#but then again if you pick from the oda forces then you get to spend more time with them and all so :(((

[foundmywei]

Soukoku Fanfic Recs

Here are my favorite skk fics, I will be updating this as I read. Feel free to rec more in the replies. Enjoy!

(last updated: 27/12/2023)

Masterpost

Do I Get My Worthless Reward Yet? by World_Ender22

canon-divergence

(40,986 words | Teen And Up Audiences | Chapters: 10/10)

Chuuya has always been certain of two things: he is going to die young, and it will be Corruption that kills him. So when the Boss orders him to use his Corrupted form without an out, he is neither surprised nor distressed. He simply does what he's told. When Dazai learns that the whole thing is a ploy to make him rejoin the Mafia, he plans to beat Mori at his own game... starting with convincing Chuuya to join the Armed Detective Agency. / Soukoku

hide the truth by writingfromtheshadows

canon-divergence

(24,611 words | Not Rated | Chapters: 1/1)

When Chuuya wakes up in the middle of an ongoing fight without any memory of how he got there or what happened to him, he ends up turning to someone saved as 'bandage-waster' in his phone. Somehow, it just feels like the right decision.

Willful Neglect by timeisdancing

canon-divergence

(27,915 words | Mature | Chapters: 10/10)

"Dazai..." Chuuya's voice comes out too tight and small, unlikely to ever reach Dazai. His hand lifts shakily, in some dazed attempt to stop him. There is panic wild and fast in his chest, the beginnings of hyperventilation, his breaths shallow and quick.

Something's wrong, something's wrong—

This hurts too much, it's not supposed to be like this—

His vision is blurring, and his head is taut and aching with the stress and anxiety and so much anguish that he can barely comprehend it.

The last of Dazai's hazy form disappears, far in the distance. _______

Forced into a difficult situation, Dazai has to leave Chuuya behind post-Corruption without his usual thorough check-up. Only, he has no idea just what state Chuuya was in as he was walking away from him that night.

Grief is a good teacher on how to value those you love. When he gets Chuuya back, Dazai uses his lessons well.

I'll Always Come for Chuuya by timeisdancing

PM skk era

(11,550 words | Not Rated | Chapters: 4/4)

A memory comes to him; in the dark as they lay in bed, a small whisper between their faces, a secret moment, Promise Chuuya won't ever use Corruption when I'm not there?

What if you're not there and I have no choice? Chuuya asked.

Chuuya has to wait for me. I don't care what's happening. Chuuya has to wait.

Chuuya stares down at his screen, hidden again behind some debri. There is still no response. His hand tightens around it, tremulous. He had to have seen it by now. Dazai's phone is always in his pocket.

Shit. Does he really not give a damn anymore?

He remembers a small smile, eyes gentle and deep and dark. I'll always come for Chuuya.

Liar.

______

Dazai has been distant with Chuuya these days, seeming to have grown bored of him and has been spending more and more time with Oda Sakunosuke. This sudden rift has consequences, and Chuuya will be the one to bear it.

picking a flower that blooms on the heart for you by burgundytshirt

hanahaki AU

(44,643 words | Mature | Chapters: 9/9)

The question is obvious at this point.

To die, or to ask Dazai for help?

Chuuya is so choked by this question that his breakfast is lodged in his throat, unable to be swallowed.

(Or, Chuuya would much rather die than let Dazai find out he has hanahaki disease.)

it's easy, if it's you by lunarumbra

fake dating AU

(16,500 words | Teen And Up Audiences | Chapters: 1/1)

“And then you promised that you’d do anything I asked no matter what it is? We made a contract and everything!” Chuuya produces a laminated scrap of paper decorated with clumsy script and a couple of misspelled words and - yeah, there's no mistaking it. It’s definitely 10 year-old Dazai’s handwriting.

Or: Chuuya needs a date for a wedding in France.

teenage nightmares commit atrocities by forever_wandering

PM skk era

(107,063 words | Mature | Chapters: 22/22)

“Tsushima Shuuji,” Chuuya reads out loud. “A bright, optimistic young man with a pep in his step and a zest for life. Hang on–is this referring to you?” “Unfortunately,” Dazai laments, sighing dramatically. “You just got away with ‘science nerd’ and ‘soccer player,’ but I’m supposed to be an artist! I hate art! It’s useless!” “Shut the fuck up. That’s not the problem here. You? A ‘zest for life?’ Looking forward to each new morning? Hah! Rimbaud would sooner come back to life.” Dazai turns to Chuuya with the barest facsimile of a smile painted over his lips. “I,” he says sweetly, “am going to gut you open like a fish.”

Dazai and Chuuya are seasoned mafiosos at the ripe old age of almost-seventeen. They’ve fought gang wars, interrogated prisoners, and done all manner of unspeakable things. Now, they face their greatest challenge yet: going (undercover) to a real high school. With regular teens (who may or may not be desperately trying to get them to kiss). One thing’s for sure: this school is unprepared for the absolute calamity that is Double Black.

This is how it feels to take a fall by forest_raccoon

canon divergence, temporary MCD

(20,602 words | Mature | Chapters: 9/9)

Gazing down into those blank, empty blue eyes, Dazai felt something shatter inside him. And in the wake of the destruction, the emptiness, he was flooded by sudden, ice-cold clarity. It wasn't okay. But it would be. He would make it okay.

[Or, something unthinkable happens, and Dazai goes more than a little feral in his attempt to reverse it.]

Narrow Staircases by rutu14

time travel

(31,045 words | Teen And Up Audiences | Chapters: 1/1)

The last thing Chuuya expects while overseeing a routine shipment is for his sixteen year old self to appear out of thin air.

all my own by halfbloom (diphylleias)

PM skk era

(17,473 words | Teen And Up Audiences | Chapters: 1/1)

“A day off?” Chuuya echoes, blinking slowly. “Yes,” Mori repeats with a chuckle, but it sounds like an order this time. “A day off. Do with it as you please.” And right as Chuuya is opening his mouth to ask why, Mori perks up and says, “Ah, I instructed Dazai-kun to take the day off as well.” He smiles serenely. “So you two may spend it together, if you’d like.” Chuuya’s eye twitches.

In between carnival games and ice cream stands, Chuuya learns a thing or two at seventeen about normalcy, cotton candy, and hand-holding.

Around We Go (And Back Again) by zombiemarker

canon-divergence

(24,247 words | Teen And Up Audiences | Chapters: 7/7)

Corruption takes a toll, the mafia doesn't care for weakness, and the ADA has a bad habit of picking up traumatized gay orphans.

In which the author beats the shit out of the characters in order to make them happier and healthier later. Also ADA Chuuya.

bite your tongue by soupthatistoohot

canon-divergence

(20,709 words | Teen and Up Audiences | Chapters: 1/1)

The Armed Detective Agency receives a mission to investigate and take down an assassin group that has been targeting high-profile individuals through a very specific method: first, the target is sent into an unwakeable sleep for a week, and second, when they wake up, they are unable to speak. Third and last, they die of a heart attack two weeks later. Ranpo suggests negotiating with the Port Mafia for the aid of executive Chuuya Nakahara, wanting to have Double Black at their disposal. But when Chuuya arrives… he cannot speak. Chuuya Nakahara has been targeted, and supposedly, he has two weeks left until he is killed.

all the holes we had to breathe by airiena

canon universe

(18,220 words | Teen and Up Audiences | Chapters: 1/1)

“...Are you in a hurry or something?” Chuuya inquires, hand instinctively reaching out to wipe at the corner of Dazai’s mouth, successfully getting rid of the crumbs, before he realizes what he’s doing and freezes. “Yeah.” Dazai all but breathes. He is golden, when Chuuya takes in his appearance. He is a golden thing, dimmed, beaten, snuffed out, full of scratches but is still so human and so real despite what he always seems to believe that it makes the redhead want nothing but to take him into his arms and hide him from the heavy, heavy world and soothe all his aches and kiss all his scars— “I’m in a hurry, because I’ve already lost too much time.”

death offers no absolution by Zairielon

canon-divergence

(62,063 words | Mature | Chapters: 10/10)

After so many years in the Port Mafia, Chuuya thought he couldn't be phased by anything - that he had carried out the worst orders that would ever be given to him. Then he sees things he never saw before. He sees horror, cruelty, needless suffering. He sees death in every step he takes. Chuuya is only human, too. Eventually, he breaks. OR, Chuuya leaves the Port Mafia and attempts to escape his bloodstained past.

like a piece of glass by kagshina

PM & present era

(10,554 words | Teen And Up Audiences | Chapters: 2/2)

The first time it happened, naturally, was after a fight. Chuuya couldn’t even remember what it was exactly that started the fight, only that Dazai said something to piss him off and it had escalated from there.  Somehow, they ended up here—with Dazai saying, “I can kiss better than you.”

Over every extinguished past by tucuxi

canon-divergence

(16,590 words | Teen And Up Audiences | Chapters: 1/1)

It’s been a little more than a month since everything almost went to shit, since the Armed Detective Agency and Port Mafia faced off against Dostoyevsky, since Yokohama almost lost its fragile, balanced peace.

And it’s also been just about a month since Ranpo emerged from Poe’s book, all pride and glowing accomplishment for solving 500 murders in a week, and just a passing comment about the other guy losing patience and starting punching people.

--

Chuuya emerges from Poe's book, exhausted, to discover that Dazai has been severely injured. Standing guard in the Agency's infirmary, Yosano, Kunikida, and Chuuya find unexpected common cause in their desire to keep Dazai in one piece despite his best efforts to hide his vulnerabilities from everyone around him.

Snow White and the Huntsman by paranoid_fridge

dead apple aftermath

(1,453 words | General Audiences | Chapters: 1/1)

They're alive against all odds, but the fight continues without them. Huddled against a crumbling wall, Chuuya and Dazai find themselves discussing fairytales and their own roles, and (they will later blame adrenaline/near-death experiences/ general after-battle delirium) accidentally confess. Or something like that. The words 'true love' are used, however.

One more time with feelings by Root (Fyki)

PM & present era

(12,584 words | Explicit | Chapters: 6/6)

He didn't say anything, just waiting for Chuuya to keep going. The lack of an angry response at being ignored picked at Dazai's interest, but it was Chuuya's next words that finally made him lift his eyes and properly look at him. "Have you- have you ever kissed someone?" That, Dazai hadn't expected. (Five times Dazai kissed Chuuya and pretended it meant nothing, and one time he kissed him and couldn't deny it meant everything.)

A mission gone wrong - BSD / BNHA Crossover by Unicornfairycat

BSD / BNHA crossover, time travel

(57,458 words | Teen And Up Audiences | Chapters: 20/20)

The Armed Detective Agency and Port Mafia are asked to investigate "amplified abilities" around Yokohama. After initial complaints, Dazai and Chuuya agree to work together. Their group manages to find the culprit and devises a plan to apprehend them. It's supposed to be foolproof but something goes horribly wrong. Dazai and Chuuya are sucked into an amplified portal which teleports them into the future. Two hundred years.

They land in the middle of a highschool and learn that abilities have become much more common and are now called quirks. As they figure out a way back to their time, they have to act as teachers for the hero course students in class 1-A, in return for U.A. to help them out with housing, I.D. and information gathering.

Silent sorrows / Loud feelings by foundmywei

canon-divergence

(8,406 words | Teen And Up Audiences | Chapters: 1/1)

But there was no God of destruction trying to take over him. Chuuya, quietly standing in the agency’s infirmary with his partner’s cold hand in his, came to the crushing realization that he had lost the one person he had always wished to keep close.

Or, a mission requires Dazai to fake his death. He doesn’t think informing Chuuya about it is necessary.

STORM by foundmywei

future fic, aged up characters

(37,258 words | Mature | Chapters: 7/7)

Osamu had thought of countless things he wanted to tell Chuuya once he saw him again, but what ended up leaving his mouth was, "Did you get shorter?"

Chuuya stared at him in silence for a few moments before he let out a sigh, rubbing his temple. "So you're still acting like a child."

Or, after six more years of separation, Osamu and Chuuya find their way back to each other again. Some things have changed, and some have not. One thing is certain, though; Soukoku are going to make their love drama everybody’s problem.

Stay by the_most_happy

canon-divergence

(23,699 words | Mature | Chapters: 1/1)

“Oi, Dazai, what are they saying, anyway? Too many people. It gets confusing.”

The detective smirks.

“They are just discussing the budget for the next mission. Kunikida insists he wants an ice cream, a drone, and a goat.”

From the Port Mafia dungeon to the depths of Meursault, Dazai and Chuuya keep finding each other.

They fall in love all over again — or, maybe, they never stopped.

That’s all.

clear skies by burgundytshirt

canon compliant

(2,860 words | Teen And Up Audiences | Chapters: 1/1)

When Chuuya, wounded in combat, bumps into his ex-partner in the streets, he pretends that he’s fine as they banter like usual. Except halfway through tugging at Dazai’s collar, Chuuya suddenly passes out into Dazai’s arms.

I'll Make A Home In Your Gut Because its Somewhere Warm to Sleep by arahabakii

canon universe

(8,959 words | Mature | Chapters: 1/1)

After what felt like a lifetime, Dazai softly said “thank you.” The softness of his voice sent shivers down his spine. “For what?” Chuuya whispers, too afraid that if he spoke too loudly in this moment, it would disappear before his eyes. “For today,” Dazai confesses, brown eyes staring into blue ones, in the hopes that he might drown in them forever. “For just seeing me.” “Do you always thank people by kissing them?” “No,” Dazai whispered with a trembling breath. “Just you.” OR In a moment of weakness and vulnerability, the underworlds deadliest duo after 7 years, find a new sense of solace and comfort in one another.

Replaceable by timeisdancing

canon-divergence

(17,012 words | Not Rated | Chapters: 6/6)

Chuuya is scrabbling frantically at Mori's hands around his throat, his eyes wide. His body glows a faint red, fizzles out like a cough. "You can't even use your powers when you're like this, can you, Chuuya-kun?" "Mori, he is hurt." Dazai's voice rasps with controlled anger. Mori ignores him. "I can't tell where Dazai's plan begins and your stupidity ends, but regardless, such information should have never come out of that mouth of yours. What did you think? That such treachery will be forgiven and you will be made an exception? By the rules of the mafia, you are a traitor." ____ When one of Dazai's plans go too far, it inadvertently leads to Chuuya's death sentence. While in the dungeon cellars together facing the consequences, Dazai takes care of Chuuya and tries to save him.

Run Away With Me by timeisdancing

dark era

(5,306 words | Not Rated | Chapters: 1/1)

He must have knocked. Some time after, the door hauls open. "That's just great," the short redhead in the doorway sighs with disgust, all silken lavender yukata and flat eyes, "Just what I needed after a long flight back home. Shitty Dazai, the last thing I want right now is to see your ugly-ass face, so fuck off out of here." Dazai is staring at Chuuya blankly, and can't remember what made him think he could come here. "Right." His whisper is thin, raspy. Right. Of course. Like a ghost that doesn't know it's dead, he turns around, and he begins to leave just the way he came. "Dazai?" _______ After Odasaku's death, Dazai ends up at Chuuya's door, rain-soaked, dissociated and grieving.

I Was Never Meant to Last by timeisdancing

16 skk

(17,391 words | Mature | Chapters: 1/1)

Dazai ends up in a coma after his most serious suicide attempt yet. He has left three letters, one of them being for Chuuya. Sitting at the bedside of his comatose body, Chuuya tries to understand. ______ Dazai is falling. In the orange glow of sunrise, the waves of his hair are fanning around him, and his dark eye is wide with fear and shock, his hand outstretched towards Chuuya. Chuuya is not even thinking anymore. All he can see is that hand reaching for him as he launches off against the balustrade and falls after him. He uses his ability to make himself heavier, his own drop faster, his hand reaching for Dazai right back. It's only when he catches Dazai in his arms, holding his head tight against his own shoulder and trying to fly back up that he remembers; this won't work. He must have been really out of his mind to have forgotten it at all.

Lessons in Kissing by timeisdancing

18 skk

(8,101 words | Not Rated | Chapters: 1/1)

At eighteen, Chuuya doesn't know how to kiss. Dazai teaches him how. _ "I think you broke my nose," Dazai says faintly, finally letting Chuuya remove his hands. He frowns as Chuuya angles his head a bit to look at it. Dazai presses the back of a quick finger to the underside of his nose, blinking. "I'm bleeding, aren't I? I think I'm bleeding?" Chuuya rolls his eyes, letting him go. "Your nose is fine. It's not bleeding either, so stop bein' so dramatic about it." "Chuuya should kiss it better." "Hah!" Chuuya exclaims, "Shut the hell up, you! This doesn't give ya a free pass to say such bullshit just 'cuz I'm doing this with you!" Dazai is staring ahead, his eyes hazy. "Ugh, yeah. I'm pretty grossed out too now at what I just said. Where were we? Oh, right." He looks back at Chuuya, focused again. "So… this time… go slow, okay? I know you're excited to kiss my pretty face and all but - " "DAZAI!" Chuuya's voice is high and wild, bordering on a screech. He's starting to regret this already. "But you have to make sure you can actually see where my pretty face is instead of just banging into me."

Doll Parts by the_most_happy

post meursault

(8,367 words | Mature | Chapters: 1/1)

“Chuuya, what—?”

Chuuya grasps at Dazai’s bolo tie, fingers shaking and cheeks turning paler by the minute.

“I had nowhere else to go.”

Or: Shot during a mission, Chuuya crawls to the only person he trusts — his traitor ex-partner.

If you refuse to listen I’ll say it twice, love of my life by olympiansally

canon universe

(15,207 words | Mature | Chapters: 1/1)

There’s Atsushi, Dazai’s star pupil. There’s Fyodor, arguably Dazai’s soulmate, a single mind in two bodies. There’s Kunikida, Dazai’s partner. There’s Oda, the reason Dazai wants to live. And then there’s Chuuya. If he asked Dazai to define him, to name his purpose, Chuuya already knows what he would hear. Chuuya is his dog, Chuuya is a slug, Chuuya is a chibi. And sure, maybe he is. But none of that is enough. Or, Chuuya can’t figure out what he means to Dazai exactly, but if he would only listen, he would realize that Dazai has been telling him all along.

the void is loud and wants tuna by mistflowerxuan

canon universe, arahabakitty

(5,028 words | General Audiences | Chapters: 1/1)

Port Mafia Executive Nakahara Chuuya is a formidable man, the strongest ability user and is terrifying on the battlefield. He has been through indescribable horrors and has come out of those battles stronger for it. And so, there is not much in this world that can truly startle him. An eldritch abomination curled up on his chest, vaguely shaped like a cat and purring might do the trick.

The last string to sever by foundmywei

canon universe, time-travel, temporary mcd

(18,430 words | Mature | Chapters: 1/1)

“Chuuya!” he shouted, hopping, begging for a reply, even if it was a mindless howl. But no reply ever came. Chuuya’s movements suddenly halted, his body remaining unmoving in the air for a second before it started moving again, limbs turning and twisting in a way a human body shouldn’t allow. The only sound filling the unbearable silence of the night was that of Chuuya’s bones breaking.

Dazai had never thought about what life would be like without Chuuya; a mission gone wrong forces him to find out. Thankfully, he gets a second chance to fix things.

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Ikemen Sengoku - Kanetsugu

These translations are not intended as a replacement for the game. Please support Cybird by buying their stories. Expect grammatical errors.

Kanetsugu: "Mai, are you listening?"

(Crap! I wasn’t listening.)

Lost in thought, I looked up in surprise at Kanetsugu’s voice and perhaps sensing my reaction, he explained again.

Kanetsugu: “I said I’d be away for a few days tomorrow on an inspection tour.”

Kanetsugu: “You’ve been spacing out ever since you got back. You can talk to me if you have something on your mind.”

(Ugh, he got me.)

Mai: “Actually, I heard from Yoshimoto that most samurai and noble families marry for political reasons.”

Mai: “Family ties are important in this era, so I’m just wondering if you’re also taking it into consideration.”

(If that’s the case, I’m not good enough for him.)

I barely swallowed those words.

Still unable to shake off my worry, he sighed dismissively.

Kanetsugu: “If I could give you up for that reason, I would’ve done so from the start.”

Kanetsugu: “From the moment you gave me permission to love you, you’re the only person I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

Mai: “Kanetsugu...”

His serious gaze conveyed his feelings more than anything else.

Mai: “I feel the same way.”

Unable to resist, I leaned forward.

Mai: “If I eventually end up getting married, I want you to be my groom.”

Mai: “Just imagining it really makes me happy. I’ll make sure to tell you every day how much I love you!”

Kanetsugu: “Okay. I understand, so calm down.”

Mai: "No."

Kanetsugu: "You…"

(Mnn!)

I tried to give him more loving words, but he glared at me ferociously and took my lips forcibly.

Kanetsugu's kisses were forceful yet seductively sweet.

Mai: "Mnn..."

Kanetsugu: "Ha... You finally quieted down."

His voice was full of heat as he said it teasingly.

(Even his voice is sweet. I can't believe I can feel it.)

His voice was usually cold, but right now, it sounded hot, making my body tremble.

Kanetsugu: "Can you still stand? You're as sensitive as ever."

Mai: "I..."

Kanetsugu: "If not, then get up and walk to the bedroom yourself."

Kanetsugu: "If you can't, I'll carry you."

Mai: "I can't."

Even though I knew he was being mean to me, my heart was pounding in my chest.

I rubbed my head against his shoulder sweetly, and I heard him gulp for a moment.

Kanetsugu: "As a reward for your honesty, I will spoil you tonight. Prepare yourself."

With my heart beating wildly, he declared that seductively and carried me to our room.

Kanetsugu: "Earlier, you said you were concerned about my status, but in front of you, I'm just a man who loves you."

Kanetsugu: "Remember that."

(Kanetsugu...)

The words of love he whispered to me filled my heart passionately.

The next day, I was alone in my room, groaning.

(I can't just let him pamper me.)

(I may be an Oda princess on the outside, but the truth is, I'm just a commoner.)

Unfortunately, I didn't have the education that a princess of a samurai clan should have.

(I'd like to at least learn the minimum requirements to be a couple.)

(Alright, I'll ask someone!)

