Chapter Text
It had been three weeks since those men had arrived. They seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere, especially Kyojuro, who liked to take long walks through the garden and even to the clearing in the woods. It was a peaceful place, with only the wind and birdsong to be heard. He also used to go running or training, either in the second floor dojo or in the garden.
However, during those three weeks, he had also been making some advances on Y/n, giving her long glances at the table and insisting on sitting next to her, or also across from her, so he could admire her better. He also often went up to her and greeted her, telling her that her outfit looked good on her, that she looked beautiful today, that he was happy to see her, that he couldn't wait to spend another day with her.
His joy and bright smile always made her blush. She couldn't handle all that light he radiated, all that comforting warmth he emanated.
It reminded her of something...her mother kindness.
But she always pushed that feeling aside and continued her day, talking to him casually, since Urokodaki had decided they would work together for that year.
He knew her feelings for the young man and had faith that they would blossom and become something deeper. He saw in Kyojuro a good man, a man of honor, who would certainly make his granddaughter happy. And what he wanted most was to see her smile. To give her everything, as he had promised her mother's soul.
Y/n still seemed indecisive. She has been thinking about Urokodaki's words that night; the sound of his voice echoed in her head every time she had doubts, but at the same time, she was afraid, afraid of ending up like her mother. Dead at the hands of a man who was supposed to protect her. She still felt the blood gushing and it hurt.
In her heart, she knew, she saw in that man's gaze, that he was pure, that he would never touch a single hair on her head to hurt her. She saw his radiant light, his smile that brought her peace, everything about him brought her peace. His voice chained her bad thoughts and made her feel safe, but she didn't know how to deal with her feelings. She had never loved anyone, never been loved by a man, and because she had never had a present father, a loving father, a father who taught her how a man should love and care for a woman, she never knew what that was.
What was the true essence of love?
Was it really worth giving in and confessing?
Y/n was in Urokodaki's office, sitting in his chair, as he had been away with Shinjuro and they had gone into town to take care of some business. She couldn't believe she had been alone with Kyojuro all day.
And the worst part was that she found herself following him around the house without him noticing, just so she could see him in secret. She should stop this, she should confess, but she couldn't.
She sat staring at the ceiling, thoughtful, fidgeting with her crossed leg. She heard a knock and looked at the door, hoping it was just one of the kakushi.
Please let it be...
"Y/n, are you there?" Kyojuro asked from the other side of the door, and she huffed, rubbing her face with one hand
"Come in..." She ordered, adjusting herself in her chair, placing her hands in her lap
"I've been looking for you all over the house, I'm glad I found you." He smiled, approaching the table. "May I?" He grabbed the back of the empty chair
"Go ahead." She nodded, and he sat across from her
"Here! Have some if you want. The lady in the kitchen was boiling some sweet potatoes for dinner and gave me some when I said I liked them. I know you like them too, so I brought one for you." He smiled, placing the sweet potato wrapped in foil on the desk, and she looked at it and then back at him
Did he really bring her a sweet potato just because she loved them as much as he did? She was on the verge of fainting at that moment. This man was unrealistically kind.
"Well, I... appreciate that. That was sweet of you." Her lips curved into a smile
"No problem, I'll bring you more if you want--"
"No need, I'm fine with just this one." She reached out and grabbed the potato
"I'm glad."
She opened the foil and took a bite of the potato, eating slowly and smiling to herself. If sweet potatoes already tasted good, cooked by the wonderful hands of lady, served by the gentle hands of this man made everything even better.
"It taste delicious." She said, swallowing what she had in her mouth
"See? I told you it would taste good."
She took a few more bites, and when she was finished, she wrapped up the foil and threw it in the trash. He smiled, looking at how cute she looked in front of him after having eaten what he had willingly given her.
"Wait, you still have some here, can I?" He leaned over the desk, bringing his thumb to the corner of her mouth. She widened her eyes when he got close to her so quick.
She didn't answer, but nodded slightly, feeling his finger wipe the corner of her mouth gently before he sit back in his chair.
She felt a blush spread across her cheeks at the man's sweet gesture and felt the ice on her heart crack again.
He was managing to make her feel the love in her heart again, but he had no idea yet.
"Thank you." She smiled, and he just shook his head. "Kyojuro... Why are you doing this?"
"Doing what?"
"Why are you... always so kind to me, always helpful even in the smallest gesture, always... approaching me with this... I don't know, cheerful air? But like, too much?" She asked, and he widened his bright eyes, resting his chin on his hand
"Maybe because you're an incredible woman who deserves respect, and because I admire you so much? I don't know if those are enough reasons, but I can give you more if you want. I also find you very kind and helpful, always professional when Urokodaki asks you for something. You're careful and someone people can trust." He said, and she was a little flustered by the words
"Oh... Oh, is that why?"
