Chapter Text
Chizuru stared out her window, watching the pink and white petals get caught in the wind. Feeling the breeze whisper inside her bedroom, she tugged at her sleeves to lengthen them, but her eyes were drawn in by the gold and black patterned trim of her kimono. She only knew one other person that had the same exact pattern.
It had been more than six months now since she became Lady Kazama of the West. The village rejoiced when their lord had finally settled down, marrying a pure-blooded Oni as well. She still couldn’t believe her wheel of fortune—the once page to the great Shinsengumi, and while it took a lot of convincing at his end, she was now the wife of a noble lord.
“Yukimura of the East? I thought there were no survivors?” The elderly woman turned to Kazama, slipping a red and white envelope in his hand as she bowed. Her words made Chizuru’s stomach drop, reminding her of the fire that burned through her village, killing everyone except her, her brother and Uncle Kodo.
Kazama bowed at the woman, accepting the wedding gift. He turned to his wife, and Chizuru offered him a small smile, her lips barely moving from a thin line.
“The reports were misinformed. There were a few survivors and lucky for me, one of them was my dear Chizuru.” He wrapped an arm around Chizuru’s shoulders, pulling her closer to him. “I am very, very lucky.”
The woman squealed with delight, then left the newlyweds to receive the other guests waiting to congratulate them. It was a long process and the two barely spoke to each other as they shook hands and bowed at all the people.
She had never seen Kazama so happy—smiling and laughing—and clearly out of character for him. But every time she caught a glimpse of him, it made her heart flutter. He was a lot more handsome when his eyes squinted and the apple of his cheeks protruding from his face.
They held hands as they entered their bedchamber together for the first time. Chizuru felt his hands shake as they reached for her obi behind her.
“Why did you marry me?” he asked, gently kissing her forehead, while untying the knot.
Chizuru took a deep breath, went on her tiptoes and kissed him. Their clothes were off before she could answer him, and the only other words spoken that night were each other’s first names.