with someone you had barely exchanged a handful of words with.
"...Oyakata-sama wants me to meet one."
Silence settled between you once more. At last, Sanemi spoke.
"...I don't trust demons."
Another pause.
"...But I trust Oyakata-sama."
He looked straight ahead as he spoke, jaw set. He didn't sound convinced. He sounded certain.
That was enough. You had seen the hatred in his eyes whenever demons were mentioned. If someone like Shinazugawa was willing to place his faith in Oyakata-sama's judgment… Why shouldn't you?
"Speaking of trust..." Sanemi's voice caught you by surprise.
You took a slow breath.
"...Go on."
He glanced at you briefly. "Who taught you to breathe like that?"
You weren't surprised the question had finally come.
"...No one."
He frowned. "Explain."
"Mother and I used to meditate every day. She always said that proper meditation begins with proper breathing. When the temple burned and I was left alone... I started hiding near the training grounds of the safe houses. I listened to the instructors. Breathing wasn’t that difficult to learn. The swordmanship though” You smiled faintly “I watched, then I practiced by myself. With a wooden stick."
"With a stick?"
"...At first." You looked down avoiding his gaze, suspecting he was actually amused.
He let out a short scoff.
"Stupid. And then you stole a sword."
You looked away, embarrassed.
"...The wooden one, yes."
"...But not the Nichirin."
"I found it beside a dead Demon Slayer. He wasn't going to need it anymore… so I took it."
Sanemi clicked his tongue.
"That's even stupider."
You looked at him, confused.
"A Nichirin blade is forged for its owner. Not just anyone."
Shinazugawa stared at you for a few seconds. You couldn't tell what was going through his mind. At last, he spoke.
"I have no idea how you've survived this long fighting with a sword that wasn't made for you... or for your Breathing."
"...I thought a Nichirin sword was just... a sword."
"Shows how much you don't know."
You hated admitting it... but he was right.
-
When the Butterfly Estate came into view again, both of you slowed to a walk. For a few seconds, neither of you spoke.
"...If Oyakata-sama sent you…" Sanemi adjusted the strap of his sword. "...Come back alive."
He took a few steps away before adding, almost as an afterthought: "...And next time…" He glanced at you over his shoulder. "...Start with a real warm-up."
Then he disappeared into the trees.
-
You entered the main building just as breakfast preparations were beginning and hurried to help.
Shinobu glanced at you for a moment before tilting her head.
“You didn't sleep much.”
“Not really.” You rubbed one eye. “I felt like going for a run at sunrise.”
“Hmm... sounds lovely.” She smiled. “Such a shame I'm far too lazy to wake up that early.”
You hesitated.
“It wasn't exactly peaceful.”
“Oh?”
“I ran into Shinazugawa.”
Shinobu stopped what she was doing. “...You what?”
“I almost bumped into him on the southeast trail.”
“And?”
“...We just kept running.”
Shinobu slowly raised an eyebrow. “You just... kept running.”
“Yes.”
“With Shinazugawa.”
“Yes.”
“...Why do I have the feeling you're leaving out half the story?”
“Because... there isn't much more.”
“He called my warm-up pathetic.”
“...That sounds more like him.”
“Then he challenged me to a race.”
Shinobu blinked. “...He what?”
“Then we talked.”
“...While running?”
“Yes.”
“About what?”
“Whether he'd trust a demon.”
Shinobu slowly set the knife down on the table.
“...You asked Sanemi that?”
“Yes.” You blinked.
“Why?”
“Because he was there.” You shrugged as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “And I couldn't stop thinking about it.”
Shinobu sighed, unable to hide a smile. Then her expression softened.
“Does that mean you've made up your mind about Tamayo?”
You shook your head. “Not yet.”
After a brief pause, you looked at her. “...Could you tell me more about her?”
Shinobu smiled gently. “Of course.”
She poured you another cup of tea before sitting down across from you.
“Where should I begin...?” She took a sip of hot tea.
“The first time I met Lady Tamayo... I pointed my sword at her.”
“Did you?”
“She never flinched."
“...I see”
“Lady Tamayo was once turned into a demon by Muzan...”
“...I don't need to know everything, Shinobu.”
Shinobu paused.
“...Then what do you need to know?”
You looked down at your tea.
“...Why should I trust her?”
Shinobu smiled faintly.
“There are many reasons why Oyakata-sama trusts Lady Tamayo. She is a physician with knowledge unlike anyone else's. She has spent centuries studying demons and has devoted her life to finding a way to defeat Muzan.”
“… that’s very corageous from her.”
“Yes. She also refuses to eat humans. And she has saved lives that no human physician could have saved.”
You remained silent.
“…So?”
Shinobu's smile softened.
“...So yes. The answer to the question you're really asking…is yes. You can trust her.”.
-
After breakfast, you had finally made your decision.
“I suppose I'll need a Kasugai Crow.”
Shinobu nodded. “Kaname is available, if you'd like.”
You hesitated. “…Could I borrow En instead?”
Shinobu raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“…I don't want to bother... Rengoku-san.”
A knowing smile crossed Shinobu's face. “Don't worry.” “I'm certain Rengoku-san would be delighted if you borrowed Kaname.”