"Yes, I've also been trying to be closer to you because I always see you alone. I recognize that you like your space and that you're more reserved, but I want you to know that you can trust me if something is bothering you." He assured her, and she felt her voice catch in her throat
She felt her eyes water as she blinked and tried her best not to cry in front of him. But his kindness, his care, his love were so great that she was once again at a loss for words.
"I must confess that... At first, I thought you were weird. I'm sorry," she began, and he just chuckled. "But I think you're nice, you know? I think you're a good man and that you easily form bonds with others. I prefer to keep to myself. I have some insecurities, and the only person I've ever talk with is Urokodaki, because he brought me here when I was ten and he raised me. He's always taken care of me, and I'm very grateful to him."
"I see that you two get along very well. Y/n, don't take it the wrong way for me to ask, but... How did you end up here? Why did Urokodaki bring you here?" He asked, a little nervous, not knowing how she would react to the question
The young woman pondered for a moment, and that scene resurfaced in her mind, holding her mother's corpse in her arms. She wanted to speak, she wanted to get that weight off her, but at the same time, she didn't know how.
"It's a long story, and I don't think anyone would have the patience to listen to me, or even care--"
"I care!" He cut her off, and she looked at him. "I have the patience to listen to you, Y/n. I care about you. If you don't want to tell me, that's fine, but know that I care for you." He said, looking her in the eyes
And this time, she felt a tear fall. She quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand and tried to look serious as always. He noticed the sadness in her eyes, but as the patient man he was, he waited to hear her out.
However she got up and stood by the window, looking at the full moon and the starry sky.
"The moon is beautiful today, isn't it?" She whispered, and he frowned
"What?"
"Nothing... I was thinking out loud." She just shook her head. "Kyojuro, will you wait for me?"She turned to look at him
"As long as it takes." He said with the utmost sincerity in his voice. She nodded with a small smile that he found sweet.
"Thank you for the sweet potato and...for keeping me company."
He got up from the chair and walked over to her, standing close to her, his face hovering over hers, and she lowered her head, hiding her rosy cheeks and shyness.
For a moment, he wanted to kiss her; he found her so beautiful, her face illuminated by the moonlight. She was a true princess, one he wanted to fight for until the end.
"Kyojuro...I think...I should go now. Your father and Urokodaki should be arriving soon." She said softly, looking away, and he nodded
"Yeah...You're right. But my words still stand," he said, and she looked up at him. "I will always be by your side."
She looked into his eyes for a moment that felt like an eternity, and then nodded before leaving the office.
Upon reaching the courtyard, she spotted the two men arriving and walked over to them both, bowing to them.
"So, how did your meeting with Oyakata-sama go?" Y/n asked Urokodaki
"Well, he was happy to hear that everything was in order and that for now there are no threats that could cause major conflicts." He explained
"That's good. Everything went well here while you were away, too."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"Dinner should be ready by now." Y/n looked at her watch, checking the time. "If you want, I can go check."
"Good idea, but first, I'm going to take a bath." Shinjuro said
"I'll do the same."
"Okay, then I'll have it served later. Excuse me." Y/n turned and left the courtyard
She entered the house and, as she was about to turn the corner to go to her room, since the other men would still take a while to have dinner, she saw Kyojuro also entering his room but stopped when he saw her.
"Oh, Y/n! It's you." He greeted her cheerfully as if he hadn't almost kissed her just minutes ago
"Your father is already here." She informed him
"Oh really? He's going to dinner now?"
"Not yet, he went to take a shower first. Mr. Urokodaki will also be at dinner."
"Okay, then, I think I'll have dinner with them too. Aren't you coming?" He suggested
"No, I have other things to do."
"Please, why don't we have dinner together tonight?" He insisted, and she looked away
"I can't, what I have to do is important. Please understand that." She said before walking past him and placing her hand on the doorknob to her room
"Oh, is your room next to mine?" He asked, surprised
"Yes, why? Don't worry, I don't snore."
"Oh, of course not, I'm not saying that. A beautiful lady like you would never snore." He complimented her, and once again she felt that warmth inside her
"Thank you." She entered the room and closed the door
The young man sighed, smiling at the look on her face. He didn't want to pressure her, he would never force her to love him, but every time he saw her blush after he complimented her, he could only imagine seeing her blush as he slipped a ring on her finger.
~~~
At the dinner table, the three men ate together once more. But midway through the conversation, a kakushi approached the table and leaned over slightly to whisper to Urokodaki that he was receiving a call at the office. The old man stood and apologized for the inconvenience before heading to the office to see who was calling.
A short time later, Y/n crossed the courtyard to leave the house, and Kyojuro followed her steps with his eyes full of admiration, and... his mouth half-open, almost drooling just seeing her so well dressed.
