71
(Before we start, I'm on vacation so I'm not home and the PLACE IS SO SHIT BRO I SWEARRRR. So I'm so sorry I won't be posting reallyyyy long chapters for a few days and they're kinda of rushed)
The night air was cool when you finally trudged up the steps of the Butterfly Mansion, a little scraped up, a little dusty, and absolutely done with the day.
You shoved open the door with dramatic flair. "I HAVE RETURNED!" you declared, arms out like you were announcing the second coming.
And then froze.
Uzui Tengen was standing right there in the entryway, arms crossed, casually chatting with Aoi. He raised a brow at you like you were the most annoying notification he couldn't swipe away.
Perfect.
"Don't even think about it," Uzui said immediately.
You blinked. "Think about what? I didn’t say anything yet!"
"You were about to. I saw the chaos forming behind your eyes."
You stepped forward, hands on your hips. "Wrong. I was going to ask something very important and emotionally healing!! "
"Hard pass."
You pouted. "I need you to take me to Kagaya’s mansion."
Uzui scoffed. "Absolutely not."
"Pleaaase?"
"No."
You tilted your head dramatically. "I’ve had a hard day. I was almost murdered. By emotions. Let me say hi to the one man who gives me peace."
"You're not even invited."
"Who’s gonna stop me?"
"Kagaya."
You blinked at him. "Are you... scared of him?"
Uzui frowned. "That’s not the point."
"Oh my god. You are scared."
He groaned. "Why are you like this?"
You grinned. "Because I’m fun."
Five minutes later, Uzui was sulking as you walked beside him toward the estate. You were practically skipping.
"I swear if you embarrass me—"
"I'm always embarrassing. That's my brand," you said, giving his arm a cheerful pat. "Now hush. I’m mentally preparing for my dramatic entrance. Should I faint? Maybe cry? Ooh, maybe both." You said, taunting him.
He muttered something like "why did I agree to this" under his breath, but he didn't turn back.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you bullied a Hashira into a royal escort.
The gravel path sparkled faintly under the moonlight as you walked beside him, hands swinging behind your back like you hadn’t just blackmailed one of the most powerful Hashira into a personal escort service.
"You're walking kinda slow for someone with godlike speed," you teased, shooting him a glance. "You tired, old man?"
Uzui didn’t even blink. "I’m pacing myself so I don’t leave your gremlin legs behind."
You gasped. "You wound me! My legs are majestic."
"You trip over air."
"And you trip over your feelings every time I look at you."
He visibly tensed. Bingo!!
"Don’t flatter yourself.." he muttered.
"You’re right," you hummed. "You’re already doing enough of that for the both of us."
Uzui side-eyed you hard, but you caught it the way his lips twitched like they wanted to smile but he clenched his jaw instead. You saw the slight pink brushing his cheekbones, and you knew. Oh, he was suffering.
"You like me," you said confidently.
"No."
"You so like me."
He kept walking. "You’re a headache in human form."
"And you’re pretending I’m not living rent-free in that flashy little brain of yours."
"You’re not."
"Then why are you still walking me to Daddy Kagaya’s mansion like a gentleman?"
He stopped abruptly. You bumped into him.
"You shut up for five seconds, or I’m leaving you in the forest."
You stared up at him with a fake pout. "You wouldn't. You’d miss me too much."
He stared down at you, eyes unreadable in the dark, jaw tight. "You’re lucky I like your weirdness.."
You blinked. "Wait—was that a confession?"
"No," he said too fast.
"That was a confession."
"Shut up."
You grinned. "You're blushing."
"I swear, I will throw you in a river."
You looped your arm through his casually. "And then rescue me like the hero you are? Awww, Uzui~"
He didn’t say anything.
But he didn’t let go of your arm, either.
The wooden gates of Kagaya’s estate stood tall and serene against the night sky, soft lantern light flickering beyond them. The air grew quiet peaceful. Even you, the embodiment of chaos, instinctively softened your steps.
Uzui didn’t say a word as he reached forward and gently pushed open the gate. You followed him in, arm still looped in his. The estate smelled like warm earth, blooming flowers, and old incense. It was oddly comforting.
"Wow," you whispered, voice lower now. "It’s always so quiet here."
"Because people actually have respect,unlike someone.." he whispered back, eyes flicking sideways at you.
You nodded slowly, then muttered, "Couldn’t be me."
He sighed.
A soft voice floated out from deeper inside the estate before you even stepped fully in.
"Uzui. Y/N. You’re just in time."
There, beneath the eaves of the main hall, stood Kagaya Ubuyashiki, wrapped in his usual pale robes. Amane was beside him.
"Hello, sir!" you beamed, bowing your head quickly. "Hope it’s not weird I crashed the party—"
"You’re always welcome, child," Kagaya said warmly, his gentle smile somehow seeing straight through you.
Your cheeks heated up slightly. Uzui glanced down at you.
"You dragged me here just to flirt with Lord Kagaya?"
"Pfft. He’s married," you whispered. "I have standards."
Uzui raised a brow. "That’s rich coming from someone who flirts with literal demons to distract them."
"Sometimes you gotta be resourceful!"
Amane smiled faintly. Kagaya chuckled.
"I’m glad you two came," Kagaya said. "Come inside. There’s something I want to share with you."
You and Uzui followed him deeper into the estate, where candles glowed on low tables and the windows looked out over a tranquil garden. For once, you didn’t feel the need to fill the silence.
Until... ◡̈
"Hey, Tengen," you whispered, nudging him.
