Soukoku One-Shots

Death & Destruction Pt. 1

Alternate Universe

One-hundred years ago

Despite the circumstances, Dazai could admit that Sasaki looked lovely. She wore all white, draped in a gown befitting of one even so stunning as Aphrodite. Her hair, dark as liquid night, was pinned up with all kinds of glittering clips that caught the light just right. All of the contrast about her brought out her dark eyes.

When she caught sight of him, her tight smile widened just slightly and her brows flicked up. "You look... incredible."

But the compliment was, while true, empty at its core, and they both knew it.

Dazai smiled graciously despite that. "As do you, dear."

Sasaki's eyes glinted when he said that, scanning his features for something Dazai didn't try to identify. "You don't need to call me that," she replied carefully. Carefully honest. Bringing a small sliver of light to the reality of their situation.

Dazai leaned against one of the temple's pillars, looking out at the barren sight before them. The Fields of Asphodel could be seen just ahead, with its souls eyeing them curiously. Dazai had half the mind to feel sorry for them—this was likely the most exciting thing that had ever happened since they were sentenced there.

"No," he agreed, keeping his gaze forward. "But we're to be wed. It only makes sense."

He could feel her eyes on him, still. She must have noticed his tone, the lack of any true faith in it.

"Dazai," she began and shifted so that she, too, was looking out to the miserable souls far ahead. "We can try, can't we? We can try to make this work?"

Dazai didn't respond right away.

"I understand that you... that this isn't perfect," Sasaki continued, glancing down at her white dress. "But... maybe things will fall into place."

Dazai himself didn't believe that. He did not love her, and she did not love him.

But perhaps it wouldn't hurt to hope. Perhaps they would fall into some semblance of a genuine partnership—grow to care for each other.

Dazai turned to look at her, then, and put on a beautiful smile just as the bells struck. "Perhaps," was all he replied with, and extended a hand to her. They walked together to the chapel, filled to the brim with hundreds of people Dazai didn't think he'd ever seen before. But there was Mori in the front row, and he gave Dazai a pleased smile.

They had no personal vows, and their kiss was brief.

Dazai and Sasaki, now King and Queen of the Underworld.

Present

"You look pale, dear."

"We live underground, dear."

Sasaki said nothing in reply—it was familiar, predictable, that little dance they did—as she set the tea down and beckoned for the guards to open the throne room doors, allowing the next terrible soul to enter. This one was no doubt a so-called servant of the gods, just like the last fourteen. Dazai didn't know him, but that wasn't uncommon—he didn't keep up with mortal affairs the way the rest of the gods often did.

Sasaki sat on a throne next to his—they were made as a set—and tossed Dazai a sharp glance. Snap out of it, it said. Do your job.

Dazai didn't enjoy those looks, like she was his scolding mother. But, regardless of that, she had a point.

"Tell me your name," Dazai called out to the soul, voice booming through the throne room.