#Guest Muse Sangonomiya Kokomi

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The Divine Priestess listened intently to everything Gorou said, and she responded to every question he posed to her. While she had no idea who had caused the General to begin feeling things that didn't pertain to the war they'd been locked in for some time, at least it hadn't happened in the midst of it. She gave him her word, that she would support whatever he chose to do. As he asked if he needed to have relations with whoever made him feel the way he did, her response was a very short and soft laugh.

"Whatever you choose, General, you know I will be here to support you,"

She understood what he meant as well. Of course, given what he and the rest of the army had been focused on, she wasn't surprised he'd not known about what she explained to him. Not everyone did.

"I do not find you foolish, Gorou. While you did not know what was happening, you came to me instinctively, because you had a feeling I would know what it was that was bothering you, and I did."

---

After hunting, fishing, and even doing some foraging, the Oni would return to the new temporary living space for the Gang. He and Shinobu would sit and begin making a fairly nutrient dense dish for the five of them to share. The beverage they opted for was a tea they had plenty of. When in moments together like this, the Gang likely looked like a real family.

"I'm takin' night watch again. Ya know me, I prefer it,"

He spoke, not worried about the others objecting. He knew Shinobu was fine during the day, and he never slept long when he did sleep, so in the end it worked out for the group. The boys, being Visionless, were often sent foraging when they woke. Or they were assigned various small tasks that were well within their abilities.

As the sun set, the Yokai would look toward the water and watch the various colors it turned. Watching the oranges and reds as they 'moved' upon the deep blue was nice. Luckily, the area he'd found for them would be safe for some time. While none of them had a proper bed, cot, or bedroll, they were still happy since they were together, and the Oni was happy to be around them just as much.

After the Gang, including Shinobu fell asleep, he found his thoughts wandering to what it was he could have done to offend the General. He'd just lean back and cross his arms over his chest, trying to think about anything other than seeing how Gorou had reacted to being in his general vicinity.

★ ━━━━━━ As they had their conversation, Gorou was made aware of things that he never knew about, but it was now information that he held close, it was important that he knew how it all worked, and where he laid in the scheme of things.

"I should go apologize." His ears flickered as he had a slight pained expression on his face, he was a little afraid.

"So this means that I have to... erm... have relations with whoever made me this way?" He felt a little weird saying it out loud, but he needed to come to terms with it all.

"This might be harder than the war..."

Finishing his tea and share of the snacks, the General stood, but hesitated to move right away. "Priestess... I feel foolish for not knowing all of this, I appreciate your generosity."

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The Divine Priestess didn't look at her General in pity or anything of the sort. After all, the Resistance had numerous platoons, however small they were. After she gave him the tea and snacks, she'd move to sit across from him and fold her hands atop the table, offering Gorou a very small smile. As he spoke, she would take the time to listen to his words.

"General Gorou you know I am happy to discuss things with you. If it pertains to your health you may need to be more descriptive,"

The young woman respected Gorou, and she was well aware of various things pertaining to most of the members of the army. While they were small in number she was the primary doctor for everyone due to her healing abilities, which was fine by her. As Gorou went on to say more about what was going on, she would let out a soft 'hm'.

"It is about your body, correct? Let me ask you this, did the sensations, or feelings begin around anyone in particular? You needn't tell me their name, of course, I will respect your privacy."

A small hand would lift her own cup of tea before she took a sip and let out a soft hum, her eyes never leaving Gorou's face. The General would know that she, as the resident primary doctor for the whole of the Rebel Army, knew something. After she set her cup back upon the saucer, she would offer him a small smile.

"These feelings, however foreign to you, are completely natural."

She would go into detail, explaining various points about what was happening to Gorou. Any question he asked, she answered with professionalism, and kindness. As his friend, she owed him much, and as the Divine Priestess, she felt that perhaps she owed him even more.

---

"Alright, this place is safe. I just finished a perimeter and there ain't a single scent of blood, or death nearby. We should be good here for a while,"

The Oni would start getting things set back up, Shinobu, and the boys aiding him. Rather than using a common firepit, they opted for one that the Boss had, had crafted at the blacksmiths. It left no evidence behind even after it was used, and they could use it for making meals.

"I'm gonna go huntin', and maybe catch some fish while I'm at it. Hold down the fort, Shinobu."

He'd head out shortly after he finished speaking, chuckling as he listened to Shinobu bark orders at the boys. He was glad to have his friends at his side, but he couldn't help but think about Gorou's reaction to being near him. He wasn't sure what he'd done wrong and he was at a loss as to how he could fix it.

Of course, he didn't think he'd see the brunette again. Not after the other left so suddenly.

