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sirthisisa-wendys · 4 years ago

Text

The General (Part 1): Geto Suguru x Fem!Reader

synopsis: matchmaking day is upon you, and you’re in for more than just a partner.

wc: 2.1k

tw: none - just a bunch of backstory. (part 2 is going to be much more interesting and Geto WILL appear.)

masterlist

The trees along the grounds of your family’s estate are blooming in full force, once again signaling the coming of the most anticipated day of the year: matchmaking day. Beautiful petals of yellow, red, and pink would decorate the lawn and as a child, you would gather them up and toss them around. You imagined your wedding would be just as majestic as the coming of spring and that matchmaking day would be the happiest day of your life.

For years, you had watched your older siblings be married off to wonderful and loving partners, their names being called from the crowd of people who gathered in the village square every year. For years, you eagerly waited your turn to meet the love of your life. And last year - the year before you were set to make your debut in the matchmaking pool - you found him.

The man you wanted to be set up with - Yuko Hashinara - was perfect.

As the son of a potter, he wasn’t filthy rich, but for a whole six months, you dipped your hands into the kaolin just to get closer to him. Yuko seemed to take a liking to you too, his soft features and green eyes following you around the workshop while you made conversation or giggled over town gossip. He had even touched your hand tenderly once; the white clay smearing over your fingers with care. He hadn’t admitted that he loved you, but today would change all of that.

“Mother! What should I wear?” All of the formal wear in your closet now seemed too plain for what you planned on being your debut into society as Yuko’s Betrothed. You no longer had the scores of clothing your sisters offered or the keen eye of your eldest brother. It was just you now, and as the youngest, there was a need to show everyone you were just as worthy as your siblings of a perfect match.

Your mother bustles in hastily, attempting to fix your hair while you rifle through the clothing that’s available to you. “Don’t wear red; only whores wear red. Perhaps the hunter green one will do.” When you pull out the silk garment your mother detailed, your shoulders fall a bit, noting it’s plainness.

“But will this look attractive for Yuko?” you wonder, trying to see the dress in better lighting. Gold and brown swirls decorate the dress around the neck and hemline but it still looks inelegant. “You know, like I’m supposed to be his wife?” Your mother’s hands still on your hair, and for a second, you wonder if you’ve said something wrong.

“This dress will look beautiful on you, like it did on your grandmother when she was matched with her husband.” Ah, yes. Grandmother. At the mention of the old matriarch, you’re silenced immediately, recalling the love she and your grandfather had upon their union. “We should only hope you are as lucky as she was to find a worthy match.”

“Yuko is a ‘worthy match’,” you retort, but your mother doesn’t reply, finishing your hairdo and stepping back to admire her handiwork.

“Now let’s get you dressed; we don’t have a lot of time.”

_______________________________________________________________________

When you arrive in the square with the other girls of the village, there is an uproar of chatter about who would be matched with who, and whether or not the matchmaker would be fair to some of the older girls who had never been matched with before.

You’re not overly friendly with any of the others gathered - due to your family’s estate being on the far side of the main village and as such, every trip into town required a long trek - but you’re welcomed nonetheless. As you stand in the cool, spring breeze, your eyes roam around the boys who were gathered on the left side of the square. Your eyes fall upon Yuko, and a sigh escapes your lips, your mind fluttering off to begin fantasies of the rest of your lives together. You would have an extravagant wedding, a lavish reception, and an equally attention-bringing birth of your first born: a son you’d already named in your head.

But as soon as you get to the day your son would take his first steps, the sound of the matchmaker’s voice echoes across the courtyard. She was short - very short - with small, beady eyes, and white hair that feel in a braid down her back. Her wrinkled skin holds all of the years she performed this ceremony, and you’re sure if you stare long enough that she might even shrink a little.

“We will now begin the matchmaking ceremonies with a prayer…” Your nerves bundle up in your stomach as the old woman begins reciting a prayer to the gods that you completely ignore. Couldn’t she just say all of the names and then pray? What did the gods care about the order of things?

It isn’t until you hear the soft murmurs of the women around you that you know it’s time to look up and resume your fretting about the pickings, which were sort of slim to begin with.

“Kashishime Okkostua… and Junte Yakamura.” The first couple of the ceremony had been announced, and you look at the brightened expression of a woman in the sea of female faces, who excitedly approaches her betrothed with arms open wide. The following twenty or so names were read off with similar results; only a few couples do not already know each other, and they approach each other with a timidness you could only describe as painful to watch.

“Yuko Hashinara and…” Oh, no, the time had already come. You look at the man who wrings his hands nervously, eyes glued to the matchmaker, while you hold your hands similarly, heart pounding beneath your dress wildly. The name of the woman falls from the matchmaker’s lips in slow motion, it seems, but it’s obviously not your name.

It’s not me.

It’s.

Not.

Me.

Your first thought is to go numb. As you eye the female who emerges from the crowd, your self-preservation instincts take over, analyzing the way she looks while you fix your fallen countenance. She is nothing amazing to look at, you reason, but as they acknowledge each other and depart from the crowd, your heart goes with them, never to return to the hole in your chest. Not even a trade from another other-worldly spirit could bring it back.

The rest of the day blows by you, and you don’t even hear a single syllable that sounds remotely like your name grace the tongue of the matchmaker. When she sets aside her papers, you and two other women are left standing in the square.

One of them started crying long ago, her face puffy and red. The other crosses her arms and takes a glance at you, shrugging her shoulders disinterestedly. But you… you’re feeling as numb as a rock. You stare at the sand lining the pathway, unsure of what to say or how to feel other than empty. The matchmaker hobbles down from her perch to where you three are standing and looks all of you over once. When she opens her mouth, all you can hear is:

“... maybe next year.”

_______________________________________________________________________

Next year. That’s the only thought that bounces around your skull as you make the embarrassing trek back to your residence. Next year.

But there wouldn’t be a next year.

The one you wanted was already gone, and--

Your eyes lift slowly to the door of your family’s home. Never in your lifetime had you experienced such a painful moment, but you wouldn’t let anyone see you defeated. Even after your mother opens the door and witnesses your shuffle back into the house, you announce to her and your father stoically: “The matchmaker said next year would be the year,” and walk into your bedroom with nothing else to declare.

The pillows on your bed muffle the sobs of your broken heartedness, and cover up the absolute humiliation you had suffered in front of the whole town. You wouldn’t speak of this day to anyone, not even your parents. Next year would be your year.

_______________________________________________________________________

Thunder rattles the windows of your house, and you stare at the various trees being stripped of their buds and flower petals in the pending storm though the panel in your bedroom. This is perfect weather for your mood, you note, and settle into the soft cushion beneath you with a sense of satisfaction. The world mirrors your inner turmoil with this storm, and you like the way the darkness swallows up the bright blue sky.

“Y/n…” A tap on your door signals the arrival of your mother, but you don’t answer, preferring to stare out of the window at the destruction instead. “I’m coming in.” The door is pushed open with ease, and your mother waddles in, holding a bowl of your favorite soup. “I made some soup for you.” You look at the offering with disinterest, eyes sliding away from the bowl and to the mirror across the room.

“Thank you, but I’m not hungry,” you croak. You can’t see your reflection, but you know you look like a wreck. You had snatched out the bobby pins and ribbons in your hair after you cried, then stripped the dress off in haste, throwing it into the corner before dressing in a plain kimono to remain decent. You’re still in that same kimono, even though it’s been almost a day since you’d changed.

“You haven’t eaten since yesterday morning.” The keen observation doesn’t make your stomach growl. Instead, it’s like a stone is sitting in your gut, preventing you from even desiring food.

“I’ll be okay.” Your mother sits the soup down on your bedside table anyways, leaving you in peace just like she found you. A slight hiccup finds its way into your throat, and you want to cry, but you have no tears left at all. Your face is tight and raw, and you want to scrub at it to make it all go away… but you can’t. The matchmaker’s word is as good as a bond, and you can’t break that bond; not even if you tried.

The sound of the front door rattling initially sounds like some aftereffect of the lightning and thunder rolling across the sky, but you notice that the windows hadn’t shook. The pounding sound echoes again, and you find the strength to slide to the edge of your bed, feet dangling in the air precariously.

Your father would be there to get it, wouldn’t he? So why are you moving? Before you can question yourself further, you place your feet on the floor and pad to your bedroom door. Perhaps it was Yuko, and something had gone terribly wrong with his new wife. The thought makes you move even faster, your legs propelling you down the hallway and to the foyer, where your father stood with the door open to the rain. As you crane your head around the wall between the foyer and hallway, you see a figure bent over at the knees, catching their breath and mumbling erratically.

“Can I help you?” your father asks the person, who’s head snaps up, flinging his long, white hair back and showing his startling blue eyes. He’s dressed as an Imperial Warrior in a black and red kimono and hakama with a white sash around his waist, which signifies his rank, but you don’t know what rank white is.

“Sir, I have come a long way,” he begins, panting still. “The Imperial Court is in need of your youngest daughter. I have ord--” Your father scoffs, not even entertaining the man at his feet by listening to his speech.

“I’m sorry, but my youngest daughter is not a fighter,” he cuts the man off with his hand, but the man continues anyway.

“If you would please grant me entry into your home, I will be able to tell you the entire story. I am sure you will allow me this much upon seeing this.” Suddenly, the man reveals a water damaged envelope with the Imperial seal stamped upon it from his kimono. Your father looks at the document, but does not open it.

“Come inside, then. I’m sure you’re weary from your travels. I’ll have my wife prepare you some dinner.” As your father lets the man inside, your peer a little closer at the soldier and find his sapphire orbs boring right into your soul. A charming half smile pulls at his lips, but he turns away to follow your father into the kitchen, leaving you alone in the foyer and to wonder who exactly was in your home and why.

#geto x reader #jjk geto #jjk gojo #geto suguru #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen getou #jujutsu kaisen imagines #getou x reader #getou suguru

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yououui · 4 years ago

Note

" i'm trying so hard, but... i can't stop myself from falling in love with you. " - but it's kurogane saying it! because you know he tried to stop himself before deciding this was just his lot in life and it was time to wife that boy

I accidentally wrote a 5 page fic of Kurogane just being a lovesick idiot enjoy

They sit in silence after Tomoyo leaves them. Kurogane wants to yell at her a bit because what the hell is she playing at dressing the mage like that?! but it turns out that cutting off an arm is exhausting and he doesn’t have the energy to fight her. He does give her a glare as she exits the room and she winks back at him.

Tea is brought for them eventually and Fai carefully pours them each a warm glass. “How are you feeling?” Fai asks while handing Kurogane his cup, the first words spoken since he socked Kurogane upside the head.

Kurogane shrugs, a natural instinct that proves to be a mistake as pain shoots across his left side. Fai notices his wince and moves closer in concern, like he thinks Kurogane will need to be caught before fainting, but Kurogane waves him off. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

“And in pain,” Fai says. He almost sounds angry, but the sad look on his face betrays his tone.

“It’s not that bad,” Kurogane tells him instead. “As long as I don’t move too much.”

Fai regards the empty sleeve hanging at Kurogane’s side and the white bandages wrapped tightly around his chest. “You’re such… an idiot,” He says eventually. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“Thought I made it clear a while ago,” Kurogane responds, as easily as ever. “I’ll do anything to protect the people I love.”

Fai laughs, though it sounds more like a sob, and shakes his head. “If you love me then you’re even more of an idiot.”

“Trust me, I know,” Kurogane says. When Fai lifts his eye, Kurogane offers him a small smile just so the idiot doesn’t get the idea in his head that Kurogane is serious. Somehow, even for as upset as he is, it gets Fai to smile weakly as well. That gives Kurogane the encouragement he needs to continue. “Y’know mage, I’m trying so hard—I’ve been trying for a while, but…”

But…?

When did it start exactly? When did the annoyance towards the insufferable man sitting beside him turn into curiosity? When did he begin finding himself wanting to know more about him—when did he begin to care?

He can’t be certain but Outo springs to mind first. The moment Fai’s casual admittance that he wanted to die spiked anger in Kurogane. Anger not towards Fai, as Fai believed, but towards the mere idea of him going through with it. And the moment he saw the mage’s ribbon on the ground, no body to be seen as demons surrounded him and that anger returned like a tsunami wave engulfing him until he could barely see or breathe.

And the relief when he saw the idiot was actually alive. And the frustration at himself for feeling so relieved for someone that didn’t care about Kurogane or himself. Kurogane knew that it was pointless to let himself be interested in the mage; Fai was a liar that carefully kept them all at arms length and Kurogane had no idea who he would see when the mask finally fell.

But he didn’t want Fai to die. As grating as Fai could be, Kurogane wanted him to stick around. He didn’t care about Fai’s past, but he wanted to understand him more. He wanted to know what he liked—liquor, music, cooking, annoying Kurogane, cats, dogs?—and what he disliked—hangovers, waking up early, pickles, personal questions, green tea. He wanted to understand what had Fai so guarded, what had him so afraid, and he wanted Fai to understand that he could let the walls down every now and then, that Kurogane would protect him from whatever he was running from.

And then Yama, Piffle, Lecourt, seeing those walls break down brick by careful brick. Feeling the strength of Fai’s magic for the first time as it engulfed them, the sheer power of it suffocating and brilliant. And Kurogane felt a brief spark of hope that maybe, maybe, Fai was beginning to learn that caring wasn’t such a bad thing.

And then the fear that came with the weight of Fai’s limp body in his arms, the way his blood fell like morbid tears and stained usually flawless skin. Kurogane had felt that once before as a child, the night his life was burned to ruins but he still refused to let his mother go. Kurogane also refused to let Fai go; he needed to feel the mage’s breath and heartbeat, no matter how weak. He needed to know with certainty that Fai was still alive.

It may have began earlier, but it was then that he realized that his minor curiosity had grown into something he couldn’t control or bury or pretend not to notice. In that moment, his worldview narrowed down until he could only see Fai, the noises around them dulled except for Fai’s wavering breath and weak voice, and suddenly anything else he’d ever wanted didn’t seem to matter. He made the wish and paid the price and bound himself to Fai, a man who would keep running seemingly forever.

Well then, to hell with Nihon—he could find a new home or wander around new worlds with Fai until the day he died. He could give up his own life, tear out his own heart, anything it would take to keep that idiot alive for one more day.

It was only after it was over and the price paid that Kurogane reminisced about his parents and realized that there was a word for what he was feeling.

“But I can’t stop myself from falling in love with you.”

Fai says nothing but the breath he takes is sharp enough to cut the stillness around them. Because sure, Kurogane loved him, he cared, they were friends after all. But to fall in love…

It was something he knew he shouldn’t feel as soon as he realized it. He knew he should avoid it. If he tried to pursue someone who did not want to be chased, it would only end in disaster.

And gods did he try to stop it before it reached that point. Kurogane had heard of heartbreak of course, through others lamenting the loss of their beloved or reading about it in books, but he’d never experienced it himself. He didn’t understand how such a feeling could overwhelm someone completely and scoffed at characters in stories that threw themselves from high windows or drank poison rather than live a day without their love.

But then he felt it, that hot knife of rejection stabbing him straight through the chest. Each cold word and hostile glare twisted the blade until he was certain his heart had been crushed to a gruesome, mangled mess, and yet there were still tender bits of it left for Fai to sink his claws into. And then Kurogane understood the windows and the poison and honestly, he’d rather cut off his other arm than ever experience that again.

But at least Fai was alive. At least he was there, and Kurogane would take the bitter pain and more for Fai. Only for Fai.

Kurogane chuckles to himself now, the entire thing so miserable it’s almost humorous. If the person he was before Tomoyo cast him away could see him now, he’d probably call himself a moron, just like those characters in the stories. Kurogane never knew one person could change him so much. “Even when you hated me, I couldn’t help it.”

Fai’s head falls forward and he digs the heel of his palm into his eye as if it could shove his tears back inside. His other hand trembles and fists his kimono so tightly, Kurogane is worried he’ll tear right through the silk.

“I never—hated you,” Fai gasps, shoulders trembling. Kurogane feels bad for making Fai cry—Fai’s cried a lot recently. It comforts Kurogane to hear the truth, though, and he thinks the mage needs it. He has about five lifetimes of tears built up. “I couldn’t. So I tried to make you hate me but—gods, even after all I did... how I treated you…! You still wouldn’t...”

Kurogane turns his body a bit so that he can reach Fai with his right hand. He ruffles Fai’s hair and the indignant squeak Fai lets out as his head is pushed down feels entirely worth it. “Guess we’re both idiots then,” Kurogane tells him quietly.

Fai peers up at him through his hair that Kurogane has made a mess of. His face is shining with tears, his cheeks splotched red and his eye swollen and Kurogane marvels that such a beautiful person could ever exist in the mortal world.

Fai weakly—playfully—swats Kurogane’s hand away and wipes his sleeve against his cheeks. Kurogane snorts, humored that the outfit Tomoyo carefully picked for Fai to wear for a very specific reason has been reduced down to a rag to dry his face. “I think Kuro-sama must be on all kinds of strange medicine,” Fai says with a fragile but honest smile. “He’s in such a good mood and saying all kinds of weird things.”

“Mm. Don’t expect to hear this shit when I wake up tomorrow,” Kurogane tells him with a nod. He’s still smiling though, smiling like a lovesick idiot with hearts in his eyes but damn it he’s been through too much and has almost lost Fai too many times to care about it now. Hearing the slightly teasing tone in the mage’s voice and seeing him here, alive and at Kurogane’s side, soothes his torn up heart and begins stitching the pieces back together.

Fai’s smile grows as well, the fragile edges chipping away and leaving behind a look of pure happiness Kurogane has never seen on him before. Fai reaches over, letting go of his own kimono to grab the empty sleeve of Kurogane’s. “I’m sorry,” He says. “And thank you. But never do something like this again.”

“Don’t almost get yourself killed again and I won’t have to,” Kurogane tells him, grinning.

Fai nods, still smiling. “Fine. You’ll live a long, long life with me by your side, Kuro-sama. I hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

It’s probably the strangest proposal in the history of any world, but it’s one Kurogane is happy to accept.

#kurofai

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wisteriashouse · 4 years ago

Text

between us.

pairing: kamado tanjirou x sumiyuri hayami (oc)

genre: fluff

word count: 7015

remarks: commission by @hinokami-s!! i hope you enjoy this one... i feel like i went a bit off with hayami’s personality at the end (too much... humour?) but i tried my best! as usual tanjirou and hayami’s relationship is so sweet i cry 😭

The cherry blossoms are blooming.

That’s the first thing Tanjirou notices as he makes his way down the path to the Butterfly Estate, their slight fragrance drifting along the wind and lending their floral perfume to the spring breeze. The last time he’d parted ways here with the rest of his friends for individual missions, the cherry blossom trees still had fresh green leaves clinging to their branches. Now, it’s almost been months without seeing a glimpse of their faces.

He hopes they’re all doing alright.

