The Border of Asakusa (Benimaru x Reader)

Bonus Chapter: Y/n Alone

Note: This is a collection of flashbacks/lore for Y/n throughout her life, starting when she was 3 years old up until right before we meet her in the first chapter. It shows how some of our characters were more connected to each other than we thought, and how many times they almost met before they actually met in the story. I might eventually break this chapter up and scatter it throughout the story, but for now, here it is!

Age 3.

On a cold February night, your mother sat at her desk holding your baby sister. She crossed the 20th day from her calendar and sighed at Frank's birthday marked for the following week. With 3 kids, she hadn't even thought about planning anything for him yet. "Your father took me out for a lovely dinner and to the ballet for my birthday. I gotta do something. Any ideas?" She whispered to the infant.

"Jewels." Frank tapped at the door. "There's something wrong with our daughter."

"Which one?" Jewels twisted the pen with one hand as she held Thia with the other.

"Our oldest. Come here."

Jewels followed her husband to the living room, where you sat in front of the fireplace, watching the flames.

"She's been sitting here like this for an hour."

"Maybe she'll be a pyrokinetic." Your mother shrugged off.

Frank crossed his arms nervously. "You don't think it's weird?"

"Kids are weird, Frank." She kneeled down next to you. "Honey, do you want to play pretend like you're camping and sleep by the fire tonight?"

You nodded, your gaze still fixed on the flames.

"Gaku!! GAKU!!" Mei screamed as she ran up the street.

"What..." He rolled over, still drunk, on the floor of his living room.

Mei collapsed at his front steps, panting out puffs of her visible breath in the cold night. "It's Asami. Her baby's early." Gaku waved her off. Mei had helped with hundreds of deliveries in town, surely- "And breech." Gaku's eyes shot open. "Please-"

"Shit." He hissed. Mei watched Gaku steam himself sober.

Age 11.

"He doesn't have any family, Frank."

"Jewels, you can't just pick up orphan boys off the street-"

"Shh-" She hushed, as she heard your footsteps on the stairs. "Y/n honey, you should be in bed."

"... I heard the popcorn maker." Your parents sat comfortably on the couch, winding down for the evening as they often did, with a bowl of your mom's stovetop popcorn and a bit of TV.

Jewels sighed. "Alright. One episode, then you are back to bed, missy."

You skipped to the couch and situated yourself between them, happily holding the bowl.

The next day after school, your mom was playing the piano when you walked in. You silently took a seat on the couch to listen. When her melody ended, without turning to you, she began, "When I get back from this business trip, I'd like to take you to Asakusa. You still need tutoring hours for your honors program, and we're going to complete them there, with good food and a few friends of mine." She turned to you with a smile. "Sound good?"

"Sounds good." You smiled back.

"Also..." Her expression fell a little. "There's been a change to the combustion plan."

You looked away. "Mom-"

"It's important. If your father and I combust, you are to take Thia to Asakusa. You will ask for Shinmon Hibachi, and say his name in that order. You will tell him you're my daughters, and what happened to Frank and me. He'll make sure you're taken care of." You were silent in response, your eyes fixed on the green fabric of the couch. "Y/n?"