Archive of Our Own

The moon hung heavy in the night sky, it's light illuminating the earth beneath it as a calm stillness settled in the air.

Bright gold and teal eyes reflected it's image as they burned in an intense, longing gaze.

"Mitsuri..."

His whispered her name, voice rough yet soothing as he held her arms in a firm grip.

"Obanai..." She whispered back, eyes meeting his as her hands fisted into his monochrome haori.

"I love you...I've always loved you..." He murmured, gently taking one of her hands and lifting it to press a kiss against it as they maintained eye contact.

Mitsuri could cry. She'd waited so long to hear someone say that...to hear him say it. It was like a dream come true!

"Oh Obanai...I love you too..." Tears began to well up in her eyes as Obanai reached up to brush them away. He gently gripped her chin, thumb brushing against her lower lip as he leaned closer.

"May I kiss you?" He asked, voice thick with desire.

A shiver ran down the pink haired woman's spine and her heart fluttered in anticipation as she pressed closer to him.

"Please..." She breathed, tugging on his haori eagerly.

His gaze softened as he reached up and  began undoing his bandages. His movements were agonizingly slow, as if teasing her.

Mitsuri screamed internally as she waited with barely contained excitement  to finally see his face to the fullest.

To finally taste his lips.

She had pined for him for so long.

Dreamed of him, ached for him...for so long. 

He just needed to peel away one...

more...

layer...

"MESSAGE FROM MISTER IGURO!"

The image of Obanai in her mind shattered as Mitsuri jolted awake and nearly fell out of her large western style bed.

"WHAAA?" She scrambled up and looked around in a confused daze before remembering what she had just been dreaming about.

Her cheeks heated as she brought her hands up to cover her face.

"Ooohh noooo...not again..." She whined pitifully. She had been having the same dream for months and it always ended just before the good part.

"One kiss...can't I just have one kiss even in my dreams?" She sighed.

"Oh Iguro..."

Oh. Iguro!

Her head snapped back up as she remembered why she had been woken up in the first place.

Iguro had finally replied to her last letter! She jumped to her feet and hastily made her way to the window where Yuuan was waiting.

"I'm so sorry Yuuan." She said apologetically as she took the letter from him.

"It's no trouble at all Miss Kanroji...I apologize for waking you." The polite crow dipped his head.

"Oh it's ok! It's around the time when I should be waking up anyway!" She assured with a smile. She may have been disappointed to have her dream interrupted but she wasn't going to hold a grudge against Yuuan for it. Iguro's crow was a sweetie pie and had no way of knowing  he was disturbing her...fantasy.

"Would you like some water while I read and pen a response? It's hot today!" She exclaimed as she fanned her face for emphasis, cheeks burning.

"That would be lovely. Thank you miss Kanroji." He said with a nod, choosing not to correct her that it was actually quite chilly out.

"Kyaaa! Such a little gentleman! Just like Iguro!"

Mitsuri felt her face grow hotter at the thought of the Serpent Pillar. She clutched the letter tightly to her chest, eager to read it and find out how he was doing. But first she needed to get Yuuan's water!

She hastily filled a dish and brought it to him. The crow dipped his head, polite as always, and settled in for a drink as Urara landed beside him. Yuuan gave the other crow a small nod of acknowledgement as he inched over to give her space to join him.

Mitsuri smiled down at them and gave them each a gentle pat on the head before making her way to her desk to read the  letter.

It was strange, unless he was away on a mission Iguro was usually rather prompt with his replies.

"He must be busy with his training..." Mitsuri rationalized with a nod.

She proceeded to unroll the piece of paper, her heart rate quickening as her eyes scanned it's contents.

"Miss Kanroji,

I'm well, thank you. I'm glad you're having a good time with your training. I won't get the pleasure of training Kamodo until Monday since Master mandated this weekend for a break.

That new restaurant you've been excited for has opened up. If you're available I'd like to treat you.

Regards, Iguro Obanai

Mitsuri's heart soared and she tried her best to contain the squeal of delight that bubbled up but failed rather miserably as she leaned back in her chair and kicked her feet.

Usually she was the one that invited him to share meals with her, though he always offered to pay. Such a considerate man!

"He wants to spend time with me! Ooohh I'm so excited! Meals always taste best with him there..." She sighed dreamily. Even if he didn't often partake, his presence at her side was always such a comfort. The way he sat patiently while she ate and and listened as she rambled on about nothing, how he watched her with those sweet eyes of his, his raspy yet soft voice gently offering advice, reassurances and compliments...

"Ah! I should probably write my response!" She told herself sheepishly, sitting up straight as she pulled out a blank sheet of paper and a pen.

"Dear Mister Iguro,

I'm sure Tanjiro will learn a lot from you!

You're so sweet Iguro! Of course I'd love to go with you! But you always end up paying when we eat together...I think it's my turn to pay!

I have lunch plans with Shinobu already but perhaps we could go for dinner later this evening?

I look forward to it!

Sincerely, Kanroji Mitsuri <3

Mitsuri blushed as she drew a heart next to her name, as she always did. It was easy to play it off as just the way she signed her letters...she was the Love Pillar, after all!

...Ok so maybe it was normal for her to draw hearts  in her letters. But the hearts she drew for Iguro were Just slightly bigger and a teensy bit more detailed...she definitely drew them with a deeper meaning when they were for him!

She rolled the letter neatly and tied it off before  placing a kiss on it, another habit when writing to him.

"Ok Yuuan, my response is ready!" She called as she strode up to the crow.

Yuuan, having just finished his drink, nodded before accepting the letter. He gently tapped his beak against Urara's before taking his leave.

Mitsuri waved to him as he flew away before giving her flustered crow a gentle boop. 

"You two are sooo cute!" She gushed as Urara bashfully hid her face under her wing.

Mitsuri giggled before letting out a sigh, her thoughts returning to the Serpent Pillar.

She replayed the dream in her head, trying to imagine what happened next.

So close! She was so close to seeing his face this time. So close to getting that kiss she longed for.

Despite the fact that she was the Pillar of Love, Mitsuri had never been kissed before. Since she had started developing feelings for Iguro, she found herself fantasizing about sharing that moment with him often.

Would he be soft and gentle, or rough and demanding? Would he be shy and hesitant or more confidant? Did he have more experience than her? Had he already had his first kiss? Mitsuri didn't consider herself the jealous type but couldn't deny how it made her heart ache to think about him kissing someone else.

She quickly waved away the jealous thought to focus back on the would be kiss from her dream.

She decided he would probably be gentle. Iguro was always gentle with her.

He was a kind person. He was kind to everyone. That's what Mitsuri told herself. She tried not to dwell too hard on the fact that he treated her differently than others. Softer...warmer...she didn't want to get her hopes up that he may actually love her the way she wanted him to.

Her previous suitors had already broken her heart and they were practically nothing to her. She barely even knew them.

But Iguro...Iguro was different. She had gotten to know him quite well over the short years she had known him, though not as well as she would have wished to. What she did know was that he was kind and compassionate underneath his sharp exterior...no matter what anyone else said. He was strong, loyal, smart,observant, thoughtful,sensitive, poetic and always so considerate and patient with her. He never judged her  and seemed to wholly accept and even appreciate everything about her in a way most other men did not.

Getting rejected by him would shatter her.

Mitsuri loved him. There was no doubt in her mind that she loved him.  Her heart used to constantly flutter from one person to the other. Fantasies of finding the love of her life and getting married filled her head, a myriad of faces periodically cycled in her mind. She thought the butterflies in her stomach were an indication of love. She was a romantic! Of course she fell in love easily!  There were so many wonderful people to love in this world!

Then her heart fluttered to Iguro Obanai...and settled there, a warmth like no other...a flower in the springtime, blooming and encompassing her entire being anytime she was near him or even thought about him.

Realizing her feelings for him made her realize that her previous crushes were just that...crushes. An illusion of love born from her desire to love and be loved. But her feelings for Iguro?  Oh...they were no illusion. Once he entered her fantasies he dominated them, stamping out every single other crush that dared try to sneak their way into her dreams.

Now when she dreamed of marriage it was always his face she saw. His face she would wake up to every morning, his face she would kiss...

Mitsuri brought her hands back up to her face as it burned more intensely and she was very grateful to be alone in her room where no one could see how red she had become.

"Oh Iguro...I wish I could tell you how I feel...I wish you would tell me how you feel..." She sighed as she dragged her hands down her face before patting her cheeks in an attempt to force back her furious blush.

The sounds of flapping wings caught her attention as Yuuan fluttered back through her window.

Ah there it was! She was pleased this reply was as quick as usual.

She excitedly took the letter and gave the bird another pat before quickly opening it up to read.

Kanroji,

It's no trouble. I enjoy treating you. This evening sounds great. I'll meet you at your estate and we can walk there together.

See you soon, Iguro Obanai

Mitsuri could barely contain her excitement as she bounced on the balls of her feet.

"Eeee I'm so excited, I can't wait to see him!"

She wasted no time writing a quick reply to send back to him.

Iguro,

It's a date! See you then!

Kanroji Mitsuri <3

It wasn't until well after Yuuan had fluttered off with the final letter that Mitsuri realized her mistake, her entire face once again turning beet red with embarrassment.

"Kyaaa! Did I just refer to our get together as a date to Mr. Iguro? Ooohh nooo!"

---
Roughly one hour earlier at the Serpent Estate...

Obanai sat at his desk, arms crossed over his chest and mismatched eyes glaring down at the letter in front of him. Kaburamaru mirrored him, also gazing down at the letter as his tongue flicked out.

"Today I had tea with Tanjiro after training!....Tanjiro's so cute!"

Obanai's eyes twitched as he read the words over and over again, his teeth clenching and nostrils flaring while he seethed.

"That Kamado brat..."

That brat that broke the corps rules. That brat that consorted with a demon. That brat that seemed to always be there when his comrades were getting seriously injured, retiring or...or dying. While he always survived. He and his demon sister.