Hiking Nezuko’s box more comfortably up his back, he lets out a slight wince as the straps jolt against the makeshift sling his left arm is in - the demon he’d faced on his latest mission had left a nasty injury there, and he needs to get it checked by one of the girls at the Butterfly Estate before he’s clear to continue taking new missions.

With a sigh, Tanjirou looks down at his wound to inspect it briefly. He’s not trained in medicine like Aoi and Shinobu are, but he’s been injured enough - he can tell from the bruising around his arm that he’ll need to recuperate for a week at least, or perhaps even longer. Hopefully, either Zenitsu or Inosuke will happen to be at the estate as well so that he won’t have to be so alone, or maybe even-

The faint scent of lavender touches his nose, and Tanjirou perks up at the familiarity of it. Could it possibly be her?

“Oh! Tanjirou, it’s you!”

Tanjirou glances up towards the source of the voice only to see a familiar figure silhouetted against the noonday sun, waving enthusiastically in the distance. Hayami is standing at the entrance of the Butterfly Estate, dressed in a snow white yukata and her platinum hair blazing gold in the light of the evening sun. Although he can’t make out her features clearly in the distance, Tanjirou somehow knows that their eyes have met - it’s like the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle falling into place.

He waves in response with his good arm, feeling the corners of his mouth lift in a smile - it’s an involuntary reflex, one that he can’t help whenever he sees her. As Tanjirou draws closer, Hayami, apparently too impatient to wait for him to come to her, takes off at a run - within seconds, she’s already standing before him with a radiant smile and lilac eyes that sparkle like gems.

“Tanjirou, it’s been so long since I’ve last seen you!” Hayami exclaims excitedly, holding out her arms to catch Tanjirou in her usual greeting hug when her gaze falls to his arm. Instantly, her eyes widen with concern, brows pinching together as she inspects the reddened area. “You’re hurt! What happened?”

A sheepish laugh escapes him, his good hand reaching up to scratch at his head. “Well, it’s a little embarrassing, but I got taken by surprise.” Hayami frowns in worry, moving as if to gently touch the wound, but right before her fingertips can brush his skin, she pulls back with a shake of the head. Tanjirou can’t help the slight twinge of disappointment, before he feels heat prick at his cheeks at the thought - he blames it on the warm weather. “What about you? Why are you at the estate?”

“We all make mistakes, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” Hayami chides, apparently unaware of his wandering thoughts. “I just finished a mission, so they’re giving me a short break. I’ve been going continuously for a few months now, and I don’t want to collapse out of exhaustion.” Giving him a cursory glance, she leans in closer, the scent of freshly laundered fabric and lavender tickling his nose - what a pleasant scent, Tanjirou thinks. Her lilac eyes stare right into his, and suddenly it registers to him that Hayami is standing too close - far too close.

“That’s true, I would hate to see you overworked.” He tries to brush off the feeling in his chest, smiling up at Hayami. “I’m glad that you’re here as well. I was worried I’d have to spend the next few weeks training all by myself!”

“That would have been quite lonely, but don’t worry, I’m here too! We can spar together if you want, but only when your arm gets better!” Hayami replies instantly. With a smile, she takes Tanjirou’s uninjured hand in his. “Come on, let’s get back to the Butterfly Mansion and get your injury looked at. I’m sure the other girls are excited to see you too.”

Tanjirou looks down at their conjoined hands, something akin to warmth fluttering in his chest. He’s lucky that Hayami doesn’t have the same keen sense of smell that he does, because now, the air is almost pungently sweet with the scent of his happiness.

“Knock, knock, are you there?” Hayami raps her knuckles lightly on the box Tanjirou always wears on his back. From the inside, she can hear slight scratching noises and rustling, the sound of its contents awakening. She knocks again, a playful sing song tone to her voice. “Oh dear, this box isn’t making any noise. Is anyone home?”

“Mmph hmph!”

All of a sudden, the lid to the box bursts open and a tiny Nezuko spills out in a mess of pink fabric and an assortment of wildflowers. Tanjirou must have given Nezuko those to play with while she was inside the box, Hayami reasons, colours and variations of all sorts strewn on the floor. With a smile, Hayami mentally promises to clean up the mess later and stretches out her arms. “Nezuko! It’s Big Sister! Did you miss me?”

Before Hayami can so much as reach for the younger girl, Nezuko is already toddling over and throwing herself into Hayami’s arms, making muffled noises of excitement behind her bamboo gag. Cooing, Hayami reaches down to brush some stray flower petals out of Nezuko’s hair before wrapping her arms around the younger girl. She’s as adorable as usual. “How have you been? Did you help your big brother Tanjirou fight any demons?”

Nezuko makes a little ‘mmph!’ noise proudly, her pink eyes sparkling. Hayami beams down at the younger girl, ruffling her long locks. They’re a little tangled, she notes with a frown. Tanjirou usually does this, but he must have been unable to with the injury to his dominant hand.

“Nezuko, sit here,” she pats her lap, before looking through her sleeves, before producing a little wooden comb. Carefully, she begins to run the comb through Nezuko’s locks, being cautious not to hurt the younger girl while undoing the knots. Doing this feels relaxing, the repetitive movements helping to calm her mind and soul.

“Hmm!” Much to Hayami’s surprise, Nezuko suddenly turns around in Hayami’s lap and points at her hair, before gesturing at her own excitedly. Hayami tilts her head to the side, momentarily confused. “My hair? What about it?”

“Mmhh mm!”

Hayami lets out a noise of realisation. “You want your hair to be tied into a ponytail too?”

“Mmm!”

“Alright, give me a moment.” Looking into her sleeves again, she searches for her spare hair ribbon - a short length of pink silk that would go beautifully with Nezuko’s eyes, she thinks. Humming lightly, she moves to gather Nezuko’s hair into a long ponytail, before securing it neatly with a ribbon. “There, all done.”

From the happy noises Nezuko is making, Hayami assumes that she likes it. Feeling pleased with herself, Hayami pats the top of Nezuko’s head with a smile. “I’m glad you like it!”

Nezuko whirls around, pointing at her forehead and making curious sounds. Hayami understands who she’s talking about almost instantly.

“Oh, where’s Tanjirou? He’s getting looked at by Shinobu-san for his arm, but I’m sure he’ll be alright in no time. He asked me to keep you company in the meanwhile.” Hayami answers, smiling as comfortingly as she can at Nezuko. This seems to abate the young demon’s concerns slightly, but then Nezuko tugs at the sleeve of her kimono, brows furrowed.

“Hmph hmm!”

“You’re still worried?” Hayami twirls a lock of hair around her finger thoughtfully. It is dark out now, so it should be safe for her to bring Nezuko out of the room. “Well, I suppose Tanjirou should have finished his examination with Shinobu-san by now, unless he’s more badly injured than I thought. Do you want to go find him?”

“Mhm!”

“Alright, hop on.” Lowering herself closer to the ground, Hayami allows Nezuko to clamber onto her back and wrap her legs around her waist. Once she’s satisfied that Nezuko is securely on her back, she straightens up. Behind her, Nezuko makes tiny muffled noises of excitement, and Hayami has to stifle a giggle. Nezuko really is too cute.

“Hold on tight to me, alright, Nezuko?” Hayami glances over her shoulder. Nezuko wraps her arms around her neck.

“Mmm!”

Setting out, the two of them make their way down the corridors of the Butterfly Estate to the medical wing, Hayami humming along the way to keep Nezuko entertained. Once they reach the medical wing, Hayami slides open the door, only to see Tanjirou sitting on the only occupied bed with a bowl of porridge on his bedside table. His eyes light up the second he sees the two of them.

“Nezuko!” Tanjirou says brightly, and in an instant, Nezuko is leaping off Hayami’s back before hopping straight onto Tanjirou’s bed, wrapping both arms around his middle tightly. Tanjirou lets out a grunt as he catches with his good hand, before he lets out a laugh and reaches up to pat the top of her head gently. “There, there, Nezuko. Big Brother is completely fine, there’s no need to worry, see?” He wiggles the fingers poking out of his cast to reassure her. Seemingly put at ease now, Nezuko tugs at Tanjirou’s sleeve, before pointing to her hair.

“Hmm mm!”

Tanjirou smiles at Nezuko. “Did Hayami do your hair for you? Wow, it looks beautiful on you, Nezuko!” Nezuko huffs proudly. He turns to look at Hayami. “Thank you very much for keeping her company for me, Hayami.”

“It was no problem, you know how much I love to spend time with Nezuko’,” Hayami says, sliding the door shut behind her. Stepping over to Tanjirou, she gives the cast a cursory glance. “That doesn’t look ‘completely fine’ in the least. How bad is it?”

“Just a hairline fracture.” Tanjirou explains, as Nezuko curls up in his lap like a large cat. “Shinobu-san said that it’ll heal in about a couple of weeks or so, as long as I don’t aggravate it. She gave me some painkillers too, but apparently they can only be taken after a meal, hence the porridge.” He lets out a sigh as he looks down at his dominant hand, casted and wrapped in a sling. “It’s a little hard to eat with this on, though.”

Crossing over to his bedside table, Hayami picks up the bowl, scooping a spoonful of porridge and holding it out to Tanjirou. “Here, I’ll feed you.” Hayami nudges at his lips with the spoon. “Say ‘ah’.”

“Ah, Hayami, there’s no need to!” Tanjirou’s face is burning red for some reason, and Hayami frowns in worry, setting down the bowl to the side.

“Tanjirou, your cheeks are flushed.” Tanjirou looks like he’s about to hyperventilate any moment, the flush on his cheeks deepening into a shade of wine red. He doesn’t seem like he’s about to admit anything, so Hayami simply leans forward, brushing the hair back from Tanjirou’s forehead to press their foreheads together, just as Shinobu had taught her to check for a fever. As expected, his skin is a little hot in comparison to hers. “Hmm, you’re a little warm. You might have a fever- Ow!”

Hayami staggers back with a yelp of pain, both hands clutching her forehead. “Tanjirou!”

“I’m so sorry! Are you alright? I didn’t mean to do that! You just leaned in all of a sudden and I panicked and I accidentally headbutted you!” Tanjirou panics, clambering off the bed to check up on her. Hayami rubs the sore spot where Tanjirou’s forehead had collided with hers, slightly relieved that her fingers come away bloodless - she’s seen what that deadly weapon is more than capable of before. It really is as hard as a rock, she thinks to herself.

“I’m alright,” Hayami manages. Nezuko looks concerned, pink eyes wide as she stares from the bed. Maybe she should go to Shinobu for an x-ray tomorrow, just in case. He might have fractured her skull. “Well, I suppose that you’re fine, seeing that you seem so energetic.” Picking up the bowl, Hayami holds out the spoon to him once more. “Here. You should eat so that you can take your pills and go to sleep.”

Apparently too traumatised by the earlier incident to argue any further, Tanjirou obediently opens his mouth and swallows, chewing silently. It doesn’t take him long to finish the entire bowl, and by the time Hayami is handing him a cup of water to wash his painkillers down with, Tanjirou is already yawning and rubbing at his eyes. He must be tired just having returned from a series of missions without break, Hayami thinks sympathetically.

“Lie down and sleep for now,” Hayami tells Tanjirou, moving over to help him fluff up his pillow. Nodding tiredly, Tanjirou moves to lie down, and Hayami tugs the blanket over him, tucking him in carefully to make sure he doesn’t catch a chill during the night.

“You should rest too, Hayami,” Tanjirou says between yawns, and Hayami turns to give him a quick smile. He’s looking up at her from the bed, almost half asleep at this point, and Hayami’s heart squeezes in her chest at the innocent sight. He’s so cute. “I will as soon as you go to bed,” she says, fetching a spare blanket from one of the empty beds to drape around Nezuko’s form. The younger girl had already fallen asleep a while ago at the foot of Tanjirou’s bed.

“Alright then,” Tanjirou says sleepily, letting out a final yawn before his eyes slide shut. “Goodnight… Hayami…”

Hayami looks up from putting the blanket around Nezuko to see Tanjirou already fast asleep with his eyes shut, the beginning of light snores escaping his mouth. For a moment, Hayami simply watches Tanjirou with a contented smile, before she shakes herself out of her stupor.

“What am I doing?” She mumbles to herself in confusion, before turning around to leave the medical wing. Before she slides the door shut, however, she gives Tanjirou’s sleeping form a final glance. He looks a couple of years younger like this, his face relaxed and a gentle smile on his lips.

“Goodnight to you too, Tanjirou.”

After a couple of weeks at the Butterfly Estate, Tanjirou’s cast finally comes off.

“See, good as new,” Tanjirou shows Hayami, as the two of them sit on the engawa next to the training grounds. Carefully, Hayami picks up his arm, checking it over. She knows it’s a little silly - if Shinobu, their medical professional, has declared that he’s fit to return to duty, he’s definitely more than alright - but she can’t help but worry until she sees that he is completely fine with her own two eyes.

“I’m glad,” she finally smiles, setting down his arm. Tanjirou beams at her, before he picks up his sword from where it had been lying next to him, before hopping off the engawa onto the training grounds below.

“Come on, let’s spar!” He calls brightly, testing the grip of his sword carefully. “It’s been so long since I’ve been able to practice. If Urokodaki-san found out how much I’ve slacked off on training, he’d…” Tanjirou trails off with a shiver at the thought. Hayami winces in sympathy. As a former student of Urokodaki herself, she can only remember all too clearly the times the old man had booted her into the waterfall that flows down Sagiri Mountain.

“You’ve just recovered, though,” Hayami points out, concerned. Tanjirou only beams.

“I feel perfectly fine!” Grasping his sword with both hands, Tanjirou takes a few practice swings with it. “No pain at all, my muscles are just stiff because I haven’t used them in a while. It’ll be fine after a bit of exercise.”

“Well, if you say so,” Hayami says, reaching for her own boots to pull them on. As usual, Tanjirou’s drive to improve himself is unrelenting. Adjusting them so they fit comfortably, Hayami hops to her feet, testing the blade mechanisms. As expected of Ginjiro’s work, they still work perfectly, much to her satisfaction.

She picks up her blade and slides off the engawa, raising her own blade with a smile. “I won’t go easy on you then, Tanjirou! Ready whenever you are!”

In the blink of an eye, Tanjirou is already lunging at Hayami, swinging his blade down with a fierce strike. “Water Breathing, Fourth Form, Striking Tide!”

Hayami twirls out of the way, landing lightly on her toes before she leaps at him. “Breath of Swan, Third Form, Wingspan.” Balancing on her hands, she executes a scissor cut with her legs, but before the blades can so much as touch Tanjirou, he’s already leaping out of the way, using the jump to flow into the next attack.

“Water Breathing, Second Form, Water Wheel!”

Blocking the attack with her sword, Hayami jumps into the air and strikes once more. “Fourth Form, Drifting Feathers!”

Her sword clashes hard against Tanjirou’s own, the sound of metal striking metal ringing out through the air. As she keeps up the pressure, Hayami catches sight of the wince that Tanjirou bites back, before his grip on the sword in his hands just happens to slip.

It’s a small mistake, but it’s enough.

“Tanjirou!” The two of them go crashing to the ground in a heap of tangled limbs and swords, Hayami falling flat on top of Tanjirou. “Oh my god, are you okay?”

“Don’t worry, I didn’t break my arm a second time.” Tanjirou wheezes, looking completely winded. Distressed, Hayami leans over to check the back of Tanjirou’s head for any injuries. “Really, I’m fine, Hayami…”

“A potential concussion is not fine, Tanjirou.” Hayami scolds, reaching over to feel for any bumps along the back of his head in case. She doesn’t notice the way Tanjirou is trying his very best not to breathe, his eyes squeezed firmly shut.

“Yes, but you’re a bit… close…”

“Eh?”

Hayami finally glances down at Tanjirou to see the poor boy’s face burning crimson, as if he’s about to combust spontaneously any second. That’s when she realises just how close the two of them are, the ends of her hair tickling his nose, the way that she can feel his breath on her skin…

In classic Hayami fashion, she panics. “I-I…” She stumbles over her words, frantically torn between wanting to apologise immediately and explaining that she didn’t mean it. “I just… I thought-”

“Squawk! Message from headquarters! Message from headquarters!”

Saved by the crow! Hayami looks up to see her crow, Aiya, flying around in circles over their heads. “Message from headquarters! Sumiyuri Hayami and Kamado Tanjirou are to depart at once on a mission!”

“A mission?” Hayami repeats out loud, rolling off Tanjirou and reaching down to help him up. “A joint mission together?”

“It would seem so.” Tanjirou answers, quickly sheathing his sword. Still worried for her friend, Hayami turns to glance at Tanjirou. “Is your arm alright, though?”

Tanjirou nods honestly. “It really is! I’m just a little rusty after so long.” Stretching his arms over his head to loosen himself up, he holds out a hand to Hayami. “Well then, shall we go?”

Hayami purses her lips, but then lets out a sigh and smiles. “If you say so,” she says, putting her hand into his.

“Let’s go!”

Splitting up was, is and has never been, a good idea.

Well, that assumption might not always be wholly accurate, Hayami thinks to herself as she speeds through the trees, but it does seem that only the most terrible things happen to her whenever she is split up with her mission partners.

Or perhaps it is because she is split up with Tanjirou specifically that she feels such worry.

Regardless of whichever it is, Hayami has a bad feeling about this. She and Tanjirou had agreed to split up earlier, and while she has complete trust in Tanjirou’s ability and skill in battle, she can’t help but worry - it’s been too quiet, ever since the two of them had parted ways to search for the demon.

Trust your instinct, she remembers Urokodaki saying. And right now, her instinct is warning her about something bad.

Before Hayami can make up her mind whether to regroup with Tanjirou or not, there’s a rustling in the distance that captures her attention almost immediately. Slightly alarmed now, she rests a cautious hand on the hilt of her sword, eyes narrowed.

What’s going on over there?

She barely gets a second to wonder - a single moment later, there’s a gigantic groan, and right before her eyes, a tree in the distance sways and collapses, vanishing into the thicket of the forest. Hayami’s legs are moving before she can consciously process the information, leaping over protruding roots and ducking around trees as she makes a beeline straight for the source of the noise. There’s no way a demon would cause so much damage and alert them to its presence - it’s likely that Tanjirou has already encountered the demon and is currently battling it, hence the disturbance in the forest.

Hayami remembers the way he had winced when they sparred earlier in the day. Sure, he’d hold her that his arm was fine and all, but then again, Tanjirou has always been someone who endures pain better than anyone she knows.

Pressing her lips together, she forces her feet to move faster. Not much longer now… Approaching the thicket where she’d last seen the disturbance, Hayami leaps into the trees for a better view of the forest ground, and almost immediately hears the sound of steel clashing coming from her right.

“Tanjirou!”

Just as she thought, Tanjirou is already engaged in combat, his sword swinging in defensive arcs to block the attacks being thrown in his direction before he goes on the offensive once more. To Hayami’s confusion, however, she spots two identical demons simultaneously attacking - the report had only mentioned a single demon. There’s no time for her to ponder too long about the matter, not when Tanjirou is being forced to take on two demons on his own. Drawing her blade, she leaps out of the trees, taking in a deep breath to send oxygen to the very tips of her fingers and toes.

