#exstinguished flames

"THIS IS WONDERFUL!! I CAN ALREADY PICTURE THE SMILES ON YOUR PARENTS' FACES ONCE THEY SEE HOW MUCH BETTER I TREAT YOU THAN THIS EVIBLOTEN BOY!!"

She just sat there politely as she ate some onigiri Mrs. Rengoku had made to go along with the big pot of miso soup she made everyone. Everyone had worked really hard this past month to help. Mitsuri was already on her seventh bowl slurping it down as her tentacle hair shoved onigiri into her back mouth, Obanai watching her with an absolute lovestruck expression on his face that she admitted was very sweet. 

Shinjuro pointed at Kyojuro however and said one thing that caused her plan to delay however. "You're not going anywhere until everything is fixed!"

"Shinjuro." Ruka looked at him but the older kyonshi grunted flatly.

"No, Ruka! I'm putting my foot down! He goes missing for three years and now that he's finally shown up he wants to go galavanting back to where he was killed!?" Ruka paused momentarily under her husband's harsh gaze. "He's not going!" He snapped back to Kyojuro pointing his sake cup at him. "YOU'RE NOT GOING BACK!! And that is final! You've barely been back for a month as it is!"

"Be reasonable, Father!," Kyojuro calmly explained not once cowering in front of the older kyonshi. "It's not just for me, but for Y/n as well! It's only proper to get her father's blessing for us to continue. She's already met my family, it's only right I meet hers!"

"He has a point." Ruka scooped some more soup into Kyojuro's bowl with a ladle, her body floating through everything harmlessly. "It's only right that he meets his future in-laws, and Y/n hadn't seen any of her family since she was brought here."

Thank you, Ruka! She's always been reasonable. Even tho she didn't really WANT to see her family. They might already think she was dead, and her mother abandoned her to die in that carriage. It still hurts whenever she thought of it. 

"Didn't you say how awful your parents were though?" Her head snapped up wide eyed at Suma whom just swallowed an entire onigiri by herself. "You've been telling us how awful they were the entire time you've been here. Like how they barely acknowledge you or like you or how they must not have ever wanted you because your mother abandoned- HMF!?"

Makio shoved her own onigiri into her wife's mouth growling. "SHUT. UP!! What she meant-" Makio looked back at her and Kyojuro. "-is that your Father might have a good point. These people don't seem like good humans. No offense to Y/n, but how do we know they won't try to put a stake through your heart? Or throw salt or holy water at you? You could get hurt!"

Kyojuro hummed in thought frowning at Makio's words. Oh no. Her plan might be in jeopardy now! Why did she have to vent so much to them?! Idiot!!

"I don't think you'd even get their blessings with the whole misunderstanding and all."

"I appreciate everyone's concern," Kyojuro spoke slowly, "But it's the principal of the matter. Y/n was right. If I want to court her properly, then I at have to meet her family at least one time. Even if they do not give their blessings, I must make an effort!"

"And does Y/n actually want to see her family?" Obanai asked shoving a piece of meat under his mask to eat. "Or is this you trying to make it up to her?"

"Actually it was Y/n whom suggested it!" He turned to her and she smiled strained as everyone turned to look at her.

"I-... It's t-true that I may not want to-to see them after everything, b-but I at least want to make sure they're alr-r-right." She stuttered looking down and fiddling her spoon in the bowl. "... They're still my parents."

"You don't have to force yourself to go if you don't want to," Kyojuro tilted his head at her. "I won't force you to do anything you don't want to."

That made her look up at him in surprise. "Wait. Really?" He nodded. "I thought you wanted to get my father's blessing."

"I do! But only if that is what YOU want, Y/n! If it's that important to you, then I shall go meet them! However if you don't want to go then, you don't have to see them."

She sat there for a while stunned before looking at the bowl. Did she want to see them? No. She really didn't but what other choice did she have? Her only other option was attempting to play nice with these yokai for another four months and she didn't want to wait that long in order to just leave. Although there was no guarantee this plan would work anyways. 

"I..should at least let them know that I'm alive and safe, and make sure they're alright too."

"Then write them a letter," Giyuu bluntly stated shoving onigiri into his mouth. "That'll let them know that you're not dead."

"Giyuu!," Kanae chastised him with a frown. "Don't be rude!"

"He shouldn't be so rude, but that's an excellent idea!," Kyojuro beamed. "We can send them a letter in advance telling them of our arrival! It would be more polite than just barging in!"

"Who said you were going?" Shinjuro narrowed his eyes.

"Father, this is something I must do on my own! After all I am two hundred twenty years old!" Y/n choked on her food whipping her head to him. TWO HUNDRED TWENTY YEARS OLD?! "You met Mother's family when you two were courting."

"Yes, but I didn't go back to the place where I died a second time and then revived! There's no guarantee you'll survive a third attempt on your life!" 

"May I make a suggestion?" Senjuro slowly raised his hand making his family look at him, quietly he rubbed his neck and looked down. "I-If Kyojuro really wants to go back and meet Miss Y/n's family, how about he takes someone with him? Y-You know. Just in case he needs help."

Ruka nodded approvingly. "That sounds like a fair compromise to me. There are strength in numbers, and he wouldn't be alone to deal with any monster hunters."

Shinjuro still frowned as just stared at Kyojuro's beaming smile before he let out a long sigh. "Fine. He can go." Kyojuro opened his mou- "AFTER the onsen is fixed." His father cut him off sternly pointing his cup at him. "After it's all fixed, then you may go meet them but only after you help finish fixing it. And only if you agree with taking Sanemi with you!"

Sanemi? She glanced over at the Kamaitachi whom had looked up when his name was mentioned, weasel ears flickering. The man was covered in scars and had a scary appearance about him. Kyojuro was scary to any strangers being an undead corpse, but he was too happy not making him very scary once he started talking so having a scary man like Sanemi tagging along might be a good idea in case her parents or the Eviblotens tried anything. 

"AGREED!! Only if Y/n is comfortable with it!"

She blinked. "Huh? Oh. I-I don't mind."

"Then it's settled! Once Sanemi finishes the plumbing to the onsen, we go meet my future in-laws-" She gave him a look. "-Possibly to be!!" He quickly added.

"Well now that that's settled-" Ruka held up a pie with the smell of apples and sugar wafting from it. "Who wants desert?"

"OOH OOH!!" Mitsuri waved a whole arm. "ME! I DO!!"

Sanemi still had two bathrooms inside to finish fixing before he fixed the onsen so it would be a good while before they were able to go anywhere which she was both dreading and thankful for. However that didn't stop Kyojuro from happily beaming to himself with pride as he talked with her on their 'courting session' the next week. 

"I'm sending your parents a letter!" 

She froze mid step on their walk around the estate, this time making sure to ask Suma if there was ANY chance for rain before going. Her eyes wide. "You what?!"

"I took Giyuu's advice and wrote them a letter to be sent by one of Tengen's messenger crows!," he happily told her, "I told them you were perfectly safe and sound, and told them where you were in case they should come visit us instead! We should be seeing them within a month's time!"

"You didn't!"

"I also made sure to apologize for scaring your mother! They run the Ningyo Fishing Company correct?"

"Yes! But don't tell them where I am!!"

He tilted his head. "Why not? Shouldn't they know where you are?"

He paused as her hands grabbed his wide eyed in fear. "Kyojuro, my parents are not good people!" She reminded him. "You remember that I told you how my mother abandoned me, right?" He nodded. "I don't care if you and your family are yokai, but others will! My mother already probably told everyone about you and the carriage incident. If they know where you are, you and everyone else would be in danger! You could have monster hunters trying to kill you or warrior priests ready to exercise your family!"

Kyojuro's smile fell, eyes going wide with horror. "Oh..I see your point."

"Don't send that letter! If you want to write something then just let them know that I'm fine and you're sorry for what happened. They don't need to know anymore than that."

He nodded. "Right! I'll write a new one once we're finished courting today! I even brought lunch to share by the stream!"

"Oh. So that's what the basket's for."

"Yes! Don't worry. This time I didn't make anything spicy!"

"Well to be fair, your cooking wasn't bad," you continued walking tugging him along as his red eyes went shocked wide at your held hands. "It was rather good, but I just couldn't withstand the amount of hot peppers you added."

"You think so?! Really!?"

You nodded. "I mean it, just next time remember which bowl you put it in. Ok?"

He nodded before looking back down. "... You're holding my hand?"

"Oh. Do you not want to? I thought you wanted me to give you an honest chance due to our contract-"

"NO NO NO!! Please continue holding my hand!" He beamed pale cheeks going pink. "I like it very much!!"

"Pfft! You're funny flustered." He made a choked noise than had her giggling. "Cute when you're pink too.~"

"HAHAHA!!" He laughed loudly despite the burning red of his face. "THANK YOU FOR THE COMPLIMENTS, MY DEAREST!! YOU ARE QUITE LOVELY TOO!! THAT DRESS BRINGS OUT YOUR BEAUTIFUL EYES!!"

She couldn't help but giggle. She's been complimented before when her mother set up bridal meetings with potential husbands before but they were all superficial compliments. All the men saw was a business opportunity or the wealth her family had thanks to her father's successful business. She was only a means to an end. The only positive thing about them was that they st least pretended to be interested in her and not outright treating her like Geto. Kyojuro was different. Yes he kidnapped her technically and had a thick head, but he was literally making an effort to get to know her unlike everyone else. 

That...said a lot. How ironic was it that the monster she barely knew was kinder than the humans she knew?

"T-Tell me more about your parents," he changed the topic still red, "W-What are they like? Do they have any hobbies? It'd be rude to meet them and not bring a gift."

Her smile faded as they walked before she sighed. "They like..working I guess. And my mother enjoys high end ladies' fashion..."

He rose a brow slowly. "Is that it?"

She shrugged without looking at him. "I was raised by highly trained nannies and private tutors growing up because they were always working or attending events. The only times I really saw them was when my entire family had to attend a big event like a wedding or funeral, until my mother started setting up bridal meetings for me...I don't think they liked me very much because I wasn't born the son they wanted as an heir. Marrying me to the 'best family' and getting a good son-in-law they wanted was the next best thing I suppose." She shrugged again. "I don't know them too well and they certainly don't know me. Not that they ever cared."

There was silence for a moment other than their footsteps and the sounds of chirping birds before Kyojuro decided to speak again. "I'm very sorry. I can't imagine what that must've been like for you to know your family more as roommates than parents."

"Don't apologize. It wasn't your fault they're bad people. I really like your family though. Your parents and brother love each other very much. Senjuro especially is really sweet."

Kyojuro smiled. "Aw. He's only a hundred fourteen. Wait until his hundred eightieth birthday! He's going to be a strapping young man by then!"

"I had no idea kyonshi could age. Aren't you already-..You know."

"Yes! But there's lots of things humans don't understand about us! I've never talked to one long enough to explain before!" He hummed in thought for a moment. "The man your parents arranged for you to marry, his name was Geto??" 

"Geto Evibloten." Her brow rose as his scrunched up in thought. "Is something wrong?"

"That name sounds... familiar but I don't know why," he mumbled looking up at the sky. 

"Well perhaps you've heard of him while you were visiting our town three years ago?," she suggested to him. "The Eviblotens are cousins to a noble family who serves the Empress and their estate is a day's trip out of town, two if you don't have a horse. They're well known for their noble ties."

He hummed again slowly nodding. "I suppose so. A lot of things were fuzzy after I was stabbed in the heart from behind."

"You were stabbed!? How did that not kill you!?"

"I'm already dead," he casually said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Although he didn't know that because I was using enchantments to make me look human. To a kyonshi getting stabbed in the heart is the equivalent of you getting hit upside the head and knocking you unconscious. He must've thought I was actually dead-dead when I was buried in that shallow grave you found me in."

"You mean..you don't remember who did it?"

His eyes went dark as he looked at her. A look that made a chill run up her back. "I remember that man. I remember his face. His clothes. His scent. His clothes. The glint of his knife. The way he smugly looked at me as everything went dark. He stole three years of my life. I could never forget that even if I tried."

"Why would he want to hurt you?"

Kyojuro relaxed with a sigh through his nose. "He was a rival suiter for Koyuki as was a few others...I.. Can't remember his name as I barely spoke to him, but I suspect that he only wanted to court her because her father owned a large successful dojo. I suppose he wanted to eliminate some of his rivals."

"Dojo." Her face lit up in realization. "I know that place!" He looked at her. "The dojo master's name was Keizo wasn't it?"

"Yes!" He smiled brightly at her. "He was a splendid man! Never said anything bad about anyone! He even gave me his permission to court her even after finding out what I was! Tell me how is he? How's Koyuki? Are they doing alright??"

She nodded. "Yes. I heard his daughter got married to his apprentice about two years ago. The dojo seems to be doing well."

Kyojuro went silent staring at nothing in particular but looked sadder despite his smile. "Ah..I always suspected Akaza was in love with her."

"Akaza?" 

"He's a nekomata. He also goes by Hakuji amongst the humans, and is the Master's apprentice."

She was shocked. "The dojo's future master is a yokai!?"

"That was probably the reason why Master Keizo wasn't all too surprised to see me! But enough about me and my past. Tell me what this Geto person is like so I know how to crush your parents' opinions of him."

Now he was talking her language. "He's sexist, misogynistic, and very rude. He said I wasn't allowed to speak to him and made me serve him food in my own home the first time we met." She scowled. "He also called me a bitch."

Kyojuro slloooowly inhaled. "I'm very tempted to drain his chi."

"I'll help you hide his body."

"Oh, I am in LOVE with you.~"

"How about Koyuki? What is she like?"

The days gone by were pretty quiet other than the constant sounds of work. She continued helping out with the yard work fixing up the massive garden and pulling vines and weeds from the fence surrounding the yard. The work on the onsen was slowly being finished up. The outside was all repaired and the inside was almost fixed from what Tengen told you when you both passed by each other and chatted with each other briefly. Apparently fixing tiled flooring and a tub is a lot harder than fixing wooden walls or roofing. However that meant only a few of them had to work on the onsen, and the rest of them had moved onto fixing up the mansion. You found the nure onna and Akugyo on the roof one day tearing off old roofing to make way for new ones, and saw Shinjuro prying a broken floorboard off the floor to replace it the day after. 

"I shouldn't have slept so long," he muttered to himself as she passed by. "Left everything go to ruins. My father is turning in his grave seeing this."

Oh please no more yokai. She was just getting used to all the different ones already thrown out her way. Kyojuro still kept showing up for their 'courting sessions'. Next one he arrived with a box of brushes and ink stones. 

"Mother found these while clearing out her closet!," he explained thrusting it at her. "She has no use for them so she let me have them! Here! For you! Now you may draw again, My Dear!"

"You.. remembered?" She couldn't believe it. No one usually listened to a thing she said. She smiled taking it from him. "They're really mine?"

"Absolutely! I promised I'd get you some as a courting gift! They're yours to keep! Id love to see you draw with them!"

"Really?!...Can I try drawing you?"

Kyojuro. BEAMED. "I WOULD BE HONORED!!"

The family dinner later was good. She was happy to start chatting with them about their hobbies and Senjuro looked really interested in the drawing of Kyojuro. 

"Wow! This looks so much like Brother!" He stared in awe at the book. "You're really good at drawing, Miss Y/n!"

She smiled. "Thanks, Senjuro. If you want I'll draw you next."

The young kyonshi looked up sparkly eyed. "Really?!"

"That is if you don't mind sitting still for a while."

"I'd love to! Then I can show Tanjiro and Nezuko!"

"Who?"

"The Kamado siblings!," Kyojuro explained. "They live in the forest surrounding our home. They're some of Senjuro's friends. You'd like them. Young Kamados are a good bunch."

"As long as that pig doesn't try to wrestle with me again," Shinjuro muttered.

Pig??

She didn't get it but she supposed that it was another yokai friend of Senjuro's. Senjuro was very sweet and polite. If you ever had a younger sibling, you'd want them to be just like Senjuro. Things progressed steadily as the second month of your stay passed. The garden was fixed other than the Kocho sisters wanting to replant things a special way so you shouldn't get in their way. More old roofing and boards were being removed to be replaced, making another big pile in the front for Tengen to burn. Apparently the mansion might take longer to fix because of the number of small annoying things to fix like cracks in the ceilings and random floorboards that needed removing after being inspected. Sanemi at least got one restroom done and was working on the last one before he tackled the onsen. In his own words it shouldn't take too long because the onsen had less complicated plumbing than indoor toilets apparently. 

"Where are you guys getting all the building material anyways?" It had been something you've been wondering about for a while now. 

Sanemi grunted rolling his eyes. "Tengen buys all of it by giving humans a 'bag of gold' when really he enchanted a bag of rocks to look like gold nuggets for a week." Ah that explains it. "Also about the way I first treated you when you showed up.." He looked to the side. "It wasn't right of me. I probably shouldn't have done that."

