#japanese folks have the right to remain silent too

[icaruspartharmony]

Yo saying that he's always wanted to say "you have the right to remain silent" is extremely funny to me because he was a cop. which implies that he's never read anyone their rights as a cop, which makes me think he shot that one guy and got fired the *second* he became a cop. Which sounds completely accurate for a cop.

[onyourhyuck]

The Cursed Nine Tailed. | Na Yuta

prologue- “Why did you save me? You should’ve left me to die. Why commit to such recklessness that could’ve killed you?” + “Because i finally found my purpose. I used to believe the world was nothing but evil, until i met you.”

summary: Na Yuta is cursed and he blames you. You’re a powerful ruling Shaman in the mountains, keeping peace restored. Yuta is a fox with chaos in his body. He knows you’re here to punish him for god’s works.

tw- Servant x master relationship. Fox!yuta x Human!y/n. Y/n is a powerful woman in the mountains. Yuta has a backstory for being a chaotic fox causing chaos in the world. Yuta is cruel and sadistic. Y/n is a fair judgemental spiritual girl. Y/n has a backstory too. SMUT. smut. Cum Play. Female oral receiving. handjob receiving. He’s sadistic but praises y/n with nickname terms “darling and my master.” Biting. Graphic smut scene. Japanese bath house sex .

notes- LONG KINKTOBER FIC.

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Fire burning the grounds to ash leaving nothing to stand in its way, scraping bloody katana covering with millions lives on that it took wielded by its cruel master. Everyone hears a distinguished crunch, off the far distance sky we’re a deep muddied brown with no sunlight born nor darkness. It felt ill and the earth were dying. This war was saddening and grazing the world in its bad fortune. For a few seconds remaining still, sinking feeling into earth’s soil ground carrying products of corpse lying lifeless that were slashed or ripped in to shreds covering the green grass red. Mutilated body parts fell apart from the original body, arms separating from the joints, legs scattered amongst the large field where the large army against one dark entity challenge it.

They anticipated a sound to calm their inner nerves caused by the heaving anxiousness rising more when the field were dead like a gravely silent cemetery in the open. The army were collectively facing the empty distance until a silhouette figure with a red and white kimono wrapped at the chiselled man’s body, till he wielded the sword they ran forward. Marching to their deaths. Even if they knew they were going to die and not make it back home to their mothers, wives, daughters and sons or friends. How foolish, Yuta darkly thought. The mortals must have high egos to be wasting their precious life by facing him. Little did they dare if they died, as long as it wasn’t their loved ones. The nine tailed fox did not understand it nor did he try to analyse their reasonings— after all they are dead now. All they are now will be ash, rotten corpse eaten by crows and insects. Becoming food for wild animals such as wolves and many more.

His hand shot down running the katana loosely on the floor behind him as he walks forward with light footsteps, as if he weighed nothing, as if he were floating on earth but he was not. Yuta looks elegant in this deathly situation and manner. The fox spirit covered by its own bloodshed he caused.

Dark apathetic eyes linger in the far distance to the village burned down. Yuta snickers uncontrollably but the following cries lap his laughter as he fell on his knees. Crawling on all fours as he smashed the hand right on the concrete floor. What was paining this entity so much? What did god punish him with? Was this punishment or was this just his luck to lose his only home?

The humans did everything in their power to take over the forest that belonged to him and him only. It was not only Yuta’s home but so many others. When the village folks took over the forest by burning it and cutting the trees, all the other spiritual entities left and died out leaving Yuta alone responsible for their lives being taken by the human hand. The fox soon became a dark growing spirit choosing the dark side, choosing to have a taste of his own victory and choose to punish the evil mortals giving them their own taste of medicine. He will live to kill and avenge his friends and home, murdering every human on this forsaken planet even if it meant Yuta losing the respectful social status and his own life.

“They built homes on my land.” Yuta roars screaming at the skies. “Why didn’t you stop them!” He slams and screams no matter how much he does though, no one answered him. Except one voice.

“You’re a fool for what you caused.”

Years passed since then. Yuta gotten the rightful punishment through the twelve gods or more who scold and look down on him for becoming the way he was. The nine tails caused the community of other gumihos to lose their respect for him too, they weren’t murderous creatures whatsoever but Yuta painted them to look like that to other gods and spirits. He didn’t care. Yuta told them he can accept any punishment. He got what he wanted at the end, terminating the entire village to the ground. The grim reapers had to thank Yuta because now, they had to deal with million souls to be ascending to hell or heaven as well as the reincarnation team. However underworld god, Hades was more than ready to severally punish the fox. When he chose the punishment Yuta wasn’t expecting him to be bound to a master forcefully and to a shaman at that.

Most foxes would be happy to have a master as it’s their only sole purpose is to serve. However Yuta wasn’t the usual fox if you couldn’t tell by now. He is impulse, murderous and reeks of sin for murdering so many people by being this revengeful soul. He does not need a master. Yuta was this lone fox who did not need anyone. But when he was forcefully bound to you by a contract you agreed to sort him out. The skies above begged you to teach him humanity and the way of love and kindness hoping to change Yuta back to the way he used to be. It sounds like a hassle, but ever since then Yuta was living with you in the small cottage on the mountains.