“Breath of Swan, Fourth Form, Drifting Feathers!”

A mirage of white feathers erupt into the air as she slashes down at one of the demons, her sword cutting cleanly through the flesh and bone of the demon’s neck as if slicing through warm butter. Tanjirou gasps at her sudden appearance, clearly surprised as he blocks another attack, the force of the demon’s swing forcing him a few steps back.

“Hayami!”

“You looked like you needed a hand there,” Hayami says as brightly as she can, even as the headless corpse of the demon she’d beheaded a few seconds ago begins to crumble to ash. “Hurry and take care of the other one, then we can go back to the Butterfly Mansion together-”

“Wait, that’s not it-”

Hayami leaps back in alarm just as a massive clawed hand swings at her, the ends of its razor sharp fingernails coming a little too close for comfort with her face. Eyes wide, she watches as the demon Tanjirou was battling slowly pulls itself in half, before each half morphs and shifts… until they both become identical copies of the original.

This seems like it’s going to be troublesome.

“Right. As I was going to tell you earlier, this demon forms copies of itself,” Tanjirou explains as he takes up a stance behind Hayami, covering her blind spots while she covers his. “I killed quite a few of them earlier, they’re not very strong, but they simply keep dividing again and again. The original is a lot stronger than the rest of them are!”

“So one of them has to be the main body.” Hayami says, blocking an attack with her sword and sending another clone stumbling back with a high kick to the face. “Can all of them divide?”

“No, only the original. But it’ll be difficult to find it,” Tanjirou answers. The second he cuts down a demon, another steps up to take its place. “All of them have the same scent!”

There’s a thin sheen of perspiration on his face. Hayami frowns in worry. She needs to end this fight, and she needs to end it fast.

“Let’s start by clearing as many of them as we can,” Hayami says, readying her sword. The demon must still be dividing at a rapid pace, because she counts seven enemies now. “After we whittle their numbers down, try to spot which is the one who’s doing the dividing and keep your focus on it. Our main priority should be to take it down!”

Tanjirou takes a deep breath and assumes a different stance, holding his blade to the side. “Got it!”

“Breath of Swan, Ninth Form, Fleeting Flight!”

“Water Breathing, Third Form, Flowing Dance!”

Both of them move in unison, taking out the clones left and right as their blades sing into the night. Hayami moves between the demons with light, practiced steps, almost as if she’s dancing, her sword swinging with ease. Behind her, she can hear the whistle of Tanjirou’s blade as it splits the air in two, followed by the death screams of a demon.

Good, just a few more, and then-

All of a sudden, something yanks her by the ankles and Hayami goes crashing to the ground with a cry of surprise. The side of her knee has been scraped by a tree root, dull pain radiating across her leg, but such a small injury is of little bother to her. Flipping out her heel blades, she raises her leg high and brings it down in a furious kick, cutting off the neck of the demon that had grabbed her.

Getting to her feet, Hayami readies her blade once more, glancing around the battlefield to take stock of the situation. They should have significantly cut down the number of demons by now, so-

“Tanjirou!”

To Hayami’s horror, she catches sight of two demons relentlessly pressing Tanjirou back with a continuous barrage of attacks, her friend struggling to fend off their advances. Too preoccupied by them, he doesn’t seem to notice what danger lurks behind him - yet another demon creeping up from the back, ready to pounce.

“Tanjirou-” Hayami tries to call, but before she can rush to his aid, another of the demon’s copies lunges at her out of the bushes, attempting to bite off her legs. Kicking out with all her strength, the demon goes flying back some distance, crashing to the ground hard. “Tanjirou, behind you!”

Tanjirou whirls around at the sound of Hayami’s voice, but it’s too late - the demon has already lunged, its claws outstretched and teeth bared. At the same time, the demon that she’d been dealing with picks itself off the ground, spitting grass out of its mouth, and charges at her again, ready to tear her to shreds.

Hayami doesn’t hesitate. Flipping the blade in her hand, she draws her arm back and throws, with every ounce of strength that she has.

The blade severs the demon’s neck cleanly just as pain erupts across her torso. With a cry, she stumbles back, her hand pressed against the wound, hot blood seeping through her fingers. All she can do is take shallow breaths to try to cope with the agony, doing her best to remain on her feet. Out of the corner of her eye, the remaining copies of the demon let out wails of despair as they begin to crumble into ash. Then, the one that had tried to attack Tanjirou must have been…

“Hayami! Hayami, are you alright?” Tanjirou’s voice comes from above her, and it’s only then that she realises that she’s sagged to her knees. “Oh god… the blood…”

“It’s… not as bad as it seems,” Hayami manages to breathe out. “It just looks like a lot of blood… but it’s not deep. The demon?”

“It’s dead. The demon you threw the sword at ended up being the original.” She can hear rustling as Tanjirou crouches next to her side, rummaging about the inside of his haori for his first aid pack. “The second it died, the rest of the copies turned to ash with it.”

“That’s good to hear…” Hayami mumbles. The blood loss is making her feel slightly dizzy, the canopy of the forest almost blending with the night sky overhead in swirls of dark green and deep indigo. “If I puke… don’t mind me.”

“Don’t be silly, you saved me,” Tanjirou’s voice is a little shaky, and that makes Hayami want to frown. Does he feel guilty over it? He shouldn’t - she just did what she wanted to, and that was that. She’s sure he would do the same for her, were their positions reversed. “I’m going to bandage your wound now to slow the blood loss before I take you back to the Butterfly Estate for proper treatment.” He lets out a quiet wince. “It’s going to hurt.”

“Can I hold your hand?” Hayami asks before she can fully run that question past her mind. The second the words leave her lips, she desperately wants to swallow them back - this isn’t the time for that! Before she can tell Tanjirou she was just joking, however, she feels a warm, callused hand wrap around hers firmly, lacing her fingers with his.

“Of course you can.” Tanjirou whispers quietly. When she glances up, she is surprised to see Tanjirou looking right at her, his eyes nearly brimming over with worry and concern. “I’ll try to be as gentle as I can, alright?”

Hayami wonders if her cheeks can still turn red with the amount of blood that she’s lost, and finds herself momentarily relieved that the answer to that is likely a ‘no’. That’s when she realises just how far she’s gone and simply nods her head in acceptance. “I know.” She squeezes his hand reassuringly. “I trust you, Tanjirou.”

She says that, but the pain that seems to surge out of nowhere when Tanjirou wraps the bandage around her waist almost knocks her flat and has her vision white. Hayami isn’t sure if she’s crying, all she knows is that it hurts and it burns and it-

“I’m so sorry… I’m so, so sorry…” Tanjirou’s voice is like a balm, spreading over the fear and anxiety. It cuts through the thick haze of pain clouding her mind, and when Hayami forces her eyes open once more, she sees Tanjirou gently stroking her cheeks, his eyes wet with tears. He’s crying. Hayami hates to see anyone cry. She hates it even more when it is Tanjirou who is crying, worse of all, over her.

Oh, she realises, as his thumb brushes along her cheekbones. He’s wiping my tears as well.

“It’s fine,” Hayami croaks out. She can’t bear to see him cry because of her - that stings far more than any demon’s claws or teeth could. Her throat stings painfully with each word, as if she’s just swallowed an entire gourd of acid. Was she screaming the entire time? Only slightly embarrassing… “Wasn’t… your fault....”

She lets out another cry of pain when Tanjirou ties off the bandage tightly, although this one is quickly cut off when she hunches over and lets out a quiet whimper. “Really, I’m fine… or at least… I think I will be.”

“I’ll get you to Shinobu-san right away.” Gentle arms wrap around her, careful to avoid her bandaged midsection as Tanjirou lifts her into a bridal carry. Hayami thinks she might be embarrassed, but after a few seconds, it doesn’t come - all she feels is warmth, safety and comfort.

His arms feel like the home that she never had.

Something that she could only dream of.

“Don’t fall asleep just yet,” Tanjirou’s voice interrupts her thoughts, and when Hayami has to blink her eyes open again she realises that she was about to drift off into sleep. They’re running, or well, Tanjirou is running, feet slapping lightly against the ground and trying his best not to jolt her about too much. Hayami is grateful for that. “Please, wait until I get you to Shinobu-san at least.”

His voice is trembling slightly. He must be terrified.

“I don’t think that’s proper first aid protocol, but alright…” Hayami can’t help the small smile that tugs at the corner of her lips as she looks up at him, the determined line his mouth is pulled into. Handsome… what? Is her mind bleeding out of her along with her blood? “Talk to me? I’m feeling… hnng… a little sleepy…”

She’s just so tired.

“Sure,” Tanjirou agrees almost immediately as he leaps over a large tree root protruding out of the ground, continuing to race through the trees. From what Hayami can see, the forest is already starting to thin, more distance between the trees. They’re leaving the forest soon, and for some reason, Hayami doesn’t want this to end. She wants to stay in Tanjirou’s arms longer… “What did you do during all those weeks we were apart? Did anyone try to propose to you again?”

A laugh, weak as it is, bubbles out of Hayami. Light and fluttery, even though it tugs at the slashes along her midsection and makes a dull ache radiate outward through her body. Of all the questions he could ask... “No, not really… most of my missions happened in remote areas, so I didn’t interact with a lot of people. Why do you ask?”

A pause, before he answers. “No reason.” It doesn’t sound like there is no reason. “I just… wanted to know.” There’s another pause, longer this time, before he speaks again. Another question. “Earlier, during the fight… how did you know that the demon you threw your sword at was the original?”

The cherry blossoms are blooming, Hayami notices, even though her eyelids feel as though there are weights on them, their pink petals outlined in the gold of the lamps that burn around the Butterfly Mansion.

“I didn’t…” Hayami yawns. She’s really tired now, and the night sky and cherry blossoms blend together into swirls of pink and black. It reminds her of Nezuko’s hair. “Just saw it coming for you… moved without thinking... got a lucky hit… that’s all.”

Faintly, she feels Tanjirou’s arms stiffen around her. His warmth is like that of a charcoal furnace, radiating heat and making her wonder if that’s what home is supposed to feel like too.

“Thank you, Hayami.” Tanjirou’s whisper is the last thing she hears before her eyes slip shut. “Thank you.”

She just did something she wanted to, Hayami thinks as she slips into darkness.

There was nothing to thank her for.

The beds in the medical wing are soft.

They’re all very soft, very comfortable. But Hayami’s starting to get a little bored of soft and comfortable, after having been confined to bed rest for about two weeks now. Luckily for her, the weather today seems to be pleasant, the sun shining brightly in the sky and a gentle breeze moving through the air, so she makes to climb off the bed to open the windows at the very least because she’s desperate for any reason to get off the mattress-

The door to the medical wing slides open. “Hayami, you’re not supposed to be out of bed!”

It’s as if he just knows! Every! Single! Time! Hayami freezes with one foot on the floorboards like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar, an awkward laugh starting to bubble out of her. “Well, yes, I know that, I just… wanted to open the windows.”

Before she can even finish that sentence, Tanjirou is already hurrying to her bedside, hands gentle as he helps her back into the bed, tucks her blanket tightly around her - whether it’s intentional or not, she doesn’t know. “You wanted to open the windows, didn’t you?” Turning around, he does so for her, and the sunlight falls onto her lap, golden and warm. “You should be resting!”

Three slashes. About five inches each. A handful of stitches. Not the worst Hayami has faced, in her opinion, but enough to warrant a month’s worth of bed rest. And it’s driving her crazy.

“But Tanjirou,” Hayami doesn’t normally pout, but she does now. Being forced to stay in bed for two weeks will do that to you. It changes people. “I’m already resting. I’m so rested I can’t possibly rest any more. If I lie in this bed for one more day, I’m going to end up becoming one with it. Please let me out.”

Tanjirou only hesitates for a few seconds before he shakes his head, holding both hands out in front of him as if trying to physically block her puppy dog eyes. “That’s not up to me, that’s Shinobu-san’s decision…” His gaze falls to the floorboards, brows pinching together slightly. “And besides, it was my fault you ended up in this position in the first place…”

Before he can wallow in his guilt any more, Hayami reaches out to poke him squarely in the forehead. She’s mildly sure that hurt her finger more than it did his head, but it seems to have done the trick - Tanjirou looks up at her, surprised. She can see the slight worry in his eyes, the way his lips press together whenever he looks at her.

Knowing that guilt is what Tanjirou feels when he looks at her… Hayami doesn’t like that in the least.

“Hayami?”

“Hey,” Hayami says sternly, reaching out to tug Tanjirou closer to her bedside. Tanjirou only looks up at her, a nervous, slightly pained expression on his face. “If you had been in my position, and you saw me about to get slashed by a demon, would you have done the same thing?”

Tanjirou looks away for a moment, chews his bottom lip and sighs. His answer is obvious, and both of them know it.

“Yes,” he answers, but from the look on his face, he doesn’t seem to have entirely let go of the guilt he feels. “But you probably wouldn’t have needed saving, like I did. If only I could become stronger… become better… then-”

“That’s not what matters.” Hayami tells him, putting a finger to his lips so that he falls silent, looking at her with those kind, kind eyes. “I did for you what you would have done for me. We’ve got each others’ backs, am I right? I just happened to be the one with a choice this time.”

Tanjirou’s lips press together, his face suddenly scrunching up. For a moment, Hayami wonders if he’s about to cry.

“Yeah, I just…” a soft sniff, “I’ll make sure it won’t happen again next time.”

“See?” Hayami smiles, tugs at his cheek. The corner of Tanjirou’s lips twitch up in response. It’s not quite a smile, but it’s better than that pained expression he’s been wearing for the past two weeks whenever he thought she wasn’t looking. “Positive mindset, am I right?”

“Right, I just… Ah, I forgot the reason why I came here. I had something I wanted to tell you.” Tanjirou’s face suddenly falls again. “I have another mission assigned already. I’m heading out right after this.” He looks at her, and there’s something about his gaze that makes Hayami want to dive under the blanket. It looks like longing… “I wanted to stay until you healed completely, but you know…”

Hayami knows, but it doesn’t mean that she has to like it. A little, selfish feeling nudges her in her chest. She wants Tanjirou to stay longer with her. Just a little longer. Just a bit more...

“The corps are always understaffed, I understand.” Hayami answers, reaches out to take his hand in hers. Her fingers trace patterns over the rough skin, the calluses. “Kibutsuji Muzan isn’t going to wait for any of us. Always demons out there to slay…”

“Always people out there to save,” Tanjirou finishes her sentence for her. He doesn’t look like he wants to leave though, his fingers still wrapped firmly around her wrist, his touch, lingering. Part of her can’t help the happiness welling up in her chest. “I’ll send letters.”

“That’ll help keep me occupied while I get all well and rested.” Hayami smiles. “Then, I can look forward to you telling me all about your missions?”

Tanjirou nods, his hand finally falling away from hers. In that instant, however, Hayami finds herself immediately missing his touch. “Definitely.”

Hayami raises her hand to wave goodbye, but before she can bid him goodbye, she feels a gentle pressure against the side of her cheek, so fleeting she wonders if she had imagined it. Then the pressure is gone, and Tanjirou is looking at her with eyes so gentle she can hardly stand it.

“See you soon, Hayami!” Tanjirou flashes her a quick smile, pink tinted cheeks and all, before he runs out of the medical wing. And all Hayami is able to do is sit there in shock, mouth hanging slightly agape as she stares after him, long after he leaves. Slowly, she raises her hand to her cheek, touching where the warmth spreading over her face seems to have originated from.

His lips were soft...

“See you soon too, Tanjirou,” Hayami whispers to herself.

#tanjirou #kamado tanjirou #kamado tanjirō #kamado tanjiro x reader #kamado #kamado tanjiro #kny fanfic #kny #kimetsu no yaiba #kimetsu no yaiba fanfic #demon slayer #demon slayer fanfic #demon slayer fanfiction

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syos-princess · 4 years ago

Text

Shortcakes’ Wedding “Diary”

Pairing: Syo Kurusu x Jules (Kurusu) (Me)

Other Characters: Many... (Everyone from Shining Agency + Kurusu Family)

Word Count: 2500+

TW: It’s a positive rollercoaster! (Fluff)

Tag List/Special Wedding Guests: @of-comfort-and-love @minty-fresh-kicks @stars-sunglasses-and-sodapop

Info: So, today is finally our wedding day and I kinda went over board with this story, hehe... [blushes] It’s written like little vlogs (though I call them “diary entries”) from getting ready to the reception speech!

[ok to rb/p.ros.hippers dni]

April 8, 2021 at 8:00 AM

[The recording starts]

„Okay, we‘re filming!“, says Nanami with a big smile on her face. „Welcome to the first video ’diary’ entry of Syo‘s and Jules‘ wedding day! The happy bride is over here-“

[The camera swings over to Jules and Tomo]

„-getting ready for her big day! Say hello, girls!“ Jules smiles shyly at the camera and waves. „Hello…“, she says. „Hello, hello~!“, answers Tomochika and winks at the camera. She is currently doing the young brunette‘s hair. „Are you excited, Ju-chan?“, asks Nanami. Jules nods slightly to not disturb Tomo during her work on her. „I am! Nervous but very excited, hehe…“ Oh and how nervous she is. Jules is scared of messing up and it being on camera forever but at the same time she can’t wait to be married to the man of her dreams. „Just think of Syo and it‘ll be fine!“, throws Tomo in. The blue-eyed bride blushes hard, while the two redheads laugh warmly.

[The camera zooms in a little more on Jules]

Then the young composer speaks up again. „So, Jules. What’s on the schedule?“ The girl in question giggles. „Well, right now: getting ready. The wedding ceremony is at 10AM, after that the reception at 12PM and lastly the wedding party.“ Nanami nods behind the camera. ��Syo‘s dad should be here soon with the dress.“, adds Jules. This time it’s Tomochika who speaks. „Your dress is so beautiful. I‘ve only seen pictures so far but it’s gorgeous.“ Jules smiles. „Yeah, it really is. Makes me wonder if I really deserve to wear such an amazing dress.“ „Oh, hush! It was custom made, by your father-in-law, for you. Of course you deserve to wear it. You’ll look like a real princess in it! Syo won’t manage to take his eyes off of you.“, exclaims Tomo with confidence. The brunette blushes again. „Thanks, girls…“ There is a light knock.

[The camera view gets lowered to the floor]

„Oh, room service! It‘d be good if you could eat something to ease your nerves.“

[The camera focuses on the two girls again]

Jules chuckles lightheartedly. „Yeah, I‘ll try. Even though I’m not hungry.” She takes a look at her phone on the table. “Hm, I wonder how Syo is doing. We spent the night apart. I hope he’s alright…” Another knock. This time it’s Syo‘s dad with the special dress in tow. „Good morning, ladies.“ „Good morning, sir!“ The middle-aged man turns to Jules. “How are you doing today, Jules?” The brunette smiles. “I’m doing well, thank you! Nervous but well.” “Heh, yeah, that’s completely normal, dear!”, answers her soon-father-in-law with a chuckle.

