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--Was greeted by Kouketsu.

His arrival was a humble one, marked only by the difference in pressure that his lover had managed to notice. Even from looking to her left, Blanche would be unable to see him; he was several handful of steps back, shrouded by the balcony’s lavish and intricate drapes, and the shadows they cast against fragile chasms of light. But, he was only to remain hidden from a breath of a moment; for with prideful, unresistant strides, he took his place at her side.

Unlike Blanche, Kouketsu was not dressed in the silken attire she had often acquired for him. Instead, he was wrapped in the only formal wear that he knew: the blacks and reds of the armor that defined him, both on and off the battlefield. Like the crimson steel slabs strategically placed about his person, his resolve was adamant and unwavering. Blanche had done well to amass her people to this point, but now the duty fell to him to ease them over the lip of the past.

Taking another step forward, breaking his rank with Blanche’s flank, he addressed them. “I will not hide behind Blanche or my child,” he said calmly, though his voice boomed like thunder. “I have done this world a great injustice, and you have every right to fear for your safety – it is no secret that my presence, no matter where it might be, is quite troublesome.”

His expression remained fixed: stoic and unmoving, like a mountain. “But, it will be for naught. I have no desire to bring either you, your family, or friends any strife or inconvenience. Regardless of what you believe, I am no longer the demon you still believe me to be.” A hint of a smirk crossed his face, and casually, he removed a bracer—only to drop it over the balcony, into a clearing between the establishment and the people. “The world is no longer the savage place that I grew up in, and I no longer have the desire for battle.” He punctuated this statement with another drop of armor upon the ground far beneath them.

“My only concern is for the well-being of my family,” he explained while removing the waist guard and discarding it as he had been doing. “And everything that Blanche holds dear to her. This includes each and every single one of you,” he reasoned while removing the hauberk from his chest, the final piece (along with its shoulder pieces), and then tossing it out into the clearing. “We have no desire to use our union as a method of power, or to force the other Great Nations into cowardice. We simply see no reason to hide our love any more than you would the man or woman you have chosen to spend the rest of your life with.”

It was then that Kouketsu’s voice became even more stern, and resolute than it had been. “And as Blanche has said, should they decide to take this as reason to attack. . . then I will become a Conqueror once more – Kusagakure’s Conqueror, and protect you all with everything that I am.” He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink into the ocean of denizens. “Blanche and I, together, will always protect this village.”

“Whether you choose to believe us or not is entirely your decision,” he continued. “I’m not asking for you to trust me, or your forgiveness. I’m asking for you to respect the woman I love and the child that she is carrying in her womb; but even that is entirely at your discretion. I will raise nothing more than words at your disgust, and turn my back to your spite. But know this,” his words trailed off as his gaze intensified. “The moment any of you resort to violence as your method of communication, I will defend my family no differently than you would your own.”

Glancing back at Blanche, Kouketsu sank a hand to her side and cupped her fingers in the center of his palm. Let them think what they will, his expression said to her. I love you, and that is all that matters.

"And it is because of those five extra hours that you are the top of your class!" Monzaemon huffed as he followed his grandson off to the kitchen. Isamu was, without a doubt, one of the most promising samurai that the Shogunate had seen in his entire life. But, it was to be expected. When his mother was born, many chided Monzaemon for his lack of a proper heir. Naturally, the Shogunate paid it no mind.

While the continuation of their sacred bloodline -- the blood of Iron -- to continue, he saw his daughter's birth as a gift. While he would not have his heir immediately, something in his stomach told him that she would bring into this world a boy: and what a talented boy, she did.

Naturally, Monzaemon pushed his grandson hard. But, it was solely out of love.

"Good morning, my sunshine," Chiyo chirped as Isamu rounded the corner. As was her tradition, she intercepted the young boy before he could reach his seat and took him into a deep hug; placing a kiss on his head, and then a pat on his back, and then ushered him along. "I hear you'll be needing a rather large breakfast, hm?" she teased as she brought tray and tray to the table at the center of the room.

"You know how your grandfather gets when you're late," she whispered before Monzaemon had entered the room. "But, I'll see if he'll shave off a few hours of your punishment."

As if speaking the devil's name, Monzaemon appeared through the doorway. "Chiyo, my love," he spoke in his usually gruff voice. "Tea, please."

"Coming now, my Lord," she relied sweetly as she readied the pot. Meanwhile, Monzaeon took his place across from Isamu. His expression-- which was hard to discern, through his long beard and equally long eyebrows --was flat.

"You'll be practicing with a real sword today, Isamu." Nodding in agreement with himself, he continued. "And from this day forward, for that matter. You've outgrown your bokken; it's time for you to take the next time." Chiyo produced the tea he requested, and after having several sips-- which was more than enough time for Isamu to calm whatever excitement he'd been having --he spoke once more. "And, I'll be introducing you to Master Akio later today. . . the Jinchuuriki Samurai."

Kouketsu's fingers entwined with Blanche's, peeling a single hand away from the pair she'd offered. "Yes, we will." Turning to face the way from whence he came, a gentle tug would begin Blanche in a similar direction. Round the corner and down the hall, they'd entered their chambers -- or, at least, the room Kouketsu had taken as his own during his stay in Kusagakure -- together when he finally spoke. "I'm still tired," he explained. "I'd like to take a little nap with the both of you."

They had a long road ahead of them, and they were both going to need their rest to meet the obstacles without hesitation.

