Chapter 1: A small hole

Hanari Sawagari, a young, deaf girl of twelve. Her hair long and dark brown, pulled around to one side in a ponytail over her shoulder. Her eyes a deep green, filled with curiosity and happiness. She lived alone with her father in the village, after her mother passed away from the flu; due to lack of money to help cure her. Yet she was happy and content with her father. Every day was filled with glee. As her father went to work during the morning, she cleaned the house and made dinner for when he arrived back home. She had learned to cook from her mother at a younger age. She knew her father enjoyed her food, even though she never heard him say it. Yet she learned to read lips so well, she could decently understand and reply. Seeing him smile and praise her work always brought a smile to her face.

As the sun rose, Hanari had woken a little before her father to make breakfast for him. She began her day by dressing herself in the nicest kimono her father had given her. It was a beautiful green with yellow flowers along the bottom. It was a hand-me-down of her mother's. It was a little big, but it still fit her and was the only thing she had remaining of her mother. Putting on her sandals, she walked down the stairs to the kitchen. She tied up the sleeves and began to cook. As she was finishing up the eggs with bacon, her father walked down and sat at the table. She grabbed the few broken plates they owned and plated more food for her father, than her. Her father was always so sad that she didn't eat much, but she always convinced him to eat. Only since he worked more than she did and needed the energy. While he ate, she packed the leftovers as a lunch for him for the day. 

After her father had left for the day, she began her day. She had grabbed her small purse and began her walk to the village market. Looking for a few ingredients to make for dinner for the next few nights. She stood at each stall, looking at the vegetables and meats. She hummed to herself in thought, as she bought enough food for ramen for the next two nights. As she then saw a man scream out in happiness of the food he was eating. His fire-like hair and big, bright eyes made her shocked from seeing him so happy while eating the food. She tilted her head while seeing the sword on his hip. "A swordsman?" she thought to herself as she was starting on her way home but didn't know that she had been followed from the shadows. Yet she didn't know because she can't hear let alone tell what was nearby. The next hour, she had picked up fresh milk and then arrived home. She put all her new ingredients away and then began to clean the house of dust and bugs that covered the tattered home. She even aired out the blankets and washed the few clothes they had owned. Placing them outside to dry in the calm wind, she then sat down and finished the last half of her breakfast. The last thing she had done was talk to her mother outside at her grave. Telling her mother about her day till it started to get dark.

 It was now late at night, her father had returned, and they both had finished eating their dinner... Her father praised her food as always, as she began to wash the broken dishes. As she then started a bath for her father, as he bathed, she grabbed the clothes and covers from outside and set the bed. Once had finished, she then took her own bath. Washing her hair, she stared into the water quietly. playing with her bangs, she wondered how long it would be till her father was then going to leave and she was on her own. She didn't know what she would do or where she would go. It was all blank. When she even exited the bath and got dressed in her night dress, she walked to the bedroom where her father was already laying down. She sat beside him and then started to ask, "Father, when will you leave? How will I live on my own? Am I going to be married when you are gone?" she asked him slowly, watching his face to see a response. He blinked shocked before smiling, "I am not going anywhere anytime soon. I promise. I will be there to had you to the man that you will be going to live with in the future." he said calmly and slow enough for her to understand what he said. 

She frowned and then looked to the floor, playing with her thumbs. She didn't know what to say. It was still going to be a blur. There has been missing parents and young girls lately. So that is why she started to think that way. Hanari's father then stood and walked to his desk, pulling out a small box. He returned to her and smiled, lifting her face to look at him. "Hina, this necklace I have is the most prized possession I have had. Since it was a gift from your mother on our wedding day. I believe that you are responsible enough to wear this on you, so you know that I am there for you when I am not near." She smiled as the necklace was placed around her neck. It was a beautiful silver chain, with a small silver twin rings around the chain. It was something that could be cheap to buy for other people, but it was expensive to her family. She embraced her father as they both laid down to sleep for the night. 

In the middle of the night, Hanari had woken up from the lack of food she had all day, but she always just filled herself with water to satisfy her hunger. So she walked down the stairs and then grabbed a glass, filling up her glass. She drank lots of water, till she had filled herself. Walking back up the stairs, she entered the bedroom to see her father sleeping, but two dark figures standing above him. She blinked surprised, till they looked over to her. One licked their lips and started to walk up to her. She slowly fell on her bottom and then started to scoot away, shaking in fear. She was shaking so much and frozen against the wall, as the demons were speaking, but she couldn't hear them. It was only causing the demons to get more upset at her for not answering them. Then just as the demon was going to attack, her father was suddenly in front of her, protecting her from the intense damage that he had taken. A giant punch to the stomach. He coughed blood and growled for her to run, but she shook her head no. Grabbing her father, but then to be cut in the eye and crying in the intense pain from the demon's hand.