[The camera zooms out]

„Okay, I think we should let the bride get ready in peace now.“ It‘s Nanami‘s voice. Tomo nods at that. „Yeah, we can take pics of the finished look after. Right, Jules?“ „Yes, totally.“, Jules answers with a smile. „Alright, this is it for the first video entry! Bye!“ The three people in view smile and wave at the camera.

[The recording ends]

April 8, 2021 at 8:30 AM

[The recording starts]

„HELLO!!! My best friend is getting married today!”, screams Natsuki behind the camera. The other STARISH guys flinch at the shrill tone. „Was it a good idea to let Natsuki film for now?“, asks Otoya jokingly. „Ah, it’ll be fine!“, answers Cecil. Tokiya turns to the device. „Welcome to this first video from us, the guys‘ side.“ Everybody, except Natsuki, waves at the camera with big smiles on their faces. „Hello!“ Ren goes over to Syo, who leans against a window, and pats his shoulder. „This little man is the lucky groom today! He is excited to see his bride~!“ Syo blushes but tries to hide it with a frown. „H-hey! Don’t call me short!“

[The camera view gets very shaky]

„Aww, Syo-chan! I‘m so happy for you!!“ „Natsuki! Be careful with the camera-“

[The view is blurry before doing dark]

„Ugh. Natsuki. Can‘t...breathe...“ It‘s definitely Syo‘s voice. „Oh! Sorry!!“ There is laughter now. „Oh, the camera…“ „Don’t worry, Ittoki. I got it.“

[The camera gets picked up]

„Hello, this is Hijirikawa Masato.“, says the voice behind the device. „Welcome again to this little video entry of this special day. We‘re currently in the suite and getting ready.“

[The camera zooms to Syo]

„Kurusu, how are you feeling?“, asks Masato. The blonde smiles fondly. „Amazing! I just can’t wait to see Jules. I’m sure she looks gorgeous. I wish it‘s 10AM already, haha!“ Syo turns around and plays a little with his white suit sleeve, while looking out of the window. Cecil speaks up next. „Could it be that you‘re nervous?“ Syo takes a deep breath. „No! I mean, yeah, maybe a little. I‘m so confident and yet, today, I‘m even more nervous than during important auditions. Well, more like happy, excited, nervous, just so many emotions at once.” Syo turns to his friends again. “Is that normal?” Tokiya smiles at him. “Of course. You’re getting married today, it’s normal to feel like this.” The others nod at Tokiya’s answer.

[The camera zooms out to show the group]

“That’s why you should eat something, Syo-chan!”, exclaims Natsuki and points at the food that they ordered from room service. The young groom sits down at the table. “I’m not really hungry actually…” Otoya lays one of the sandwiches on a plate and puts it in front of Syo. “Believe us, you’re going to need every little bit of strength today.” The blonde idol smiles, nods, and starts nibbling on the sandwich. Then he moves to take his phone. “Maybe I should ask Jules if she’s doing okay…” Ren laughs and takes Syo’s phone. “Nice try, Ochibi-chan, but you guys agreed to not contact and see each other before she‘s walking down the aisle to you!” Syo blushes. “Y-yeah, I know! It’s just...weird without the usual good morning texts and all...”, he mumbles. The others let out a laugh. “These two really can’t live without each other.”, says Cecil. “It’s so adorable!!”, squeals Natsuki. The shorter blonde’s blush deepens. “H-hey now! Stop teasing, guys!” Ren puts his arm around Syo’s shoulders. “Seriously though, we’re so happy for you both. Jules and you are the definition of soulmates and we all are beyond excited to celebrate this important day with you.” Syo bashfully runs his fingers through his hair but has a big smile on his face. “Thank you, guys! I can’t imagine not having you all here with us.” All of them smile warmly. Otoya chuckles. “Man, I’m hungry.” Masato nods behind the camera. “Yeah, let’s eat before it’s time for the ceremony.” Syo waves at the camera. “Thanks for joining us. See ya later!” “See ya!”

[The recording stops]

April 8, 2021 at 9:50 AM

[The recording starts]

“Hello, again to another video ‘diary’ entry! It’s Nanami!”, says the energetic voice behind the camera. “This is the location of the ceremony!”

[The camera view goes around the venue]

There is a lot of green, it’s an outdoor wedding, a white path, and cherry blossoms all around, completing the spring wedding theme with their beauty. In the first row of the white chairs, on the other side of Nanami, sits Quartet Night.

[The camera zooms in a little more]

The four men wave at the camera with Reiji being the most enthusiastic about it. Shining is only one row behind them and looks like he’s about to cry from happiness. Beside him are Ryuya, who’s facepalming at Shining’s behavior, and Ringo who just laughs and says something to his teaching partner.

[The view swings over to the front]

There is Syo speaking with Kaoru, his Best Man. The rest of STARISH are nearby, as well.

[The camera gets closer to the blonde twins]

“Hey, Syo-kun! Are you ready for the big moment?”, asks Nanami. Syo nods. “Yeah! I got the message that she’s here! The ceremony should start pretty soon.” Syo smiles a little. “Hey, Nanami? How does Jules look in her dress?” The redhead chuckles. “I’m sorry, Syo-kun. It’s a secret.” “Not even a little hint?” “Nope!” Kaoru lets out a laugh. “Give it up, Nii-san. Besides, you’re going to see her soon!” Syo plays with his suit’s sleeve. “Yeah, yeah. You’re right.” Suddenly, Natsuki runs over to them. “Message from Jules! She’s on her way! 2 minutes!” The group nods. Everybody is taking their seats or positions. Syo takes a deep breath. “Okay, let’s do this!”, he says. „You got this, Syo-kun!“, answers Nanami.

[The view gets really shaky for a moment]

„Alright! The ceremony is about to start.“

[The recording ends]

April 8, 2021 at 10:00 AM

[The recording starts]

Shortly after the camera turns on does music start playing, signaling the arrival of the bride. It’s a very familiar song to everyone. The instrumental version of “Hatsukoi wo Mata Hajimeyou”, requested by Jules and self-proclaimed „couple song“ by the wedding pair. And there she comes. The bride in her wedding gown getting walked down the little path by her father-in-law. The dress is a kimono-inspired blush pink dress with sakura embroidery. Absolutely beautiful. Syo’s eyes start to shine as he sees Jules. His smile is bigger than anyone has ever seen. The brunette’s smile is just as bright. Both of them have tears in their eyes, which could fall any second. The young idol meets his bride and dad halfway down the path. He gives Jules a quick peck on the cheek and turns to his dad to thank him. They exchange a few words and a pat on the shoulder before his dad “gives” Jules over to him. Syo holds out his hand to her. “Shall we, my gorgeous princess?” The blue-eyed girl blushes but takes it without hesitation. „Absolutely, my handsome prince.” Now it is Syo who blushes. Both of them walk together, hand in hand, to the front where the officiant awaits.

[A little while later]

“Now it’s time for the wedding vows.”, the officiant announces. Jules, nervously, goes first.

“My Prince.”, she starts. “There is so much to say and believe me when I say that I wrote down 10 pages full of stuff I wanted to say but I keep it short. I love you. And with every single day that passes, I do more. You are the light in my life that keeps me going, even through the darkest moments. I can always count on you to make me laugh, since literally the moment we’ve met all these years ago. The day you confessed to me feels like it was just yesterday because time with you is flying by so fast. You make me so happy. This may be cliche but you are my best friend who understands me fully and where I don’t have to hide who I am. I know we can manage anything that life throws at us. I can’t wait to explore our life together beside you as your wife! I promise to always love and honor you till the day I die. I love you so much, Syo...”

Syo‘s eyes water again and he leans forward to kiss Jules‘ forehead. „I love you too.“ He squeezes her hands before starting his own vow.

„Jules. My princess. Let me start this off by saying that you’re the best thing that life has ever given me. I don’t know what I did to deserve someone as sweet and supportive as you. You’re definitely thinking now that you’re not worthy to be thought of like that but it’s true. You are everything to me. I will always protect you and remind you every day that you’re absolutely amazing. I love you with my whole being. The fact that you didn’t leave me due to my job but instead always encourage and support me through and through makes me so incredibly thankful to have you in my life. Our ‚Prince of Fighting’ marathons are also always so much fun. I treasure these moments deeply in my heart. I promise, no, I swear, as your prince, that I will always come back home to you, no matter how long we‘re apart and that I‘ll always love and adore you. I love you, princess.“

Tears are running down Jules’ cheeks, which Syo gently wipes away with his thumbs under her glasses. Then he turns his head away to wipe his own teary eyes. The wedding guests are very quiet, seemingly moved by the couple’s vows. After a short pause is it finally time. The officiant turns to Syo first.

“Do you, Syo Kurusu, take Jules Hawthorne to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, honor her, respect her, and be faithful to her, through anything life may bring, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do!”, answers Syo confidently.

“Do you, Jules Hawthorne, take Syo Kurusu to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, honor him, respect him, and be faithful to him, through anything life may bring, for as long as you both shall live?”

“Yes, I do!”, answers Jules in her soft voice.

The officiant nods at the now married couple. “I hereby happily pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss your princess.” Syo turns to Jules with a look full of love. He softly cups her cheeks, asking for permission, which she gives through a slight nod. Then he leans in for a sweet kiss, sealing their promise for eternity. Applause is rising around them as they gently lean their foreheads against each other’s. The couple turn their heads and catch the camera’s view. They chuckle and wave, showing off their rings with excitement. Truly an adorable sight.

[The recording ends]

April 8, 2021 at 12:00 PM

[The recording starts]

“Good afternoon, it’s Tokiya this time. We’re at the reception and waiting for the happy couple to arrive.” A sudden voice interrupts. It’s Cecil. “Hey, when will Syo and Jules arrive?” “Pretty soon, I’m sure.”, answers Ren instead. “I can’t wait~!”, exclaims Natsuki. “Shhh! I think they’re coming!”, says Otoya excitedly. Shining steps forward with a microphone in his hand.

[The camera zooms in on Shining]

“Hello, everyone! I have the great honor today to introduce the newly married couple! Let’s welcome them with a round of applause! Here are Mr. and Mrs. Syo and Jules Kurusu!!!” A big thunder of applause erupts. The married couple comes in, hand in hand, and just as happy as at the ceremony. Syo takes the microphone and addresses the crowd.

“Good afternoon! Thank you so much for coming and celebrating this important milestone with us. It really means a lot! This is the plan for the afternoon and evening. After the reception my wife and I have our first dance.” Jules’ shyness kicks in, which her blush gives away. The blonde gives her an encouraging smile and puts an arm around her. The blue-eyed girl smiles back at her husband. Syo turns back to the guests. “And after that, the buffet and bar are open, so eat and drink to your heart’s content. There are some surprises planned during the wedding party, as well. We really hope you continue to have a lot of fun today! Again, thank you all for coming!” Everyone raises their glasses:

“TO SYO AND JULES!”

[The recording ends]

#💍 shortcakes wedding 2021 #shortcakes 💗#syotime

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koala-otter · 4 years ago

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incomplete fic 5: fashion au

Republic City Fashion Week had arrived. Out on the streets? It was a heyday of leaf litter and well-dressed visitors modeling their patterned three-piece suits, floor-length fall coats, thigh-high combat boots, and patent-leather fanny packs for photographers vaulting over the tops of cars and tripping over pedestrians’ feet with cameras strapped across their chests.

Inside the shows? Disaster.

“No, not the fur, just the canvas sneaker!” Sokka cried exasperatedly. He grabbed the shoes in question and handed them to the model. “Were you even at the fitting?”

She took the sneakers in hand and stared at him owlishly once before running off back to the crowd of other models.

A hand landed on Sokka’s back and he looked behind himself to find Katara, dressed impeccably in a royal blue slip dress and patterned blazer from his last fall collection, looking concerned.

“You need to calm down, Sokka,” she said. “We can’t have you bursting a blood vessel in the last fifteen minutes before the show.”

“I’m not gonna burst a blood vessel,” he argued. He adjusted the kimono layered over his cropped button-down shirt. “We’re just fifteen min—” He checked his watch, a platinum gift to himself purchased after the first time the label hit a million yuan in sales. His eyes widened. “Now fourteen, Katara, fourteen minutes till showtime, and the models aren’t even finished getting dressed.”

“They’re getting dressed,” Katara promised him, not taking her hand away even as he looked toward the models. “Let the stylists handle it.”

“And what?” Sokka said, crossing his arms. “Just start late?”

“Shows start late all the time,” Katara reasoned.

“Mine don’t,” Sokka replied. “And we’re down a model! I do one favor for Hahn to help him get his career off the ground, even though his walk is the worst, and he can’t even show up on time.”

“I know,” Katara said with a sigh.

Sokka pouted a second more until he spotted Suki, striding toward them in a sheer, gold-embroidered top and emerald green trousers from his first-ever fall collection.

“Suki!” he exclaimed, and she greeted them with a wan smile.

“Don’t get excited yet,” she said. She turned to Sokka. “I don’t want to stress you out, but I think you should know. I sent the invite to ShiShang.”

“What?” Sokka cries.

“I know, but they’re the world’s top fashion magazine.” Suki crossed her arms. “I’d be pretty shitty at PR if I didn’t at least try to get them to cover your show.”

Katara looked at Suki. “Who’d they send?”

“Their editor-in-chief.”

Katara gasped, and Sokka’s jaw dropped.

“Say sike right now.”

“I can’t, Sokka,” Suki said weakly.

“Zuko Watanabe is at this show? Here? Right now?”

“Front row.”

“Front row?”

“Right below the hanging kayak.”

Sokka let out a groan, long and low. They had rented out the boating wing of the Southern Water Tribe Cultural Center for the show.

“Oh, come on, Snoozles, he’s not that bad.”

Sokka looked up to find Toph striding over, equipped with her cane, and her arm looped through Aang’s. She grinned devilishly.

“You and Katara need to get over your little grudge against Zuko if you’re gonna make it in this industry,” she said, “considering Suki’s right, and he has the highest circulation in the world.”

“The grudge is for what he did to you and Aang!” Sokka sputtered.

“And it’s really nice of you guys,” Aang said diplomatically, “but it really was just a misunderstanding. How was he supposed to know Air Nomad patterns influenced the Fire Nation’s?”

“He’s a trained journalist,” Katara said, crossing her arms. “It’s his job to research that stuff.”

“Yeah, I can’t help thinking he could have done a little more before accusing you of appropriation,” added Sokka.

“And he apologized for it years ago.” Aang grinned when Katara drew up close to him, and he kissed her cheek despite the doubtful expression on her face.

“He’s more than made up for it,” Toph said. “How do you think the prices for your textiles are so low? We make a ton every year from that home goods deal he set up for us.”

Sokka gawked at her. “Since when do you care about our prices?”

Toph stuck her tongue out in his direction. “Since you started judging my friend unfairly.”

“Your friend?” Sokka nearly shrieked. “After everything—you know what, I don’t have time for this.” Sokka pulled away from the group. “Because I have Zuko Watanabe sitting front row for my first spring collection, and my models aren’t even finished getting dressed.” He threw his arms in the air. “And where the fuck is Hahn!”

A model walking by, sipping ice water through a straw, stopped next to Sokka. “Hahn?” he asked.

“Yes, Hahn,” Sokka practically yelled. “Do you know where he is?”

“Hahn’s not coming,” the model said, resuming his sipping. “He’s on Ember Island for some influencer gig.”

He walked away, Sokka not-so-silently seething behind him.

“Great!” Sokka cried, turning back around to face his friends. “We have,” he looked down at his watch, “eight minutes until the show starts, and I have no model.” His head fell into his hands. “I don’t know how this could get any—”

“Don’t finish that sentence,” Katara said, laying a hand on his shoulder, “please.”

Sokka nodded, and then he wilted to the floor. “I have to skip look number eight, then.”

Katara rubbed his back, a sympathetic frown on her face. “I’m sorry, Sokka. I know how much look number eight means to you.”

Suki nudged Aang. He looked down at her with a small smile.

“Do you think you could do it?” she whispered to him.

Aang’s smile changed to slightly regretful, and he shook his head quickly. “I’ve volunteered before, but,” he said, pointing to his bald head, “Sokka says I’m too tall to model.”

Toph laughed out loud, and Sokka looked up sharply, tears in his eyes, just in time to see Suki sigh.

“All right,” she said, stepping forward. She took her hair out of its half-up-half-down style and shook it loose with her fingers. “I’ll do it.”

“Do what?” Sokka asked, his tone still mournful.

“Model. Put me in look number eight.”

For a moment, Sokka only stared up at her, and then all at once, he leapt to his feet and swept Suki up into his arms, lifting her into the air. “Suki, you are just the best friend ever!”

Suki laughed in surprise, pushing Sokka’s arms off until he unceremoniously dropped her once more on the floor. “Don’t thank me yet,” she said. “You haven’t even seen my walk.”

“I don’t have to,” Sokka said, grinning. “The clothes speak for themselves. Hee Yoon!” He waved over a young woman dressed entirely in black, and then pushed Suki toward her. “Take Suki to hair and makeup, and then bring her back to me to finish styling. We’ll have to do some last-minute tailoring, but she’ll be wearing look number eight.”

Hee Yoon’s black-lined eyes went wide. “But look number eight is a menswear—”

“And?” Katara interrupted, her voice steely.

Hee Yoon ducked her head. “Come on, Miss Kawakubo,” she said to Suki, “this should only take a few minutes.”

Sokka looked at his watch as the two women looked away. “We’re four minutes to the show.”

“And the models are dressed and lining up,” Katara said.

“And look number eight isn’t even till the second half, so we can start on time.” Sokka looked up from his watch with a smile. “This is why you stay friends with your exes.”

thissss was supposed to be a oneshot but then i did a real outline and it turned out it was more of a 15-chapter slowburn that i didn’t have energy for. but i might one day! we hope, you know?

#atla #zukka #zuko #sokka #katara #suki #aang #toph #my writing #incomplete fic

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maine-writes · 5 years ago

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21. Beach Wedding

"Why do I have to wear a monkey suit!?" Vonvon whined as Stevonnie adjusted their little green bowtie.

"It's a wedding Vonvon." They explained while the child struggled in the stiff tuxedo.

The wedding venue was the scenic beach of Beach City itself. It was a clear summer day, the golden sun shining from a vivid blue sky. A cool breeze carried the salty sea air, washing upon the white sands like the gentle ocean waves. The cries of distant seagulls accompanied the sounds of crashing waves.

A pristine, white tent was set up with over a few dozen seats and an altar. The tent poles were decorated with bouquets of the unique pink flowers found around Beach City and white streamers.

