Nagare regretted the decision to bring his family alongside him to the annual Yatonokami festival.
The moment Nagare stepped forward in the main road of the village, multiple heads snapped toward his direction. The familiar leering and judgment was on full blast. Nagare, having grown used to it, kept a hand on his wife's waist for comfort. As much as Kasane denied it, she felt creeped out by the constant stares from the villages. Many of whom believed to continue in using them as scapegoats for the Yatonokami.
In the recesses of his mind, the Snake God harrumphed at the audacity. Muttering about the thoughts these inferior creatures replayed in their minds when looking at the Kurosaki. Glee was most prevalent when their stared lingered on Nagare's bandaged neck.
Nagare pushed back the urge to blush at the real reason he covered his neck. His wife sought to mark her territory on his skin ever since they faked the ritual for appearances sake. The bandages hid her kiss marks from view, causing the wrong speculations to occur. Everyone was thrilled that the ritual continued.
For him to return the gesture on Kasane's neck was not possible. Kasane would receive whispers of her lack of tact in keeping marital affairs away from sight. Nagare's family sniped about proprietary and keeping appearances to begin with. Adding physical representation of their happy marriage would bring chaos.
The mortals are watching, pay attention. Yatonokami broke through his lovey dovey haze.
Shivering as if chilly water was dumped onto him, Nagare guided his family through the festival. Hisano happily asked for snacks while awing at the decorations in the city. Nagare bought everything her little heart desired while Kasane tried denying Hisano her sugary snacks with no energy behind her tone.
Kasane kept a close grip on their son while glaring at anyone who got close to the children. Nagare knew of her fears over the villagers, his family, anyone who supported the outdated mastership role containing that Yatonokami.
None of these people endeared themselves to his wife throughout the courting stages of their relationship. She didn't trust them to have good intentions for their children. Kasane wasn't delusional in her beliefs. After all, the villagers kept looking at the children. Their eyes lingered on Hisoka most of all. The next master.
Nagare kept himself on his toes whenever Hisano walked a slight distance away from him. Ready to bolt to her if she so much as disappeared into the crowd. Hisano didn't run too far. She continued on looking behind her to see if her parents followed. Nagare was glad his daughter was closely attached to them so as to not wander off.
As they greeted, well, Nagare, greeted different people. Kasane nodded her head or addressed the people with a slight smile.
At some point, their children grew tired. Nagare gathered Hisano into his arms, her sticky mouth molding to his yukata as she laid her head on his shoulder. Hisoka and Hisano fell asleep off in their arms, unaware of their luck for having an excuse from social situations. Their parents were not so lucky.
All of a sudden, the mayor of the city made his appearance.
Nagare shielded his wife with his body as he nodded his head. The mayor bowed deep, almost eager in having to speak to him. In the last few years, Nagare kept his attention on his family and the family business. He didn't have time to socialize with the villagers like his late father did. Well, his father nodded to them as he entered town for a walk. Kurosaki Kai wasn't one to speak to the common folk if he could help it.
The mayor, who Nagare and Kasane didn't know the name of, said. "It is such a pleasure to see the Master and Lady attending the festival. It appears the Kurosaki family have been too busy to make an appearance!"
Nagare said. "The family business required attention from myself to attend the festival." He added in while motioning to his beloved daughter. "The addition of our two children have kept us busy as well."
The mayor peered around Nagare, ignoring Hisano's sleeping form to catch a glimpse at the heir. "Ah, it is great to hear there is an heir for the family."
Kasane's eye twitched, but she continued on smiling. "We have the whole set. No need for more children." Her patience for this man was gone. The fact he didn't acknowledge her daughter was a huge misstep.
The mayor waved off Kasane's claim. "That won't do. There is always a need for another son."
Nagare snipped. "We are done having more children."
The moron doesn't realize his role as mayor is over. Not even those wretched Kurosaki elders are this insistent on you to have another son. How tactless.
Nagare couldn't agree more.
Either the mayor had selective hearing or thought the couple was lying. "Lady Kasane could do her duty once more for the security of the family."
Kasane's tense smile was apparent to Nagare, but not to the mayor, "Ah, in that case, speak to Lady Risako. She has NO children. It is her turn to bring forth another generation of the family."
Nagare grimaced. His wife was close to the boiling point. If they did not leave soon, Kasane would snap at the mayor and pick at every flaw until he collapsed in a crying fit. Although Kasane was a reasonable woman, she was Rui's twin.
Inoue Rui contained no filter when angered and Kasane picked up on choice words to hurt deep.
This one will die.
Yatonokami, Nagare interjected.
Soon.
Nagare let out a subtle sigh of relief. Better than nothing.
Jaw clenched, Kasane pinched Nagare's side. "My apologies, we need to go now."
The mayor started backtracking. "Not to mean that the young mistress is unneeded-"
"Have a good night." Nagare dismissed himself and his family immediately.
He ignored the astonished look on the mayor's face. As if he didn't realize his comment about their daughter was appropriate to utter. Nagare ushered his family away, almost quick in bringing distance between them. Kasane would have blown up had it not been for her intense training in etiquette. Nagare knew her words would dig deep into that man's soul.
Nagare thought he heard the mayor's assistant stage whisper, frantic in informing the man of the consequences of his actions. From the distant yelp, Nagare couldn't help but smirk. The Kurosaki couldn't stop the never-ending rumors, but to tell it to their face was a stupid move.
As master, Nagare's influence was limited, but he could get rid of people with the right conversations. The elders were not ones to pardon people who downplayed a member of their clan. The unrelenting pride of their family heritage was not something they ignored.
And Nagare wasn't shy not to use their outrage to his advantage.
When they passed a cotton candy stand, Kasane let herself release her steam. "That…son of a-"
Nagare interjected. "Dearest, the children."
Oh let her speak, Lady Kasane's words are entertaining. And the young ones are deep in sleep. She may speak.
Kasane breathed hard through her nose. "How dare he."
"I know."
"Honey." Kasane looked up at him. "He is not going to get re-elected is he?"
"Not if I can help it." Nagare promised her. "A lot of these officials know better than to insult the main line Kurosaki. Even more so when it pertains to our daughter. She is in a higher position than they can ever hope to accomplish in their pitiful lives."
Kasane harrumphed. "Good."
Hoisting a sleeping Hisano in a more comfortable position in his arms, Nagare comforted her. "Know that I shall speak to the elders when I meet with them tomorrow morning. They might be superstitious over our daughter's birth and vitality, but she is a mainline Kurosaki. The mayor will step down from his position before the month is over."
"Better if he moves out, but that is wishful thinking." Kasane sighed. "His family has stayed in this village for generations."
Nagare hummed. "We'll see."
They exited the festival and walked back to Kurosaki manor.
As soon as the month ended, the mayor relinquished his position and another man took his place. To the surprise of everyone, the ex mayor relocated to the next town, seemingly spooked away.
When she found out, Kasane's appreciative kisses and touches were amplified.
Nagare received his wife's touches with satisfaction.