She blinked. Was Sanemi..trying to apologize to her? It sounded like an apology. She smiled. "It's alright. I'd be pretty on edge too if a stranger I didn't know showed up with a missing friend. All's forgiven!" 

The scary looking weasel smiled at her. "But keep this just between us. I don't need Obanai thinking I've become a wuss."

She giggled holding up a hand. "Your secret's safe with me."

Slowly days passed by without a care in the world. Y/n spent more time with the ladies and was surprised to find how relaxed they were. Weren't all ladies supposed to just sit perfectly still and act like perfect dolls like Mother and her wealthy friends?? She watched as Mitsuri stuffed both her mouth greedily at the same time while Makio snored loudly having fallen asleep listening to Kanae talk on about the different butterflies at the Butterfly Mansion. She never had friends before. Did these yokai count as friends? She didn't know but enjoyed their company the same.

The boys she spent less time with but Giyuu and Gyomei were polite to her when they spoke, and Obanai seemed still suspicious only responding in short answers when they rarely did talk, but he wasn't rude either. Just blunt. Tengen was the friendliest out of them all and liked to brag about his 'flamboyant and flashy' self. It was rather amusing and on occasions she couldn't help but laugh. It helped knowing he was a Zenko kitsune and not a Yako/Nogisune one. He played tricks and was full of himself, but he wasn't dangerous. 

"What is it like having nine tails? Doesn't that hurt your spine?"

"Actually our tails are pretty light! Most of our real weight are in the muscles because we need to generate enough body heat to keep our flames from going out! So actually kitsune are a lot physically stronger than we look!"

"I had no idea!"

Sanemi was still usually too busy to talk but you both said hello or waved when you passed each other by. Kyojuro's family was also very welcoming. Ruka often asked if she needed anymore clothes or food and asked Kyojuro every so often if he was behaving himself much to the Kyonshi's embarrassment. 

"Are you being sure to treat her with respect?"

"YES, MOTHER!! ABSOLUTELY!!"

"I have my eyes on you."

Senjuro was sweet as always and she wondered if Kyojuro was like this as a child too or if he was as loud as proud as he was now. Shinjuro was more complicated. He'd talk to her during their family dinners asking about certain things.

"Is the old shrine still there? That's where I got married. Did the Tsugikuni family die out? They were pretty messy on the battlefield."

He was the stereotype of a grumpy old father figure going on about his good old days. She didn't mind, it was interesting to hear about her town's past.  As for Kyojuro, well he was busy most of the time trying to get everything fixed up while waiting for Sanemi to fix up the onsen. Dates usually consisted of walks or lunches together. Predictable but it was nice to be able to be so calm around someone. Although once he tried another double date with Obanai and Mitsuri. A small picnic in a clearing but when the lunch basket was opened-..It was empty. Kyojuro shook it upside down before everyone looked at each other before looking back to Mitsuri's guilty expression.

"I'm so sorry. Senjuro's cooking is just too yummy! I couldn't help myself."

"It's ok. There's some wild peach trees nearby. We can snack on those instead!"

Well not the worst date she's been on. However one day Kyojuro decided to show her something personal to her around the third week of that month. He gestured for her to follow him one courting session.

"Come with me to my room."

She just stared. "Excuse me? I beg your pardon, Sir, but we're not married yet."

"AH!" His face flushed a red as he held up his hands. "NO NO!! NOTHING LIKE..THAT! I just wanted to show you something!"

Her brow rose. "In your bedroom? That's not proper."

"Then I'll bring it out to show you! Please?"

"Alright. As long as it's not anything strange or improper."

"I promise you it's not!" 

Taking her by the hand, he guided her back through the mansion towards his family's resting areas. The first room was his apparently as he stopped by and went inside. She watched from the doorway as he took a painting off the wall and brought it back to her. With an excited smile he held it up to her and she stared at him. Two hims.

"This is me. Me when I was still alive that is."

It was Kyojuro. But not Kyojuro Rengoku the kyonshi. It was Kyojuro Rengoku the Samurai. The painting was of Kyojuro, a human Kyojuro with color to his skin and his hair much more vibrant and without fangs of claws. He was in samurai armor upon a noble black stallion, sword on his side. She stared in shock looking between him and the painting several times. It was clearly the same man, but he looked different from the yokai before her.

"What do you think?! I think I look a bit silly on a horse but Tengen insisted on painting it like that."

"You.. Wow." That's all she could get out hand coming to her mouth. "Your hair was shorter back then."

"It was!" He held up the painting before his eyes looking slightly sad. "I used to be a samurai for the local daimyo. I didn't like it too much but it paid well for my family."

"You looked very handsome, not that you aren't handsome now."

He chuckled. "I thank you. I'm glad you think so." 

"...How did you become like.." She hesitated before gesturing to him. "If you don't mind me asking."

"It's alright." He turned to put the painting back. "I was slain on the battlefield by a member of the rival daimyo." He slowly walked into his room again. "My mother was the one to revive me after she returned in spirit form, as she did with Father and Senjuro."

"What.. happened to them?"

He was silent as he hung the painting back up to stare at it. "... I'm afraid that is not my story to tell. They'll tell you if they want but otherwise I don't think it's appropriate to discuss that further."

"I'm sorry, Kyojuro. I shouldn't have asked that."

He turned to her smiling again. "It's alright. I was expecting you to ask me that. That's why I showed you my portrait. If we're getting to know one another then we should be honest with one another."

Honest. 

She winced thinking about her plan. It seemed so wrong now that he literally exposed so much of himself to her. He tilted his head at her guilty expression.

"Y/n, are you alright? You look bothered."

"...I ..don't think we should go see my parents anymore." Her hands squeezed her dress.

His brows shot up. "Why? I thought you wanted me to get your father's blessing and meet your parents as was customary."

"Well-..Yes. I did. B-But I only said that because I was hoping that after you saw how horrible they were, you wouldn't want to marry me knowing that you'd be getting horrible in-laws." He fell silent. She couldn't look at him. "I'm sorry. It was wrong and I broke your contract rule about trying to have someone else change your mind. Let's just not go. I don't want to put you in any danger again. Kyojuro, I'm so sor-"

?!

She froze as two arms enveloped her body and pulled her against something cold. It took a moment to realize that Kyojuro was hugging her. 

"You don't have to apologize for anything anymore." He mumbled above her. "It was my own fault for taking you away by force for my own selfish desires. Of course you'd want to escape from me. I'm dead, and you're so much alive."

".. That's not your fault though. I shouldn't have been stupid and recited vows in a cemetery." She hugged him back tightly. "I was so stupid."

"You weren't stupid. You just needed to rant a little is all." A hand rubbed her back. "I think we can call it even because I too broke one of your rules about no intimate hugs. Let us call it even and let bygones be bygones."

She sighed. "Alright. E-Even."

Kyojuro paused a little while before continuing. "I still want to meet them though."

She blinked before forcibly pulling back to look at him. "What?! Why?! I just told you we don't have to!"

"It's not that because we have to, it's because I really do want to do this properly and meet them once. Just once. I need to apologize to your mother for nearly killing her by running you both off the roads, and I intend to ask your father for his blessings in person like a man. Whether he gives it or not, doesn't matter. It's the principal. You don't have to go however if they treat you that badly."

"I-..You-.." She sighed. "There's no talking you out of this is there?"

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!! I'm stubborn remember?"

"I know. I know. But you're not going alone. I'd feel safer if Sanemi came with us."

"Then he can still come! I'll ask Tengen to tag along too! He can give us great human illusions."

"I think that would make me feel a whole lot safer." She sighed before leaning her forehead against his shoulder. "I'm just so anxious about this."

"Do not worry. They will not hurt you as long as I am with you. They can't make you do anything anymore. I promise you that."

EDO SECRETS:

-Ruka passed away from the cannon sickness that afflicted her. Shinjuro and Senjuro had caught whatever she had and also passed away shortly after Kyojuro was buried. Ruka reanimated all three of her boys after coming back as a yurei.

-VOCAB AND YOKAI- 

Daimyo: Daimyo were powerful feudal lords in medieval and early-modern Japan who ruled over large, private land estates and commanded their own samurai warriors. As the name "great private land" implies, their power stemmed from the amount of land they controlled, which was measured by rice production, and they were subordinate to the shogun. Their authority and military power were crucial to the governance and social structure of Japan from the medieval period until the system was abolished in the Meiji Restoration.

Nekomata: A Nekomata (猫又, "forked cat") is a mythological Japanese yōkai (supernatural being) that appears as a domestic cat with a forked tail. These creatures are said to gain powers like speaking human language, shape-shifting, and necromancy as they age, with their abilities often linked to their age and the length of their tails. Nekomata are often depicted as malevolent, associated with strange fires and the resurrection of the dead, though some tales portray them as wise or even protective.

To be perfectly honest she wasn't sure wasn't to expect after Kyojuro ran off like someone lit his clothes on fire, but he acted completely normal the next few days like their talk didn't happen. Perhaps Tengen had talked sense in him to not worry about it? The final repairs were still being done on the home as they're was still a few smaller ones here and there that Shinjuro insisted get completely fixed and most of the men were out starting to repair the massive fence around the property. Mitsuri and Gyomei would LITERALLY pull the old fencing out by large sections and then the others would slowly fix that section until it was fixed before moving onto the next part. Tengen whined once about all the wood he needed to completely burn but other than that, things were going right in the world as the fall whether was starting to become colder and colder.

Until Kyojuro pulled you aside as you were helping Ruka make lunch for everyone. "Come with me to the garden!" He insisted with a big grin. "I wanna take one last look at the flowers before they completely wither away."

She blinked in the middle of literally chopping a carrot. "Kyojuro, I'm a little busy right now-"

"Please!" He begged. "I promise just a quick walk! Just us."

She looked from him to Ruka who waved her off. "It's alright. A few minutes away isn't going to hurt me."

"Alright then. Just a short walk. I still have chores to do."

Kyojuro practically carried her out the door with how fast he pulled her out to the garden where most of the flowers were already withered away from the autumn's coldness affecting them. Too bad. Kanae and Shinibu had worked so hard to get everything to grow just months ago, hopefully they'll grow back next summer. Kyojuro pointed out one in particular, a bush of a red roses that were mostly gone that he wanted her to look at and she did out of politeness. When she turned around she found Kyojuro not there- Oh wait. She looked down and found him on one knee beaming up at her.

"Kyojuro?" Her eyes widened suddenly. "Are you-?"

He cleared his throat. "Y/n, my Darling." Grabbing her hand he looked completely worried, maybe scared. "Ever since the day you saved me from my eternal slumber on that night by chance, I knew you would be the love of my life!..Um. Afterlife! Now that we've been together for so long and shared so much, I ask you now and please-" He immediately held up his other hand. "-if you're not ready or have changed your mind you are more than welcome to say no." She already smiled widely at his stuttering. "But will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"I already said I would you silly man."

"...Is that a yes?"

You chuckled. "Yes. It's a yes."

"PERFECT!!" His voice boomed out into the air as he suddenly jumped to his feet with a huge smile on his face! "Now that we're officially engaged now, we can finally get into preparations for our wedding ceremony!!"

"Oh, is that it?" She crossed her arms amused. "I thought you had forgotten all about that."

He shook his head. "NEVER!! I was just planning out the proposal first because you deserved a proper proposal and a chance to say no again." He held up his hands gesturing to the spot they stood. "I wanted to pick somewhere special to me. My father proposed to my mother in this very garden, and had their wedding here as well. So I wished to do the same to honor them!"

"Oh. You want the wedding to be in the garden?"

"Actually I was going to let you decide most of what we do for the ceremony." He tilted his head.  "It's just as much as your wedding as it is mine! You get a say in things too! Unless you'd rather have it somewhere else, then I'm sure we can work it all out!"

She stood there for a moment thinking. "...I..never actually thought of getting married before or where I wanted my wedding to be, but everywhere I can think of is back at my town. So.." She looked back to him. "Let's just have the wedding in your garden. I think it'd be the easiest place to have everyone."

"EXCELLENT!! WE SHOULD GO INFORM TENGEN THEN!!"

Her brow rose. "Tengen? Why?"

"He and his wives agreed to help us plan the wedding and engagement party after I proposed to you!" He proudly said. "They have experience with this much more than anyone else, so I thought they'd be the perfect wedding planners!"

"That's actually really relieving. What about your parents?"

"I'm allowing them to help too in respect of them being my family! My mother is in charge of the wedding feasts and my father is currently trying to find a priest..Hm. We should probably go talk about what foods we want at the wedding!"

"Maybe I should help her finish making lunch for more than ten people first before we talk to her about wedding food."

"Oh. Right! I'll help you!"

She didn't exactly expect THIS much planning to go into a wedding. She didn't even have any idea where to start when she was dragged to meet the only other married couple in the house and Makio asked her bluntly what she wanted for decorations. 

"Um. I don't know..Maybe we could ask Kanae and Shinobu to grow flowers?"

Makio looked at her like she was crazy. "You're having a WINTER wedding! That would completely clash with the snow!"

"Oh..I guess you're right. Sorry. I never planned a wedding before. My last wedding was just going to be a quick ceremony in a garden without a reception and only four people as witnesses for it which includes the priest."

"Makio, don't be so rude." Hinatsuru gave her wife a stern look before turning back to you with a smile. "I know." She held up a finger in suggestion. "Since's it's a winter wedding at night, we could light lanterns and place candles around the garden. Simple but beautiful!"

"OH!! We can have Tengen place small flames everywhere too!,'' Suma suggested. "It would light up everything and be so beautiful!"

She smiled widely. "That sounds perfect! Although you should probably ask Kyojuro what he thinks in case he doesn't like it."

Kyojuro was ON BOARD with the idea and Tengen was more than pleased with finally being able to use his fire for something else other than just burning massive piles of junk and wood now. When talking about the engagement party she was a bit more confused. 

"But didn't we have an engagement banquet when I first arrived here?", she pointed out during one of his family dinners, "Why have another one?" 

"Because you weren't actually engaged then!", Shinjuro argued back pointing his chopsticks at her. "If you're going to be married then you're going to do this properly." Shinjuro then looked at Kyojuro who was still eating the stew Ruka prepared for them to eat that night. His eyes narrowed. "*ahem*" Kyojuro looked up cheeks full. "I said if you're going to be wed then you're going to do it properly!"

Quickly his son swallowed what was left in his mouth before she turned to him confused. Kyojuro quickly cleared his throat before looking at her. "Y/n. I have your father's blessing to marry you!"

She was shocked looking at him before at Shinjuro before looking back to him again. "You what? HOW!?" She looked horrified. "I thought you said you weren't ever going back there!" 

"I didn't!" He proclaimed proudly. "I sent him a very strongly worded letting asking for his blessing, and if he didn't I would personally take his dishonor as an offense!"

...Her face deadpanned. "You threatened him?"

"....It was a very strongly worded letter!"

"You threatened him to get his blessing. Kyojuro-"

"I did not threaten him!", Kyojuro quickly stated. "I merely wrote him that the way he behaved towards both of us was disrespectful and I would only not take it as an offense against the Rengoku family if he gave us his blessings in exchange."

Her brow rose higher. "Then how do you know he gave you his blessing?"

"I wrote him to leave a whole crate of his finest fish at the nearest Inari shrine as an offering if he agreed to give us his blessings!...Tengen picked it up! Now we have plenty of dried salmon and catfish for winter!"

She wanted to facepalm. Her father probably only did it because he was scared out of his mind that the Yokai would come back and kill him after he totally did not low-key soft threaten him. "That could've still been a trap! Why on earth did you think that was a good idea?!"

He tilted his head. "It was Father's idea!" Ruka stopped in the middle of pouring more stew in Senjuro's bowl as Shinjuro paused spoon halfway to his mouth and mouth open. "He insisted that we do this the proper way and obtain your father's blessing one way or another!"

.....Ruka slowly turned a glare at her suddenly nervous looking husband as Senjuro shrank a bit in his seat. "Uh oh."

"Shinjuro, we will have a talk after dinner. Privately."

This time she did facepalm with a sigh. She was so glad she was only going to have one wedding. This was already too stressful for her to deal with. 

The days that followed say that the fence was finally fixed along with most of the minor mansion repairs that Shinjuro kept nagging about. The mansion was looking absolutely better than what she had first seen it as months ago. Speaking with the girls and Ruka helped her decide on what exactly what kind of food she wanted for her wedding, since again she had no idea what kind of food would be appropriate for a wedding. The redo Engagement party was just going to be another big Engagement Dinner with his friends a week before the wedding. Although you only agreed to it to settle Shinjuro's constant insistence on doing this properly which already got him in trouble with Ruka. Then came the biggest hassle of all. Deciding a guest list.

"Is there anyone from your village you'd want to invite?" Kyojuro asked looking up at her from the pieces of paper he was writing on. "I would suggest inviting your parents as a formality but-..Well it speaks for itself doesn't it?"

