~*~

TWO MONTHS LATER ~ AT THE WIND ESTATE

"What you thinking about?"

His fingers drift through my disheveled locks while laying on his side, finding his own shaggy bed hair hung over his tired gaze. The early morning sunlight peaks through the cracks and crevices of the windows, while I slowly was waking up. The way his his bare body flushed against my own naked flesh, made me feel more confident by each night with how I saw myself. His way of checking in, seen I dwelled more in my thoughts than venting to him.

"Just...........about you," I murmur softly, giving him my best smile.

He shifts abit to tower me a little, "Now we both know, that's bullshit........" He scoffs, before leaning down feeling his lips capture mine tenderly and softly. My eyes flutter closed before responding to his lips, my fingers drifting up his neck to his hair. He pulls away briefly for a moment for air as his lips gingerly graze mine, "........whatever it is, let me distract you for a bit......I promise I'll make you feel good," he assures me, in a husky voice.

He was right, I was concerned about Kaito since Rengoku passed away. I didn't want to selfishly focus on my needs, worrying any happy or peaceful moment I had would deem not appropriate or necessary. 

My breath grew heavy gazing up into his loving and lustful eyes, "But.....what about Kaito, he's--"

He cuts me off with a swift kiss with his body straddling mine, "He's on a mission right now, the kid needs to learn to get back up and push through it," He assures me softly, his thumb tracing my collarbone where a few scars were marred on my flesh. "He's a tough kid, and you mother him............but it's so adorable when you do go into parent mode...."

My cheeks flush in response, "Well, I just.........he's my student, I still want to treat him like an equal regardless of our titles......."

Lowering his head down his nose traces along my cheekbone, peppering small gentle kisses along my jawline and earlobe and nibbles lightly. His hands trace down my body when I gasp out in response, when his thumb brushes across my care breast that felt sensitive. His lips trace down my neck towards my pulse point, as a whimper leaves me when he sucks on my flesh. He pulls away to level his eyes with mine, "I understand.......I'm just teasing love," he kisses my eyelids, before tracing his lips to my cheek and then my lips before brushing my hair away from my eyes to focus on him. "Now......I wish to show you how much I appreciate you, and please tell me if you feel uncomfortable? 'kay?"

My body felt like it was on fire beneath his eyes, especially when he's mellowed down and relaxed which was rare from him. It made me giddy, and lightheaded from the way he holds and touches me with my consent first.

Nodding, "'Kay," with a tired whisper.

He smiles and leans his head closer with his warm breath coaxing my cheek, "That's my girl, just relax........" his lips graze my cheek, before he presses gentle kisses from my jaw. His tongue and lips graze my flesh, while my fingers trace his shoulders and then his neck.

He presses open-mouthed kisses against my flesh down the juncture of my shoulder, before his teeth nibble and pinch my warm flesh. Soft mewls and breathy moans leave me, as he pushes the blankets away from my body. His kisses covers every scar that was marred on my flesh, "Beautiful...........such a thick goddess in my grasp...." his fingers dig into my hips, leaving dents in my plush flesh. His breath grew ragged, yet steady being more in control. 

He continues to worship my body while I lay beneath him, with his heat radiating off his skin while I absorb his warmth. His hands drift to my thighs pushing them apart to rest around his hips, securing me in a comfortable spot.

"That's better......" he murmurs, low and deeply.

His large hands carefully held my body, but knew where to place them when he leaves love bites on my chest and places he loved. Slowly he savoured every bit as his presses more loving kisses along the valley of my breasts, his face smothered between my chest. He then lifts himself away and his hands cup my chubby tummy, causing my breath to hitch. Lips trace over every scar and stretch mark, as I felt overwhelmed with how tender he was. With every crevice and curve, he didn't leave behind and even my wide hips.

"Sanemi......" I whimper softly, before feeling him suck on my flesh hard to form many more love bites on my flesh.