Despite everything, Obanai still couldn't bring himself to like or trust the Kamados. How could he? The sister was a demon!

So what if she put on a good show and resisted Shinizagawa's mirechi blood?

So what if he was a slightly better swordsman than the average lower ranks?

So what if he survived an encounter with and helped defeat upper six?

It was only upper six after all...

The Serpent Pillar refused to acknowledge his talent and he refused to put his trust in him. Especially not when it concerned Kanroji.

Kanroji...

Obanai deflated with a sigh.

Was he jealous? Perhaps, a little. But his anger mostly came from a feeling of protectiveness for the Love Pillar. He knew she was a capable slayer but he couldn't help but be protective over her.

He hated that Mitsuri had allowed herself to get so close to them. To him. Though...it did not surprise him.

She had always been so kind and open minded and even though he worried about her immensely because of it...he wouldn't ever want to change that about her.

It was one of many reasons he fell so deeply in love with her.

And it was because he loved her so much that he couldn't bear the thought...

The thought of that brat taking advantage of her kindness or causing her harm in anyway, on purpose or accidental. It made Obanai's gut twist and his heart ache oh so deeply. 

"He'll be arriving here soon enough for training...then I can deal with him." He clenched his fist tightly as his face twisted into a sneer.

He would make sure Kamado stayed the hell away from Kanroji.

Kaburamaru gave a soft hiss and ever so gently tightened his coils around his ward's shoulders.

Obanai paused for a moment before reaching up and to gently stroke the snake's head.

"I'm calm."

Kaburamaru flicked his tongue against Obanai's cheek.

If you say so...

Both of their attentions turned back to the letter.

"I suppose I should respond to her..." Obanai sighed as Kaburamaru seemed to bob his head in agreement.

The love struck young man usually never took this long to reply to her unless he was busy with a mission.

This time, however, Obanai needed more time to think of how to reply without letting his anger and jealousy seep through. He hoped she wasn't too upset with his slow response.

Hesitantly, he reached for his pen and meticulously began to write his response.

Miss Kanroji,

I'm well, thank you. I'm glad you're having a good time with your training. I won't get the pleasure of training Kamodo until Monday since Master mandated this weekend for a break.

That new restaurant you've been excited for has opened up. If you're available I'd like to treat you.

Regards, Iguro Obanai

Obanai blinked down at what he had written. He tapped his pen on his desk while he mulled over his words before glancing at Kaburamaru.

"I don't sound too desperate do I?" The dual eyed man questioned, brows furrowing together as he regarded his friend.

He rarely asked her to an outing, choosing to let her have control over the amount of time they spent together. Seeing how close she had become with Tanjiro though...made something in Obanai snap.

He needed to see her.

Truthfully, he had originally never intended to get so close to her.

He felt unworthy. He was scared of tainting her, of ruining her.

She was so bright and he was so...not.

And yet, that didn't stop her from reaching out to him. The first time she asked him to join her for a meal he had intended to say no, but his voice failed to obey what his mind told it and he found himself saying "Yes."

He continued to say yes, no matter how terrified he was of getting to close to her he was unable to reject her.

He might be adamant about denying himself but he could never deny her.

Kaburamaru opened his mouth to stretch his jaw before lightly bumping his nose against Obanai's cheek.

You're fine.

The man's face relaxed slightly as he nodded.

"You're right...I'm overthinking it." He looked back down at the letter and sighed before rolling it up and sealing it.

"I suppose it will do...Yuuan."

At his command, Yuuan seemed to materialize on his desk.

"You know what to do." Obanai said briskly as he handed the letter to the expectant crow.

Yuan nodded his head knowingly , taking the letter and flying off just as fast as he arrived.

The Serpent Pillar crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes as he tried to ignore the way his stomach flipped.

"Calm down. You only asked her to join you for a meal. You've accompanied her for many lunches and dinners. This will be no different."

But no matter what he told himself, Obanai could not seem to banish the nervous feelings welling inside of him.

"We haven't spent time one on one in awhile...what if I say something stupid? What if she says no? She's probably too busy..maybe she made plans with that Kamado brat alre-"

He lurched forward and slammed his hands down on his desk, startling Kaburamaru, who let out an indignant hiss.

Obanai closed his eyes and balled his hands into fists against the desk as he tried to ground himself.

"Sorry Kabu...didn't mean to startle you." He murmured softly.

The serpent snorted in reply before sliding off his shoulders to slither onto the futon and give his friend some space.

Obanai sighed and flattened his hands back out across the desk, feeling the wood grain beneath his palms. He brought one hand up to rest his chin on it and closed his eyes again as he cycled through grounding techniques to keep himself from spiraling any further.

1...2...3...

His finger tapped against the wood rhythmically as he took in a few deep breaths. This was ridiculous, getting himself so worked up over a scenario he invented in his head...but the very idea of her spending any amount of time with Kamado made his blood boil.

While it was true that he simply didn't trust the brat deep down Obanai couldn't deny the burning jealousy swirling in his gut. It filled him with shame that he was so prone such feelings over her, especially because of some dumb kid. He had no right to be jealous of anyone.

Kanroji wasn't his. She never would be. He would never be good enough for her...not in this life.

"But...Kamodo isn't good enough for her either." He thought bitterly as he folded his arms across the table and buried his face in them.

An image of her face flashed in his mind...her radiant smile dazzling him as her stunning emerald eyes twinkled with unrestrained joy and Obanai's heart clenched at the thought of her. Warmth bloomed in his chest and he tried to focus on that feeling...on the thought of her.

No Kamado.

No sickening jealousy.

Just her.

Slowly, Obanai felt himself relax just a little, the thought of her and the prospect of spending time with her bringing him some comfort.

"Even if I can't be with her...as long as she wants me around and doesn't push me away...I can still be near her..as a friend. I can still allow myself that little selfishness...but only as long as she will tolerate it." He told himself through gritted teeth.

The sound of flapping wings brought him out of his thoughts and his head snapped up, eyes darting to the window to find Yuuan perched there holding another letter.

Obanai leaped from his seat, nearly knocking it over as he zipped over to the window to eagerly receive the letter.

He quickly opened it, his heart hammering in his chest as his eyes scanned over the page.

Dear Mister Iguro,

I'm sure Tanjiro will learn a lot from you!

You're so sweet Iguro! Of course I'd love to go with you! But you always end up paying when we eat together, I think it's my turn to pay!

I have lunch plans with Shinobu already but perhaps we could go for dinner later this evening?

I look forward to it!
Sincerely, Kanroji Mitsuri <3

Obanai ignored the mention of Tanjiro, chuckling at the girls insistence at paying for the meal. As if he'd let her pay. He was more than happy to throw his money towards her meals...it's not like he ever ate during these outings anyway. She would only end up paying for herself and what would the point in that be?

No..he simply would not allow that. As long as they continued to share meals together he would be the one to pay.

No if, ands or buts.

"Spoiling you and seeing how happy you get when you eat...you have no idea how much that means to me, Kanroji..." He thought fondly as he continued to read the letter.

The corners of his mouth twitched upwards as his eyes landed on the heart at the end. She always ended her letters with hearts and it never failed to make him smile. Her whimsical nature was another thing he adored about her.

Obanai hummed to himself softly as he grabbed his pen and a fresh sheet of paper to write one more quick response.

Kanroji

It's no trouble. I enjoy treating you. This evening sounds great. I'll meet you at your estate and we can walk there together.

See you soon, Iguro Obanai

He looked over his reply carefully before nodding and handing it to Yuuan, who wasted no time taking it back to the love estate.

As he leaned back in his chair, Obanai turned his head to glanced at Kaburamaru, who was curled up snugly on the futon.

"Looks like we will be having dinner with Kanroji tonight, Kabu." He informed his companion.

The snake perked up at that and lifted his head before slithering back to Obanai, sliding up the back of the chair and curling around the man's neck.

He flicked his tongue against his friends cheek again earning a soft smile.

"I know...you're looking forward to seeing her too aren't you?" Obanai murmured softly as Kaburamaru's snout gently pressed against his cheek.

The thought of seeing her caused the familiar feeling of butterflies in his stomach. He missed her deeply...his feelings of jealousy intensifying his need to see her, to be near her.

Yes, he had seen her at the last Pillar meeting, which wasn't that long ago.

But Pillar meetings didn't count.

Sure, he appreciated getting see and interact with her briefly but those meetings were a professional setting and he couldn't take his time to admire her the way he really wanted to. He often had to fight himself to pay attention and keep his eyes from wandering in her direction. 

Once again, the raven haired man was brought out of his thoughts as Yuuan landed on his desk to deliver Mitsuri's final response which Obanai snatched greedily.

Yuuan barely had time to unfurl his talons from the parchment and let out a startled squawk as the man nearly dragged him over the desk.

Obanai winced, a guilty expression overtaking his features.

"Sorry..." He muttered, apologetically stroking the birds' back and smoothing down his feathers before gingerly peeling the letter from his claws. He inspected Yuan's foot to make sure he hadn't injured him but the crow reassured him that he had merely taken him by surprised and urged him to read the letter. 

Once he was assured his crow was unharmed, Obanai opened the letter to read.

Iguro,

It's a date! See you then!

Kanroji Mitsuri <3

His breath hitched as his eyes scanned over the words..or rather, one singular word in particular, over and over.

"...date?"

He blinked before quickly rolling the letter back up and tucking it into his pocket, the heat rising on the back of his neck as he tried to keep his breathing steady.

"Best not to read to deeply into that."

He reached into the drawer of his desk to retrieve a small sack of seeds for Yuuan, a treat for a job well done as well as another apology for his carelessness but froze as he noticed the way the crow seemed to be smirking at him.

Teal and yellow eyes squinted at the bird as Obanai lifted an accusing finger at him.

"Quiet you."

"I have said nothing." Yuuan replied simply but continued to regard the young man with a rather cheeky expression.

