After playing in the flower and falling asleep, Reiko woke up on the flower hill. Zenitsu was gone.

Reiko blinked and rubbed her eyes. "Zenitsu?" She looked around, wonder where she was.

Zenitsu came up the hill with a flower. "Morning Reiko!"

Reiko smiled. "Morning! Where'd you run off to?"

"To get you a special flower!"

"A special flower?"

"Yes." Zenitsu put it in her hair.

Reiko blushed. "Th-thank you."

Zenitsu smiled. "Cmon. I'll buy you some food at the village down there."

"Okay!"

Zenitsu headed down to a booth. "Hello…can I buy food here?"

"Sure you can young—" The vendor stopped, staring at Reiko. "It's the maiden!"

"Maiden?" Reiko was confused. "I'm not any maiden."

The villagers crowded around. "Maiden, the maiden…"

Zenitsu glomped onto Reiko. "Hey! She's MY maiden!"

Reiko clung to Zenitsu. "I'm not…please..we are just wanting some food."

"You bear the mark. You are our maiden…" They grabbed her.

'Stop! Stop it!" Zenitsu cried.

"What mark?!" Reiko pulled away. "Z-zenchi lets just..g-get out of here." She was scared.

The villagers crowded and grabbed her.

"No! Let her go! Stop! Leave her alone!" Zenitsu cried.

"I-it's okay. Just..just follow them okay" Reiko looked him in the eye.

"No I…I… Reiko don't go… "

Reiko grabbed his hand. "I know you'll protect me." She smiled at him.

Zenitsu touched the flower. "This is the mark…it's all my fault…I'm so—"

Reiko was dragged away before he could finish.

"Let go of me!" Reiko struggled

The villagers dumped her in front of the water demon at the lake and the demon took her captive.

Reiko growled. "Oh so this is your fault?"

"Ugh." The demon grumbled. "Your not even human, are you?!"

"So what if I'm not. They a problem?" Reiko said, attempting bravado, but really terrified. She hoped Zenitsu would come soon.

"What's a demon like you doing with those humans and that demon slayer. What even are you?!" The demon asked accusingly.

"That's none of your business what I do!" Reiko shot back.

"even so… I wonder what you taste like…" The demon slowly licked up her neck, just as Zenitsu entered the temple.

"Reiko I found y—" Zenitsu saw them and rage lit him up with lighting, his eyes blazing. "Thunder breathing. First form. Thunder CLAP and FLASH!"

Reiko's eyes widened in shock, barely moving out of the way of his attack.

Zenitsu caught her. "Don't worry. Your safe." He pointed to a tree shelter he made, then lifted his sword again.

Reiko ran to the tree shelter and waited for him.

Zenitsu finished off the demon.

Reiko ran over and hugged Zenitsu. "….thank you…"

Zenitsu closed and opened his eyes, imitating weakening up even though he HAD been awake. "Your alright! Thank goodness…" He collapsed.

Reiko held him up. "Thanks to you. I'm okay."

"I'm so glad. So…glad…"

Reiko hugged him tight, shaking.

"Shh now. It's a-alright. N-no more demo…oh god. I killed a…oh my god!"

"You did. You killed a demon to protect me…"

Zenitsu blinked in shock. "I…I saved you! Oh damn! I'm SO cool!"

"You really are"

"Yeah! I'm incredible! I saved you!" Zenitsu cuddled up in the shelter.