The first time he gave her one, it was lavender.
"What's this for?" Bishamon asked as she took the flower from her guide's hand. It was a single rose, pastel petals spread wide open like in a painting. She twirled the thorn-less stem between her fingers as she eyed it.
"For a job well done this Ooharai," Kazuma said simply. They were walking back to the estate, the rest of her children had already gone ahead as her and Kazuma stayed for formalities. The hallway they stood in was empty.
"Where could he have hid this?" Bishamon wondered to herself. Even so, she smiled, touched by the young man's gift.
"Thank you," she said. Kazuma hummed in acknowledgement as they walked. Outside, heaven's weather was just as beautiful as ever and the flower absorbed the sun's rays nicely.
"It really is a pretty color," Bishamon mused at the lavender rose.
"It is," Kazuma agreed, "it's the same color as your eyes."
The next rose was pink.
"Where did you get those?" Bishamon cocked her head at the sudden splash of color in her office. From a large vase, Kazuma was startled from his preening and he looked at her like he was caught with the cookie jar.
"Uh, from the garden. Suzuha grew them and the kids thought it would look good in the office," Kazuma said with a shrug. His voice was forcing itself to be nonchalant but the man clearly had other alternatives.
"Is that so?" Bishamon leaned forward on her hands and gave him a sly smile. Kazuma coughed into his fist and straightened out.
"Yes, it is." Stiff Kazuma was back and he was fixing his tie. Bishamon sighed, disappointed in a way she couldn't figure out. Still, her smile was genuine as Kazuma stepped towards her desk. He flicked a brow at her causing them to share a laugh. With a content sigh, Bishamon leaned back in her chair.
"I'll have to thank them for their thoughtfulness. Especially since it was such a nice, very precise, arrangement of both size and height." Bishamon's words hung in the air as Kazuma's mouth worked uselessly. The smile on her face only grew along with the blush that spread across his cheeks; pink like the roses he brought. Then he huffed out a laugh.
"Well, it was their idea. I just helped."
"I see," Bishamon's eyes crinkled as she smiled up at him, "they're lovely." Despite her best attempts to tease him, Kazuma remained uptight and held his charming smile like a secret.
"Yes I think so, that's why I couldn't help but bring one from me," Kazuma placed a hand on her desk and leaned, his other hand coming out of nowhere. Pink filled her vision with Kazuma behind it, the green of his eyes matching the stem while the pink flooded his cheeks.
"Thank you," Bishamon took it numbly. Pink filling her cheeks as well. Kazuma simply stood with a smile and fixed his glasses.
"You're quite welcome, my lady."
Another rose was given to her. This time, white.
Of course she wasn't aware of this. The delicate flower was laid on an equally white sheet by a single, hagard guide. Kazuma looked down at his sleeping goddess with tired eyes. His skin was just as pale as hers and he felt just as tired. Bishamon looked so peaceful, laying in her extravagant bed with bandages wrapped around her head.
"You need to start listening to me," Kazuma spoke to the unconscious woman, "you're strong. You're strong, courageous, and kind, and reckless. Absolutely reckless. But you're not invincible. You can't just push yourself past your limit and completely disregard your body!" Kazuma held his breath as he tried to gather himself, then let it out like a sigh. It didn't prevent his voice from shaking like her body did before she fell unconscious. Even with her lying vulnerable, she looked as beautiful and scary as ever.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do better," Kazuma brushed a piece of blonde hair out of her face, "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. And now all I can do is sit here and watch over you." A tear slid down his cheek and spattered on the porcelain petals, tarnishing their purity with his essence. The thought made him scowl.
The red rose came as a shock.
It's color was deep and rich, the inside was almost a dark purple like a garnet while the tips of the petals flared into a bright carnelian. It was handed to her under the cover of night at the very foot of her shrine. Only paper lanterns lit their way yet the flower's color was unmistakable. She held the single stem between her forefinger and thumb as she stared at it with an open mouth.
"Kazuma," she breathed, "it's beautiful." Her mind was running on empty and all she could think to say was the honest words at the forefront of her mind.
"I had hoped you would think that, my lady," he replied. This gift had come as a shock to Bishamon because the two of them had been on shaky ground recently. Kazuma's compulsion to serve her and Bishamon's own obliviousness of those around her had caused another fight in their relationship. Despite this, they showed up to Kofukus's party and proceeded to spend their time separated. Kazuma made his way to Yato, where they drank and whispered to each other the entire night and Bishamon sat with Take and Tenjin. She felt their eyes on them and when she looked Kazuma would have the decency to look away, while Yato just made gestures at her. It was aggravating to say the least.
"What is it for?" Bishamon couldn't help but ask as she faced her guide. Kazuma looked down, carefully considering his words, before meeting her gaze with the intensity of any war god.
"Because I adore you my lady, but unlike you I am human. I am flawed and my devotion to you often blinds me. But I want to assure you that my actions are not meant to hurt you in any way, I only wish to give you the best of absolutely everything. I only wish to make you happy," Kazuma's words struck her as they always did. He had such a way with them and they were always fueled by such a touching passion. Still, the thought made her heart heavy. His love for her caused him to make such difficult decisions and he still believed in her righteousness. Her own foolishness and disregard for his burdens would be the end of him.
"Kazuma," she started, looking at the flower that matched his blood.
"There is nothing else, Viina," Kazuma afrimed. His voice was laced with desperation but it remained sure. He wouldn't bend, wouldn't waver, not when he faced the almighty Bishamon. It warmed and ached her heart.
"And you," she smiled at the rose, "I want nothing more than for my children, my humans, to be happy. But when it comes to you, there is nothing else." The rose was pressed against her lips, lipstick of the same color blending into its petals. When she looked up she saw Kazuma's face held the same red color and she imagined hers wasn't any better. But for him she would always swallow her pride and it was about time she made a move as well. He took her outstretched hand with ease and took it a step forward by twinning their fingers together. Feeling blessed to have such a guide, Bishamon walked with Kazuma back into their home, rose dancing in her vision.
