~*~

When was the last time I've slept well.......?

 It's been so long........

Trailing my gaze from the ceiling after a few minutes in a hazy state, falls upon his softened state right beside me. His body surrounded me, his hands draped around my plush waist and his palm resting against my bare belly. His thumb subconsciously traces my stretch marks, as if it didn't concern him even in his sleep. If I'm being honest, I thought I'm supposed to be more flustered like some girls admit. 

However, if Sanemi truly loves me..........then I know that I'm enough in his eyes.....

Though I have many insecurities, he would blatantly admit he didn't care what a woman looks or dresses. Even I learnt he loves softer and slightly thicker girls, but he only described me than just a preference. He never knew his preference in women, except when he met me; that I'm his type more ways than one. Scoffing and brushing it off, thinking how infeasible it was to love a woman like me.....he would pinch my cheek with an offended scowl.

"You gonna stare all day....?" his husky voice, breaks the comfortable silence. He shifts a bit gathering more of a grip around me, and tugs me closer earning a small sound to slip past my lips. He exhales heavily and buries his face into the crook of my neck, inhaling gently for a moment before he sighs. "I hope you understand.......I'm not affectionate as much, so be patient with me."

Chuckling warmly by his comment, my fingers thread through his white locks as I massage his scalp.

"I'm not very affectionate either, so we're both in the same boat," I reassure him, pressing a chase kiss to his temple. His arms tighten around me more, hearing a deep shaky sigh leave him again filled with this kind of relief that I sense from him. Clearly his confession last night was a big step, especially when we both didn't want to get too close. This new chapter was scary, especially when trying to figure each other out, interests, disinterests and so on. 

~TAP~TAP~

"What time would it be?" I ask with a small yawn, slipping past his confined embrace, towards the fusuma doors leading to the garden.

"Well......Sorai, usually taps at eight in the morning" Sanemi replies, turning over in the sheets to face me. The sheets drift down pooling just to his pale v-line, with his hair disheveled and hanging over his eyes. ".....if I'm not up after seven that is....."

Fixing my tangled and messy hair, I shuffle on my knees; opening the doors to see Sorai and Nami together nuzzled to one another. This was surprising in my case, but looking back those two have been by each other's side since Sanemi met me. "Hmmm morning, Sorai.....Nami......" with another yawn following my lips. "What's there to report?"

"~CAW~ Swords finished, both Dragon and Wind ~ CAW~" Sorai announces, perching up and nudges his beak against my hand that rests against my knee. 

Smiling softly I nod in response, petting him with the back of my index tenderly, "Thank you Sorai, we'll be there soon shortly...."

With that I head back to the futon on my two feet, only to be dragged down and surrounded by blankets and a very warm body. Not even a sound left me, with how fast I found myself beneath his warm embrace. "Give us a bit more time, cause I'm not letting you out like yesterday," Sanemi mutters into my neck, acting more clingy than usual. 

Reluctantly after considering his decision, I slowly ease into his arms and sigh defeatedly.

"Alright, just a little longer, but you should know......." I lift his head up a little, before nudging my nose against his own. "..........you shouldn't get so jealous, m'kay? No one is gonna take me away, I can reassure you many times as I can....."

He growls with a slightly scowl, before he quickly buries his face into the crook of my neck again, "Fine......" he mutters beneath his breath. "......but I wasn't jealous....got that?"

Rolling my eyes playfully, "Sure, sure.........not jealous, but possessive--"

"Not even possessive!" He fires back, with a bit more bite in his tone. He grumbles and soon becomes quiet, hearing him hesitate to utter another before.. "Protective.........that's a better way at putting it, thats all......"

Closing my eyes, I wrap my arms around him, pulling him closer finding the warmth making me feel more drowsy than usual. His heat radiates against my body, that was like a living furnace if I had to describe right now. The way his larger and muscular body held me, I could feel every definition of muscle he's worked on in the past few years we've known each other. He sure wasn't scrawny like how we first met, but he's become healthy and strong.

It's more than enough to know he's taking care of himself......

"M'kay.....I'll stop,"

~*~

AT THE WORKSHOP

"Wow........this is......" 