He looked over at you with that deadpan gaze.
"Thanks for coming with me."
He stayed quiet but his hand brushed yours for a second too long and that was answer enough.
Kagaya led you into a quiet, private room far from any wandering ears. The sliding door closed behind you with a soft click, muffling the sounds of the garden.
He turned to face you with that familiar, gentle smile. “Y/N-san… may I ask what brought you here tonight?”
His voice was kind as always, but you could sense the slight curiosity beneath it.
You stood straighter. “I came to ask your permission to accompany Tanjiro to the Swordsmith Village.”
His expression didn’t change, but his head tilted slightly. “May I ask why?”
You didn’t hesitate. “There’s going to be a demon attack in the village. I don’t know when, but I know it’s coming. I want to be there to protect Tanjiro, and Mitsuri too. I’ll be useful.”
For a moment, Kagaya was silent.
Then his brows knit, ever so slightly. “A demon… in the village?” His tone grew quieter. “But the location is supposed to be a well-kept secret. How would a demon find it?”
You shifted, heart racing slightly under his calm gaze. “I—I can’t explain how I know. But I do. I swear I’m not just saying it.”
His pale eyes searched your face, as though trying to see past your words.
“Y/N-san,” he said gently, “You’ve shown immense courage since arriving here. And though you often walk an unpredictable path… you have never lied to me.”
Your chest eased a bit.
He continued, “If what you say is true, then we must act carefully. Not out of fear—but readiness.”
You nodded. “So… can I go?”
Kagaya exhaled slowly, folding his hands in front of him. “Yes. You may accompany Tanjiro. But you must remain cautious. If what you suspect comes to pass… we may be facing something greater than we realize.”
You bowed, deeply. “Thank you, sir.”
“Please… come back safely,” he added softly.
Just as you opened the door to leave, he spoke once more:
“And Y/N?”
You turned back.
“I’m trusting you with something very important. Not just the mission… but the people you love.”
You froze for a second. Then gave a nod, more serious this time.
“I won’t let them die.”
With that, you stepped back into the hall where Uzui waited, arms crossed and half-smirking like he understood none of that but definitely noticed how serious you looked.
“Get permission, princess?” he asked casually.
You smirked. “You’re damn right I did.”
You stepped out into the quiet courtyard, the cool evening breeze brushing against your cheeks. Uzui was leaning against a pillar like he’d been born to pose, arms crossed and a smug look already plastered on his face.
"Took you long enough," he said, straightening up. "What were you doing in there, redecorating the place?"
You rolled your eyes. "Oh, shut up. I was having a conversation like a normal person, not swinging from the ceiling."
He chuckled lowly. "Right, 'normal'—funny coming from you."
You nudged his arm playfully as you walked beside him. "Admit it. You missed me."
"In your dreams."
"You literally waited outside for me."
He clicked his tongue and shoved his hands into his haori. "Only because you'd get lost if I didn't. You’ve got the sense of direction of a headless chicken."
You gasped. "Excuse me, I happen to be very navigationally gifted."
Uzui scoffed. "Yeah, gifted at walking into danger."
You grinned. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
For a moment, he was quiet. The sky above was clear, stars just beginning to peek out. You caught him glancing your way, but he looked forward again before you could say anything.
"You’re loud," he muttered.
"And you're dramatic."
"You're annoying."
"You like me though."
His steps faltered for just a split second. You smirked.
"Keep dreaming," he said, but his voice wasn’t as sharp this time.
"I will," you whispered, just to mess with him.
He looked at you out of the corner of his eye, shaking his head. But that tiny smile on his lips.
The gates of the Butterfly Mansion creaked open as Uzui pushed them for you, his tall frame casting a shadow over the stone path. Fireflies blinked lazily in the bushes, the quiet hum of nighttime insects welcoming you home.
You stretched your arms up with a dramatic groan.
"Ugh, finally. My back is crying. Why do all the pretty places have to be so far away?"
Uzui glanced down at you, one brow raised. "Maybe if you stopped flopping around like a fish every time we walked, your back wouldn’t hurt."
You stuck your tongue out. "You love my flopping."
He blinked slowly, like he was trying not to laugh. "That sentence was a crime."
The door slid open before you could answer. A familiar voice cut through the moment.
"Y/N! You’re back!"
Shinobu stepped out into the hall, her soft smile in place but her eyes sharp as always. "And you brought him, too?"
"Unfortunately," Uzui muttered.
Shinobu gave him a glance. "Oh? Did she force you into escorting her again?"
"Like hell I let her—!"
"Yup," you interrupted with a proud grin. "Begged him on my knees and everything. Said ‘please, Uzui-sama, you're my only hope.’ It was very dramatic."
"She screamed until I said yes," he clarified flatly.
"Potato, potato," you said sweetly.
Shinobu laughed behind her hand. "Well, thank you for keeping her alive. Again."
Uzui sighed. "Someone’s gotta do it."
As he turned to leave, you reached out and tugged on his haori.
"Hey," you said quietly, just for him to hear. "Thanks. For real."
He looked at you, eyes softer than they had been all day. His voice lowered.
"Don’t make me worry next time."
You blinked. "Worry?"
He scoffed. "You're a damn headache, Y/N. But you're... a flashy one."
You grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."
He shook his head and finally walked away, disappearing into the night.
You stepped inside with Shinobu, the scent of herbs and quiet warmth wrapping around you like a blanket.
"Come on," she said gently. "Let’s get you something to drink."
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