She shook her head. "No. I didn't really have any friends or anyone I was close to, and you're right. Inviting my parents is not an option, even as a formality. It would only be too dangerous, as was getting my father's blessing by underhanded tactics."

"Yes. My mother yelled at me and Father for over three hours." He winced at the memory of the onryo laying into them harshly just a few days ago. "Of course my family and friends will attend."

"Then why are you still giving them all invitations if they already know they'll be attending?"

"To show appreciation! I want them there as they're all near and dear to me! Besides, it's proper etiquette to send all the guests invitations regardless. I was hoping you would agree to allow me to invite some of their families as well! I know some of them even before dying and it feels right to me."

"Oh." She nodded. "Of course, Kyojuro. You can invite anyone you want."

He lit up immediately. "REALLY!? Does that also include some of Senjuro's friends? I didn't want him to feel left out so I informed him he could help invite guests to make this a bigger wedding!"

Senjuro? That adorable sweet boy had friends? Aw! Of course he could help and bring some friends. She smiled at him. "Of course he can! He can invite anyone he wants too!"

"That's perfect! Now all we have to do is assign Obanai as 'Mitsuri's watcher'."

Her brow rose. "Huh? Why?"

"Mitsuri is a wonderful friend!...But sometimes her bottomless appetite can get the best of her and she ends up eating everything before anyone else can have it. Obanai has to make sure she doesn't do that whenever they attend formal events together."

A flashback to the double date they had with said couple popped into her mind. ...That was probably for the best. Time seemed to fly by WAY too fast. The first snow fell. The redo engagement banquet was had, much more enjoyable now that she wasn't terrified out of her mind like last time and then the days ticked by slowly until December arrived. Kyojuro suggested waiting for all their guests to show up before they had the wedding which she agreed. However she was shocked by the amount of Yokai that showed up in JUST one day. A whole family of Tanuki and Gyukuto, a yellow tengu, a family of enenra- She screamed out in fright when a Katakirauwa wearing a wild boar's head suddenly jumped out at her throwing rice and cackling up a storm!

"Inosuke the mountain God has claimed this wedding as my own! I'll become the King of Weddings!!"

"You crazy pig! You don't scare the bride at weddings!", the blonde tengu ended up shrieking at the other boy before dragging him away. "AND YOU DON'T THROW RICE AT HER!! YOU THROW IT OVER THE COUPLE WHEN THE CEREMONY'S OVER!!"

"Huh? There's a specific way to pummel them with it?"

"IT'S NOT USED TO PUMMEL ANYONE, YOU HOG BRAIN!!"

You quickly found out all these children were Senjuro's friends when the embarrassed kyonshi came to apologize to you for his friend's behavior. Looks like they would need a 'Inosuke Watcher' too.

Other yokai showed up too. Sanemi's whole gaggle of younger kamaitachi siblings and their mom, the second oldest one Genya went completely red when Sanemi was making them say hi to her. Completely red faced mumbling a high before giving an excuse to go thank Kyojuro for inviting them and quickly left, long black weasel tail between his legs. The Kocho sisters also brought all five of their younger adopted sisters. The youngest three of which immediately squealed and asked when they were going to see her in the pretty dress, little flower buds growing out of their heads not yet in bloom, however the older two girls were around Senjuro's age. Kanao, she had momo flowers growing from her head. Aoi also had blue nemophila growing from her head. All the cooking preparations, and decorating as you agreed to greet the guests was being handled by everyone else so you were faced with so many. However you never EXPECTED a blind DRAGON to come out of the woods being lead by a tsurara onna and have their young brood of children toddling after them like a pair of ducklings. You were starting to feel a little bit overwhelmed by all the different yokai seeming to come out of the wood works for this one wedding. How many yokai did Kyojuro know?!

You were only relieved when Hinatsuru came to get you. "It's almost sunset. It's time to get you ready for the ceremony. Don't worry about the guests. I'm sure Mr. Shinjuro can take over entertaining the guests for his son's wedding."

Next thing she new she was tossed in a bath and then dried off soon after to be fit into a VERY familiar get up. Hinatsuru held up the shiromuku as Makio was already too busy styling her hair.

"Ms. Ruka stored this away for this very special day! It still looks so brand new."

"I've only worn it once before, and even then it wasn't used."

"Well then it should be a perfect fit now."

Her hands were scrubbed once and her mouth made to be rinsed out starting the first ritual of her ceremony as her body was prepared however the girls were MUCH more gently about her body purification ritual than her mother was. Afterwards she was placed in the beautiful Shiromuku her parents had ordered custom made from the tailor. It was tight around her body hugging her frame but still just modest enough and the trio assured her that she looked absolutely beautiful in it.

The wataboshi was gently pulled up over her head by Suma as they made the final preparations to her ensemble. The kaiken secured into place. The suehiro and hakoseko tucked away in her folds. They gushed over her as she just..stared at herself in the mirror, a feeling of utter happiness instead of the existential dread from the first time she wore this dress an obvious contrast. 

Was this truly happening to her?

"Aw. Hey. Don't cry. I just got done with putting your make up on."

"A-All brides cry on their wedding day, Hinatsuru!," Suma said already crying tears.

"You cry at ANY wedding!"

A knock on the door got all four women's attention. "Girls." Tengen. "The ceremony's about to start. All we're missing is the blushing bride!"

"We'll be right there!" Hinatsuru tugged her lightly to get her to stand up. "Come. Your big day is about to start."

The outside air was beautiful. Floating lanterns and small flickers of fire floated about like little stars. All the small children had made a game of chasing all the floating lights until their parents and older siblings called them over to make them sit down for the ceremony. Inosuke was sat between the blonde Tengu and the oldest tanuki boy to watch over him and given a whole bowl of shrimp tempura to keep him quiet during the ceremony. Obanai ha to reach up every so often to push one of Mitsuri's wondering tentacle braids back down from where they faced the inside dining hall where the reception was going to be held with the food. A mountain of wedding gifts stacked high on a long table nearby.

And in the middle of it was Kyojuro dressed up in all black Kuromonpuku.

He nervously stood there face a bright red, and nervously fiddling his hands. Until someone turned and lit up. "Here comes the bride!"

He looked up- And he swore he died again right then and there as the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen in his life- AFTERLIFE was walked up in the beautiful colors of red and white. A small shiver from her was given as the cold night was upon her, but he couldn't speak. Only stare wide eyed as she smiled at him- And he gulped. A third presence at the alter cleared their throat silencing everyone and she was lightly surprised by the man with blue skin and one eye wearing priest robes. An ao bozu.

"Dearly beloved, and departed," he spoke loudly as they were shushed. Briefly however she wondered where they had gotten so many chairs. "We are gathered here this night to bare witness to the union between this corpse and this woman, but first please follow me in a moment of sacred silence as we call upon the holy deities Izanagi and Izanami to come bare witness to this holy union."

The silence was deathly, no pun intended, as everyone was silent allowing this yokai priest to perform the sacred ritual to invoke the two primordial Gods to come witness and recognize the two here as a married couple. Including lighting incense and placing a small offering on the alter between them and the ao bozu.

"The san-san-kudo shall now commence." He went silence as he reached for a bottle of sake already placed on the alter with six cups placed before the both of them, three for Kyojuro and three for her. "Three sips each from each cup, symbolizing their past, present, and future together in sacred harmony!" He spoke as he poured before looking at Kyojuro to do his share first. The sake tasted sour- bittersweet as they drank. Kyojuro shaking so much that he was scared to drop the cup and stain her beautiful dress in the red liquid. "The vows will now be exchanged starting with the man before the exchanging of the rings!"

"R-Right!" He cleared his throat and turned to her- But anything he rehearsed went flying from his head as soon as she smiled at him. "I-...Uh-....M-Marriage is a sacred rite!"

The blue man rose his single brow. "Yes. We all agree, Young man. The vows are an important part of that."

A few giggles were given making him go red. "Yes! I-..." He took a deep breath. "Y/n...You have been very patient and understanding with me, e-even when I know I messed up very badly." It was hard to keep eye contact. Oh good Buddha. She was so beautiful. "And I don't deserve that from you. G-Going forward, I promise to always bring your own say in things and treat you as the woman I don't deserve." 

A quick glance to Tengen earned him a nod from the man with him mouthing, "Nice save!"

"Now the woman may say hers."

She smiled widely at him. "I honestly do not have much to say. I just love you so much that it's hard to put into words." Oh he swore he was gonna die again right now- "But I promise to always cherish you and to never allow anything to happen to you again. You showed me what it was like to have a friend let alone love, and I am forever grateful." She gave a little smirk. "And I can't wait to have children with you.~" She whispered the last part for only him to hear before winking teasingly.

Kyojuro BURST out so red he could combust there as a choke escaped his mouth. 

"Please bring forth the rings and final offerings."

Kyojuro's hand were shaking as he was still cherry red as Senjuro handed him the rings from the side. She was giggling when it took him two tries just to get it on her before she did the same. Sakaki branches were then passed to them both as they turned, and both placed it on the small alter.

"I now pronounce you spirit and wife."

EDO SECRETS: 

Their parents, Kanae, Shinobu, Aoi, and Kanao are Furutsubaki-No-Rei since flowers attract butterflies and according to the wiki, their fragrance can become poisonous which fits Shinobu.

Giyuu is a male Akugyo.

Mitsuri is a futakuchi onna because it matches her appetite.

Obanai is a male nure onna.

Gyomei is a humanoid torakoishi.

Sanemi is a humanoid kamaitachi as are his siblings and mother.

Tengen is a Kitsune, Suma is an Ame onna, Hinatsuru is a Yarahime, and Makio is a rokurokubi.

Kagaya is a eastern dragon in human form while Amane is a tsurara onna. Their children are also these creatures.

The Kamados are made of tanukis being the boys, and the girls are Gyukuto(moon rabbits).

Zenitsu is a tengu.

Inosuke is a humanoid Katakirauwa.

Ruka is a yurei and Shinjuro and Senjuro are Kyonshi like Kyojuro being reanimated by Ruka. 

The Tokitos are a family of Enenra.

Akaza is a nekomata.

-YOKAI USED-

Furutsubaki-No-Rei: In Japanese folklore, almost anything, upon reaching an old age, can develop a spirit and become a yokai. When a tsubaki tree (Camellia japonica, or the rose of winter) reaches an old age, it's spirit gains the ability to separate itself from its host tree, along with other strange and mysterious powers, which it uses to bewitch and trick humans.The tsubaki is an evergreen tree which has the strange behavior of not losing its flowers gradually, petal by petal, but dropping them all at once to the ground. As a result, it long been associated with death and strangeness in Japan (and is also taboo to bring as gifts to hospitals or sick people).

Akugyo: Enormous species of mermaid found in the waters surrounding Japan. Their head and arms resemble those of human women, but the rest of their body is fish-like. They are covered in gold and silver scales, and they have two white horns on their head. They can spit fire from their mouths.

Futakuchi onna: Families who notice that their food stocks are shrinking at an alarming rate, while the women in their houses hardly eat a bite, may be the victims of a futakuchi onna. Futakuchi onna appear as regular women until their terrible secret is revealed: in the back of their skulls—buried beneath long, thick hair—is a second mouth, full of teeth and with large, fat lips. This second mouth is ravenous, and uses long strands of its hair-like tentacles to gorge itself on any food it can find.

Nure onna: Nure onna are vampiric sea serpents who haunt shores and rivers looking for humans to eat. They are most commonly found on the shores of the island of Kyūshū, but there are stories of nure onna encounters as far north as Niigata Prefecture and as far east as Fukushima Prefecture. There are two variations of this yōkai: one without arms, which resembles an enormous sea serpent with a woman's head, and one with human-like arms. Aside from this difference, the two look and act in exactly the same manner. Their faces are hideous and betray serpent-like features such as a forked tongue. They have long black hair which sticks to their dripping bodies. Their name comes from the fact that they always appear soaking wet.

Torakoishi: Torakoishi is a large stones with the legs and tail of a tiger. It is found in the village of Ōiso in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Kamaitachi: The mountainous regions of Yamanashi, Nagano, and Niigata are known for a particularly meddlesome kind of itachi. In these areas, grandparents warn their grandchildren to beware of kama itachi, or "sickle weasels." These itachi have learned to ride the swirling whirlwinds of this cold region. They have claws as strong as steel and as sharp as razors. Their fur is spiny like a hedgehog, and they bark like a dog. They move so quickly that they are invisible to the naked eye. They come and go with the wind.

Samebito: The Samebito, also known as the Kōjin, is a Japanese mythical creature described in Lafcadio Hearn's story "The Gratitude of the Samebito" and inspired by earlier folklore, particularly a tale by Kyokutei Bakin. These shark-like, emotional beings, not to be confused with the Kōjin god of fire, dwell in the ocean, have human-like heads and shark-like features, and their tears magically transform into valuable gems.

Yarahime: Yamahime are yōkai women who live deep in the mountains all across Japan. Although their appearance varies from account to account, they usually take the form of beautiful, long-haired, fair-skinned young women. They usually appear half-naked in tattered rags or in clothing woven from grass or bark, but sometimes they wear twelve-layered kimono.

Rokurokubi: Rokurokubi: A type of Japanese yokai (supernatural creature) known for having necks that can stretch to incredible lengths, sometimes even detaching from the body entirely. They are often depicted as women, and their behavior can range from mischievous to predatory.

Kitsune: These beings are closely associated with the Shinto deity Inari, often serving as Inari's messengers. Kitsune can possess various magical powers, including shapeshifting, illusions, and even controlling fire (kitsunebi). They are often depicted as tricksters, but can also be benevolent protectors or messengers

Tsurara onna: Tsurara onna are beautiful woman that are created from the loneliness of single men during the winter time. When a man gazes longingly at a strong, beautiful icicle hanging from a roof and reflects upon his loneliness, a tsurara onna may appear shortly afterwards. On the surface, a tsurara onna appears to be an ordinary—though exceptionally beautiful—woman. They are very similar in appearance and behavior to yuki onna, which inhabit the same areas during wintertime. When the winter snows melt and icicles can no longer be seen hanging from roofs, tsurara onna disappear along with the cold weather.

Gyukuto:(moon rabbits) The dark spots visible on the full moon are said to resemble a rabbit who lives in the moon. Behavior: In Japan, the rabbit is described holding a wooden mallet which he uses to pound mochi (rice cakes) in an usu, or mortar. The mallet and mortar as also visible as dark spots on the moon. In China, the rabbit is believed not to be creating mochi, but is instead mixing the medicine of eternal youth.

Tengu: Mythical creatures from Japanese folklore, often depicted as powerful, bird-like beings with long noses, or as humanoids with long noses and wings. They are associated with mountains and forests, sometimes acting as protectors or tricksters, and sometimes as dangerous demons. Their nature is complex, embodying both good and evil, wisdom and mischief.

Katakirauwa: Katakirauwa is a malicious spirit of a piglet with one ear and red eyes. They have no shadow and most often have black skin. They can steal a person's soul by running through their legs.

Yurei: There are many different types of yūrei. In most cases, how they appear depends on the circumstances on their death. They retain the features and the clothing they wore when they died or were buried, which means they are dressed in white burial kimonos or the uniforms of fallen warriors. Occasionally, they have bloody wounds indicative of the way they died. Their hair is usually long and disheveled, often obstructing their face and adding to their disturbing appearance. Their hands hang limply from their wrists. Yūrei are translucent and only faintly visible. In most cases they are so faint that they appear to have no feet

Ame onna: A Japanese yokai thought to call forth rain, illustrated as a woman standing in the rain and licking her hand. In modern usage in Japan, "ameonna" (or the male equivalent "ameotoko") refers to an unlucky person that seems to be jinxed to have the rain follow them wherever they may go, thus gaining a reputation for ruining special events such as weddings or sporting events.

Enenra: This is a yōkai composed entirely of smoke, darkness, and mist. It most often appears as wisps of smoke rising from bonfires and chimneys, taking on human-like faces. It is said that only those with a pure heart can see the enenra. In some interpretations, it represents the spirits of the dead rising with the smoke.

Tanuki: A tanuki is a shapeshifting, mischievous trickster from Japanese folklore, resembling a raccoon dog, known for its ability to transform into objects and people. Depicted with a round belly, a straw hat, and a large scrotum (often used as a charm), the tanuki plays pranks, creates illusions, and drums on its belly to make sounds.

Nekomata: A Nekomata (猫又, "forked cat") is a mythological Japanese yōkai (supernatural being) that appears as a domestic cat with a forked tail. These creatures are said to gain powers like speaking human language, shape-shifting, and necromancy as they age, with their abilities often linked to their age and the length of their tails. Nekomata are often depicted as malevolent, associated with strange fires and the resurrection of the dead, though some tales portray them as wise or even protective.