A few days later, when he returned from his inspection tour, his eyes widened, surprised to see me.

Kanetsugu: "What is that tired look on your face and the dark circles under your eyes? What the hell happened to you?"

(What should I do? I can't tell him the truth.)

A few days ago一

------------Flashback------------

Yoshimoto: "Bridal training?"

Mai: "Yup! I heard that etiquette, tea ceremony, and knowledge of poetry are essential for a princess."

Mai: "As the princess of the clan, she's expected to do her due diligence."

Yoshimoto: "Yes. That understanding is correct."

Shingen had once told me that the Imagawa clan strictly trained Yoshimoto in etiquette and other related things.

Remembering this, I went to ask Yoshimoto to help me train as a bride.

Yoshimoto: "Well, you picked the right guy."

Yoshimoto: "Okay. I'll tell you if it's okay with you."

Mai: "Thank you!”

Yoshimoto: "But Shingen is better at poetry. You can learn it from him."

Yoshimoto: "Shingen wouldn't refuse your request if you were to ask him."

---------Flashback Ends---------

That was how I spent the past few days, in between work, deepening my study of this world.

I still carry with me the etiquette book that I borrowed from Yoshimoto.

(I'm tired, but I can't say that since I started this whole thing.)

I decided to tell Kanetsugu only after I learned everything since I did all this to surprise him.

Mai: "Don't worry about it."

Mai: "I'm just in the mood to study, so I haven't been sleeping well."

Kanetsugu: "I see. It's good that you're motivated. I won't interrupt you then."

Kanetsugu: "Did you really think I would say that?"

Mai: "Ah..."

Kanetsugu took the book from my hand and stared at me.

Kanetsugu: "Is there something you're not telling me?"

(Ugh, no use. I can't fool him.)

Attempting to fool him isn't gonna work.

(Besides, he's worried about me, so I don't want to lie to him.)

Mai: "Sorry. I can't tell you now."

Mai: "But I'll tell you when the time is right, so please wait a little longer."

Kanetsugu: "Are you really going to tell me eventually?"

Mai: "Yes, I promise!"

Kanetsugu: "Fine."

He agreed and sighed.

Kanetsugu: "But not today.

Kanetsugu: "I don't want to discredit your efforts, but if you get sick, everything will go to waste."

His kindness made me smile.

Mai: "Well, I'll stop if you kiss me."

Kanetsugu: "What?"

Mai: "Is that not allowed too?"

I begged him, and he raised his eyebrows.

(I know he's not mad at me.)

Knowing this from experience, I waited excitedly for his reply.

(Ah....)

He silently lifted my chin and kissed me lightly.

Our lips overlapped softly for a moment, and he pulled back.

Kanetsugu: "Is this enough?"

Mai: "I want more."

(More begging!)

Feeling nervous, I tried to act a little selfishly, and he sighed deeply.

Kanetsugu: "You really are out of control."

He suddenly hugged my waist and一

Mai: "Kanets...mnn..."

Kanetsugu: "............"

This time, we kissed deeply without pulling apart.

His hot tongue parted my lips and slipped in, making me flinch.

And to make sure I wouldn't go anywhere, he tightened his arms around me.

Kanetsugu: "You asked for it, so you better take it."

Mai: "............"

Instead of nodding, I squeezed my eyes shut, and Kanetsugu laughed between our kisses.

Our kisses grow deeper and deeper, slowly turning our minds numb.

Mai: "Ahhh..."

Kanetsugu: "............"

After our deep, sexy kiss ended, I leaned against him, feeling relaxed.

(I was the one who asked for it, but that was a hell of a kiss.)

Even now, my heart continued thumping, and the heat in my cheeks showed no sign of subsiding.

(Whoa?)

Quickly picking me up, he carried me straight to the futon and slowly lowered me down, making my heart beat even louder again.

Mai: "Kanetsugu..."

Thinking of our time together from now on, I called his name in sweet anticipation.

Kanetsugu: "Mai."

He responded.

Kanetsugu: "I'm telling you, I'm not doing anything today."

Mai: "What!?"

His unexpected comment made me blurt this word loudly.

Mai: "W-Why?"

Kanetsugu: "There's no way I can touch you when you're like that. Go to bed."

Mai: "That's...ah..."

He gently stroked the dark circles under my eyes with his finger.

I felt his affection for me in his eyes, words, and even at his fingertips, making my heart squeeze.

A short time later一

Yoshimoto: "Yeah, you've improved a lot."

Yoshimoto's lessons probably contributed to my improving manners. And even Shingen's.

Shingen: "Good work. You're getting better at using seasonal words and phrases."

Mai: "Really!?"

My poem writing has also shown some growth, albeit gradually.

(Good thing modern Japan included ancient literature in its compulsory education, too. I never thought it would be useful!)

As I was thinking about this, Shingen suddenly spoke to me.

Shingen: "Mai. Someone I know is having a ceremony next time. Would you like to join us?"

Part 1╏Part 2╏Premium╏Epilogue

[the12thnightproject]

Chapter Nine: Girl Talk - Gossip session, assassination attempt, and nudity, oh my...

Shingen x OC; Kenshin x MC (Mai)

Previous Chapter: here

Logline - Disguised as a boy, Katsuko finds herself working for Shingen, but her dangerous masquerade becomes difficult to sustain when she falls for the man with a fatal secret.

Shingen’s early morning visit had ruined any hope I had of getting any quality sleep. While I managed to doze off once, my sleep was fitful, and filled with dreams that began with a promise of continuing what Shingen and I had started at the lake, then slid into the inevitable nightmare of being trapped in a small dark space. Eventually I gave up on sleep, and decided to get an early start on delivering Shingen’s messages, rather than spending another hour staring at the window, waiting for dawn.

The sun was rising when I got into the town, and most shops were not yet open. Still there were plenty of people out and about, travelers wanting to get an early start, shop keepers setting up their stalls for the day, and …

Wait…was that…?

Had that been Kyubei who disappeared between buildings? What was Mitsuhide’s courier doing here? The Oda and the Uesugi-Takeda forces were in an uneasy peace, brokered by both sides’ mutual affection for Mai. If Kyubei was here on Mitsuhide’s reconnaissance, I wanted to know why. Maybe it had something to do with the attack a couple weeks ago?

Abruptly changing directions, I hurried to catch up, but when I got to the alley, the only person there was the owner of the adjacent restaurant, who was tossing scraps of fish to a muddle of homeless cats. “Good morning, Katsu,” he said to me. “You’re out and about early.”

Making friends with the local shopkeepers had paid off. “Good morning, Susumu. My lord had some urgent messages to go out.” I leaned over to scritch the top of the head of a calico as she gnawed on a fish skin. “By chance did you see anyone run through here a moment ago?”

Susumu shook his head. “I stepped outside right before you got here.” He paused in thought. “I did hear something up above though.”

“Thank you.” I bowed to him, then climbed up to the roof. There were some scuff marks on the roof – I followed them across the roof where they dead ended. From here, whoever had made the marks could have either jumped to the next roof or climbed back into the street. I picked rooftop as my best guess, but the trail was already cold. I wasn’t even certain that it had been Kyubei; it had been a blink or you’ll miss it sighting, so maybe I had imagined him? Still – Kyubei would be a very random figure for my imagination to produce. Sure, I occasionally thought I saw Iekane lurking around – but that was understandable, since he still haunted my nightmares. Kyubei hadn’t played nearly that large of a role in my life.

I resolved to pay more attention, to be ready to follow, in case I saw him again.

After returning to the castle, I headed for Shingen’s quarters with the incoming messages. I knocked softly on the door, but there was neither a “come in” nor a “go away” response. I slid the door open wide enough to check if he was there (alone or otherwise).

Of course, he was still asleep, peacefully – after all the disquiet he’d caused me (both as myself and as Katsu) this past night – and (!) under the fabric he had taken from me. For one very brief moment, I was tempted to steal it back, but dismissed that immediately as a very bad idea. Instead, I simply dropped his messages off on his desk, then tiptoed away, pausing at the doorway to look back. He didn’t even snore or drool. Unfair.

Before heading out to the archery grounds, I detoured into the room I had meant to investigate the previous night. Yes, it was a storage room, full of fabric that I presumed Mai had been holding for some project or other. Maybe she’d be willing to inventory it and let me know if anything was missing. Since I was due to meet her soo – whoops, now, and would be late if I didn’t pick up the pace- I stuck that request in the front of my mind.

Inspired by my archery exhibition, Mai was determined to master the skill as well. For a complete beginner, she wasn’t terrible, by which I mean that her arrows at least went in the same general direction as the target. But she was impatient with her progress. “Why can’t I do this?”

“It takes time. When I first started learning, my shots went so far left that I kept hitting the stables.” I sent another arrow to the center of the target. “I’ve been practicing for nearly seven years. How long did it take you to learn how to make clothes like you do?”

“Several years,” she admitted.

She started to say something else, but I wanted to ask about the storeroom before I forgot. “That room by the south garden, where you keep your fabrics. Would you be able to tell if something was missing?”

“Maybe? The expensive and rarer pieces sure. The cottons or hemps, unlikely. Why?” She lifted the bow for another go at the target.

“Don’t keep your elbows locked, or your muscles will be sore later.” I demonstrated the correct stance, before answering her question. “I think there was someone messing around in there last night.”

Mai shrugged. “Probably one of the maids and a vassal having a tryst. Speaking of-”

Oh no, we’re not going there. I gave her a different piece of information to distract her. “Could be. Although I used to be a maid, and by the end of the day I was usually too tired to do anything except sleep.”

Bait taken. “You were a maid before you were a courier?” Mai aimed another arrow and stared at the target until she almost looked cross-eyed.

“Relax your shoulders a little, you’re thinking too hard.” I stepped back and eyed her stance. It otherwise looked fine.  “Mostly I helped in the kitchen… though I scrubbed a lot of floors too. It was the most boring existence I could have possibly imagined, so I was really motivated to acquire other skills.”

“Makes sense.” She gave me a sly look out of the corner of her eye. “By the way, did you enjoy your bath?”

Aaaaand she’s not going to let this go. While I was figuring out how to answer that, she sent another arrow in the general direction of the target.

Air ball.

“Closer. Except you don’t need to stick your tongue out when you aim.” I handed her another arrow. “I mean, you can if it helps, but it does tend to ruin the aesthetics.”

“Noted.” She aimed again, keeping her mouth firmly shut until she sent the arrow… well, nowhere. “So. The lake?”

I got the feeling she already knew what had happened. “It was cold. Very cold.”

Mai giggled. “You wouldn’t have happened to have noticed someone else there, would you? A tall, muscular, flirtatious someone else there?”

Oh, I noticed. I didn’t realize my hand had crept up to touch my lips until Mai giggled again.

“You wouldn’t be asking if you didn’t already know the answer to that.” I figured she was more interested in gossip than a lesson, so I picked up my own bow, aimed and tried to shut out the fact that the mere act of touching my lips and thinking of Shingen had sent a residual buzz through my body.

“Well, it might be possible that a tall, muscular and flirtatious person stopped in to the banquet last night to lecture Sasuke about keeping better track of his ground spikes, and he might also, possibly have mentioned that he sustained the ground spike injury in pursuit of a Moon Goddess.” She wasn’t even pretending to work at this point. “So…?”

Is this what I missed by not having close female friends? “So, Sasuke needs a better ground spike bag. You should get on that, seamstress.” I shut out her words and sent five arrows straight and true to the furthest targets.

“Katsuko, there are hardly any other women around to talk to. I miss hearing details.” She gave me puppy eyes, which was a skill I was unaware she possessed. “I’d be happy to tell you details about Kenshin. Like the fact that he can keep it going all-“

I put my hands over my ears. TMI, Mai. “I don’t need to hear details.”

Mai nodded sagely. “Because it would give you another sex shiver, like the one you had a moment ago when you touched your lips.”

“I did not have a-” realizing I was yelling, I lowered my voice. “Sex shiver.”

I totally had a sex shiver.

I sighed. Fine. Apparently, we were not going to be able to have a conversation that would pass the Bechdel test. “He stole the fabric, bargained for a kiss and I ended up naked in a tree. Can we move on now?”

“Yes.” She aimed, then paused, turning toward me again. “No. At least tell me how the kiss was.”

“It nearly burned my eyebrows off.”

Mai sighed, fanned herself, then asked. “What are you going to do next?”

“Nothing.” I had had a close call, learned my lesson, and Katsuko would never again be seen anywhere near here. There was too much to lose… and nothing to gain. “He thinks she’s a spy.”

“She? You mean you?” Mai turned back to her practice and sent her arrow toward the target. The wind was going to grab it in a second though. “Oh I’m going to … not hit the target. I thought had that one.”

“It was the wind. I could tell you some advice on how to shoot with the wind, but let’s first learn the basics.” I trotted out to retrieve my arrows from the target and pick hers up from the grounds.

“You’re avoiding the subject on purpose!” she called after me.

Yes. Yes I am.

I returned and handed her back her arrows. “It’s easier if you focus and concentrate on what you’re doing.”

I took aim for another shot.

Mai perfectly timed her next question. “You mean you haven’t even considered repeating that experience … or taking it further?”

Reverb.

My shot didn’t get anywhere near the target. Mai smirked at me. “You should focus and concentrate on what you’re doing.”

“Katsu, I’ve never seen you miss a shot that badly,” Yoshimoto said, as he emerged from around the castle carrying a bow and a quiver of arrows.

“Mai distracted me,” I muttered as I set up another shot, concentrated on the wind, and sent the arrow true to the center of the target. There.

Yoshimoto set himself up on the other side of Mai. “How is the lesson going?”

“I haven’t hit the target yet.” Mai sighed, then sent me an evil look. “But I’m learning all kinds of interesting things.”

Luckily, Yoshimoto was too busy setting up his shot to ask for further details. He sent an arrow zipping into the target, although not dead center.

“The wind is terrible,” Mai noted. Then apparently realizing she’d teased me more than enough, she added, “Katsuhira was telling me how he accounts for the wind.”

“It’s not anything magic,” I said. “I just listen. You can hear a shift in direction through the leaves and the grass.”

For a moment we were all quiet. I lined up another shot, my attention fully on the sound of the air and the rustle of the leaves, and it was quiet enough to hear something else – the twang of another bow string in the distance.

I didn’t need to look to know there would be an arrow heading for us, and I was yelling a warning even before I turned to see Yoshimoto move faster than I had ever seen him move, grab Mai’s arm and dive left, covering her with his body, while I somersaulted to the right, landing hard on a rock, as –

The arrow thudded into the ground right past Mai had been standing. If Yoshimoto hadn’t pulled her out of its path, it would have buried itself in her heart.

For a long moment, none of use moved, listening, waiting for another arrow to come zipping out of the sky, but the archer must have decided that now we were on alert, further attempts were too risky.

Then I was running toward the wall, hoping that when I cleared it, I would still have some hope of finding the attacker. But once again, I was too late. All I saw was the cover of trees. There wasn’t even a swaying of branches or broken underbrush to give a hint of a hiding place. Likely whoever had shot at Mai was long gone.

When I returned to the grounds, Mai and Yoshimoto were arguing about whether or not to tell Kenshin. “It’s too soon – I can’t put him through that again,” Mai said. “Maybe it was an accident.”

Yoshimoto and I looked at each other. His mouth was set in a grim, stern line. Not an accident.

No, I didn’t agree with her decision. But I couldn’t overrule her either. Except now, I was the only one with the knowledge that there had been two assassination attempts on someone within Kenshin’s orbit.

The conflict must have shown on my face, because Mai said, “Please, don’t tell anyone, Katsu.”

“It’s not my call.” I sighed. Mai had kept my secret, and I wouldn’t be a very good friend if I didn’t keep hers. “But he needs to know.”

I yanked the assassin’s arrow out of the ground and examined it to see if it had any distinctive markings. The feathers were Sea Eagle – no help, as those were found on practically every coastline. I didn’t immediately notice any other identifiable features. I passed it to Yoshimoto. “Does this look familiar?”

Yoshimoto looked it over, then shook his head. “There’s nothing unusual about it. But even if there were, I doubt I would notice.” Right. Unless Leonardo Da Vinci had painted the Mona Lisa on the shaft, Yoshimoto would be oblivious. He continued. “I agree someone needs to be told though. If not Kenshin, tell Shingen. He’s got resources at his disposal.”

“If you must tell someone.” Mai agreed to this compromise, then elected me to be the bearer of ill tidings. “You work for him anyway.”

So for the second time that morning, I returned to Shingen’s quarters.

I did knock. I did identify myself. He did say enter.

Arrow in hand, I hurried in, the froze in place.

OMGWTFBBQ

I’d been awake for hours, but even that was not fortification enough to process the sight of full frontal Shingen.

[maladaptivedaydreamsx]

If you also play, add me on Ikesen if you'd like~

[fetchisnotawordgretchen]

Headcanons For An Mc Who's Cuddly When They Sleep

Suitors: Nobunaga Oda, Lancelot Kingsley, and Leonardo DaVinci

Otome games used: Ikemen Sengoku, Ikemen Revolution, and Ikemen Vampire

Warnings⚠️: None!

Genre: Really Really fluffy and soft

Summary: How three men would react when you cuddle them up in your sleep

°♡°♡°♡°♡°♡°♡°♡°♡°♡°♡°♡°♡°♡°♡

Nobunaga:

His little fireball is sweet and cuddly while they sleep? He's in love. Nobunaga thinks it's adorable when you softly grab onto him and move closer to his chest.

Even though the warlord will never admit it, he craves sweet pure, physical attention. You're the most important thing to him, so he just loves when you cuddle up to him in the late hours of the night.

It's safe to say he'll always tease you about it the next day. "So Mc, did you enjoy clinging onto me all night? Don't get fired up now I was only teasing you. Besides, it's cute.

Sometimes if he has to work late he'll send Hideyoshi to check on you, to make sure you're not staying up waiting for him.

Nobunaga likes to hold you in your sleep. It makes him feel like he's keeping you safe from all the bad things in the world. He'll pull you close and wrap his arms around you so he can hear your heartbeat. It makes the warlord feel calm, something he hasn't felt until he met you.

"Oh my little fireball you don't know how much you mean to me. I'll love you forever, even past the ends of the earth."

☆▪︎☆▪︎☆▪︎☆▪︎☆▪︎☆▪︎☆▪︎☆▪︎☆▪︎☆▪︎☆

Lancelot:

Lancelot is a pretty still sleeper, so when you cuddle him in your sleep it's safe to say he's very flustered. Though he warms up to it and gets used to the idea of holding you in your sleep.

Infact he looks forward to spending the night with you. As soon as you scoot close next to him he flips you over to your side and becomes the big spoon.

On nights he has work to do he'll take all of his work and put it on the bed, so he doesn't miss a single moment with you.

Lancelot thinks it's sweet and usually doesn't tease you about your snuggling ways. "Why would I joke about something so adorable Mc? I love that you crave my attention during these late hours."

Lancelot would always look forward to coming into bed so you can both enjoy each other's warmth. Sometimes he might even blow off work or sneak away from Jonah just to get a moment alone with you.

"Don't worry about me my love, my work doesn't concern us right now. Let's just take a small nap together so I can hold you tight."

♤♧♤♧♤♧♤♧♤♧♤♧♤♧♤♧♤♧♤♧♤

Leonardo:

Regardless if you're cuddly or not he will always hold you in your sleep, even if you're not asleep he'll still hold you. Leonardo just loves that you try to grab onto him in your slumber.

Sometimes if Leonardo is going to fall asleep in the hallway or library he'll drag you along with him so, he can sleep easier. It's relaxing hearing your heartbeat while breathing in your scent.

Sadly Leonardo's room is filled with so much cool junk which makes his bed rather small. So there's barely any room for you to sleep on the bed, that pretty much forces you to snuggle into Leonardo so you don't fall off.

Leonardo sleeps throughout the day and is usually more active at night, but he's willing to take a break on whatever his tinkering on and sleep with you.

If he has to go to the library for any reason late at night, he'll carry you out of bed into the library so he doesn't leave you. Once he finds the book Leonardo will pick you up once again and go back to his room so you can both sleep.

"Cara mia cuddle closer into my arms so you don't end up on the floor. I did promise you that no harm will come to you in this mansion did I? Good, now C'mon and get cozy next to me."

♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡

That's all! Thanks for supporting me on my last post, it really helps :). I'm trying to branch out into other fandoms so, if you have any suggestions for me don't hesitate to reach out! As always be safe and take care of yourself! Love you!

[darkdevasofdestruction]

S/O Overworks Herself ~ Mitsuhide, Nobunaga, Masamune

Exam session is draining me to hell, I need a break, and 12-16h of studying per day and no sleep ( thx insomnia ) ain’t fun...

-----

MITSUHIDE AKECHI

I mean, this guy is a functional mess too

Masamune mentioned on multiple occasions that Mitsuhide forgets to take care of his basic needs so he has to bring him food and lowkey force him to stop working and eat and drink

But that all changes as soon as he sees you’re doing the exact same thing as he is

Not that he would ever admit it, per se

But he cares and loves you more than he ever loved and will ever love anything and anyone in this world

Especially himself

So you, neglecting yourself???