Gazing at my blade I noticed he changed a few things, before recalling months and months ago of altering my blade to my breathing style. Over time seen the colour of my ore, and my breathing has slightly changed from how my father wielded that style, it seems even I had to alter the shape of my nichirin blade. It was more curved than a normal katana blade, more thicker by width"

"That blade will be able to strike more powerful strokes," Ryoma spoke up, dusting his hands off while approaching me. He adjusts his mask, as he gestures to the nichirin blade. "Due to your insane strength lately, the reason your blade has been breaking was because your body is changing as your train your body."

"Hmmm?" Raising a brow, in curiosity. "So you've adjusted it, to my current capabilities then?"

He nods with a hm, "It can accelerate faster and efficiently, much like a dragons claw should......" his fingertips ran along the flat surface of the blade. ".....with this upgrade, this last longer in battle and many months to come-- I mean well, unless you wish to visit us if you ever come to hot springs again.."

He chuckles gently, with a sheepish laugh behind his mask.

Taking a few steps back away from everyone around me, and making sure the two children stood out of range I raise my blade. Slowly I began to strike the air, hearing a rippling sound of wind and bells chiming. Twisting my body, I slice the air finding it easier to thrust my blade with more acceleration. Finding it amazingly effortless in my grasp, I twirl around using a quick breathing technique, "Second form: Dragon Dance!"

Raising my blade vertically in the air, feeling a much heavier pressure of an attack blow a gust; even for such a small sharp attack.

Lowering my blade I found it so comfortably easier, that I flash Ryoma a warm tender smile his way in gratitude, "Thankyou Ryoma, this means alot........" gliding the blade back into my new scabbard, that given to me. ".........you really put alot of thought and effort into my breathing style, and technique, now that's what a real future chief would be like......."

Kohana nods in agreement, "I have no doubt my husband will become a strong chief, but his father is stubborn to leave the mantle......" she chuckles, jokingly.

"Yeah!" Taiga rushes towards me, and embraces me tightly. His bright vermillion eyes gaze into my own, "You're so amazing, big sis! I wanna make swords like father, and maybe take over for him once he becomes chief someday! Just you wait!!!!!!"

Yuriko claps her small hands while in her mothers arms, "Go big brother!"

"Well Taiga, that means you must watch your father and learn very hard," Kohana reminds her son, as he groans in response to her small lecture. "You can't learn, if you keep running off and playing with Kotetsu all the time. If you wish to become like your father, it's best to learn and observe while it's in your memory....."

"Moooothhher......." Taiga pouts, holding me more tighter. 

Kohana shares an apologetic smile towards me, "Always on the go, aren't ya....." she shakes her head, with a gentle smile. ".......anyway, it seems the wind Pillar is waiting for you......" gesturing to Sanemi, who was leaning up against the gates post to their small compound. His back faced us, with his arms folded and his face neutral and calm. 

"Right, yes.......we best get going," I reply quickly in surprise, not even sensing his presence til now. My hand subconsciously rakes through Taiga's wild hair, as he looks up at me wondering what face he would be pulling this time. 

"Good luck big sis!" hearing like a smile behind his voice. "Stay safe for us, or father will lose his business quickly! Ya know he relies on your earnings--"

"Oi!!!!" Ryoma snaps, and walks towards his son and grabs him around the neck. His knuckles began to rub against his scalp harshly. "What ya saying now, boy?! You humiliating and lying about your old man again?!"

"Ow, ow!!!!" Taiga giggles and writhes in his father's grip, trapped in a locked hold. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!!!!"

Chuckling softly I walk up to little Yuriko, resting a gentle hand upon her small head.

"You take care of your mama and papa, okay?" I ask tenderly, ruffling her hair lightly. "Don't get into trouble, like your older brother.....m'kay?"

Yuriko giggles and nods behind her small mask, "Hmmhmm, I will big sis!" 

Taking my leave while waving back to the happy and content family, I brush past Sanemi who seemed rather pleasantly calm and collected. Taking the hint we were departing, he soon began following behind for moment til he walks in sync with my steps. The afternoon air grew colder as the day goes by, heading back to the wind Estate until further notice for any missions.