Obanai's eyes narrowed further before depositing a pile of seeds on the desk.

"Keep it that way. And enjoy your treat." He grumbled as Yuuan gave an appreciative squawk before digging in.

Obanai returned the sack into his desk before leaning back in his chair once again, staring at the ceiling as he allowed his mind to wander back to thoughts of the Love Pillar. The sound of her laughter rang in his mind, making his heart squeeze.

"I'll see you soon..."

---

"And-and then I called our dinner meeting a date! A date! I can't believe I did that! Oh Shinobu what if I scared him off? What if he doesn't show up tonight? I could just die, I'm so embarrassed!" The pink haired young woman babbled, tears forming at the corners of her eyes and threatening to fall as she ignored the bowl of food before her, which was her fifth serving to be fair but that the fact she hadn't taken so much as a single bite still mildly concerned her friend.

Shinobu let out a sigh, swirling her cup of tea and taking a small sip before fixing Mitsuri with a sympathetic look.

"Mitsuri sweetie, I understand your embarrassment but it will do you no good to get yourself so worked up about it. Iguro is a smart man I'm sure he won't read too far into it and will recognize it as a more casual interpretation of the word." She stated.

Somehow that did little to comfort Mitsuri.

"But...but what if I also want him to see it as a date?" She asked as her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red.

The Insect Pillar frowned softly and tilted her head in confusion.

"I'm sorry...you're embarrassed that you called it a date but...you still want him to see it as one?"

"W-well! I mean ya! T-that is to say..." Mitsuri waved her hands as she floundered to voice her thoughts. She took a deep breath before continuing.

"I don't want him to misinterpret me and feel pressured or put off if...if he doesn't feel the same way I do. But I...I wish he would..."

"You wish he feels the same way and will think of it as a date because of said feelings and not feel pressured because of  the way you chose to word it." Shinobu finished, her eyes softening as she offered her friend a warm smile.

Mitsuri's face brightened as she nodded.

"Yes! Exactly! I want him to think of it as a date but only if he really feels the same!" She exclaimed before her face fell back into a frown as she stared down at her untouched bowl.

"I just wish I knew for sure how he felt..."

She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked back up to met Shinobu's steady gaze.

"Why don't you just ask him?" The shorter woman bluntly asked.

Mitsuri shook her head frantically.

"Ohh I just..I couldn't..I cant..what if he doesn't feel the same and I ruin our friendship? Oh Shinobu, I just can;t bear the thought of losing him all together I..."

Once again, tears began to form in the her eyes, her lower lip trembling as she brought a hand up to wipe them away.

Shinobu let out another sigh as she patted Mitsuri's shoulder reassuringly.

"Oh honey...you won't lose him. Even if he has no romantic feelings, Iguro still values your friendship as well. The worst that will happen is things might be awkward for a little bit."

Mitsuri sniffled.

"Maybe you're right..." She sighed before picking up her bowl and chopsticks and finally taking another bite of food.

"Oh why does this have to be so complicated?" She whined pitifully between bites.

"It's only as complicated as you make it." Shinobu replied with a shrug, hands folded neatly in her lap as she watched Mitsuri eat.

The taller woman laughed halfheartedly.

"I guess I do have a habit of over complicating things...I wish I could be more direct and sure of myself like you..."

Shinobu smiled softly at that.

"Well...no one is perfect."

Mitsuri nodded, nibbling at the ends of her chopsticks thoughtfully.

"I suppose..." 

Her eyes focused on nothing for a few seconds before turning back to her friend.

"You know...I keep having the same dream about.. about him..lately." She confessed as she set her chopsticks down.

"Oh my..." A teasing smile formed on Shinobu's lips. "And exactly what sort of dream would that be? Something appropriate to discuss in a public space I hope."

"Shinobu!" Mitsuri's face flushed deeper, eyes darting frantically to make sure no one heard. Nobody seemed to be paying them any mind, however, the other patrons concerned with their own meals and conversations while the cook and servers busied themselves with attending their customers.

"I'm only teasing you, sweetie." Shinobu chuckled, a look of amusement gleaming in her eyes as she leaned forward conspiratorially.

"So...do tell. What was this dream about?"

"Well..." Mitsuri paused, biting her lower lip before continuing.

"We are walking together by a lakeside...it's nighttime and there is a full moon...oh Shinobu it's so pretty..the perfect most romantic scenery for...well.." She fiddled with the ends of her braids and if her face were capable of turning redder it certainly would have.

"At some point we stop and he takes me in his arms...looking deep into my eyes before confessing that he is in love with me...I confess back of course and then..." Her heart rate quickens as she recalls what comes next.

"He...he asks if he can k-kiss me." The flustered young woman brings her hands up to her cheeks, biting back a squeal.

Shinobu brought a hand up to cover her widening smile as her eyebrows rose.

"Oh my...and did he?"

The Love Pillar let out a small noise of frustration.

"That's just the thing...I always wake up Just before he can finish removing his bandages...I don't even get to see his face!" She whined.

"Oh...that's rather disappointing." Shinobu replied, giving her friend another sympathetic pat on the shoulder and nodding to the server who came to refill her cup and take another order from her pink haired companion.

"You're telling me..." Mitsuri grumbled as she pushed away her empty bowl, politely waving the server away and not even bother to order her usual next five servings.

"I just don't understand why the dream always has to consistently cut off right at the good part...I was really hoping to at least get to see his face this time"

Shinobu tapped a finger to her chin thoughtfully.

"Have you ever seen his face in real life?" She asked.

"No..." Mitsuri sighed. "Even when we eat together he never takes the bandages off..."

"Well...that's probably why the scene in your dreams never plays out." Shinobu offered, matter of factly. "Our brains are not capable of creating new faces so it would simply fill the empty space with a face you have seen before. Iguro is special to you...so your subconscious is shutting the scenario down before it can assign any new features so as not to set up any expectations and disappoint yourself." She explained as Mitsuri listened intently.

Mitsuri nodded enthusiastically at Shinobu's explanation.

"That makes sooo much sense! You're so smart Shinobu!" She gushed.

"But..." She deflated with a sigh. "It would still be nice to have at least one dream where I get that kiss..."

Shinobu blew at her tea and took another sip before responding.

"Well...I know of one  way to possibly achieve the outcome you wish for."

"Really? Oh tell me tell me!" Mitsuri's entire face lit up as she leaned forward eagerly.

"You're just going to have to get Iguro to show you his face...for real. Seriously, Mitsuri...just go for it. Maybe even ask him for that kiss..." 

"Whaaa? I t-told you I can't just-"

"Mitsuri." Shinobu cut her off. "Sometimes you have to be direct about these things...as slayers our lives are short..." Violet eyes passed over the side of Mitsuri's neck where she said her mark had manifested before dropping to gaze down into her cup, seeming to be looking beyond the shimmering liquid inside.

"I know confronting your feelings can be scary, especially when your current relationship with him is steady and comfortable. But living with regrets is not the ideal outcome either." Her expression softened as she looked back up and offered her friend a comforting smile.

"In any case...he won't resent you for it. Of that, I can assure you." She said softly, a knowing look glinting in her eyes.

Mitsuri's lower lip quivered as fat tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"Whaaaa! Shinobu!" She cried as she threw her arms around the smaller woman, who simply smiled and gently patted her back as she clung to her.

"Y-you're so right!You're always right!!" Mitsuri wailed, earning a few head turns and confused looks from nearby patrons, though this time, she couldn't bring herself to care if anyone was staring.

Eventually she managed to peel herself away, rubbing her face and patting her cheeks to chase away the tears.

Taking a deep breath, she straightened herself out and brought her hands up into fists, a determined expression on her face as she smiled brightly.

"I-I'm going to do it then! Tonight!" She declared.

Shinobu nodded fondly, giving Mitsuri her own brightened smile of encouragement.

"You've got this. Good luck!"

Mitsuri giggled nervously, her blush returning as her decision settled in her mind.

"I've got this!"

---

Later that night...

The crisp evening breeze licked at Obanai's face as he walked mechanically down the path. His mind barely registered  his surroundings as he lost himself in thought, his body having thoroughly memorized it's way to the Love Estate. He could probably find his way there blindfolded...if he really had to.

Kaburamaru coiled tightly around his friend's neck, seeking his warmth as his tongue flickered out to taste the cool air.

"Almost there." Obanai muttered out a reassurance.

The closer they got to the Mitsuri's estate the more his heart raced, though his face remained neutral.

Inside his mind buzzed.

Soon he would be able to gaze upon the face of the woman he adored. He would hear her cheerful voice greet him and her laugh ring through his ears like bells. She would tell him about her day and smile at him like he mattered. Obanai had been looking forward to it all day, his need to see her making him feel so dizzy and his chest feel so tight he was at a point where he felt he might pass out or combust.

Not soon enough, the dual eyed man found himself crossing through the gates of the Love Estate.

He strolled along the path before coming to a stop.

There she was...pacing back and forth in front of her manor, seemingly lost in thought. She hadn't even noticed his presence, which suited Obanai just fine as it gave him time to admire her.

Mismatched eyes followed her movements as she flitted from one side of the building to the next. Fingers tangled with the ends of her braids while she absentmindedly fidgeted, eyebrows cinched worriedly as she bit her lower lip.

"So cute even when she's frowning..." Obanai thought with a wistful sigh.

"I wonder what she's thinking abou- Ow!"

He let out a sharp hiss as he felt a pair of fangs nip at his earlobe.

Get on with it.

Kaburamaru peered at him impatiently.

"Ok ok I'm going..." Obanai clicked his tongue in annoyance before stepping forward and clearing his throat to grab the woman's attention.

Mitsuri jolted with a gasp, stopping in her tracks before spinning to meet his gaze.

"Oh! Iguro! S-sorry I didn't see you there!" She stammered though her face broke out into its usual sunny smile, bathing him in it's warmth.

