(Y/N) lay on her back, staring at the ceiling. What time was it? One in the morning, maybe?

She closed her eyes, waiting for her already fuzzy mind to give into sleep. As she did so, she allowed old memories to resurface, playing over her eyelids like a movie.

"Were you lonely?"

A young Hozuki stared up at her, blinking in response to her question.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean."

(Y/N) knelt next to him, hands shaking in her lap. It wasn't like her to speak up like this, but something about the young oni drew her to him.

"You said you were an orphan, and your village sacrificed you. Weren't you lonely there?"

Hozuki looked away from her. "No. I wasn't lonely."

(Y/N) wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. "I know you're lying."

"I'm not lying."

But he never pushed her off.

Thunder crashed in the sky. (Y/N) jumped, letting out a small cry. Hozuki, Uzu, Yomogi, and (Y/N) had snuck out of Yomi—Hozuki's idea. Now they were stranded in a shrine in the Mortal Realm. It was the dead of night. (Y/N) and Hozuki, were the only ones awake, sitting in a corner to 'keep watch.'

Lightning flashed, followed by a deafening crack of thunder. The oni girl screamed, clinging to Hozuki's sleeve.

"Hozuki," she whispered, "I'm scared."

"It's just lightning," he replied matter-of-factly. "It can't hurt you."

"Y-yeah. You're right."

She forced her shaking hands off his arm, and curled them into fists in her lap. As soon as she'd steadied her breathing, there was another crack of thunder. She clung to him once more, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry," she whimpered. "I'm so useless."

"Yes, you are."

Under normal circumstances, she would have been angry, but there, sobbing into his shoulder, she didn't have the heart.

He raised his free hand, and gently patted her head. Her breathing steadied, and he stood up.

"Wait here," he told her, "I'll be back."

"Hozuki—"

Before she could finish a response, he disappeared into the pelting rain.

(Y/N) tried to follow him, but the lightning flashed again. She fell to her knees, a sob breaking free of her throat. She was certain, despite all reason, that he was dead, and she was trapped in a storm with no one remotely competent to protect her.

Before she could lose all hope, however, someone grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to her feet.

When she opened her eyes, Hozuki was there, soaking wet but very much alive.

She threw her arms around his neck. He promptly pushed her off, and handed her two balls of moss, about the size of marbles.

"Here," he said. "Now you won't be able to hear the thunder."

She stared at him. Without saying a word, he stuffed the moss in her ears, and pulled her back to their corner.

(Y/N) smiled. His plan hadn't worked—she could still hear the thunder, but for some reason, she no longer felt afraid.

"You should have told me if you were worried!" Hozuki shouted.

(Y/N) nodded, wiping her eyes on her kimono sleeve. "I know. I'm sorry. I didn't want to be a burden."

"You're being a burden now."

"I said I'm sorry!"

For the past few weeks, a mysterious man had been following (Y/N). She'd told the boys not to worry, but that day, the man cornered her and asked her to marry him. When she stammered a 'no,' he'd beaten her until Hozuki came to the rescue.

A fresh batch of tears welled in her eyes, and she sobbed into his chest, clutching her ribs where she'd been kicked numerous times.

Hozuki sighed, and patted her head. "I apologize. I'm not very good in this sort of situation."

She shook her head. "No. What you said was absolutely right."

"Let me see your ribs."

She nodded, and drew away enough for him to do his work. Hozuki pressed on each one individually, observing her reaction until he came to a conclusion.

"None of them are broken, but I'll take you to a doctor, anyway. Or do you want me to walk you home first?"

"Home. Please."

"Very well. Can you walk?"

"I think so."

He helped her to her feet, and though she had no difficulty walking, he held her hand. She wondered if he was also shaken, or if it was just what he thought she wanted.

"You should learn to defend yourself," he said out of nowhere. "You're an attractive young woman. I doubt this is the last time you'll attract men with ill intent."

She forced a carefree smile. "Are you one of those? A man with ill intent?"

"Hardly. I'm simply stating the facts."

She tried to read his expression, but failed as usual.

"Will you teach me?" she asked.

He thought a moment.

"Very well, but it won't be easy."

"I think I can handle it."

He glanced in her direction. "Also, I'll be walking you to the Learning Center from now on."

"Okay."

(Y/N) knelt in front of the Johari Mirror, tucking a strand of (H/L), (H/C) hair behind her ear. As she did so, she noticed Hozuki approach from behind, looking the girl over with an unreadable expression.

"What are you doing?" he finally asked.

She turned, a frown on her face.

"Hozuki, do you think I'm too insecure?"

He thought a moment.

"Well, if we're having an honest conversation, and considering that yesterday, I heard you tell someone you think you're less attractive than a cat...yes."

(Y/N) groaned. "Yeah...I want to get over it, but..." she glanced at him. "You're extremely confidant. How do you do it?"

He paused a moment before wordlessly throwing his club at her.

She let out a shrill scream, and barely caught it without impaling herself. Even with oni strength, she could barely keep it off the ground.

"What the—say something before you do that!"

He narrowed his eyes. "Ms. (Y/N), how do you think you would feel if you carried that all day?"

"Pretty badass, honestly." She set it on the ground. "But I'm not doing that. I know this thing is cursed, and besides, it's too heavy."

"Of course it is. Your arms are thin as soba noodles."

He ignored her glare, and took back his club. "My point is—I've been trying to recruit more female minions. I was wondering if you would be interested."

(Y/N) flinched. "I don't know..."

He fixed her with a glare. "Are you saying you don't wish to improve yourself?"

(Y/N) shrieked. "No! No! Not at all! I'll do it!"

He nodded curtly. "Very well. I'll have you transferred to the Hell of Undying Suffering immediately."

"All ri—wait, the Hell of Undying Suffering?"

He shot her another glare, and she fell into a bow.

"I mean, thank you very much!"

"(Y/N)..."

They were in Hozuki's room, sitting on his bed. She watched, confused, as he leaned forward. This wasn't a memory.

It was only when he captured her lips in his own that she realized it was a dream.

He drew back, fixing his cool grey eyes on hers.

"Wha—" she gasped.

"(Y/N), I love you."

"Hozuki—"

He drew her in for another kiss, and to her own surprise, she reached up, tangling her hands in his soft black hair. He pinned her down, his lips leaving hers to travel down her neck to her exposed collarbone. She gasped, her whole body on fire.

What am I doing? Why don't I push him away? I don't love him!

I don't love him.

She woke drenched in a cold sweat, her heart racing in a way it hadn't in years.

She only had a moment of relief before a scratching sounded at the door.

Please don't let it be Hozuki! Please—

Her fears were unfounded. It was the female minion's dormitory. Hozuki would never be there. Instead, the door opened, and a small white rabbit peeked her head inside.

"Ms. (Y/N), are you all right?" Mustard asked. "You were screaming."

"Was I?" (Y/N) slipped out of bed and walked to the door. "Anything in particular?"

Mustard cocked her head to the side, ears bouncing with the motion. "I don't think so. Why? Is something the matter?"

(Y/N) flinched. "Nothing! Nothing! I'm just...kind of troubled right now."

"Is it a tanuki?" the rabbit asked, eyes flashing red for a second.

(Y/N) was relieved the bunny didn't have her paddle.

"N-no. It isn't a—it isn't that."

"Very well..." The bunny slipped out the door, stopping to give one last message. "But if it's ever a problem, let me know."

"Y-yeah. I'll do that."

(Y/N) closed the door, and collapsed into bed.

"I have a feeling King Enma's little plan is going to turn into a big, big problem."