A Snake Decides to Love (3.)
Obanai clutched his arm, trying not to reveal how much it pained him. The trio of rookie slayers behind him had got out within an inch of their lives (and it had only been a regular but tedious demon). Naturally, most of the boss battle with the demon fell to Obanai, and he welcomed it.
Of all the people he wanted to see, the worst person was walking with Kanroji. That boy with a forehead hard as a rock, Kamado Tanjiro. He and his little demon sister had been tagging around the corps for the longest. Obanai hated to admit how quickly the guy had caught on, much quicker than when he started.
"My husband! Are you hurt?" Kanroji cried when she saw him and the battered rookie slayers walking up the hill. The night's breeze chilled their backs. The trio quickly dismissed themselves to go to the Butterfly Mansion for recovery.
Kamado looked surprised at Kanroji's outburst but didn't pry.
"The demon? Kamado asked.
"Handled," he said and turned his head. The less he looked at him the better.
If Kamado had been older, Kanroji definitely would have turned her gaze toward him. He embodied the quintessential hero type - kind, handsome, and smart. Obanai would have been a villain in any story with his looks if it weren't for his abilities. Lucky him for being a few years older.
He tried to wade through the waves of bitterness. Focus on something sweeter.
"Kanroji, I'm fine. I made quick work of that demon filth." He told her gently. "My apologies for worrying you."
She closed her eyes and did a twirl in the dirt.
"Thank you! Thank you, Lord, for protecting my husband! This is my thank you dance. Kamado, dance with me!"
Kamado linked his arm with hers, and they danced around in a circle. Obanai couldn't stop his eye from twitching.
Their dance came to a jerky stop.
"Be careful, Obanai! You almost tripped Kamado," she said, oblivious as ever.
Kamado raised an eyebrow either at the first-name basis or the less-than-obvious way he stuck his foot out.
"I'll let you two catch up," Kamado said. He smiled genuinely. "I wasn't aware you were married, but congratulations. Should I address you as Mrs. Iguro now?"
"I'm not her husband yet." He winced.
He didn't want to clear up the mistake in front of Kamado. Let him think she was his fiancé, so he would never breathe her air again. If he could crush him into powder, he would. He didn't fool him with his fake smiley act.
She giggled behind her hand.
"Yeah, he still has to make an official proposal, but we're definitely engaged."
Tanjiro clapped his hands. "Do you have a ring yet?"
"Hope it's on the wayyyy," she sang.
"Oh great, how many kids do you guys want?"
"Five babies if it were a different world, but we'll be okay with just Kaburamura. Maybe we can adopt a brother for him from the forest."
"Spring, Summer, or Winter wedding?"
"Ehehehe, I can't even decide, but it will probably be really small. And I want it to be as soon as possible, like within three months."
"Will you move to his quarters, or will he move to yours?"
Kanroji tilted her head thoughtfully. "We can either keep both places, or I can move in with Obanai. His place is a lot roomier than mine."
Kamado leaned in and gave her a side hug.
Obanai had never hated a human more than he hated Kamado at that moment.
Then, he had the nerve to pat his shoulder, expertly moving his hand before Kaburamura could bite him.
"Congratulations, again on your soon-to-be wife, Iguro. Ms. Kanroji is top three among the world's nicest women."
He could see himself strangling Kamado by the neck, but his anger was curbed at the gentle movement of her pushing a lock of hair behind his ear. Kanroji's fingertips grazed his ear lightly.
With the distraction, he hadn't noticed when the thorn in his side had left the courtyard.
Kanroji babbled nonsense. "My family isn't particularly rich, but do you think Master would help us out with the wedding? I'm sure the rest of the hashiras would pitch in where they could. Naturally, I want to invite them all too. Anyone you think should be on the guest list?"
Guest list?