Unforgivable

Will literally pick you up from your work desk and bring you outside, to a nice tea house that serves delicious warm food as well and will order all your favourite food

Doesn’t matter if you can’t eat everything in one go, he’s more than happy to take everything home

At least he knows he has good things to feed you 

Also, if you think you can get away with working past the sleepy-sleepy time...You are wrong

He will make sure to hide all candles and will get you with him in the futon so you won’t be able to escape his cuddles

Will definitely tease you for being such a diligent and hardworking little bunny, especially if you protest to him stopping you from your work

Albeit, you know he’s right, but you still need to make sure everything is done perfectly, without even a speck of taint

In a very sweet and comforting voice - Something he doesn’t use too often - He will tell you that he’s concerned about your health and only wants what’s best for you

Really, he wants you to live a long life by his side, and what he’s most afraid of is for you to die before him, since he knows he’ll grieve for the rest of his days and it will mess him up big time

And while yes, habits are difficult to break, you’ll at least be more considerate of your work ethics and routines

But you’ll also keep tabs on his overworking 

Despite him literally taking care of a whole country

Mitsu is more important to you than anything else in this world

-----

NOBUNAGA ODA

There’s NOTHING and I mean absolutely NOTHING that will stand between you and your health

Nobunaga is a stubborn ruler and he is a man who always does as he pleases, as long as he knows it’s beneficial for everyone

And, without a doubt, you being in top form is beneficial to you, his most beloved Princess

He half-wishes you’d just stay around and play with make up and play cards, play an instrument for him or dance for or with him

But he knows very well that doing just that is boring as all hell, and would go insane if he had to be put in that position

And he wouldn’t want his beloved firecracker to lose her spark

So he gives you the easier tasks that he does so you’d feel good about being there for him and helping him out with any little thing you can

Nobunaga feels his heart swell with pride whenever he sees you working so passionately just to help him out, and he will show you off and boast about how amazing his Princess is to literally everyone, on every single occasion

But the line is drawn when he sees you working more than him, staying all night to read books to get more informed about said topics, your skin paling, getting subtle dark circles around your eyes, and overall being more quiet because you’re exhausted physically and mentally, but also because you’re so focused on your work

No, no, no, my baby won’t be subjected to such slavery!

May actually lowkey make Mitsunari work more so he would make sure to spend more time with you outside of the castle, on picnic dates, to the theater, maybe a hot spring escapade or just walking around through the flowery fields nearby

He obviously has the best chefs to cook for him, so whether you want it or not, you will have to eat at fixed hours and sleep at fixed hours, the same as him, so you won’t feel that you’re not equal to him, or that he’s a hypocrite.

Will compliment and thank you for everything you’re doing, but will also kiss your forehead and almost beg you to take better care of yourself because he wants you to see him achieve the unification of Japan and he needs you by his side

Because your bright smile can help him fight anything in his path

So, from then on, he’d have you do things that don’t require too much dwelling, or that you can go around shopping, get yourself a nice thing too, or visiting some of the other warlords that you made friends with - Anything to get you out in the fresh air and warm sun

And he’d claim that he wants you to play card games with him, or that he wants to see your make up skills...

Or maybe even that he just wants to lay his head in your lap while you stroke his hair and hum a pretty pretty melody of love to him

Because he can’t stand how tragic and heartbreaking most of the songs are

And he loves you too much to ever allow anything to make his daring Princess sad

------

MASAMUNE DATE

Awwww, his lovely little kitten wants to spend more time with him so she decided to help him out with work~?

That’s the most lovely thing you could do!

Albeit, he may or may not just keep you on his lap, his chin resting on your head, one arm around you while with the other he writes whatever document he has to do

Then again, he’d also like to just stay there and watch you write what he tells you to write, just to admire your calligraphy

Oh, did I mention that he also had you write his name oh-so-beautifully on a scroll that he hung in his room?

But this kind of work isn’t exactly what he does too often, his expertise being in the physical field, training troops and all that

And after the many incidents that put you in danger so many times before when you were taken as a lucky charm on the battlefield...

He would make sure you are very well trained - By HIS standards - And he has high standards

But he’s never tough on you, since you’re his woman and he has such a soft spot for his little kitten

You can see, however, that he’s still worried, so in between the work you do from home, you go to the forest nearby to train and train and train until you can’t anymore

It doesn’t take Masamune long to realise what is going on, especially when he sees how overly exhausted you are, and how you basically fall flask in his arms like you have no energy in you

Which you don’t 

So, instead of letting you train by yourself with no idea about what training ethics are, or how you should be training, he would come to the place where you’re training and bring you the heavenly food and tea he prepared for you and will properly instruct you on what to do and how much

Because overworking your mind and body actually works in your disadvantage

So he convinces you to live a healthier life style by taking everything in moderation, while also having a ton of fun

All while being together, because he wants to his kitten to laugh and be happy

If he ever sees that you’re even the littlest bit tired, he will pick you up bridal style, or put you on his back, get you home and it’s time for snacks and cuddles!

Also, more often than not, he will come up with intricate ‘training’ methods, including playing in the river, going horse-riding through the forest, crafting things, practicing archery, climbing trees and so many more

Because, in the end, no matter how scared he is of somehow losing you to the war, you’re still his beloved and would never be able to treat you like a soldier

You’re his cute little kitten and he will protect you no matter what

So keep on having your claws stuck in his clothes, and he will never let go either

[patchwork-panda]

“I won’t do anything. Probably.” (BSD OdaSaku x Reader) Part 2/3

Title: “I won’t do anything. Probably”

Genre: Comedy/Romance/soft angst/smut

Rating: Part 2 is semi-nsfw. Part 3 is 18+ (NC-17 aka nsfw)

Reader-insert is written as afab (gender non specified, so can be femme or nonbinary but IS shorter than OdaSaku) and 20+

CW: afab language, kissing

Plot: You are a member of the Port Mafia who has been sent on a “cleanup” job with Oda Sakunosuke, who you have a crush on but won’t admit it. You don’t finish the job until very late at night, at which point, you’re forced to check into a hotel. But there’s just one problem:

There’s only one room left.

And only one bed.

AO3 link for full fic: HERE

@calamityismyspecialty​ you asked to be tagged specifically, so here ya go! :3

“You really shouldn’t have cut him off like that, you know,” Oda says as you stalk down the hall. “It was pretty rude of you.”

“Rude?”

You snort.

“If I cared about being polite, do you think I would’ve joined the Port Mafia of all places?”

Oda shrugs.

“I don’t know.”

There’s a beat of silence. Oda speaks again.

“Did you? Actually choose to join, that is?”

Instead of answering, you walk faster.

The distance between you grows.

“When do you think the rain will stop?” you ask, after a pause.

You don’t look back at him as you speak, but you hear a soft rustling of fabric, as if Oda is calmly shrugging behind you from down the hallway.

“I dunno,” he replies, confirming your guess.

His tone is polite. Even. He doesn’t seem at all offended that you completely ignored his question.

“Early morning, perhaps?”

You sigh.

“In other words, we’re gonna have to spend the rest of the night here?”

“Not necessarily,” Oda hums. “You did suggest camping out under a bridge earlier--”

“There’s no way we’re doing that and you know it.”

Oda falls quiet. You wonder if he’s shrugging again.

“Okay.”

“Look,” you say slowly, as patiently as you can. “It’s late, we’re tired and it’s raining. We’re clearly going to be stuck here for the night, so let’s just not make it any weirder than it already is.”

You can see your destination coming up ahead: a nondescript wooden door at the very end of the hall, the numbers on the placard beside it dark and clear.

“It’s like you said earlier,” you declare, taking the keycard out of your pocket as you approach. “We’re just a couple of colleagues who got stranded in an unfamiliar town while out on a business trip.”

You take the keycard and hold it up to the door.

“And we’re just going to be sleeping. Just sleeping.”

There’s a soft beep. The light beside the door turns green. 

“In any case.”

You grab the doorknob and turn it.

“You just stay in your bed, on your side of the room,” you say, fumbling along the wall for a light switch.

You find it just as Oda squeezes into the narrow entryway with you.

“And I’m sure we won’t have a--”

The lights click on and your voice falls to a hush.

“Problem.”

Oda steps into the main room with you just as you realize what the receptionist was trying to tell you.

This is a single.

And there’s only one bed.

Your mouth drops open but no sound comes out.

Oda was right. Maybe you shouldn’t have cut off the receptionist...

Without another word, Oda brushes past you. He heads for the couch in the corner.

“No good,” he says, lifting up some of its weathered fabric cushions. “It’s not a pullout.”

He drops the cushion back onto the couch and stuffs it into place.

“And it’s too short for me to sleep on.”

And to demonstrate, he sits down on it, his back against one armrest. His long legs take up most of the couch’s short length.

Letting the keycard drop onto the nearest nightstand, you walk towards him.

“Let me try,” you insist, gesturing for Oda to get up.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he says, as you sit down on the couch and try to lay horizontally on it. “You’re gonna fall out.”

“No, I won’t,” you insist, stubbornly tucking your legs up towards your chest.

But once again, Oda proves right.

The minute you wrap your arms around your knees, the springs under the couch squeal and before you know what’s happening, you roll out onto your face.

You think you hear Oda suppress a laugh as you pick yourself up off the floor and as you look up at him and scowl, he quickly looks away.

Your scowl deepens.

“I’m gonna take a shower,” you mumble, your cheeks red.

The tap squeaks when you turn it.

The water comes out a little colder than you expect it to and you wince as some of it leaks out of the showerhead above you and onto your head.

It wakes you up a little and the realization that this is real--that you’re really, really stuck sharing a hotel room with Oda Sakunosuke hits home.

As the water heats up at last, you peel off the rest of your dirty, grimy clothes and get in.

You glance at the door.

Oda Sakunosuke is just outside that door.

While you’re in here. Naked.

He’s probably sitting on the bed, scrolling through his phone while he waits for you to finish up.

And then it’ll be his turn...

Suddenly, your cheeks burn in a way that has nothing to do with the heat of the shower.

You grab the miniature bottle of shampoo sitting in the alcove and dump it onto your head, scrubbing at the tangled locks of hair as if you can scrub the image out of your brain but you can’t.

For some reason, you can’t get the image of Oda Sakunosuke taking off his clothes, dumping them on the floor in a pile where yours were now and walking into the shower, where the hot water would run down his skin and soak into his hair...

He’d be using the same shampoo and bar of soap you’re using now.

And you know for a fact that there’s not enough steam to cover up what needs to be covered...

Freaking out, you throw the soap at the cubbyhole in the wall but it bounces and hits you in the face.

Groaning with pain, you crouch down in the shower, clutching your forehead as the not-as-hot water slowly runs down your head and body.

“You okay?” Oda’s voice calls out from the other room.

“Fine!” you shout back, embarrassed.

You somehow manage to finish the rest of your shower in peace.

“All set?”

Oda calls out to you without looking up from his phone.

Clutching your bathrobe (there were two in the bathroom) tighter about your body, your hair still slightly wet, you nod.

You’re not quite sure whether you’re relieved or offended that he’s not looking at you, but you quickly decide on “relieved.” 

Oda’s yellow jacket lays neatly folded on the couch, resting a few feet above his shoes and socks. And while he hasn’t taken off his black striped shirt, he’s undone the first several buttons, revealing a narrow stripe of skin right down the middle. His sleeves are rolled up halfway to his elbows and you notice that every time he types something into his phone, you can see his forearm muscles tense.

Your mouth suddenly feels dryer than before.

Something about seeing Oda like this, lounging so casually on the covers of a queen sized bed, just browsing his phone with his shirt half unbuttoned... it makes your heart race.

Noticing your silence at last, Oda looks up.

His deep blue eyes seem to pierce into yours and without knowing why, you tense.

“My turn?” he asks, to which you only nod.

He nods back.

“Thanks.”

And with that, you’ve traded places.

You realize only when the bathroom door is about to close that you’ve left your clothes inside--including your bra and underwear.

“Oda-senpai--!” you call out just as the click of a lock rings out throughout the room.

Too late.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, you trudge towards the couch, grabbing your phone on the way there. It’s not very comfortable to sit on and the cushions sag under your weight but you don’t want to sit on the bed. The bed that Oda was laying on.

The bed you might be sharing in just a few, short minutes...

You scroll through your apps, trying to find something that might distract you from the sound of running water next door and the mental image of Oda stripping in there when you realize you can hear a deep voice humming.

Oda is humming in the shower.

He sounds pretty good...

Your face growing warm, you turn away from the bathroom wall and continue scrolling through your phone. You find a game you haven’t touched in a while and start playing...

But you can still hear Oda humming and occasionally singing quietly from the next room over the sounds of your game.

All too soon, the water stops running.

Oda’s finished showering.

Your heart beats faster as you hear footsteps approaching the door. You’re still wearing nothing but your bathrobe...

For one heart-stopping moment, you wonder if he’s going to come out shirtless, in just a towel. Just like the hot guys usually do in those TV dramas.

But before you can look away, the door clicks open and Oda steps out.

“That was a nice shower,” he comments casually as he strolls through the room, toweling off his wet rust-colored hair.

You’re so busy staring at the way those dampened dark-red locks frame his cheekbones and face that it takes you a moment to realize it.

Oda is wearing the second bathrobe from the closet and nothing else.

Now you match.

Like a honeymooning couple.

“Hm?”

He blinks at you.

“Why are you sitting on the couch all bunched up like that? Isn’t that uncomfortable?”

“N-no.”

Oda just stares quietly at you and your hand flies back to the front of your bathrobe. It wasn’t falling open but you suddenly feel the need to hold it closed.

Just in case.

Oda shrugs and goes to sit on the bed. The mattress and covers sink a little under his weight.

“Ready to sleep?”

Shakily, you nod.

“Y-yeah.”

But you don’t move any closer.

“By the way,” Oda says, reaching for his cell phone. “While you were in there earlier, I managed to look it up.”

He turns it towards you so that you can see the screen.

“First train’s at seven in the morning so if we want to catch that, we should get some rest soon.”

He lowers the phone and looks at you over it.

“Unless…”

As he moves, his bathrobe opens up down the middle a little more.

You can see the line of his chest muscles...

“You’d like to sleep in a little more?”

Oda regards you, his deep blue eyes meeting yours from across the room.

You flush.

“What are you saying...?”

“I’m saying,” Oday says calmly, his expression as stoic as ever, “if you’re not a morning person, we can sleep in a little longer.”

He flips through the phone again.

“There’s trains coming at eight and nine too.”

He looks up at you again.

“What did you think I was implying?”

“N-nothing! The seven o’clock one is fine!”

“Okay. In that case...”

Calm as can be, Oda sets his cell phone aside and reaches for the alarm clock, programming it.

“Let’s hurry and go to sleep.”

And before you can say anything, he lifts up the covers and slides in (his bathrobe almost falling open in the process).

He looks to you expectantly.

“You coming in?”

It’s cold in your corner of the room and the couch springs are hard and uncomfortable beneath the thinned, battered cushion but you don’t move a muscle.

You squeeze the front of your robes closed.

“I’m fine here.”

“You sure?” Oda asks.

The corners of his lips turn downwards.

Or you think they do.

He’s so stoic, it’s really hard to tell.

“That looks uncomfortable.”

“It’s really not,” you lie, as the couch springs dig into your backside. “I’ve had worse.”

Oda looks unconvinced.

“Have you now?”

Nodding, you open your mouth to answer, but instead of words, a huge yawn comes out.

Oda’s gaze softens.

“Hey...”

He sits up a little, propping his head up on one hand as he regards you.

“You’re really tired, aren’t you?” he asks gently.

You stifle your yawn immediately as he slowly sits up, the covers slipping off of his body as he moves.

“It’s warm here, you know. The pillows are soft, too. So...”

Oda pats the bed next to him.

“Come and sleep. I won’t do anything.”

He pauses to think for a moment, his sapphire-blue eyes flicking up towards the ceiling.

“Probably.”

Probably?!

“Mm. Yeah,” he mumbles, his eyes still fixed on that spot on the ceiling, his expression as impassive as that of a man reviewing a grocery list. 

Crossing his arms, he nods to himself a little, as if he’s made up his mind on something.

Oda looks back at you.

“I won’t do anything,” he says again.

Somehow, it’s even less convincing the second time he says it. 

You don’t budge from your corner and Oda sighs.

“Like a frightened alley cat,” he mumbles under his breath and upon hearing this, you bristle.

“I’m not scared of you!” you snap, stomping towards the bed.

Without further ado, you grab one corner of the covers and get in with your back to him, tucking yourself into bed like an angry little burrito.

“Good work today, Oda-senpai! Good night!”

You hear a soft chuckle.

“You too.”

The lights click off.

“Good night.”

Your pulse pounds loudly in your ears.

It seems to echo back to you in the gloom.

You wonder if Oda can hear it.

He was right. The bed is soft. And warm. And comfy.

It’s been quite a while since he turned the lights off and you’re as tired as you’ve ever been.

And yet...

You shift a little under the covers, your heart racing in your chest.

Even though you’re taking care not to turn in any direction that could risk you coming face to face with Oda (you’ve chosen to sleep with your back to him), you just can’t get yourself to calm down...

How can you? When you’re sharing a bed with Oda Sakunosuke? Both of you wearing nothing but these thin bathrobes?

You feel Oda shift next you, a subtle dip in the mattress accompanied by a soft, barely audible creak of bedsprings. His body is heavy, dense with muscle and you feel yourself rolling slightly towards him before you shift away to stay on your side of the bed.

But the span of mattress between you still seems much too small. 

The minutes tick by, accompanied by only the sound of soft, steady sounds of Oda’s breathing.

You find yourself wondering if he’s asleep.

And if he isn’t... 

Is he lying here, staring at the ceiling or at the opposite wall, with his heart pounding, unable to stop thinking about the person lying behind him?

Just like you?

You feel your pulse quicken at the thought of Oda thinking about you, or even looking at you.

Is he facing you right now?

Your shoulder tingles as you imagine him reaching over and grasping it, pulling you towards him so that you can face him.

Is his hand already stretching towards you?

You clutch the pillow next to your face. Your whole body feels like it’s burning with anticipation.

But he said he wasn’t going to do anything, didn’t he?

And Oda is a man you know you can trust.

He’s helped you out of a pinch so many times already, including this morning’s mission and he’s always been kind to you, even though he is a bit hard to read.

The beating in your chest slows and you feel your body slowly filling with the cold emptiness of disappointment.

Your grip tightens on the pillow.

What if... you really do end the night without anything happening?

Is that really what you want...?

Closing your eyes again, you take a deep breath in and sigh.

The darkness seems to grow deeper.

Suddenly, Oda’s voice pierces the dark.

“Can’t sleep?”

You mumble something unintelligible and shift again, just a little further towards your pillow. You decide not to roll anywhere or you’ll fall out of the bed.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, his voice gentle. “Was it today’s job?”

Oda shifts a little, the little bit of mattress between you sinking under his weight as he moves towards you.

You realize he’s looking at you, or facing you at the very least, and something about that makes you feel a little bit better. Your cheeks warm but you still don’t answer.

“Yeah, it was kind of a messy one, wasn’t it?” Oda says, shifting again.

Judging by the sound of his voice, he seems to be even closer to you than he was before. Your back begins to prickle.

“I told you yesterday, didn’t I? My jobs aren’t for the weak of stomach...”

Oda trails off. He sounds like he’s thinking very carefully about something...

“Hey... if today’s job seriously got to you... I can ask for someone else instead of you next time.”

The bed springs creak as he shifts again (he’s definitely facing you now) and the prickling feeling on your back grows stronger. You’re not sure if you’re growing warm from the proximity to his body or if it’s your own body heating up as you realize he’s drawing closer to you.

“I might not have that much pull at the organization,” he says, “but I can do at least that much--”

“I-It’s not the job.”

Oda stops talking.

“I see.”

The bed springs groan and you realize he’s lying on his back. Probably facing the ceiling with one arm behind his head.

That bathrobe’s probably getting a little looser around his body.

“Then... what’s bothering you, if it’s not today’s job? You wanna talk about it?”

Does he really not know?

You stay silent, not sure if you want to tell him the truth or not. You smile a little.

He’s pretty dense, Oda Sakunosuke, but at least he’s hot...

In fact, he’s a lot of things...

Oda sighs.

“Ah. I think I get it.”

Your heart leaps into your throat.

He’s figured you out. That hand’s going to come reaching over to your side, over the invisible line between you any moment now and then...!!

Your pulse begins to race again. Your eyes are wide and staring at the wall in front of you. You wonder if you used enough soap in the shower earlier--

The bed springs creak again. The weight on Oda’s side of the bed suddenly lifts and you realize he’s getting up.

“If you’re that bothered sharing a bed, I can sleep on the floor--”

“Wait!”

Oda stops moving as you sit up abruptly. He looks down at his arm and sees that you’ve latched onto his sleeve. Realizing it yourself, you let go at once.

“Y-you don’t have to do that,” you tell him. “Sleep on the floor, that is.”

Oda studies you.

“You’re sure?”

You nod and shift back as he sits back down on the bed.

“And if you were wondering... I wasn’t all that troubled by today’s job,” you mumble. “I might not have been with the Port Mafia for long but, I’ve seen and done much worse than this. So you don’t have to worry about me...”

Oda grows quiet.

The silence is starting to feel awkward so you tuck yourself back under the covers and face away.

“How much was it?” you ask, suddenly, to change the topic of conversation. “The hotel room? I can pay for half.”

“What?”

Oda lets out a soft, incredulous chuckle.

“That’s what you were thinking about?”

“Yeah,” you lie. “I have the money, you know. Just tell me how much it was and I’ll transfer you my half in the morning.”

“Like I said,” Oda says, his voice betraying a hint of amusement. “It’s fine. You don’t have to pay me back. Think of it as a favor from a senpai.”

“But I want to,” you insist, rolling over to face him. “I’m not like one of those kids you take care of, you know--”

“I know,” Oda says quietly, cutting you off. 

You swallow, your mouth suddenly dry.

Something about his tone just now.

It’s almost as if... 

“I don’t see you like that,” he says, his voice low.

...as if he meant he saw you in that way.

In the same way you saw him...

The short stretch of bed between you suddenly feels that much smaller.

“Oda-senpai...”

Your body is burning.

You wonder if he can see what you’re thinking.

He moves closer. His blue eyes lock onto yours.

“You know,” he says quietly. “I did say I wouldn’t do anything earlier. And I meant it. I’m not going to do anything to you, so you can relax. I’m not like that.”

“I know,” you murmur, your gaze dropping to his lips as he finishes speaking. “I know you wouldn’t do anything without my permission. Senpai isn’t that kind of man..."

You bite your lip.

You know what it is you’ve said.

Now the only question is if Oda has figured it out. Has figured you out...

He falls silent.

“Without your permission, huh?” he asks, studying your face.

The red light from the alarm clock behind him casts his head in a dull red glow--like a halo. His expression is pensive.

“Does that mean you’d like me to do something with your permission?”

Your heart’s pounding again. You can’t look away from his face.

Slowly, hesitantly, you nod.

Oda considers you for a moment.

“In that case...”

