I was sweeping the porch off on a nice sunny day. There were hardly any clouds in the sky, and I was looking forward to tending the gardens. I know that Shinjuro-sama and Senjuro-kun wanted me to come to clean their place too, but carrying a little one inside of me is tiring!

I sat down on one of the benches that Kyojuro had set up for me under a Wisteria tree and wiped the sweat off of my forehead. I carefully placed a hand on my swollen stomach and smiled when I felt the baby moving. It shouldn't be long now...right? I hope so, after all, I'm tired of feeling tired and looking awful all the time.

I was about to doze off when I heard the cawing of a crow. My pale eyes shot open as I heard the crow shouting out, "Kyojuro Rengoku has died in his battle with Upper Moon Three! I repeat, Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku died in his battle with Upper Moon Three!"
Tears started to form in my eyes as the weight of grief crashed upon me. He couldn't be gone! After all...he promised me...to be careful around the demons.... and always come home, no matter what. My fingers went to my lips, and I touched them- the seal of our promise.

It didn't take long for me to start wailing out of grief. I wanted Kyojuro back...I wanted to kill the demon that did this to him. However, instead, my ears were met by cold laughter, as a man spoke out, "Now that he is out of the way, you're all mine, my Queen. Do you not respect the power of demons now?"

Anger boiled up inside of me as I spoke out, "You took away my life and love, why would I want to do that to others?! Die already, damn it!" I couldn't help but throw my sword at him...but it easily missed.

In the blink of an eye, I was teleported into the shade and captured in strong arms. I looked back and saw Muzan shaking his head, "Still feisty as ever, I see, and you're also carrying my heir."

"This isn't your child."

"And where is your child's father? That's right-dead. In a mere few days, he'll be rotting in the ground that you so walk on."

"Shut up."

"Why do you still fight, Sumiko Rengoku?"

"Because I refuse to give into you."

"This doesn't look very promising to you now..." I felt a sharp pain in my forehead as laughter rang out, "But in the end, a demon always gets what they want."

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"No!" My pale eyes shot open as I quickly sat up in the futon. I looked around me and saw the moonlight illuminate the room-including the Wisteria flowers that Kyojuro had gotten for me a few days ago.

I placed my left hand over my racing heart as I adjusted to what was reality once more. I was not carrying a child, nor was I married to Kyojuro. No demon had attacked me, not even the King himself. I was safe at Kyojuro's home, being watched over by him while Mitsuri went on a long mission. She had only been gone a few days, and I was on strict bed rest because of an injury to my right leg. Unfortunately, it had a minor infection to it due to the falls, but I was healing from that. Shinobu-sama brought over some medicine to help out, but the medicine made me sleepy. Hence, why I was dozing.

Reciting these facts to myself helped me calm down somewhat, but I heard footsteps in the house. Quickly, they came towards the bedroom, so I braced for the King to appear. Thankfully, it was only Kyojuro. His golden-flame eyes looked at me as he spoke, "Hey, are you okay?"

"Nightmare...sorry for waking you...I can always switch with sleeping in the living room, promise-"

"What was your nightmare about?"

"You..." Tears started to form in my eyes as I recalled what I had seen.

He came over to the futon and sat next to me, pulling me into an embrace. I leaned my head right where his heart would be, and I was able to hear the steady beat- he was well alive, albeit, probably a little scared.

Kyojuro spoke, "What did I do now?"

Pale eyes met his blazing ones as I whispered, "You died...battling Upper Rank 3...breaking our promise...not being able to raise our family...and I was turned..."

"So you're saying you want to marry me?" I could see the smile on his face as he spoke, "Aren't you moving a little too fast there? Or are you trying to imply something?"

I couldn't help but laugh at his questions, "Nothing at all. It was just another nightmare, I'll be fine-"

"Sleep, Sumiko." He carefully laid us on the bed, my head never moving from where it rested over his heart. Large hands started to comb through my long light blonde hair, causing my heart to race even more.

"You need to sleep too, Kyojuro. Please...don't worry about me." No matter how determined my mind was to stay awake, my body betrayed me. My eyes were shutting once more to go to sleep. I bit my lip as a way to try and stay awake, fearful of more nightmares.

Kyojuro saw this and brushed his thumb on my face, shaking his head, "I'll be okay. You need to allow yourself to sleep because of the festival. It's tomorrow, after all."

"How long was I sleeping?"

"On and off, pretty much when Shinobu delivered the medicine and you took it. You're a lightweight compared to the other Hashiras." I could feel laughter rumbling in his chest, "I kid. You were pretty good at taking it, and it looks like the infection is gone. Everytime you took it, you went back to sleep right away."

"Sorry I haven't been able to help around here. I know I should probably do more, but-"

"You need to heal." He placed his finger on my lips as I was about to protest, which allowed him to say, "Go back to sleep. Do you mind if I stay here with you to fight off your nightmares?"

"How will you fight what plagues my mind?"

"You'll see." I felt his lips against my forehead as he whispered, "Good night."

"Night night, Rengoku-sama." I quickly fell asleep as I felt laughter again.

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Soft breathing soon filled the silence of the home. Kyojuro looked down at Sumiko and smiled softly, "My plan worked. Sorry I had to leave today for a bit. I would have woken you up and said something, but you were so peaceful."

He chuckled softly to himself as he watched the girl sleep, "I was preparing some things for you for the festival. Senjuro and Shinjuro...they have no idea about you coming with me. It was so hard to keep it from Senjuro. He asked about you today and when he could see you again."

"I'm sorry...but I told him that you were still recovering from your injury. He was so disappointed, but you'll be able to surprise him tomorrow evening. He'll be excited. Plus...you'll blend in with us."

"I know you said to not worry about you too much since Mitsuri brought things for you from Oyakata-sama's home, but I couldn't resist. Your dream tonight...made me realize something. Life isn't all about fighting battles, but it is about protecting those that mean something to you. You're one of those people, Sumiko. You have been to me for a long time. Why I'm falling for you is beyond me." Soft laughter filled the air, "I don't know why, but the first time I heard about you from Senjuro, I wanted to meet you. And when we finally met...I was taken by you. Your drive...attitude...everything."

"Though, when you were injured and Shinobu said you could die...it felt like my world was crashing down around me. However, I had to march on. After all, why should I care about anyone who could get in my way of redeeming my family name? Though, as I went on missions, I realized something- the best missions I had were when we were working together. I never felt like a celebrity or some sort of protegee around you- you just saw me for me."

"Maybe this is a roundabout way of saying this, or I'm just tired, but all I wanted to say to you is: I love you. I'll guard you from anyone who tries to take you, even...your own mind. Please allow me to help you, no matter how stubborn you may be in accepting said help."

Silence was only broken by the sounds of soft breathing. Kyojuro looked down and saw Sumiko fast asleep, a slight smile on her face. Had she heard him? Kyojuro kissed Sumiko's forehead and whispered, "I swear if you're fake sleeping on me, I'll seek revenge on you."

No eyelids fluttered open, so Kyojuro felt relieved. Now, to try to tell her that while she's awake and fully alert. For now, the Flame Hashira closed his eyes and fell asleep, his heart lighter than it was before.