Idea and plot requested by

Thank you for requesting! Happy reading :)

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"Giving someone a piece of your soul is better than giving a piece of your heart. Because souls are eternal."

—Helen Boswell

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Sanemi was standing in front of the ramen shop. He was pissed. He was irked at your endless teasing.

"Huh?"

"Eh?"

You both found each other inside a ramen shop. You just entered the usual ramen shop you dine into. There, you found Sanemi eating ramen with three plates of Ohagi on the side. There's also four more empty plates. You could guess right away it was the previous orders of Ohagi.

"(L/N)! It's nice to see you again. The usual?" The old man in the counter greeted. You silently thank him for rescuing you from the possible awkwardness between the Wind Pillar.

"Yeah." You took the seat near Sanemi. An empty separates the two of you.

"So—" you propped your head onto your hand, "—the ferocious Wind Pillar has a guilty pleasure, huh. Fancy seeing you here, Shinazugawa-san."

Blush decorated his cheeks. You were quick to pick it up. "Maybe the Ohagi is your soulmate, Shinazugawa-san. I don't think women will like a feisty man for a husband."

"I don't plan to marry, bitch."

Sanemi was irritated by the fact you weren't fazed by his insult at all.

You spoke, "I'm not a bitch. A bitch is a woman who throws herself indiscriminately to another man. You should review your vocabulary, Shinazugawa-san."

"Why you—"

"Oh! You are a bitch, Shinazugawa-san. A bitch for Ohagi-kun."

Sanemi stood up. It earned the attention of some inside the restaurant. Your order was placed in front of you.

"Thank you very much!" You faced your favorite food, ignoring the fuming Wind Pillar. "Itadakimasu."

"Don't ignore me—"

"Don't disturb people when they're eating."

"You just disturbed me."

"Come back during business hours~"

Sanemi poured all of his anger and frustration at the pebble as he kicked it away from him.

"Damn, bitch."

* * *

"Uwah... should've told my feelings for him earlier..." you whispered.

You wiped the blood from the corner of your mouth. The gesture was in vain as a new trail slipped down to your chin.

"Tch."

"Ara, ara~ A Pillar likes someone?" Douma cooed. "I didn't know you were the type to like someone. With that girl from before being all serious about killing demons. What was her name again?"

You lunged at Douma. "It's better for you not to know."

You saw from the corner of your eyes the sharp metal fan coming fast as he swung from the side. Springing up from the ground, you propelled yourself up above Douma. His rainbows eyes shining in the darkness of the forest.

"Too bad. You're pretty cute too."

Your eyes widen at the ice forming behind you, coming at you in full speed. You weren't going to make it in time. But, it doesn't mean you'll go down without a fight!

As you were about to spin and block the ice with your katana, strong gusts of wind cut them into pieces.

"Tch."

Sanemi knew the situation was helpless. You were pretty lucky considering you lasted for quite a while. If it wasn't for your crow pissing him, you could've been died.

He jumped from one trees to another, gaining distance from Douma.

"Shinazugawa-sa—"

"Don't you even start now, you little piece of shit."

He got worried by your sudden coughs. He saw blood staining Kanae's haori and spilling all over your uniform and hand.

"Oi, stay awake for me."

You weakly hummed, tightening your hold around his neck. You were battling with consciousness.

Shit. Sanemi thought as he saw your condition. That bird should've flew faster.

* * *

Shinobu almost broke the pen in her hand. She evened out her breaths in attempt to calm her raging nerves. A smile was still present on her face

She turned to Sanemi, "Thank you for coming in time to save (Y/N)-nee-chan. But, I would appreciate more if you were faster."

"WELL BLAME HER SHITTY CROW!"

It's been a few days since the encounter with Douma. You've been recovering well and fast as usual. Still, it was a miracle you even survive with the injuries you have and how much pints of blood you lost. Shinobu was scared she was going to lose her only family member.

The wounds was almost similar to Kanae. She could only imagine what kind of fight you had to go through.

"Tch." Sanemi stomped out of Shinobu's office.

Shinobu's smile was bittersweet as she watched Sanemi's back turning to disappear from her sight. I still can't believe that's Nee-chan's soulmate.

* * *

Soulmates. It is a big deal for a normal and domestic people. But, for those who are in the Demon Slaying Corps, they throw that concept away. For them, it is only a hindrance to their performance, to their capabilities to risk their lives every night. For Sanemi, it was a distant topic.

Soulmates are tied to each other by a red thread. People call it the "Red Thread of Fate". At a certain point in life, it will suddenly reveal itself. As for Sanemi, it never appeared, not even a glance nor a shadow of it. Deep within himself, he was relieved it never appeared.

But, now, he was curious. The crimson thread was looped around his pinky. It flowed down to the floor and crawled all the way outside the estate.

He followed; curiosity filling him with each step he takes.

Sanemi stepped into the sun and out in the garden of the Butterfly Estate. He halted his pace, yet his eyes followed the thread, soon landing his gaze on you.

You noticed the butterflies flew away in such haste from you, leaving you confused with a frown. It wasn't that long when you noticed Sanemi's presence.

A smirk went up to you face, "Is something wrong, Ohagi-san?"

His lack of reaction and the steady slow pace made a little more confused than it should be. Eventually, you need to step back, starting to get intimidated. "What's wrong, Shinazugawa-san?"

All of a sudden he brought you to the warmth of his arms, filling you up with a tingling sensation in your stomach. You couldn't help but smile wide. There was a sting inside; the remnants of that close-death experience.

Sanemi whispered, "That fucking shitty bird really should've flew faster."

Warily, you giggled.

"Iguro, look! Shinazugawa-san finally has a significant other! What a cute couple! I've been rooting for so long~!" Mitsuri squealed.

Obanai muttered, "I owe her honey."

"Now he knows the bliss. Very flamboyant."

"Namu Amida Butsu."

Sanemi clicked his tongue and attempted to hide his view with your head. "Why are they here?" It only left you in giggles. His arms around you tightened, "Sorry for making you wait."

Not even letting you go, Sanemi leaned in for a kiss. You didn't waste any moment to return with the same amount of passion. Never have you expected for your feelings to suddenly be requited. Heck, you almost died and he came just in time to save you.

It seems like the concept of soulmates isn't so bad for Sanemi anymore.

"I'm happy," you whispered; breath fanning his mouth.

Sanemi smiled, "I'll make you even happier."

| EXTRA |

"Shinobu-san!"

Shinobu looked up from her work to see Aoi and the three girls.

"What's wrong?"

"The Wind Pillar is suddenly hugging (Y/N)-san! Kanao was the first to see."

"What? Really?"

Kanao appeared soon after with a nod of clarification.

"Shinazugawa-san."

Shinobu stood by the gates of the Butterfly Estate.

"Please don't take Nee-san lightly. You better take care of her."

Sanemi walked past the Insect Pillar.

Shinobu added, "The whole Butterfly Estate will come for you if you make her cry!"