Obanai couldn't help but smile back at her, his entire body relaxing now that he was in her presence though his heart continued to thrum in his chest.

"It's no problem...is everything ok?" He asked with a tilt of his head.

"Huh? O-oh yes!" She glanced down at her hands which were still fidgeting with her braids and de-tangled them, quickly placing them behind her back.

"Everything is fine! Just thinking that's all." She assured, her smile softening almost shyly.

Obanai quirked an eyebrow.

"Oh?" He tilted his head the other way as he regarded her with curious amusement.

"And what are you thinking about?"

A light blush spread across her cheeks and...god...he loved when she blushed. She was always blushing and he couldn't help but find it adorable. If he were a braver and more deserving man he's cup those adorable cheeks in his hands and-

He dug his fingernails into his palm and quickly banished the thought.

"Oh! Just about how excited I am to try this new restaurant with you! I've been thinking about it all day!" She explained with a wave of her hand.

Obanai's expression softened.

"Is that so?"

So have I...

Suddenly, Kaburamaru untucked his head from under Obanai's chin and let out a hiss, looking at the young woman expectantly.

Mitsuri gasped, holding a hand to her mouth as a guilty expression crossed her face.

"Ohmygosh Kabu! I'm so sorry my love, I forgot to greet you!" She quickly closed the distance between them to give the little snake head pats, cooing at him lovingly as he accepted her attention.

He flicked his tongue at her as he stretched his neck forward to push his face against her hand.

"He missed you." Obanai commented, watching them with tender affection.

I've missed you...

"And I've missed him too! So so much!" Mitsuri gushed as she switched from patting Kaburamaru's head to scritching his chin, prompting him to tilt his head back.

As she showered Kaburamaru with attention  Mitsuri glanced up, her eyes meeting Obanai's and lingering as she smiled softly at him.

Obanai's breath hitched and he swore she could see into the depths of his soul in that moment. He found himself unable to break eye contact, getting thoroughly lost in a sea of emerald green.

As they gazed into each others eyes, Mitsuri's attention on Kaburamaru eventually tapered off, which suited the reptile just fine as he was feeling he had just enough of the cold night air. He withdrew back against his ward's neck, the sudden movement breaking spell between the two pillars.

Mitsuri quickly looked at the ground as her blush darkened while Obanai cleared his throat again, his own face feeling rather warm.

"Hmm...shall we get going?" He asked, extending a hand and quietly commending himself for not stammering or letting his voice crack and somehow maintaining his usual stoic composure...for the most part. He was still pretty sure his face was at least a little pink.

"Ah! Yes of course!" Mitsuri nodded as the pair began to take their leave from her estate.

Obanai avoided eye contact with her, choosing to look in the opposite direction until the heat on his face died down.

He stiffened, however, when he felt her arm linking with his and his head involuntarily snapped back in her direction. Her soft gaze and the way she was nibbling at her lower lip made his heart stutter.

Was she aware of what she did to him? He tried really hard to focus on her eyes but found his own being magnetized to her lips.

"Calm down. It's not like you've never walked arm in arm together before."

Mitsuri often had a habit of linking arms with him when they walked together, which Obanai always chalked up to her love of physical affection.

While he tried his best not to initiate contact he never pulled away from her or denied her when she did.

This was normal, but something about tonight had him feeling more flustered than usual. Maybe it was his jealousy, which had already exasperated him so much as to impulsively ask her out, or the way she had referred to this as a date in her letter or perhaps it was the way she was looking at him.

"You know..." Her soft voice, sugary and sweet, broke his thoughts "I was really happy when you invited me out. It's been so long..." She smiled at him in a way that always managed to make him warm from head to toe.

Obanai's shoulders relaxed as he allowed himself to ever so slightly lean into her.

"It has." He replied softly.

Mitsuri's smile widened ever so slightly and she leaned closer, pressing her side against his and making his stomach flip.

"I was thinking...maybe after dinner we could go for a walk by the lake? Like we did last summer. Do you remember? I bet it's really pretty this time of year..."

The corners of Obanai's eyes crinkled up as he smiled back at her.

"I do. I suppose we'll find out after dinner then."

"As if I could forget any moment I spend with you, Kanroji..."

Her cheeks flushed and her smile turned shy once more as she started to fidget with the ends of one of her braids again.

"Also...really...I don't mind paying this time, Iguro...you always treat me and I-"

"Not happening." She was cut off by Obanai's deadpanned reply.

"Why nooot?" She whined as her shy smile turned into a pout, causing Obanai to smirk.

God she was cute...

"Because I said so."  He nudged her in a playful manner, reserved only for the people he was most comfortable with, of which there were not many.

"That's not a reason!" Mitsuri whined again,  nudging him right back.

Obanai chuckled with amusement before his his expression turned serious while still maintaining the gentleness he always regarded her with.

"Kanroji." He addressed her quietly but firmly. The pair came to a stop and he looked intently into her eyes.

"When I said I enjoy treating you...I meant it. Please allow me to do this for you."

He swore he could hear her breath hitch, her face blooming into an even deeper blush than before.

"Ok!" She squeaked, causing Obanai's heart to clench.

He took a deep breath through his nose in an attempt to keep his composure before nodding to her and gently ushering her forward.

"Kanroji...you're cuteness is going to be the death of me."

--

"Cool cool cool! Iguro is soooo cool! Kyaaa!" Mitsuri internally squealed to herself.

The love struck young woman had been trying her hardest to keep her own composure all night.

Her heart had nearly exploded on the spot when she caught him staring at her while she petted Kaburamaru and nearly exploded again just now when he insisted that he loved treating her.

It gave her encouragement for what was to come.

"Maybe he does feel the same about me as I do about him!"

Her heart fluttered about her chest at the thought and she had to stop herself from bouncing in place.

"Keep it together Mitsuri! You don't want to ruin the moment and scare him off!"

Her mind buzzed with a mixture of anxiety and excitement. He agreed to walk by the lake with her after dinner and it was going to be a full moon tonight just like her dream! If things went well she would be kissing him under the moonlight by the lakeside! Her perfectly romantic dream scenario!

She sighed as she allowed her mind to run wild with fantasies about kissing him.

"Umm...Kanroji..."

Holding him in her arms...

"Kanroji?"

Getting married, having childr-

"Kanroji."

"Eh?" She felt a light tug on her arm as the man next to her halted in place. If she hadn't heard him call to her the second time she might have kept walking and dragged the poor guy down the street.

Mitsuri stopped and turned to give Obanai a confused look. He cleared his throat and pointed to a building behind them.

"We just passed the restaurant."

Mitsuri blinked, looking between him and the building. Her face began to grow hot with embarrassment upon realizing she had completely zoned out.

"Uwaaaa....I'm so sorry Iguro...I spaced out..." She softly apologized as she covered her face with her hands, trying and of course failing to will herself into turning invisible.

"It's all right, Kanroji." His voice was calm and reassuring.

She peeked out from behind her hands to see him gazing at her gently and her heart rate quickened.

"Let's go. I'm sure you'll feel better once you taste the food." He said encouragingly, offering his arm for her to take hold of again.

"Oh Iguro...you already make me feel better so easily..."

She smiled brightly at him, red still coloring her cheeks, and nodded before linking her arm back with his.

Obanai smiled back at her from beneath the bandages as he lead her back to the restaurant.

---

Being that it was opening night, the couple had to wait in a bit of a line.

Mitsuri wiggled excitedly beside Obanai, eyes shining as she gushed.

"I'm soooo excited to try their menu! I hear everything is so good I don't know how I'm gonna decide what to get!"

"Hmmm...I suppose we'll just have to order one of everything." Obanai hummed nonchalantly.

"Aaah! Iguro, you don't have to go that far!" Mitsuri tried to assure him.

"No. I don't have to. But I want to." He stated earnestly.

"Eeeee what a gentleman!"

"Waaah...you're so good to me, Iguro!" She hugged his arm and leaned against him.

"Is it my imagination or are his ears turning pink?"

He turned his head away but didn't attempt to pull away from her.

"You deserve it, Kanroji..." He said so softly, she almost didn't hear it.

"It looks like it's our turn to be seated. " He informed her before she could open her mouth to reply, turning his head back around and nodding at the server waiting to seat them.

"Oh!" Mitsuri exclaimed, whirling around to greet the server with a smile.

The server in questioned returned the smile with a small bow.

"Hello! Welcome i- ummm is that a snake?" He stepped back nervously as he took notice of Kaburamaru sitting upon Obanai's shoulders.

Obanai quirked an eyebrow at him, as if challenging him to say anything else.

"Yes. Is that a problem?"

"He's veeery well behaved!" Mitsuri assured with a warm smile. "Please allow him to accompany us...we promise he won't be trouble."

A warm feeling seeped into Obanai's chest. Mitsuri's fondness and open acceptance of his dearest friend made him unbelievably happy, another thing to add to the miles long list of why he loved her.

"I-I don't know..." The server stammered, eyes flicking from her pleading expression to Obanai and Kaburamaru's more intense and scrutinizing stares.

"Hey those three are regulars to a lot of the local businesses!" Another customer in line piped up. "I see them around all the time and the snake is harmless as long as you don't antagonize this guy." He barked out a laugh as he pointed at the Serpent Pillar.

Another man poked his head out of the front door and squinted at the group. "He's right, I've seen them at Fuji's place several times. Haruto, stop giving them trouble and let them in!"

"Y-Yessir!" Haruto squeaked as he bowed to the man, presumably the restaurant owner. 

He turned to the two slayers and bowed to them as well.

"My apologies! Right this way!" He gestured towards the entrance.

The pair followed him in as Mitsuri twisted around to wave to the customer that had vouched for them.

"Thank yooou have a good night!"

"No problem! Enjoy your meal you two!" The man smiled broadly as he waved back.

Once they were sat, Haruto handed them some menus.

"Can I start you off with any drinks?" He asked.

"One of everything." Obanai responded curtly as he snatched up both menus and immediately handed them back.