The entirety of the town was invited, as well as a rather sizable camera crew, for this was no ordinary wedding. This was the reportedly humble and not-at-all-a-marketing-opportunity wedding of Beach City's beloved mayor, Ronaldo Fryman, and Jane Winslow.

When Stevonnie got their invitation, via e-mail, they were told to bring a plus-one, so they brought Vonvon. When told that they were attending a wedding, the child was less than enthusiastic. Stevonnie told them they had to wear nice clothes, so Vonvon had a choice; the tuxedo or the soft blue and pink dress.

Despite Stevonnie gushing over how cute Vonvon looked in the dress, or perhaps because of it, the child chose the suit.

Everyone Vonvon knew was at the wedding: Kiki & Jenny Pizza, accompanied by a framed picture of Nanefua Pizza; Sadie Miller, renowned horror film director; Peedee Fryman, Ronaldo's younger brother and owner of Hot 2 Tot, a fast food restaurant in Charm City; Sour Cream and Onion; Bill and Buck Dewey; Suitcase Sam, whom everyone thought had died years earlier; and of course, Harold Smiley. There were even a few guests they didn't know, but Stevonnie did.

Stevonnie wore what appeared to be a black, shoulder-less, silk wrap garment, matching slacks, and a drape over their left shoulder, decorated by a floral filigree of gold.

"Hey Kiki, Jenny!" Stevonnie waved to the Pizzas.

"Oh em gee!" Jenny squealed, "Stevonnie? I haven't seen you since the town was almost destroyed by those elephants!"

"Yeah, sorry it's been a while." They laughed before noting the picture of Nanefua in Jenny's hands. "When did she pass?"

"Oh, Gunga's still alive." Jenny said, "She retired and lives in Harbor Town."

"Hello Stevonnie." Nanefua said through the now obvious tablet computer.

"Hi Miss Pizza. How's Harbor Town?"

"It's so nice here. I have my own pool by my private beach."

Meanwhile, outside the tent, Ronaldo was doing an interview with local news. He wore a dark brown hakama, a dark red kimono, and a black haori with a series of Japanese kanji on the back. He was insistent it meant 'I am Bloodstone', but Vonvon was pretty sure it meant 'Shrimp Tempura'. He also carried a lime green katana.

Vonvon never really interacted with Mayor Fryman, mostly because when they first met, he asked very personal questions about their father and if they had a gem.

"Since becoming mayor, Beach City has expanded into Brooding Hill and beyond." He said to the smiling reporter. "Now we have a new golf course, a shopping mall that is not a fire hazard, and we're in the middle of talks with neighboring Buddtown and South Salton about absorbing them into Beach City."

"Sounds like you have big plans, Mayor Fryman." Noted the reporter.

"Big? More like massive!" He replied. "I aim to increase Beach City's tourism revenue by at least six-...no, sevenfold, starting with the expansion of Funland and the creation of a zoo showcasing the strange creatures that inhabit the area and the man who studied and captured them to catalogue: Me."

"Boo! Mystery Shack ripoff!" Vonvon yelled as they peeked out of the tent.

Then came the ceremony. As the guests took their seats, only slightly irritated by the constant shutter and flash of dozens of cameras, they noted the person officiating the wedding; Spinel.

She wore her magenta hair in an official-looking bun, wore her usual magenta flannel shirt and shorts, but also had a black and white collar around her neck.

"Alright, let's get this party started!" She announced, holding a copy of the book, An Idiot's Guide to Weddings.

The wedding band, which consisted of a strange businessman with grey wolf paws and claws and an even stranger guy in a red Hawaiian shirt and a grey wolf head, began playing the traditional wedding music with violins as the bride, Jane, walked into the tent.

She was a beautiful young woman with short brown hair, a fair, freckled face, and teal-green eyes. Her dress was not of traditional design, but was a pure white kimono adorned by subtle flower embroidery.

"I guess they have a theme?" Vonvon whispered to Stevonnie.

It was a beautiful ceremony, many a tear shed in joy. Afterward came the reception in the reception tent, which Vonvon was really excited for, because all of the food was made by Lars' new company, Space Catering. Everyone noticed that Jane had somehow changed from her white kimono to a brilliant red one with gold trim.

Gifts were given to the newly wedded couple, some brought the usual; kitchen appliances, money, luggage, and even a few personalized gifts. Stevonnie brought them a pair of actual swords, which really excited Ronaldo.

But Vonvon's eyes were on the prize: The whole roasted pig. As Lars and an assistant brought the massive beast to the buffet table, Vonvon's mouth watered like a cat peeping in a seafood store. They could almost hear the crispy crunch of the pig's roasted, golden brown skin.

On the dessert table were pastries and cakes from Lars' other business, Spacetries. The purple yam sponge cake was Vonvon's favorite. They didn't know what a purple yam was, but it was good.

As they joined Stevonnie at the table with a plate of pork, fried spring rolls, and spaghetti, they excitedly licked their lips.

"So when do they consummate?" They asked Stevonnie, twirling a fork of red spaghetti noodles.

"What?"

"You know, fu-"

Stevonnie quickly moved Vonvon's fork of noodles into their mouth before they could finish their thought. Wide-eyed, Stevonnie wondered who they would have to kill.

They had a feeling it was either the possum or the sock puppet at the other table.

@artsycooky13

#VonvonMonth2020 #a feel good story to escape the angst #a beautiful wedding and an even better reception #featuring Cooky and Kenji #who taught this child this word?!

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marshmallowgoop · 5 years ago

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Hallelujah Breakdown: Episode 25 OVA

In Mako’s first “Hallelujah!” moment in the Kill la Kill OVA, she says:

流子ちゃんの中に鮮血ちゃんは生きてるんです！2人は一つでペアルックなのです！心に一張羅を着ておしゃれをし尽すのです！

The official English subtitles translated this speech as follows:

Senketsu lives on within Ryuko! They're two-in-one, soulmates wearing matching outfits! In her heart, she's dressed to kill, wearing her Sunday best!

Like every instance of “Mako Theatre” in the show, her speech here involves visual gags in the form of wordplay and puns... that largely don’t translate.

The following are my best guesses about what the jokes in this particular sequence are. All translations come from Jisho.org, which is a fantastic Japanese-English dictionary and extremely valuable resource.

Gag 1

What she says: 流子ちゃん (Ryuko-chan)

What it means: This one is pretty self-explanatory! Mako says “Ryuko” and impersonates her, running one hand over an added red streak in her hair and miming scissors with the other. This is consistent with how she’s played Ryuko previously.

Gag 2

What she says: の (no)

What it means: の in this context is simply a possessive particle, but the shape Mako makes with her arms may be playing out 野, also pronounced “no,” which can mean “plain; field.”

Gag 3

What she says: 中に (naka ni)

What it means: This is one joke that translates. 中 (naka) means “inside,” so Mako rips off part of her clothes and shows her guts.

Gag 4

What she says: 鮮血ちゃん (Senketsu-chan)

What it means: This is another joke that is universal. Mako says “Senketsu” and impersonates him by pushing her sailor uniform ties up... and kind of eliminating her legs? But interestingly, she has both her eyes open, whereas she usually closes her right eye when playing him. This might be a reference to the fact that Senketsu’s eye opened in the finale.

Gag 5

What she says: は生きてるん (wa ikiterun)

What it means: There may be more to this image that escapes me, but 生きる (ikiru) means “to live; to exist.” A big green leaf and caterpillar in the sun seem like a fitting representation of spring, which is of course full of new life. Aikuro’s cherry blossoms also add to the feel.

Gag 6

What she says: です (desu)

What it means: です is a sentence ender whose meaning could be translated as “be” or “is,” but the joke here is possibly a play on the English word “death,” which is written in katakana as デス (desu).

Gag 7

What she says: 2人は (futari wa)

What it means: 2人 (futari) means “two people,” so this one kind of speaks for itself. There are two Makos to represent a pair.

Gag 8

What she says: 一つで (hitotsu de)

What it means: Another literal gag, this one simply means “in one” and so has two parts of Mako coming together into one whole.

Gag 9

What she says: ペアルック (pearukku, pair look)

What it means: Yet another literal gag, “pair look” refers to “matching clothing worn by couples,” so two Makos have identical sailor uniforms (and pink hair that looks like cherry blossoms?)

Gag 10

What she says: なの (nano)

What it means: Literally, なの is a feminine way of ending a sentence whose meaning could be translated as “that's the way it is.” But here, Mako is playing out the ナノ (nano) prefix that indicates one billionth and so is super small.

Gag 11

What she says: です！ (desu!)

What it means: As this is the same gag as before, it’s likely still a play on the English word “death.”

Gag 12

What she says: 心 (kokoro)

What it means: Another universal gag, 心 refers to “heart,” so Mako hugs her heart.

Gag 13

What she says: に (ni)

What it means: に in this context is simply a particle indicating place, but whatever Mako is in this frame (a soy cube?) may be a play on 荷, also pronounced “ni,” which can mean “load; baggage; cargo; freight; goods.”

Gag 14

What she says: 一張 (icchou)

What it means: The full word here is 一帳羅 (icchoura), meaning “one's (only) good suit (or kimono).” The show often translates this as “Sunday best.” But the middle part here, “chou,” is homonymic with 腸, which means “guts; bowels; intestines.” Mako might be playing out intestines with her squiggliness.

Gag 15

What she says: 羅を着て (ra wo kite)

What it means: Mako finishes the 一帳羅 word here and adds a verb, 着る (kiru), “to wear.” (Yes, the name Kill la Kill (or Kiru ra Kiru) is a play on the verb “to wear,” which likely explains the subtitle’s decision to translate this part as “dressed to kill.”) Literally, Mako’s just talking about Ryuko wearing her Sunday best, but the acting is perhaps a reference to 労, pronounced “rou,” which sounds similar to “ra wo” and means “labor; labour; toil; trouble; pains; work; effort; striving.” Mako being slumped over and clutching her stomach does seem to indicate pain.

Gag 16

What she says: おしゃれ (oshare)

What it means: A literal gag, おしゃれ means to be “smartly dressed; stylish; fashion-conscious,” so Mako poses in a cute sundress and hat.

Gag 17

What she says: を (wo)

What it means: を is literally a particle that indicates a direct object, and while this is the same gag as です, Mako is also hanging on a cord, so this is probably a play on 緒, pronounced “o,” which can mean “cord; strap; thong.”

Gag 18

What she says: し尽すの (shitsukusu no)

What it means: The joke evades me, but し尽す means “to leave nothing undone; to do all in one's might; to do everything possible.” Cooking and handing out gifts with eggs(??) on her hands and head might represent such a concept?

Gag 19

What she say: です！ (desu!)

What it means: Same as before, likely a play on the English word “death.”

And that’s all! My understanding is admittedly limited, so please feel free to share any additional insight. I’d also be happy to try breaking down more “Hallelujah!”s in the future if you have any requests!

#kill la kill #mako mankanshoku #ramblings #spoilers #klk spoilers #gifs i made #hallelujah breakdown #special thanks to vagabond for the subs!!! i don't have my discs with me rn and didn't know where else to find those translations 😭#i tried really hard on this but so much evades me so i mean what i say about additional insight being very welcome!

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kelyon · 5 years ago

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Trio: A Golden Cuffs Story 5/5: Departure

Jefferson goes home

Read on AO3 here

Belle awoke to the sound of male voices. However, the bed was empty and the voices were not close. She blinked her eyes open and saw that Rumple and Jefferson were sitting in the little chairs by the table. They were fully dressed as they spoke to each other. The windows were dark and the candles were lit. Jefferson had a dish of food in front of him, but he seemed more interested in his conversation.

“Now, Narnia has portals to this world you seek--it’s where their kings and queens come from--but the doors don’t stay open all the time. I could take the hat to Narnia and go out through one of the doors there, but then it might close behind me and not open again for years. I don’t want to be stuck in a land without magic.”

“No, that would be terrible.” Rumple’s voice was distracted. He was thinking.

“Have you tried Neverland? They say the Shadow takes children from every world. He would know how to get to this land.”

“No, I have an enemy in Neverland I’m not strong enough to overcome. I won’t risk losing everything just to gain everything.”

“You have enemies in every realm you send me to.”

“That’s why I send you and don’t go places myself.”

“I’m lucky everyone I meet likes me,” Jefferson chuckled. “But I’ll keep looking for you. There has to be a way.”

“I know of one way. What I need you for is to see if there is another way. A way with a smaller price.”

Jefferson put his hand over Rumpelstiltskin’s. “I won’t stop trying.”

Rumple put his hand over Jefferson’s. “I know you won’t.”

The conversation lulled and Belle sat up in bed, trying to look like she had just woken up and would never dream of eavesdropping. Rumple saw her and his face brightened.

“Ah!” He said as he stood up. “Good evening!” He went to the bed and helped her get out. He conjured her robe and wrapped it around her, tying the belt with a pretty bow. “Come and sit with us.”

Belle smiled at Jefferson and knelt on the floor beside Rumpelstiltskin.

“Hello again.” Jefferson took a spoonful of stew. “That’s a lovely kimono.”

She looked down at her robe. “Thank you. It was a gift.”

“I can’t imagine who it was from.”

Rumpelstiltskin ran his hand through her hair. “How are you, my sweet?”

“Better for having slept,” she said.

“I think I’ll be sleeping for another week once I get home,” Jefferson said with an exaggerated yawn. “I haven’t felt so thoroughly exerted in a very long time.”

“Not to your detriment, I hope?” Rumple grinned.

“No, not at all. If nothing else, there’s no one else in this world who can serve up gumbo and that is not something I take for granted.” Jefferson stirred the food in his bowl and licked his lips.

“What is that?” Belle asked him.

“Gumbo! It’s a stew from one of our other worlds. The Dark One can replicate it exactly as it was made by the Chef-Queen of Maldonia. A bowl of this has got to be worth at least a quarter of an average human soul.”

“So four bowls of stew and you’re a slave for all eternity?”

“It would be worth it! Queen Tiana is a genius. Would you like to try some?”

Belle looked up at Rumple. “May I?”

“If you stay on your knees.”

Jefferson chuckled, a little nervously, as Belle knelt in front of him. “Dark One, I did want to get home before morning.”

“We won’t keep you. This is for our benefit, not yours.”

Belle put her hand on Jefferson’s knee. “It’s alright,” she told him. “Just give me as much as you think I deserve.”

“Fuck,” he whispered. He looked at Rumple. “And you get her to say things like that every day? How do you do any work at all?”

“She sleeps a lot. And reads. I work while she’s distracted and pleasure her when she needs distracting.”

Jefferson shook his head, smiling. “I cannot wait to tell Leo about all this. But look at me, Belle. Tilt your chin up, open your mouth, please.” He held up a spoonful of stew and put it between her lips.

It was hot. Spicy, acidic. Very good. There was a smokiness to it that she had never tasted before, as if the stew had almost burned before it had been served, but the burning wasn’t an accident. The almost-burntness was a part of what made this gumbo so special.

“Do you like it?”

“It’s so strange,” she said, licking her lips. “It’s like… like nothing I’ve ever tasted before.”

“Like it’s from another world! I know! Do you want more?”

“Yes, please.”

He fed her spoonfuls of gumbo while Rumpelstiltskin watched. She tasted the different meats and vegetables that made up this otherworldly stew. The taste of onions was familiar, but she couldn’t identify the other flavors. The green and red vegetables were tasty, but so unusual. On Jefferson’s spoon, Belle saw chunks of sausage and tiny pink creatures. There were funny grains that rolled around on her tongue--like barley, but softer. The broth was thick and flavorful.

The gumbo was delicious, but the best part of eating it was seeing Rumpelstiltskin out of the corner of her eye. He looked so pleased with her, so proud and so approving. She was a good girl, she could tell. More than that, she was his good girl.

“And with that I am out of gumbo! You ate half a bowl.”

“So I owe you one-eighth of my soul?”

“Or just promise me you’ll get him to invite me over again sometime.”

“I would like that.” She looked at Rumple. “I think we all had a good time.”

“And not to put ideas into anyone’s head, but I know Leona would be very open to seeing you both again.”

Rumpelstiltskin stood up. “I should let you get back to her, and your daughter.”

“Yes, I’m sure the kid is driving Leo up a wall by now.” Jefferson stood and helped Belle to her feet.

They walked down to the dining room. Belle and Jefferson were side by side now, with Rumple trailing behind them. Jefferson held his hat under his arm.

“How old is your daughter?” Belle asked as they stepped into the dining room.

“She’ll be nine in the spring, when the lilacs bloom.”

“And what did you say her name was?” Rumpelstiltskin asked.

“Well, I never did say,” Jefferson said a little archly. “But only because you’ve never asked before. Some people wouldn’t like the idea of giving the name of their first-born child to the Dark One. But I am not some people. Her name is Grace.”

“Grace.” Rumplestiltskin raised his hands like a blessing. “A curse on all that would harm her.” He lowered his hands, clapped them together in front of him. “Treasure her, Jefferson. Children are gone too soon.”

“I will,” he said. “I do.”

“If I were less greedy, I might even regret calling you away from your family.”

“For this? Have no regrets! I am always happy to be at your service, Dark One.”

“Still, I ought to compensate them for the loss of you.”

“There’s no need.” Jefferson put his hand on Rumple’s arm below the shoulder. “I don’t come at a price,” he said sincerely.

“But I must give you something.” Rumple was equally serious.

Jefferson sighed and stepped away. “Of course you must, Dark One. You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t.”

Rumpelstiltskin held out a pendant on a length of golden thread. “For your daughter. The charm will keep her from getting lost.”

Jefferson took the necklace and put it in the pocket closest to his heart.

“And for your wife.” It was another necklace, a braid of pearls connecting two golden roses. There were three colors of pearls--white, black, and pink. Belle realized at once what those pearls were made of, but she forced herself not to let it show on her face.

From Jefferson’s expression, he had a pretty good idea of the true nature of the necklace. But he took it without hesitation and admired it. “Leo will love this,” he smiled. “I thank you on her behalf.”

“Women who can stomach men like us deserve all the riches we can give them. Treasure your love.”

Jefferson nudged Rumpelstiltskin in the ribs with his elbow. “I’ll treasure my love if you treasure yours, eh?”

Rumple turned to him, his head tilted to the side in honest confusion. “What?”

Jefferson also looked perplexed. “I mean…” He looked back and forth between Rumpelstiltskin and Belle. “I meant…” He gave up. “I mean, Belle, it was wonderful to get to know you better. If you ever have need of a realm-jumper, I am your man.”

He turned to Rumple. “I am always at your service for any task. I thank you for your hospitality and your generosity.” He took the pearls made of their pleasure and put them in his pocket. He held out his hat in a graceful bow to both of them. “Until we meet again!”

He tossed the hat spinning to the ground. The portal opened and Jefferson vanished into the swirling magic.

For a moment after Jefferson left, Belle and Rumpelstiltskin stood side by side in silence. They stared at the floor where the portal had been. Then, Belle sank to her knees to kiss his boots.

He looked down at her. “Do you want something?”