"Her addiction is only as severe as it is because of her current situation," he explained with a leveled voice. "But, believe me when I say that looking after Blanche is my first priority each and every day that I awake. However, there is only so much that I can do." It was an odd phrase coming from him -- a legend, a myth whispered to children at night to strike fears in their hearts. "That is where you come in, Esei."

Standing from his seat, he glanced down at the boy. "As Iv'e said, she trusts you. And, as you've demonstrated, you believe in her, as well. I'm almost positive that there will be some-- retaliation, so to speak, because of her involvement with me." His eyes narrowed. "With that said, I imagine there will come a time where you will need to choose sides - a time where you will, like all shinobi, need to kill for what you believe in. I believe in Blanche, and I always will. I hope that when this time comes, you will show that you do, as well."

Turning to face the window, he stepped to its open maw before glancing over his shoulder. "Get some rest, Esei. You have a lot of work ahead of you."

And just like that, he was gone.

Kouketsu's expression only became more conflicted as Blanche spoke, holding him close for the majority of her soliloquy. Despite how simple and few her sentences had been, it was a lot of information to contemplate over. Was it selfish for him to desire to shed light on his family? The remnants of the life he'd created during the Second Shinobi War had been reduced to nothing more than my child -- Ashura, and he was nothing more than a stranger to the boy; a voice within his mind, or a fond memory from the moments they'd spent together in his conscious in those moment when his eyes had truly awakened. It was nothing more than a figment of his imagination now; a fond memory that he'd tucked away with the rest of his past life.

Perhaps that is why he dared cross the threshold of life and death to bring the boy's true father, Ryuusuke, back from the depths of darkness. The former Hokage had given Kouketsu's son the life he'd always wish he had given the boy, yet never could; he feared what might become of him under his tutelage. Ryuusuke had managed to break the cycle of bad karma, turning a devil into an angel, and Kouketsu couldn't have been more proud. As terrible as it was, he was forced to love his only son from afar.

But, this precious infant growing in Blanche's womb. . . perhaps Kouketsu could do right by it? Perhaps, having laid down his weapons and sacrificed himself, he would be able to be the father this child deserved. Perhaps he could be the man -- love, and husband -- Blanche needed and deserved?

"I think about it every time I bring this subject to mind, Blanche," Kouketsu admitted, the tone of his voice more exposed than anything. "But, as you've said, hiding this is only going to make things worse. We aren't going to be able to keep this a secret forever, and I would rather my child be raised in a house of freedom; where he or she doesn't need to hide who their father is." Reaching for her hands, Kouketsu rose from his knees and gently eased Blanche to follow. Both arms then snaked around her body, pulling her tightly against him. "I believe that your people, who you have striven for since the moment you took power, will follow you to the bowels of hell and back." His chin rested gently on her shoulder as he spoke, his eyes closed as his mind began to pain images in his thoughts.

Shifting slightly, it was his turn to take her delicate face into the depths of both his palms. Both thumbs gently caressed the smooth curves of his cheeks, occasionally making their way to the swell of her full lips. "As for the rest of the world," he began as his eyes bore into hers, searching for something. "I will lay my sins bare before all of them, if it means even having a moment with the both of you. If you can see that I have changed, there is no reason that they cannot or will not. We simply have to show them, Blanche," he said gently. "Together, as a family. Our child will be beautiful, and we will raise them right; I will not let them make the same mistakes that I did."

A hint of a smile pulled at his lips. "We'll start with Kusagakure, and move from there." Lowering his face slightly, he placed a tender kiss upon her lips, savoring the sensation for several long moments. "I love you as well, Blanche."

At first, Kouketsu said nothing.

She loves me? Again, had the words he heard truly been what she said? He often questioned the lines between reality and fantasy, wondering how frequently crossed the two. Kouketsu was far from perfect, and though he never seemed to display any weakness -- no emotional strain, or psychological hindrance --there were, nevertheless, there. All power had its cost, and in the aftermath of his ascension, Kouketsu paid for his alone. Even with so much to gain here -- so much that he could acquire, both spiritually and physically -- he questioned the realness of it.

Letting his head rest idly in her lap, his grip tightened upon her ever so slightly. Or does she love my power? Perhaps it was somewhat heartless to question the woman's motives, after all they'd been through, but it was a not a coincidence that her words had come only after he'd allowed her to feed. Was it truly Blanche speaking to him, or was it the euphoric haze she entered after filling herself with the wealth of his chakra? It just seemed so very odd, hearing those words come from Blanche's lips. Had she truly found some semblance of love for him, buried deep beneath her concerns and hesitation? Did she really mean it?

Kouketsu only wished he had the answer.

"I'm glad." The appreciative tone of his voice was genuine, but at the same time, dull and flat. Their love was an awkward one - masked with secrecy, shielded from even her own people. After the events of the Second Shinobi War, Kouketsu had become estranged to deception. No matter where he went, everyone knew his face -- they were terrified of him. Even the whisper of his name was enough to stir panic across the world. Yet, he found himself crippled by the needs and desires of this woman. How much was he willing to endure - to suppress - before he said enough was enough? If the world would not let him be, then he would greet them with a hostility they'd never known.

Indeed, he was no longer a conqueror, but a destroyer always remained. And so, as he laid there with his head nuzzled in Blanche's lap, his mind began to churn. So what if the world denounced their relationship? Who cares if they stormed the gates of Kusagakure, threatening their people? Kouketsu would slaughter every single one of them - down to the last disgusting, filthy shinobi. He was tired of being a shell of a man, chained to the darkness of some building.

He would be free of this; they would be free. "But, then why must I remain hidden down here?"