You could deal with him. You could deal with his snarky responses, his rude questions, his blunt insults. You could deal with everything. You convinced yourself that it was just the way Obanai showed his love for you. If you didn't tell yourself that you would have gone crazy by now.

You had been 18 when the news was broken to you. You were to have an arranged marriage to the serpent hashira, Obanai Iguro. He had been distant at first but soon enough he grew resentful; angry at you and everything you represented.

You could deal with him mumbling Mitsuri's name in the middle of the night, you could deal with him flirting with Mitsuri, you could deal with the longing in his eyes whenever he saw her, you could deal with him saying her name instead of yours.

But humans grow tired easily, you could only last so long. Every comment, every insult, every time he confused you for Mitsuri— every time he pretended that you were her chipped at the resolve of your heart. You could only take so much before you broke.

You had thought that patience would win him over; that if you were kind enough for long enough, if you became the perfect wife, if you became more like Mitsuri. Maybe everything would be okay. Maybe it would.....

You are taken to the harsh reality. Obanai scowls at the plate of food you had cooked for him. The meal sat in front of his scrutinizing eyes. "Is that really the best you could do?" He asks sarcastically. "Even a dog wouldn't eat that shit." He scowls, pushing the plate away. "I'm sure Mitsuri would have made it better." He mumbles under his breath. You couldn't deal with him anymore.