“No,” she said simply, honestly. “I’m just happy to belong to you again. To you and you alone.”

Rumple didn’t respond to that, but he rocked on his heels. His step was spritely as he made his way to his chair at the table.

He hadn’t given her an order, but Belle crawled after him on her hands and knees. She would have kissed his boots again, but he sat with his feet propped up on the tabletop.

“Now then, my dear, pour me a cup of tea.”

His voice was brisk and businesslike, but Belle could hear the pleasure in it. He liked owning her, as much as she liked being owned by him. Jefferson was a diversion, and a pleasant one. But Belle knew both of them were glad to go back to it just being the two of them. It was right, for there to be no one else in the world but them.

The cuffs pulled Belle up off the ground and she hurried to bring her master his tea.

#trio #a Golden Cuffs story #rumbelle #jumbelle #mad gold beauty

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kykyonthemoon · 5 years ago

Text

Made you up

“Do you think it’s possible that two people share the same dreams?”

Paring: Chime Gen x KyKy (MC)

Masterlist: x

----------------------

The little girl closed her eyes. Her breath quickened. There were voices in her head that she could not understand. But one of them was telling her this, again and again, “They’re coming.”

She was scared. She could not move, nor cry. Her body was frozen in place. She thought if her eyes were closed, she could not see them. But she was wrong. The shadows rose from her bed, turning into thousands of claws and grabbed her. They plunged her into darkness.

Her voice was never heard. It was so hard to breathe. When would this nightmare be over?

The moment she was about to give in to the hands seizing her, the little girl heard the sound of footsteps running towards the place. Someone was shouting just right beside her. She gradually opened her eyes.

A hand tore the encircling darkness. She was lifted up. And the next thing she knew, she was in another place.

The fragrance of spring flowers came to her. The cool breeze touched her skin and her dark twin-tails. She shivered in her white nightgown, realizing she could move again. The little girl blinked.

“Are you hurt?”

She turned around to face the boy who just spoke. He was taller than her and dressed in a costume that she believed to be a kimono. He was so thin and pale. His crimson eyes were half hidden behind the silver locks.

He was beautiful. More like a painting.

The boy tightened the grip on the girl and asked again: “Are you alright? Did they hurt you?”

“N-No...” She replied. “I’m fine... But you’re hurting me.”

He let go of her immediately, “I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to...”

“That’s alright.” She smiled. All her fear was gone, as if this was a pleasant dream and no longer a nightmare.

“Thank you, anyway...” She continued, “For pulling me out of that place... It was so scary.”

The white-haired boy said nothing, but he eyed her in such a strange way that it made her blush and look away.

“So, um... Am I dreaming?” She asked. It was the only explanation for all of this.

"Yes.”

“Oh, I remember!” The little girl exclaimed. “I’ve been having bad dreams lately. And even sleep paralysis, or whatever they call it...”

She gazed up at the boy, who also gazed back at her.

“That means... You must be the one I made up!”

“Huh?”

The little clasped her hands and giggled. She was not scared anymore. It was all just a dream.

“I made you up. So whenever I have bad dreams, you’ll come to rescue me!”

“Right...”

The boy seemed puzzled. But his lips soon turned into a smile. “If you see it that way, then yes... I do come to rescue you so often.”

“Oh? Am I having that many bad dreams?”

“A lot.”

“So we have met before?”

He paused. Then his voice became so, so sad.

“Yes. Many times.”

There was a long moment when the wind was the only sound they heard. The little girl must have forgot him.

“You don’t remember. But that’s alright. I remember you.”

The little girl felt guilty. How could she forget someone so important like this? If he did not come for her, she would be devoured by the nightmare again. And by the next morning, she would be crying in her bed and never be able to sleep well.

She made him up, just to help her escape the nightmares.

“You’re hurt!” She yelled as soon as she saw blood dripping from his arm down to the ground.

The boy only noticed his wound then. He was injured while fighting her nightmare. Sometimes, the things that happened in the dreamworld could be so real.

“Just a scratch. Don’t worry about it.”

“But... Isn’t this a dream? Can’t we just make it disappear?”

“Can you?”

She blinked. “Me? Why me? Just because I made you up?”

“Do you want to try?”

They sat on a wild flower bed. The girl held his wounded arm up and observed it carefully. “How do I do this?”

“Use your mind.” His voice was calm, and encouraging. “It’s your dream after all. You can alter it, in any way you want.”

“I can do anything in this world?”

“This world has its own rules... You’ll learn them soon. But for now, yes. You are in a stage that they call lucid dreaming. And you can do anything you want.”

The little girl listened to every word so carefully. This was all new to her. She nodded and closed her eyes. She wanted to heal him. She felt something cool where her hands met his arm, like a stream of water and power rushing through her hands. When she opened her eyes, the wound was gone.

That was her first step in getting to know the dreamworld.

“Wow! This is so cool! Just like what my mother did before!” She beamed.

“Your mother? Is she a healer?”

She nodded. Then shook her head.

“What’s that about?” He leaned back on his both arms, looking at her.

“Well, she was a healer... But not anymore... I don’t know why she just can’t heal anymore...” The girl sighed. “I want to be a healer... But I don’t have healing powers at all... In real life, that is.”

“I want to be like my twin brother.” He said. “He’s so strong. And perfect. While I’m just an ugly, weak—”

“You’re not ugly, nor weak at all!” She interrupted. Her eyes fixed on his crimson. “You saved me, many times, right?”

The white-haired boy seemed astounded. Then he smiled. “You’re the first one to think so. I’m unstable to everyone else. Unlike my brother, I can’t go to school or make friends like a normal boy... People seem to be afraid of me... That is why this dreamworld seems to be much better than my real world. At least, you don’t stay away from me.”

“I don’t think I made you up that way...” The girl with twin-tails shook her head.

A gentle laugh was heard from him. He said, “Why do you think you made me up? It could be me who made you up.”

The girl puffed her cheeks. “Alright. If you are real, then I’ll find you.”

“How are you going to do that when you can’t even remember me?”

His voice was sad, so sad that she felt a pain raising from her chest. She hated this feeling.

“I will try to! You see, there are many dreams I can remember! Like that time when there was a talking cat that taught me magic... Or seeing my own self in another dimension! I can remember all of them! And I will remember you too!”

The sad, white-haired boys with crimson eyes looked at her for a long moment. “I won’t forget you.” He said.

“Well then, tell me your name. So it will be easier to find you in the real world...”

The boy had never told her his name, nor asked for hers. But at that very moment, he wanted to find her too. He wanted to get to know her, not as a dream, but as a real person.

“I’m Chime Gen...”

The white-haired boy smiled.

***

“Most people forget their dreams as soon as they wake up. All the dreams I could remember aren’t so romantic at all.”

The two girls was talking while standing by the traffic lights.

“I can help you get romantic dreams, if you let me, Cery!” The brunette said to her pink-haired friend.

“No! You don’t peek on my dreams! KyKy! I forbid you!” Cery yelled, knowing KyKy was capable of making dreams; it was one of her talents, and a secret.

“I was joking. But... Do you think it’s possible that two people could share the same dreams?”

It was raining heavily in Tokyo. Cery steadied the umbrella covering both of them. It was their first time in Japan. Though they were on a mission, they spent some time strolling around the city as well.

“Do you still want to find that person in your dreams before?” Cery asked.

“I’ve never stopped looking.”

As KyKy cast her eyes towards the other side of the road, she caught someone holding a paper umbrella decorated with red spider lilies and crimson butterflies. Dressed elegantly in a kimono and a mask, he was the focus of people in the street.

“Oh wow. A professional cosplayer?”

“Why does he wear a mask though?”

“Yeah! He must be really handsome!”

The ladies standing nearby were talking. It was usual to see a cosplayer on the streets nowadays, especially in Japan. But KyKy had never seen someone that beautiful in a kimono.

“Hey. You see that man?” Cery asked softly. “The one in kimono over there?”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t think he’s a cosplayer. He looks like someone on the Japanese TV shows I watch.”

“Who?”

“Well... It’s just a feeling. I can’t see his face anyway. Let’s go.”

The green light was on. Cery nudged KyKy out of her daydream. They crossed the street.

In the middle of the road where their paths crossed, KyKy gazed up at the beautiful figure in kimono. Perhaps it was her imagination, or their eyes did meet in a heartbeat. A lingering scent of flowers was left in the rain.

“About your question, KyKy...” Cery continued their talk after they had reached the other side.

“Huh?”

“Are you listening?” Cery frowned. Her friend was looking for something on the other side of the road and paying no attention to her.

“Yes? I’m sorry.” KyKy turned to her friend.

“I was saying, I’m a realistic person. Only you can think of those romantic stuffs... And you don’t know who exactly you’re looking for? Are you sure he’s not your imagination?”

“Cery, I’m sure I didn’t make him up.” KyKy replied; in her eyes was a firm look. “All the dreams felt too real. What if he has the same power as mine?”

It had been years. KyKy failed to remember the name of the person in her dreams, and had not dreamed about him again since she was a kid. The memories of her childhood friend in the dreamworld became so vague. But against all odds, she was still holding onto the hope that he was real, and she would find him one day.

“When you put it that way, it sounds possible...” Cery said. “Though I have never met someone who can walk freely in the dreamworld like you, I believe you’ll find him. There’s a saying that if you dream of someone, chances are they’re dreaming of you too.”

KyKy could not help but let her gaze wander to the other side of the road, where the red spider lily umbrella slowly faded into the rain.

#kyky and chime’s first encounter in person #the title of this piece was inspired by a novel by Francesa Zappia #dragon raja #chime gen #ruri kazama #moonlight and night sky #chime x kyky #dragon raja chime gen #dragon raja ruri kazama #dragon raja fanfic #fanfiction #fanfic

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moon--vixen · 5 years ago

Text

Glimwood diaries

August 30th, 2020

it’s finally arrived. the last sunday of August; the last fireworks show.

I started my day with a laugh. apparently the HHA doesn’t like my entirely intentional design choice of putting pearls on the bathroom floor. I dunno why, I think it’s lovely!

but, I couldn’t dwell on it long. I have many things to do, and not long to do it! so I quickly dressed in the perfect kimono from that one company that put them out for sale for just this month, and set to work.

the staircase is in place, and my friend was right. it looks lovely, and it’s much easier to get around now.

and, funny enough, my little glowing friend wasted no time appearing in the newly opened space!

I checked in on Poppy while I was up there, and I’m clearly not the only one excited for tonight.

I just wish I had more time to chat with her, I’d love to see her project sometime. I’ll have to ask about it later.

I’m just glad so many are looking forward to it. we’ve really come together as a community, and it’s so lovely. while I still miss Beau, I’m glad Diana got to experience this too.

I cleaned up my storage a bit, and I decided to change up my kitchen a little, now that I finally got this wallpaper from Saharah the other day!

and finally, I got all my new patterns put up!

and all of them up online! I do hope people like them.

and lastly, I decided to finally tackle that stupid little hill I made, but couldn’t figure out how to make it seamless.

once my friend showed me how I could round the corners without standing on top, I knew I needed to come back to fix it, but it took so much work that I kept putting it off until the literal last minute,

but finally, I got it done!

and it looks as lovely as I knew it would.

but there’s no time to waste admiring my work! the fireworks are about to start!!

and there it is, the first of the last, right on time.

they’re as lovely as ever, no matter where I stand on the island, setting out a little surprise.

a surprise I set up, as I have one more task before the night is over..

a final update to my dream, most likely the last update for a while now, as tomorrow is the last day that Glimwood will look as it should, with it’s lush greenery still the proper deep green. I want it remembered this way, at least until next spring.

and with that out of the way, I finally let myself relax, and enjoy our final fireworks with the rest of my Glimwood family.

it’s as lovely as I hoped it would be, and I’ll treasure every moment.

the last of which I watched from my favorite seat on the island.

there was a bittersweet air in the square when I returned.

I wonder that myself honestly.

but I didn’t get too much time to think about it, as my friend, after much fighting with corruption, finally pulled her island from the clutches of death, and invited us over.

I never expected so much work to have been done since I last visited, but it’s truly amazing!

has it really been that long since I last visited? I have no idea how she makes such amazing things so quickly!

though I got such a laugh when I saw a familiar red dress hung out in front of her tailors!

but finally!! after all that hard work, my gifts are in place, ready for her neighbors to wear.

next I went exploring, checking out all the work she’s put into this new island, and I’m truly shocked at how amazing it all looks!

especially the garden! my goodness, it’s absolutely breathtaking!

and of course, I had to leave her a little silly drawn gift, in my terrible 5-year-old style.

when I got home, I couldn’t help but stare out at the island and wonder.

I don’t know what’s coming yet, but I’m sure it’ll be as interesting as ever.

#animal crossing #animal crossing new horizons #acnh #glimwood diaries

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only-by-the-stars · 5 years ago

Text

I’m way way WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY behind on that “100 Days to New Horizons” thing, but I still want to do all the questions. so I’ll catch up now, and put everything behind a readmore!

1.Do you prefer making up a new name for your villager, or using your own name?

I’ve never used my own name, I’d rather have my villager/mayor be a character I can make my own little backstory for.

2. Do you use the first map you’re given, or do you reset for layouts?

I reset for layouts!

3. Do you use the face you’re given, or do you wait for guides and choose your favourite?

my first time through, I just used the face I was given, but on subsequent characters I used the guide.

4. Favourite town/island name?/Have you a name picked out for your town/island?

yep, I’m gonna call my island Eventide!

5. Will you be sharing with friends/family, or is your island going to be all your own?

ALL MINE

6. What’s a new feature you’re excited about?

crafting!

7. Favourite fruit?

apples look so pretty in their perfect form!

8. Least favourite fruit?

orange, I’ve never been able to stick with having orange as a native fruit.

9. Favourite area? (Beach, campground, shopping district etc, from any entry in the series.)

I like the campground in New Leaf, and the shopping district

10. Where do you like to like to put your house? Do you like that level of customization, or do you prefer to have some things decided, like in older entries?

near the ocean, so I can hear the tides in my house! I love that level of customization, and if I can change my mind and move my tent elsewhere in NH, that’ll be even better! (I do look forward to camping right on the beach, though!)

11. Favourite grass pattern?

star!

12. Least favourite grass pattern?

square.

13. Favourite villager/s?

DORA

14. Least favourite villager/s?

Stinky. he moved into a bad spot in my first town, has a horrible name, and took forever to leave. :x after that it was a long time before I warmed up to Jocks…

15. Did you like doing Tom Nook’s chores, or did you find those to be a pain?

I’ve only played a little bit of Wild World and City Folk, but I didn’t mind them. I like having little tasks to accomplish in a game.

16. Favourite NPC/s?

BREWSTER

17. Least favourite NPC/s?

Lyle, Pave, Phyllis, and Zipper.

18. Do you use paths? Are you excited about the new path tool?

yes, I do, and YES I AM

19. Favourite feature from an older entry?

Celeste’s observatory! admittedly I haven’t played much of the older games, but I really liked this feature and want to see it brought back. I’d be up to see other older features that people talk fondly about come back too.

20. What was your first Animal Crossing game?

New Leaf!

21. Favourite activity (fishing, bug catching, fossil hunting, other)?

bug catching! also decorating my house

22. Least favourite activity?

probably watering, there’s a reason I use the Beautiful Town ordinance as soon as I’m mayor! hunting fossils can get annoying sometimes too, when a dig spot is hidden and I have to walk all over town multiple times to find it…

23. Favourite bug?

bell crickets and evening cicadas make such soothing noises, and the bell crickets have a unique display too! I also really like the ant farm display, and so many of the butterflies, and I can’t NOT mention all the stag beetles that made me so much money

24. Least favourite bug?

mole cricket. so danged hard to catch…

25. A quarter of the way there! How’s the wait?

IT’S TORTURE, EVEN MORESO SINCE WE’RE ALSO WAITING FOR A DIRECT WITH MORE INFO

26. Favourite fish?

goldfish and sea butterfly display so prettily! I also really like all the sharks, and the frog (even though it’s not really a fish)

27. Least favourite fish?

SEA BASS

28. Favourite fossil?

anything I can turn into a mini fossil, those are neat (and fun to decorate with)

29. Least favourite fossil?

don’t really have one, tbh

30. Favourite furniture series?

Classic is a BIG favorite, I love how it looks customized to be the dark wood! I also really like Mush, Blue, Green, Ice, Mermaid, Gracie, Princess, and Rococo.

31. Least favourite furniture series?

Balloon :x also Sleek, Stripe, and Minimalist

32. Favourite soundtrack? (Gamecube, DS/Wii, etc)

New Leaf by default, but I also really love the songs in it

33. Least favourite soundtrack?

don’t have one

34, Favourite wallpaper?

Arched Window, Autumn, Mush, Cabin

35. Do you have a nice memory of the games/community etc you’d like to share?

I didn’t really get too involved with the community during the time of NL :( but I’d like to do more this time around with NH!

36. Least favourite wallpaper?

Balloon! also Illusion, Kiddie, Paintball, Steel Frame, Cheese, and Blue Tarp

37. Favourite carpet?

Autumn, Herringbone, Cabin Rug, Classic Carpet, Exquisite Rug, Forest Floor, Observatory Floor, Parquet Floor (the original, not the one added in Welcome Amiibo)

38. Least favourite carpet?

Balloon, Cheese, Closed Road, Desert… probably tons more

39. Favourite furniture item?

… too many! I do love me a good food item, though, particularly that pickle jar and so many added in WA, and the fireplace, and those Weeding Day ones... and all the Zelda items, of course, especially the Fairy Bottle, Lon Lon Milk, and the Hero of Time scroll…

40. Will you be buying a Switch for Animal Crossing, or do you already have one?

already have one!

41. Least favourite furniture item?

besides the Balloon set? any of the construction zone items (so ugly), and most sports equipment. probably a lot I’m forgetting

42, Favourite flower?

roses, lilies, cosmos, carnations, and violets

43. Least favourite flower?

pansies, also any of the yellow ones in general

44. Favourite hybrid?

anything blue, purple, or black! also the pink lilies and cosmos

45. Least favourite hybrid?

not a big fan of orange as a color

46. Favourite shirt?

bunny, mint, canary, aurora knit, chef’s, Festivale…

47. Favourite dress?

blue party, butterfly, plum coat, chima jeogori, lovely, princess, sweater, spring kimono, witch’s robe…

48. Favourite accessory?

tortoise specs

49. Favourite hat/helmet?

braided wig, bridal veil, Celeste ribbon, coin headpiece, Flower Fairy wig, Gracie hat, hair-bow wig, tiara hair

50. Halfway there! How’s the wait going?

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

51. Favourite shop?

T&T Emporium, Able Sisters, and of course the Roost

52. Do you collect amiibo cards/figures? Would you like to see them used in the new game?

yes and yes, because I want to get more use out of the ones I’ve bought!

