Peaceful strokes of sunlight broke through the wisteria and cherry blossom trees that surrounded the Ubuyashiki estate, and the birds gleefully sang their morning songs.
The estate was surrounded by a silent, calm atmosphere yet the small patter of feet could be heard now and again, people running about making arrangements for the day
After you had arrived the night before, you and your husband had slept embraced in each other's warm and welcoming arms, not moving an inch throughout the night.
You hummed gently, running your pale thin hand across his jaw and into his soft hair, playing with his long ebony locks. You twirled every strand gently into a perfect style.
"Your hair has grown longer since the last time I saw you," You remarked, patting his head.
The two of you were sitting on the wooden engawa, watching the sunrise like you always used to. The sun glistened and reflected off each of your pale skins, creating a warm and cosy feeling. His soft head laid on your lap as you ran your hands along his body.
You continued humming a sweet melody as your hands began to move across his head, reaching just below his scarred face, pressing a gentle kiss to his button nose, he sighed, looking up at you through lidded eyes.
Kagaya smiled, reaching up to pull you closer to himself, pressing his lips softly against yours
Your eyes softened, bringing a calloused hand to cradle his cheek as you both stared into each other's longing eyes, smiling through the kiss
As you pulled back, you smiled softly at him. Your finger dragged slowly across your bottom, cracked lip. You had forgotten what his lips felt like on your own, and your chest felt light as you relished in the feeling.
You then began sliding your finger over his lips, letting the pad gently run across them, making him grin. Your finger began to travel back to the scar, tracing the newer scar that had grown over the period you were away.
You looked down at him, sorrow filled your eyes. You tucked a strand of hair behind his ear, "darling...." He murmured, closing his eyes,
Your hand went back to gently tracing his scar, "Yes my lo-"
In a flash you withdrew your hand, your eyes widening as he hissed in pain and winced away from your touch,
Your eyes widened with shock, your hand trembled with guilt, and a feeling of upset sank in your stomach, "My love, why did you not tell me?" You tenderly questioned, cupping his cheeks as you looked down at him, his soft purple eyes gazed back tensely. Your eyes glossed over with tears, "I'm so sorry" you whispered hoarsely,
"It's alright, better me than you" He chuckled, his voice now hoarse and rough.
He smiled up innocently, wrapping an arm around your torso, "I didn't want to worry you, besides I am not in pain" He hid his face in your yukata, nuzzling into your warmth
Tsking, you carefully wrapped your hand around a few strands of his hair, before harshly tugging him upwards, making him wince a little more.
The look on your face told him everything, from the furrow in your brow to the grimace on your lips and your tearful eyes.
He chuckled nervously, rubbing where you had pulled in comfort, "Hehe, If I can explai-"
"Do not lie to me Aya." You snap "You always seem to forget what our parents did to try and relieve you of the pain" You tried not to let a small tear escape from your eye, but to no avail it did
"I would never forget that, Y/N. I am sorry for what they did to you" A sad look etched onto his face, and he brought a hand up to your cheek, wiping away the tears.
You grabbed his soft hand, squeezing it in comfort, "You didn't deserve this" He sighed
"No, do not apologise, just don't lie to me." You said softly, unable to stay mad at him, his comforting voice soothed you "Never forget that I would do anything for you Aya. But I am just sorry the enchantment our parents bestowed did not take the curse away from you entirely"
"I am glad it didn't, I can bear being unwell, and maybe losing my clear line of sight. But for that to happen to you constantly? I would never forgive myself." He pulled his weak hands from yours, tracing the rough scar that ran along your right cheek to your neck, still visible 8 years later, pulling you closer as he sat up
FLASHBACK
A harsh slap hit your face, and moments later you hit the ground, and slimy mud splashed all over your white kimono. The mud now ruined the purple floral pattern that was embroidered onto it. The rain poured down over you, making you shiver. But that was the least of your problems now
"How dare you disrespect me!" An all too familiar voice bellowed, followed by him spitting on you
Your voice came out as a little croak, "Father I am so-"
"Silence! You had one job, to take away and carry the curse for Kagaya Ubuyashiki. But instead, you got involved with his affairs, and your stupid body rejected the enchantment! You disappointment"
A hard pain slammed through your stomach as he brought his foot down upon it, making you cry out in pain,
"Hey Stop!" Came a panting voice, one that you did not want to hear
"Get away from here child. This is none of your concern" my father growled, digging his foot deeper into my stomach causing me to cry again
"Please! Please stop! you are killing her!"
"Shut your mouth Kagaya. You may be the next leader of the Corp but you are so weak. And so are you" He spat, glaring down at you
"Stop it, please! The enchantment worked to an extent, don't punish her for this!" Kagaya cried out, rushing over to you, trying to claw your father away
"Kagaya! Go aw-"
Your eyes widened as your father turned and punched the already weak boy, sending him flying into a nearby wall.
All of a sudden you felt light, and you felt the wisteria enchantment run through your veins as you shot up, eyes widened and in a fighting stance. Your father silently watched as the enchantment ran across your arms, making your veins glow purple and more visible
You ran towards Kagaya, standing in front of him as your father got closer and closer to him
"Get out of my way, Y/N. Kagaya is a liar, and he is weak" He growled, stomping closer and closer,
His pale grey eyes pierced your soul, yet you stood your ground, knowing if he got to Kagaya now he would kill him
"Never" You stepped forward, sheathing your nichirin blade, "Kagaya speaks the truth. The enchantment worked to an extent. I can take the pain off him at command for as long as he needs, but it wouldn't last forever. That is still a success father! Why won't you listen to us!"