Haruto's eyes widened in shock.

"One of...a-are you sure? You haven't even looked at our me-"

His mouth snapped shut as Obanai fixed him with an icy glare, Kaburamaru hissing in shared annoyance.

"One of everything coming right up!" The poor man scurried off but not before catching an apologetic smile from Mitsuri.

She gave Obanai's arm a gentle squeeze and leaned close to whisper softly in his ear

"Be nice..." She scolded, reaching up to gently boop Kaburamaru's nose. "You too."

Obanai dipped his head in shame as the snake retreated and tucked his head under the man's chin.

"...I'll apologize when he gets back..." He said softly.

Mitsuri nodded as she gave him a bright smile.

"Good!"

True to his word, Obanai gave an apology to Haruto once he returned with the first part of their order.

"O-oh it's no trouble at all sir!" The server stammered out, eyeing Kaburamaru nervously.

"Please, enjoy your meal!"

"Oh we most certainly will!" Mitsuri exclaimed, eyes shining as she picked up her first bowl and utensils and started eating. Obanai simply sat back in his seat, content to just watch her enjoy herself.

He listened intently as she rambled on about anything she could think of, how she missed her cats and her family, a book she had read recently which was of course a romance and how cool the love interest was, some delicious food she had tried recently and he should definitely join her sometime so he could try it as well.

Yes, of course he would, he assured her.

She recounted some of the details of the battle at the sword smith village and how she had fought Upper Four, or at least a version of him, until the sun rose, of which Obanai was immensely proud. He praised her contribution and told her how glad he was that she had made it out safely, earning a very flustered blush from the woman as she squealed internally from his praise and concern for her safety.

Eventually their conversation led to their current training and how the recruits were faring.

"Kanao is soooo talented! She breezed through my training easily! But I wouldn't expect anything less from Shinobu's Tsugoku!" She exclaimed excitedly.

Obanai nodded in agreement. "Yes...one of the few actually talented of the recruits. She had no issues with my training as well."

Mitsuri nodded back enthusiastically, taking a bite of a croquette.

"Oh oh! And Inosuke! You know... Tanjiro's friend in the boar mask? I think he's even more flexible than me!" She said, recalling how the boy had twisted himself like a pretzel, thoroughly shocking the Love Pillar. She shoved another croquette in her mouth and let out a contented sigh. "Mnn! I think these croquettes are my favorite thing here!" She declared, placing a hand on her cheek. "And the omurice..."

"He was a handful. I was glad when he moved on from my training." Obanai replied as he waved Haruto back over. "Ten more servings of croquettes and omurice a piece...please." This time the server didn't question the large order, simply nodding as he wrote it down and went to put it in.

Mitsuri bit back the impulse to insist that he didn't have to do so much, instead giving him a grateful smile.

"You have to admit though, he's quiet spirited isn't he?"

"Boar boy? I suppose....he tried to eat Kaburamaru though." Obanai muttered, reaching up to stroke the snake's head. Kaburamaru hissed softly as he too remembered how the boy had nearly taken a bite out of him.

Mitsuri's eyes widened as she covered her mouth.

"Oh no! That's no good! Poor Kabu!" She cooed as she reached up to lovingly stroke his scales.

"As if I'd let him." Obanai scoffed with a shrug. "Still...I suppose he has some talent. If he weren't so impulsive he might actually be useful." He admitted begrudgingly. 

Mitsuri let out a soft giggle and Obanai couldn't help but smile.

"The Kamado's whole group are talented though don't you think?" She asked, finishing off her remaining plate of food before sitting back to wait for the extra servings Obanai ordered.

The smile on Obanai's face faded back into a look of neutrality, a barely discernible twitch in his eye.

"The Agatsuma kid is such a massive crybaby I'm surprised he's lasted this long...jury is out on Kamado. We'll see just how good he is when he arrives at my place on Monday." His hands balled into fists in his lap, knuckles turning white as he fought to keep his face neutral.

Mitsuri nodded enthusiastically. "I just know he will benefit a lot from you training! Your swordsmanship skills are simply amazing!" She leaned close as she gushed, her hand absentmindedly finding it's way onto his thigh, brushing against it before giving a gentle squeeze.

It was hard to maintain his anger when the love of his life was praising him but even harder to focus on that with her touching him the way that she was. His body stiffened and he swallowed thickly, trying to keep his heart from leaping out of his throat as his eyes fell to his lap.

"Thank you, Kanroji...umm.."

Mitsuri tilted her head before following his gaze. Her face turned crimson as she realized what she was doing and quickly pulled her hand away, stammering out an apology.

"Eep! I'm sorry Iguro! I didn't realize where my hand was! I really am sorry!" She covered her face in mortification as it burned with the intensity of the sun.

Oh my god I just groped Iguro! What is wrong with me!

"It's alright, Kanroji." Obanai turned away to hide the way his cheeks flushed, burning almost as hot as hers. "It was an accident..." 

Mitsuri opened her mouth but before she could get out another apology Haruto arrived with the croquettes and omurice. She nodded and squeaked out a thank you but didn't touch the food, fidgeting awkwardly in her seat.

Once Obanai regained his composure, he turned back to look at her.

"It really is ok, Kanroji...I'm not offended. Please go ahead and enjoy your meal." He murmured softly.

Mitsuri bit her lip before nodding.

"O-ok!" She picked up a croquette and took a bite, face melting into a look of pleasure as the awkwardness was soon forgotten. Obanai also relaxed, smiling as he watched her eat.

Mitsuri made quick work of the remainder of the food, chattering away as Obanai listened intently to every word she spoke. Once she finished, he paid and they departed, waving goodbye to Haruto and the owner and thanking them for the meal.

"Come again sometime!" The owner called, waving back to the pair as they left.

"What a nice couple." He commented with a smile.

"Even if the snake guy was a little rude at first...and he didn't even eat anything." Haruto muttered under his breath.

The owner grinned and slapped Haruto on the back, nearly knocking the poor server down.

"Hey his girlfriend ate enough for twenty people so I'm not complaining!" He laughed jovially before retreating back into the restaurant, Haruto following behind and rubbing his back as he quietly complained that he "shouldn't smack him so hard."

---

"That was sooo good! Thank you for treating me Mister Iguro!" Mitsuri beamed, linking arms with him once more. 

"Anytime, Kanroji." His voice was soft as he gazed at her. 

Every penny I spend is worth it to see your smile...

"I've really missed this! I'm glad we were able to find time to hang out like this again!" She continued, leaning back into him as they walked side by side.

Obanai nodded and Kaburamaru hissed in agreement.

"As have I..."

Soon enough, the pair found themselves by the lakeside. They walked in companionable silence, taking in the scenery. The moon's reflection shimmered and danced along the surface of the water and the wisteria surrounding the lake seemed to glow in it's light. Wisteria didn't normally bloom at this time of year, but being that they were close to the corps headquarters the plants were meticulously maintained in the surrounding areas.

"It really is so beautiful out here..." Mitsuri breathed, eyes shimmering with wonder as she took the sight in. 

Obanai nodded absentmindedly, more focused on her than their surroundings.

"Yeah...it is." 

He watched her as she gazed up at the moon wistfully, admiring the way it's light shone across her features.

Nothing can compare to your beauty, Kanroji...

Mitsuri bit her lip, the butterflies in her stomach kicking up as she remembered why she had suggested this walk in the first place. 

You've got this, Mitsuri! You can totally basically confess your feelings to Iguro and get him to kiss you! You have nothing to lose! Except his friendship...you could potentially lose that...no big deal!

No no no! Don't think about that! Remember what Shinobu said! He will Not resent you even if he rejects you! You can toootally maintain a friendship if he turns you down haha...even if it does shatter your heart into a million pieces!

Maybe this is a bad idea...no!

You've already committed! 

She began to fidget nervously again as she battled internally with herself.

Obanai, meanwhile, regarded her with fond amusement.

Hmm...Kanroji is getting herself worked up over something again...how cute...

Kaburamaru extended his neck and gently bumped his snout against the frantic girl's cheek. She snapped out of her anxious thoughts and turned to look at the snake.

"Oh Kabu!" She smiled at him and booped his nose before her attention shifted back to the man beside her.

"Sorry! I got lost in my thoughts again..." She said sheepishly as she toyed with the end of one of her braids.

Teal and yellow eyes softened and her heart thumped.

"No worries...anything you want to talk about? You know I'm here to listen..."

Mitsuri could have melted on the spot.

He's always so sweet and attentive! Oh, Iguro, how I love you...

She glanced back up at the moon, taking a deep breath to steady her heart rate.

Here goes.

"This setting...it's very romantic...wouldn't you agree...Iguro?" She barely managed to keep the tremble from her voice as the question quietly fell from her lips.

Ah...Kanroji and her obsession with love. Of course her mind would be preoccupied with thoughts of romance on a night like this. She isn't the Love Pillar for nothing. If it were anyone else they would have earned an eye roll from him, but coming from her...well, he didn't mind of course. She could talk about anything and he would listen with rapt attention.

Unless it was about Kamado...or Tomioka.

Fuck those two in particular.

"Hmm.." He hummed softly in response.

Mitsuri bit her lip again before making the bold decision to let her hand travel from his upper arm, down the length of his forearm and brushing their palms together before lacing her fingers into his own.

Obanai's mind blanked for a split second and his eyes widened. 

...Oh?

He looked down at their hands before looking back up at her and his heart nearly stopped when their eyes met, the longing look in hers making something in his brain click.

Oh...

"The perfect setting for a couple to share their first kiss..." Mitsuri continued as she leaned closer to him.

A lump formed in his throat and he became very hyper aware of the way his heart was suddenly pounding in his chest. 

Was she really...

"You know, Iguro...even though I'm the love pillar...I've never even been kissed before...can you believe that?" She laughed softly, green eyes searching his two toned ones for...something.

She was.

Obanai swallowed the lump while the pounding in his chest grew stronger, his blood pumping in his ears as he started to feel lightheaded.