53. Fishing Tourney or Bug-Off?

they’re both fun, but I like the Bug-Off furniture more and it has a feeling of being more special, as it’s a summer-only event

54. Do you like making your own clothing patterns?

I love the idea of it, but I’m not good at actually making them

55. Did you streetpass with many other ACNL players, or is it a feature you didn’t get much use of?

I tended to have really bad luck with this! I only really got to take advantage of it when I got a second DS

56. Favourite villager species?

bunnies, ducks, mice, penguins, deer, squirrels, frogs, goats

57. Least favourite villager species?

hippos, rhinos, gorillas, monkeys, tigers, bulls, cows

58. Favourite nickname from a villager?

muffin!

#animal crossing #animal crossing new horizons #acnh #as the wind fends off the waves i count down the days #(that's my countdown tag)

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dragonrajafanfiction · 5 years ago

Text

Dragon Dancer II: Project - Leviathan

I’d used my father’s Nibelungen gate to steal away with Johann for Hanami in Chizuru in the middle of the night, and felt much better for it. Johann had gone to Chizuru and sent me a picture as I instructed. I visualized the place in my head and stepped through the gate to be with him, wearing the blue and white kimono gifted to me by Caesar over a year ago. Chizuru was twelve hours ahead of Paris, it was the middle of the night. It was a lovely two hours in the sun and the glory of the flowers. Anjou was none the wiser.

Returning to my hotel room in the dark made it seem even more like a dream. My fingers ran across my lips. They still burned where Johann had kissed me. My body still reacted to the memory.

Master List

The room was huge and alien and it made it hard to get any sleep. I tossed and turned in the unfamiliar bed. My thoughts turned back to my Chicago home, not to Cassell. That burned too, taking my whole foster family with it. It was the last place I’d truly felt at home. Ever since I left there, I’d never slept in so many different beds in my entire life.

Back in January, Johann told me that after graduation he would find a place for us. I had thought it was just him being dramatic. He’d been upset and tired at the time he said it. But now as I lay in the dark, in strange surroundings yet again, I realized he might have been completely serious, that he picked up on the fact that we’d both been uprooted, and looking for a place to settle.

The sun came up and I was still tired. Dressed in a plush robe provided by the hotel, I spoke with Johann over video call. He was in an airport, preparing to return to Chicago.

“Do you know who you’ll be working with?” He asked.

“An Agent Robertson…” I yawned. “Sorry, still a little jetlagged.”

To this day, I was captivated by the strands of dark hair framing the golden eyes that peered over his dark glasses, his cool so-called expressionless face. It wasn’t expressionless to me any more. The subtle flicker of his eye lids, the inflection of his voice, the tilt of his head said far more than his words did. To me, they spoke to his quick wit and profound intelligence, the ability to sort and catalogue his thoughts to say and express exactly what he wanted to in a single precise motion.

“I know him. You’re in good hands.” Johann nodded his stoic approval. “He’s been with the Executive department for about fifteen years. His skill is called Desolation and will turn anyone who stands in front of him to solid rock to a distance of 50 feet. It’s an A-rank devastating talent I’ve only seen him use once. He’s also very conscientious and hardworking. He’ll keep the other agents in line.”

I rubbed my eyes and blinked. “Anjou said something about being concerned about the agents here.”

“There was a scandal about three years back. Robertson was assigned from New York to get a handle on things. But some of the people who were responsible for it still work there. I’d be cautious around the French Agents if I were you.”

“Noted.” I rested my chin in my hands. “Are you doing alright?”

His eyelids lowered and my heart skipped a beat at the ghost of a smile. My persistent worry for him never failed to provoke a reaction. “Don’t worry about me. I want you to have a good time in Paris.” The amusement left his face. “I mean it. You’re going to Fashion Week starting today. I want you to get lots of cute outfits and take pictures for me. Eat pastries at La Pâtisserie du Meurice par Cédric Grolet. Take pictures of those too. The pastries they make are very cute.” He ticked these things off as if they were a list of objectives on a mission. But that’s not what drew my attention.

What made me sit up a little straighter was his flawless pronunciation of the name of the bakery. “Johann… do you speak French?”

He tilted his hand back and forth, but didn’t comment. “I’ll send you a care package through Robertson. That way, you won’t have to worry about anything but having fun. Europe doesn’t have the same products that you’re used to.”

Johann had become well studied in the concept of black hair care. My braids and my curls were unique to me and he understood that these locks would accept no substitutions.

“I love you, Chu Zihang.” I said in Chinese.

“I love you, Bai Meixiu.” He said. “Call me again after Fashion Week. I’m interested in this mission of yours.”

“I have to get ready but… can I ask you something?” When prompted by a nod, I continued. “When you said you would find a place for us after graduation… did you mean it? What did you mean?”

He suddenly wasn’t meeting my eyes any more, a faint color coming to his face.

I explained, one hand running down a thin braid. “I was just thinking last night… how hard it was to sleep in so many different beds. It sounded nice to have a real home again. I think I’d like that.”

The color on his face suddenly deepened. “I’d prefer to talk about that in person.”

“Okay… I’ll see you again soon.”

*****

Apparently, the Paris Fashion shows themselves were so exclusive that you had to receive a personal invitation or be a member of the media to attend. Even so, the city was packed. Our ritzy accommodations were fully booked. The fact that we could stay where ever we wanted, eat wherever we wanted, and go to the shows all over Paris spoke volumes about the level of clout Anjou had. Never once were we refused entry, or had to wait. Our tickets of admission were immediately accepted by the staff.

He mingled about the immaculately dressed crowd at the show, shaking hands, giving hugs and leaning in to give little kisses on the cheek. He was introducing me to the people he knew. I suddenly realized that as the top student at Cassell, Anjou was showing me to his inner circle of friends, getting me acquainted with the top brass of Hybrid hierarchy throughout the world. Many were successful businessmen. Many were ancient families with a long history of wealth and power. Some were currently heads of state.

All of them were Hybrids.

I wore a long white dress with white gloves up to my elbows and a white fluffy hair piece in the shape of angel wings. It immediately attracted attention to me. I didn’t speak any French, but I didn’t have to to understand that they were very curious about Anjou’s little debutante.

We took our seats for the actual show. “Am I doing okay?”

“You’re doing just fine my dear.” Anjou, holding his own glass of wine, smiled. “Ah… this never gets old.”

“Can we buy some of the outfits?” It was the first time I had asked to buy anything.

Anjou laughed. “So you’ve finally come around to Paris! Just point to whatever you like!”

I rubbed my hands together eagerly watching for anything cute that I liked -- that Johann might like. With sudden motivation, I found myself spinning in dressing rooms, feeling the fine fabric on my skin. My dancer’s physique was perfect for the French style and the women there had more than enough fun dressing me up for my own personal fashion show. There was even a photographer. A burly African man leaned over with a camera to take pictures of me pretending to be a model. I noticed a familiar emblem on his jacket.

“You’re from Cassell!”

His bright smile glowed on his face. “Agent Robertson at your service!” His New Yorker accent was obvious.

My eyes widened. “They sent you to take pictures of me? Someone as experienced as you?”

He smirked. “Heh. I��ve been following you two all over town. My assignment is to be your security detail… but discreetly.”

“Are the other agents here too?” I asked.

“That they are. Once fashion week is over, you’ll be off to work.”

“Johann Chu says hello.” I swayed in the mirror, making my skirt swirl.

“That guy…” He flipped through the photos on the camera. “Tell him to come back to Paris so I can beat him at basketball again. Nobody else here play.”

I turned to him the moment he said that. “I play.”

His jaw dropped. “Well, well, well… this is going to be a fun assignment.”

My security doubled as paparazzi as I made my way around Paris. I hung out in the first Arrondissement, admiring the parks, the fountains, and the Louvre Museum. I stalked A-list celebrities and got Robertson to take photos of them for me.

All the photos were sent to my social media account at Cassell. Johann Chu liked every one of them. He left comments of which clothes I should take home. When I asked if he wanted a souvenir, he simply replied. “No, this is enough.”

The heat rose in my face. “Sweet talker…”

When it was time for me to leave the hotel, Anjou left a final message for me on a gold embossed perfumed card. “Congratulations on your first assignment. May it be the first in a long career.”

Under a bright spring sun, we traveled in a convoy of black armored vehicles to the safe house. Men brandishing AK-47s opened the gate to allow us in. We drove down a winding narrow road through a forest to the massive chateau.

Robertson grew quiet and serious, constantly on his walkie-talkie, giving orders and receiving feedback and updating our position. He referred to me as ‘The Asset’. I was escorted to the heavy wooden door. It opened. Four other men stood before me. They were all European, in suits and sunglasses despite their being indoors.

“Agent Lavigne, IT. Monet, Logistics. Blanchet, Security. Garnier, Security.”

The French agents. I nodded to them politely. “Nice to meet you. I’m Charlotte.”

Agent Lavigne, lowered his glasses to reveal bright green eyes. He was pale with freckles and a shock of red hair. “Allow me to show you where you will be working.”

My heels clicked against the marble tiled floor. There were columns and statues and art everywhere. We went up the stairs to a large master suite. “This room has all the amenities you need. Unless required, you should be able to stay here and not leave it. There is a balcony in the back for fresh air.”

“Not leave my room?” I asked in dismay.

“There is an extensive amount of work you must do here. Your playtime is over.”

I pressed my lips together, glaring.

“Don’t antagonize her. Anjou said she needs to be kept happy.” Robertson immediately placed himself between me and Lavigne. I glanced between them, unsure of why there was this sudden tension.

Lavigne cleared his throat. “I meant no offense. My English is not that good.”

Lame excuse, I thought, but I nodded.

“The laptop you’ll be working with is directly connected to EVA. Your task will be translation and interpretation of the text. Nothing more.”

“Why fly me all the way out here if I’m just going to work with EVA?” I asked. “Wouldn’t it have been easier just to stay at Cassell? What’s with all the security?”

“That information is unfortunately classified.” Robertson said. Despite his serious demeanor, he smiled a little. “I will tell you this. Sometimes, Cassell doesn’t want to show it’s directly involved in a project.”

“Oh… … Okay…” I said. I nodded once in determination. “I’ll work hard!”

“We’ll leave you to it.” The two agents shut the door.

I jumped up onto yet another strange plush bed and opened the laptop. “Agent Meixiu!” I declared.

Immediately, the machine registered my face and voice. It spoke to me in EVAs vocal AI. “Welcome. I hope your stay in Paris was enjoyable.”

“It was! So what are we doing here?”

“We’re interpreting and translating the draconic text found underneath the slums of Mumbai. It’s a densely populated place, but the ruins are accessible through the sewers. Wells dug by Cassell are reaching even greater depths.”

Pictures of the locations of the dig sites and maps flashed across my screen.

“Your initial assignment will be to translate this document. It is composed of 15,000 symbols, 5,000 of those are unknown draconic.”

“Five thousand?!” I whispered. I sighed. “Okay… Let’s get to it.”

“Your acceptance of the mission has been logged. Welcome to Project: Leviathan.”

The reams of draconic script opened themselves before me. There were so many unfamiliar words mixed in with familiar ones. One thing was immediately clear. These weren’t ancient chants, prayers or curses. This was a history, a record of actions. What was stranger was that the actions weren’t of a dragon, but of a human man.

I stood up and looked around the room. It would take me months to translate all this and I was not interested in spending that much time away from Johann. There were several framed pictures on the wall. I got off the bed and pulled down one. Then I fished out a permanent marker from my luggage and drew a time dilation rune on the wall. When activated, three hours here would only be one hour outside the room. I rehung the picture over it.

I would not need EVAs assistance. As a supercomputer, she could only make guesses based on available information, and that was not always accurate. I had someone who had direct access to draconic script and was a native speaker. She spun out from my dragon scale necklace, floating there.

Ielia, a version of me from another dimension, appeared like a glowing ghost in the room. “Please help me translate this?”

She gave me a solemn nod.

#Johann Chu #Dragon Raja #Fanfiction #Writing

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sesskag1postchallenge · 6 years ago

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Ch5 - Operation Grandpup Drop (A SitBoy Discord Crack Fic)

Warning this story is M bordering NSFW

Chapter 5:

SlayerYesterday at 9:51 PM

Inuyasha knew that if his brother really wanted her he would catch them. He was banking on Sesshomaru just not giving a damn. But when he felt the swell of Sesshomaru's power, and the earth moving force of him chasing after them his heart dropped. His bastard of a brother wanted HIS Kagome.

imjaneeesYesterday at 9:53 PM

Now, Kagome and he may have agreed that they were better off as friends, but that didn't mean that he'll hand her off to his brother. That's just wrong. Actually, imagining anyone with Sesshomaru is just wrong and gives him the heebie jeebies.

SlayerYesterday at 9:54 PM

And she was still HIS Kagome.

"Can you hold a solid circular barrier around us?" Inuyasha called over his shoulder.

Stormie Like WeatherYesterday at 9:57 PM

All he had to do was make it to the well. Just up ahead. He could see the clearing. The old stones that made up the base. It was so close. Kagome nodded, "I can try!" Her reiki blossomed into a barrier, but for some reason Sesshomaru was able to reach right into it. "Miko."

She trembled.

Walter205Yesterday at 10:01 PM

Too late, she came to the realization that the barrier didn’t work on Sesshomaru because, deep down, she didn’t really want to escape from him after all.

SlayerYesterday at 10:01 PM

She solidified her barrier, but just as it became solid a huge paw slapped them away from their destination. 'Great now we have a 50 foot dog playing ball with us.'

imjaneeesYesterday at 10:02 PM

Sure, in the dark, somewhat high part of her mind, she imagined playing fetch with Sesshomaru, but not like THIS!

Stormie Like WeatherYesterday at 10:03 PM

"You're going to ruin the goods, Sesshomaru! Stop!"

Walter205Yesterday at 10:04 PM

Kagome felt green as Sesshomaru swatted them for the fifth time. More like Pinball at this point instead of regular ball.

imjaneeesYesterday at 10:06 PM

Apparently the 50 something foot dog had SOME sense because now he was looking down at them, actually her, in a somewhat contemplative way. She didn't like that head tilt. Nothing good came out between her and dogs tilting their heads while looking straight at her.

Walter205Yesterday at 10:07 PM

“Kagome, drop the barrier when I tell you to. I have a plan to get us out of this mess,” said Inuyasha as his Tetsuiga started to turn Hot Pink.

imjaneeesYesterday at 10:09 PM

Oh. Oh good lord no, his tail was wagging. No no no no that can't be good, he's happy about something no no no. Ever so hesitantly she dropped the barrier.

All hell broke lose and nothing went right.

SlayerYesterday at 10:11 PM

Sesshomaru still in his true form, lunged for her, completely ignoring Inuyashayelling out a new attack. Next thing he knew he had some type of metallic confetti going up his nose, which unfortunately caused the huge dog to sneeze. Right on Kagome.

imjaneeesYesterday at 10:12 PM

That was one strong sneeze because it blew the first layer of Kagome's kimono right off and now she was on her hands and knees trying to get up from the blow.

Stormie Like WeatherYesterday at 10:18 PM

Dripping with snot, Kagome shouted, "Dammit! I just want to stay clean for half a day!" She flung out her arm, pointing right at Sesshomaru and his wet nose, "I thought you were trying to help me by taking me from the shiro, but you just wanted to torture me!" She wiped her face with the back of her sleeve, getting emotional with how tired she'd become. Sunlight peaked over the horizon, and she sniffled, "I just want a bath and my fluffy robe and sham pajamas and my bed..."

SlayerYesterday at 10:20 PM

Seeing the little priestess dissolve into tears made both dog demons tuck their ears and look at the ground.

"Ah Kags dont cry! Damn it you asshole look what you did!" Inuyasha yelled at his older sibling.

Stormie Like WeatherYesterday at 10:27 PM

Sesshomaru's massive paw pushed Inuyasha into the dirt. They all knew if Inuyasha hadn't of stuck his stupid face into the middle of things, this would never have happened. With a whirlwind of power, Sesshomaru was back looking like his two legged self, covering HIS miko's shoulders with moko moko.

"Everything can wait until morning, let's get you a bath first. I look forward to washing your hair." Hair so black it gleamed blue in the sunlight, and wildly unruly, so unlike his own. He had to admit, to himself alone, how curious he was about her human but timeless attributes.

imjaneeesYesterday at 10:31 PM

They were already well away from Inuyasha's muffled screaming and right in front of a small spring when Kagome's frazzled brain finally caught up to what Sesshomaru just said, "Wait what?!"

SlayerYesterday at 10:39 PM

"Come now we will get you clean fed and to bed and we can talk in the morning."

"You're not staying while I bathe!"

"But I am Miko. Your requirements were love security and marriage. I can easily give you two of those things. I would like to try to foster the third. That means we spend time together." Sesshomaru started the massive work of unrobing his Miko. 'My god how many layers did mother dress her in."

Stormie Like WeatherYesterday at 10:42 PM

"Sesshomaru!" She tried to slap his hands away as her obi fell to the ground and he began removing the outer layer. The silks were glued together by his giant dog snot. She pouted, "This is all your fault..."

imjaneeesYesterday at 10:44 PM

It was a long and tedious process because he would not wish to scare her by ripping the clothes off of her but he was patient. For a while. It was on the last layer that Sesshomaru nearly threw his hands in the air and bash his head against the wall. His mother all but places a chastity belt on the miko and it would not come off unless the one wearing it takes it off herself.

SlayerYesterday at 10:46 PM

"Remove your last layer and get in the water. This Sesshomaru shall not peek." He turned away from the nearly naked Miko and scanned the trees wondering if his idiot of a half brother was going to show up.

Stormie Like WeatherYesterday at 10:59 PM

As soon as his back turned a loud splash resounded with a laugh he knew all too well. "InuKui! Get your hands off my miko!" He growled, turning on his heel. The sight was disturbing. InuKui had her arms around Kagome's naked body, rubbing noses.

"Uh...InuKui...if you don't mind...some space?" Kagome's face, neck, and chest were flushed red.

Walter205Yesterday at 11:03 PM

Turning around, Sesshomaru took in a eyeful before noting that Inukui was at least still wearing her blue robe of the water hamster.

imjaneeesToday at 12:11 AM

Inukui, as completely uncaring of other people's comfort to appease herself as her mother is, merely grinned at the miko.

"Don't you know, you're our sister now! Mother said you and big brother would give us new pups. Mother has been rather melancholy lately, I think she misses having pups around the shiro since there hasn't been one since I came along. But now you're here so everyone would be happy! How often can humans give birth per century though? Mother told me to ask you about this."

Good lord the girl meant well so Kagome couldn't really get mad at her, not to mention that she reminded her strangely of Rin with a feminine Inuyasha face. This was weird.

revangToday at 1:05 AM

“I- I’m not giving anyone pups!” Kagome squeaked with a furious blush. “We’re not even in love! I’m going to bathe and go home away from all of this nonsense. And when I get back, we’re going to resume our hunt for Naraku and the Shikon like we should be doing!”