~*~

A MONTH LATER ~ AT THE WIND ESTATE

Sweat aligns my temple, along with the cold November winds creeping in.......

My skin burning hot the touch with my body in a state of concentration, finding my surrounds a blur as I channel all my strength into the dummies. Splintered and scattered everywhere, I didn't realise how strong my body was until the mess I've made. Smearing away the sweat from my brow, I resume training not wanting to falter or get distracted for another second.

Reports has been coming in, and every Hashira has been on patrol in their territory that has been designated to them.

Even mentions of a certain upper moon has been looming around, appearing here and there but soon disappears from where he's been sighted. It seems since I saw my father, well....Kuragari as that's his new alias. The fact he ended up with the blood demon art: Mizu Dragon. That could entail many dangerous techniques, that I need to become more accustomed foresee any of attacks when we one day meet again. That day, two years ago I was at my weakest, and I was young as well........I couldn't even save my team.....only one managed to escape deaths door.

Yet it wasn't enough, and ever since I've put more time and effort into my training.......

Even when he was in his first form, Kuragari was far stronger and unpredictable with his sudden frontal attacks. Then when he transformed into a full grown dragon, it was flawed and yet so strong and unpredictable yet again. How was I meant to measure to his strength? He was still my father, that damn bastard.......

He was an obstacle that i couldn't surpass, regardless if he was human or demon now.......

It would absolutely mean nothing.....

With a heavy subtle grunt I strike my wooden blade towards the dummy, shattering the splintered wood. My feet shift across the pebbled ground, grinding beneath my ragged body finding that I went overboard. Taking a moment to recollect my thoughts, the sound of someone walking towards me from behind reaches my ears, "Want me to help train with you?" he suggests, before standing before me. He was slightly troubled when his eyes met mine, before he scoffs reaching to grab my cheeks with one hand.

He licks his thumb, "Seriously, you look a mess already," he wipes away dirt, that must've smeared across my cheek. His grip loosens when he glances over to the dummy, and smirks while shaking his head. "What did that dummy ever do you you, anyway?"

With a pout he releases my face, "Just got into a heavy state of concentration," I assure him, lifting my hands to take my messy hair and strands out. Flicking it out and raking my fingers through the tangles, I throw it all back up into a ponytail to allow the cool air to brush against my nape. "Just want to become strong, and not rely solely on my blade and others as much....."

He folds his arms with a slight raise to his expression, "Not rely on others? That's a bit.....extreme, right?"

Lifting my head up, I gaze to the overcast seeing the clouds covering the entire sky in grey.

"That day........I was the last to survive," I lower my head, to meet his. My fingers fiddle with the wooden blade, twirling it against the gravel beneath our feet. "Who knows what would've happened, if I never put any ounce of training. The last words I heard from my brother, even left me to prove him wrong......and I want to surpass his will. To make him regret those words in hell or heaven........"

He raises his wooden blade to his shoulder, and smirks, "Well, let's make him eat those fucking words......." he spoke up, with confidence. He cocks his head to the side, "........cause I know you're gonna surpass him. Both you and that Upper Moon.......m'kay?"

Surprised by this, I couldn't help but feel relief in his support.

"Thankyou,"

He gives me a genuine smile, "Anything for my girl, I want you to find that path," he spoke much softer, brushing my bangs to the side kissing my temple. "Now..........let's spar, shall we?"

Warmth rushes from my neck, all the way to the tips of my ears, "We shall....."

~*~

Gusts of wind blew past me from every direction, as our blades collide........

The tension has increased finding his strength to grow more intense, as every attack we throw towards each other. Inhaling sharply lowering my wooden blade, "Dragon breathing! Sixth Form: Dragon Whirlpool!!!!!" 

Bending my body around Sanemi's sudden frontal attacks, my body became lighter only becoming a blur using a heavy amount of total concentration. Dodging his attacks, I finally locked on him from behind where he falters, taking my chance. Raising my blade I swung towards him, when suddenly he blocks it only just. The hitch in his throat takes him by surprise, as I lower my body sharply kicking his feet from beneath him. He lands with a thud, as I jab my blade at him for it to come to a halt.