Ao bozu: Ao bōzu are generally depicted as large, one-eyed, blue-skinned priests with a strong connection to magic. However, local accounts vary greatly in details such as size, number of eyes, and habitat. In Okayama, they are described as two-eyed giants who take up residence in abandoned or uninhabited homes. In other stories, they appear in wheat fields, or on dark, lonely roads.

Izanagi and Izanami:  The primordial, creator deities in Japanese mythology who formed the Japanese islands and many other kami (gods). After being ordered by heavenly superiors, they stirred the ocean with a jeweled spear, and the resulting drops that fell from the spear formed the islands of Japan. They married and had children, including the sun goddess Amaterasu, the moon deity Tsukuyomi, and the storm god Susanoo. 

-VOCAB-

Wataboshi: The hood on a traditional shiromuku.

Shiromuku: Traditional Japanese wedding dress.

Kaiken: Decorative dagger symbolizing the bride's readiness to protect her new family.

Suehiro: A special folding fan used with a bride's wedding attire.

Hakoseko: A decorative women's wallet.

San-san-kudo: The San-San-Kudo (or san-san-ku-do) is a traditional Japanese wedding ritual that serves as the formal exchange of nuptial vows and symbolizes the union of the couple and their families. The name translates to "three-three-nine times".

Kuromonpuku: Kuromonpuku is a formal Japanese wedding attire for a groom, consisting of a black kimono and overcoat (haori) with a striped hakama, featuring five family crests embroidered on the garments. The name translates to "black crests" and the ensemble is designed to be dignified and elegant.

Sakaki Tree: The sakaki is a flowering evergreen tree native to East Asia, most notably Cleyera japonica, that holds significant cultural and religious importance in the Japanese Shinto faith. It is considered sacred for its evergreen nature, symbolizing immortality, and is used in rituals to demarcate sacred spaces, as seen in the decorated branches called tamagushi offered to deities. The name itself, 榊, combines the characters for "tree" (\(木\)) and "god" (\(神\)). 

Nemophila (Baby Blue Eyes): These are Japan's most iconic blue spring flowers, creating "blue seas" on hillsides.

Momo: another word for peach blossoms.

Her mother screamed. She screamed and screamed and screamed clawing at the ground to get away, knocking over her still injured husband in the process, not caring if he got hurt as long as she got away. Lady Evibloten and the maid also started shrieking. The maid escaping up the hallway to get away from the creature that appeared in the dining hallway. Mr. Evibloten froze on the spot unable to move as his son was dangled from the hands of a kyonshi draining away his life in his hands.

"Time to go!"

She squealed as Tengen just picked her up, so quickly it made her stomach flip, tucking her under his arm like a piece of luggage and swifter than she could comprehend fleeing back down the hall. Sanemi grabbed Kyojuro by under the arms not caring if he was in the middle of killing a pathetic human prey. Geto slipped from between black claws as Kyojuro was YANKED back, forcibly being pulled back down the hallway much slower but still after Tengen as the Kyonshi hissed and fought against Sanemi to get back to his prey. The table cracked under the weight of the falling body crashing into it sending food and dishes clattering against the floor. Blood thickly oozed heavily from the deep claw marks in his neck as he just laid there-

"Come ON, Kyojuro!", Sanemi hissed in his ear as he pulled him towards the front door Tengen had long since disappeared out of as quickly as he could. "The jig's up! We gotta go!" Kyojuro fought against Sanemi the entire time he was dragged out of the house and partially down the road until we was let go, only to be grabbed by the shoulder and spun around- SLAP!! A pain stung the side of his face and his head was forced to the side as Sanemi grabbed him by the shoulder and shook him hard. "GET A FUCKING HOLD OF YOURSELF, IDIOT!!! WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE NOW BEFORE SOMEONE CALLS A PRIEST!!" Slowly Kyojuro looked at Sanemi then he looked at the building behind where the muffled sounds of chaos were still pouring out, but he didn't react when Sanemi grabbed him by the arm and YANKED him along behind him as he forced him to run. "I SAID RUN!!"

He didn't question it. Not in his dazed state. He vaguely remembered being forcibly bumped into several people, some more muffled screaming, and then just the sound of their own footsteps hitting the forest floor as they just ran and ran and RAN!! Sanemi's iron clad grip on his arm unwavering as if the kamaitachi was certain Kyojuro would bolt right back to the scene of the crime and do something more horrible than drain someone's chi and maybe have (possibly-) just literally killed someone. Maybe he would've but he wasn't thinking straight at all until at long last the two of them finally stopped before two pairs of feet.

"What took you so long?!," Tengen demanded crossing his arms.

"Oh shu-....Shut UP!! I...didn't see you he-helping!", Sanemi gasped between breaths finally letting go of Kyojuro and leaning against a nearby tree. Only then did Kyojuro realize that he too was breathing heavily. "W-Where..the FUCK-...were you!?"

As if obvious he gestured to Y/n standing next to him and looking worried and scared. "I was making sure someone else didn't get caught in the crossfire! Or would you have preferred to let her get left behind not being able to keep up with us?"

"YOU COULD'VE CAME BACK TO FUCKING HE-HELP ME, ASSHOLE!!" He slumped against the tree further. "Hhhhhaaaa- We are NEVER doing that again!"

"Oh, that reminds me." Tengen pulled the small decorative sword Kyojuro had been holding in his hands. "Didn't forget this!"

"WHAT THE FUCK!?" Sanemi panted veins immediately popping up in annoyance as he pointed at him. "SO YOU GRAB A DECORATION BUT NOT HELP ME!?"

Tengen shrugged. "They didn't deserve it. Besides it'd be best if we didn't leave anything behind that could trace back to us."

"THAT STILL DOESN'T MAKE IT BETTER!!"

"Kyojuro?" She gently held her hands out towards the panting Kyonshi. "Are..A-Are you alright?"

Kyojuro looked at her..just stared at her opening his mouth-..But nothing came out. Instead he turned to look behind him back at the woods they just ran through. 

"He'll be fine once we get far away from here." Sanemi spoke for him pushing himself off the tree and standing up. "I say we get a move on it now. Who knows how many people already saw us!!''

Tengen nodded. "For once we agree on something." A hand pointed to the trees. "It'd be safer if we go through the woods on the way back and avoid the main roads. We'll have to be careful on the way back...Hmm. It might be better if I make us completely invisible to everyone else but each other too."

Sanemi was already walking. "Do what you want. I'm not sticking around here."

That was a good idea. The journey back was silent except for the sounds of nature and their own bodies moving through the brush. Y/n stayed silent the entire two days they did walk. She knew something bad would happen, but she wasn't expecting ..THIS. Kyojuro snapping and attacking Geto. Her parents completely disregarding her as nothing but a complete waste. It was all her fault, she's the one who suggested going there in the first place and she was hoping for such a bad reaction in the beginning but that was before actually getting to know this kyonshi and his family. EVentually on the third day she couldn't take it anymore and looked at him.

"I'm sorry." Kyojuro for the first time during all this walking looked at her. "I knew going there something bad would happen, and I'm the one who suggested it in the first place. It's my fault you were provoked."

Kyojuro only stared at her for a moment before looking down at his own feet kicking a pebble out of the way. "...Don't apologize." He finally spoke making her flinch as he inhaled deeply. "You told me plenty of times that going there was a bad idea and tried to convince me otherwise even after you came clean. I insisted on going so I must reap what I sow."

"You wouldn't have gotten that idea in the first place if I didn't suggest it to you first!," she insisted. "I'm at fault."

"Let's just say you're both at fault then." Kyojuro tried smiling even if he still wasn't feeling his best at the moment. 

"I-..." She looked away sighing and rubbing her face. "I just can't believe it. I had no idea that Geto was-..I mean-"

"The one who tried to kill me and buried me alive?" She winced at the harsh tone Kyojuro spoke in but he still smiled now that it had an edge to it. A dry chuckle escaped his throat. "Well, now I know why his name sounded so familiar when you told me about him. " His hands flexed, claws still itching to drain the chi away until the man was deader than he was..but he didn't want to scare her more than what she must've been or put himself and his friends and family in more danger. The bad taste in his mouth would remain however he drained enough life energy from Geto to at least physically weaken him for the rest of his life. That should at least ensure he couldn't do anything like this again. "He was the one who wanted as many rivals out of his way as possible to get to Koyuki."

"What did he want with her so badly that would drive him to murder?"

Kyojuro looked directly at her. "She had her father's vast land and dojo as inheritance. That alone drove men to come calling at her father's door and asking for her hand. ...She was also quite beautiful and kind. That's why I found her so attractive...In fact, that also may have been why the marriage between you and him was arranged as well."

She stared at him. That made almost too perfect sense. Her parents owned the largest fishing company on the south coast that grew with each generation, it brought plenty of yen year round to let her parents and herself live comfortably and afford things no one else in their small town could, it was why her mother accepted so many husband interviews from the young men and their sons in town as soon as she turned eighteen. Many wanted to get their grubby greedy hands on the money that followed her like a trail for blood hounds to sniff after. If Geto could treat her so poorly and yank her hair, then she didn't doubt he was capable of murder. What would've happened to her if she HAD gone through the marriage and married him? Would she even be alive right now? Would she also be dead buried somewhere no where to be found? Would she live the rest of her life being beaten and treated poorly? 

Now it all made perfect sense. She wasn't even seen as a potential wife. She was simply an obstacle in the way for him and by extension his parents to get money. If Geto couldn't have Koyuki's sizable inheritance, then they were just going to search for a different meal ticket, and her narcissistic parents being the way they were and being as easily as greedy thinking of the Evibloten court ties only made things much too easy for them to find a Koyuki replacement. It was only because she made one stupid mistake that she was even able to escape that life to begin with. 

That and the love struck feelings of one kyonshi. 

"Look on the bright side!," Tengen suddenly spoke up trying to lighten the mood. "I'd say that he won't try it again anytime soon! And look at it this way-" He slapped Kyojuro on the back with a big grin. "Now you two lovebirds can get married without worrying about any formalities or a nagging mother-in-law trying to take over the wedding!"

"Uzui." Sanemi growled making the kitsune look at him.

Sanemi sighed grabbing his head. "Well, he has a point. You don't have to worry about them at all now. This whole trip was just a formality wasn't it?"

Kyojuro hummed turning his dull eyes up to the sky. They both had a good point. This entire trip was just a formality to ask for her father's blessing(and to properly apologize for causing the crash of course he still felt bad about that now) because it was the proper thing to do. In some places, especially the court and in richer provinces, it was required to get the father's or most important male figure's blessing to court let alone marry his daughter. A literal law in some places or the marriage wasn't recognized, but most places it was just treated as a law or simply the marriage was already arranged, so the father's or important male figure's blessing was just a formality to show respect for your future inlaws. He had wanted to do this properly and decided to go ask for her father's blessing along with a gift but his intention to still court Y/n regardless didn't change even if he was given a no. 

But he wasn't given an answer at all.

Not really. He didn't get it but her father didn't deny him either even if it was through guilt. If he asked again he'd probably say yes out of fear-...SO EITHER WAY IT WAS DEFINITELY A WIN THEN!! 

"Yeah! It's good for her too!", Tengen added. "She won't be forced into marrying someone! I doubt those puny humans would even try after that performance."

"...You're right, Tengen." She slowly smiled. "No one can make me do anything anymore."

Kyojuro fell silent again because..Oh. Right. Their contract. Dull red eyes looked over her smiling at his friend. She was only here because he forced her to be and she was bound by a piece of paper at her request be made because of the unfairness she was placed in because of him. ..He wasn't any better than the people sat at that table deciding what to do with her future. The guilt resurfaced harder than before and he couldn't get himself to even look at her for the rest of the way back home much to her hurt and the concern of the others.

Safe to say it was quite the relief to be back home at the Rengoku Estate again. 

A giant pile of old floorboards, roofing, and other pieces of the mansion that was replaced or repaired was in the front of the mansion awaiting Tengen's return to be burnt. The repairs were still being made as they were away and honestly the mansion looked to be in MUCH better condition than when they left. Of course there was still repairs to finish and the fence around the property still needed to be fixed too, but it was still home. They were all horrified to learn of what happened with his father making one decision for his entire family-

"You are NEVER going near that dammed place ever again! No one in this family is!"

That was that. And Kyojuro agreed full heartedly but there was still that thought that was nagging him and it ate at him the longer he sat there at home until he felt disgusted with himself. Which is why just days later she was surprised when he cornered her carrying towels towards one of the bathrooms. He had stopped her and presented her with his hands cupped together filled with so much torn paper that it was spilling over and a small paper trail was left behind him as he walked. 

"Good morning, Kyojuro." Her brow rose at his hands. "What's..this?"

"A gift for you. My final gift actually." He looked at his hands then at her. "It's our contract. I-...I've torn it apart."

Her shock and confusion was immediate. F/c eyes looking between him and his hands multiple times before asking, "What?"

"I've..torn up our contract. You can ask my parents, they witnessed me doing so. You are no longer bound to me or this mansion!"

"But-..I-.." Her brows furrowed not being able to understand. "But why?"

"Because going to see your parents made me realize I was no better than they were." He winced looking to the nearest side wall. "You were right about everything to begin with. I literally kidnapped you and forced you here under selfish reasons. I tried to force my own wants on you out of more selfish desires, and you were forced to go along with it. That's not right, so I release you from our contract! You're free to leave whenever you wish and never to return if that's what you truly want!"

She still stared at him gobsmacked before looking at his hands for a long moment before looking back at his face. "That's...truly kind of you, Kyojuro. It really is, and I actually appreciate that you can admit that."

"..Why do I sense you're going to say 'but'?"

She snorted. "Because I am. But even if I do leave, I have no where to go." She shrugged. "If I do back home, I could be killed for 'trying to murder my family with a dangerous yokai'. Or my father would make good on his promise to sell me to Yoshiwara or forcibly sell me off to someone again. Or at the very least just kick me right back out. I'm pretty sure both my parents have disowned me by now. They didn't exactly want anything to do with me since I was born anyways. Where would I even go?"

"I-..A-Anywhere you want to I suppose. You're free now."

Her smiled widened. "Well what if I want to stay here?"

Kyojuro blinked. Opening his mouth and closing it. "I-"

She leaned forward in a teasing way. "And what if I want to stay with you?~" Immediately he sputtered, face exploding a redder shade than his eyes as he froze mouth open and she giggled at his reaction leaning closer. "Or what if I want to stay just so I can court your pretty face?~"

He made some kind of choke noise and the paper dropped from his hands making her laugh out loud. "I-...Court ME!? Oh goodness." His hand rubbed his head. "We-Well, I mean if-if that's what you truly want to do, I-I'm sure my family w-wouldn't mind you staying! I-In fact Senjuro's come to like you really well! Haha! I-I would be de-delighted to still have the pleasure of courting you!!"

She leaned away still smiling. "Good. Because it's still customary to have a courting period before we're married right?"

He snapped to her so fast that his head would've gone flying if it wasn't attached to his neck. "M-MARRIED!? You mean-"

"We already told your father the wedding would be in December right?" She smiled so cheery at him it made his face go even redder and his undead heart skip a beat. "We still have to plan everything don't we? There's so much to do before then and we didn't even get to pick which day in December we want the ceremony."

Pieces of paper scattered everywhere as he dropped them in favor of grabbing her shoulders suddenly looking wide eyed and serious, or as serious as a furiously blushing flustered sputtering man could. "Y-YOU'RE SERIOUS!? Y-YOU REALLY WANT TO GET MAR-MARRIED!? TO ME!?"

She blinked before nodding. "I mean-..I just literally told you I did. Do you not want to be married?"

"WAIT!! Does that mean we-we're-.." He gulped. "En-Engaged!?"

She slowly blinked. "Well..Sure if you want to be unless you still want to court me first. I mean we've been courting for two months already. Well two months and a week now after we got back-"

"I HAVEN'T PLANNED ANYTHING!!" She blinked as he let go of her and grabbed the two orange strands of hair by his ears panicked. "We can't be engaged until I propose to you and I haven't planned the proposal! And then we need to have the engagement party before the wedding and we still have to plan the wedding! There's no guests lists! No preparations! The mansion still needs to be repaired! I NEED TO CONSULT TENGEN!!!"

She blinked. "...Tengen?"

"He's the only one who's had three weddings and engagement parties!!" Kyojuro blurted out panicked. "I need to ask him to help me with this!! I haven't even gotten you a ring yet!" He turned to run off, only to hit a wall and stumble back clutching his face.

"Kyojuro!"

"I'M ALRIGHT!!" He waved her off quickly leaving, his footsteps thudding down the hall. "DON'T WORRY, MY LOVE!! I HAVE EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL!! TENGEN!!" He disappeared around the corner. "TENGEN, I NEED ASSISTANCE URGENTLY!!"

She stood there blinking as he faded away before sighing and looking at the paper scattered all over the floor. "I suppose I should go clean this up after I put these towels away."

"I'm telling you, you don't have to do this."

