Jiguro gaped at me in shock. I dusted off my haori as if his attack had scuffed it. The wakizashi trembled in his grip.
"You… how did you- I swear I felt that blow land!"
"Hm? Nah, you missed…" I waved him off.
"I didn't miss, you brat!" Jiguro shouted.
"Well I mean… technically you did hit something." Jiguro smiled, "and that something was the infinite nothing between something."
"Hah?! What are you talking about!"
"Never mind that… I won, stop arguing."
Jiguro grit his teeth, clearly wanting to say more but knowing he was outclassed.
"Relax gramps," I walked forward and bent forward to look him in the eyes, "you're really stupid even for a former Hashira you know…"
His jaw tightened, moustache twitching, he was ready to snap back. Only I didn't give him the opportunity to do so.
"You wear the same haori as a friend of my Tsugoku, a cowardly boy, his name is Zanpakuto or something." I purposely got Zenitsu's name wrong to test him. And sure enough…
Jiguro exploded, "His name is Zenitsu! And he's my precious disciple!"
"Pfft… so you know that at least," I stopped him from talking again, "if you know that, the. What makes you think committing suicide because someone you taught decided to cosplay Dracula?"
The old man stiffened, his knuckles whitened around his wakizashi. "Kaigaku… he dishonoured everything I ever taught. A master who breeds a demon deserves no less than death…"
I put on my best Escanor impression, "And who decided that?!" Jiguro looked shocked, and I continued speaking. "Kaigaku made his choice, he spat on your teachings not the other way around. You killing yourself over his actions isn't going to punish him or atone for whatever crimes he commits. You'll only be hurting Zenitsu in the long run."
Seeing that he wasn't going to reply I continued, "Some fucking mentor you are. Your favourite disciple is one panic attack from losing his mind and you think killing yourself is the answer?"
Jiguro flinched, but I kept pressing.
"You dumb old bastard… if you can't live for yourself then live for Zenitsu." I crossed my arms, "as for that Kakuzoo or whatever the fuck his name is, I'll handle it, I'll make him wish for deaths embrace."
'Hell will be a paradise compared to what a certain Stone Hashira has in store for him.'
Jiguro's shoulder shook as he bowed his head. The old man had tears streaming down his face and into his facial hair. I stood up to my full height and patted his shoulder.
"Now come on gramps, I'm sure Zenitsu will be happy to see you."
[Scene Break]
Jiguro and I parted ways when we got back to Kyoto. He went directly to find Zenitsu. Meanwhile I went around Kyoto buying up supplies.
Several days later my home was filled with life. Kakushi bustled in and out with trays of food. The Hahira who had free time had come by as well. Laughter filled the air along with the smells of roasted meats and confections.
This wasn't a housewarming celebration though. Not even an after meeting feast. No, this was all about Mitsuri. It was the first of June, her birthday. We had traded information like this when we had made our relationship official.
I looked over to Mitsuri who sat at the center of the festivities. Her cheeks glowed pink as everyone sang and teased her. Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, celebrating her birthday among friends who cared fo her.
I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching her laugh as Shinobu handed her a neatly wrapped present. The warmth I was feeling at the moment was hard to ignore.
Hours passed, gifts were given, and food was consumed by the pound. Eventually the crowd thinned. The other Hashira bid their farewells and the Kakushi started cleaning up. Mitsuri had offered to help, but they had refused and insisted that she spend some time with me.
Mitsuri and I sat together under the lantern light, our fingers touching. The noise around us seemed to fade away.
She turned to me, eyes sparkling. "Thank you Satoru-kun. This was… one of the best birthdays I've ever had."
I smiled faintly and brushed my thumb over her hand. "Glad you enjoyed it Mitsuri…"
Then, out of nowhere, she leaned closer and kissed my cheek before whispering. "Happy Birthday Satoru-kun."
I blinked, "Eh?"
She giggled behind her hand, "Of course you forgot… yours was a few weeks ago remember? We were busy then, but now we can celebrate together." She smiled widely at me.
I froze for a bit, honestly I really had forgotten. I was pretty busy running around and I had stopped really caring about my birthday after a while. Yet here Mitsuri was, remembering something that I hadn't thought about in years.
"…you really are something else Mitsuri-chan." My voice came out softer than I intended.
Her smile only grew warmer.
Later that night, under the stars, I led her around the refurbished and rebuilt estate. Showing her around to the different rooms and the hot spring. She really liked that part of the grounds.
We eventually made it back to the main building where I stood at the front entrance holding her hand.
"Mitsuri…" she looked up at me, "this house is way too big for just me alone. And honestly I don't want it to be just me. So…" I suddenly felt rather awkward, "move in with me?"
Her hands flew to her cheeks as a big smile formed on her lips. Her cheeks burned red behind her hands, for a moment I thought she might actually faint. Then tears welled up, she nodded furiously.
"Yes! Of course I will!"
I laughed, letting out a breath I didn't know I had been holding. "Good," I grabbed her hand, "let's make this place ours."
It didn't take too long for her to settle in. As Hashira we didn't have much, except for maybe the Kocho sisters. They had the Butterfly Mansion. Some other Hashira also had family homes they sometimes returned to, but that was rare.
Mitsuri basically planned out what to bring from her parent's home. She also insisted on a special shelf for her sakuramochi plate. I gave in, as a good boyfriend should.
By midnight we were settling in after teasing each other and planning where we'd put everything in the house once we got around to getting more stuff.
I was soaking in the hot springs out back when I heard the sliding door open behind me. I slowly turned around, my eyes widened.
'Thank god I don't bathe with my sunglasses…'
Mitsuri stood at the door, only a towel wrapped around her curvy figure. She had a furious blush on her face as she stepped forward.
She looked right at me, "Satoru…"
Then she let the towel drop.
[Scene Break]
The next morning I woke up entangled in warmth. Mitsuri was snuggled close, her hand rested on my bare chest and one of her legs draped over mine. I felt blood rush to places when I remembered the previous night.
Mitsuri let out a cute giggle as she snored on next to me. A gentle smile on her face as she dreamed of something pleasant. I just stared at her for several moment.
'Man… my life would be so different if I had never met her.'
I reached out and poked her cheek, then brushed a strand of her hair from her face. She stirred, blinking sleepily before realising where she was.
"S-Satoru-kun! A-ahhh," she blushed hard, "ano… you better take responsibility."
"Mmm, good morning to you too." I chuckled as I kissed her forehead.
She blushed even more, trying to pull the sheet over her naked form.
"Responsibility huh?" I pulled her closer ignoring her half hearted protest, "okay… then. Marry me Mitsuri."
She stiffened in my arms, I glanced down and spotted her looking up at me with wide eyes.
"E-eh?"
I met her gaze, steady and unflinching. "I'm serious, stay with me… always. As my wife."
For a moment, silence. Then her face crumpled as tears spilled down her cheeks. She threw herself on top of me and wrapped me in a bone crushing hug. She sobbed into my chest, "Yes! Yes Satoru-kun, I'll marry you!"
A happy laugh escaped my lips, I held her close as she kept crying tears of joy.
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Thats it for now lads, mass release to celebrate the new month. More chapters coming soon.
In the meantime enjoy these pictures of our favourite Hashira made by the filthy clanker I have locked up in my basement.
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