He does this for a bit, worshipping my figure before pulling away with his usual hooded gaze with a mixture of lust and desire. "Fuck.......baby you're not making this any easier, I wanna wait till marriage........" he hoarsely utters out, licking his bottom lip. "......I wanna have you so badly, but I can't be selfish--"

Without warning him I cup his face and brought his lips to my, capturing them in a fervent and loving kiss. He was surprised and took him off guard, before he allows his weight to sink down and comfortably rests over my body. A gentle hum leaves him, his fingers threading through my long disheveled hair whilst soaking in the moment. 

"You're not selfish....." I murmur against his lips, pecking them gently. ".....you're very considerate of my boundaries, thank you."

He chuckles softly, "Thankyou........" his lips peck mine once more, before drifting down and kisses the column of my throat again. ".............I'll just mark you, so you know.....that you belong to me."

"Do you have to?" I sigh, with a subtle pout.  "That's like the fifth time this week!......can I get a break without questions from everyone......the other marks haven't even healed yet--"

"This is just what you've signed up with," He teases, with a playful wink.

"Jerk,"

He kisses my neck, "You know you love me...." 

~*~

A FEW DAYS LATER ~ IN THE MOUNTAINS

Rain showers down with the humidity accumulating......... 

The middle of the rainy season has always been muggy, but I did appreciate the rain at night from time to time. During this time I wouldn't wearing my fur collar haori, and instead wore a lighter and cooler haori during the hotter seasons of the year. Just having to change a few things to allow my body to adjust to the uncomfortable weather, irritated me a little. 

Walking at a steady pace up the mountain, puddles ripple beneath every step I would take while focusing on my patrol. 

Mitsuri was meant to help me today on patrol, but she got held up with another mission given to her from master. It was just her alone for that mission, so that left me in my own thoughts. My eyes would trace every wood ingrain, every leaf, every rain drop, my hand resting upon the handle in awaiting. For any signs of demons lurking in the night. The rain wasn't helping with my hearing, and the wind brushing against my skin left my body to overheat. 

Suddenly the sound of a cry from a few clicks made my head perk up, before turning my head to my left sharply and my grip to tighten around my handle.

Without wasting another second I began run stealthy through the growth of trees, dodging every single one while keeping myself steady on my feet and not slip. Hearing the sound becoming louder the further I head towards the source, the sound of a disgruntled bear in the distance made my blood crawl. That's when I saw in the distance a small traditional home, blood mixing in the muddy puddles out front. The doors were torn and shredded, and a distant cry echoes further away from where I stood.

"Wait......I thought....." I murmur, before quickly climbing up the stone step into the home. 

My eyes widen in horror finding blood smeared and splattered, and dragged marks on the tatami floors. Vases shattered to the ground, and material shredded with large paw prints trails every and smeared. Breathing so heavy in response I try to find any sign of life around, only to finding three bodies laying lifeless in the pools of their own blood. Their insides gouged out and mutilated, their innards spilling or half their face shredded to the bone or muscle. Given by how fresh they have been killed, the culprit wasn't far from the area. 

"--Pl-please.......someone....." A whimper chokes out; as if suffocating in their own blood.

Turning around on my heel I found someone beneath the caved in paper walls, as I pick it up revealing an middle aged woman. Her Raven hair matted in blood, and her pale skin tainted crimson. Her throat was slashed deeply, blood leaking past her quivering lips. Taking her hand I held it close to my chest with firmness in my grip, "Ma'am.......can you hear me?" I spoke quickly, keeping my voice down.

Her eyes were slowly dilating into nothingness, seeing hardly life in herself, "......m-my daughter, she's........" She chokes on her blood, as I tilt her on her side to clear her airways. Tears pooling in her eyes, "......she's......taken by...that demon....."

"Demon?" I question her; mishearing her for a second. Didn't I hear the roar of a bear close by? "You mean a bear--?"

She gasps out taking my hands tightly, "I-It's the Onikuma.......and my daughter....she's...." She repeats sternly, with a more gravelling tone in her throat.