She once again tried to talk Kyojuro into not going to see her parents. Right now Sanemi was finishing up what was left of the onsen to be fixed while the rest of their friends were still helping to repair the inside and outside of the Rengoku family estate. At the moment both father and son kyonshi were hammering replacement floorboards back into the hallway floor leading to the extra bedrooms and their study.

"Nonsense, Darling!" Kyojuro handed another nail to his father when the older man held out a hand. "I've already said I'm only going out of moral obligation once! There's nothing to worry about!" Shinjuro hammered the long nail into the wood attaching it to the floor, before holding out his hand again for another nail to which his son handed right over. "I've already prepared a gift for them. It's already been arranged."

"I just have a really bad feeling in my stomach." She shuffled in place nervously still guilty about bringing this stupid idea up to begin with even though at the time she felt justified in her actions. "I don't want you to get hurt again."

"And I won't! Not with Sanemi and Tengen by my side!" He beamed. "Between the three of us, we should be able to protect ourselves and escape easily if we have to flee!"

"I just...don't want you to." He paused as her hands gently tugged on his sleeves. "It'd be all my fault if anything were to happen to you again. So help me I couldn't live with that."

His eyes went wide looking at her hands on his arms before he melted with a goofy grin. "My dear, there is nothing to fear." His hand gave hers a gentle squeeze. "I have everything under control."

"Last time, you were harmed by a single human." Her hands grabbed those cold cheeks. "Are you sure?"

He practically melted into those soft hands. "I'm certain that I will be fine. You don't have to come, and I won't force you to go."

"Like hell I'm going to just allow you to wonder in there to face them by yourself. I'm going with you. Four pair of eyes is better than three."

"If you two are done having a lovers' quarrel-" They looked at Shinjuro who only stared blankly at them whilst knelt upon the floor, hand held out to them. "-there's still plenty of work to be done BEFORE the cold winter gets here if you don't mind."

"Oh! S-Sorry!"

Four more days. It took Sanemi four more days to completely fix whatever plumbing connected to the onsen before he came back in the middle of the day wiping his sweating body with a towel provided by Shinobu. 

"It's all fixed," he muttered wiping his face with a sigh collapsing into the nearest chair. "Tested it out myself and it's supplying warm water like it's supposed to. Just don't expect me to do it again. Next time you all can fix it yourselves."

"Here, Sanemi." He looked up as you held out a cup of water to him. "You deserve a break."

"Thanks." He accepted the cup with a desperate thirst.

"NOW THAT HE'S DONE, WE CAN PLAN ON TRAVELING TO Y/N'S COASTAL HOME TOWN!!," Kyojuro declared making everyone wince slightly as he shouted happily. "We can leave tomorrow and be back long before this month even ends!"

"Oi. Give me a rest, Wedding Boy." Sanemi chugged the rest of his drink down before sighing. "After everything I had to do, I ain't going anywhere for at least two days."

Kyojuro looked deflated but everyone was in agreement that a break before a long travel would be a better idea in the long run. You also agreed but mostly because it meant that the trip would be delayed for just a moment longer as you gladly brought Sanemi some more water because he looked like he desperately needed the hydration. However the two days seemed to just pass by in a blur. One moment you were on a walk with Kyojuro and he was shyly handing you a handful of wild flowers he scooped up from the side of the path, one of with you placed in his dull orange hair making him go wide eyed and red faced as you giggled. The next moment you were shuffling at the entrance of the estate surrounded by everyone else whom seemed anxious as well or was fussing over the three men getting ready to go with them.

"Now you remembered to pack extra clothes right?" Ruka was trying to tug Kyokuro's bag from where it was slung over his shoulder to peer inside. "You don't want to make a bad first impression when you meet her parents now. That wound be a rude way to ask for her father's blessing."

"Mother, I assure you I have everything I need!" He swerved away from the ghost holding up his hands. "I quadrupled checked everything last night and then again this morning! I have everything I need!"

Ruka didn't look convinced. "Really?" He nodded. "Extra clothes? Your gift? Food?"

"Yes, Mother! Senjuro even helped me make sure I packed everything you gave me." Senjuro nodded proudly beside his brother.

It was pretty cute watching Ruka fuss over her oldest but you didn't blame her after everything the Rengokus had been through, Kyojuro especially. Tengen's wives were also fussing over him with Suma death hugging his waist and sobbing like he was going off to war instead of taking a three day trip to your hometown. Makio was nagging him as she went through his own bag and Hinatsuru was trying to pull Suma from around their husband's waist. Kanae was more calm about it as she was kissing her boyfriend good buy. Honestly you didn't even know that the two yokai were together but it made sense now with now soft he was around her. Kyojuro was that way around you too. Loving looks and soft gestures even if he was more outspoken and blunt with his feelings. A bag of your own was in your hands as you shuffled on your feet nervously, clean clothes and food was inside courtesy of Ruka and she even gave you a silver dagger. 

"In case you run into someone you have to use it on," she explained to you. "Silver is considered a pure metal and will burn as well as cut most evil creatures, however please keep it away from Kyojuro. It'd also burn him if he were to come into contact with it."

You weren't planning on using it but the way Shinjuro had immediately stepped away from his wife when she gave it to you proved that she wasn't lying about it hurting a kyonshi. After all even the undead had weaknesses.

"RIGHT THEN!!" Kyojuro turned on his heel towards the door with a giant grin. "We're off then! The sooner we get there, the sooner we may come back and finish helping fix the manor!!" He walked right up to her nervously standing there. "Are you ready, Y/n?" She nodded. "Are you sure you want to come? You don't have to if you don't want too."

She shook her head. "No. I'd better. If any thing, I'd just want to see if they were doing alright even if they didn't deserve that from me. And I won't let anyone else hurt you while we're there."

Kyojuro felt his dead heart beat as he smiled widely at her. "And I promise not to let them hurt you again. You're not going there alone."

Even though you appreciated that, she still had a bad feeling in her stomach and an anxiousness surrounding that. Bidding goodbye to everyone(and Tengen finally being able to pull Suma from himself promising that he'd be back under a week before kissing her good bye-) the four of you slowly exited the mansion waving good bye to the small crowd of worried looks and promises to take care of the place as they started walking away from the home. The crowd getting smaller and smaller until they disappeared between the trees slowly closing in around them. Within the hour the four of them were walking through the forest in silence.

It was...awkwardly peaceful.

The forest was still fairly green and vibrant this time of year, with the flora in bloom and the air filled with the sounds of birds singing and the vague went of sweet wild flowers. The only sounds being the birds, your footfalls, and the wind rustling the leaves with the occasional stick being crunched under your feet. Her eyes looked around the peaceful scenery and gave a look on the path they were on. It was barely visible, and incredibly overgrown as if it was uncared for for years.

"You guys don't leave your estate much do you?", she eventually broke the silence.

"NOT MUCH!!," Kyojuro shouted sending a few birds flying away and his two animal yokai friends pinning their ears back from the sudden volume. "We have everything we need at my family estate! We don't really have to leave more than twice a year for necessities we can't grow or have ourselves." He then turned to her. "But we can certainly make an effort to go out more for special dates and festivals for your enjoyment!"

"When was the last time anyone fixed this path?"

"We prefer to leave it like this, that way no humans come wondering down through here and disturb my family's peace. Especially if we're resting and vulnerable."

That's right. Kyojuro's family had been 'asleep' when he first came back until Ruka woke them up. That would put them into a vulnerable situation if a monster hunter came down this path and stumbled upon a ghost needing to be exercised and kyonshi who could easily take a stake through the heart. It made sense to why they would rather live in a secluded place. 

"Oh. I see." She turned to the tall kitsune. "Tengen?" He hummed staring down at her with those magenta eyes. "What is your shrine like? I've never been to an Inari shrine before."

Sanemi instantly facepalmed with a groan as Tengen lit up in glee. "Here we go. Now we'll never get him to shut up." 

"Shut it, Sanemi! If she wants to know the magnificence of a true zenko shrine, then who are you to deny it!"

Sanemi dragged his hand down his face with an annoying twitch of his brow. "This is gonna be a long trip."

"Well, Dear Y/n." Tengen crossed his arms puffing his chest proudly. "My shrine is located in this flashy garden surrounded by hundreds of flowers! I have lots of visitors constantly coming to leave tributes and offerings to pray-"

Cue the next FIVE hours being filled with Tengen describing in great detail about what his shrine was like, what it looked like, what he did, how nobody knew a kitsune and his three 'flashy' wives lived there, about the town and people who he lived with, and on and on. Kyojuro nodded along smiling while Sanemi looked like he'd rather just ram his head over and over into the nearest trees the entire time until the sun set and they were forced to set up a place to sleep. Kyojuro offered to carry her as she slept so they could keep on traveling but Sanemi insisted on camping. Perhaps to get a small break from Tengen talking much to the kitsune's amusement. The next day was the same. Small talk and lots of walking until the middle of the day you four reached  a main road through some bushes that blocked off the overgrown path from being seen by anyone traveling through. No horses or carts were currently passing by however, and no travelers on foot.

"Alright!" Tengen clapped his hands together rubbing them before turning to the three of you. "I think from here on out it'll be safer to travel with disguises!"

"Finally something we can agree on," Sanemi stated crossing his arms. 

"Disguises?"

Tengen nodded. "Yep! Made from my illusions!", he explained, "Since we're going into human territory, it's safer to also make us look human. Don't worry. I do it all the time when I go out. No one's caught me yet."

With a snap of his fingers, three small blue flames appeared and circled his wrist before they flew away, each one flying towards the boys and stopping on top of their heads. She watched as the small flames stayed on top their heads...but nothing else happened. She looked Kyojuro up and down noticing his still pale flesh and the fact his eyes were still looking dead and glazed over, and his hands still sported black claws. Sanemi and Tengen also still have their ears and tails. 

"Um..Was something supposed to happen?"

"It just did!"

"But-.." Sh gestured to them. "I can still see you. The REAL you."

"Of course! I didn't cast the spell to make an illusion for you," Tengen clarified with a shrug, "Just on other humans. So while you can still see us as what we are, everyone else will just see three supremely handsome but completely normal human men."

She reached out to poke at the flame on Kyojuro's head but her hand completely passed through it. It didn't burn her at all. "Magic works so strangely. So you three will be completely hidden?"

Tengen made a long 'eeeehhh' sound looking to the side. "Yes, but the illusion can be broken if someone throws salt or holy water on any one of us. It'll also break if one of us looses our cool and use our power against humans. Even great powerful magic like mine has it's limits. As long as no one looses their cool-" His eyes narrowed at Sanemi who shot back a glare. "-or a priest suspects us, we should be completely fine! Just try to keep a low profile while we're there."

"Tch. Easy for you to say. You always insist on drawling attention whenever you're out!"

"You're just jealous that I'm more approachable than you're grouchy ass is!!"

You sighed. Did these two always fight like this? Whatever. The rest of the day was uneventful other than the bickering of the two animal yokai and Kyojuro holding your hand as you walked until nightfall when you all camped again by the side of the road. The third day she couldn't help but feel the dread and anxiety coil within her guts as they came nearer and nearer to her home town. She didn't realize that they were so close this entire time.

A hand on her shoulder made her look up at Sanemi concerned. "Hey. You alright there? You look like someone just told you your Ma just died."

Pretty blunt but Sanemi was always like that when she spoke to him. "I-I'm alright. I-Im just really nervous about.." She motioned at the ground. "Well about everything. I don't know how they're going to react but it's not going to be good. I'm worried about Kyojuro and I don't want anything bad to happen to anyone because of me."

"NOT TO WORRY!!" Kyojuro piped up loudly. "Nothing bad shall happen to any of us! We'll be sure of it! You have nothing to fear, Darling!"

"That's what I'm worried about."

It was not easing your nerves at all, and you barely slept at all the night before being forced to walk on the next day. This was it. Your group would arrive and moment- And it wasn't too long. The salty ocean breeze was heavy in the air and then a few seagulls flew over head, and then it finally came into view. The coastal village that you were all too familiar with. It hadn't changed one bit. People moved all around busy already with the shipping and fishing. The heavy smell of fish and salt water was in the air. And the bad feeling continued on inside. Unconciously she moved closer to Kyojuro her hand finding his, and he gave a small squeeze.

"Wow. I've never seen so much smelly fish in one place- OW!!" Tengen clutched one of his tails after Sanemi's foot harshly stomped down on it. 

"So where do we go from here?" Sanemi crossed his arms turning to her silent and anxious form.

"You mentioned your parents own the Ningyo Fishing company correct?" You nodded as Kyojuro pointed forward. "Then obviously If we find the company then we'll find your family! Come! I'm anxious to meet my in laws-..I mean POTENTIAL in laws!"

Everything around her was a blur. She only probably moved because Kyojuro was dragging her a long beside him by the hand. His eyes searching past humans who didn't even bat an eye at the yokai in their midst, so must mean that Tengen's illusions were working. That's good at least. No doubt anyone would freak out if they saw a kitsune, kyonshi, and kamaitachi just stride into town like they owned the place. Briefly she wondered what they looked like with their human disguises. She knew what Kyojuro had looked like as a human thanks to the self portrait of himself he had shown her as a form of trust, but she hadn't the faintest ideas of the other two. Was it just them without the ears and tails? Or did Tengen make them look completely different all together? She got her answer when they walked past the town bakery and their reflections caught her eye. Tengen looked...the same just without the fox features but he still looked extremely handsome. A few ladies giggled as he winked at them as they passed making Sanemi groan,roll his eyes, and shake his head. 

"You're already married to THREE women! Can you not be a womanizer while we're out?!" Sanemi also looked the same without the ears or tail in the reflection, but still ruggedly handsome as well.

"Wow. His magic even works on reflections." She gazed at just how beautiful the three men were as they passed by the window, feeling a bit proud of holding Kyojuro's hand in the reflection. 

"Of course!" Kyojuro nodded. "We can't have anyone accidentally seeing something they shouldn't now." His eyes gazed around before looking at her. "Are we close?"

Immediately her mood dropped again but she nodded and pointed towards a LARGE building closer to the coast. "It's that one there. Close to the docks where my father conducts most of his business."

"Then what are we waiting for?! COME, MY LOVE!! Your parents await the good news!"

Good news sure, but will they share his enthusiasm? Most likely not. But the way he eagerly dragged you along left no room to argue, and soon you were standing in front of the very household that abandoned her and sold her off like a cow to the slaughter house for quick money. Kyojuro wasted no time in raising his fist and giving a good banging on the door that left no room for anyone to not hear it. Then he waited. Before jumping and suddenly reaching up to pat down his dull orange hair and brush himself off before looking at Tengen.

"How do I look? I have to make an excellent first impression!..Uh- Second in her mother's case."

Tengen patted him on the back. "Relax, Kyo. My illusions make you look like a walking pile of a million gold coins! Even if you were covered in mud and missing a head they wouldn't know the difference!"

She suddenly wished she had an illusion over her to disguise her from how she felt, but she didn't get time to ask Tengen that because the door was opened up by a woman in a servant uniform. She looked utterly gobsmacked at the three handsome men before her letting her jaw drop as she just stared.

"Can-..C-Can I help you?" Then her gaze turned to the woman in the group and recognition flashed over her eyes. "Mistress Y/n!" The door was immediately thrown all the way open as the woman stared. "Where have you been?! Everyone's been searching for you for the last two months! Everyone said you were kidnapped or died in the carriage crash."

"Um.." Her hand rubbed her head. "I-..I-I was-..I-It's a long story! Really complicated."

She smiled. "Well it's so good to have you back! You're parents are going to be so happy you're alright after Lady L/n returned in hystarics saying you'd been kidnapped by a monster. She's been inconsolable and paranoid since then. Doctor said it was likely that the terror of the crash and loosing you caused her to have a nervous breakdown. She's been confined to her room since then." She turned and motioned for you to follow. "But I'm sure seeing you well will get her to snap outta it."

"Right..." You exchanged looks with the other three before slowly starting to follow the servant inside the house you knew regrettably too well.

Each step inside felt constricting and suffocating in ways she never noticed before because she had never been away long enough to realize that she needed the space away from them. The maid lead them in as the three yokai looked around with Kyojuro digging through his satchel for something before pulling out a long wrapped thing in cloth. 

"Oh, it's good to have everything back to normal again," the maid continued on. "Now the wedding can be held and you can finally be married." She grimaced exchanging a look with the others. "The Eviblotens will be so relieved to see you too I'm sure! They're all in the dining area so-"

"THEY'RE HERE!?" 

A horrifying realization crashed over her as the maid just nodded. "Yes. They came over earlier today to discuss calling off the wedding because you couldn't be found. They seemed rather angry that there wouldn't be a marriage but now that you're here-" She gave a big smile at her. "-you can finally marry Geto and everyone will be happy again!"

