The wind howled outside, mimicking the storm brewing within Sanemi Shinazugawa. You knew the rumors, of course. The Wind Hashira was a whirlwind of sharp edges, a man sculpted from anger and honed by loss. Relationships were a weakness, a vulnerability he couldn't afford. Yet, here you were, a Mizunoto, barely a ripple in the vast ocean of the Demon Slayer Corps, and his secret. A secret carefully guarded, tucked away from prying eyes and wagging tongues.

Your small house, usually a haven of quiet solitude, felt suddenly smaller, more fragile. You were curled up with a worn book, the flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows on the walls, when the door exploded inward. Sanemi stood silhouetted against the stormy night, rain plastering his ragged white hair to his face. Fury crackled around him like static electricity. You swallowed, the book suddenly feeling heavy in your hands.

"Sanemi," you breathed, pushing yourself up from the worn armchair. "What happened?"

He didn’t answer. The door slammed shut, the sound echoing in the small space. His eyes, usually narrowed and guarded, were wild, reflecting the tempest raging both outside and within. You knew that look. It meant his latest encounter with demons had been brutal, a bitter reminder of the unending war he fought.

Then, without a word, he began to shed his rain-soaked uniform. The movements were harsh, almost violent as if he was trying to rip the demon grime from his very skin. His haori landed in a sodden heap on the floor, followed by his boots, kicked off with a frustrated grunt. You watched, your heart hammering against your ribs, a mixture of fear and a familiar, undeniable pull.

"Bed. Now," he commanded, the steel in his voice leaving no room for argument. It wasn't a request. It was a primal demand, a desperate plea masked by his usual gruffness.