The Onikuma was an old story about bears who live for many years, it becomes an Onikuma and stands on it's hind legs like a human. With it's strength, it was able to move boulders as large as two meters in diamtere. It was even able to kill a small animal, simply just by pushing it. It comes down from the mountains to steal livestock from farms and homes, and took it back to eat in it's lair.

I thought they were only a myth, as mother mentioned. Or was it her way of not scaring me, when big brother wanted to hear those stories. Guess if this woman said it's the Onikuma, I best take the initiative to believe and annihilate the problem.

Looking around for anything to comfort this woman, I quickly check her pulse finding it faiding by every beating second beneath my fingertips. Swiftly I collect a torn futon and placed it down, and delicately laid the woman down with tenderness. Analysing her own wounds, they were indeed fatal. Ripping off the piece of cloth on her yukata, I quickly apply presses around her neck and throat. "Stay with me, ma'am........" I murmur softly, before hearing the sound of the demon roaring in the distance following with a bloodcurdling scream.

Hairs raise at the back of my neck and arms, ignoring the humidity and focusing on that fierce roar from the beast within the forest a click away.

"I-It's gonna come back........the Onikuma will finish me," The woman stifles her sobs, whilst I try to make her feel comfortable. She was already losing too much blood, and my hands were becoming stained while I kept trying to focus on preventing her from losing more. 

"It's gonna be okay.........I've got you," I assure her softly; despite not knowing how this all will end. "I'm going to get your daughter and--"

A short huffing sound with a subtle deep growl sounds outside, causing a chill to run up my spine realising it's returned.

Raising my finger to my lips to the woman, my body went stiff for a moment while trying to calm the woman down. Her eyes were wide in horror, her lips parting again but closes it with a deep swallow in response. The sound of heavy steps with a deep creaking sound on the verandah drew near. My hand grips the handle of my blade, while I keep my back to the entrance that was around the corner in the room I was in. Turning around slowly I hear the sound of chewing, and flesh tearing and bones being crushed at the entrance.

Turning around quietly I grab a blanket and threw it over the woman, before inching myself to get a better look of the beast.

With a good view without being spotted I saw a dark black furry body, it's so large that on it's four legs it's back could reach the top of the doorframe. My breath grew steady easing myself to stay calm, as this hasn't been an issue for many years except normal bear attacks. This one was far large, scars and arrows dug into it's flesh and fur matted. Judging by it's size and wounds, this must be the cause of the many deaths of hunters instead of demons. Rumours said that all hunters either are killed or fatally wounded, they're left bed ridden.

Taking my chance I angle my wrist and swiftly drew my blade, and lunged towards the bear with a surprise attack. Using my shoulder and body I slam my weight into it, forcing it to break through the walls.

It's body stumbles into the walls of the house and tumbled outside, away from the woman and smaller spaces. Debris went flying everywhere to splinters, before it could attack again only to see it become enraged by my ambush. It's body stood up on it's hind legs, rising up to at least 12 foot tall. Rain pelts down around us evenly, trying to get a better look of the bear before me.

  Dammit. The moonlight isn't out, which has given me a disadvantage. 

The bear's eyes met mine with a glowering and threatening look, as my eyes slowly widening recognising the colour and markings upon the beast.

"A demonic bear......" I utter out, my grip tightens around my blade. ".......you must've been a normal bear once......now a demon. A dangerous weapon indeed."

~*~

MEANWHILE  SOMEWHERE ELSE ~ (Sanemi's Pov:)

"Seems rather quiet," 

Glancing over I notice Iguro glancing around the area we are patrolling, as I walk with a huff not enjoying the humidity. Raking my fingers through my hair, "Yeah it's too quiet, alright," I sigh deeply, wishing for some action right about now.

"Sucks that we only patrol til they need us," Iguro mentions, which was kind of accurate. "I mean, if I'm honest.......I am much worried about Lady Kanroji right now."

Scoffing lightly, "That cheery pink brat?" raising a brow, while walking side by side along the dirt road. "She's with Hayami, so she's fine......."