More like the cage was starting to come back around her as she turned pale enough to rival Kyojuro for being dead. The maid didn't care or didn't notice as she just went up to the dining room door and slid it open with the quick happiness of a child seeing their best friend after so long. 

"Sir! I bring excellent news!," She called into the room.

"What is it, Eri? Who was at the door?," her father's annoyed but tired voice came from inside the room.

"It's Miss Y/n!," the maid exclaimed loudly with a smile, "She's finally come back home and she's brought some friends with her!"

Silence.

There was silence for a long silent moment. Her heartbeats were heard in her ears and a lump formed in her throat from the eternity that seemed to last forever.

"She's...here? Well don't just stand there! Tell her to come in!!"

The maid turned to her and gestured for her to come over. Again there was a long moment of her standing there in fear, her body shaking, looking at Kyojuro who smiled assuringly. Steps were taken. A doorway came into her view. And then she stood in front of a dining hall filled with five other people. Her parents were the farthest away. Her mother looking utterly shocked and pale as she sat there staring at the daughter she'd left for dead. Her father sat next to her, cast still on a leg not quite healed yet and a murderous glare on a red face. Across from them with their backs to her were all three Eviblotens. All three looking over their shoulders to stare at her in a mix of disbelief and anger as well.

"Um..I-"

SLAM!! 

"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN!?," her father bellowed at her from where he sat. Fist SLAMMING hard enough on the table to rattle everything on it's surface. "I SPENT THOUSANDS OF YEN ON SEARCH PARTIES LOOKING FOR AN UNGRATEFUL YOUNG BITCH WHO RAN AWAY FROM HOME AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO STROLL BACK IN HERE LIKE YOU DIDN'T CAUSE MONTHS OF CHAOS AND HEADACHES!?"

She stood there stunned. Her father had never particularly cared about her growing up, but he'd never outright call her a name like that before much less in front of guests. Geto smirked under his anger where he sat as a finger was pointed at her from her father.

"AFTER EVERYTHING I'VE DONE FOR YOU!! HOW DARE YOU DISOBEY ME AND CAUSE OUR FAMILY DISHONOR!! YOU'LL BE LUCKY IF I DON'T JUST DECIDE TO TIE YOU UP AND SELL YOU OFF TO YOSHIWARA!! PERHAPS THAT WOULD TEACH YOU TO LISTEN TO AUTHORITY!!! YOU'LL BE LUCKY IF THE EVIBLOTENS DECIDE TO HAVE THEIR SON MARRY YOU STILL AT ALL!!"

She stood there frozen under the gazes of so many staring her down. Before the maid cleared her throat and smiled awkwardly probably now realizing the happy family reunion she was going to witness was never going to happen. Her hand gestured back to the hallway. 

"Mr. L/N. We do have other guests if you wish to meet them?"

"WHO!? The ones who brought her back!?" He seethed more. "They probably expect a reward just for returning her here."

"I hate to intrude-," Kyojuro spoke up finally walking into view of the doorway tired of waiting for permission to enter, smiling big and wide. "-but I didn't come here to collect any rewards, Mr. L/n. Although you'd be right to assume it does have something to do with your daughter."

Her father's brows rose high on his face looking at the kyonshi, but really seeing a very cheerful looking human man beside her as two other white haired men peeked from in the hallway. Her mother however paled more and with an ear piercing scream she pointed at Kyojuro.

"I-I-IT'S HIM!! THE MONSTER WHO TRIED TO KILL ME!!," She shrieked much to her father's annoyance.

"Mia, be still! He's just some boy!"

Geto wasn't paying attention at this point, merely just stuffing his face as he pleased. Kyojuro held up a hand at your parents with an apologetic smile as the Eviblotens watched on still in confusion at what was happening.

"No, no. It actually was my fault that the carriage went off the road." Your father snapped back to Kyojuro. "But it was a misunderstanding. You see I was trying to flag down the driver, but in doing so I must've accidentally spooked his horse into running. I'm so terribly sorry for causing your wife and daughter such a terrible accident. I didn't mean to cause such grief."

"So." Her father's eyes narrowed as his wife still continued to have a panic attack next to him clutching the table and breathing heavily. Not caring what happened to her. "You're the one responsible for this entire dam debacle! Who do you think you are to come walking into my home knowing what you've done!?"

"I've came to properly apologize of course!," Kyojuro wasn't detoured by her father's outburst if anything he remained calm throughout the entire ordeal. "I've also come baring a gift for you." Before her father could even respond, Kyojuro pulled the cloth from the object in his hands and revealed a small decorative sword. Not really for use in combat, but it was shiny and beautiful made with fine craftsman ship. "Something to help mend things between us. It'll look lovely on any mantel."

Her father looked at it, sneered, and then looked at him. "You really think THAT pathetic thing is going to sway me for the misery my family reputation endured? You've got some nerve showing up here. What exactly do you want anyways? Who even are you?" He looked Kyojuro up and down. "I've never seen you around the village before."

A growl jolted the girl from where she turned turning to find Sanemi was the one that growled glaring daggers into her father while Tengen frowned and stood arms crossed. Well she didn't blame them with how bad her parents were.

"Actually introducing myself to you is the sole reason I came here!" Kyojuro smiled widely. "I AM KYOJURO RENGOKU AND I'VE COME TO ASK THAT YOU GIVE ME YOUR BLESSING FOR A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ME AND YOUR DAUGHTER!!"

Silence once again filled the room other than her mother's terrified whimpers in the presence of Kyojuro. Everyone paused. And even Geto paused his slurping noodles to process what had just been shouted behind him. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, Lord Evibloten turned a wrathful look at her father. 

"What is the meaning of this, L/N?!," he demanded angrily as Lady Evibloten narrowed her eyes at him. "Is this someone's idea of a sick joke to embarrass the Evibloten family!?"

"I have no idea what's going on here!," her father shouted back holding up his hands to the angry nobles. "Y/N, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!? WHAT BLASPHEMY HAVE YOU DRAGGED TO MY DOORSTEP!?"

"No blasphemy I assure you sure! I've fallen in love with your daughter and sought you out to ask you for your blessing as is per the custom! And to offer proper apologies for the misunderstanding of course!" She felt herself sink into the hole Kyojuro kept digging for himself in front of everyone. She knew this was going to end badly. "We've been courting for the last two months!"

"This is outrageous!" Lady Evibloten snapped her fan closed with an audibly sound and narrowed her own cold stare on the two parents. "Your daughter ran away with her lover for two months leaving our son at the alter just to arrive with a vagabond at her heels before us! This won't do! Our Geto can't marry her now! Think of the scandal that'll tank our valuable reputation! What would our relatives at the court think if they heard their nephew married a homewrecker?"

Mr. Evibloten stood right up at that point his own face red with fury. "This is an utter outrage! Your daughter disgraced everyone in this room! There will be no wedding between our families! Being without money would be better off than marrying into such a disfunctional family who can't control their own daughter's love life!!"

"Kyojuro." The orange haired man turned with a him as shaking hands grabbed his sleeves and tugged trying to indicate that they should leave now as the parents still argued. "Let's leave now before it gets too bad. P-Please?"

He look one look between her and the two arguing couples, before nodding. "Yes. I already did what I intended to do anyways. It's clear that it was a lost cause to begin with. Let's head back home."

She smiled relieved as he turned to leave taking two steps, however she wasn't suddenly expecting the harsh grab on her head. She SHRIEKED in pain as she was suddenly yanked away from a startled Kyojuro and right next to a FURIOUS looking man with glasses. 

"Not so fast you little fish bitch!," he snarled, "You're still promised to me and I'm not leaving here empty handed!! I'm going to fucking beat respect for me into you!!"

Time seemed to slow down as Kyojuro turned and saw the face of the man standing before him. His whole body became rigid as a stone as he saw the face before him. The same face that faded from his vision above him when the dirt and soil was hastily being shoveled over his unmoving body.

"....You."

Geto stopped with one arm raised to snap his head up at the other man before suddenly his face changed from anger to shock to suddenly pale. As if he was staring at death himself. "Y-Y-You!?" His jaw dropped looking the flame haired man up and down as Kyojuro's pupils became slits. "I-IMPOSSIBLE!!" A feeble finger was pointed at him. "I-I left you-..."

Kyojuro slowly nodded. The illusion failing as a snarl was giving off. A sudden thirst to drain a human fueling the stomach in his body. "You did leave me." 

Geto froze as suddenly a hand grabbed his throat and squeezed choking him instantly into letting the woman go. She immediately stepped back, hands flying to clutch the sore part of her head that had been clutched. Another pair of hands, Tengen's suddenly grabbed her to pull her safely back out of reach from either man. Geto choked both hands trying to pry black claws digging into his skin and drawling warm blood from his skin as Kyojuro lifted him, dangling him from the air as the parents finally turned to watch horrified and shocked by what they were seeing as the illusion dropped and suddenly Mia SCREAMED at the undead standing in her dining room.

"F O R   D E A D!!!"

The WINDOW was BROKEN!!

The window was low enough for her to climb out and the shards of remaining glass looked very loose. If she just took them out then it'll be safe to climb out. She didn't waste any time, grabbing the moth eaten blanket and wrapped it around her hands to protect them as she grabbed the first one. She gripped it pushing it back and forth until with a sound it dislodged completely from the windowsill. She stared at the glass shard before quietly putting it to the side while glancing behind her at the door expecting any moment a ghost would come through the wall or a yokai would open the door and catch her trying to escape. One by one the shards were removed from the window until it was safe to crawl through. Giving one last look behind her, she grabbed onto the silence and started wriggling her body through. Her head and chest went through until something tightened around her waist. She blinked pulling harder and harder but the window was smaller than she had originally thought but pushing back got her no where too..

But she was stuck. As if this couldn't get any worse-

"Darling?" She looked up at Kyojuro carrying food scraps to be thrown out but stopped to stare at her hanging out the window in confusion. "What on earth are you doing?"

She hung corrected.

They both stared at each other in silence, her in horror and him in utter confusion. Until Kyojuro leaned over and looked her up and down stuck in the window before sighing. 

"I thought we were making progress at dinner. Why are you hanging halfway out the window?"

She frowned. "Measuring the windowsill. Why are YOU out here?"

He held up the bucket of food scraps. "I'm helping to clean up after dinner. But I see I have to help you too."

"No, no, no! I can get out myself thank you very much!" She again tried to pull herself out or wriggle herself loose to go back, but she was firmly stuck. Kyojuro rose a brow higher watching her fail. 

"You're stuck."

"I'm not stuck!! I'm just temporary in mid air!!"

He watched for a few more seconds before sighing, placing the bucket down, and walked over to her. She yelled and pushed at him as he just wrapped his arms around her waist earning a surprised squeak from her,  before he wriggled her gently back and forth- And then pulled her out from loosening the old sil. She was swung up before gently being placed down on her feet with a proud smile.

"There! All better! Now why were you trying to run away? I thought dinner went so well. You even picked out our wedding date."

She patted down her shiromuku before looking at him with a scowl. "Because I didn't know what else to say! If I answered wrong I thought your friends were going to kill me!"

He leaned back looking shocked. "My friends?! Never! Not one of them has killed a human that wasn't self defense!" 

"Maybe but how am I SUPPOSED to KNOW that!? I don't even know anything about you other than you're a Kyonshi and your name is Kyojuro Rengoku! How do you expect us to get married in five months when we don't know each other?!"

He opened his mouth... before closing it looking down. "I...see your point."

"It's about time you did!," she shot back hands on her hips. "I want to go home!"

"But this is your home now-"

"NO! MY home! Not YOURS!" She quickly cut him off. "None of this is proper or sane! You haven't counted me, or gotten my parents' blessings,-" She started counting on her hands. "-further more I'm technically still engaged to another man, and on top of that you never even asked me once how I feel about this entire dam situation!! You can't just say we're engaged over a mistake I made when I was honest and up front with you about everything!"

Kyojuro just stared at her unblinking, a very guilty expression on his face with everything being unable to deny it especially since no one else was around to but in. He opened his mouth..then closed it then opened it again..Her eyes narrowed more. He closed it again only to open it again holding up his hands... Before sighing, arms falling to his sides. 

"You're right. I suppose that I was too caught up in excitement after having my heart broken three years ago like it had."

"You SUPPOSE?!"

"Alright. I did cause a mess. And I am truly sorry for that."

She too also sigh reaching out to rub her temple. "Look, Mr. Rengoku. I am truly sorry for what happened to you." She held up her other hand with the ring still on her finger. "Really I am. It was an awful thing for you to go through and I can't imagine how traumatizing it must've been for you and your loved ones. And I'm also sorry if I lead you on in anyway, but this can never be. We're just too different, and I'm already spoken for."

Again he fell silent, looking at the ground before ted eyes lit back up with a bright smile. "Then let me court you!"

She blinked at him. "...What?!"

"Let me court you!", he repeated like it was the best solution EVER, "It's common for ladies to have more than one suiter, isn't it?"

"I-..Yes. But are you forgetting the fact that I'm still engaged to another man!?"

"Technically you're not! The prenup is not a marriage contract! It's not binding unless you actually marry him and you already said that you didn't! Allow me to court you! We can get to know each other and we can start off properly!"

Fucking hell! He was not going to let up was he?

"NO, Kyojuro!" She stood firm crossing her arms. "I don't want to get married to YOU, I don't want to be engaged to YOU, and I don't want YOU courting me! I said no so many times now! What is it going to take for it to get through your stubborn head!?"

"What if we make an agreement?"

"You really think you can bargain with me about this?"

"Just please hear me out!" He held up his hands. "Let me court you until December!" She opened her mouth- "If you really do not like me by then-" He quickly said before she could say anything. "-then I promise you that I will never contact you again!"

She paused as he stood there blinking before her eyes narrowed and brows furrowed, looking Kyojuro up and down disbelieving. "You really expect me to believe that after you've not listened at all to me and technically kidnapped me?"

"I always keep my word!," he assured her with a smile. "What do you say?"

Five months of hell living with yokai and possible danger in the middle of nowhere. That was nearly half a year! She didn't want to do that!...But then again this might give her an easy out. Making deals with demons and yokai weren't to be taken lightly. Until then however...this would probably be her only way out. She'd have to think of something else later.

"Fine. BUT I have a few conditions to make."

He lit up. "WONDERFUL!! I promise you won't regr-"

She held up her hand firmly stopping him. "I want everything in writing with witnesses." Her voice held no room to argue. "I won't take you on your word alone since you CLEARLY can't take mine! Either we make an official contract OR I will walk myself out of here and I do not care what you or anyone else has to say about me!"

Kyojuro looked stunned, and then hurt but he nodded. "Very well. If that is what you want."

"It is!"

He still seemed hurt by her bluntness but agreed and showed her back inside. His mother didn't even seem surprised when she found out that she had tried to escape. Ruka at least seemed understanding of her situation and provided her with a clean surprisingly not moth eaten dress for her to change into while Ruka cleaned up her shiromuku and put it away. She still refused to agree to anything anyone said until finally Senjuro confusedly brought out yellowed parchment paper and dust covered quills to write with. She didn't know exactly how to format a contract, but she tried to make it as official sounding as possible as she wrote down what she wanted and slid it across the table for him to sign. Instead he picked it up to read... before reaching out to start adding to it. She was lightly concerned watching him as he wrote. Oh he had better not be adding anything benefiting just him or she was tearing that contract up and just walking out of here! He smiled brightly as he held it out to her. Taking it in her hands she carefully read over everything to make sure he didn't alter anything she wrote or added anything unwanted.

'I Y/n L/n, of sound mind and body, consent to an official courting period of approximately five months time which will end the first of December from Kyojuro Rengoku without interference from third parties. I give consent for one on one dates twice a week with or without a chaperone. The following conditions must be maintained for the duration of the five months.

No unwanted touches such as hand holding, hugs, or kissing will be initiated unless with consent from Y/n L/n.

Kyojuro Rengoku will not call Y/n L/n his fiance or wife during this time.

Kyojuro Rengoku MUST understand that in no certain terms that he and Y/n L/n are NOT engaged.

Kyojuro Rengoku MUST not refer to both parties as a couple or engaged at any point.

Kyojuro Rengoku will not have third parties such as friends, family, or acquaintances try to influence the situation. 

Kyojuro Rengoku MUST respect boundaries set in place expressed by Y/n L/n.

Kyojuro Rengoku MUST not pursue a relationship after the courting period is over if Y/n L/n deems him unfit as a partner.

Kyojuro Rengoku MUST leave Y/n L/n be after the expiration date for the contract.

Failure to comply with any of the expressed conditions are cause for immediate termination of the contract and any and ALL rights to court Y/n L/n. The expiration date does not give way to more unwanted advances of romantic kind. By signing his name, Kyojuro Rengoku has read and agreed to the terms of the contract.'

Solid and covered all the bases she thought needed to be covered. There wasn't anything changed or erased, however there was another section added under that Kyojuro added. 