He reaches towards you and lets his thumb and forefinger curl about your chin. His eyes seem to burn as they look into yours.

“Let me ask you again,” he whispers, his voice low and husky. “Do you want me to do something?”

You wet your lips. The place between your thighs feels hot.

Your voice comes out in a breathless hush.

“Yes.”

Oda smiles.

And it’s the first smile you’ve ever seen on him like this.

He looks utterly bewitching.

“Thought so,” he murmurs.

And without another word, he presses his lips to yours.

[ikeromantic]

To Catch a Fox

A Mitsuhide Akechi fanfic. This scene occurs toward the end of Chapter 8. Approx. 1300 words of angsty drama. 

First: Mitsuhide and the Maiden

Previous: Bellflower Blues

Mitsuhide hoped to reach the forest without incident. Killing a vassal or guard would be clumsy of him. Thankfully, the rain and darkness were his allies. The searching guards traveled in tight groups, clustered around their sputtering torches, huddling under the eaves of buildings. They never even got close. Confident he’d made a clean break, he covered the last patch of open ground between Azuchi and the treeline.

He ducked under the low-hanging treeboughs. His horse would be closeby, and with that, his final goodbye to Azuchi. The thought was surprisingly painful. Sharp-edged. Mitsuhide turned to look one last time at the castle. His little mouse was there. His . . . friends. 

Something moved in the shadows to his right. Graceful, predatory. Masamune stepped out into the dim, rain-soaked night. His smile was bright and sharp as the bared edge of his blade. He took Mitsuhide in with one, narrowed eye. “I see the dungeons did a number on you.”

“. . . Masamune . . .” Mitsuhide straightened, brushing wet hair from his face with bandaged fingers. This was not a fight he would have chosen, but it seemed the gods had mischief in store for him. “How did you know I would take this route? It’s off the beaten path.”

The one-eyed tiger shrugged. “That’s probably why I picked it. Just followed my instincts. That works better than trying to second guess you.”

“Heh. I guess I can’t outsmart someone that’s not working off their intelligence.” Mitsuhide pulled his sword from the sheathe. He sidestepped the other warlord, circling him.

Masamune turned, following Mitsuhide with his eyes. “I suppose it’s not gonna matter if I ask you anything. You won’t answer me.” 

To Mitsuhide, his old ally sounded reluctant, unusual for the impulsive warlord. He would jump into most fights just to see if he could win. It made him realize just how much this one gambit cost him. Though he said he didn’t mind being seen as a villain, it was . . . uncomfortable to acknowledge how close he was to these men. His partners in pursuing the Oda vision of unification. The sacrifice was worth it. It was. Mitsuhide gave Masamune a nod.

“Then I guess there’s nothing left but to fight.” No sooner the words left the tiger’s lips than he leapt at Mitsuhide. His blade cut through the gentle rain, drops pearling on the steel like tears. The strike held no mercy in it, no hesitation.

Mitsuhide knew this was how Masamune showed him respect. A fallen ally, now an enemy. One due his utmost effort to destroy. He would not hold back. The kitsune warlord stepped to the side and brought his own blade up in an arc, flinging rain toward his opponent. A distraction, enough that Masa did not move to a second strike. It gave Mitsuhide an opening.

He kicked out, taking the tiger in the chest, almost staggering him. “Clear the path,” Mitsuhide hissed. He knew Masamune would not, but he couldn’t help but ask. He did not want to kill this man. It was, he told himself, because Nobunaga would need such generals in the days to come. And not at all that he would miss the tea and meals, the brash advice, and the laughter of his old ally.

“Never.” Masamune’s smile was all teeth. He launched himself toward Mitsuhide in a flurry of motion, cutting down with his blade in a powerful overhand strike. 

The kitsune met his rage with icy precision. He fought with exact movements. Expending a minimum of energy to defend himself. It was a battle between fire and frost. Frenzied blows met composed resistance as they wove between trees and stones. The mud was Mitsuhide’s enemy and ally in this deadly dance. It slowed him, providing an unsteady footing, but it was worse for Masamune, with his greater bulk and momentum.

Battles were won or lost on such small advantages. Mitsuhide used the sliding momentum to dodge, almost getting his foot stuck as he leapt out of Masamune’s reach. The one-eyed tiger wasn’t so lucky. The mud sucked at his feet, and he had to spend a moment freeing himself before advancing on Mitsuhide again.

“Heh . . . if you’re this spry,” Masamune said between breaths, “I’m beginning to think they didn’t torture you enough.”

“You need cunning . . . not strength to-to defeat a wild beast,” Mitsuhide panted. His lungs burned from the intensity of this fight. He knew he’d have to end this quickly. Weeks of starvation and torture left him lacking the strength and stamina to keep up with Masamune. No matter what he might say, he knew wits only got one so far in a sword fight.

But then, Masamune knew that too. Mitsuhide suppressed a smile as he gave in to his pain and exhaustion. He let himself drag, movements sluggish. His breath rasped in the night air, sending little plumes of white into the rain. 

Confident now of victory, Masamune’s lips turned up in a feral smile, teeth bare and glistening. “I’ll put you out of your misery.” He raised his blade for an overhand strike. The sword came down with all the tiger’s might. 

Mitsuhide got his own blade up to block. The scream of metal on metal tore through the trees as Mitsuhide’s sword began to warp and bend. It would shatter under this force, he thought. Yet this was how it had to be. Allow himself to be beaten, and in that moment hope for an opening. 

He let go and leapt back. The muscles of his legs shook as he landed. He had only a moment to try and catch his balance before Masamune lashed out again. The tiger’s kick swept Mitsuhide’s feet from under him. He fell back into the muck. His chest burned as he took a breath and coughed it out again.

Masamune shook his head, his blue eye a storm of emotions. There was anger there, triumph, regret. But mostly there was determination. “Mitsuhide, how did you think you could take me on after being starved and beaten?” He sounded almost gentle as he set himself for the final blow.

“Damn,” Mitsuhide gasped. He let his shoulders drop, leaving his chest and neck exposed.

The tiger paused. “It’s your choice, Mitsuhide. Let me take you back to face your crimes.” He took a breath, brows drawn down. “Or . . . make me your executioner.” He brought the sharp edge of his sword against the kitsune’s neck. It would take only a flick of the wrist to end Mitsuhide’s life here. 

Wide golden eyes shone, stretched wide in surprise. 

Masamune lowered his blade. It was only a handsbreadth, the merest relaxing of tension in his arms. Certain he had the kitsune warlord now, he was ready to offer life, a chance at mercy. The killing blow averted. This was the opening Mitsuhide planned for.

“I choose a third option.” He flung a handful of mud into Masamune’s one eye as he burst into motion. His aching legs gave him one last, desperate burst of speed as he flung himself away.

The tiger was no raw recruit. “You dirty bastard,” he roared. His sword flashed as he lunged forward, but the edge caught only air. He paused, pawing at his eye, wiping at the thick, sticky mud. It took only a few breaths to clear his vision, but that was enough.

Mitsuhide made it to his mount and hauled himself onto its back. “You . . . should know my methods . . . by now,” he replied, his words breathy with effort. He nudged the horse into motion, knowing he had only moments before Masamune would be after him again. He could only run now, and trust to the greater speed of this beast to beat the tiger.

“You even - even had a horse ready,” Masamune laughed. He watched Mitsuhide ride away, a look of chagrined respect on his face. 

“It is not so easy to catch this fox,” Mitsuhide gave an exhausted chuckle. It felt good, for a moment, to pretend he was free.

Next: Traitor

[our-wargame]

when you say nothing at all

Summary: Dazai isn't called a genius for nothing. No one can self-sabotage better than he can.

Relationships: Dazai Osamu/Oda Sakunosuke (Bungou Stray Dogs) Characters: Dazai Osamu (Bungou Stray Dogs), Oda Sakunosuke (Bungou Stray Dogs), Minor Characters, Sakaguchi Ango (Bungou Stray Dogs) Rating: M (to be safe. In reality it’s T except for the swearing and references to sexual stuff but there’s no actual sexual content) Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Additional Tags: Dazai Osamu is a Mess (Bungou Stray Dogs), Developing Relationship, Trust Issues, Slice of Life, Friends With Benefits, Light Angst, Self-Worth Issues, References of Sexual Content, As in 0 sex happening, although not for lack of trying on Dazai's part, That's Also His Biggest Mistake, I HATE THAT TAG BUT THAT IS THE FIC, Dazai's pretty trash but his greatest accomplishment, was getting Odasaku to love him Word Count: 2500 Notes:

co-written with SwordintheThrone (they have some ridiculously good shit, check em out.).

can be read on ao3

reblogs are appreciated ty

---

It's a shame that he has commitment issues, Dazai muses to himself. Because Odasaku isn't just the best fuck of his life, Odasaku is good to him.

Too good to him.

That's most of the problem. Odasaku will look at him, expression so gentle, so brilliantly sweet and patient and trusting, as if he doesn't think Dazai will rip him apart at the first sign he sees that as necessary. (Still, sometimes Dazai can stand it. Sometimes he even gives into it and the peace that comes with it hurts like a hell he could learn to adore.)

Is this self-sabotage? He doesn't know. And he's still fucking trash for pushing the issue away and ignoring it as he sends Odasaku a text to ask him if he's still not busy tonight.

Odasaku replies within the hour. I'm not, he confirms. Can I come over?

Dazai tries not to laugh, self-deprecatingly amused rather than annoyed at Odasaku's attempt to save him face. He's not that proud, he really isn't. 

He imagines if Odasaku were here, he'd tell Dazai that it has nothing to do with that. That Odasaku really does just want to spend time with him, and that's why during their last encounter, Odasaku casually, lightly mentioned the fact that he was free for the next week. Should they want to do anything. 

It is self-sabotage, Dazai comes to decide. Because no matter what Odasaku's intents were, Odasaku is going to end up in Dazai's bed, because Dazai desires it. And then Dazai won't be able to fool himself into either deciding the reason for this outcome is because Odasaku thinks Dazai knows himself well enough to make the right decision, or that Odasaku wants to give Dazai the choice to make bad ones.

Both options are better than thinking Odasaku just wants to fuck him. If he minded, which he doesn't, it'd be his own fault too. Everyone knows that you start texts with can we talk and not are you busy unless you want to bang.

Dazai closes his eyes, already tired of himself, even without having to pretend around Odasaku. He thinks about calling it off but that's rude and it'd make him look weak and it's all a lot more troublesome than going through with what he has so far. It's freezing but somehow, the heater is the one thing he doesn't have the energy to bother with as heg gets off his ass to fix up the apartment. He turns the TV on, keeps the volume nice and low on that channel that only replays old movies. Neither of them are wine people but that's what you're supposed to have for these kinds of occasions, aren't you? So he leaves a half empty bottle of sake on the coffee table. Lounges on the couch as he sips from his glass.

How classy is he.

A knock at the door. Odasaku knows it's already open and only does it to alert Dazai. But he still waits outside until Dazai calls, "Come in." It's so unnecessarily considerate of him, Dazai shivers. And hates Odasaku a little bit, even as he thinks about pushing Odasaku against the door and kissing the gentleman right out of him.

"Hey," Odasaku says as he closes the door behind him gently. He smells like takeout. Looks as rugged and handsome as ever. Dazai wants him so badly.

He moves his eyes to the TV as he puts down his glass so he can refill it. His hands are shaking, fuck. "Day go okay?"

"Yeah." Dazai listens for the sound of fabric shifting, Odasaku hanging his coat up on the hat rack. Soft steps signal Odasaku having taken off his shoes and switched them for slippers, walking light out of habit so they don't clack against the tiled floor. "And yours?" 

Dazai's half-distracted with trying to remember the last time they had sex for fun instead of thinking he needed Oda's body to make his own shut up. "It went okay," he replies to Odasaku, and it's a miracle he doesn't add, 'it's about to get better, I think.'

That would just be tacky.

He shifts on the couch, still a little chilly, but trying to signal Odasaku should come closer. 

"I brought you curry. And soup in case it's too spicy. Can I put it in the microwave?" 

Dazai blinks. His mouth starts curving up. "Odasaku, has anyone told you you're too polite."

"You probably haven't eaten." Odasaku easily ignores his teasing jab, placing the takeout on the kitchen counter but not quite walking behind it. "It's crab soup."

He hasn't eaten and yeah, he's a little hungry, and of course Odasaku knows all of this and brought him his favorite. But he doesn't like to eat before sex. It just makes him feel bloated and a little repulsed by himself.

Crab doesn't go with sake, he could try, only it does. He could try 'not in the mood for curry or crab', only Odasaku will probably ask him if it's okay to take a look at his fridge and make him something.

"I'm not hungry." He sips at his glass again. Isn't alcohol supposed to make you feel warmer? "Can I have a kiss?" He wants Oda's tongue burning up his mouth, wants Oda pinning him down and chasing the darkness out of him. It's a stupid thought. He humors it and waits for a reaction from underneath his lashes.

Odasaku's surprise is practically audible in the silence. Dazai starts to move over so the length of his gangly body stretches across the couch, then puts his elbows on the armrest and props his head up to watch Odasaku. Please?

Odasaku closes in slowly, but Dazai finds himself holding his breath, nervous anyways. He can feel his heart in his throat, feels it pulse when Odasaku bends down, warm hand sliding up Dazai's face, cupping his chin. Dazai tilts it up as his eyes fall closed.

And then his breath catches, when Odasaku kisses his forehead instead.

He blinks and Odasaku's already straightening. Retreating to give Dazai space.

"Odasaku...." That's not what he wanted, but-

Odasaku prods his elbow and Dazai takes the cue, pulling his limbs back and sitting up straight. Odasaku takes a seat besides him, their shoulders a couple of inches from touching. Looks at the TV as he says, "Can I hold you for a bit?"

He has to think about this one. Says, "okay," even as he thinks about how he doesn't really want to be touched, at least not if it isn't Odasaku pushing Dazai onto his back.

Odasaku shifts his weight forwards so he's sitting on the edge of the couch and able to comfortably reach for the coffee table. He pushes Dazai's  glass inwards- farther from Dazai- and then picks up the remote. When he readjusts his sitting position again, he's still sitting a few meaningful inches away from Dazai. And now he's left his arm stretching over the top of the couch.

It's such a date move, except it's them. Odasaku is doing this for Dazai.

He hates Odasaku a little more in the moment. He hates feeling inconvenient, because it's a reminder he cares about what Odasaku thinks. The desperation of his attachment- he's so fucking weak, it's pathetic. God, he disgusts himself. 

"Are you getting enough sleep?" Odasaku asks. Dazai is still leaning away from his arm, but he's not breathing as hard and so he supposes, this is good.

"No." He hasn't. Before they started their arrangement, Dazai would have answered that with a smirk, an 'is Odasaku coming on to me or am I still daydreaming?' 

The stunt actors throwing themselves across the TV screen are alright. If this were also back then, Dazai would poke Odasaku, tease and bet that he could do it better. Oda would consider it in his seriousness and Ango would scold them both into the next year. Everything's different now and he's not sure if he likes it or loathes it, even though having to ask himself which one it is, is pretty determining. 

Five minutes is how long it takes for him to finally calm down, enough to shift and holds himself against Odasaku's side. Odasaku radiates warmth. The rise and fall of his chest is steady. Dazai tries to ignore it. His neck prickles.

Some more minutes trickle by before Odasaku murmurs, "Can I take you to bed?"

"No," Dazai blurts out immediately, because he understands what Oda is saying, but the answer is no because it'd stress him out, be even worse than the little fiasco going on right now. He'd have to try and force himself to sleep around someone who should be a source of comfort and failing that would just be gloriously useless of him-

"Okay." Odasaku says, gentle. "No worries." A pause. "Would it help to invite Ango over?"

Dazai breathes. It would. He can put on a front if it's for people, if it's for friends. It's harder to put on a show if it's for individual people; he has to make sure their gears mesh together but they're so damn complicated. Odasaku more so, than most. 

"We should drag him out of the house a little more."

Dazai opens his mouth. It's not you, he wants to say, urgent, needy for someone else to know what he does. Odasaku, you're not the one making me uncomfortable, it's me.

"Maybe you can teach us how to make hot pot?" 

Dazai wants to yell. Fall apart out loud for a change. They're monsters, not shadow puppets on the wall, and they don't go away when the sun comes up or what their parents say it's bedtime, for real this time. Oda's trying too hard, and it aggravates him. 

Odasaku can't wrap his arms around him and make him okay. That's never going to be him. He's afraid that Odasaku still doesn't know that, and he doesn't know what Odasaku will do when he really, really understands this. Even if Odasaku doesn't leave, Dazai can't stand the thought of Odasaku suddenly thinking less of him. It'll be just like losing him.

"Dazai?"

He shakes himself out of it. "Yeah. Call him." He pauses. "Can I have the crab soup after all?" He's still not completely ready to hug it out with the idea of eating, but it'll give him something to do.

Oda rises. Dazai stares at the grace, the strength in the lovely curve of his back. He feels cold all over again.

Oda glances over and holds his hand out. Dazai stares at it for a second before he lets Oda lead them away, carrying the two empty glasses with him in his free hand. Dazai pulls away to work on transferring the takeout into bowls to send them off to the microwave while Oda runs the glasses under tap water, swishing the residue round and round before drinking it down and then washing them clean.

The smell of reheated curry overpowers the room. Oda watches Dazai drop into a chair and then watches Dazai plop spoonfuls of curry rice into his soup, stirring this way and that.

"Did you know," Odasaku says, and Dazai looks up at him. "You have happy-cat face."

Dazai sputters. "I'm sorry, I have what?"

"Happy-cat face."

"Odasaku," He purses his lips, but he can't stop his shoulders from shaking. "Odasaku, that's not a thing."

Odasaku keeps his gaze, the slightest rise of his eyebrow explaining yes it is because you have it.

"You're so silly. Did you know that?"

Odasaku hums. When he dials Ango, he places his phone on the dinner table. Dazai's eyes gleam as he shouts like he's from the next city over.

"Oh my god," Ango's voice is very grumbly. "Odasaku-san, please remove me, I think he broke my ear."

Oda turns off loudspeaker and brings the phone against his ear. "So when are you coming over?"

"Ugh, give a man twenty-minutes. I still have work to do."

Dazai throws himself into Oda's side, squashing his face against Oda's other cheek as he chirps, "Tell him all work and no play makes Ango grouchy. And that he has old-man energy."

"Tell Dazai-kun, I think his Brat Card should have an expiration date."

"Tell Ango, there isn't an expiration date on fun~"

"Tell Dazai-kun-"

Oda disentangles himself from his executive, passing him the phone and letting them go at it. Dazai sits back down, adjusting himself so he can bring his knees up to his chest and leave his feet on the chair seat. Even as he chatters away, he keeps his eyes on Oda, who moves to wash out the takeout containers. He reuses everything because he's an environmental dork. Dazai would be more of one if he wasn't interested in dying before the planet. Still, watching Oda so patient, quietly determined to withstand the overpowering...it makes Dazai soften.

"Hey, is Odasaku-san still there?"

"Nope." Dazai says, popping the p. "Odasaku is busy. Being perfect."

"Yeah, yeah. Why don't you two just get married already? Make it official and everything."

He doesn't recover as quickly as he'd have liked. "Ango, weddings are not good places to pick-up women. They're all crazy. And non-sober. And crazy. We'll find you your little lady elsewhere, don't you worry." He watches Odasaku shake off the excess water into the sink, wiping the counter dry and putting the containers to the side. Then he dries his hands, he drifts over to the living room and picks up the remote.

"Ha. Not that I wouldn't reject your delightful request to be your best-man, but are two groomsmen allowed to be each other's best man? I think so." 

"Has anyone ever tell you not to drink on the job, Ango?"

"Speaking of which, you'll have alcohol waiting for me, right? I had to train a new accountant today. If it was there, you would have fainted from the painfulness."

"Delightful. So. How much longer?" He'd really like for there to be someone other than Odasaku around him.

"That depends. I don't want to walk in on you two fucking."

Dazai sighs into the receiver. "It's not my fault. Odasaku has a really nice dick."

He can practically hear Ango roll his eyes. "Don't expect me anytime soon then."

"So. Fifteen minutes?"

"Yeah, alright. See you dumbasses then."

There's no immediate beep! Ango is waiting, letting him end the call. Dazai shakes his head. His friends are really something.

Odasaku keeps flicking through the TV channels, only looking up when Dazai leans over the couch from behind, gently resting his chin on the top of Odasaku's head.

"Hi."

"Odasaku's hair is really soft."

"Thank you."

"Odasaku smells very nice. Like mango-watermelon. And curry."

"Thank you." Oda sits very still so he can hand Dazai the remote without jolting him. "What do you want to watch?" 

Dazai breathes. In, out. "Anything is fine."

[selenacosmic]

Is it open again (˵ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°˵)? May I request on how the warlords babysit their baby daughter (from feeding it milk, patting it to sleep, etc) when MC is away? For Masamune, Ieyasu, Nobunaga, Mitsuhide, Kenshin and Shingen?

Oh! Welcome back, love! This one is going to be very cute!

Warlords babysit their baby daughter.

Oda forces.

Nobunaga Oda.

He loves his baby daughter, Nobunaga thinks she is the cutest. He had sworn to protect her and you at all costs, in other words, he is a very clingy daddy, always glued to his daughter. And now he gets to be her babysitter, mommy (aka you) went to the market to buy new fabric for your job, and that left Nobunaga as the one in charge of the baby.

He got all confident about himself, about how he could take care of his daughter without any trouble. And then he lost her. It wasn’t intentional, she had fast baby legs and hands, she crawled fast away from him, and now she is lost in the castle. He stayed confident but with a serious look in his eyes, he needed to find that baby.

He searched everywhere until he heard a soft cry, his baby daughter wanted mommy and daddy, and she wasn’t finding them. Nobunaga practically ran towards his daughter and picked her up, slowly calming her. The baby hugged her father while he carried her back to the tenshu. In there, he put her in the futon. It’s canon that Nobunaga wants to read stories for his children, so he does that for the baby, who quickly got asleep. When you arrived he reassured you that everything went well, while the castle staff had another story for you.

Masamune Date.