Iguro sighs deeply, "Why can't you just address that brat, by her family name instead?" with a nonchalant tone, with a hint of irritation. "It's appropriate that way...and Lady Kanroji is not a brat!"

So recently I found out that Iguro Obanai doesn't like Hayami very much, for unknown reasons which was immature. Then again, I can't admit that I call his girl a brat myself. When he spoke shit about Hayami, I was furious that I had to cool off and not patrol with him for a bit. Finally I learned to ignore him, knowing he's the only one who talks shit about her and no one else does at least. 

With a sigh, "Don't call my woman, a brat," I calmly spoke, trying to not start another argument. 

"You're such a fool in love," Iguro utters out, rolling his eyes while his snake hisses in response to him. 

Pausing in my steps I turn to him, "Look who's also the fool in love, dumbass," I mutter, beneath my breath. "You even bought......Kanroji's socks and tonnes of sweets to her......."

"Well I haven't seen you buy........M-Mizutsuki, anything," Iguro struggled to say her name, out of distaste. "Now that's not nice, and I'm not even the one dating Lady Kanroji--"

"That's because--" I cut myself off, realising he was indeed right. My voice calmly softens in thought, "It's because she never asks or desires anything, she doesn't like to clutter her estate with useless shit...."

Silence falls between us while I avert my eyes from his, with a furrowed and embarrassed expression. Suddenly a hand rests upon my shoulder causing my head to turn to meet his stern cold eyes with a tsk, "I can't believe I'm gonna advise this, but maybe......get her something productive," Iguro suggests, before his eyes flicker away. "Like I gave Lady Kanroji socks for her demon slayer outfit, maybe give M-Mizutsuki.......something she can wear or use....."

It wasn't even a bad idea, judging Hayami treasures things like those heirloom earrings she wears constantly from her mother. 

"Right........" Murmuring to myself in deep thought, before resuming our patrol around. ".......it's just she prefers to give than receive anything, so it's difficult...."

"Wait.....really, I thought she would demand yen or even expensive stuff," Iguro was genuinely surprised, which left a bitter taste to my mouth. Kaburamaru hisses with it's pink tongue, slithering out and in on his shoulder.

Shaking my head, "Dammit Iguro, you always have something to say........"

"Hey, I did just give you damn advice....." Iguro bites back, with sharp eyes like a snake. "......your welcome....."

"Tch......I didn't ask, did I?" I scoff lightly, with the click of my tongue while looking around on patrol again. "Everything else we agree on, but when it's our girls.......it just arguments over arguments....."

The rest of the patrol was rather quiet with a few weak demons here or there, nothing seemed like a challenge or they die so easily. It was even getting boring, wishing I was in bed with my woman and holding her plush body in my arms. It was getting on my nerves to the point where I growl subtly beneath my hot breath, when Iguro stops in front of me. His eyes were hesitant averting from mine for a second and looks back, "Listen..........I guess I've....been unfair with Mizutsuki," He admits, with a nonchalant manner. 

My jaw clenches, ".....and?" 

"Without Mizutsuki encouraging Mitsuri to love her body, without encouraging Mitsuri to eat well........she would've been miserable months ago......I may have said bad things. Maybe I do regret those words," He admits, blatantly while scratching his cheek with his index finger. "Mitsuri talks about her so much, expressing the fact Mizutsuki carries herself well. Saying how she looks up to her......so maybe I'm being harsh about her."

Sighing deeply gripping the lantern as it creaks, as the warmth of the glow casts over our faces seeing his expression within his eyes.

"Yeah I think you are, but it's fine......." I turn away, heading down the gravel pathway through the bamboo growth. "........but talk shit about her, and you'll regret it. Got it?"

"Yeah.....yeah,"

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Hey everyone! How are you all?!

Thankyou so much for reading, and i know some chapters are dragging but I promise every chapter is important. Every chapter focuses on different sides of my character, and I even did research on the Onikuma as well to make a real mythical story come to life in my book. 

Hope you all enjoyed and sorry for my late update! Take care!

~ Little Bean