Right, she didn't know he didn't have a family besides a hateful cousin who never wanted to see him again. He didn't even know his father who had most likely been fed to the snake demon when he was an ignorant child. As far as he was concerned, the Iguro's name was cursed.
Kanroji had amazed him with her level of delusion. It was almost funny, or sad because of how desperate she was. She thought she could be happy with him. She could've settled for Tomioka, who may have been one level above Kamado in his eyes if she craved a husband so badly. At least he had a face that could be seen in public without disturbing everyone. He hadn't suffered like him. Stupid pretty boy.
"Speaking of guests—I've asked the master for a few days' leave. I'm going back home to see my family. I'd be honored if you joined me."
She smiled at him.
Obanai found himself gritting his teeth. He was going to do this and scare her off for good.
All of this made him irrationally angry. If he were someone else, he could enjoy it. But unfortunately, he was still himself, unwanted trash only necessary for fattening up a demon. His sole good qualities were his skill with a sword and his determination. Nothing else. Nothing that any woman would want tied to her name.
"Obanai—"
"Kanroji, will you give it a rest!" He yelled.
A group of owls flew away at his scream of frustration.
Her face fell but she held his gaze.
"Oba—Iguro." She relented, folding her arms. "I'm not trying to force you into anything, but you won't even give yourself a chance. If I say, I want to be with you why do you keep second-guessing me?"
His insides were volcanic. His eyes darted around the courtyard. Most of everyone resided in their quarters with dim outside lights on. Tonight, the moon was out as well.
With his arm still hurting and his thoughts running amok, Obanai couldn't focus. He hated himself for yelling at her. Hated himself for just existing. But he shouldn't have blown up at her.
He grabbed her hand tightly and started running toward her room. She tried to question him, but he didn't stop until he reached her quarters.
Wordlessly, she let him into the front patio but not further inside. Kanroji looked at him for an explanation.
"I'm still an "unmarried" woman. You'll have to court me properly." She told him dryly.
He could tell she was still hurt. Any other time they might have been sharing sweets and talking about anything.
But apologies could come later.
"Leave this behind." He gestured wildly at his face. "This monster you want to tether yourself to. I don't have a family to share with you or a decent life without terror and peril. I cannot even give you a happy home and children."
"That's not true."
He tugged at his wrappings in one smooth movement. Leaving the space underneath his nose exposed. The anger at himself overpowered his humiliation.
Kanroji's mouth opened and then shut.
He swallowed hard.
Her expression was unreadable.
She stepped toward him, stopping a bit from his face. The few inches of height she had over him left him looking intently into her eyes.
Her fingertips gently touched the first snake cut on the left side of his face. He willed himself not to flinch. Then the second. She traced his bottom lip for a moment before touching the right snake marks.
"Obanai," she said softly. Her eyes were halfway closed. "We fight monsters—demons—for a living. That's why I know you're not one."
Silence accompanied them both for a moment.
Then, she killed him.
She pressed a chaste kiss to each of his scars, avoiding his lips.
She softly giggled and said, "Now, you have to kiss me."
"I … Kanroji." He blinked.
He had ripped off the wrappings. Gave her free reign to run to the hills but she was still here. Maybe she really didn't care?
"Come on, now. You can do it." She bit her bottom lip. "I know you can …" His breath hitched as she grew closer. "You can do anything, Obanai."
He stared dazedly like she was made of stars. Kanroji's face lit by the moon rivaled a painting. Every brush stroke that made her was beautiful even her insides.
Obanai touched a single finger to her chin and tilted it towards him. Her mouth parted open just a sliver.
Was he going to do this?
Kissing her meant no going back.
Although he still felt consumed with guilt that she set her eyes on him, he couldn't play with a gentle, tender heart like hers.
It was very obvious to him that Kanroji could be with any man. A man of means. Even an emperor! But he was the one in her vicinity, she chose.
He would have to try his best to love her despite wanting so much more for her. Kanroji was very stubborn he had discovered.
Obanai leaned forward.