"Damn! What a woman..." He thought
Shinjuro looked at the woman and then at his son, who was craning his head to see her in the background opening the door and leaving.
"Are you ogling the girl?" His father asked, and Kyojuro choked a little at the blunt question
"What the hell, Dad? Of course not, I was just—"
"Yeah, yeah, and what about the other times?"
"What other times?" He frowned at his father
"When she walks by you and your eyes follow her legs and hips up and down. When she shows up at the office and you're grinning like a fool trying to get her attention or biting your lip when she bends over to pick something up. When you see her alone and go straight to her to try your luck." Shinjuro said, and the young man was embarrassed, seeing that his father was right after all. "Am I wrong?"
"Well… I mean, she's a very beautiful woman but...I think you're overreacting." Kyojuro tried to soften his father's reaction, but he wasn't convinced at all
"Yeah, sure. You'll say the same thing if I catch you fucking her one of these days." The older man said, but his son just chuckled
"Come on, Dad, don't say those things."
"Why not? I used to look at your mother the way you look at that woman now. She was also just a 'very beautiful woman' and yet here you are...and your brother too. You know what I mean?"
"I think so." The younger man turned his attention back to his food
Soon after, Urokodaki returned to the table again and joined the other two.
"Here am I !" He pulled his chair forward and looked at them both. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes, it is." Kyojuro nodded, wiping his lips with his napkin
"Was it an important call?" Shinjuro asked
"Just...a minor inconvenience." Urokodaki smiled, taking a sip of his wine. "Which is already being taken care of."
"I see..." Shinjuro sighed. "That's to be hoped."
~~~
Y/n had woken up that morning, still sleepy and tired from the previous night. She had gone into town to resolve what appeared to be a minor inconvenience on Urokodaki's orders.
Three men who looked suspicious and had ties to the enemy were frequenting one of Urokodaki's bars in down town. Upon being recognized by one of the security guards, they alerted the man who had sent her to them. Since they were just newbies, she managed to get rid of them so they wouldn't cause any more trouble.
She slowly got out of bed and went to the bathroom to shower. She got dressed and went to the kitchen to get something to eat, since she hadn't had dinner and was very hungry.
She grabbed a mug and poured the still-warm coffee into it, pouring some into it as she waited for the toats. Kyojuro appeared in the kitchen shortly afterward, tired and sweaty after running and saw Y/n with her back to him, pouring the coffee into the mug, and smiled.
"Good morning, Y/n." He greeted the woman, who nearly dropped the coffee pot in fright. "Sorry if I scared you."
"It's okay, I was just distracted." She said, placing the pot on the counter
She felt that heat rise inside her once again, seeing the man in front of her, sweaty after his run, his muscles bulging through the fabric of his shirt, his hair disheveled, and a few visible veins on his biceps. She rubbed her thighs under her long skirt at the sight and tried not to look at him to try to soften the feeling.
"You were late yesterday."
"Did you wait for me?" She looked at him, not at all surprised if he had done so
"I was already asleep, but I could still hear your bedroom door opening. When I checked the time, I realized it was late. Did everything go okay? I mean, walking down the street at night can be dangerous."
"Don't worry, I was trained from a young age to defend myself."
"Oh, sure. I'm glad Urokodaki trained you. My father trained me too." He smiled. "By the way, I went running this morning and just came back now to take a shower, but first..." He took his hands from behind his back and showed her the sunflower he was holding. "I saw some in the garden and I remembered you. A flower for a flower." He gave a cute little chuckle, and her eyes widened
That was undoubtedly another of his acts of chivalry and kindness toward her, which surprised her once again. She always didn't know how to react; that kindness was something she'd never seen before. It was rare, or maybe... A unique trait of a unique man like him.
"Take it, it's for you." He said, and she slowly reached out to take the flower
She picked it up and brought it to her nose, inhaling its wonderful scent if it. She was a fan of sunflowers because they reminded her of her mother's bright smile, but now, she could only associate them with the man in front of her.
"Thank you..." She looked at him with a shy but grateful smile. "You always surprise me, Kyojuro."
"I just want to see you smile and feel good and loved. Even if you're not ready for something else yet." He confessed, and she looked at him, seeing his feelings painted all over his face and eyes
"Thank you for your kind words." She said
"No problem. Well, I'm going to take a shower because I stink of sweat and I don't want you to think I'm some smelly man." He joked
"Yes, I think you should, because you really stink." She feigned a frown, but deep down she just wanted him there, regardless of the sweat
"See you later." He left the kitchen, and she let out a long sigh
A passionate sigh...
She grabbed a vase and filled it with water, placing the flower he'd given her in it, and went to the bedroom, placing it by the window. She smiled to herself, remembering the man's kindness to her.
Maybe... Maybe it wasn't temporary... Maybe he was fighting for her and maybe he was the one who would want the love she still had in her heart.