"Is that so...that is hard to believe.." His voice was hoarse and he couldn't help the way his eyes flickered to her lips.

Was it just him or was it getting hot out here? His mouth was suddenly unbelievably dry.

Something glinted in Mitsuri's eyes and the corners of her lips tugged upwards.

"I've got this."

"I've been thinking about it for awhile...but if I could share my first kiss with anyone...I'd really like it to be you." She confessed, giving his hand a gentle squeeze as her gaze burned into him.

Obanai sucked in a breath, or at least he tried to.

He was finding it very hard to breath in this moment.

"Me?" He managed to wheeze out.

He had to be dreaming.

There was no way this was happening. How cruel was fate? That the woman he loved but didn't deserve was basically confessing to him after he determined he could never be with her and would never confess to her.

He had to put a stop to this before it went further. Even if it meant hurting her feelings, it was better than all the other ways he could ruin her if he gave her what she wanted.

Mitsuri let out a soft giggle.

Iguro really was so adorable when he was flustered! It was such a rare sight and she couldn't help but feel rather pleased that she was able to get such a reaction out of him.

"Yes. You, silly. It makes sense doesn't it? I'd like to think we're pretty close already and you're always so good to me...I can't imagine anyone treating me better.... so I was thinking...if you feel the same maybe we could-"

She was cut off as Obanai quickly pulled away from her.

He shakily held up his hands, trying his best to maintain his composure.

"I'm...going to have to stop you right there...Kanroji." He finally found himself able to take in a deep shaky breath, dropping his hands back to his sides before continuing.

"You...you shouldn't be thinking of me that way." Dual colored eyes fell to the ground, avoiding her gaze as trembling hands clenched at his sides. 

Mitsuri bit her lip and clenched her own fists as her brows knitted up into a frown.

"And why not?" She questioned, taking a step forward.

Obanai flinched as she drew near and took a step backwards, eyes wandering everywhere but her face.

"You deserve better." He muttered.

She tilted her head before taking another determined step towards him.

"What if I don't want better?"

He backed up again, heart stuttering in his chest and his hands growing clammy.

"My face is-"

"Not going to change my mind. I'd still want to kiss you no matter what you look like under those bandages." She insisted as she pressed forward.

Obanai gulped and tried to put more distance between them but felt the rough bark of a wisteria tree pressing against his back. 

Shit.

He dug his fingers into the bark as his heart raced frantically.

"I don't deserve that honor..." He murmured, eyes finally lifting to meet hers.

Mitsuri's expression softened sadly as she reached up to tentatively cup his cheeks in her hands. 

The feeling of her hands on his face nearly made Obanai's heart stop.

"Shouldn't I have a say in that?" She asked softly, thumbs brushing his cheeks as she gazed into his eyes hopefully.

"I....umm...hmmm..." His brain was starting to short circuit, it's ability to form coherent sentences becoming increasingly difficult as he found himself melting into her touch, eyelids fluttering closed.

Her hands are so warm...

She continued to stroke his cheeks as she fondly watched him relax into her touch.

"I think...I should get to decide if you deserve it or not, Iguro." She reached up to brush his bangs from his face before cupping his cheek again. 

"And I say you do." She said firmly, squishing his cheeks in her hands as she smiled at him.

"No...you don't know what you're saying! I am not worthy of you! I'm the scum of the earth, Kanroji!" He wanted to shout but found he couldn't get the words out.

Suddenly, Kaburamaru stirred from his spot on Obanai's shoulders. He lifted his head and flicking his tongue against his ward's ear as if to say "Good luck."  before unwinding himself from his neck and slithering up the trunk of the tree to disappear amongst it's branches and leaves.

Obanai's eyes snapped open as alarm bells went off, alert now that his companion was abandoning him to deal with...this...her...oh god.

"Kabu, don't leave me here you little asshole!" Obanai screamed internally as he glared up into the tree branches.

Mitsuri smiled up in the direction the snake vanished, silently thanking him for giving them some relative privacy.

She turned her attention back to Obanai to find him with his head tilted back, glaring up into the tree.

A leaf fluttered down and landed on his forehead and his glare hardened, eyes crossing and nose scrunching up in a way Mitsuri found oh so adorable.

The sight was too silly and cute and the pink haired woman pursed her lips in an attempt to suppress her laughter but failed, air escaping from the seems of her mouth before she burst into a fit of giggles.

The melodious sound of her laughter drew Obanai's attention back to her and the leaf fluttered from his face to land on his shoulder. His heart continued to beat erratically in his chest but the tension he carried in his shoulders relaxed a little as he watched, hypnotized, as she tried to get her laughter under control. 

"What's so funny?" He asked with a tilt of his head as he squinted at her.

She giggle snorted and covered her mouth, cheeks rosy as she smiled at him.

Oh...she was so pretty.

Shaking her head, she reached up and plucked the leaf from his shoulder.

"You just looked...so offended when this leaf landed on your head." She held up the offending object by the stem and scrutinized it as she tried to keep a straight face.

Obanai relaxed a little more, her humor putting him at ease.

He scoffed, feigning annoyance as dual eyes narrowed at the leaf.

"It mocks my existence." He deadpanned.

His tone and expression were so serious Mitsuri couldn't help but let out another snort. She managed to compose herself surprisingly quick though as she brought the leaf up in front of her lips and twirled it between her fingers.

"Poor Iguro...being bullied by a leaf." She cooed, reaching up with her free hand to boop him affectionately.

His nose scrunched as he regarded her with a mirthful expression.

"How dare it." He said flatly, earning another giggle from her.

The two gazed into each others eyes for a few moments before Obanai felt bold enough to make a move.

He took her hand, gripping it firmly but gently as his eyes locked onto hers, making Mitsuri's heart leap.

Without breaking eye contact, he reached up to snatch the leaf from her and flicked it to the side.

Mitsuri bit her lip as he now took hold of both her hands, her cheeks flushing deeply as he gazed into her eyes.

Obanai drew in a slow breath before speaking.

"Kanroji...does it really have to...that is to say...do you really want it to be..." His voice faltered as he finally broke eye contact.

"Me..."

Mitsuri sighed and smiled kindly, squeezing his hands in gentle reassurance.

"Iguro...if you really don't want to...you know I won't force you. But..." She reached up and using two fingers, lifted his chin to look back into her eyes.

"If it's insecurity or something in your past that's bothering you and holding you back...I need you to know that I would never judge you...I know the person you are. And he's not a bad guy no matter what you might think of yourself."

Obanai's jaw clenched, chest tightening as his eyes dropped again.

"Others would disagree." 

"I don't care what others think. They have nothing to do with whats going on between us." She leaned so her face was in his line of sight, drawing him back into her gaze.

"Nobody is perfect, Iguro..." She said, echoing Shinobu's words.

"I am so far from perfect, Kanroji..." Obanai thought bitterly as he allowed himself to get lost in her eyes again.

"....you really want it to be me?" He repeated the question, a part of him still unable to believe this was real. 

Mitsuri offered him another gentle smile before looking back up at the moon.

"Iguro...we don't know what tomorrow will bring. As demon slayers our time here can be incredibly short...my own is guaranteed to be so now..." She met his gaze again, with a sad expression.

Obanai's heart twisted painfully at the reminder of her mark.

"That's right...if she doesn't fall in battle then she only has a few more years...Kanroji, I'm so sorry..."

"I don't want to live with regrets...even if confronting my feelings is a little scary..." Mitsuri let out a shaky laugh before her expression turned to one of resolve.

"Yes...I want it to be you. I won't accept anyone else. That ship has sailed...how could I ever accept anyone else when you consume my thoughts."

Obanai's knees nearly buckled at her bold declaration.

Oh god...she really was going to be the death of him. 

"Now I have an important question for you, Iguro..." She leaned closer and he gulped.

"Don't think about your past or your face or any other insecurities or what anyone else might think and answer me honestly. Can you do that for me?"

Obanai nodded, heart hammering so hard against his chest he thought it might rip open.

A tiny smile played on her lips.

"Good...now...Do you...Iguro Obanai..." Her face was so close he could feel her breath through his bandages as she whispered.

"Do you...want  to kiss me?"

For a brief moment, Obanai was sure his heart had actually burst or maybe it was his brain. His chest was tight and he was so dizzy he felt he would pass out at any moment. He found himself looking at her lips again and he swallowed. He knew he couldn't lie to her...that he truly could never deny her no matter how much he wanted to lie an tell her no...to protect her from himself.

I'm such a weak man...

"Yes.." He breathed, voice shaking and body trembling as he tried very hard not to collapse. 

Mitsuri's smiled widely as her own heart bounced around her chest with glee. 

"Yes!"

"Oh...you have no idea...how happy that makes me." She whispered breathily as her hands slid across his chest, feeling the way his heart beat against it and how he trembled beneath her touch, and pressed him against the tree.

Obanai's heart jumped to his throat and his hands shook as he brought them up to cover hers.

"I...I like making you happy...Kanroji..." He confessed in a broken whisper that made Mitsuri's heart swell.

"I think...we're past formalities...if it's all the same to you..." She murmured, love swirling behind gentle green eyes, leaving him mesmerized. 

He tilted his head. "Ok...M...Mitsuri..." He hesitantly whispered her name making her heart also jump.

She beamed at him before whispering back.

"Obanai..."

Obanai closed his eyes and let out a shaky sighed before leaning forward to touch his forehead to hers. 

Mitsuri internally squealed at the gesture, smiling as she reached up to cup his face again. He opened his eyes to look at her as her fingers started trailing along the edges of his bandages.

"Is it ok if I take these off now..." She asked gently.

He stared into her eyes for a moment before taking her hand in his again and pressing it back against his cheek.

"Mitsuri...I know you said you wouldn't judge me and it won't change how you feel...but you should know that I have some...rather hideous scars on my face..." Pain flashed in his eyes and Mitsuri felt her heart crack for him. 