As she was then grabbed by the throat, being suffocated to death, her father stood once more. He was going to jump on the demon that held his daughter, but then got attacked by the second demon. Having his limbs torn off one by one. Hanari cried and screamed in-audibly, kicking around and punching the demon holding her, till she felt an intense pain in her stomach, as well as lack of air entering her lungs. She was going weak and limp, barely having consciousness. Till then a bright wave of fire crossed her eye. She was dropped and gasping for air, while laying on her side, holding her throat. She took a moment to look at her father, as the darkness was covering her eyes. Her father was laid torn apart on the ground and suddenly the man she saw before in the marketplace was before her eyes. He was picking her up and suddenly running off. She could barely stay awake as he looked to her with his bright eyes and tried to tell her that he was sorry. 

It felt like she had only then just slept, and it was all a nightmare. Making her scream awake and panic from being in a place she didn't know. Everything was so clean and an actual bed underneath her.  She started to kick, as a few girls had run in to check on her. They all wore butterfly hair pieces that held their ponytails. They tried to hold her still and try to help her breathe, but it didn't help right away. It took almost an hour till she was calmed and laying down exhausted and having a huge headache. The girls continued to try and talk to her, but she couldn't pay much attention to what they were saying. But the girls didn't know that she was deaf till later on that week, when Shinobu had walked in and preformed a couple of hearing tests on her. Only then they began to understand and was more patient with her. Treating the gaping hole that was in her body and had it surgically taken care of. It was months till she started to try and walk again and take care of herself. 

Shinobu had then spoken with Rengoku as he returned from a mission. "Rengoku, have you figured out anything on who she is and if there is any family she can return to?" she asked the other hashira sitting in front of her. The flamboyant man sat proudly, with a huge smile, "Sadly, no! I hadn't found out anything, but her name was Hanari Sawagari and that she was a deaf young girl that only went shopping and took care of her now deceased father! And from what I heard is that her father was about to actually set her up with an arranged marriage, but it wasn't confirmed! So now that family's son is now married to another girl!" he said loudly. Shinobu sighed in defeat, "Poor girl did have a family to possibly return too, but it was the taken from her... I guess I have to ask her if she is willing to become a helper in the butterfly mansion." Rengoku hummed and then asked, "How is the young girl fairing?! Is she getting better?!" 

Shinobu had stared to the floor, "Her stomach is healing better, and she is starting her rehabilitation training to walk and continue to live. However, her left eye was severely damaged, so the point my treatments aren't working at all. I have tried everything, but they haven't worked. She will most likely be blind in that eye for the rest of her life." "I see!" the flame hashira spoke loudly in acknowledging the girl's situation. Just then a crow had flown in, "Rengoku Kyojuro! Shinobu Koucho! You are required to make an audience with the master! As well as the young girl named Hanari Sawagari! I repeat; Rengoku Kyojuro! Shinobu Koucho! You are required to make an audience with the master! As well as the young girl named Hanari Sawagari! You are to leave immediately!" The two hashira had looked to one another confused on why the young girl needed to attend as well; however, they did not question the master's orders.

Hanari had been confused on why she was with the two who saved her in a new building that she had to be blindfolded for. She was being placed in a room, as a few girls were helping her change into a beautiful kimono. She was surprised at how stunning the fabric was. It was a beautiful sea blue, with golden birds on the sleeves and bottom of the kimono. As well as her hair neatly combed to the side once more and a beautiful pin at the bottom of her ponytail. A small amount of makeup was placed on her face. Just as another woman had walked into the room. She had beautiful white hair like the two girls that helped dress her. She assumed they were family from how close they looked alike. They two girls then helped Hanari stand and follow after their mother to a new room. It made the young girl confused, as they stood at the door. Amane had opened the door and led Hanari in. 

The young girl stared to see Rengoku and Shinobu both sitting in the room, along with eight other people. Seven of them had a sword placed beside them. Especially a young boy with dark, long hair, with faded cyan tips. His eyes drew over to her and she stared at how beautiful they were. It was like a stunning turquoise that was deep in color, yet no light shined in them. Like a deep open that was empty. She almost blushed as she was led to sit beside the boy. The other men were surrounding the two, as well as Shinobu and one other girl with vibrant pink hair that had green faded tips. She watched the girl hide her mouth a little and was talking, so it made Hanari nervous that she looked terrible and was being talked about. Yet when she glanced to the young boy again, he was facing forward and not paying her any mind. Just as it was silent for a moment, her eyes were brought forward by the two girls grabbing her attention. She turned forward to see the head of the room sitting calmly. His face looking half cursed and his eyes a dull grey. While his semi-long, black hair. She learned the man's name was Ubayashiki and that he was also partially blind like her and one other man in the room who was fully blind. She blinked and nodded in agreement to learning who everyone was. Even the boy beside her.