"Show me. Show me the enchantment worked by proving you can heal any minor cuts and take the pain of the curse away!" He tested, pointing his blade at Kagaya. "Come here boy" he demanded
Shaking, Kagaya moved forward, making your stomach drop. Tears welled in your eyes and you couldn't move quick enough. As your father swung his sword to cut his face, you pushed him out of the way
"Gah!" You screamed, holding a thin hand over your face. Your father's eyes widened for a moment, staggering back a bit
"See Y/N!" He yelled vigorously. "This is why I never wanted you two to meet. You became vulnerable because you became friends with the weak!" He slammed his fist into a wall, causing Kagaya to flinch "You are part of the L/N family! We are strong demon slayers and conjurers, and we have been for generations! You are breaking the chain!"
You knelt beside the weak boy who was barely moving, shivering from the cold of the rain. Your hands lay gently across his chest, "are you alright Aya?" You whispered, moving a piece of hair from his face,
"Thanks to you I am" He smiled, placing a hand over your own. A smile beamed from his lips, reaching your own. A new, odd feeling began to fill your chest, it felt as if you were falling, falling at a high speed but you weren't going anywhere. What was this feeling?
"Father, let me show you I can do it"
Not waiting for him to respond, you began the chant, and soon your palms glowed purple and the wisteria blossom trees around your estate began dancing and flowing in your direction.
In mere moments there were changes in Kagaya. His skin turned to a normal peachy colour, he could stand without shaking, his tiredness looked less. Yet his and your father's eyes widened as you collapsed to the floor
"Y/N!" Kagaya shouted, trying to catch your head, holding you tightly in his grasp
"Finally. You better use her to your advantage Ubuyashiki." Your father spat, his white hair swaying in the wind. "All she is for you is a conduit for your curse. Her purpose in life is to serve you. You must make sure that is all she ever does" He looked down at you, the blood pooling down your face and mixing with the muddy ground below as Kagayas arms tried to raise you,
"Disappointment. You will live at the Ubuyashiki Estate now. Don't ever come back here" He snarled, before turning and leaving
"Y/N! Let me help you '' Kagaya grimaced, his hand cupping your cheek as tears poured out of your eyes. He lifted you slowly, flinching as he steadied himself, "I'll take you home now, you're safe, he's gone"
END OF FLASHBACK
"Aya" you rubbed your temple, "Don't forget the sole reason for my existence. My existence was purely formed on the hope of taking the curse from you so you could strive as the leader of the new generation, one that hopes to defeat Kibitsuji"
"Stop that, my love. That is not all you are, you are more to me than a simple conduit of my curse." He grimaced, he hated remembering your early encounters in your youth that nearly killed you
You smiled a sad smile, cupping his cheek once more. "Just let me release you from the pain. I can only do that if you tell me you are hurting Aya, you don't have to bear the pain alone."
"Thank you, my wisteria blossom" He laid back down, gently wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling you with him, burying his face in the crook of your neck and breathing softly
"You never responded to my letter, how is your eyesight?" you asked, your hand gently tilted his face so he looked directly at you, looking deep into his violet eyes
"It is a little bit hazy from time to time, but I'm fine, really"
"Kagaya." you glare, sternly grasping his chin and making him look up at you, "the truth" you leant closer to him, making him gulp
"Well it has been hazy for a while but I am used to it, it's fine really"
"You shouldn't be used to it. Please, let me take all the pain from you" you pleaded, cupping his face and tracing his lips with your fingertip "I know it only lasts for a day or two, but please. You have a meeting later today and I want them to see you healthy my love"
"You don't have to do this" He frowned, his voice smoothing you yet you could tell he did not want this. But you couldn't bare seeing him in pain
"Please, it is my duty, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. Besides, I have done it all these years I can still walk and act normal despite the inner pain"
"Alright, my blossom. Just tell me if it gets too painful okay?" He gave in, a sorrowful and regretful look on his face.
Truthfully, he was ashamed that he couldn't handle the curse alone, but he was always grateful that you could help him, he gripped your hand strongly and nodded up at you
"Aya, I can take it. As I said, I would do anything for you" You smiled, nuzzling your face in the crook of his neck, placing a warm hand on the back of his chest parallel to his heart, before beginning the chant that would transfer his pain to you
Soon, small white streams of light passed through your hands, and then he felt light as if the curse had been lifted from him.
The pain that wrapped around his entire body, trapping him, was gone. His eyesight was clear, he could properly see your beautiful face. He could stand, he was not cold, he could properly focus and he did not feel weak.
But then he turned back to you, eyes widening.
Your legs were hanging over the edge of the engawa, yet you were shivering from the sudden pain. Your pale thin hands gripped harshly at the sides of the engawa for support, and beads of sweat began to form on your forehead.
You furrowed your brows, anger piercing your gaze.
"Kagaya, how could you do this? How could you bear this pain for the last two years? You should have said something" You shook, trying to stand to walk to him. He rushed over to you, catching you as you tripped slightly, and held your weak figure up
"Thank you, for taking the pain away" He whispered into your ear as he hugged you, pressing his lips to the side of your jaw
You sighed, nuzzling your face into his before pulling back, "Come on, you'll have to guide me until my eyes adjust to this haziness and I get used to the pain"
He began following you, lending you his now stronger and firm palm. "Shall we take a morning walk to the cemetery?"
"Of course, but we can't be long, can we? Like I said earlier, we have a Hashira meeting today"