'I Kyojuro Rengoku, of sound mind and body, consent to the officially agreed on courting period of approximately five months time which will end the first of December with Y/n L/n also without interference from outside parties. However Y/n L/n must also abide by the set conditions placed on.'

Set conditions from Kyojuro?! She looked up briefly as he just smiled. That ass! What did he try to pull herself!? Her eyes looked back.

'Y/n L/n must contribute to household chores and duties for the duration of her stay at the Rengoku estate.'

....Ok. That one was actually reasonable. She didn't expect to stay here for free.

'Y/n L/n must make an effort to get to know Kyojuro Rengoku with an open mind as promised.

Y/n L/n must make an effort to get to know the friends of Kyojuro Rengoku and the Rengoku Family.'

Again she didn't want to but it wasn't unreasonable. Courting someone meant you got to know their friends and potential in-laws during that time. If she was going to be stuck here then she supposed that was unavoidable.

'Y/n L/n will also refrain from third party interference or influence over the courting duration.

Y/n L/n will accompany Kyojuro Rengoku on bonding experiences at least twice a week and join family dinner every Sunday night. 

Failure to comply with any of the expressed conditions are cause for immediate termination of the contract. By signing her name, Y/n L/n has read and agreed to the terms of the contract.'

She stared at it a moment longer before raising a brow and looking up at him. Well..none of his requests were outlandish, and seemed pretty reasonable. If he does anything against the rules she can just terminate the contract and walk on out of here scott free. At most she'd have to put up with it for a few months. She hesitated but signed her name on the bottom before pushing it back towards him to which he happily signed before passing it over to Ruka whom signed it as witness. Ruka seemed to be more in tune with what Y/n wanted anyways so having Ruka witness it had been her idea. Perhaps it was because she could see her son's outrageous behavior or because she was married herself? 

"Now that this is taken care of-" Ruka said carefully folding the contract up. "-you should get some sleep. It will take a lot of work to restore the estate and humans need to sleep."

Aren't the dead supposed to sleep too? "My room is still quite dusty. I'll have to clean it first."

"Don't worry. I've asked Senjuro to clean it for you while we took care of things." Her red eyes then turned to her son. "Kyojuro."

Immediately he turned to her. "Yes, Mother?"

"Have you apologized to her yet?"

Kyojuro blinked and she stared. "Pardon?"

"You brought her here until false pretenses," her flat tone and dead stare had the Kyonshi awkwardly stiffen up. "Further more you didn't seem to respect her after everything she's told you until she agreed to this." Her see through hand pointed right at him. "At the very least you owe this young lady a large apology."

She looked surprised but crossed her arms and shot Kyojuro another look. "Thank you, Ms. Ruka. At least someone understands what I've been trying to say this entire time."

Kyojuro looked between both women staring at him. "I am waiting for you to apologize to her, Kyojuro. It's sad that I have to tell you something you should already know about at your age."

"Of course! Miss L/n." He bowed to her. "I deeply apologize for how I acted during this entire situation and causing you stress. I hope moving forward we can get past this!"

"You have a lot of making up to her, Kyojuro. I expect you to treat this young lady properly from now on and stop trying to force a narrative on her." Ruka continued to scold him with a casual tone as if she was talking about decorating the guest room. Kyojuro visibly winced under each word and how she pointed at him. Y/n stood there happy that one Rengoku at least saw her side. "I am very disappointed in you. I raised you better than this and you should've known better. I deeply apologize for my son's actions. He's usually such a respectful man, and I don't understand why he would kidnap a girl after she clearly doesn't have any interest in him."

Ah. There it was. Kidnapping and trying to force a role on her. Someone else finally laying it out on him and as his mother, he absolutely couldn't deny it. The stunned look on his face was oh so satisfying. 

"It's alright. It's not your fault. In the beginning it was a misunderstanding but he should've listened to me the first time I said no."

Ruka nodded. "Yes he should have. If he gives you anymore trouble then come tell me or my husband, we'll make sure he's corrected. And as for you." Kyojuro winced like he stubbed his toe painfully as she pointed to his face. "I expect you to start behaving like a proper gentleman from now on. If she doesn't want you by the end of this, you are going to be respectful and take her back home and stop bothering her. Do I make myself clear, Kyojuro Rengoku?"

"Y-YES, MOTHER!!," he quickly agreed nodding. "I promise you I will!"

"You better or you're going to be in big trouble!" Her hand pointed to the door. "Now go help your father start repairing the walls. He'll need a pair of hands."

"Yes, Mother. Right away!" He gave one last glance at Y/n before quickly left shuffling through the door.

Ruka stared at his retreating form before looking apologetically back to her. "I hope you don't think of us as bad people. He means well even if he's stubborn. Let's get you back to bed. You're probably tired from dealing with everything as it is."

"Thank you. You have no idea how relieved  I am for the help."

She was surprised to find the room clean up and a clean futon waiting for her. Other than the giant crack in the ceiling and the broken window, the room was actually pretty normal now. The next morning brought her a knock on the door and she dreaded the kyonshi was on the other side. When she answered it was a kyonshi, but not Kyojuro.

"Good morning, Miss Y/n," Senjuro said brightly holding up a tray of fried eggs and sliced apples. "Mother asked me to bring you some breakfast since she's too busy trying to organize the kitchen and dining room today."

She hesitated but slowly took the test from the teenager. "Thank you. Where is everyone?" 

"Mother's trying to clean up. Father and Kyojuro are trying to repair the family's onsen with his friends, although I think it's going to take a while. Two months?? Maybe one since all of Kyojuro's friends are coming over to help."

More yokai. How wonderful. Maybe there was a way around the contract?? At least parts of it. ...Oh!! "Do you need any help cleaning? I can do that much."

Senjuro lit up. "I think Mother would appreciate it a lot. It'd sure help things move along faster."

"Alright! Let me eat and then you can show me what to do." If she was too busy helping around the estate then maybe he wouldn't bother her too much, and he couldn't possibly complain about helping his family.

She ate everything after moving it around with her chopsticks to check for anything suspicious before accompanying Senjuro to a very large kitchen, the large sliding door causing dust to fall as it did. However she froze once seeing the other side. 

"Mother! Miss Kanroji! Miss Uzui!" Five individuals looked up. Oh no! "Miss Y/n said she wanted to help with the cleaning."

Standing before her was more yokai. The pink braided futakuchi onna had looked up from where her long braids extended like tentacles, wiping down an entire wall with some damp clothes both her back and front mouth smiling at her. Crates full of dishes surrounded them all full of what looked like dishes and kitchen utensils. Ruka was in the middle of it all(quite literally with her ghostly body fading through things) but she too smiled at them.

"How nice of her. I apologize for the mess but it's been ages since I properly went through everything."

"Um.. It's alright." She blinked noticing a long bushy weasel tail. It was the white haired kamaitachi man, she just didn't notice them at first before he was laid on his back halfway in a cabinet under the sink. The faint sounds of metal on metal faintly coming from inside. "What is he doing?"

"Sanemi had kindly volunteered to fix the plumbing around the estate," Ruka explained, "It's so nice of Kyijuro's friends to help with the repairs." A frustrated grumble came from under the cabinet. Meanwhile a rokurokubi with orange bangs was extending her long neck to the top cabinets looking inside in search of something. Maybe the teacups to the teapot Ruka held. "Makio and Mitsuri are already helping me here but I'm sure you can help Senjuro somewhere else."

"That's fine." She didn't want to be around these yokai anyways.

Senjuro lightly grabbed her arm tugging her towards the other side of the estate. "Come on. You can help us organize the guest rooms."

She followed him away from the yokai cleaning up the kitchen and over to where the five guests bedrooms were...Back where she had been staying. It had turned out that the Rengoku estate hadn't been as large as she first thought it was. It was still large but not mansion large. She came face to face with two other yokai, except they looked pretty human. 

"Hi, Miss Uzuis!," both women looked up from where they were cleaning as Senjuro waved at them with a smile. "Miss Y/n and I are here to help you clean up before the repairs are made."

"That's wonderful!," the pinned eyed woman said with the broom said. "We'll be able to get done here faster! I'm Hinatsuru." She introduced herself. "This is Suma." She nodded towards the woman who gave a full arm wave at the end of the hall. "We met at your engagement banquet the other night but we didn't get a chance to introduce ourselves. It's nice to meet Kyojuro's fiance-"

"Actually I'm NOT his fiance." She immediately corrected her making her blink. "That is an unfortunate misunderstanding that we solved last night! We are only...courting for now. You can ask Miss Ruka for the details later if you're still confused."

The two women exchanged looks as Senjuro looked awkward standing there. "Oh. ..Well I guess that makes more sense with what you said last night. It's still nice to meet you. Hopefully you two can work things out."

"No promises. So what do you two need help with?"

"Well we're washing everything off but first we need to get rid of all this dust and organize everything. If you could help with sweeping and sitting out what needs to be thrown away, that'd be a big help."

So most of that day was spent with a broom in her hands brushing against the ceiling and walls and floors dusting away cobwebs and dust making her cough so much that she had a headache afterwards. Suma had kindly offered her a cup of water in the middle of sweeping out and old closet which confused her.

"I thought Miss Ruka said Sanemi was still fixing the plumbing," she said holding up the glass of water.

"Suma's an Ame onna," Hinatsuru explained holding her own drink. 

"But I thought ame onna only come out during rain storms?"

"Usually they do but I don't like traveling around all willy nilly chasing storms!," Suma whined. "It's just easier for me to form a small cloud whenever I want to be and stay with Tengen!"

"What are you if you don't mind me asking? You look so human...no offense."

Hinatsuru smiled. "Don't apologize. It's easy for me to blend in that way. How are you enjoying your stay here so far?" She asked starting the topic back into her.

She shrugged. "It's been...decent. Senjuro and Miss Ruka have been really nice to me, and especially Miss Ruka has been a big help. Cleaning up is the least I can do to pay them pay them back."

"Senjuro is just the sweetest boy isn't he? He was so sad when Kyojuro was gone."

"I bet you were too. That's a pretty ring." She gestured the cup at her Hinatsuru's hand. "Where did you get it?"

"It's my wedding ring!" Hinatsuru gladly explained with a large smile. "We each got one during our own wedding ceremony."

She blinked. "....Each?"

"We're both married to Tengen!," Suma piped up. Y/n just continued to stare at her blankly. "The Kitsune with the silver white hair!"

"Oh! Him! Yes, I remember now. He's the one who made that toast during the enga-...During the party you guys threw. He's uh...Quite handsome."

"We think so too. As does Makio."

"Makio?"

"Miss Makio is the rokurokubi you saw helping mother clean the kitchen and dining room," Senjuro called out from one room where he was scrubbing away at the floors diligently. "She's also Mr. Uzui's wife."

She gawked at them all. "Three wives?! That sounds like quite a handful."

Hinatsuru chuckled nervously. "It can be a challenge at times, but we all love each other very much. I'm sure Kyojuro feels the same way about you too."

"Wr should get back to work," Y/n quickly and bluntly changed the topic handing her barely drank water back to Suma. "I'm going to go finish getting the cobwebs off the ceiling. The sooner we get done here, the sooner the boys can repair everything right?"

She left the women before they could even answer. The entire day had been pretty busy filled with nothing but endless sweeping and scrubbing and moving around useless destroyed objects to the front of the mansion minus the two breaks they took for a quick dinner and lunch. Not once had she seen Kyojuro or many of the other yokai around so that was a win in her mind. She learnt the next day why in fact she didn't see anyone else when she volunteered to help Senjuro join this Makio and Mitsuri outside and do a lot of old dusty laundry. 

"Kyojuro and Father are trying to hurry and fix up the onsen before winter," he explained as you helped him carry a LARGE amount of futons, curtains, blankets, rugs, clothes, and any other cloth item that hadn't been added to the trash pile outside the front of the mansion that seemed ever growing. "It's our family bathhouse and Mother says it's their top priority since you're going to be staying with us for a while and would need baths more than us. His friends are helping them but it's still going to be at least maybe two months of repairs."

So Kyojuro was going to be busy for at least two months? Sounds great to her. "But I thought Sanemi was supposed to be helping with the plumbing?"

"He is but he's fixing the main plumbing in the house first. He still has the three restrooms to do. Miss Uzuis are cleaning them today."

AAAAAnd she was absolutely glad she chose laundry over scrubbing away at Old toilets. The outside of the estate was...Well it was a mess too. The large pile of trash kept piling up outside the front and tall grass and weeds grew up around all sides of the mansion. The Rengokus really let this place go didn't they? Senjuro took her to the left side of the building already finding the two yokai from yesterday there. An old but still functioning well was being used to pull up water by who you now knew was Makio, and Mitsuri was already at a giant barrel of water scrubbing away at what looked like a blanket.

"Miss Uzui! Miss Kanroji! We brought out the rest of the laundry."

THWOP!! Senjuro just dropped his giant handful on an already large pile. Making the rokurokubi stretch her inhuman next to look around like an owl annoyed at the pile.

"This keeps getting better and better doesn't it?," she grumbled before noticing Y/n. "Oh. It's the human."

She chose not to get annoyed at her comment. "Uh huh! Miss Y/n wants to help us do laundry today!"

"Um..It's nice to meet you," she tried. "Your wives told me about you yesterday."

"Hmph. Well we can use all the help we can get. Both of you start washing! The sun is killing me!"

Ouch. First impressions aren't her thing she guessed but she'd gladly take any excuse to avoid talking to anyone. Unfortunately Mitsuri made that harder. As soon as she saw Y/n she lit up brightly and tried rapidly talking to her nonstop as they wash and rinsed laundry all day long.

"So you're Kyojuro's fiance-"

"COURTING!! We are NOT engaged! He's courting me! JUST courting me!"

She blinked cocking her head. "Oh really? That's not what I was told but it's so sweet seeing him so in love!" She gushed grabbing her cheeks as her tentacle like braids continued washing a shirt. "It reminds me of my Obi!"

"Obi??"

"Obanai's my boyfriend! He's the nure onna fixing the onsen's roof!" She looked around but didn't see any onsen making Mitsuri giggle. "The onsen is on the other side of the mansion. You can't see it from here! But enough about me! What's your home town like?!'

"Less talking more washing!," Makio shouted making Y/n squeak when her face suddenly appeared out of nowhere having extended her neck five yards just to shout at them.

"Makio, don't scare her! That's mean!"

She didn't appreciate the sudden scare or being yelled at, but at least Kyojuro wasn't trying to suffocate her with unwanted advances again. She didn't see anyone else that day besides these yokai, and the Furutsubaki-No-Rei sisters. She spotted them towards the very back of the mansion rummaging around what looked like a VERY overgrown and VERY uncared for garden.

"What are they doing?"

"They're fixing up the garden!," Mitsuri piped up happily, "They're nature yokai so they're able to get the plants growing how they want. Soon the flowers will be blooming, the weeds will go somewhere else, and even the grass will be shorter! We'd better leave them alone though! Furutsubaki-No-Rei don't like being interrupted while they're gardening."

"Yeah! So start rinsing off those bedsheets already!! My back is killing me!"

One less thing to bother yourself with then. The laundry was done and hung up on low hanging tree branches, and lines to dry except the zabuton cushions left on the front engawa to dry. Her reward was not seeing the Kyonshi she hated until the very next day. There was a knock on her door and she opened it expecting Senjuro but her smile dropped finding Kyojuro instead.

"GOOD MORNING, DARLING!!," He shouted making her wince, "I've come for our first courting session!"

She rubbed her ears and looked at him. "Courting session?"

He nodded. "Yes! We agreed you'd attend two courting session a week with me! I'm here for our first one!"

"I thought you were helping fix the onsen?"

"I AM!! But my father understands how important this is for us!! I thought we could go on a double picnic date with Tengen and his wives! They prepared some excellent food for us to eat! I thought it would make you more comfortable if there was a group setting first!"

Wow. Considered her feeling AFTER he kidnapped her. So considerate assuming what she wants or needs, but there was no getting around this was there? With a sigh she nodded. "Fine. That Kitsune better not play any tricks though!"

"Not to worry! Tengen is a Yako kitsune not a zenko! He wouldn't hurt a fly!" That did little to comfort her as he offered her his arm. "They're waiting for us outside!"

She followed him but didn't take his arm which caused a hurt expression to appear but she ignored it. She found the admittedly handsome kitsune outside burning up the large pile of trash that had only gotten BIGGER with the additions of old roofing and rotting or damaged wooden boards pulled from walls and floors to be replaced. Balls of flame were swirling about the kitsune before he turned hearing Kyojuro call out his name and smiled.

"Y/n this is Tengen Uzui! My best and dearest friend! You met his wives yesterday!"

She looked up at this kitsune feeling uncomfortable under his height and fanged smile. "Um..Hi. Y-Your wives are..very nice."

"They're my entire world!," Tengen proudly declared with a smile. "I can't imagine life without them! We're going to have a flashy time!"