"Now then, I will have to speak a little slowly, since our guest is deaf and can only read my lips... For starters, hello my children, I hope you all have been well." all of the hashira's nodded in return and said they were well, hoping that he was in good health also. "Thank you, my children. Now, our topic of the day and the reason why I have called you all here today, especially Muichiro and Hanari. I know you all know of who Muichiro is descended from... He comes from a long line of strong swordsmen. Great talent resting in his veins... Such talent cannot be going to waste in case something happens to our beloved mist pillar... So, in order to have safety for Muichiro's family lineage, and safety for Hanari's life for her disabilities... Tokito Muichiro, Sawagari Hanari, you both will wed tonight and Hanari will produce Muichiro's next heir." he spoke calmly to make everyone, except Muichiro, gasp and look surprised. "Excuse me, master, but doesn't there have to be both parents consents for the marriage arrangements to work?" Sanemi spoke calmly, with a small tone of anger. 

"If the parents are alive, yes, but I have agreed to take them both under my wing, as for all of you... All is prepared and good to proceed. Muichiro, my child, do you accept these conditions?" the master asked, as the boy was silent for a moment. Yet his eyes looked up in thought, "That's okay, I guess... I will forget anyways..." he spoke calmly and made Hanari blush slightly from watching the boy agree to be her husband. Wait. Husband?! Does that mean she is getting married to this boy?! She started to cover her face shyly and was slowly turning pink. This couldn't have been happening. She doesn't even know who he is, besides his name! But wait, isn't that what an arranged marriage is? "Hanari, child?" Ubuyashiki asked calmly to make the girl look to him. He waited a moment, to make sure she was paying attention. "Do you accept to marry Tokito?" Hanari blinked and then looked down to her hands that were now resting on her lap. She frowned a little, while remembering that her father promised to hand her over to the man she would marry. And yet, he was not here. It's that moment that she feared. What would she do without him? How could she survive? Should she just say yes? What would she do in this moment? What could she do? She is half-blind and fully deaf. She doesn't know how to do anything besides clean and cook. She couldn't survive on her own. All she could to was say yes. She had no choice in the matter. She didn't have anywhere else to go. The master smiled at her answer and opened his arms out, "Then from this moment on, Tokito Muichiro and Sawagari Hanari, you are now pronounced man and wife. All the other member's here are witnesses to this marriage." 

Hanari blushed slightly, looking over to the boy that was now her husband. She was married and was to live with him now. Yet she has to carry his future children. That alone made her more nervous than ever. Not only to the fact that she had to have his children, but the fact he wasn't fazed by any of the stuff that had happened. Let alone that he said he was going to forget anyways? What did that mean? Forget that he is married? How can you forget something like this? It didn't make any sense. She was so nervous from the fact that the boy said he would forget and that she was now his wife. "Excuse me, master, but do the two even know what it means to be married and what happens to complete the marriage?" Obanai spoke quietly behind his bandages. He was the only person that she couldn't tell what he was saying due to his mouth being covered. The master hummed before looking to the boy, "Muichiro, do you understand what happens when you both return home?" 

The young boy blinked and tilted his head, crossing his arms, thinking to himself. He had no idea and it was obvious. Same for Hanari, she was confused as well. "That makes sense since they are both young still!" Rengoku huffed while Tengen stood quickly. He pointed to Muichiro, "Wait, kid! You don't have any idea on what is happening! Do you?!" Muichiro looked over to him and stared, "What were we talking about?" Tengen growled and then bowed to Ubuyashiki, "Forgive me Master, I have to borrow Tokito for a moment." he spoke before taking Muichiro by the arm and taking him out to the hall, slamming the door. Everyone was quiet as the room filled with awkward aura. Then Shinobu and Mitsuri crawled up to Hanari, mouthing to her, "Do you know what's happening?" Hanari slightly shrugged, while nodding. She understood the first half, but not the second. The girls sighed and whispered in front of her eyes, "You are now married to Tokito Muichiro, yet the marriage isn't fully complete till you consummate." Hanari blushed severely. Did they just say consummate? Like actually, consummate? That's what has to be done to complete a marriage? Seriously? There is no way she could actually do that! They just met and just got married! All of this was happening so fast! There is now way that she could do that! She couldn't preform the marital act! Not today!