★ ━━━━━━ It was such a relief to see Kokomi, and it felt like he could breath a little easier, and he went inside and took a seat, letting his shoulders drop a bit, but still he was unsettled by the feelings he was having.

It hurt for him to come back injured, Gorou never liked seeing Kokomi frowning, and he hoped she'd smile again after he picked her brain about things.

Sipping at the tea, Gorou waited for her to sit and give him her attention, picking at the snack she presented, he often enjoyed her hospitality.

"Lady Sangonomiya," He began, ears twitching as he set down the tea and pillowed his fingers in his lap, tail curled against his side. "I've come to request your advice about something... bothering me." His face flushed a little as he thought back to all the happenings with him and Itto prior to going back to the island.

"I've been having strange urges, and sensations I can't put into words. Do you have any insight into anything like this? If I need to be more to the point, let me know."

--- ---

He had felt bad, leaving Itto so suddenly, but it was for the best so he could get more educated on what was going on. He'd apologize to the Oni the nest time they crossed paths.

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The Oni had kept watch, and done a few small patrols through the course of the night, and when he fell asleep he'd done so sitting up. When he finally woke, Shinobu was there handing him the latter addressed to him from Gorou. A frown would etch itself across his features as he read over it before sighing. For some reason he felt like the other taking off before he was fully healed was his fault but he couldn't really place the 'why'.

"The Doggie General took off, he wanted me to thank ya for takin' care of his wound, and cleanin' him up,"

The Deputy of the Arataki Gang would hum before pointing out that it was actually he who had done most of the wound tending. She'd merely cleaned the General up after the Boss brought him back to the temporary camp the night he'd found him. Of course, it wasn't like the Yokai was going to take credit. He never seemed to whenever it came to helping others, plus most people assumed he couldn't do those things. He just let them.

"Anyway, we best pack up and get a move on. With how close I found him all beat up, it's best we move on from here for now."

He hated the war, and while it was winding down, there were still skirmishes happening every so often. The Gang had just happened upon the location of one such situation when Gorou was found injured. The Oni's nose was good at tracking things down and he always made sure his Gang was safe by going in first if he felt or smelt anything dangerous.

---

Gorou was correct with where he felt the Divine Priestess was located, Kokomi was outside the front of the shrine. She'd smile upon seeing him before a small frown would appear upon her face as her eyes fell upon the bandage on his arm. She'd known that there was a chance he and his men would run into an enemy but she'd not expected him to come home injured.

Rather than saying anything, she'd usher him inside, give him some relaxing tea, and a small plate of a favored snack he had so they could talk. After all, her intuition was telling her, that her General needed to speak to her privately. She'd tell the guards outside to tell any visitors that she was busy, but she'd get back to them as soon as she had time.

---

Even if Gorou returned to where he'd last seen the Arataki Gang, there wouldn't be a trace of them ever having made camp there. That was one of the perks of using the surroundings to make a camp, once you cleared the twine, or rope holding things in place, it went back to being nothing but the natural surroundings.

★ ━━━━━━ His body still buzzed even though he was far from Itto, but how far would have to go to be rid of the warmth in his chest, the unmistakable tingle in his nethers, the slight sting in his tail.

He slept alright, but wanted to bite himself to feel something other than the odd sensations his body was giving him, any other source of activity to focus on, even if it meant hurting himself to divert his brain--though he never acted upon it, just thinking real hard about it.

As the Sun started to rise Gorou rose with it, he was an early riser, being with Lady Sangonomiya the General had learned to rise early to be productive during the day.

Getting up and around, he set the plate back where he had found it, and checked on everything to make sure Itto and his gang were safe. He really wanted to talk to the Lady about what was going on, she might have more insight to it than he did.

Maybe after speaking with her he could rectify the awkwardness he had with Itto only hours earlier. He did feel bad about being unable to explain anything because he didn't know what he had been feeling, and still didn't.

Getting out a scrap of parchment from a pouch he had, he took ashes to write a note.

"Arataki, Forgive me for leaving so abruptly. I never really thanked you for the rescue, be sure to tell Shnobu-san she did well with tending to my arm, also I don't smell like battle anymore. I will be heading back to Watatsumi to consult Lady Sangonomiya on a number of matters, so we may not see each other for a while. We'll see each other if fate permits. General of the Watatsumi Army, Gorou"

Moving onward, Gorou left the camp, heading toward a beach where he kept a boat to travel back to the Island. The water wasn't harsh in any way, and Gorou was able to make an easy trip within a few hours.

From the beach on the south side, Gorou made his way up the mountains to reach the Shrine, where he figured Lady Sangonomiya was.

His body still felt strange even though he was far from Itto. Something had to be going on, and Gorou was sure he could get answers.