Chapter Text
The young boy cried as his hands hit the rough, gravely road. His face was covered in dirt and bruises that had just began to show up, and tears streaked his red cheeks.
"Get up, scum! You still owe us money!"
"I'll- I'll get you the money! I- I swear!! I just need more time!" The small boy cried, trying to stand up. His legs shook violently, buckling underneath him. His face was shoved into the dirty puddle underneath him.
"HELP!" He screamed, fighting to keep his head above water, but he was shoved back down. He started to panic, and his heart was racing as he fought to breathe.His vision went black.
His vision swam in blurred flashes when he felt a large hand against the side of his face.
"...id.... kid ..ake...wake up kid!" A low, gentle voice called, grounding the young boy. He opened his eyes... well- eye. His left eye was now swollen shut, so all he could use was his right eye. "Good! That's good! Wake up kid! Come on."
Zenitsu groaned, flinching when he realized just how large the man infront of him was. He scrambled away from him, head still slightly woozy and legs shaky. He backed as far away as he could, and then promptly realized he had literally backed himself into an alleyway corner.
Tears prickled at the corners of his eyes as his mind went into overdrive, looking for any possible way out of what would certainly be his gruesome death.
"Hey, its alright. I'm not gonna hurt you. Are you hungry?" The silver-haired man asked softly, kneeling down on one knee as he held out a loaf of shokupan in one hand. The boy nodded fervently, too scared to speak.
"Here, you can have this." He said with a soft smile. "What's your name?"
Zenitsu inched toward the man slowly, his whole body shaking. He didn't answer his question. He was too scared to. When he took the good from his hand, he dashed back to his corner, shoving the food in his mouth as quickly as he could. He didn't want the man to take it away from him.
"Take is easy, kid. It's all yours. How about you go back home now, huh?" the man said, standing up.
Zenitsu shook his head, mumbling, "Don' have a home," softly underneath his breath. He didn't think it was possible for the large man to even hear him, but he was suddenly met with two large magenta-colored eyes. He screeched and lurched back, hitting his head on the stone wall.
He reached his hands backward to cradle the new-found injury on his head and simply cried. He was scared, dirty, wet, and hungry. AND he was being cornered by this large man who didn't want to leave him alone!
"Do you want a home?" he suddenly heard.
Zenitsu just stared up at the big man dumbly. Did he just offer him a home? Was he being serious? Was he going to use him just like everyone else had? Was this man going to find a way to make money off of him? Tears fell once more as he stared, head filled with thoughts.
"You can say no, but lemme at least get you cleaned up, kid. Stand up and follow me, okay?" the man instructed, leaving no room for argument.
Zenitsu simply stood up, holding on to his dirty haori as he followed the fancily-dressed man to what appeared to be a mansion. Ok, it might not have been a mansion, but the estate was pretty damn big.
"Look, I have three wives, and I want you to treat them with respect, got it?" the man said sternly, and Zenitsu nodded nervously.
How does this man have three wives!! Was this normal?? Was he rich or something?!
As the two approached the front of the house, they were met with three beautiful women waiting for them. One ran up to them, shouting curiously when she saw the young boy Tengen had apparently brought home.
The lady's voice was sweet, but too loud for Zenitsu. He covered his ears with his hands and shrunk away, hiding behind the large man he'd grown slightly more comfortable with. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up, being faced with kind blue eyes. His face grew warm and he didn't know what to do, so he closed his eyes and apologized.
"Don't be sorry, young one! I'll keep quiet for you, ok?" her sweet voice sang. Zenitsu couldn't practically feel the warm smile radiating from the woman, and he wanted to sob. "My name is Uzui Suma, what's your name?" she asked softly.
"...Agatsuma Zenitsu..." he answered quietly.
"That's a lovely name, Zenitsu! How about we get you cleaned up, huh?" she suggested, holding out a hand for the young boy to take.
Zenitsu nodded and placed his hand in hers. As she led him into the house, he looked back at thelarge man who had brought him here. He wore a soft smile, and suddenly, Zenitsu knew he was safe.