It Was Just Supposed To Be a Walk!

When her husband stared at her for several silent minutes after she walked into the garden, Yasaka couldn't help but feel a touch self-conscious.

"Is something wrong?" she asked shyly.

He gave her a small smile. "I'm not used to seeing you with makeup. You look amazing."

She immediately felt a warm elation spread through her, even as a faint pink dusted her cheeks. What wife doesn’t like being complimented by her husband? That he takes notice of her efforts.

“Thank you,” she said with a charming smile, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face.

He reached out and gently placed his hand on her back, pulling her towards him. His eyes flickered over her and Yasaka noted with satisfaction at the tender wonder in his eyes. “You even changed your hair up.”

She gave a casual shrug, not meeting his eyes, even as she fought to keep her lips from splitting into a wider smile. Internally, Yasaka was thrilled. In a rare moment of indulgence, she had decided to doll herself up. Even amongst the supernatural world, Kyūbi were considered uniquely beautiful and mesmerizing. And as their Empress, she stood out even more for her unparalleled beauty.

She needed no makeup or decoration to capture the attention of appreciative eyes; they naturally came to her all too readily. But, occasionally, as a wife, Yasaka felt the need to elicit a response from her husband, to feel the satisfaction that she could easily charm him if she tried. That his love and adoration for her were so easy to make apparent.

Especially considering how their marriage came about. There were moments, especially early on, where she doubted their relationship. That Ichigo was merely entertaining the whims of Amaterasu-sama. Or worse, those secret fears, that he was only with her because the Devil above him had ordered his capitulation for the benefit of the Devil’s Empire.

But such doubts and fears were washed away when Ichigo looked at her as he did now. With such blatant affection and love, and the barest hint of lust shimmering in those brown eyes of his.

“Shall we?” she asked as she raised her hand.

Ichigo immediately threaded his fingers through hers and as he said, “Yup.”

And they were carried away by his magic.

Not too far though, since she could not easily and frequently leave Kyoto. The intersecting leylines needed her constant presence to keep them stable. Instead, he had brought them to a supernatural street, busy with Yōkai shoppers and lined with vendors selling local delicacies.

Due to how incredibly packed both their schedules were, neither Yasaka nor Ichigo could commit to long lasting dates. It also didn’t help that he had to commute across entire dimensions to spend time with her.

Thus, they had settled for quiet walks through the ancient city of Kyoto for fifteen to twenty minutes a night, returning to her palace for dinner and – ahem – other husband and wife activities.

“Your kimono also looks lovely,” he said as he gently led her through the street.

“Thank you,” she said as she matched his pace and hugged his arm to her chest. Her personal tailors always came up with the perfect garments to match her taste. This particular kimono was colored a majestic purple and patterned with silver branches and leaves. Having an attentive husband who noticed the efforts one put into one’s appearance was a rare blessing amongst wives. At least, that’s what several of her older female servants told her.

He leaned down and then said in a much softer voice, “Can’t wait to take it off you.”

Her eyes went wide, and her ears burned hot in embarrassment.

“Ichigo!” she whispered furiously as she looked to and fro, ensuring no one heard her husband’s scandalous words.

He let out a low chuckle. “Relax, everyone’s doing their best to not pay attention to us.”

It was true. The crowd of Yōkai quickly parted around them as they walked, giving the two spouses a wide berth. There wasn’t a person in mythical Japan who wouldn’t recognize the Kyūbi Empress. And it was an open secret that she had a husband who just happened to be one of the Seven Crown Princes of Hell.

Still…

Yasaka bit her lip as she still felt shyness burn through her cheeks. She was a royal and a priestess, okay! She wasn’t used to dating or having a love life! She was brought up to be prim and proper and showing reverence to the sacred.

Her face must have given away her thoughts, because Ichigo’s eyes gained that Devilish delight that often meant she was about to be in some sort of salacious trouble.

“Ichigo, no!” She whispered harshly. “We’re in the middle of a crowd! We’re in public, you ca-kyaaa!”

And her damnable husband grabbed her in his arms and sped them away. She found herself standing in a tight and dark alley, between two buildings adjacent to the street they were just treading down, Yōkai passing them by unaware.

“Ichigo! What on-”

And she fell silent as her husband put one finger on her lips and leaned forward, allowing his other arm to slam aggressively above her head and against the wall he had pushed her up against.

Bah!

He looked like such a delinquent in the moment! What with his long and messy orange hair and his rolled up sleeves…showing off the well-defined muscles of his arms and…and his handsome face…made even more eye catching with his lips curved into a dangerous and roguish smile. And his passionate eyes...that had begun to slowly bleed crimson…with that hint of lust from before now coming back in full…

Ichigo took his finger off her lips and pushed the edge of his shirt collar, revealing his sculpted clavicles.

Yasaka swallowed.

Oh boy.

“Hu-husband! W-wait a mmphh!”

And pulled her into a crushing kiss.