Eros. (Benimaru Shinmon)

二十四 ❃

I watched as the large glowing sphere rose slowly into the dull morning sky. Casting sunbeams in every direction while it illuminated the small town. I stared out the wooden frame of a window as the colors made by the rising sun changed, growing more vivid with the passing time. Making the sky more radiant as it climbed higher and higher into the sky.

But as beautiful as the morning was, something told me that today was going to be horrible.

I turned to my side, again Benimaru was gone. I wasn't the slightest shock. But his attitude yesterday was a bit different from expected.

Not paying any mind to it, I walked off to do my morning routine.

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Away from Asakusa and in the trees, I panted loudly after practicing my fighting style and my flames. It had been a while since I had trained but then again Benimaru coming over made it impossible to train at night time and I couldn't draw attention during the day. It was a rarity to wake up at dusk to be able to train. But this training was different, I wasn't giving it my all like before. I was lost in thought about Benimaru's actions and some part of me has developed a theory on why he was making it his mission to be in every aspect of my life.

I looked down at the ground and clenched my fist. I know that something isn't right and I couldn't figure it out. His will became stronger and delaying me is still a great result.

I bit my lip and sadly frowned, "I really hope he isn't playing me."

I kneeled down and picked up a cherry blossom. It was beautiful to see them drop to the ground and wither, falling like snow with the ebb and flow of the winds.

If only peace was this easy.

I slid my sword over my head and into its sheath that was strapped against my back as I entered Asakusa's city limits and looked around. The usual city behavior.

"It's great to be somewhat in peace in Asakusa." I thought with a knowing look in my eyes, "I can't allow my feelings to hold me back..." I gently placed my fingers over my eyes, No matter what I have to resort to.

"Hey Inori!"

I turned and noticed Konro heading my way with Benimaru by his side.

"Hello," I said as I looked at them.

"Hope all is well," Konro asked a bit hesitantly. I mean considering that he and I didn't part on a good note could be why.

"All is good," I confirmed, "I don't want to interrupt your scouting so I'll be on my merry way."

I wiinked and walked off towards my home. As I slid the shoji closed, I placed my sword down and went to soak in the bath.

I dipped my toe into the hot bath to test the water temperature and got into the water. I sighed once more as I looked up at the sky. I wondered how heaven was for her.

~Benimaru POV~

"She is still set on leaving Asakusa," Benimaru drawled out lazily while combing his hair back from his face, "Even when I confessed to her."

"Maybe you should have let her joined the Fire Force when she had asked multiple times," Konro said, "I have only agreed to your wishes Beni because you begged me not to allow her in but she had great power and she has a strong will to help us here in Asakusa."

"I know but the thought of her dying because of an Infernal," Benimaru said, "I will catch up with you later."

Benimaru walked away from Konro, angry by what he said. He knew that he had feelings for her and his main reason as to why he didn't want her on the force but he never thought that by not letting her on the force would push her to want to leave.

He walked gracefully into Inori's house. Sighing softly, he was grateful to be away from Konro right now, the brigade, and people in general. It was the main reason why he enjoyed staying at Inori's house or would come in without knocking. There was this sense of tranquility that was present.

This tranquility was something he wanted Inori to have in her personal life. He wanted her to become the typical Asakusa housewife and settle down with him, hoping for them to become suitable partners and spend the rest their lives together.

He stilled continued to walk, he stopped in front of the sound of rushing water. The fog from the hot spring affected his vision but he was able to make out that someone was there: Inori.

He watched as she sat and looked up at the sky and singing gently to herself before closing her eyes, resting the back of her head against the rocks behind her.

"Turn your face towards the sun
Let the shadows fall behind you ,"

Her luscious black locks up in a messy bun. Her breast floated gently on the top of the water with her pink nipples perked from the coolness of the breeze. Her calm exterior made her look attractive, goddess like.

He couldn't take the site before him anymore and neither could his friend. He quickly backed away from Inori's bathhouse and let out a heavy sigh while glancing down and groaned annoyingly "This isn't what I needed at this time of day."

~Inori's POV~

"What was that!"I thought to myself as I looked towards the door and simply shrugged it off and went back to relaxing, taking her mind off everything that was bothering her-particularly Benimaru. She knew something was up with him and something quite frankly was off.

"Don't look back, just carry on
And the shadows will never find you..."