H-how was he supposed to give a baby milk? You were out in town and he needed to take care of the baby daughter, who was very mischievous when she wanted to. He looked at the bottle and thought for a minute, was he supposed to just give it to her? Well, he let her sitting with the bottle in front of her and nothing happened, what was he supposed to do? Masamune never had good examples of parents, his mother was never around and tried to kill him once, his father asked him to kill him. What do good parents do?

He asked Kojuro, his most trustworthy vassal and cousin, to tell him what good parents do to their children. He applied everything, how to properly feed them, how to clean them up, and how to put them to sleep. Masamune promised himself that he would be the best father of all, making sure his children would be happy. So he did everything that Kojuro taught him, even though with some difficulties, he managed to survive the day. When you arrived, he was desperately telling you to help him with the milk part.

Ieyasu Tokugawa.

He is complicated, Ieyasu wants to be sweet and sour with his daughter, he can’t help but act like a tsundere to everyone around him, but he is soft to his baby daughter. So even though he tried to be strong, he ends up being sweet and loving. Taking care of his daughter was a bit difficult, he needed to finish work but he also needed to give her his attention. So he let her in his lap, with her baby bottle while he wrote his reports he would be sending to Nobunaga. She wanted attention, so she gripped her father’s cheeks, yearning a growl from him.

“What are you doing? That hurted!”

He tried to be angry at her, but those loving eyes were too sweet for to resist, he sighed and hugged her, lulling her to sleep. Whenever she would want attention, she would pull his hair, his cheek or his nose. It was annoying but he couldn’t get mad at her. When you arrived, he handed her to you, his face was red.

Mitsuhide Akechi.

Also didn’t have a good example of how to be a good parent, but he knows what he is doing. He is a loving father and a loving husband, even with his dangerous work, he protects his family. He decided to take care of his daughter to let you rest, promising to be very responsible. If only you knew... he tried to mount a horse with her, tried to bring her to the war council, and so goes on, nothing dangerous, but also not appropriate for a baby, hideyoshi kept nagging at him, until the fox used his daughter’s cuteness to distract him and run away. With her of course.

But despite that, he gave her a good time, to spend the day with her dad. He gave her milk properly, cleaned her up perfectly etc. he was a good father, despite everything else, giving love to his daughter the whole day. When it was already time for you to take care of her, she wanted to stay with Mitsuhide, which yearned a chuckle from him, he was indeed a good father.

Uesugi-takeda forces.

Kenshin uesugi.

He was a clingy dad, loved being around his daughter and wouldn’t let anyone expect you near her. He would eat plums while she was on his lap, giggling happily. You told him you needed to do business at town, so you let your daughter at your husband’s care. The baby was already hungry so she started crying, which got kenshin worried. Although he hated when others looked at his baby, he asked for Sasuke’s help. What was making her cry? Was she hurt? He also needed help to know how to feed her the milk. Basically, Sasuke had to teach Kenshin everything he needed to know about babies, but Kenshin wouldn’t let Sasuke só those things to his daughter, he was doing it as he was the father.

When you arrived, Kenshin insisted that you should rest and he should take care of the baby, he was very determined to do everything for her.

Shingen Takeda.

He is a very good father, always talking sweetly at his daughter, spoiling her completely, Shingen loved his baby daughter. So he was glad to be babysitting her while you were in town! Just leave it to papa bear, he will take care of her perfectly without needing to worry. And he really is good at taking care of children, he fed his baby her milk, cleaned her and lulled her softly to sleep. There wasn’t any problems, he a very responsible father. It was almost surprising how he could guess what his baby daughter wanted, if she was hungry or needed to be clean, he really was good at reading people, even babies.

When you arrive from work, he will have your daughter sleeping on his shoulder, be prepared, because you are the next one to be spoiled.~

◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸◹◸

Thank you for reading! If you wish to see more of my work, check out my masterlist.

[megashadowdragon]

whats the point of yamato

comments on youtube

Here's my take: the Wano Arc is about the "burden of inherited will." By this I mean something like, the burden of upholding the promises and dreams of those who came before. We've seen inherited will as an unambiguously good thing in the series so far, but the Wano Arc is trying to complicate the narrative, by showing what a burden it can be to take on the dreams of those who came before. And this theme isn't just in one storyline, it's laced throughout the Wano Arc, in the motivations of so many characters: * We have Momo struggling with the burden of living up to his father's legacy as a leader, and the burden of the throne of Wano. He's anguished over this, he weeps, because it's a burden to live up to someone as great as his father. * In Oden's flashback, we seem him struggle with the burden of his own father's dreams (that he become the Shogun, settle down, etc), only for him to eventually return and take on the burden of the country (literally, he puts his followers on his back!). * We have the Scabbards struggling with the burden of achieving Oden's dream of opening Wano's borders. They spend twenty years waiting and suffering, or travel across the sea and suffer, all for the sake of their leader's dream. We see Ashura-doji grow bitter under this burden, we see Denjiro mentally break, we see Kine'mon refuse to have a joyful reunion with his wife, all because they suffer under the burden of an inherited dream. * Orochi felt compelled to uphold the will of his ancestors and depose the Kozukis and throw the country into ruin. There's a reason we see his ancestors basically manipulate him into pursuing his path. They pass on their dream to him. * So obviously we have Luffy also taking on the dream of Oden, to defeat Kaido and Orochi, etc. But it's not a coincidence that in this arc we have two characters to whom Ace made promises: Tama and Yamato. They've become part of Luffy's burden, because he inherited Ace's will. (That's one way Yamato fits in) * But we also have Yamato struggling under the burden of a will she does not want to inherit, her father's. He wants her to be imprisoned, literally chained to a will that is not her own. That's quite the burden, I'd say. But there's another will she would prefer to inherit, obviously: Oden's. I think in the conclusion of this arc, we'll see characters (Luffy, probably) say something about inherited will being something chosen, it has to be a burden you choose to bear, not one forced on you. Yamato will probably feature in this conclusion in a few ways: (1) as a character foil to Momonosuke. It's not a coincidence that they're the exact same age and each want to take on the will that was forced on the other. Momo was swept across the world and travelled with Luffy in order to fulfill his role as Oden's son, but he wants to be Shogun. He takes on Kaido's appearance (via his Devil Fruit). Yamato was chained to Onigashima, and wanted nothing more to escape and travel the world with Luffy, but Kaido wants her to become the Shogun. She takes on Oden's appearance. The arc will conclude with something about Yamato and Momo freely entrusting each other with the dreams of their fathers, or something. (2) as a feature in Luffy choosing to uphold Ace's will. By taking her with him and reaffirming a promise with Tama, we'll see Luffy choose to take on Ace's will. In this way, we'll see that what makes a will truly inherited isn't a bond of blood or destiny, it's a bond of friendship, trust, et cetera. Yamato's storyline will be used to punctuate that theme for Luffy and Momo, the actual central characters of this arc.

I feel like Yamato’s storyline is learning about inherited will and not having to actually be someone (Oden) to carry on their will/dreams.

Hannya, which Yamato’s mask is based on, are well known in Japanese theatrical stage culture for representing characters who are the physical manifestation of twisted female souls.

Yamato seems to be inspired by Oscar François de Jarjayes, from the shōjo manga The Rose of Versailles, who is a woman raised by her father as if she were a boy in order to succeed him as the commander of the Royal Guard at the Palace of Versailles. 

an authors comment for chapter 945 oda talked about how he read rose of versailles and was surprised oscar was a woman 

The Shogun must be a male of Seiwa Genji lineage according to Japanese history so this explains why she is referred to as son.  Oda based Yamato on 2 people.  1) Yamato Takeru a crossdressing Japanese prince and 2) Oscar from Rose of Versailles.  Yamato Takeru being the son of Emperor Keiko who crossdressed to kill his enemies.  Oscar being a girl raised as a boy to succeed the throne.  Oda is mixing Japanese folklore with Rose of Versailles to tell a story of Kaido trying to force his daughter to be the Shogun/a boy.  Do you think I rip this from nowhere?  Chapter 945 if I recall correctly on VIZ Oda is on the authors comments speaking on Rose of Versailles.  Yamato wears a Hannya mask which originates from Noh theater and represents female obsession (Oden obsession) and I bet this arc has a theme of deliverance.  Not just deliverance from physical chains but familial bonds as well.  The people who refer to her as “he” miss the underlying themes the Shogun must be male and Kaido is probably upset he has no actual son.  Yamato does not want to be the Shogun and referring to the last chapter Kaido is trying to tell her what her fate is.  The Vivre Cards will not say (Male Heart) like in close reference to Kiku’s card and she will not come out and say “I am a man at heart!”  She uses the pronoun boku which is ambiguous and abnormal which is in reference to the “Oden” funny delusional act she has going on.  Coming chapters will reveal this more and more.  Since the combination of the title card saying daughter -> the Hannya mask -> explosive cuffs and the Shogun theme it was clear she was being bruteforced into something.

Not trying to speak for everyone here, but to say people use "he" because they don't pick up on themes is simply not the case. People use "he/him" pronouns because so far in the story, that is how Yamato has made clear that he would like to be referred to and so people use he/him pronouns out of respect for those desires. I'm not trying to say at all that I disagree with the themes/connections you've mentioned, but to say that you've "cracked the code" and you know better than Yamato on how they should be gendered is disrespectful to them. It may well be the case that everything you said is true and that by the end of the arc Yamato will wish to be referred to with she/her pronouns, but like I said to just assume this before it actually happens is disrespectful. Imagine refusing to use he/him pronouns for a trans-man because you know that their father always wanted a son and assuming their desire to use these pronouns only exists to validate their fathers wishes. I'm not trying to draw a one to one equivalence with this example, I get that One Piece is a story where information does just exist but is introduced with a specific purpose, I just hope I can better explain why many people believe he/him are the correct pronouns to use for Yamato at this time. Frankly, I think the presence of Kiku as a trans-women in this arc might be odas way of setting up the exact scenario you mentioned with yamato while still making sure he doesn't come across as invalidating trans identities. Hopefully that makes sense. Again I'm not trying to be argumentative, only trying explain why many people believe it is more respectful to use he/him pronouns at this time for yamato DESPITE the themes you've mentioned.

Quick fact check: Oscar wasn't raised as a boy to succeed the throne, she was a raised as a boy to become commander of the royal guards

This might not be accurate as I'm just saying off the top of my head but in a way, Yamato might represent wano itself. She was chained up and abused by Kaido like he does to wano in a sense.

Yamato is literally old name of Japan, lol

  Yamato by taking Oden legacy she is impersonating the man who's the main representation of wano to the world 

On a larger scale we are fighting to save wano from kaido

On a individual scale Yamato who disguises as Oden who represents wano is fighting to save herself from kaido 

It's like NAMI all over again 

A girl who is representing an entire population and territory is fighting to save herself and the people and territory she represents from a fish that keeps her and her territory enslaved

Her not being part of the mainland is symbolic to Wano exactly lol, isolated from the other world and chained there by Kaido for decades. She, like the people of Wano, has this black and white perception of Oden that they blindly follow without looking into why he did what he did. Even now people are putting Momo on some pedestal worth dying for without understanding who he is, similar to their past expectations of Oden for his dad. Yamato is doing the same with her declaration of dying for him based solely on his dad and the stuff in the journal.

Yamato's development seems to fall in parallel to Momo. Momo had to deal with the expectations of being Oden's son and his people want him to be just like Oden they don't see Momonosuke Kozuki. 

On the other hand Yamato similarly was thrust with a path set by Kaido her father but wants to be Oden this person who inspired Yamato to the point of worship that every action is posed with the question "what would Oden do."

The climax of both their arcs might be to just choose to be who they are and act as they would do not as their predecessors as they both could never be Oden for instance.

I sort of dislike how some people act like Yamato realizing not to “be oden” and Yamato joining the strawhats are mutually exclusive

if yamato does join the strawhats and is the 11th that would confirm the idea that yamato isnt trans  she just cosplays as oden due to idolizing him if you believe the MFMM theory due to people noticing that in east blue  the recruitment went zoro, nami, usopp, and sanji  in grand line it was chopper, robin, franky and brook a male female male male .

jinbe is the 10th who joined in new world  ( the male ) and it fits for him to be followed by the 11th a woman . ( so if yamato joins the strawhats and is the 11th ( meaning carrot doesnt join)  yamato isnt trans 

if yamato and carrot both join then yamato really is a transman

both okiku and yamato wore hannya masks

after okiku put on a hannya mask she revealed that she was a man in body but a woman in heart and a hannya mask represents female demon 

yamato was introduced as kaidos son while in a hannya mask but after she took it off revealed she was his daughter

"Yamato" (大和やまと?), meaning "Great Harmony", is an ancient name for Japan (originating from the Yamato Province) and can can also refer to the Yamato period of Japanese history, which lasted into the 8th century. Relating to that, Yamato is the dynastic name of the ruling Imperial House of Japan and further refers to the dominant ethnic group of Japan, the Yamato people. Otherwise:

Yamato Takeru is a legendary Japanese prince of the Yamato dynasty, prominent in mythology.

Yamato is the name of a prominent WWII-era Japanese battleship.

Yamato nadeshiko is a phrase that refers to the idealized image of a Japanese female.

[nad-zeta]

hi hi!! hcs for nobu, hideyoshi, yuki, and ieyasu finding out that the (female, if possible!) reader has a twin sister? if ikevamp is fine, then also arthur and isaac! you can disregard hideyoshi and ieyasu if u want! 💞

Hi hi, love! ❤😊Thank you so much for the request! And sorry for taking 2 million years to get to this lol! I hope you enjoy this dear and I hope you have a super good day!❤🌻 @x-jodi-x

Headcanon: MC with twin sister feat: Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, Yukimura, Arthur and Isaac

Nobunaga

When Nobunga found out you had a twin sister he was shook ◉_◉

In his books siblings, or well families for that matter, was not to be trusted

(；一_一)

But then you told him all about your twin sister and what a good relationship you had with her and that you missed her so much （>﹏<）

And as if the universe heard your prayer

Low and behold the wormhole picked up your sister and dropped he off at the gates of the castle ｡◕‿◕｡

She walked in easily and was super confused at everyone addressing her as “princess.” (^^ゞ

That’s when she spotted you walking down the hallway (≧▽≦)

She legit sprinted to your side and tackled you in a hug ＼(^o^)／

Cue Nobunaga walking out of the council room

Whhhhhaaaaat ⊙△⊙

How are there two of you �(ﾟ□ﾟ*川

He keenly examined both of you and grabbed you by your hand to pull you away from your sister in a tight embrace  ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ

Be gone imposter (┛ಠДಠ)┛彡┻━┻

“Oi listen here you demanding little brat..” your sister legit took your hand to pull you back into her embrace (ง'̀-'́)ง

“If you want my sister, you are going to have to go through me, we were parted once, and I’m sure as hell, not ganna be parted from her again”

(／‵Д′)／~ ╧╧

Your twin and Nobunaga had an intense staring contest (¬_¬)

Finally, you broke the silence and cleared up the misunderstanding, reminding Nobunaga of the conversation you had had with him about your twin

And then you turned to your sister and introduced her to your devil king boyfriend (◠‿◠✿)

She legit looked him up and down suspiciously, “You sure this one makes you happy, cause I saw a cutie with a beauty mark under his eye as I was wandering around..” (；一_一)

At the sight of your beamingly happy face your sister  reluctantly gave you her blessing ¬_¬

But that by no means met she let Nobunaga completely off the hook

The two of them would bicker all of the freaken time and 100% compete for your attention

Even though Nobunaga and your sister fought like cats and dogs, Nobunaga still felt it only right to ask he permission to marry you

One day he stomped up to your sister’s room, while you were out in the markets helping Mitsunari |*▼皿▼)

“So you want to marry my sister, and what makes you think you are good enough to marry my sweet cute sis, huh?” (≖︿≖✿)

That is when Nobunaga told your sister everything that he loved about you while wearing the most gentle of smiles (◕▿◕✿)

“Fine, you can marry her… if you beat me in a shoot of” (¬‿¬)

And your sister and Nobunaga shook hands and sought out Mitsuhide to have a shoot-off, naturally your sister won (Which low key impressed Mitsuhide big time) 

̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿'̿'\̵͇̿̿\з= ( ▀ ͜͞ʖ▀) =ε/̵͇̿̿/’̿’̿ ̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿

Your sister took one look at Nobungaga and knew he truly did love you so she smacked him on the back and said with a huge smirk, “Welcome to the family Nobungaga, just remember if you break my sister’s heart, I will break your face.” (◠‿◠✿)

Nobungaga smiled his devilish smirk, perhaps families and siblings genuinely aren’t that bad 

Yukimura

Both you and your sister had travelled back in time together

You sister was shyer and more reserved, so she spent more time reading with Ieyasu, Mitsuhide and Mitsunari (✿◠‿◠)

While you would explore the markets and go on adventures with Masamune and Hideyoshi (◕▿◕✿)

You had taken a liking to a certain boyish merchant and soon the two of you were in a relationship

You had told Yukimura that you had a sister but forgot to mention that she was your identical twin 

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ ✧ﾟ･: *ヽ(◕ヮ◕ヽ)

After gushing about Yukimura to your sister, she was intrigued at the type of man who could make her beloved sister so happy and wanted to meet him

The two of you walked around the markets together when you caught a glimpse of Sasuke (◕‿◕✿)

The two of you stopped and chatted with the ninja

That’s when Yukimura spotted you (˶◕‿◕˶✿)

He rubbed his eyes cause he thought he was seeing doubles (*ﾉω-)

The closer he got, the more his confusion grew ◉_◉

He tapped you on the shoulder and both you and your sister turned around at the same time (｡◕‿‿◕｡)

“Witchcraft!” (ʘ言ʘ╬)

Yuki backed away, slowly, pulling your sister into his arms, “Dummy, quick let’s run, it seems like an evil enchantress has stolen your appearance.”

(∩╹□╹∩)

Just then your sister flicked Yuki on the forehead, and when he looked into your sister’s eyes, he realized that she was most definitely not you

�(ﾟ□ﾟ*川

Meanwhile, you and Sasuke were laughing at the fact that Yuki couldn’t tell the two of you apart （≧ｙ≦＊）☜(˚▽˚)☞

That’s when you stepped forward to gently cup Yuki’s cheeks in your small hands, “Oi calm down, I’m right here, and this isn’t witchcraft, she is my sister.” (｡◕‿◕｡)

Yuki looked at your sister and then back at you, and then at your sister again, and let out a long sigh ◑.◑

He then smiled his boyish smile, “why didn’t you just say so, geez you almost gave me a heart attack, I thought your sister was some evil witch. I’m so relieved to hear she is actually a good witch.”  (◠‿◠✿)

“Hey, I’m not a witch you.. you… idiot,” your sister pouted, and you laughed at the awkward Yuki, now blushing from embarrassment 

┐(-。ー;)┌

“yeah yeah, and this dummy here isn’t a wild boar, geez your family sure is weird.” ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Cue both you and your sister smacking him, “You’re the weird one.”

After the initial shock Yuki actually really liked your sister 

He low key adopted her as his little sister, even though you were the same age 

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ ✧ﾟ･: *ヽ(◕ヮ◕ヽ)

He legit low key still thinks she is an enchantress even after you explained that you are twins 

Hideyoshi

You and Hideyoshi had been in a relationship for a while now but lately, you had seemed slightly down  (ノ﹏ヽ)

You simply told him that you were missing your sister and that you were worried about her 

｡ﾟ･（>﹏<）･ﾟ｡

You sister was also sent back in time, unbeknown to you, but somehow arrived in the past a year earlier than you.

She had saved Kenshin’s life and was living with Sasuke in Kasugayama Castle (ㅇㅅㅇ❀)

Just as you had found love in the Sengoku period, so had your sister falling head over heels for the bunny warlord himself (⁎˃ᆺ˂)

War was on the horizon and one morning during war council, Nobunaga had declared that his lucky charm would accompany him to the battlefield.

(▀̿Ĺ̯▀̿ ̿)

You usually helped the rear guard with cooking and treating the wounded soldiers 

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ 

Hideyoshi accompanied his lord in the front lines when he spotted a familiar face riding beside Kenshin (◯Δ◯∥)

Your name slipped from his lips 

He rode full speed towards the woman riding beside the God of war 

He yelled your name and your sister looked at him curiously, just how on earth did this random man know your name �(ﾟ□ﾟ*川

Before she could question it, the Uesugi forces pulled back for the evening and went back to camp (◕ㅅ◕✿)

The tide of war was turning as new information of Kennyo’s involvement had been discovered

So naturally, the Oda and Uesugi forces formed a temporary alliance, and that’s when it happened 

You were out with Ieyasu collecting some herbs ~(˘▾˘~)

Kenshin and your sister had just entered into the Oda camp and at the sight of your sister, Hideyoshi ran towards her and pulled her into a hug

༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ

“How many times have I told you not to go wandering off in the middle of the war, and just what do you think you are doing with the God of war.”

ಠ_ಠ

“Hey, I think there is some misunderstanding,” Your sister gently pushed Hideyoshi away as Kenshin was now ready to cut the mama bear down

(┛◉Д◉)┛彡┻━┻

Hideyoshi’s eyes widened in confusion, he looked between her and Kenshin, as your sister retreated into his arms

♡｡ﾟ.(*♡´‿` 人´‿` ♡*)ﾟ♡ °・

Hideyoshi felt his heart break in two, “Tell me this isn’t true, I thought you loved me” he chocked out  (ಥ_ʖಥ)

“Dude I don’t even know you..”  ┐( ͡° ʖ̯ ͡°)┌

Just then you appeared out of nowhere carrying a bunch of flowers (◕‿◕✿)

“Hey Yoshi look at all these pretty flowers I found, while Yasu and I were out collecting herbs” you placed your hand on Hideyoshi’s shoulder as you walked closer your way to the group (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Cue Yoshi being hella confused  (ʘᗩʘ’)

As you got closer, you spotted your sister and instantly dropped the flowers and tackled her in a tight hug （╯°□°）╯︵( .o.)