Only the sounds of our heavy breathing, and swallows shares between us on how harsh we went through training.

"Damn, you've really come very far," He pats out, with a proud smirk on his face. Falling back he relaxes against the cold pebbled stones, holding his hand up to give him a moment. Chuckling softly I head over to the well, and scooped up some water with the dipper. Drinking through heavy gasps for air, I soon scoop another and walked over towards Sanemi. 

With a teasing smile I stood above him, as his arm shielded his eyes for a moment. 

"Got some water," 

He peeks underneath his arm with tired eyes, as I kneel down passing him the dipper. Sitting up seeing his shoulders and back expand from a inhale and exhale, "Thank you," before he drinks it slowly, before wiping the access water from his mouth. He then presses a soft kiss to my cheek, sharing a smirk on his face passing the dipper back to me. "You know.......when you use those techniques that you hardly use, it's quite a sight to see for the first time. However, I noticed that last move used a lot of your total concentration.......will you work on your lung capacity?"

Walking over back to the small well in his zen garden, I place the dipper back on the edge of the stone wall of the well.

"Yeah, and I'll even be working on total concentration constant," I inform him, sitting down upon the verandah of his main house. He picks himself up from the ground dusting himself, before sitting beside me. "Morning, noon, night.......and even while i sleep, so I can excel further as a hashira and slayer. I want to be able to hold such powerful for a little longer, while I can......even for a few minutes longer. There's so much to be done, but........I know I can do it......cause I have you....."

Nudging his side a little, his arm wraps around my body and pulls me in close, "Don't get sentimental....." he flushes, in embarrassment. ".......but you know I don't have any doubts, who am I to judge?"

"You judge all the time," I blatantly remark, with a teasing smile creeping upon my lips. 

He turns his head like an owl in my direction as his brow twitches, before holding me tighter around my plush waist, burying his face into my neck. "What was that? Huh?" his teeth graze the juncture of my neck, before biting down hard but not enough to tear my flesh. "Come on........speak up...."

"I was joking Nemi!" I pout, with a slightly grimace from his nibbling. 

"Hmmmmm........sure you were," he growls, in annoyance and amusement. His teeth began to suck and nibble my throat, as his grip was tight and locked in knowing I won't be able to escape his grasp. My breath hitches when he finds a spot, that made a small groan to slip out. He somehow realises something, before focusing on that spot as he begins to bite and suck my neck much harshly. 

"Sanemi......."

"Make those sweet sounds......I'm enjoying this little banter of ours," his breath ghosts over my hot skin, licking the sore spot he made a few times.

"~CAW~ Letter for Hayami Mizutsuki ~ CAW~"

Sanemi pulls away for a moment as Nami swoops down, perching upon the verandah beside me. Noticing the small cool metal around the letter in the claws, as I took the letter delicately before getting an idea what it was.

"Hmm what is it?" Sanemi rests his large body over my shoulder, leaning his heavier weight playfully over me to irritate me. "Doesn't look like a mission letter....."

Slowly unrolling the letter my eyes began to scan over the writing, noticing a signature at the bottom by Lady Amane and Master's signature.

"Wait.........I'm able to pay off for my brothers estate," My eyes widen in surprise, before briefly skimming through the long letter that was written carefully. "No, this.......I'm able to run the Dragon estate now under my own name, and what else did he say....."

Going back to reading the letter, Sanemi takes the letter from my hands and reads it himself for a moment while I notice a look of disappointment.

"Does this mean, you'll be moving back in?" He asks with a gentle murmur, passing the letter back to me. His eyes met mine with a firm look, that became unreadable for a moment. "I was going to suggest for you to stay with me, but.....thinking about it....you need room for yourself I guess..."

Sighing deeply seeing him disappointed, I reach up patting his cheek gently, "Maybe I can come and stay with you some nights when we have time?" I spoke softly, pushing his bangs away to look in his softening eyes. "But like I said, I'm not leaving you......you know that. I wont be far, and you already know the location...."

"Will you be okay, going back there?"

That question left me to pause for a moment, before giving him a confident nod.

"Yeah, I need to go back....." I spoke gently, with my stomach twisting and turning. ".....I feel like I need to face it again, in that estate....."

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