.
.
At first, no one in particular thinks anything of their relationship. When Veena makes the announcement to the rest of the gods, the others blink at her with cow eyes while young Ebisu hesitantly asks, "I thought you two were already together...?"
Kazuma blushes as Veena blinks, surprised. "No, Ebisu. Kazuma has been my guide, it was only recently that we decided to further our relationship."
"Really?" Ebisu says, while Yato shouts, "It's about damn time!" Behind them, Tenjin shakes his head while Kofuku giggles beside him.
"Ha!" Takemikazuchi breaks through the crowd, leering. "Leave it to our own Vaisravana to turn her Hafuri into a sexual conquest! It's no wonder he is blessed," Takemikazuchi says. Kazuma is fuming but Veena just rolls her eyes.
"Don't worry, Kazuma," Veena says, and she squeezes his hand. "Things like this are to be expected."
"But Veena. If us being together will only sully your name-"
"Kazuma," Veena says, and she steps closer.
"You are necessary to me," Veena says. "You are more than just my shinki. Do you understand?"
Veena searches his eyes. Kazuma sighs, then nods.
xXx
.
Increasingly, the heavens sneer their disapproval.
He hears things. Judging eyes and harsh whispers battering them at all sides.
"Why is she even among the seven lucky gods? Who is she, who defiles her shinki?"
"Even Ebisu, whose last incarnation kept filthy Nora, has never stooped so low."
"I don't care about the heavens," Veena says, as Kazuma stands before her and wrings his hands. She smiles at him and wraps her arms around his waist. It calms him. He takes a breath, then leans against her shoulder.
xXx
.
"You seem to be enjoying this," a voice says, and Kazuma looks up from his stacks of papers to see Yato's stray sitting at the window. "Just a little nail, and look at all you have accomplished. I've always said it was a blessing, being able to penetrate her whenever you have need. And it seems you are penetrating her admirably," she says.
"A line!" Kazuma says, but Mizuchi flicks her fingers, dispelling it. Kazuma's face is pale.
"She loves you," Mizuchi says. Her words draw out, thin and airless, a swirl of ink in a vat of water. "Oh, how she loves you, poor chouki. You killed her family for her. Isn't that what you deserve?"
Kazuma wakes. He had fallen asleep on top of a stack of papers, his cheek resting against his arm.
xXx
.
Veena loves me, he thinks. And then, But I don't deserve it.
The heavens abandoned her because of me.
It's a reflexive thought, and he knows even without seeing her that she has been stung.
xXx
.
"Kazuma, I'm sorry. I'm just feeling a little under the weather at the moment. I'm fine."
Kazuma's eyes widen when he sees Veena lying listless on the couch. Her arm is covering her eyes and a blanket is draped around her shoulders.
And then he sees it: the blight, the faintest spot of purple edging the side of her neck. Quietly he traces its outline with the pad of his thumb, then lowers his head, a gathering wetness darkening the rims of his eyes.
"Veena. Is this...is this because of me?"
She lowers her arm, smiles at him kindly.
"My sweet chouki," she says, softly. "I know you can't help it. I don't mind bearing this weight."
Her words make his stomach twist, and to his horror he sees Veena wince, slightly. Kazuma squeezes his eyes and kneels beside her.
"We can't do this," Kazuma says. "I've done nothing but blight you. Even now I'm hurting you as we speak."
"You're not hurting me," Veena says. "You've always worried too much. I promise you that I'm fine."
She reaches out a hand, which Kazuma grips tightly.
"Veena," he says, and he presses her knuckles to his face. "Release me," he says.
"What?" Veena says.
"I'm hurting you. If this keeps going I don't think I can stop. I don't want to blight you," Kazuma says.
"Why?" Veena says. Her voice is a whisper. "Why do you think that you're so unworthy? My Kazuma," she says, and she traces a line down the side of his face. "I need you."
"I'm sorry, Veena," Kazuma says. And Veena looks at him like she's about to cry.
xXx
.
He doesn't need an ablution.
The blight is barely noticeable on Kazuma's body, and yet the guilt he has for hurting her grows. Bishamon watches, heart in her throat, as Kazuma takes all the harsh words and disapproving glances to heart, hunching his shoulders a little at the icy stares of other gods who know nothing about what she and her shinki have been through.
As his master, she is the one responsible for him. Bishamon knows what she has to do.
"An order?" There is a flicker of surprise on Kazuma's face, before it clamps down again into a careful mask. Bishamon stands in front of him, boldly.
"A god's will is just," Bishamon says. "No matter how selfish it is. Everything we do is righteous."
"Yes, but-" Kazuma begins, but Bishamon cuts him off.
"You will stay with me," Bishamon says. "I need you by my side, Kazuma. And as much as I loathe the idea of using you, you are my shinki. I am your master. You are meant to be used."
"I see." Kazuma sighs, quietly. "If you're going to go to such lengths, Veena, at least know that I'd stay by your side willingly. I was just trying to do right by you."
"You would do right by me by shutting up and getting in my bed," Bishamon says. Kazuma raises an eyebrow.
"Stop looking at me like that!" Bishamon says, blushing. "You forced me to do this! So that's an order!"
It takes a moment. Kazuma frowns a little, as if trying to decide whether or not to laugh at her. He doesn't; he just smiles a bit and shakes his head, stepping close and wrapping his arms around her.
"You are obstinate as always," Kazuma says. "As your guide, I only look out for your best interests. But of course you wouldn't listen to my advice."
Bishamon buries her head against his neck.
"You would do well to stop making fun of me," Bishamon says. Her voice is muffled by his shirtfront. She feels him smile against her shoulder.
"I will try my best," Kazuma says, and he holds her tight, pulling her closer.