"Kenma, what exactly are you hiding from me?"
Yoruichi's direct interrogation caused Kenma's hand to pause as he poured tea, though he quickly resumed his movements. He pushed the freshly brewed tea in front of her, only to see that her expression was grave, devoid of her usual playful or mischievous air. She didn't take the tea. Instead, she stared straight at him with those golden eyes.
"I'm not a fool. I've noticed more or less some of your movements in the shadows. I once thought I would wait for you—wait for you to tell me of your own accord."
"But now that Father has passed and Yūshirō is still so young, I only have you left by my side!"
"You are my husband, but right now, I truly don't know if I can continue to trust you!"
Yoruichi's voice was somewhat raspy, her brow furrowed with sincerity. Since her father's passing, an invisible pressure had settled on her shoulders, making it hard for her to breathe. The Shihoin family was prosperous and powerful, but that same power was a heavy burden. Even if she wanted to find someone to share it with—her younger brother, Yūshirō, was still a child and someone she needed to protect. That only left her husband, Kenma.
Yet her husband had hidden so much from her in the shadows; she truly didn't know if she could rely on him at a time like this. That was why she came today. No matter what, she had to get to the bottom of this!
"Kenma, tell me—"
"At least give me a sign of safety, something that lets me continue to trust you—to continue seeing you as my husband."
On Yoruichi's beautiful face, her delicate features tightened, revealing a mix of fear and anxiety. Facing his wife's raw expression of her feelings, how could Kenma not be moved? Her father newly deceased, her brother young, and yet he, as her husband, couldn't even provide her with a basic sense of security—these were things he had overlooked.
If Yoruichi hadn't spoken up today, he might not have realized just how much pressure she was under. An indescribable pang of guilt surged in Kenma's heart. He stood up, walked to Yoruichi's side, and gently pulled her into his arms. Feeling his wife's body trembling slightly from her intense emotions, his voice grew deeper.
"Yoruichi, trust me. I never intended to hurt you."
"I admit that I have indeed hidden things from you, but I simply didn't know how to tell you in an appropriate way."
Yoruichi looked up, her face tilted toward Kenma, the redness in her eyes deepening.
"An appropriate way? Could you not just tell me these things directly?"
"Shisui and Fugaku both know about your affairs. Even Fushiguro Toji, who spends all day doing nothing at home, knows. Yet I, as your wife, have been kept in the dark."
"In your heart, I'm afraid I, your wife, am not even as worthy of your closeness and trust as subordinates like Shisui—"
"Sometimes I wonder, am I even your wife?"
Her words reached his ears, making the shame and guilt in Kenma's heart even heavier. He subconsciously tightened his embrace around Yoruichi.
"Nngh—"
Feeling the sudden pressure from her husband's embrace, Yoruichi couldn't help but let out a muffled, uncomfortable sound. Kenma snapped out of it and immediately relaxed his grip.
"Sorry, Yoruichi—"
His solemn face was now clouded with pity and tenderness. Seeing her husband's cautious and caring expression, Yoruichi's heart steadied slightly, and she shook her head gently. His burning body heat radiated through her clothes, making Yoruichi feel as if she were completely enveloped in his warmth.
"Tell me, Kenma."
"Even though I'm your wife, I know nothing—I cannot accept this."
Looking at Yoruichi's vulnerable expression, Kenma was moved even further. He sighed and asked, "Yoruichi, which part do you want to know?"
"Everything, of course! All of it!"
Hearing Kenma's words, the mood Yoruichi had been building for so long nearly broke, and her expression immediately became animated. Coming to her senses, she abruptly broke free from Kenma's embrace. She waved her hands and slammed them heavily onto the table, causing the tea in the cups to splash everywhere.
"Why do you think you can just muddle through by explaining only a part of it to me?"
"Are you looking down on me? I'm not that easy to deal with!"
"Explain everything clearly to me!"
Seeing his wife's sudden shift in attitude, Kenma felt a strange, inexplicable sense of relief. He really wasn't used to that previous fragile and helpless appearance. This lively personality was the Yoruichi he knew. He stepped forward, grabbed Yoruichi's wrist, and pulled her back into his arms. Yoruichi's expression froze for a moment, and then her gaze softened.
"Really—you and your stiff formality. I knew I didn't like that heavy atmosphere just now, and I definitely don't like interacting with you in such a stifling way."
That was why she had suddenly exploded, sweeping away the tension between them. Yoruichi felt that if they had continued in that atmosphere, they would have looked like characters in some tragedy. She did not like tragic developments.
"Yoruichi, I don't like it either."
Although Kenma wasn't clear on her exact thoughts, he could feel that she was forcing herself to calm down. Beneath that cheerful exterior, there was still a deep-seated sense of unease.
"I prefer you when you're lively. Even though you're a bit noisy, crude, and never do anything productive, that's the real you."
Yoruichi was listening to the first half of Kenma's words just fine, but as he reached the middle, something felt off.
"Hey, formal-pants... are you really praising me? Why does it feel like you're insulting me in a roundabout way?"
"It's your imagination."
Kenma shifted his gaze slightly, avoiding Yoruichi's eyes. However, a hint of relaxation naturally appeared between his brows. He really found it difficult to deal with that pitiful expression she had earlier. The current Yoruichi was much easier to be with.
"Is it?"
Yoruichi squinted, her face showing clear disbelief. Then she sighed, not intending to dwell on it further.
"Fine, that doesn't matter."
"Now it's time to tell me about those things you've been hiding."
As the conversation returned to serious business, Kenma's expression straightened.
"Yoruichi, I can tell you everything, but it would be too much trouble to explain in words. I'll take you to see it for yourself tomorrow. It'll be easier for you to understand."
"It seems the things you've hidden from me aren't just a few little things."
Yoruichi complained, but for some reason, her heart felt much lighter. Whether he told her verbally or took her to see it, as long as he told her and stopped keeping secrets, it was fine. Kenma paused, then added, "But there is something that must be done before I tell you."
"What is it?" Yoruichi asked.
Kenma let go of Yoruichi, walked to a nearby sword rack, and picked up his Zanpakuto.
"Yoruichi, you should still remember my Zanpakuto's ability, right?"
Yoruichi nodded. When Urahara Kisuke, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and Suì-Fēng were released from prison, she had seen Kenma's ability with her own eyes.
"So, you want to link with me?"
"Yes," Kenma said in a low voice. "This is the only way I can truly set my mind at ease."
Seeing Yoruichi's expression gradually turn serious, Kenma suppressed the flicker of guilt in his heart.
"I know you might be unhappy about this, but I have no other way. I'm sorry—"
Before Kenma could finish, Yoruichi interrupted him.
"I agree!"
"It's just establishing an iron-clad bond with you, right? We've been husband and wife for a long time; it's the same whether we have this or not."
Kenma's eyes widened slightly. Yoruichi's straightforward answer was truly beyond his expectations. Seeing his reaction, Yoruichi waved her hand dismissively. "You don't need to overthink it. I understand your temperament well enough. If this is what it takes for you to feel secure, then do it."
"I'm sorry, Yoruichi."
Kenma stopped hesitating and slowly drew his Zanpakuto. A faint, clear light glowed from the blade. Watching the light from the blade transform into an almost invisible thread that connected to her, Yoruichi's eyes flickered with unspoken thoughts.
'Kenma... I suppose this means I've finally boarded your war chariot, doesn't it?'
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]