Walter205Today at 9:59 AM

Later that night, Sesshomaru lay against the great tree of time, staring up at the countless stars of the night sky accented by the crescent moon. Kagome was sound asleep by his feet, taking full advantage of the furry softness that was Mokomoko in the absence of her beloved sleeping bag. Inuyasha was above him in one of the tree's limbs keeping watch, while Inukoi was curled up next to Kagome, where Shippou would normally be at.

Everyone had settled down remarkably well last night after the miko's declaration that she wouldn't be bearing pups for anyone in the hot spring. At that point everyone had taken a giant step back as they realized Kagome had gone through too much in too short a time period and that she was being driven away by their actions. After letting her bathe in peace they had fed her the fish on sticks Inuyasha had brought to the cave earlier.

While she was eating they had discussed backing off considerably on their plans and ambitions for the time being as the Miko had a lot on her mind and a lot to talk about, to all of them along with her mother in the present. It was decided to let her return home in the morning but since it was late at night she would stay with the three of them nearby before departing.

They had paid their respects to the graves of Kikyo and Kaede, the latter having passed on almost a year ago, not of old age as many thought would happen but in one of the many battles against Naraku, the Trash Prince having killed her in order to taunt Inuyasha about Kikyo's death along with hurting all of them emotionally. Kaede's death hadn't been in vain however as she had prevented Naraku from learning about the secret of the Bone Eater's Well.

#sesskag #inuyasha fanfiction #sesshomaru #kagome #crackfic #OnePostChallegeSitBoy

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minaa-munch · 5 years ago

Text

Ferns and Familial Bonds

“Ryusui dono, I hope you’ve been well.”

“I have, dear. And you?”

“The Capitol has been a blessing. In fact--” The words were drowned by a sudden gust of wind that entailed a shower of lilac and magenta from the fuji flowers that swayed from the moss covered branches overhead, along with the tell-tale scent of wild honeysuckle. This particular section of the forest was leafier and perhaps, more flowery than the rest, with splashes of color in the form of apricot blossoms, hydrangea bushes, clumps of morning glory -- maybe even a few curious lavender blossoms peeking from beneath the various bushes peppering the forest floor.

it was one of the few shared acres between the Akimichi, Nara and Yamanaka clans; located behind their clan monument. Akin to the monument itself, it was grand, it was colorful, it was--

Tan digits barely had time to cover his nose before he sneezed for the third time.

It was going to give him an allergy. Gingerly, he peeked at his now-damp fingers before his features scrunched up in disgust.

"Be careful not to dirty your clothes, little kinmokusei." said a soft, almost musical voice before a floral patterned handkerchief was offered to him; one he gratefully took. He carefully rubbed his tingling nose before folding the cloth neatly, tucking it away in his yukata sleeve. Sniffing miserably, watery blue hues stared at the wrinkly hand that was firmly clamped over his, before flickering to his grandmother's wrinkles. How come the mixture of scents didn’t bother her?

Talk about unfair. Cue another, disdainful sniff as Ryusui turned to address yet another distant clan member (Minato had lost count) and his eyes flickered to the bit of lilac that was balancing precariously on his nose. He picked it before it could aggravate his poor sinuses any further, the petal held captive between his fingers. It was soft, almost velvety to the touch; it looked pretty too (sinuses-bias aside), and he could see why the Yamanaka preferred the color as the main theme for today.

Apart from flowers that he had no idea how to identify, of course. It was Inoichi’s Genpuku* ceremony, as he was going to officially be crowned as the heir to the Yamanaka clan. It was also to celebrate his admission into Konoha’s Ninja Academy, which was a matter of pride for the Yamanaka likewise.

The young heir was expected to achieve great things - and Minato had no doubts he would; since he could already perform the shiranshin no jutsu and had amazing chakra control (as amazing as a six year old could figure, since his cousin could walk on trees and that was so cool) and he would probably be a Jonin before anyone knew it.

He and Shikaku both. Cue a forlorn sigh as curious hues stared at the dirt trodden path the younger members of the clan had taken earlier in an excuse to collect herbs and shrubs; when it had actually been to get away from the boring adult meetings. Minato would have joined them, had it not been for Ryusui’s strong grip on his hand; as if she was afraid he would run away - not to say he hadn’t tried of course.

She simply happened to be very...overprotective. Cue another useless tug; his umpteenth attempt to loosen his grandmother’s hold on his hand before a voice interrupted his valiant efforts.

“I would like to introduce my children, obaa sama.” Somewhat sullen (he was not pouting), he peeked at the newcomers through his blond fringe, only to find a curious pair of dark hazels staring back at him. A boy who seemed to be around his age and height was observing him from behind a blond girl who had her head bowed respectfully towards the clan elder, her pale blond locks framing the sides of her face in a dainty, almost royal manner.

Were they from the Daimyo’s court? The lady - their mother, judging from the way she spoke about them - wore an elaborate green kimono that had a delicate gold trim. The girl was wearing a similar dress, though hers happened to be a darker shade of green whereas the boy was wearing a formal yukata of a startling, sapphire blue.

They practically reeked of aristocracy and he couldn’t help but stare.

“Its rude to stare, you know.” Of course, the universe was out to get him wasn’t it? Minato felt the tips of his ears burn as the girl narrowed her eyes at him in what he perceived to be a glare; easily missing the humorous tilt in her words. Instead, he ducked his head in embarrassment.

“Summimasen” He was too mortified to notice the amused chuckle that was passed amidst the three females. It wasn’t until a shy tug at his sleeve that he looked up again, to familiar dark hues.

“Wanna go explore?” The boy spoke in hushed tones as their elders talked. He seemed to be the friendlier of the two; with an easy, infectious smile and red spots on his cheeks. His gaze was welcoming too, and Minato decided he instantly liked him.

Besides, girls were weird. “Hai” Both boys exchanged grins at that, before turning to their respective elders.

“Ne, can we go explore please, hahu-e?”

“Can we, obaa sama?”

To their credit, both women didn’t immediately succumb to the combined efforts of large, hopeful eyes and pouting lips; even though they were very well tempted to. Instead, they exchanged a look before nodding in agreement - Ryusui’s a tad more reluctant.

“Only if Tsunade goes with you.”

“Yatta!” Before Minato could react, the boy had grabbed his hand and was now proceeding to drag him towards one of the many, leaf littered forest paths that led away from the clearing. The girl - Tsunade, followed them at a leisurely pace.

---------

“And then...” Cue a suspenseful pause as the two leaned closer, “he blew up!”

“Really?” Minato couldn’t help but ask, blue hues wide and curious as Tsunade nodded, light hazels focused on her fingernails, a smirk playing on her lips.

“Mhm. Luckily I was there, or my teammates would have had their heads blown off.” She remarked, clearly reveling in the unabashed (read: awe inspiring) attention she was getting from the two - more from Minato than Nawaki, since he had heard her stories before but was excited by gory details, just like any other kid his age.

Minato, though? he was enthralled. “You’re so cool, Tsunade ane.” Blue hues practically sparkled in the sunlight, “Can you teach me how to do that?”

“Iie” Tsunade raised her nose, “You need to be a shinobi first, gaki.” She lowered her hand to her lap before raising an brow, “and you’re not even in the academy yet, are you?”

“I’ll be joining this year, after Inoichi ani” The younger blond was relentless as his expression turned more childish, complete with wide eyes and a trembling lower lip, “Please?”

Their exploration had been cut short; both boys were now sitting on the mossy forest floor while Tsunade was perched on a knobbly outgrowth of a root, one leg slung carelessly across the other through the slit of her kimono. She had a makeshift crown of morning glory and apricot blossoms on her head and seemed very much like a forest spirit holding court with her shorter, spirit underlings.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Arigatou, Tsunade ane.”

Nawaki had made crowns for the two of them too; except they consisted solely of dandelions and ferns. “Tsunade ane is a talented chunin” Nawaki nodded in a sagely manner before turning to his new friend, a large smile on his face, “But I’ll leave her in the dust when I become Hokage, ne?” There was a swell of pride in his words, and the rosy spots on his cheek shone with a flush that dusted the bridge of his nose.

Was that even possible? “You’ll be Hokage?” Minato questioned instead, with a curious tilt of his head, “Aren’t you too young to be Hokage?”

“Iie, not like that Mina chan” Nawaki sprung to his feet, clothed chest puffed out, “I’ll train super hard and out rank my sister and be Hokage, just like Hashirama oji!” The declaration was met with silence as he turned fully towards the younger blond, “Everyone and Tsunade ane will acknowledge me and I’ll acknowledge everyone, regardless of their clan because that’s what oji sama did.”

His back was turned so he didn’t notice the fond smile on Tsunade’s face, though Minato certainly did - it was very similar to Ryusui obaa sama’s and he was beginning to see the familial resemblance. “That sounds like a lot of work, Nawaki ani” He replied, his gaze flickering to the elder, just as he deflated a little, “Iie, not like that! I believe in you” Cue a shy, childish grin, “You’ll make a great Hokage, Nawaki ani.”

Nawaki positively beamed and Minato felt happy. He offered a hand to the Namikaze, one which he took, before pulling him to his feet, their footfalls echoing the delightful crunch of fallen leaves that littered the forest.

“My first order as the future Hokage...” Nawaki raised his index finger, solemn “Is to outrun Tsunade ane in a forest sprint.” Cue a wide, mischievous grin before he took off, dragging the younger blond with him as Tsunade hopped off her perch.

“Oi, you can’t just randomly announce a sprint Nawaki!”

“Can’t lecture who you can’t catch ane san!” The Senju didn’t even bother looking back as he laughed. Minato did, though. Blue hues peeked at the now shrinking figure of the forest spirit, a homely smile on her face as she shook her head.

He could have sworn she said something, but they were too far away to tell.

---------

They ran for what felt like hours to his six year self, though it was probably a few minutes. They had to make a couple of detours because Tsunade almost caught them - and like a downright onni, too. She would unexpectedly spring from a random bush, arms raised over her head and leaves stuck in her hair.

For their part, they didn’t scream because one of them happened to be the future Hokage whereas the other would be his first loyal, shinobi (which couldn’t be further from the truth, judging from the shrill, almost girly shrieks that reverberated around the trees after such encounters). No matter how sneaky they tried to be, Tsunade would always manage to jump them somehow. At first Minato thought it was because she was miffed at the un-called for sprint, but judging from the devilish smile on her face every time, he deduced she was having fun at their expense.

If their expense translated to him almost getting a heart attack every time, that is. The blond cast furtive glances as Nawaki jumped behind a fallen tree, one large enough to easily swallow their forms in its massive shadow.

“Is the coast clear?”

Cue a short nod, before the Senju pulled him to their new hiding spot. For his part, Nawaki barely looked a little more than ruffled, whereas Minato was having a hard time catching his breath, despite the grin on his face. He hadn’t had this much fun in a while.

“Wanna see something cool?” Nawaki whispered conspiratorially as they hid from their self proclaimed baby sitter. Minato, ever the curious child, nodded as he tucked his knees under his chin. As quiet as they were trying to be, he had a sneaking suspicion that the older Senju probably knew where they were - her presence was like a tickle on the back of his neck.

But maybe that was just him, since Nawaki seemed confident that they were alone. He gave the younger a toothy grin before bringing his hand, palm up between them. Dark hues narrowed, and there was a sliver of light green before a few ferns poked their heads out of his skin.

“Ho--” Minato clamped a hand over his mouth to stifle his words. Nawaki shot him another grin before his brows furrowed in concentration. A few beats later, and he had a miniature bush in his hand, complete with twigs, ferns, plant sprouts and fully grown dandelions. His forehead was peppered with sweat at the exertion, but he managed to retain his friendly smile regardless.

“P-pretty cool, ne?“ He wheezed, “Demo, its not perfect yet but I’ve been practicing.” He sounded proud of himself and Minato didn’t blame him - he had never seen anyone grow stuff out of their hands before. In fact, the only person who had been reputedly able to do that was the legendary Shodai...

They very same Shodai who happened to be Nawaki and Tsunade’s grandfather. Suddenly, his earlier references to ‘Hashirama oji’ made sense and he felt silly for not noticing it sooner. Minato scooted a bit closer, before a tan finger poked at the fern in his hand cautiously.

It even seemed real! “That’s amazing, Nawaki ani” He whispered, the excited flush on his face underlining his hushed tone, “You’re amazing! Can you teach me how to do that?”

“I don’t know, Mina chan” Nawaki sounded sheepish, though more uncertain as he scratched his chin in a thoughtful manner, “No one ever taught me and it just...happened...” Trailing off, he noticed the younger’s disheartened expression and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, the same infectious smile on his face.

“But if I figure out how, you’ll be the first person I teach, ne?” The foliage in his hand was starting to rapidly age and fall off, leaving the skin of his palm smooth, as if nothing had grown on it in the first place. “You can be my kouhai and I’ll be your senpai and I teach you the jutsu, we can prank Tsunade ane together”

If anything, Nawaki seemed more excited by the prospect of tricking his older, more qualified sister. There was a playful sparkle in his eye and a laughter in his tone that Minato had trouble resisting. Both boys shared a wide grin and Nawaki held out two fingers for the Namikaze, “Its a promise, ne?”

Maybe this is what it felt like to be acknowledged by someone other than Ryusui obaa sama - or maybe it was because Nawaki was such a friendly person; regardless, it did little to stifle the warm, comfortable feeling that translated to an accentuated flush in his cheeks.

It was...nice. Also, he was certain he had the best cousins ever. As such, tan digits had no qualms in curling around the elder’s fingers, “hai, Nawaki ani.”

There was a comfortable silence after that, before the sound of fluttering wings prompted their attention. Curious, Nawaki peeked from over the fallen wood as Minato took to glancing at the back, “I think we lost her” the older of the two whispered, before cautiously walking out of their hiding spot, prompting the younger to follow him.

True, Minato couldn’t feel the slight tickle at the back of his neck either. Maybe she had given up? Curious, blue hues stared at the flickering sunlight dancing along their forest path, taking care not to crash into the older boy.

The forest was oddly serene - and pretty. The trees allowed shafts of sunlight to illuminate the grassy floor, each flickering whenever a breeze found itself trapped between their many, many branches. The scent of foliage was rather overwhelming, and he was sure that the two of them would smell like wet soil or rotting wood by the time they returned for the ceremony.

Speaking of, it was getting rather late, wasn’t it? “I think we might be lost, Nawaki ani.” The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could check himself - he couldn’t help it though, they had clearly lost track of time and the forest was huge.

Though what bothered him a little more was the fact that Nawaki didn’t immediately reply. The boy paused, a contemplative expression on his face as he observed their surroundings, “I wouldn’t say lost, Mina chan.” He blinked at him over his shoulder, “The trees...I can’t explain it, but I think they can help us get back.”

But trees don’t talk. If he felt silly for thinking it, he would certainly sound just as bad if he said it out loud. Minato merely blinked back with a curious tilt of his head. A part of him was willing to argue the logic behind Nawaki’s words, but another, more childish part was willing to believe him.

Nawaki was going to be Hokage, so he couldn’t be wrong, it reasoned, and for some stupid reason he was willing to roll with it. Both of them exchanged nods, before Nawaki raised two fingers in a standard jutsu seal at his chest. Curious, Minato observed him from the side, blue hues widening at the flicker of light green from earlier.

It couldn’t be a trick of the light a second time...maybe it was what they called chakra? Minato opened his mouth to ask, but then there was that familiar tickle at the back of his neck again--

“Gotcha you little gremlin” Both of them were lifted clean off their feet by the backs of their yukatas, prompting collective, surprised yelps (they were very manly yelps, thank you very much). Minato, for one, took solace in the fact that Nawaki looked just as unsettled as he felt. Blue hues caught dark counterparts before both of them peeked at their captor.

Tsunade looked bored for someone who was holding two boys at arms length, and at least half a foot in the air too. Their eyes met and she shot the two a bemused grin, “you really thought you could give me, a chunin, the slip?”

Were girls normally this strong, or was it also because she was a chunin? Minato would probably never know, he was too flabbergasted to comment.

Luckily, Nawaki did enough flailing and talking for both of them, “We gave you the slip for a while didn’t we?” He crossed his arms with a soft grunt, looking almost comical with the way his form swayed in her grip.

“Iie, hahu-e came looking for us earlier.” Tsunade replied, “She was angry because we missed the ceremony.” She was smirking, but both of them were too mortified to notice, “I told her it was because you two ran away.”

“What? But ane san!”

“...”

Oh, they were in so much trouble.

---------

The distant sound of thunder echoed in the small room he dragged his futon next to her larger one. It was raining outside; a light drizzle that played a delightful staccato against the wooden tiles of Yamanaka Ryusui’s homely quarters. During times like these, the elder would usually ask him to sleep in her room, since the rain brought an onslaught of memories she didn’t like.

Or at least, that’s what she had said. His grandmother barely slept as it was; more often than naught he had caught her staring out of a gap between the thin, rice paper doors with the most forlorn expression on her face. As if she was elsewhere; far away.

“I’m sorry, my little kinmokusei”

It worried him at times, since he was scared that she might forget to return one day. Brows furrowed briefly at the thought before he willed it away, instead, choosing to face his grandmother who was staring at him with tears in her eyes. She moved a little closer, her covers pooling around her lap before thin, clothed arms pulled him in for a smothering hug.

And Minato let her. This was part of their nightly ritual and practically routine at this point; she would always hold him close before retiring to bed, chin resting atop his head while long, straw colored locks tickled the sides of his face. He had stopped questioning it, since whenever he did, she would tell him he was too young to understand. Blue hues stared absently at their flickering shadows colored by the lamplight and he briefly wondered whether it was because of today (he and Nawaki had gotten a scolding of a lifetime).

The hold loosened and he was briefly pulled away to meet her watery gaze, “Promise me you will always be kind.” Frail, trembling digits clasped younger counterparts. Irises the color of the mid-day sky stared at him with a mixture of unmasked sentiments; apprehension, love, expectation--

Fear. It was funny, the six year old thought, how his grandmother could switch from aloof to emotional so effortlessly; Nary a clansman could claim to be privy to how she actually was - since she was so composed in front of everyone else. But when they were alone, he would see her crumble like the foliage he had seen in Nawaki’s palm earlier. Curious hues blinked, before he curled his fingers around her own, a childish smile on his face, “I promise, obaa sama.”

His words prompted a genuine, heartfelt smile on her pinched features. At that point, Minato didn’t care that this promise...this little ritual of theirs was practically routine, and had been since as long as he could remember.

Her smile was worth his entire world.

Genpuku is the coming of age ceremony which was held for the children of samurai clans. I’ve twisted it around quite a bit, so please don’t use this snippet as a reference for the actual tradition.

Note: I share this headcanon with @senjutsunade. If you’d like to use it, or incorporate it somehow, please get permission first and link it back here, ne? Thanks in advance!

#Yamanaka Ryusui #Senju Tsunade #Yamanaka Inoichi #Senju Nawaki #Namikaze Minato #headcanon #senjutsunade #minaa-munch #story post

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