Chikage had always been a man of few words but when he spoke to her the way he had, he wanted to assure her that things would be okay. He wanted her to rely on him just as much as he relied on her. He wasn’t very vocal and he always had an air about him. The oni had always led others to believe a very important fact: that he was powerful but at the same time he wasn’t very merciful. The last bit wasn’t true. He didn’t have a heart of steel, especially when it came to Mishiko.<br/><br/>She was truly the embodiment of everything that he could’ve ever asked for in a mate. He was going to try his damnedest to bring their relationship fortune.<br/><br/>He watched her carefully as she tried to gather her thoughts. Chikage could also see that his gaze had been boring into her, making her visibly shift as if trying to avoid him. He didn’t mean to be so intense, but right now he wanted her to understand. It wasn’t long before he found his answer. The way she responded and vocalized her feelings, he understood what pressures she felt and what sentiments she had for him. He felt somewhat warm inside. Just hearing Mishiko’s thoughts of him was pleasing. She was more open about them, so he heard them more often than none. But at this very moment, they meant everything to him. It was especially since he was uncertain if she would remain there with him.<br/><br/>The blond could feel her fingers creep under the folds of his shirt. He liked the warmth of them and the gentleness of her touch. Chikage couldn’t help but close his eyes as he took all the feelings in. He almost felt like heaving a sigh of relief. Somehow, he’d angered his mate and yet was able to bounce back to a more settling atmosphere. When she was angry, she was definitely a woman to be feared. In battle, when he watched her at arms against the enemy, he knew in his heart that if they ever had to fight she could go toe to toe with him. It was something that was almost unnatural in this day. And it was only unnatural because not many women picked up swords.<br/><br/>Her battles were almost like performances. She was swift, agile and elegant. But much of her ‘performance’ was deadly and precise. He touched her hand lightly and kept her close to him. He didn’t want to ever have to fight her, physically or not.<br/><br/>He also didn’t want her to think that going back to the Mansion was a bad thing. He didn’t want her to be pessimistic about it. If they had a problem, they would have to deal with him. “Being as you are a woman and I understand that, you are still a fighter. You are a fighter and a woman of pride. You should walk into that village and right into the mansion with your head held high. If you go in there looking afraid, of course they’re going to mock you. A man of my power should know.” He smirked a bit and reached to stroke her cheek and then ran his fingers through her hair. His crimson orbs softened as he gazed at her, but only just a bit. She truly was the fairest woman in all the land.<br/><br/>A woman that many men had sought after and he had been the only one to capture her heart.  It meant a lot to him. But she was not a trophy to be hung on the wall or anything of the sort. She was much more than that.<br/><br/>“My people, I am sure, are wondering where we both went. When I returned to the mansion, no one knew what had happened to you. Or so they said….” He narrowed his eyes. When he got his hands around that woman’s neck…<br/><br/>Enough of those thoughts for now. He had to remind himself.<br/><br/>“When I arrived home, things were as busy as ever. The women did their part and Amagiri and Kyo had just arrived back themselves. They too asked where you were. They actually seemed quite surprised at the fact that you weren’t around. I wasn’t certain as to what I should’ve said. I wasn’t certain as to what actually happened, but I felt as though you must’ve grown bored waiting for my return. And so I left immediately, while killing those who blocked my path. My journey meant everything to me. I tried my best to focus on the Shinsengumi, I truly did….but without you and without knowing why I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat.” He stopped himself.<br/><br/>Parts of him were coming out to her and wasn’t ready for her to see that side just yet. At most, he wasn’t able to bear even having that side to him. “But now you’re here. And when we return I am sure they will welcome you with open arms. You protected them when they were in danger and for that I am sure they are indebted. For now, we will take this all one step at a time and deal with the problem that we have when we return. “Chikage tried to urge her to continue forward as he walked a bit ahead. With his back to her, he continued to speak, “I was thinking of returning to that village back there. Perhaps we could hold a ceremony.”<br/><br/>He wasn’t sure if he could call it a “proper” ceremony because their culture was much more different than that of a human’s. Demons came together in their own private ways, but humans liked to be vocal about it. He wasn’t sure if she wanted the same thing though or she would feel comfortable with it. If anything, he knew who he was really doing it for. For some odd reason, he thought it might please Sarah or any of the other villagers that lived there. If not, then he could attend to other things.<br/><br/>But it was just a thought.