Cue error.exe Kenshin & Hideyoshi 

＝(￣□￣;)⇒

After a few moments, Kenshin simply smiled at you, as your sister had been talking non-stop about you (｡◕‿◕｡)

while Hideyoshi just stood there frozen（￣□||||

There were two of you, how was that possible

When he finally processed the information before him, he bowed his head and apologized profusely to your sister, “OwO ahh him so sorry, i-I didn't realize-“ 

Your sister was super chilled and just smiled at him, “it’s all good, people used to mistake us for each other all the time!” ｡◕‿◕｡

Definitely lets you spend lots of time with your sister while the Oda forces are in the alliance

He will legit mama bear the shit outta your sister while the two forces are in an alliance, much to Kenshin's displeasure (¬_¬)

He instantly adopts, and sister zones your sister

Even after the war is over, he will invite her to visit the two of you, even putting his differences aside with the God of war

Anything to make you happy 

Is super happy to have met a member of your family and loves it when your sister tells a bunch of embarrassing stories about you when you were little (◕▿◕✿)

Arthur

Ohhhhooohhh Arthur is definitely excited to have two pretty little skirts around to chase (◕▿◕✿)

Will flirt mercilessly with both of you, to which both of you just scoff and walk away 

(；一_一) (¬_¬)

As you get to know the real Arthur a little bit better, you can’t help but fall in love with him (◠‿◠✿)

Much to your sister’s disproval ب_ب

She legit marched he way up to the playboy’s room the second you told her that the two of you were dating, to find out his intentions  

(ﾉಠдಠ)ﾉ︵┻━┻

“Tell me sherlock wanna be, what exactly are your intentions with my sister.”    (ﾉಠдಠ)ﾉ

Arthur was sister shook, your sister was honestly hella intimidating, “i-I assure you I have no ill intent towards my dearest little bird,” Arthur gave your sister a nervous smile (◕‸ ◕✿)

Your sister simply narrowed her eyes at him, “If you break her heart, you will wish you were never born when I’m done with you,” after a final threat your sister gave him a chilling smile and left (≖︿≖✿)

God, she was frightening (ﾟωﾟ;)

After that Arthur tried to spend time doing 3 people activities to get to know your sister a bit better and to prove that he truly did love you

(▰˘◡˘▰)

“Come on, Arthur is not such a bad guy, yeah he’s got a past, but he also has a cute dog, and no one with a dog is super bad” ｡◕‿◕｡

Arthur would often invite the two of you out with him to solve cases, something which all three of you actually really enjoyed ( ಠ ͜ʖರೃ)

As time went on your sister started to accept Arthur as part of the family, plus you were right, Vic was the sweetest dog in the whole world, no way such a sweet dog would hang around a crappy owner | (• ◡•)| (❍ᴥ❍ʋ)

You and your sister would often prank the residents by pretending to be each other ｡◕‿‿◕｡

But it honestly never worked on Arthur as he could instantly tell which twin was which

 (°ロ°)☝

One day your twin came walking into his room in an attempt to fool him

Arthur simply smiled up at her, and walked over to the coach, which you were hiding behind

“Found you Luv, did you really think I wouldn’t be able to tell the love of my life apart from her sister,” he would then shower your face with kisses

(~￣³￣)~

“Ewww affection, could you guys like not do that in front of me! That’s it, I’m outta here, common Vic lets go see if Napoleon has finished those pancakes yet,” ≧☉_☉≦

Arthur would definitely get jelly sometimes with the amount of time you spend with your sister, and can’t help but whisk you away to have you all for himself  (>^_^)><(^o^<)

Isaac

The first time both you and your sister arrive at the mansion you can’t help but want to befriend the physicist ≧☉_☉≦

Although the only problem was, that both of you were shy little hedgehogs and were rather awkward when it came to human interaction 

(⁎˃ᆺ˂)

That’s where your sister comes in

Out of the two of you, she had always been the more outgoing one (◕▿◕✿)

After watching you and Isaac dance around each other for the better part of a few weeks, your sister decided to team up with Napoleons

And so operation GET SHY CINNAROLLS TOGETHER was created

(☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞ ☜(ﾟヮﾟ☜)

Napoleon had left some of Harry the hedgehog’s favourite food down in the wine cellar, which caused harry to naturally, stray from Isaacs room to nibble up his fav snacks  V✪ω✪V

While Napoleon worked on getting Isaac into position, your sister had handed you the new shipment of wine to be placed in the cellar 

You made your way to the dark cellar only to stumble upon Isaac on the floor reaching under one of the shelves ಠ╭╮ಠ

“Oh I-I-Isaac, what are you doing down here” you shyly asked as Isaac sat up and looked down at the ground sheepishly (*^_^*)

“My hedgehog, got himself stuck under the shelves and I can’t seem to quite reach him.” 

(〃￣ω￣〃ゞ

You gave him a timid smile and sat beside him reaching your arm beneath the shelf to retrieve the hedgehog (◕‿◕✿)

You handled the little critter to Isaac and the two of you started chatting about your mutual love for animals 

All while unbeknown to the both of you, your sister and Napoleon watched from the doorway high fiving each other at a job well-done

  ヘ( ^o^)ノ＼(^_^ )

It wasn’t long before you and Isaac was in a relationship  (/^-^(^ ^*)/

Honestly, this boy could easily tell you apart from your sister

Isaac was more of an observer than a talker due to his shy nature so he noticed even the smallest of details about you   (´∩｡• ᵕ •｡∩`) ♡

Hehe, he is super awkward around your sister, but tries to get to know her a little better by spending time with both of you 

The three of you actually help out together at Napo’s school

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ ✧ﾟ･: *ヽ(◕ヮ◕ヽ)

Isaac is a little bit of a jealous boy and will get pouty if you are spending too much time with your sister and neglecting him (◕ω◕✿)

But never fear, one hug and kiss from you is enough to bring his cute blushy smile back to his face (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ

Your sister loves ganging up with Arthur and Dazai to tease Isaac

Isaac low key sees your twin sister as an older sister figure, and will go to her for advice whenever he wants to surprise you with a fun date or thoughtful gift ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

I hope you enjoyed this, dear! and I hope you have a super good day! 🌼❤🌻

[imagineimaginethat]

It’s Hard to Believe

Reader Insert Fic

Prompt: Shingen thinks you’ve died, but finds out you’re still alive

Main pairing: Shingen/Reader, but other characters are there too

Inspiration: Coming up for Air by Signals in Smoke

Trigger warnings: MC death (temporarily), Sad vibes (happy ending though), memory loss 

Shingen was desperate when he realized you had been kidnapped. The day had been so normal, no whispers, not even so much as a cloud in the sky. You had gone into town, more than likely to get fabric or just stretch your legs. Shingen had declined to go, he had so much work to do. Had he known.... had he only known how much danger you were in he would have never let you out of his sight for even a fraction of a moment. Your captors had been slick, but you had experience with these sort of situations, unfortunately. You left one sandal in the marketplace which tipped off Sauske when he and Yukimura went searching for you. Shingen didn’t hesitate to have as many men as possible look for you. He even sent a letter to Nobunaga who immediately wrote back that one, he would spare nothing in the search to find you, and two, he had no connection to your kidnapping.

Finally, after over two weeks had gone by with everyone worried sick, Mitsuhide picked up on something. Sauske followed up on the lead and sure enough found you. Unreachable and locked away in a dank moldy prison cell by a captor with a mean vendetta against the Takeda and Oda alliance in Kai. You hadn’t been given any food in your time there and very little water, Sauske knew time was of the essence and communicated that to the warlords. They mobilize quickly. Their frantic efforts made them more reckless than ever. The enemy knew they were coming. Shingen and Nobunaga reached you a split second too late. As they slid the door open your captor held you at arms length away on the edge of an open window which faced the edge of a towering cliff. You could struggle, one step would have sent you over the edge.

“Let’s see how well the Takeda and Oda clans cooperate now.”

And just like that you were dropped into the night. Shingen and Nobunaga raced over to find nothing but pitch black darkness. Yukimura was at his Lord’s side in seconds, stopping him from diving after you. It was dark, surely a search by the shore would be more fruitful. Kenshin arrived shortly after along with the other warlords and vassals. Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi were quick to have the captor escorted to a prison in Azuchi. They were anxious to get on with the search for you more than anything though.

All of the men, vassals, soldiers, and warlords alike spent all night searching for the lovely Princess from the Oda clan that had been so kind and helpful everywhere she went. It didn’t matter which side they were on usually all that mattered was finding you.

The water was frigid, if you were there you didn’t have much time. They all knew how perilous cold waters could be in the winter.

So, when the first rays of dawn reached into the sky and a somber Masamune came from the bank of the rushing river where jagged rocks lined the shoreline with a beautiful, but blood stained and soaking wet kimono, all hope drained from the search party.

He handed it off to Shingen to inspect to make sure it was yours. He already knew it was though, no one else made such lovely things. He closed his one eye walking into Ieyasu on his way back to the horses, he managed to put his hand on his shoulder and shake his head once.

“The little lass is gone.”

They knew times were rough. The world was dangerous, but they never truly prepared themselves to lose you. Even if you had one day disappeared back to wherever you came from they could dream, imagine, you were off on some adventure in your strange clothes using the strange terms that you and Sauske often used and you were alright.

Shingen looked away from everyone, but he was not quick enough to hide his tears from Yukimura who didn’t have any words for his grief stricken Lord. He looked to Sauske who seemed to have a shadow on his face. Yukimura could barely breathe when it came crashing down on him.

He could only manage to say two words:

“She’s gone.”

Coming in like a wild boar from the middle of nowhere, it was like a gaping hole had been left in his heart. He didn’t even know what to think. What had been the last thing he said to you? Was it something rude? What if you two had last argued? He tried to think but his brain refused to work.

Shingen remembered his last words to you with perfect clarity, it replayed in his mind over and over again.

“Shingen I’m going to the market, would you like to come with me?”

“Oh, wonderful goddess it pains me not to spend another moment more with you, but I must finish this work. Oh, to decline the offer to accompany an angel, I promise to make up for my absence at your side after dinner.”

“That’s alright Shingen, you don’t have to lay it on so thick, I’ll see you when I get back. Love you!”

“You are my heart.”

He should have went. He didn’t go and now he’d never be able to make it up to you, he’d never see her again, he would never love again. His heart stopped the when your  kimono was handed to him, it began to slow the minute you were thrown from the window. Maybe if he had dived after you? Had he arrived earlier? Had he taken less men? Perhaps if he had acted sooner? Maybe he should have waited?

Shingen played a million scenarios in his mind, but not a single one ended with you in his arms, he simply couldn’t imagine it. Even when he was at his very sickest, never then had he known such an ill than the one he felt holding the bloody kimono in his hands. It was cold and wet and he had a feeling the icy waters had taken your body far from him.

Shingen mourned for weeks. Everything reminded him of you. The snow, the moon, flowers, beautiful kimonos, none as beautiful as the ones you made, be wore nothing but the gifts you had made for him, and there was no consoling him. Yukimura spent his time divided between sitting with Shingen in silence, sitting with Sauske in silence, and finally sitting alone.

Kenshin drank alone bitterly, his sword aching to be used, but he had lost the motivation to wield it. The light of his castle was gone. He didn’t even realize how bright you had been while you were here, and now that you were gone it was as though someone put out every flame in sight. Not even the sun was warm or bright enough to break up the darkness.

In Azuchi the captor was executed. It didn’t make anyone feel any better though. They pushed themselves into their work even more than before. The Oda and Takeda alliance in the name of peace didn’t fall apart, but it wasn’t nearly as warm. Your old room was like a haunting memory of the time you spent there on visits and the short time you spent living with the Oda forces.

Nobunaga ran things as normal, but it was obvious losing you had hurt him in a way that seemed to be unfamiliar to the warlord. He knew loss, he had seen it, had felt it, but this... he didn’t know what to call what he was feeling.

You were gone.

Or so it seemed.

You were not actually dead, incredibly lost, suffering from a terrible head injury in a remote village? Yes, but fortunately very much so still alive. You remembered little tidbits of your early life and fragments from your time in this era. You would remember something every now and then at random, such as Sauske’s ground spikes and Shingen’s beautiful face. However, you didn’t actually remember their names and so the kind villagers who had found your body in the water thought you were delirious and did their best to nurse you back to health. This had been well over a month ago, but you weren’t sure when or how you had gotten so lost, sick, and beat up.

You were extremely grateful for everyone’s hospitality, but you wanted answers and to also get back to your old life as soon as possible even if you didn’t remember much of it.

One day one of the familiar faces you remembered came to town. The one with white hair and golden eyes like a fox.

His eyes widened upon seeing you.

“Y/N?”

“Hello,” you greeted him respectfully, not familiarly at all, “I’m afraid I know your face, but not who you are. I think I was in some sort of accident.”

Seeing you is literally like seeing a ghost. Not even Mitsuhide can hide his shock.

He could see that you were still very much so in recovery and the journey back to either lands that you once called home would not be best for you. Instead he did what he seemed to be the right course of action and promised you he’d send word to others that knew you well so that they could possibly help you. He sent two messengers, one to the Takeda forces, and one to the Oda forces to meet him in the village immediately due to a dire emergency. He didn’t include your name in it as he was afraid it would be picked up by someone that might have meant you well. He was not going to risk losing you again. Sauske was first to arrive on the scene as Kenshin’s right hand ninja.

When he saw you by the water washing clothes he thought for sure he was hallucinating. When he saw Mitsuhide, who had awaited their arrival rather impatiently, was looking at you as well, he raced over to you. When all you could give him were fragments of your time together his heart ached deeply, but the hole that was there from thinking you were dead had begun to be mended upon sight of you.

The rest of the Oda forces and Kenshin arrived next. They were quick with their greetings. You were happy to see them all, you remembered few scarce moments with them and admitted this, claimed you knew they had to be important to you because of how well you could remember their faces and random things about them. Kenshin demanded you never die again, which you didn’t fully understand, promised him to live for as long as you could.

Shingen hadn’t been out of Kai for a very long time. Not since you had left his world.

He and Yukimura took it slow, trusting whatever emergency lied ahead wasn’t totally out of control.

When Shingen first saw the quaint little village he smiled to himself, “she would have loved it in a place like this.”

“She loved it everywhere,” Yukimura tried to joke, “as long as you were there, she’d have gone anywhere and said it was nice.”

Shingen smiled at Yuki’s attempt to cheer him up. He rode slowly into the village and came upon the huddle of Oda forces, who upon seeing him began to disperse like a parted river. Shingen was not expecting what he saw before him. Never in a million years did he dare to think he’d see you again.

And yet, here you are. Smiling as though the world wasn’t dark, as if it hadn’t be cruel, and a place embedded with great pain and suffering.

When you saw Shingen, something in your mind tried to click, but refused. At once you felt overcome with emotions as tears sprang to your eyes.

He embraced you so carefully, as if you were an escaped dream brought to life for only but a moment. He could t bring himself to move or let go.

“My angel has flown back to me.”

“I don’t know your name, or as much as I think I should know about you, I’m so sorry. I know you mean a lot to me, I just can’t-”

“That’s alright.” Shingen placed a hand on your head, stroking your hair, “you being here right now is more than enough. You can come to remember me again slowly or we can make all new memories, as long as you’re alive that’s alright.”

You agreed to go back to living in Kasugayama after Ieyasu gave you his doctors okay with more than a few seemingly unnecessary herbs, ointments, and other medicines. You were sure this was how he showed you he cared.

Back in the castle you began to remember things a bit more, specific moments In time. Major parts of your time there were still fleeting which was frustrating. You and Shingen grew close again and he never left your side, when he absolutely had to Sauske or Yuki were assigned to watch you, and they tools this job seriously. You thought they were overreacting until Sauske broke down and told you all that had happened to you. With his refresher you remembered a few other times you had been kidnapped, but not the time he was specifically talking about, you weee kind of grateful for that.

Shingen spent time with you, he didn’t dwell on what you didn’t remember, just as he promised you began to make new memories. It was well into spring at this point and you were even more certain you were in love with him and glad to be so. Shingen didn’t push or prod about old memories he just patiently waits for days when you come bursting in and asking if he remembered something like attending a festival or a very specific conversation you’d both had. He’d happily confirm that he did in fact remember it and fill in any small gaps. He never tried to sugar cost things either, he told things as they happened. As nice as it would be to paint everything in beautiful strokes of never ending happiness that wouldn’t be real, and what the two of you have deserves nothing less than pure honesty and authenticity.

One day, Shingen was accompanying you to the market when you saw a beautiful fabric. It was the very same one you had seen the first time went somewhere with you. That same wonder filled your eyes and he smiled prepared to offer to buy it all over again. He wondered to himself if you’d make the same thing once again. However it was as though the fabric was woven together by memories, when you touched it, suddenly everything came flowing back. With each memory more and more tears began to fall. You held onto Shingen tightly and he was silent.

You bared your entire soul to him, from your first memories to your last, from Azuchi to Kasugayama, you remembered it all. Shingen was thrilled to be able to reminisce and build from even more memories.

“The power of my wonder pjs goddess never ceases to amaze me. Please, never levave me again, lest you take me with you lovely angel.”

You shouldn’t make promises you have no control over, it instead of coming up with something that was doable but also reassuring you simply nodded, “I promise I’ll never leave again, Shingen.”

It was hard for him to believe even for one moment that he had lost you. .

[bearsace]

through my broken and bruised eye, it was you i beheld.

Summary: Bearsace watches Mai grow up right before his eyes. (He is, after all, the one closest to her.) 

Or: a friendship through the ages, told in three parts.

Author’s Note: I’ve been wanting to get this fic published for almost a year now; I had so much fun writing it as I hope you do reading it! Please enjoy one of the most niche fics you might ever read: Ikemen Sengoku in Bearsace’s POV, a la Edward Tulane. Special thanks to @rainebowkitty for reading it over super quick! You can also find this on AO3 here.

Pairings: Nobunaga/MC, but fic centers around Bearsace/MC friendship

Genre: Friendship, family, fluff, hurt/comfort

Rating: K

Word Count: 4,000+

Read Time: 10+ minutes

part one / broken. kyoto, 2004-2017.

What is this?

When he blinked into existence, he felt soft hands beneath his arms. He could not move or speak, but he could feel, and with the hands, he felt warmth.

Who am I?

“Oh, Mai, he’s beautiful!”

“Thanks, Dad!”

Where is this place?

“You’re absolutely the cutest thing I’ve ever made in my whole life. I think I’ll call you… Bearsace.”

This warm feeling in his chest… he wished that he could put a name to it, but everything was dim, and it was uncomfortable to him not to be able to see the face belonging to the long, silky brown hair as it bent over him. The hands caressed a spot above his nose and lips kissed it.

“I still have to sew another eye on you, ‘cause the other one was the wrong size, and I promise you I will… but even though you’re not complete yet, just know that I already love you so much.”

Love . It was a foreign word, but somehow, Bearsace understood that was the name of this feeling. He could not move, yet he wished he could gaze into the face of she who loved him so much— Mai.

Love. I love you, too, Mai.

—

By the time Mai managed to sew another eye on him, he already loved her with all his stuffed heart. He could see her clearly now that he had two eyes, and she was beautiful, and he admired the way she would seat him beside her sewing machine and model gowns for him.

Mai had many ambitions. Bearsace would support them as much as one stuffed bear could. She was his best friend— his only one, to be fair, because every now and again her mother would glare at him and make some snide comment about being too old to play with toys. Bearsace would glare back.

And you’re too old to be judging your daughter like that, but you don’t see me complaining!

—

Mai became very sad very often because her job was not the best one. She would come home, take off her uncomfortable-looking shoes, and Bearsace would always feel his heart swell with bittersweetness anytime she came through the door.

He would wait patiently on the couch, where she placed him every morning, as Mai would slip silently into her room and change into a fuzzy pair of pajamas— Bearsace loved those pajamas!—  then, when her hair was up into a messy pile on her head, he would swell with happiness when she finally settled onto the sofa and pulled a blanket up around her legs, taking him into her arms.

Their favorite show was My Vintage Love, a story about a girl who fell in love with a CEO. Well, it was Mai’s favorite show; Bearsace didn’t care much for it. Personally, he enjoyed The Berenstain Bears, which came on the television one day while Mai was at work, but Mai never turned it on on purpose.

It was definitely one of their worst fights. 

Fortunately, it was pretty much the only thing that they fought about. Oh, and her job. Bearsace didn’t like anything that made Mai sad.

Sometimes, when she was curled up on the couch, she’d talk to him about anything and everything. Her dreams, her passions…

“Someday, Bearsace, I’m going to make clothes for women everywhere that make them feel beautiful and happy. Every single piece is going to be made with care and love...”

Like me?

“...sorta like the way I made you.”

I knew it. What will you do when you reach that high?

“I was wondering what I’d even do when I get to the top. Maybe I’ll start my own magazine, or maybe I’ll create a fashion line that emphasizes the beauty in every woman’s body, regardless of shape, size, or whatever society calls ‘imperfection.’ I loved you even before you had both your eyes; why shouldn’t every woman feel that same love?”

Yes! He cried in happiness. Yes, this is such a good dream, and I support you completely. Mai, you won’t forget me, even when you are making others as happy as you make me?

“Man, I’m hungry,” she said with a yawn, placing him on the armrest and setting him down before trudging to the kitchen. “I’m gonna go order in some takeout.”

He felt his heart pang in a little bit of disappointment. He hated it when she ignored what he said.

—

Bearsace hated Mai’s other friends. Like “love,” it took him a while to find the word for “hate,” until Mai slammed her phone into the couch, snarling,

“I absolutely hate Yuka!”

Ah, Yuka. A fine piece of work, she was. The first time he ever met her, Bearsace was on the couch as usual when Mai came home with her.

Hello! Bearsace had said, excited to make a new friend. But Yuka ignored him and tossed him to the side to make room on the couch for herself. How rude!

Not to mention, she seemed to have no idea what it meant to be a good friend, the way Bearsace did. She rolled her eyes at Mai, suggested she find something “better” to do with her time… really, how bad of a friend could one person be?

“All she ever does is beat me down on my dreams… she thinks I should go back to school for something more— more— more reasonable ?! She says I’m not talented enough to be a fashion designer? I hate that!”

It’s okay, Bearsace said, falling over into her lap. I’m here for you.