"I could never find you hideous." She reassured him firmly.

His throat bobbed as he swallowed down another lump.

"They might make the experience unpleasant for you..." He warned, trying to give her as many chances to back out as he possibly could.

"It will be pleasant to me because it's with you." Mitsuri insisted, stroking his face tenderly.

He saw no lie in her sweet emerald eyes and his heart felt like it had left his chest and was flying across the sky.

He closed his eyes and exhaled before his brows furrowed into a frown. 

"Just one more thing...I..I want this to be as good of an experience for you as possible...I can't do anything about the scars but I'd rather not share details on their history or mine...if that's ok. Maybe later down the road? But umm...I'm sorry...I know you are going to have questions..." He informed her, looking away in shame and pulling her hands away from his face.

The rising feelings of self doubt and hatred were halted as he felt her take his face back in her hands, cradling it lovingly as she gently guided him to look back into her eyes. 

"That's perfectly fine. I won't ask any questions...there will be time for that later. Right now this moment is what matters." Her eyes and words were filled with such tenderness it made Obanai's chest ache.

He gave her a tiny smile before taking in a breath and nodding.

"Hmm...well then, carry on..."

Both slayers felt the butterflies flitter wildly in their stomachs as Mitsuri reached around to start untying Obanai's bandages. Her heart rate pounded in her ears while he kept his eyes screwed shut.

Slowly they began to unravel and Mitsuri found her excitement growing.

This was it. She had been waiting for this moment. She had dreamed of it. Obanai might have been self conscious about his face but she would show him that she would love him scars and all.

Oh please this time don't be a dream...at least don't wake me up yet!

As the bandages fell around his shoulders, Mitsuri had to stop herself from taking in a sharp breath.

The scars extended from the corners of his mouth to nearly his ears, almost like a slit of a snake's mouth. They looked very...deliberate. Had someone taken a knife to his sweet face? Anger bubbled in Mitsuri's chest at the thought and she fought to keep her composure. She promised him no questions. She took a moment to even out her breathing before reaching up to gently cup his face again.

"Look at me..." She whispered. Obanai complied, cracking his eyes open to meet hers. He shuddered involuntarily as she delicately ran her fingers along the ridges of his scars

She smiled at him, as loving and reassuring as she possibly could.

"You sir...are so very handsome." She breathed, looking at him like he really was the most attractive man she had ever laid eyes on.

He blinked at her.

"Am I?"

Mitsuri smiled and nodded.

"The most handsome man I have ever seen." She stated firmly and with a conviction that left no room for him to question her further.

She was neither lying nor sugar coating her feelings.

Obanai was suddenly...very overcome with emotion. His eyes shimmered and for the first time in years tears began to slowly stream down his face.

"Oh..." He croaked out.

The man was at a loss for words. He bit his lip and squeezed his eyes shut again, trying and failing to force back his tears.

Idiot. You're suppose to give her her first kiss not cry in front of her...

Seeing Obanai cry made Mitsuri's own eyes mist with tears.

"Oh...Obi..." She pulled him into a hug and Obanai found himself clinging to her despite his embarrassment. 

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I promised to make this good for you and I'm...I'm ruining the moment." He choked out as he buried his face against her shoulder.

Mitsuri shook her head and squeezed him gently.

"No no...it's ok...it's ok...you're not ruining anything. You can cry as much as you need to...and I have a feeling you really need to..." She reached up to stroke his hair as she whispered soft reassurances into his ear.

Obanai laughed weakly. "Maybe..."

They stayed like that for a bit, Mitsuri gently stroking his hair as he quietly sobbed into her shoulder.

Eventually, his sobs subsided and the quaking of his body settled down. He reluctantly pulled away from her and pressed the palms of his hands to his eyes.

"Feel better?" Mitsuri asked as she rubbed his arms.

He gave her a small smile, trying to ignore the way his scars tugged at the corners of his mouth and resisted the urge to bring his sleeve up to cover them.

"Yeah..."

They stood in silence for awhile, looking into each others eyes.

Eventually the silence was broken by Obanai clearing his throat.

"Are...are you sure you still want to go through with this?" He asked, offering her one last out.

Mitsuri smiled warmly and leaned against him as she reached up to grip his haori.

"I'm very sure." She reassured him confidently. "But only if you're ok with it. I won't pressure you if you change your mind" She added.

Obanai hesitated for a second before reaching up to grip her arms gently, silently grateful that the tremors had slowed.

"I'm ok...I want to do this for you. I still don't think I deserve to be the one but the selfish part of me...wants this too..."

Mitsuri's heart clenched.

"Obanai..."

He gave her arms a squeeze and smiled softly at her.

It's ok...

"I don't have any experience...I'll try my best but...I apologize if it ends up being awkward." He desperately hoped he wouldn't be awkward...he wanted this moment to be perfect for her but his insecurities were fighting him.

Her stomach flipped with excitement.

She probably could have guessed at his inexperience considering how insecure he was about his face but it was nice to get confirmation that she would be his first as well!

Her eyes shone as she flashed him a smile so filled with warmth he felt he would melt. 

"That's ok! I'm actually really glad to know we share the same amount of experience...I think it will make this moment all the more special." She exclaimed as her face flushed.

Obanai's expression softened.

"I suppose it will..."

He took in one last deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come.

Here goes...I hope I can be good enough for her...

"Ready?" He asked, voice quieter than he intended.

Her eyes gave away her excitment despite they shy little nod she gave him.

Tentatively, he reached up to cup her cheek.

"Soft..." He thought as he lightly traced his thumb along the side of her face, brushing over her beauty mark with a gentle loving care he didn't realize  he was capable of.

For you, Mitsuri....only for you...

Mitsuri, meanwhile, could barely hear her own thoughts over the pounding of her heart beat.

Finally finally FINALLY...please don't be a dream!

Her heart jolted when she felt his thumb brush against her lips and she sighed as her eyes fluttered close.

For a moment, Obanai's own nerveousnous was forgotten. He marveled at the plush feel of her lips, as he dragged his thumbs across them.

"So soft..."

He took his time to admire her face, savoring the moment and tracing every feature as he committed her expression to memory with sharp eyes.

So beautiful...

Mitsuri let out a soft whine as her brows furrowed up in frustration, eyes squeezed shut.

"Obanaaaiii...pleeeease..." Her plea came out in a ragged breath as she tugged at his haori desperatly.

Obanai couldn't help the small grin from forming on his face.

"Hmmm..." He hummed in response as he reached up to cradle the back of her head.

"Sorry..." He murmured, gently pulling her close so their lips brushed against one another.

Mitsuri's breath hitched and she lurched forward to finally press their lips together.

Obanai fought back the groan that threatened to escape his throat as he sank further into her, mind growing hazy as his lips melded with hers.

"So god damned Soft..."

Mitsuri, however, could not hold back the tiny noise she made. She loostened her hold on his haori to wrap her arms around his neck, bringing them closer together.

She was pleased to find she was right. He was gentle with her. Oh so gentle and yet firm despite his earlier anxieties.

"I'm soo happy..." She thought as she sighed contently against his lips.

Their inexperience offered little detterent, sparks seeming to fly off in both of their minds as their mouths danced together experimentally and they fumbled to find a rhythm they both liked. 

Mitsuri moaned into the kiss, unable to keep quiet while Obanai kept one hand firmly on her neck and the other fisted into her haori in a desperate attempt to keep them from roaming.

He wondered briefly how long a first kiss was suppose to last. Was he being too intense? Should he have started off with something a little more chaste?

The longer the kiss went on the less he cared, finding himself unable to pull away from her despite the fact that he was starting to run out of oxygen. Mitsuri seemed perfectly content to go on forever as her hands found their way into his hair, tangling with his dark locks and pressing him closer.

Oxygen however, was very important to live and the couple reluctantly found themselves pulling away.

They both gasped for breath as they gazed deeply into each other's eyes.

Obanai drew one ragged breath after another until eventually his breathing evened out enough for him to speak.

"How was tha- Mmmff!" He was unable to finish his question as Mitsuri grabbed his face to pull him back in for another kiss.

A grunt escaped him as she crashed into his lips once more and he  wrapped his arms around her to hold her close while she eagerly attacked his mouth.

Relief washed over him, glad that she obviously enjoyed the first kiss enough to initiate another.

"Ah!" He suddenly let out a gasp as he felt her teeth sink into his lower lip, causing his mouth to part.

"Hmmppf...she bit m-..." His thoughts came to a halt upon feeling her tongue sliding into his mouth and this time he couldn't stop himself from moaning, cheeks flushing in embarassment at the sound.

Mitsuri smiled against his mouth, delighting in his noises as she took her time to explore every inch and crevice.

Perfect perfect! He's so perfect! This is better than I could have ever imagined!

She made a mental note to apologize for impulsivly biting him later as their tongues began to wrestle.

It didn't take long for her to relent and allow him acess into her own mouth.

Obanai moaned again as he took his time to explore her, angling his head a different way as he poked and prodded.

So good...

Mitsuri's nails gently raked the back of his neck as she ran her hands through his hair, causing a shiver to run down his spine. He was finding it harder to control his hands as well as they found their way to her hips and he couldn't help but to squeeze them. He marveled once again at how soft she was as he kneaded at her, earning a noise of appreciation.

Eventually they found themselves once again needing to breath and broke apart, faces flushed and chests heaving as they panted.

"That was amazi-"

"I love you."

The confession stumbled from Obanai's lips before he could choke it back and Mitsuri stared at him, stunned.

"What did you say?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Obanai remained frozen like a deer in headlights for a few moments before resigning himself.

It was too late to take it back and even though it slipped out in the heat of the moment...he really did mean it.

He gave himself a moment to get his breathing back under control before he repeated his words.

"I love you, Mitsuri." One arm reached up so he could cup her cheek while the other tightened around her waist as he gazed lovingly into her eyes.

