It was an arranged marriage. One set up by the Iguro Clan to make heirs that were fit to be the next clan leader. You had been picked from the crowd of women as you bowed in front of your husband. The marriage ceremony was completed as soon as they both of you were of age.

Your marriage was tense. You hardly ever saw the man due to his job as a Hashira and your job which created distance between the two of you. The two of you hardly spoke to each other when he returned home. You only silently made dinner for him when he would return.

It was only when you met the other Hashiras for the first time did you realize that Obanai hated you. He didn't even introduce you as his partner, calling you a clan servant that was stuck with him. He didn't even meet your gaze when he lied, already knowing that you weren't going to protest.

You watched as he spoke to Mitsuri, seemingly sticking to the woman to avoid you. The other hashiras began to speak to you, curious on what it was like to live with the Serpent Hashira. You answered the questions with practiced ease even as you could feel bile rising to your throat.

He was ashamed of you. Disgustingly ashamed of you and your marriage. Silence stretched between the two of you as you walked home. His gaze glossing over you as if you weren't there. Perhaps he was imagining that you didn't exist, you could never tell with him.