—

It was on a rainy day that Mai whooped for joy. Bearsace wished he could turn around, because currently he was seated on the couch watching My Vintage Love and he would rather be spending time with Mai.

But she came into the living room soon enough and lifted him into a hug, which made him very happy.

What’s going on, Mai?

“Oh, my dreams are so close! All I’ve gotta do is nail this job interview and then it’s no more time-wasting coffee runs for a devil boss, no more getting yelled at for even the little mistakes— no more of that for me. I’m so close!”

If a bear could dance, he would. But for now, he was content to revel in the joy that Mai felt as she danced, and danced, and danced.

—

“Fine stitching you’ve done on it,” said the interviewer.

Bearsace rolled his eyes. I’m not an “it,” he responded in a biting tone. He looked to Mai, wondering if she might share in some of the same annoyance that he did, but she held her tongue.

“I did all the stitchwork by hand,” she explained.

“Tell me, what was the reasoning behind acrylics for eyes, instead of buttons?” The interviewer poked him in the eye, and Bearsace wanted to flinch away.

Watch it, jerk. I use those to see.

Mai smiled that amused smile. “I guess I just figured it’d help him see better.”

—

When Mai got the call that she got the job, she squealed and ran into the next room to call her father. Bearsace was not jealous that she did not go to him first; after all, he knew that she would be a shoo-in, anyway.

He looked upon Mai with pride when she picked him up and squeezed him to her chest.

I knew you could do it.

“What do you say we go do something special, just you and me?”

— 

“I wasn’t expecting this much rain!”

Bearsace fit rather comfortably in her purse and was also impressed by the deluge that hit them at the temple at Honno-ji, though why Mai considered that a vacation was beyond him.

But it was special. They were there together, after all.

What absolutely was not special was this downpour! Mai’s hair was dripping, and also the hiring packet in her purse was going to get soaked. Never fear, though— Bearsace flopped over inside Mai’s bag onto the hiring packet, protecting it from the rain.

Thunder rumbled overhead and Bearsace found himself fearful; he couldn’t see anything! There were voices; one was Mai’s, and it sounded afraid, and he desperately wished to protect her. The other sounded as if it belonged to a man, and Bearsace felt alarm bells ring in his head. At all costs, he had to protect Mai.

Run, Mai, run! He had barely managed to say the words when a flash of white took over his world. All he could feel was fear.

part two / bruised. azuchi, 1582.

Bearsace didn’t like the Oda forces, or whatever other clown names they chose to call themselves.

He tried, he really did.

Hello! He cried again, excited when he saw the strange man taking a nap on the burning roof. Hello! I am Bearsace. And you are?

“I am Oda Nobunaga… How would you like to rule the world at my side?”

That seems like a pretty good deal, Mai. We should take it.

“Uhh, thanks, but no thanks.”

But that’s a good choice too.

And then they were running quickly through the bushes. Wryly, Bearsace couldn’t help but point out that they would not be running if she had taken that man’s offer, but Mai, of course, ignored him again.

— 

Bearsace tried very hard to make new friends. After discovering that he had traveled five-hundred years to the past, he was surprised for a moment, but only a moment. He was, after all, a talking bear.

Hello! He said to the man with the eyepatch. I am Bearsace. And then the man held a sword to Mai’s throat, and from that point, Bearsace would snap his teeth at him instead of greet him politely.

It’s nice to meet you! He said to the man who did not really smile, but wore a lot of yellow, which confused Bearsace, who associated yellow with the color of happiness. I hope we can look at each other happily. The man did not speak, except to insult Mai. Never mind. I hate you.

I look forward to being your close friend, he said to the man who was friendly and had a mole near his eye, and Bearsace soon discovered he liked him the best, because he was the only one who was friendly to Mai from the start.

The three who Bearsace did not particularly bother with were the one who reminded him of a snake, the one who lectured Mai too much, and the one who was dumb enough to take naps on the roof.

He didn’t really have time for negativity like that.

—

Fortunately, Mai was as smart and resilient as expected. With the help of a ninja— an actual ninja!— she built up a plan to return to the future after three months from now. That, unfortunately, meant that she was under the protection of these weirdos for the next three months. She was awfully lucky that Bearsace was there to defend her.

We’ll get through this, Mai. Together.

— 

It was very irritating, the way that those warlords seemed to fall for her within a matter of weeks and fawn over her as if she was a doll. Mai, for her part, did not seem to be getting attached, which was good, if they were going to return to the present and finish Mai’s dream together.

Following two months in the Sengoku, his friend began to spend some time away in the evening, which was nice but also lonely. Bearsace could not sleep, but he could sit and stare at the ceiling and think. Usually he would not get bored of it, except that he could not stand guard over Mai if she was not there.

She actually seemed to grow happy, which made Bearsace happy. That was really all it took, and because it seemed to be those handsy Sengoku warlords who made her so, he gave them his grudging respect.

—

Mai cried sometimes. She always wore her heart on her sleeve, but it was the small, conflicted sobs in the middle of the night that snapped Bearsace out of his daydreaming as he kept watch over her.

Don’t cry , he said as his heart ached. Please don’t cry.

It was then that Mai reached for her purse and pulled out the hiring packet, and Bearsace’s heart broke a little bit more.

We have so many plans, don’t we? You can’t be sad for those.

She sniffled and held the papers in her hand.

Look! I kept them nice and dry for you. Surely that must mean something. All our plans, all our dreams… I will stick by you. Don’t give up yet.

Mai ignored him again. She tore the papers in half.

—

“I’m not going back.”

The only person— or bear— more surprised than Sasuke was Bearsace, himself.

What do you mean you’re not going back?! You didn’t speak to me before making this choice on your own, so that we could make it together?

“I thought you might say that. What gives?” Sasuke gave that secretive smile.

“To be honest with you, Sasuke… I’ve fallen in love with Oda Nobunaga.”

You WHAT?! The roof man?!

“Oh, is that so?”

Be quiet, Sasuke. Mai, how could you not tell me this?

“Well, to be honest with you,” Sasuke continued, “I’m not going back, either. You see, I have found some employment here that I can’t bear to leave in such a tumultuous time. You understand. But Mai, by my calculations… it seems that we may be forced to return.”

Yes! Don’t give up on our dream, Mai! Bearsace exclaimed, though he immediately wished to take it back once he saw the crushed look on Mai’s face.

“Please tell me that isn’t true, Sasuke. It took a lot of soul-searching to choose that he means more to me than any desk job.”

Look on the bright side; we’ll have the chance to be happy again, in our own time, right?

Sasuke launched into a long-winded explanation that Bearsace was far too agitated to understand, but it seemed to boil down to this:

As long as Mai and Sasuke remained in the past, time itself would remain wrathful and relentless.

—

Mai stayed in her room that night and cried. She did not meet Nobunaga, whom Bearsace now realized she snuck out every night to see. She cried until Bearsace feared her chest would cave in with sadness. He leaned against her thigh and allowed her to bury her face into the top of his head until the tears stopped… and, inevitably, they would start again.

How could he have known that Mai was falling in love? In dismay, he realized that the seam between them was tearing faster than he could patch it up. He tried talking to her many times that night— would try to offer words of encouragement, that even if they had to go back, he would always support her no matter what. But no matter how loud he yelled, she only cried harder, ignoring him.

“I don’t know what to do,” she whimpered. “I can’t leave him.”

Those were the first words she had spoken since Sasuke left, and Bearsace was immediately at attention. For the first time in a long time, Mai picked him up and looked him straight in the eye, and hugged him.

With a pang in his chest, he realized that she didn’t hug him quite the same, anymore.

It’s going to be okay. Can you please, please just respond to me once? I’m so afraid for you.

Her tears stained his fur, and he didn’t realize that anything could quite hurt this bad. “What do I do, what do I do?” she repeated, as if doing so would create a solution.

Mai…

“Ugh, what am I doing…?!”

Mai?!

“I’m talking to a dumb… a dumb stuffed toy! You can’t even talk or think; why do I still even depend on you?”

She had never raised her voice at him— not even when he wanted to change the channel from My Vintage Love to just anything else. Startled, he fell backwards as Mai snarled down at him, tears in her eyes.

“Sitting here crying isn’t going to do anything. I need to think of a way to stay.”

With a note of finality, she took him out the double doors and sat him down inside the storage closet outside. The room went dark when she closed it, and he yelled for her.

— 

Bearsace did not speak for a long, long time.

—

A maid found him, once, and asked the castle head what to do with him. He said that because Bearsace belonged to the princess, she should put him back where she found him.

—

A rat ate one of his eyes and choked to death on it before the other one. It did not hurt as bad as Bearsace thought it would.

—

The roof of the closet caved in, and of all people, it was Eyepatch Man who found him.

“Ha!” exclaimed Eyepatch Man, tugging at his paws. “Mitsuhide, didn’t this belong to Mai?”

“Oh, dear. I hadn’t realized our beloved Lady Oda had forgotten anything when she left this room. How very much like her.”

“Look, he’s missing an eye. Guess he matches me, now.”

They forgot about him when they were done fixing the closet, and a castle boy put him back on top of a puddle of melted snow.

—

“Oh, it’s here somewhere…”

Mitsunari! Bearsace cried hoarsely. It had been many weeks (or months, or likely even years) since he had seen Eyepatch Man and Mitsuhide. He would have been happy to see anyone, but Mitsunari was a treat. Where is Mai? She cannot have forgotten about me…

“Just grab what you need and go. You’ll be late for the treaty-signing with the Uesugi-Takeda forces if you don’t hurry up.”

“You’re always so wise, Lord Ieyasu! I- oh, here it is!”

Mitsunari extracted a sword from the depths of the shed. It was ornate and lovely, and covered in dust.

“This will do for a fine peace offering, don’t you say?”

“A peace offering isn’t necessary, with Mai having strengthened our relationship with them so well. I still don’t understand why you were so insistent on…”

Bearsace could not hear what Mitsunari was insistent on, because neither of them saw him on the ground.

—

A young girl with carmine eyes and caramel hair was the next one who found him. Beaten down, Bearsace could offer little more than a weak hello. The girl tilted her head and tugged at a sleeve whose owner was partially hidden by the doorframe.

“Father, what’s this?”

part three / beholding. azuchi, 1592.

Nobunaga’s hands were oddly gentle when he propped the young girl on one arm and took Bearsace in the other. His face was blank, and those hawk’s eyes were boring straight into his.

But those eyes… they were softer, somehow. Content. Bearsace felt ashamed at the way he must look in those eyes that had clearly seen a happy life— were continuing to see a happy life. His face had grown tan, his hair cropped a little bit neater. A scar on his cheek that had not been there before was there now, but did not distract from his handsomeness.

That wry smirk was impossible to misplace, though.

“I recognize you, don’t I?”

“What is it?”

“Your mother made him. Have you seen her, little one?”

“She’s with my uncles.”

Bearsace was so surprised to see Nobunaga bend down to kiss the girl on the cheek that he thought his other eye might fall right off. And if the girl’s mother made him, and Nobunaga was the girl’s father…

“Leave us, Shingen and Mitsunari.”

Nobunaga had made quick time to the audience chamber, where two men and a woman were laughing heartily over a game of cards. The woman had her back to him, but she kissed the two men on the cheeks as they left, then turned around.

Her hair was shorter. Her eyes were bright, and somehow, the kimono seemed better-suited to her now than it had the last time he had seen her many, many years ago. She looked at Nobunaga and the girl with sheer love, and then her gaze dropped to Nobunaga’s other arm— where the stuffed bear sat— and turned disbelieving before filling with tears.

“Bearsace?”

...Mai?

—

Her hands were gentle as she plunged him into rose-scented water and washed away the dust of many years. Her fingers were gentle as they wove thread through his bursting sides. Her lips were gentle as she, like she had many years ago, kissed the spot where his eye would be.

“It seems like you’re just not meant to have this eye, Bearsace. I’m afraid acrylics haven’t been made yet, but between you and me, I think you’ll be just as cute with one acrylic eye and one button one.”

One thing that Bearsace had never noticed was that Mai stuck the tip of her tongue out when she sewed.

One thing that he did notice was that she was wrong many years ago when she told the interviewer acrylics would help him see better.

The button eye made his vision crystal clear.

—

“Yumi, meet Bearsace.”

It’s very nice to meet you, Bearsace said. His voice was still sore from many years of disuse. He felt an unnamed feeling in his heart when he gazed upon Yumi— Mai and Nobunaga’s daughter. Her face was impassive, but with the same spark of curiosity that both her parents possessed.

“I was… very mean to Bearsace when I was younger. Do you think that you can take good care of him for me?”

The corner of Yumi’s lips quirked upwards as she looked at her mother with twinkling eyes. She took Bearsace in her hands gently, tenderly, and kissed the top of his head.

“Good night, Yumi, and sweet dreams. I love you.”

As Mai leaned down to nuzzle her daughter’s head, Bearsace noted that she always had the makings of a fine mother. She smiled down at Bearsace next.

“I’m so sorry that I got angry at you and left you in that shed. You were always there for me when times got rough. I love you so much, Bearsace,” Mai whispered in his ear and kissed the tip of his nose.

Slowly, Bearsace felt the frigidity that had taken hold of his heart begin to melt away. He did not feel empty anymore.

I love you too, Mai. It no longer hurt when she could not respond, because he knew now that he would always be with her.

“Good night. I love you. Say good night, Bearsace.” Yumi said. She lifted Bearsace’s arm and waved at her mother with it.

For one blissful, thousand-thread moment, Mai waved back.

epilogue / azuchi & kyoto, c. 1600s-2016.

Nobunaga and Mai died hand-in-hand on a beautiful spring day after living a long and happy life together. They were the last of their friends to pass, and were buried with them, too. Bearsace had come to love the strange family he had found, who had all found each other, too.

Even if they had hated each other for so long.

When it came Yumi’s time, she held the hand of her son and made him swear to protect Bearsace with his life. And when it came his time, he did the same with his daughter, and she with hers.

Bearsace did not throw his words so much now. He spoke carefully, affectionately, and with all the wisdom he possessed after so many years.

Sometimes, he would reminisce.

The way that Mitsuhide’s lips puckered before teaming up with Masamune to tease Mai.

The way that Kenshin and Nobunaga would spar in the courtyard, scaring the maids even from across the castle.

The way that Hideyoshi nagged Yukimura, and the way that Yukimura rolled his eyes.

They made his heart blossom and wilt and laugh and cry and dance and sing— all at once. This was love, Bearsace had decided a few hundred years ago. The way he could so clearly see in his button-eye the joys that they had shared together— and the way that, after so many years, he could not help but care so deeply.

Even after all these years, Bearsace was in excellent condition because of how well everyone had taken care of him. It was why, when a great, great, great— who-knew-how-many-greats— descendant of the Oda donated him to a museum, he was placed in the center of the Azuchi-Echigo exhibit, right across from a weathered painting that explained the importance of Mai.

c.1582: An ancestor of the teddy bear, “Bearsace” was hand-sewn by Oda Mai, famous peacekeeper of the Azuchi-Echigo Treaty, then passed through the generations by her descendants. This is  one of the best-preserved artifacts of the Sengoku period. Generously donated to the Azuchi Castle Archive Museum by Oda Sakura.

“Huh. That’s weird.”

Bearsace had felt asleep for many years, missing the sound of her voice. When he heard it again, he almost felt his heart collapse in shock.

“This Bearsace kinda looks like my Bearsace.”

It took a moment for Bearsace to look down at the newspaper that Mai held in her hands, dated with the year of 2016— the year, he realized, before she and another version of him would go back to the Sengoku period. His eyes could not take enough of her in as she tilted her head, looking at him with a fond sort of bemusement.

Mai, he called, voice breaking with brilliant, shining emotion as she walked away, not thinking twice of the strange encounter. I missed you. Don’t forget to give me to Yumi, and don’t forget to sew me another eye.

But she was something of a white bird in a blizzard— he could not catch her. But he was content to watch as she walked away, farther into a life that he knew would make her very happy. This was all that he swore to do— was to protect her, so that she could finally be happy. The joy of it settled something within him, and visitors to the museum that day could have sworn that the bear’s face settled into a permanent, peaceful smile.

—

Bearsace did not speak for a long, long time.

[ranmanjuu]

Hello! I really enjoy you Gen Z MC headcanons a lot! Can you make headcanons for Non-Native/American MC? Like, Japanese isn’t her first language and while she got some words and phrases down, she still struggles a lot. Especially with saying names correctly. So, she give our warlords silly nicknames or just completely pronounces it word. Just with the Oda Forces right now. Thank you!

thanks for the request! as someone who's bilingual and Fluent in None, i'll try my best lol. and iirc sengoku japan has some differences in their writing than modern japan, but i'm Not sure to what extent because i'm no Expert™. and this is from my personal experience, so not everything may apply (aha i'm no american)

—oda forces with non-native/american mc

—nobunaga:

consider him intrigued! he’s met a few portugese men and a few other nationalities from the west trading, but he didn’t expect his fireball to be one!

pre-learning you came from the future, he was a bit confused on why some of your words sound different than what the others were speaking. it’s still japanese, he knows that for a fact, but it’s slightly different.

your responses in conversation come slowly, and sometimes not even correctly. he sees the way you kind of falter each time someone corrects you, then steel your eyes in resolve in speaking correctly. he’ll wait for them patiently all the same.

if you’re ever to use a phrase wrong or say a word you didn’t mea nto say, he’ll let out a loud guffaw. he doesn’t correct you (most times), it’s a bit entertaining how a sentence can sound funny to him while you remain clueless.

if it’s of any need, or perhaps you asked for it (because japanese was already hard, the fact that it has differences from the one you were learning adds to the weigh), he will order to have someone tutor you.

as time passes, you become more and more fluent. and by then, nobunaga will invite you to his tenshu on sleepless nights, and demands that you tell him how your country is. it’s land, the culture, anything and everything. and he’ll listen in very carefully—he really is interested.

when the two of you are alone, he often encourages you to “do it how you do in your land.” it’s a way of learning more outside japan, and learning more about you! in a time when you’re stressed with all the shocks, he wants his fireball to be comfortable at least.

sometimes he goes above and beyond once you’re in a relationship. you can’t use chopsticks and prefer to use cutlery? well, the portugese had a supply, so he got ‘em. you want a specific fabric that isn’t available in the market and maybe even the country in general? trades, baby!

he’s a bit interested in some of your words, even if he can’t exactly use them in japanese. (we talkin things like “y’all”, etc.)

you call him “naga”, mostly due to the “nobu” part heavily influenced by your accent. you’re the only one who he’ll allow to call him that.

and if anyone, even another daimyo, comments about your foreignity, they’ll have to face with him personally.

—hideyoshi:

as any other time, he still suspects you. hideyoshi doesn’t doubt that you’re a foreigner—the clothes you wore and lack of knowledge of most things seems to prove it. but that doesn’t mean you’re not dangerous.

so, for the first few days, he tailed you everywhere. and he got to be a witness of your struggles in mostly language. even talking to the maids become a challenge as you stumble across your sentences and still make mistakes. he saw how, when you don’t manage to get what you want to say across, you just shook your head dejectedly with a small, “sorry, nevermind.”

his suspicion picked away slowly from that point. but it wasn’t gone; he just felt immensely guilty for tailing you now.

until, one day, you walked into a soldier harshly scolding a maid. what’s the matter? something about...sword training...’not supposed to do that, you’re a woman’...? the longer you listen and try to decipher it, the more you hear some sexist bullshit. and you were not tolerating.

“hey, stop that!” the two looked at you now, and only after you said that did you realize you’re gonna have to make your argument in japanese,”what if she want to.. sword... practice...”

as you went on, your voice died and your grasp of the language seems to fade away. the soldier took advantage, and swept in like an eagle, “hah, what do you know about fighting, huh?! much less speaking japanese!”

you stopped right there, your heart stung and twisting. the air became suffocating, shrinking down your body and blurring the world. thankfully, hideyoshi, who’s seen everything, stepped in. your vision only regained once the soldier and maid were gone, with hide speaking as soft as he’s ever been, “are you okay?”

with reassurance from you, he apologizes, and so comes to an agreement to start over. from then on, he became the overbearing mother he is.

he’s always looking after you whenever he can. aiding you in speaking, teaching you some basic customs, all that jazz. worry plagues him 24/7 about you, what if you got kidnapped, or what if a ronin attacked you because of accidental provoking?!

you had to spend a long, long time convinving him you were fine.

he always reinforces the, “say the t word instead of sorry” principle if you apologize because of your lack of knowledge.

you often call him “yoshi” now (same pronounciation as yoshi from mario lol) since you spent,, so long calling the ‘hide” part like hide in hide n’ seek.

and while he doesn’t tolerate people who make any bad remarks about you, if it’s someone like a daimyo, he’ll hold it in and curse them to hell afterwards.

