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Listen, Sanemi could say he respected Mitsuri. She was a strong woman with never ending kindness, and had an aura of pure joy and whimsey. He didn't really agree with the fact that she kept wearing the provocative uniform she was given, but hey who is he to comment on a lady’s clothes.
That all being said, Sanemi could also say that Mitsuri Kanroji could be the most annoying motherfucker when she wanted to be.
“Shinazugawa!! Why didn't you tell me you had such a cute baby brother- And aside from when he ignored me that one time he’s so sweet! Oh, and he really-”
“I don’t have a brother.” Sanemi grunted, side-stepping the constantly flustered Hashira so he could attempt to escape this wretched conversation. Where had she even met Genya? As far as he knows, the brat just stays with Himejima and takes odd missions out in bum fuck nowhere. Then again, he doesn't know all too much about what the younger is doing with his life anyways.
He ignores that sour thought, instead snapping his eyes back to Mitsuri’s as she cuts him off again. Usually she’s far too nervous around him to do such a thing, but something about the passionate look in the Love Pillar’s eye sets off a bad feeling in Sanemi.
“I see that fondness in your eye, mister Shinazugawa! Love isn't only for romance!” The younger said, with almost a scolding tone. Sanemi felt his eye twitch.
“I don't feel shit for that rat. Now leave me alone-”
“No sir! I heard him talking to that Kamado boy about you, you know! He loves you a lot, it’s actually so adorable…” She trails off, cupping her own cheeks with adoration as she recalls the prideful tone the younger Shinazugawa held for her co-worker.
Sanemi glared at her, ignoring the warmth he felt in his chest at the notion. He scoffed, speed-walking away and ignoring Mitsuri’s calls.
“You’re going to have to face him one day Shinazugawa!!” She yelled from behind him, and he could imagine the girl waving her arms around like an idiot. “Don’t push him away until it’s too late to pull him back!”
He ignored the oddly wise comment, and he ignored the pit in his stomach.
Sanemi was ignoring a lot today.
The Wind Hashira fought off a snarl as he watched that Kamado brat spar with his… Close-in-blood relative. Admittedly, the redhead was doing well, and Genya had striking composure, but it pissed him off to no end to see that weakling holding even a training sword. Really, how has he even come this far?
If it wasn't for Genya’s amazing speed, and his concentration, and his drive, and his skill at using a sword one-handed, and his shocking amount of muscle, he’d probably be dead by the first day of final selection. Sanemi scoffed inwardly, what a talentless thing.
“ Shit! ” Genya yelped, as a hit to the leg from Kamado made him lose his footing. Quickly, Kamado grabbed the boy’s hand, making sure the older didn't bust his ass.
“Sorry, got a little too competitive!” The scarred boy laughed, sheepishly. “Are you alright? I don’t think I hit too hard, but if it hurts we can go get Aoi-”
The boy was cut off as Sanemi pinched Genya’s ear, appearing out of almost nowhere. The white haired man pulled the boy’s head down to his level, an action that Sanemi will have to think about later when he’s alone.
“You watch your fucking language Shinazugawa Genya!” Sanemi scolded, shaking the younger’s head around by his ear.
Genya hissed, batting his brother’s hand away so he could pull his head back, cupping the offended cartilage.
“ Oww - Aniki! I’m sixteen, I should be allowed to say-”
“One, I’m not your aniki. Two , if I hear that word leave your mouth I’m ending your training for today early!”
“You’re kind of acting like his aniki!” Kamado cut in, and both of the Shinazugawa brothers turned to look at him. One with searing rage in his eyes, and the other seemingly warmed by the comment. I’m sure you can tell who is who.
Sanemi growled, too angry to find the words as he smacked Genya’s head one last time for good measure, ignoring the boy’s whines.
“Don’t let me hear anything like that from you again, got it brat?” Sanemi growled, and the taller - God does that enrage him- groaned, nodding his head.
Sanemi huffed, crossing his arms and leaving the two to continue their sparring. God, he leaves that kid alone for one second and suddenly he’s an independent man that can do whatever the fuck he wants. Well newsflash Genya! - Sanemi thought- You are a baby until you’re thirty!
Shinazugawa Sanemi was not often surprised.
When Kamado had headbutt him? Well yeah, it’s hard not to be surprised when a tiny teenage boy has a forehead as hard as I am when I see your moth- I mean a rock.
When that demon brat had refused his blood? Of course he was surprised! His blood is marichi , demons live for that shit!
Other than that? No, he can hardly come up with anything else. And those two both happened on an off day is all.
Right now though? Shinazugawa Sanemi was as shocked as he was livid. Because right now, he was staring at his bab- Genya , whose face was flushed. His face was flushed, his eyes were shut and his mouth was set in a broad grin, as Kamado FUCKING Tanjiro placed flowers in his hair.
Sanemi’s fingers dug into the bark of the tree he stood behind so hard that they buried themselves in it.
Who does this Tanjiro brat think he is? trying to woo his little brother.
…
Fuck it! Fuck it all!! Yes, Genya was Sanemi’s baby brother, his pride and joy, and he was currently being brainwashed by some redheaded chessboard looking hellmongar!
Sanemi would put a stop to this. And he would do so violently.
Tanjiro’s brow scrunched, the smell of anger and hatred dragging him to consciousness. His eyes widened quickly, though, as he woke up to see the eldest Shinazugawa crouching on the window-sill behind the bed he’d been accommodating. Before Tanjiro could move, The Hashira brought his hand down to grip at the Kamado boy’s throat.
Is he about to assassinate me?! Tanjiro thought in panic, but Shinazugawa only leaned down, making direct eye contact with the other.
“What the hell ,” The elder started, voice so low that it rasped. “Are you planning with my little brother?”
Tanjiro blinked, hands pausing from where they were gripping the man’s wrist.
“You… You mean Genya?” He asked, hesitantly. Shinazugawa gave him a look, and he stuttered. “I- Nothing? I don’t know what you mean, we’ve just been growing closer as friends lately due to our shared time here! And also that mission we had with Tokito and Kanroji, I’d say a near death experience is a pretty good bonding exerci-”
“Shut the fuck up. ” The pillar snapped, and even if Tanjiro wanted to continue he couldn't, not with how the man was squeezing at his throat. He could just barely breathe enough, and Tanjiro truly hopes that was a conscious decision.
“Just friends, huh? Do friends put cutesy little flowers in each other’s hair? Do friends make each other blush like that, do they Kamado? Do friends spend as much time as you do making Genya as happy as possible?”
It’s silent for a beat, Tanjiro obviously getting what Shinazugawa is not-so-subtly hinting at. Though, he doesn't seem flustered or embarrassed, almost proving Sanemi’s theories.
“...From the way you’re saying it I think I’d be pretty good at being Genya’s-”
“I will fucking. End you.”
Sanemi got caught and kicked out of the Butterfly Estate before he could do any real damage, but the older Kamado now needs to do breathing exercises for a few days. When Genya asks what happened, Tanjiro simply says he messed up practicing a form. While he doesn't know Sanemi is watching, the boy truly didn't want to risk it...