"I know this will sound cliche...but I've loved you from the moment I met you." He confessed softly, stroking her cheek and wiping away her tears as they started to form at the corners of her eyes.

Mitsuri sniffled and smiled at him through her tears as she reached up to hold his hand.

"I actually like cliches..." She laughed softly as she nuzzled his palm.

Obanai tilted his head as he continued to gaze at her like she was the most precious thing in the world before continueing to speak, the floodgates opened as his confessions continued to spill out.

"Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me...before that moment the world seemed so dark and hopeless..." He gave her a gentle squeeze and leaned forward to press his forehead against hers again, his eyes never leaving hers.

"But then you came along and your light was so dazzling it nearly blinded me." He chuckled softly as their noses brushed together.

"You were so...normal...but so special at the same time. You made me see the good in things and people that I never noticed before...you made me feel normal...you gave me a reason to live another day, and another, and another after that...you saved me, Mitsuri."

Mitsuri's lower lip quivered as more and more tears began to fall down her cheeks. She sniffled before throwing her arms around Obanai and it would have knocked him over if not for the tree.

"Waaaah! O-Obanaaaaii!" She wailed as she nuzzled her face against his neck.

"I'm..*sniff* I'm so h-happy! I love you too! I love you so so soooo much!" She sobbed, clinging to him like her life depended on it.

Obanai held her close, feeling her heart beat rapidly against his and brushing his fingers through her soft pink hair.

"Mmhm...I'm glad you're happy...that's all I really want..." He murmured.

She sniffled again and gripped him tighter, nearly squeezing the life out of him. But Obanai didn't mind. She could squeeze him until he popped like a balloon and he would die happy.

"I *hic* want you to be happy too! I want to be the one to make you happy, Obanai!" She declared through her sniffling and sobbing.

His hand dropped from her hair so he could wrap both arms around her and he turned his head, breath tickling the shell of her ear as he pressed his lips there. :

"You already do...your very existence makes me happy, Mitsuri."

"I love you..." She repeated, fingers curling into his haori as her sobbing started to quiet down.

The couple spent the next few moments holding each other under the wisteria tree, Kaburamaru's bright red eyes peering down to watch them from amongst it's branches.

About time.

Eventually they pulled apart just enough to look into each others eyes again and for Obanai to cup her cheek.

They leaned close for another kiss, soft and sweet and not as intense as the previous ones.

After a few moments they broke the kiss without pulling away, resting their foreheads together instead.

"Umm...sorry I bit you...by the way.." Mitsuri broke the silence, suddenly very self concious. "I just got so excited and I-I couldn't help myself and I was enjoying myself a little too much cause you're such a good kisser, not that i have anyone to compare it to and I'm so sorry if I hurt y-Hmmmm..." Her babbling was suddenly interrupted by his lips pressing against hers again. Her eyes fluttered closed and she brought a hand up to run it through his hair as she sighed into the kiss. He pulled away a little too soon for her taste but her mild frustration was quickly forgotten when she saw the way he was smiling at her.

He's so pretty...I want to see him smile all the time...

"You...are very adorable, you know that?" He said, laughing lightly, and Mitsuri felt her entire face burn at the compliment and her heart swell at the sound of his laughter.

"Oh...thank you!" She squeaked, bringing her hands up to cover her face but was stopped as Obanai gently grabbed ahold of her wrists. 

"Don't hide.." He whispered. "Not from me...please..." He brought her hands up to his lips and locked her into his gaze. Mitsuri's heart slammed to a brief halt before picking up speed as she watched him trail kisses all along her hands before guiding them to rest against his cheeks. She bit her lip as her eyes peeled away from his to land on his scars, sliding her hands down to stroke them with featherlight touches. Obanai's breath hitched but his eyes stayed trained on her as he let her touch him.

"May I....?"

"You don't have to-"

"I want to." 

Obanai's heart stuttered for perhaps the dozenth time that night and quite frankly considered it a miracle that he hadn't fainted yet.

Finding himself unable to speak, he simply nodded his head as he closed his eyes.

Despite everything, he was still deathly afraid of the possibility she might change her mind and decide he was as disgusting and ugly as he beleived himself to be. He couldn't bear to see the look on her face if she did pull away from him.

God, he was trembling again.

He felt his face being gingerly pulled forward and this time his legs did buckle as he felt her lips ghost over his left most scar.

One of Mitsuri's hands quickly dropped from his face so she could wrap her arm around him, holding him up and keeping him steady.

"I've got you..." She whispered, lips still hovering over his scar as he shuddered at the feeling of her breath tickling his skin. She cradled the back of his neck with her other hand as she pressed her lips to his scar more firmly but with with great care. Obanai let out an involuntary whimper as she trailed kisses along his left side before switching to his right.

Somehow, kissing his scars felt more intimate than the full on kiss they had previously shared.

His face burned hotter than it had all night and he could have sworn his chest was cracking open to lay his beating heart bare for her.

He had never felt more exposed and yet loved at the same time than in this moment.

He tried to call out her name, to repeat his delcaration of love for her but all that came out were more pitiful whimpers, much to his embarassment.

"Oooh Obanai you are soooo cuuuute...I could kiss your sweet face like this forever..."

Mitsuri sighed against his mouth and her fingers began tangling in his hair as she started spreading her kisses to other parts of his face, lips brushing against his cheek, forehead, along the ridge and to the tip of his nose, lightly gliding over his lips and then all along his jawline and a portion of his neck peeking over his collar before coming back up to press firmly against his lips. She reached up so she could hold his face with both hands, kissing him deeply before pulling away.

A soft giggle escaped her lips as she took in the state of him.

Gold and teal eyes were half lidded and glazed over as his face was flushed crimson. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he let out deep, ragged breaths through parted lips.

" s-suri.." He barely managed to slur out part of her name as he struggled to catch his breath, feeling like every ounce of air had been sucked clean out of his lungs.

Mitsuri giggled again and gave him an apologetic look.

"Sorry! I got a little too excited again..." She whispered as she leaned forward to nuzzle his nose.

"I just couldn't help myself..."

"S-S'ok..." He struggled out through more deep breaths before shakily wrapping his arms around her.

He leaned back into the tree and slid down to sit at its base, dragging her with him and earning a small squeal of delight.

"Apologies...I can't stand any longer." He mumbled shyly, pressing his face against her neck as he held her close.

His legs felt like they had been completely deboned.

Mitsuri wrapped her arms around his trembling form and kissed the crown of his head as she carded her fingers through his hair lovingly. 

"That's ok...goodness I nearly drained the life out of you didn't I?" She giggled while nuzzling him.

"Worth it." He sighed against her neck as he squeezed his arms around her.

How was he ever going to let her go after tonight?

They held each other tightly for awhile, Obanai's face remaining buried against Mitsuri's neck and her chin hooked over his shoulder as she continued stroking his hair.

"Thank you..." She whispered softly. "That was better than I've dreamed of..."

He smiled against her neck before whispering back.

"I'm glad..."

They pulled away so they could look at each other again, Mitsuri shyly nibbling at her lower lip as she gazed at him expectantly.

Obanai arched an eyebrow at her and chuckled softly. 

"You want another one already, don't you?"

She looked away and began fiddling with her braids as her cheeks flushed. 

"Maybe...I'm sorry! I know it was only suppose to be one kiss but I ended up getting carried away and then it became two and then three and then-"

"Mitsuri."

She stopped babbling and lifted her eyes back up to meet his.

Mismatched eyes twinkled with amusment as he gazed at her lovingly.

"It's ok...from now on...I'll kiss you as many times as you'd like." He assured as wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer.

Her expression relaxed back into a smile as she looped her arms around his neck.

"I look forward to each and every one..." She breathed as they closed the distance, lips pressing together in another fervent kiss. 

The Love Pillar sighed happily as she melted into the kiss, parting her lips as the other Pillar's tongue swiped over them. 

She expected him to enter her mouth again, but was surprised when she felt his teeth bite down on her lower lip. It was a gentle love bite but it took her off gaurd enough for her to let out a little yelp.

Obanai quickly pulled away and gave her an apologetic look, worry creasing his features.

"S-sorry...I wasn't too rough was I..."

Mitsuri quickly shook her head to reassure him she was ok.

"No no! Not at all! You were so gentle, it just surprised me is all! And to be fair I did bite you first!" She giggled sheepishly.

Obanai's face relaxed as he let out a relieved sigh.

"Then I guess we're even..." He smiled softly as he pulled her back towards him, planting a gentle kiss on her lower lip.

Mitsuri hummed in agreement as she took his face back into her hands and deepened the kiss.

They stayed like that for a bit, sighing as they melted together before pulling away again to gaze into each others eyes.

"It's getting late..." Obanai pointed out as he glanced up at the moon.

It reflected in his gold and teal eyes, exactly as it had in Mitsuri's dream. Her chest tightened as her love for him threatened to overwhelm her.

"Can we stay like this? Just a little longer..." She pleaded, resting her head against his collarbone.

Obanai smiled, leaning back against the tree as he held her close.

"As long as you'd like..."

He glanced up as he suddenly felt Kaburamaru's snout poking his cheek. The snake slid down the trunk of the tree to coil around the couple, like a comforting scarf, bringing his head to rest on Mitsuri's shoulder.

"Welcome back, Kabu!" She giggled as she smooched the top of his head.

Obanai smiled softly at them. Perhaps he could forgive his friend for ditching him earlier.

Mitsuri looked back up at him, smiling sweetly before placing a kiss on his jaw.

"I love you so much, Obanai..."

Obanai pressed his own kiss on her temple.

"I love you too, Mitsuri...more than words or actions can ever express."

If he could make her happy in this life...perhaps he could allow himself to love her after all.

Sighing happily, Mitsuri snuggled close to him as they gazed up into the night sky.

As they watched the moon and the stars above them, the couple silently promised they would treasure every moment and love each other whole heartedly with whatever time they had. 

No more regrets. Only love...and many kisses.