—mitsuhide:

a little mouse from another land, hm? this’ll be interesting.

he often teases you at first. it’s a bit inviting, how you keep mixing up words and he could make you think it’s correct, delivering a message that was misspelled, and even telling you to write something (the japanese writing system,,,, shudders)

but if it genuinely upsets you, he will tone it down.

ntb cruel, but he finds it a bit charming of how helpless you are at times. a jittery little mouse, walking around the castle.

he’s quite baffled at the lack of knowledge you have. he understands it a bit, but even so, the teasings don’t stop. “my my, we have a long way to go ahead, don’t we little mouse?”

the princess lessons he gives include learning japanese, the customs (using chopsticks, bowing, etc.), and everything you should at least know. it’s often very taxing, and mitsuhide is a very strict teacher, but sometimes you wouldn’t change it for the world.

when he congratulates you at something, it feels weirdly fulfilling. he doesn’t give them often, only if you’ve done a wonderful job, but his words make your heart flutter and encourage you to do better.

man would definitely know what you’re talking about if you speak your language. he’s the mvp spy for the oda, i’d wager he knows some other languages. so if you’re muttering to yourself, be prepared to have a mitsuhide appear out of thin air and make a comment about it

and he doesn’t,, really help you at times. like when you know a word in your mother tongue, but you just can’t think about what the japanese is—all the he says is, “my, i wonder what it is.”

you just glare at him half-heartedly.

that being said, secret conversations that (most of the time) only you two know about happens here and there. maybe during a mission, he’ll whisper something into your ear with your mother language (mitsuhide is totally the type to pretend to be shit talking someone while he’s actually having a normal conversation, so)

as you two become closer, he becomes painfully aware of how vulnerable you can be, especially with someone in his position. if you were kidnapped or anything of the sorts, you can have more trouble with your captors,,

in short, he’s often very Protective of you if he needs to.

if anyone scrutinizes you in any way because of the whole foreign thing? well,, they won’t be seen ever again :)

you pronounce hide the same way like in hideyoshi’s. you called him like that,, for the longest time,,, and he still hasn’t lived it down.

despite there being two mitsus, you call mitsuhide “mitsu” (sometimes as ‘mizu’ if your tongue slips)

—ieyasu:

he’s very ice cold (as anytime at first) to you, the whole “useless waif” thing  multiplying in his salt.

you did bear with it during the first few days, but if it starts getting to you and making you visibly upset, ieyasu will slowly notice. he feels a bit bad, and the ‘avoiding people’ part of him told him to just leave it be and avoid you. but after seeing some instances of you trying your absolute best and looking so crestfallen if you’ve done the slightest bit wrong, his hearts feels obligated to apologize.

well,, apologize in his term. in his own roundabout way, he invited you to feed wasabi. most of the time it was silence, but somehow, it felt nice. comfortable.

in the end, both of you finally said something, and at the same time. “uhm, ’yasu—”  /  “look—”

you two paused, and ieyasu looked away while you held back a chuckle. “i really enjoy this. thank you.”

your  enunciation was still slipping, but the smile you sent left him almost speechless. only after you tilt your head in confusion did he go back to reality, scoffing to the side, “whatever. i don’t care what you think about this.”

it’s a bit maddening at times; you were like another mitsunari, but instead of misprocessing what he said, you often just didn’t understand. all the insults flew over your head because you didn’t know any of them. it’s like, a part of the reason why you’re so hard-headed to spend time with him.

if he were honest, he felt a bit bad seeing your state. as someone who spent time being vulnerable and having to force the world to give him a space of his own, seeing you reminded him or himself. maybe that’s part of the reason he agreed to teach you some medicine,, he wanted to give you a place. even if that place was him.

he’s very often protective of you, in his own, indirect way. he walks with you to the market even if you insist you can do it yourself, he jumps in each time you look like you need help with language—it’s a bit adorable.

you call him “yasu” or “yass” (more often the latter). the “ie” part really confused you, and while the warlord himself couldn’t care less of what you call him, you’re the only one who can nickname him like that.

—masamune:

just like mitsuhide, the man’s quite excited to see what would come from you. while you couldn’t really tell anyone off in japanese, you definitely did that in your language. and while masamune didn’t know what you said, but by the expressions you made, it was enough.

ngl, that part of you made him take you less seriously.

i’d imagine it’d be quite hard for you to keep up with him, even in just a normal conversation

he doesn’t mind the slip-ups (which can make your sentences range from bizzare to just absolute rude) and it actually fishes out a loud laugh from him. but if you happen to talk to anyone from his clan like that, even unintentionally, you’ll be in a lot of a pickle.

and by pickle i mean near death experience.

first time he saw you fumble around with your chopsticks cluelessly (and using them in less efficient ways), he didn’t understand at first, but was quick to teach you. how else were you supposed to eat and savor the flavor?

speaking of that,, since you aren’t really familiar with japanese food, you kinda dined blindly without knowing which part of the food tastes like what. masamune thought he was facing another mitsu and almost had a heart attack.

he’d gladly tell you what tastes good with what, how you should eat it, etc. etc. man would definitely feed it to you and tease you heavily while he’s at it

you’d often ask him what some foods were, even the most common. masamune gaped at you when you innocently asked him what a ‘dango’ is. and most times, you’d find the same thing on the dinner table later.

still on the topic of food, you can absolutely tell him the food from your country! actually, given the ingredients and basic instructions, he’ll absolutely make it for you if you feel homesick.

you call him “moon”, coming from how you said the “mune” part like you would in english rules (like in commune, etc.) he really liked the nickname, and it eventually stuck.

(irrelevant but you also said “date” like,, y’know, the english words date.)

(^ some puns came from that)

—mitsunari:

the first time you came to the senoku era, you were confused, but most of all, panicked. when mitsunari raised the hypothesis that you were a foreigner, you managed to catch on that one word. in a response, you pointed at him and just nodded, hoping the others would get what you were saying.

from then on, he was the first to start talking to you slowly and use basic words he’d hope you understood. in discussions where you were left in the dark, mitsunari would take the time to turn to you and explain it slowly.

you felt absolutely grateful and indebted to him. as such, no objections were raised as you were appointed as his caretaker.

through the,, trial and tribulations (him mistaking you for kitty, the almost impossible reading-trance he had), you kept patience over it all. he made you feel the most welcome, this was a way to repay him.

mitsunari himself saw you as a saint; you didn’t have to be so nice to him. he knows how unbearable he can be in terms of taking care of, it’d be way easier for you to just get it done in the fastest way possible. you absolutely objected to that, he helped you, you’d help him now.

his admiration just grew. he saw you as so, so strong and brave, held in a castle with a language you didn’t know much with customs you were a stranger to. on top of that, you were so kind and patient with those who needed help, despite your own troubles. it wasn’t love yet, but a deep-seeded admiration.

i’d like to think he knows enough of your language to hold a normal conversation in it, maybe from the books shipped from the portugese and the likes. other than sasuke, he was the one who you could just let go the worries and stress of language in talking.

to repay your repayment (which is,,,,.. nvm) he offered to help you learn japanese and the common customs. the tiny “really...?” you said, along with the slightly widened eyes littered with stars; it was something mitsunari’d never forget.

he’d always be supportive and understanding, explaining things over and over again until you understood. he’s the best teacher you could ask for.

when he started avoiding you so he could focus on work (and figure out why he feels so weird around you,,), you felt the most devastated you’ve been through your stay. he felt like the someone who you could feel the most close and safe with.

even as some people started secretly scrutinizing you as a foreigner princess, dear oblivious mitsunari kept respecting your appointed title. if someone made a rude comment about it, he’d strictly (which to him is just say it with a straight face and serious tone) remind that you rightly held the position.

you call him “navi”. at first, it was “nari” but the dull R slipped into a v somehow, and the nickname sounded  pleasant to you and him. and so it stuck

—ranmaru:

the first time you met him, it was when he hid behind you to avoid being killed. you gained just enough knowledge to understand what the guard was saying, and without much thought, jumped in. in a moment of panic from the thought of ‘this man’s life is kind of in my hands’, the stuttering and incorrect japanese switched into your fluent mother language. your mind flowed clearly by using words you were familiar with.

and while the guards didn’t understand (or anything, really), someone stepped in and deescalated the situation.

next time you saw him, you were glad to know that he was alive. he dismissed your apology of a poor defense for him considering it was in a foreign language with a gigantic hug, to which you just melted and laughed for the first time since coming.

he quickly understood that you had trouble understanding japanese, and tried to speak slower and clearer. tried. in moments of excitement, his speech would become faster and faster—to which you’d have to stop and ask him to repeat.

as your knowledge of japanese grew and grew, your conversations turned more and more fun. while you had small slip-ups, both of you would often stay in your room discussing whatever topic came to mind.

i think ranmaru would be interested in your country—what’s it like, how’s the food? are they delicious? you just laughed at his fascination and explained (more of you ranting on) many things. you missed the place, you very much do. seeing your slightly nostalgic face, ranmaru pulled you in a hug. stunned silence, your voice only came back as a weak chuckle.

“your country sounds great, my lady! i wish we can visit it someday!” he’d then say. and despite how different it’d be now than modern day, you still humored it together. “i promise.”

he’d also be gaping at how you don’t know some foods—but as opposed to masamune, he’d drag you out to town and dine at a teahouse. you’re working? it can be done later, come on!

he introduced you to many things, and you were immensely grateful for it. you couldn’t ask for a better, hyperactive friend.

due to your tongue used to the dull R, rather than a sharp R, you often just,, slurred his name into unintelligible mumbles. but now, from his own suggestion, you call him an-kun. (though more an-chan. it sounds cuter is all)

as the reveal of him being a traitor eventually came, you didn’t know what to do. you’ve known for a while; but never how to approach it. ranmaru was already prepared to take out his own life, but never in your life can you accept it.

“an-chan, weren’t we going to visit my country together,,?!” the begging, desperate voice from you made him stop in his tracks, spilling the tears from his wide eyes. they scrunch up; softer than ever.

“.... yeah. our promise, wasn’t it?” after some thought, he steeled himself up and looked you in the eyes with a new resolve, “... i’ll make sure it can be fulfilled, my lady. just—please wait for me, alright?”

[darkkitsuneprincess]

I Love You, Dummy - Part 2 [ Yukimura x MC (Mai)

This is the silliest, fluffiest, dumbest thing I’ve ever written and OMG I LOVE IT SO FREAKING HARD. Though I’m not sure if I’m going to end it here (which I could) or keep it going (which will end in absolute filth). Thoughts/requests/recommendations always welcome here... I am a slave to feedback, after all. 

Title: I Love You, Dummy Pairing: Yukimura x MC (Mai) Rating: F (for Fluff) Warnings: MORE OF THE SAME...Idiots in love. The dumbest angst ever angsted. Tooth-rotting sweetness. Overprotective dads doing dad things. Description: Having discovered Yukimura is going to propose at the festival tonight, Mai decides to play along only to realize she still doesn’t have all the information...

Those Who Need Tagging: @choi-jiyu, @nad-zeta, @siebenschoen, @tsubaki3192

READ PART 1 HERE

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As expected, the tap on the door was the work of Shingen, not Yukimura. I pretended to be surprised when the door slid open, and then I pretended to be disappointed when I saw exactly who I expected to be standing there.

“Good evening, Princess,” Shingen said with a deep bow. “It appears that ridiculous young man to whom you’ve given your heart has better things to do than escort a beautiful woman to the festival, so he asked me to see to your happiness.” The syrupy sweetness of his words made me roll my eyes.

“You’re such an idiot, Shingen.”

He pressed a hand to his chest and took another deep bow. “Any attention is a compliment when paid to a mere mortal from the goddess of the moon herself.”

I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt, but I couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled up my throat.

“Your laughter is like chimes on the wind,” he continued.

“Stop right there. Save your flattery for the ladies in town, please. There will be plenty of them for you to pick from tonight and you are something like a hero in these parts.”

He smiled then, a genuine, beautiful smile brimming with affection. “I am pleased to see your happiness has returned.”

“I’m excited for the festival,” I answered, which wasn’t exactly a lie. I was excited for the festival, among other things. “I assume we’re meeting Yukimura there?” I asked, and when I placed my book on the table and rose, Shingen’s eyes went wide. He laughed, a full, loud belly-laugh.

“Does Yuki know that the two of you are a perfect match tonight?” he asked, indicating my red kimono made specifically to match Yukimura’s haori. I felt a little strange wearing the Sanada crest on my own sleeves, but we’d been telling each other for a year now that we were going to stay together forever. And with Kenshin spilling the big secret…

“No,” I answered. “I gave him the haori this afternoon when I saw him because he’s been so…gone.” I tried to force sadness into my expression, which was a waste of time considering Shingen could read me like a damned book. “He left in a hurry afterward, so I was going to surprise him when he came to get me.”

Shingen’s already-wide smile widened further. “I see.” There was something almost fatherly in the way he looked at me…like he was ready to give me away or something. He turned and offered me his arm. “Shall we go? I would hate to keep Yuki waiting. You know how impatient he can be.”

I took his arm and allowed him to lead me out of the castle. Not surprisingly, Kenshin waited at the gates, somehow looking both bored and impatient. “Took you long enough,” he muttered before turning on his heel and walking ahead of us.

“Ignore him,” Shingen said with a chuckle. “He’s hungry.”

“Apparently.”

The sun was nearly gone by the time we reached the market, and a hundred different sensory points descended on me at once. Sweet and savory scents of various treats floated on the breeze that jostled the brightly-colored lanterns. Jovial conversation and peals of happy laughter wove in and out of the sights and smells, mingling with the warmth of the late-summer air. I was, I realized, happier than I’d ever been in my life. Or would have been, if Yukimura had been there with me.

As Shingen guided me through the marketplace, Kenshin occasionally turned to push some kind of food on a stick or a cup of something to drink into my hands.  It almost felt like I was being spoiled by a pair of overindulgent dads. All I needed was for Nobunaga to show up and add to the insanity…

Which, I remembered, was very likely given my boyfriend had gone to him in search of approval of our union. As soon as my mind turned back to the upcoming event, giddy excitement filled me. My hands began to shake and my heart picked up its pace. It could have been a sugar rush from the sweets forced on me by Kenshin, but the way the butterflies flapped around in my belly told me it was much more.

Beside me, Shingen laughed. “Are you anticipating something, my dear?”

“I…oh…um, no. Just excited to see Yukimura,” I stammered. “We, um, haven’t seen much of each other since we got here and I just really want to spend some time with him.”

Shingen made a quiet musing sound and patted the hand curled around his elbow but said nothing else. Kenshin, I noticed, was sticking closer as we made our way toward the end of the street, and it was then that I realized why.

Everyone else at this festival had come to a stop and they lined the street, watching as we passed. Kenshin was right when he said I was probably the only person in Japan who didn’t know what was going on.

“Um, Shingen?” I asked, tugging on his elbow. He bent toward me to hear my question. “Why is everyone staring at us?”

“Not at us…at you.”

“Why?” I was pretty sure I already knew why, but I wanted to see if he’d tell me.

“No reason in particular,” Shingen lied, “though you are stunningly beautiful tonight.”

He guided me around the corner, away from the prying eyes of the shopkeepers and toward the shrine only to come to a dead stop in the middle of a similar crowd, all craning to get a look at me…and the man standing directly in our path.

“Mai…” Nobunaga’s deep voice rumbled through the night air, startling me so much that I stumbled and would have fallen were it not for Shingen holding onto me. “You kept me waiting. I do not like to wait.”

My jaw flapped like a broken hinge a few times before the reality of his presence sank in. Yep…this was really happening. Either that or I’d gone totally insane and was now hallucinating all sorts of nonsense.

I blinked, then blinked again.

Nope…still there.

“How was I supposed to know I was keeping you waiting if I didn’t even know you were going to be here in the first place?!” I almost shouted in my excitement.

Nobunaga laughed. “I see you’ve lost none of your fire.” He offered me is hand and, pulling away from Shingen, I rushed over and took it only to be pulled into a tight embrace. “You have been missed, Mai. Are you certain you don’t want to come back to Azuchi?”

“I’ll always come back to visit, but you know full well my heart is here with Yukimura.”

Nobunaga snorted as he pulled my arm into the crook of his elbow as Shingen had before. We walked side-by-side, drawing all sorts of attention from the festivalgoers.

Is that THE Oda Nobunaga? Here in Echigo?

That’s the Oda Princess! Isn’t she lovely?

Is she really marrying one of our samurai?

Why is Kenshin allowing Nobunaga to walk before him?

Nobunaga chuckled at the not-so-quiet whispers. I looked back over my shoulder to find that Shingen and Kenshin walked beside one another… and that all the people who had watched us pass had now fallen into line behind us.

This wasn’t just a crazy proposal setup…this was a damned wedding procession. And I’d unintentionally added to it with the matching clothes I’d made for us. And I was wearing red. All I needed was the elaborate headpiece and I’d be a perfect picture for the history books.

“Um, Nobunaga? Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“Am I getting married tonight?”

Nobunaga laughed, long and loud. The sound drew the stares of everyone around us and it kind of annoyed me. I was tired of being laughed at, coddled, head-patted, and treated like some dumb little girl. So far the only person who had been straight with me at all was Kenshin and I was willing to bet a year’s salary that he was only doing it to be spiteful.

“I assumed when Yukimura came to me asking permission to wed you that he had discussed the arrangement with you first.”

“No…no, he hasn’t.”

That only made Nobunaga laugh harder. “Then it appears I’ve ruined a grand surprise.”

“Kenshin already beat you to the punch. Sort of. He told me Yukimura was planning to propose. He didn’t tell me the rest.”

“Well, then I suggest you act surprised, because he has gone to a good bit of trouble on your behalf.”

“Thanks…that doesn’t make me nervous or anything.”

Nobunaga glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, ignoring the continued stares and whispers around us, and when I looked up at him, I discovered the humor had gone from his face. He looked every bit the imposing warlord…or yet another concerned father. I had the dad-trifecta going on here…all I needed was Hideyoshi to be waiting at the end of this mess to fuss over me a little bit.

“Do you love him?” Nobunaga asked, startling me out of my thoughts.

“Yes,” I answered without hesitation.

“Then what is there to worry about?”

He was right, of course. Nobunaga was always right. As the shrine came into view, the anxiety that had crept into my mind vanished. I loved Yukimura more than I’d ever loved another person. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. Just because he jumped the gun a bit with the plans didn’t mean I wasn’t ready to take that dive with him.

The sea of excited onlookers parted to reveal a truly magnificent sight – flowers everywhere, candles and lanterns, and nearly every person I’d come to care about during this time. It was such an over-the-top setup that I began to laugh.

It was not a delicate giggle befitting a princess. No, this was an out-loud, braying horse-laugh that rattled up and out from my toes.

“Mai?” Nobunaga questioned though he couldn’t hide the humor in his voice.

“This…this is…ri-di-cu-lous!” I barked out, leaning into his side to keep myself upright as the hilarity of this situation took over my better sense.

Yukimura was not, and never had been, the romantic type. We weren’t a lovey-dovey couple that surrounded ourselves with hearts and rainbows. We were loud and obnoxious, stubborn and argumentative, and passionate in both our beliefs and our love for one another. In that moment as I stared at the carefully-orchestrated circus my soon-to-be-husband had created, everything began to make sense. I understood exactly why was so weird.

He’d embarrassed himself trying to make me happy. Silly boy.

Besides, I knew it wasn’t him at all. This whole thing smacked of Yoshimoto’s influence, down to the very last, perfectly-placed flower. He was also conspicuously absent.

“I agree that it is a little…extravagant,” Nobunaga said as we neared the shrine where Yukimura and Sasuke waited, groom-and-best-man-style.

“Yukimura is an idiot,” I said once I reined in my laughter. It would do no good to let him see me laughing. “I don’t need all of this nonsense and I have no idea how Yoshimoto talked him into it. It’s almost embarrassing.”

“Almost?” Nobunaga asked, raising one eyebrow at me. “The fact that your face is bright pink says otherwise.”

“Hush.”

Nobunaga chuckled again and let me past the point where the onlookers halted, onto the grounds of the shrine. Hideyoshi and Masamune waited for me to pass—bringing about another near-hysterical giggle in the process—before falling in step behind Kenshin and Shingen, followed by Mitsunari and the ever-grumbling Ieyasu. Only Mitsuhide’s presence was noticeably absent. But I didn’t have time to wonder, as I was suddenly face-to-face with the love of my life.

“Hey,” Yukimura said with an infuriating smirk.

“Hey yourself,” I answered. “You gonna tell me what’s going on here?”

“No,” he replied curtly, though he held out his hand. “Not yet. Now come on.”

I let go of Nobunaga’s arm and reached for Yukimura’s hand, and that’s when he noticed my clothing choice. His eyes went wide and perfectly round while his mouth fell open with a small gasp. Heat bloomed up the back of my neck and over my cheeks, rising in time with the flush of his skin.

“You…what? What are you wearing?!”

“Surprise?” I tried to smile but my nerves kicked into high gear and my heart started to race. “I thought…it might be fun if we, you know…matched.” Yukimura continued to gawk at me, and the look of shock on his face made me wonder if I might have made the wrong choice. “Do you like it? I…um…I can go change if—”

“No!” he shouted, startling me and causing everyone around us to laugh. “I mean, yes. I do. I mean…changing would take up too much time. Just…come on.”

“A word of advice as your Best Man,” Sasuke said, stepping up beside us, “you might want to compliment your bride. And, uh, you know…ask her to marry you now,” he stage-whispered.

“Damn it!” Yukimura growled. “Yoshimoto…”

“Where is he, anyway?”

“Inside with… wait. No. This is stupid. I’m not doing this.”

He tried to pull away but I held tight to his hand, making him stay beside me.

“Yukimura, look at me.” He hesitated but ultimately turned back toward me, keeping his gaze on his feet. “I figured out what was going on a long time ago, okay? You didn’t exactly keep your plans a secret from anyone except me and all of our surprise guests kinda gave away the punchline here.”

“You think this is a joke?!”

“No, you idiot! I think it’s sweet. A little overdone, but sweet. And beautiful. And romantic.”

“Oh gods!”

“And you don’t need to ask me to marry you, Yukimura. My answer is yes. It has always been yes.”

“You don’t have to—what?” He finally looked at me, his surprised expression almost comical.

“I said yes.”

“But…why?”

“Yuki,” Shingen chided, reminding both of us that everyone we knew was watching, “stop talking and accept the poor girl’s lapse in judgment. Or are you now trying to talk her out of it?’

“No!” Yukimura snarled.

“Then shut up and marry her before I steal her away!” Masamune called out, earning groans from both of us and an elbow to the ribs from Hideyoshi.

“Don’t ruin this for her!” he hissed, causing our one-eyed friend to giggle.

“Go, Yuki,” Shingen ordered. “One step at a time. Left-right-left-right…”

Yukimura groaned audibly and pulled me along with him. We glanced at each other again and started to laugh.

“This is dumb,” he said.

“It’s your fault,” I told him.

“No, it’s yours. I was told girls like this kind of thing.”

“By who?”

“Sasuke and Yoshimoto ganged up on me. And Shingen told me I had to be romantic. Like I said, stupid.”

“And sweet. It’s beautiful.” Yukimura went silent as we entered the shrine and found Yoshimoto waiting with a wide grin on his face. “Do you really need me to tell you why I said yes?” I asked as we turned to enter the shrine.

“Kinda, yeah.”

“Because I love you, dummy. Now let’s get married.”

Yukimura groaned beside me. “This did not go at all how I planned.”

“Honestly, when it comes to us…does anything?”