"Sounds..nice." She wanted to say no but one of Kyojuro's conditions was playing nice to these creatures. Buddha please end her now.

She had to spend most of the day listening to Makio and Suma fight over the stupidest things. Who got the last slice of pie, who's cooking tasted better, who'd do dishes once they got home and all the whole Hinatsuru resigned then is as Tengen looked on fondly at them. ....She turned to Kyojuro with a deadpanned look as she sat there on the hard ground with a plate of food every time a fight broke out. The Kyonshi merely laughed along as the kitsune told stories about his married life and what mischief Kyojuro and him got up to as teenagers. Y/n just continued eating taking her time to chew everything as an excuse to not talk, only answering questions when it was nessacary and just got to the point. Kyojuro again tried feeding her but she pulled away from the peach stuffed mochi in his hand.

"I can get my own thank you," she said politely with barely restrained annoyance making the married four exchange looks and Kyojuro laugh it off awkwardly and hurt looking not that she cared. 

Overall by the time she DID get back she had a headache, was mentally exhausted, and just wanted to go home more.

"So what did you think of my friends?!," Kyojuro asked with a hopeful smile. That smile faded a little when she just stared at him blankly.

"They're very nice and their cooking was tasty." It was blunt but the politest thing she could say that was true. They were nice outside of the fighting and the food was decent tasting. 

"Oh...Is that all you have to say?'

"Their constant arguing caused me to have a headache," Y/n said bluntly pointing at her head annoyed with him. "You shouting 'tasty' at the top of your lungs didn't help with that either! Neither did their husband who just sat there and allowed his wives to fight over petty things like a trio of children!" 

Kyojuro was silent as she laid into him. Not speaking or doing anything but staring at her. 

"I'm going to bed. I promised your mother I'd help her clear out your attic tomorrow." Then she turned and left him standing there.

She didn't really promise Ruka anything but it was the perfect excuse to leave after overhearing Senjuro talk about it. Her head was pounding by the time she was able to lay back down in her bed, politely refusing the dinner offer Ruka made with barely restrained annoyance. She just wanted to go home, lay in her bed, and wake up to the maid making pancakes and everyone leaving her alone to read or draw like she always had done. But at most she was stuck here for FIVE WHOLE MONTHS!! Buddha end her now.

The next day was fine. Ruka appreciated the help with getting all the cobwebs and old junk out of the attic to be burnt (again-) but she felt the three wives kept glancing at her as they moved crates and cleaned off objects and carried what Ruka wanted gone outside. She didn't care. She was still annoyed with those three for giving her one of the worst headaches of her life! That was until Ruka momentarily left leaving her with the three women.

A throat cleared. "Can we talk?"

"What about?," she asked sweeping and not bothering to look up at Hinatsuru. 

"About yesterday...It seems we didn't leave the best impression on you-"

"Ah. So Kyojuro told you?" Hinatsuru didn't answer. Figures he would. "Well contrary to popular belief, when someone sits next to someone fighting multiple times very loudly for a few hours, it's bound to cause them to be uncomfortable and develop a headache. Especially if you don't know them."

"...Yes. We realized that we probably ruined the evening, but Kyojuro was very hurt by what you said."

"He asked me what I had to say about it! I told him everything I just told you." Minus the part where him yelling 'umai' every few minutes hadn't helped her massive headache. "Excuse me if being taken here against my will and having him not leave me alone until I agreed to half a year of courting surrounded by strangers puts me on edge!" She shot a scowl at the three behind her. "Everyone only seems to be focused on what HE feels but not one of you seem to care about what I feel unless it affects the imaginary relationship that doesn't exist between us! I'm STRESSED! I'm SCARED! And no one besides Miss Ruka seems to give a flying dam about what I think!!"

The attic was silent as the three still stared at her daring to look shocked that she had snapped on them.

"....We didn't know-"

"YES! You all did! I told everyone that at that party you threw, but I was ignored like every other time up to this point! How do you think you'd react if someone kidnapped you and tried to force a dam relationship while ignoring everything you say while people you don't know surrounded you?! So instead of making excuses, I wish you all would just admit it and quit acting like I'm being a story book villain!"

Again there was silence between you four so you just turned and continued sweeping the pile of dirt for the floor to be mopped after. 

"... We're sorry." She paused again but didn't look behind her. "You're right to be stressed out but please, don't be so hare on him."

".... I'll think about it."

That was all she said before Ruka came floating back up through the floor. The very next day Kyojuro found her again with a big smile and a bouquet of sakura and wisteria. The sweet smell of the pink and purple flowers hitting her first before he held up to her as she was holding folded towels to be put back in the one bathroom Sanemi had managed to fix the plumbing to. He had tapped her on the shoulder and held up the flowers to her face as she blinked.

"Y/n, Darling! You look beautiful today! Here!" He nudged them forward. "These are for you! I came to take you out on a romantic stroll through the woods! The forest is beautiful this time of year!"

Behind her down the hall two Furutsubaki-No-Rei sisters were giving him encouraging smiles and thumbs up as she stared at the bouquet they grew for him and slapped in his hands. "Oh... Isn't it supposed to rain though according to Suma?" Her brow rose as his smile faltered. "She mentioned that it might rain because of all the moisture in the air, and it's pretty cloudy."

"Ah! But it's not supposed to rain for a few hours more! There's a path that just goes in a big circle! It's takes two hours at most. Won't you come with me?"

...Well, it'd just be a two hour walk together with maybe some talking. She could stand that. "Fine. Just let me put these towels away first."

He smiled brightly. "I promise you it'll be fun!"

It was NOT fun. Half an hour into this walk it started to lightly sprinkle which quickly turned into a hard downpour that made them half to abandon the walk halfway and run back to the house. On the way there she ended up slipping on some loose dirt and landed face first into a mud pile. By the time they got back, both were set with their clothes completely soaked through and she had looked like she had been wrestling in a pig pen for the last day and a half. 

"Wow! Looks like you two had fun." She only stared blankly at Sanemi before just leaving without saying anything to anyone leaving wet footprints and clumps of mud falling from her. 

Kanae shot him a look and slapped the back of his head when Y/n left the room. "Ow!" His hand rubbed his head giving her a frown. "What the hell was that for?"

"Be nice or I'll make corn grow out of your nose!", she threatened him, "No go finish fixing the bathrooms!"

When just the next night it was Sunday. That means family dinner. She was already dreading just sitting there at a table with his family as he made love struck puppy eyes at her. She stayed in her room ignoring everyone all day but couldn't ignore contractual obligations when Senjuro again knocked on her door.

"Miss Y/n? You haven't eaten all day. Won't you please come join us for dinner?"

Not like she had a choice. However she was surprised when the only kyonshi there was Senjuro and Shinjuro. Miss Ruka already had a plate of food set out for her politely as she sat down bewildered. 

"Where's Kyojuro? I thought this was a family dinner."

"That boy is too embarrassed to show his face so he's using fixing the onsen as an excuse to not be here," Shinjuro bluntly said drinking sake as his wife shot him a disapproving look. "What? I told the truth."

"You could've worded it nicer."

"I'm not going to lie just because he can't plan good dates." A chicken cutlet was shoved into his mouth. She wondered where the food came from if they had no animals. "He's a grown man, and he doesn't need to be coddled. That's what got this girl in this mess to begin with isn't it? Besides, this way that blasted onsen will be fixed faster. It's a win to me."

"If you have nothing nice to say then keep it to yourself, Shinjuro Rengoku!," Ruka scolded. 

"H-How do you like your room, Miss Y/n?," Senjuro asked changing the subject. "I hope everything is to your liking."

She nodded. "It is. Thank you, Senjuro. Although it's a bit drafty thanks to the window."

"Don't worry! Once everyone else fixes the onsen, then they'll fix the mansion and then the fence!," he said happily. "Sanemi is already going to start helping them once he finishes with the indoor plumbing."

She nodded. "I see... How's the garden coming?"

"Oh great! It's going to be done a lot faster now that the house is all cleaned up and organized again! Miss Uzuis and Miss Kanroji have already started helping Miss Kochos with the gardening! They said it'll take about as long as fixing the onsen since the yard surrounding the mansion is so big."

"That sounds good...I might help too."

"Oh, I bet they'd like that a lot! Kanao is coming to help too! She's Miss Kochos' little sister and one of my friends!"

The dinner was..ok. Most of the talking was between you and Senjuro as Shinjuro stayed silent before you thanked Ruka for the meal and went back to bed. You didn't care if Kyojuro was there or not, you had dinner with his family on Sunday and fulfilled your end of the bargain. If he didn't like it then too bad. The next day brought forth her venturing outside and finding Mitsuri singing a scythe to start cutting the grass down in the front of the mansion but stopped when she approached stopping a few feet away because of the large farm tool. 

"Um. I came to help out with the yard work?" She eyed the tool wearily. "Do you need a hand?"

Mitsuri beamed. "That's so nice of you! I'm fine here!" How was she able to swing that heavy thing so easily? "But if you can start raking all the cut grass into a big pile that'd be great help! Then Tengen can just burn it later!" Her hand pointed out the house where a rake was leaned up.

"Sure. I can do that." 

"Great! By the way, I heard you come from a fishing family! What kind of fish do you cook?"

The second week was a mix of helping the six other woman around the massive garden and lawn. The two sisters were pretty nice to her especially Kanae whom apologized on Sanemi's behalf. 

"He really respects women, but men can be idiots."

Boy. You don't say?! The days were full of pulling weeds out of old flower beds separated by rocks, raking cut grass and leaves and tree branches from the yards, helping to dig up dead bushes so new ones could be planted, and other things that kept her very busy. She hadn't realized gardening could be such hard work. Kyojuro also visited her twice. The first time he just requested she sit with him in the shade and eat lunch with him. She agreed with that and it went ok. Lasted twenty minutes with barely any talking. The second time he seemed more emboldened by how good lunch went and invited her to eat with him again having made lunch again. An extremely spicy Udon dish his mother taught him. Well one spicy Udon. He made his spicy not hers. Being dead meant he could eat it without it affecting him too much...So he was confused when he slurped up noodles and found no spicy kick-

Until Y/n dropped her bowl causing Shinjuro to look up from the other room hearing the porcelain bowl shatter and watch as Y/n choke on something, hands flying to her mouth as hellfire reigned down on her tongue. Then to Kyojuro's utter horror he realized the accidental placement in the bowls. He kept apologizing and apologizing for everything as his father rubbed her back as she nursed a cup of cold water, crying and trying not to cough and vomit in the sink. Shinjuro sent his son a look.

"You added some of the hottest peppers known to man into a bowl, and then you proceed to forget which bowl it was in?! Why didn't you just make both mild?!"

Kyojuro said nothing as he silently went to clean up the shattered bowl and spilt food. She lost the ability to taste anything for the next few days, and he didn't bother showing up for 'Sunday Family Dinner' again. The rest of his family only gave her pitying or apologetic looks as she bit into a pickled egg, and barely tasted any of it. 

First a massive headache. Then she's soaked to the bone. And now there was homicide on her taste buds. Did she just have bad luck in romantic partners of the worst kind? Like Geto Evibloten whom was sexist and misogynistic and utterly hated her treating her like a slave in her own home. Then Kyojuro Rengoku whom Kyojuro Rengoku, a kyonshi whom kidnapped her, tried to force a relationship, and was REALLY awful at dates! What next?! Was she going to DIE!? Loose a limb?! Go deaf?!

Third week was starting to pass by. Her work in the yard continued. Helping to pull up weeds and things. Making their way from the front, left side, the VERY large garden area in the back area that took the longest out of everything. Then the right side of the mansion where Senjuro had mentioned the onsen was..And there it was. A second building as big as a small two bedroom house. She saw the nurse onna on the roof and hammering new roofing into the building paying no attention to the girls working around the building. If she remembered right, Mitsuri said his name was Obanai. On the front of the onsen, the akugyo and huge Torakoishi was fixing the large doorframe looking to install a new door or fix the old one. Seemed like the building was almost fixed, or at least the outside of it. As far as she knew, Sanemi was finishing up the inside plumbing.

Whatever.. didn't affect her.

Kyojuro still came by to see her. Honestly if there was one good thing about the flaming food incident, it was that she was hoping that it would detour him and make him stop trying to 'court' her. Alas it was not meant to be when one day he brought her flowers again and asked her to come join his parents for lunch. You reluctantly accepted only because his parents were actually yokai you liked and knowing his mom made the food instead of Kyojuro. That meal was oddly pleasant and casual talk, mostly his dad asking about your family business. Second time was the same thing, dinner with his parents and pleasant but a little awkward small talk about herself and her family. Hobbies, favorite color, what deals her family's company made, what her family was like-

She had a sneaking suspicion that the family double date meals was his dad's idea seeing how badly his son had been floundering and brought up basic stuff to get him to know her better.. Honestly how was it his grouchy dad was more considerate in asking about her than this lovesick kyonshi was?  Third family dinner was pretty much the same thing minus the addition of Senjuro. Overall fine with just some lingering awkwardness. The fourth week was what brought up the idea that could save her.

"Y/n!" She looked behind her from walking down the hallway towards the outside. Kyojuro was there waving an arm and looking happy again. Great. He probably wanted to spend more time together again. "Wait a moment! I have no gift for you!"

Her brows furrowed. "A gift?", you asked wearily. 

"I promise you it's not going to cause any harm! Here!" He thrusted a book at her with a black cover. "I got you a journal!!"

..Her brows rose looking between the book and him. "A journal?" He nodded. "Why?"

"You mentioned that you like drawing during our lunch together!" He puffed up proudly as if he finally found a solution to all their problems. "So I got you a journal to draw in as a courting gift!"

She still stared at him bed hesitatingly slowly took it from him. Kyojuro beamed happily as she flipped through the blank pages. "...This is.. actually nice. Thank you...But I don't have anything to draw with."

Kyojuro froze smile comically open mouthed. "...AH. RIGHT!! I-I forgot about that. But not to worry, I shall get you paints and brushes for your next courting gift!!"

"Just a brush and some ink will be fine. I didn't really get to draw much anyways."

His head tilted. "How come? I thought you said it was a hobby of yours."

She rolled her eyes sighing. "My mother didn't approve of it. Said drawing was a useless skill for ladies outside of oirans and noblewomen...Then again she didn't really approve much of anything."

"Do you think she would've approved of me?", he asked hopefully.

"You're lucky you never had to meet her."

It was then she froze as an idea hit her. Kyojuro hadn't met her parents. The same parents who. Neglected her, tried to marry her off to a pig, and literally abandoned her. If they met Kyojuro, then they wouldn't like him or agree to thud at all. In fact they'd be down right scared of him and never give him a chance. If he was hurt by her constantly rejecting him, then maybe her TERRIBLE parents would really make him want to drop this entire situation. A parents' blessing especially her father's was absolutely important to get for a marriage after all. This could be her best chance!

Her gaze slowly shifted back to him. "Actually now that we're technically courting...you should definitely meet her. And my father too!"

He lit up. "What an excellent idea! It's only right I meet my future in-" She rose a brow. "Possible future in-laws." He corrected himself quickly. "Where are they buried?"

"You've seen my mother before, she was in the carriage with me. My father is at home."

"Oh! They're still alive!," he quickly realized, "Hm. Well, then I suppose I have no choice but to go meet them!"

"But don't they need your help here?," she faked concern to not look suspicious. "My town is probably a good day's trip away."

"Nonsense! This is important to you! I insist on meeting them!"

Hook. Line. And sinker.

"Well if that's what you really want."

EDO SECRETS:

-Did anyone notice the references from ch1? Deku is a reference to My Hero Academia/Boku No Hero Academia. Satoru and Geto are references to Jujutsu Kaisen.

-VOCAB-

Onsen: An onsen is a traditional Japanese public bath heated by geothermally active hot springs, known for their therapeutic mineral-rich waters and cultural significance. Onsen experiences involve naked bathing in segregated pools, requiring a thorough pre-wash and a specific set of etiquette to show respect for the tradition and other bathers.

Sake: In Japan, the word "sake" (酒) refers to any alcoholic beverage, while the Japanese rice wine is specifically called "nihonshu" (日本酒), meaning "Japanese alcohol". Nihonshu is made from fermented rice, water, yeast, and koji mold, and can be enjoyed in various temperatures, with a range of flavors from crisp to fruity

Zabuton: Pillows for sitting on the floor in Japan are called zabuton (座布団). These are traditional, flat, square or rectangular cushions used for sitting comfortably on the floor in a Japanese-style room.

Engawa: An engawa is a Japanese architectural feature: a wooden, porch-like veranda that functions as a transitional space between the interior of a house and the garden, allowing for flexible connection with the outdoors. It is a characteristic element of traditional Japanese architecture, providing shade and ventilation while serving as a space to relax, socialize, and enjoy the surrounding nature, often featuring sliding doors that can close off or open up to the outside.