Aside from this. You’re a shaman for a living. People come to the mountains wanting your help, people pay you to do what they want you to do and you work with deities to do the right thing. Spirits heard much about your work and they all claim you to be talented. Yuta on the other hand isn’t quite sure how talented you are, it might be a flunk of a luck or perhaps you’re really bad. It doesn’t matter much what opinion he has of you; afterall you’re only doing your family work.

“The deities have informed me about your loss. I’m sorry for your loss” you bow your head in front of the customer who nods softly in sadden depth. You sigh. “Was it your husband who passed?” The shaman asked bluntly and the elderly woman nodded.

“Yes. Is my husband the problem? Did he get to go in peace?” The woman rambles upon a question upon another question. You slowly shake your head, trying to be as kind as possible. The customers who come down to you because of sudden deaths from their loved ones, or the passing of the loved ones but they suddenly feel their presence all the time. It was your job to enlighten both the dead and the living in peace. Yuta stands in the hallway watching the young woman speak to the customer, the serious expression on your face raises his curiosity. Why do you look almost sad when doing this job?

“He doesn’t want to leave your side. He wasn’t able to leave to heaven. Your husband is latching on your hands.” You inform as you grab the spirit bell and talisman. “I assure you this will be easy to fix. You must share words with your husband before I place the talisman and ring the bell. It will lead him to afterlife.”

“Oh dear. Please I want him to ascend. He has no business roaming here.” She cries in front of you devastated that her passed late husband was refusing to go to the afterlife because of her. It might sound romantic at first, but roaming dead spirits who passed recently can become stuck on earth forever contemplating and watching over the loved ones. It could resort into bad luck. earth is no place for dead spirits belonging to heaven or hell.

You hum chanting the words of the dead husband’s name as the talisman placing on the customers hand glows. It overlaps the spirits hand and once the bell went, the spirit of the dead husband gave a soft smile as if he were thanking and appreciating you for seeing his wife in the living realm. The shaman froze remembering the smile coming close to your heart, you felt your flustering expression hit. Never once did a spirit thank you. You felt satisfied with this work. The woman smiles putting the six gold coins on the table.

“Thank you so much Y/n. You’re truly an amazing shaman.” The woman said before she left the shrine build in house form. You let out a deep sigh leaning back, the smile from the spirit kept invading your mind.

Yuta comes out of the shadows slinging himself on the floor next to the fire as he stretches out a grunt. “Just looking at your work is tiring. I’m not helping you.” He points out and your head flashes to the left direction where he laid. You grit your teeth. “You have to help me. The deities said so.”

He blows out a raspberry in childish manner. You swear, he wasn’t a thousand years old fox spirit he was a child in disguise. In your head you cuss him, but Yuta could telepathically hear it. He was your servant and that the end your body together was undoubtedly strong. “Absolutely not. I have no interest helping humans, they’re all evil.” Yuta croaks with hatred.

You speak clearly in a demanding voice. “You will work with me. End of.”

The urge inside Yuta to agree hit him deep when he were conflicting to the stubborn situation. He suddenly felt a leash wrapping on his neck, revealing itself would be the necklace with a butterfly shaped jewellery. It was the necklace that the deities and you agreed to keep Yuta at bay to your words. Meaning if he disagreed, all you had to do was use your commanding voice and he would do as you say. It sounds controlling but this wasn’t some free house stay for the fox spirit. He is bound to you. This was punishment for the fox and when he disobeys you, he was met with a choking sensation leading him to you. Your voice enchants him like a spell, as if the urge to wanting to help you was there. The feelings of wanting to submit to you and bow down to you was there. It wasn’t just control. It was everything inside of him screaming to protect you.

But he’s a stubborn fox. These warm feelings inside him was lies. Yuta grits his canine teeth together, hissing as he crawls to you desperately for the floating glowing butterfly necklace to stop dragging his body across the floor in front of the shaman.

“It must feel horrible for you to be a fox spirit huh?” You coo condescendingly at the helpless man fighting the bewitched necklace. It was useless though. Your spells were much powerful than him and he never came across someone as powerful as you. He did not answer you but those dangerously hatred glaring daggers he made at you, proved a lot more than words could ever do. “Remember that you serve me now. Do your duty.”

You warn before leaving the area. Moment your presence left the floating necklace drops releasing his neck from the pressure as if a hand was choking him in a tight grip. Yuta hisses through the heavy breathing, murmuring disagreements and curses though the courage to say them to your face lowers. He can’t do anything but do as you say. But to be honest he would rather die and rot in hell than serve the shaman girl.

He is two times older than you. He had thousands of years over you so why do you speak so comfortably at him without any honorifics?

╰──────────────────────➤

Yuta whispers under his breathe as he sat in front of the coffee table with a young child sitting cross legs, smiling ear to ear everytime their eyes land on the reddish fox ears and nine tails dancing behind him. The man glares, squinting Iris’ dangerous at the boy but even so not a single thing intimidated the mortal child. To the boy it seems like Yuta was on display as a toy through a see through glass at an toy factory. It was like a fancy little birthday present. The fox hates it. There is nothing worse than being seen as nothing more but a play toy when you do have social status power; and especially to Yuta who has high ego.

“Yah little boy if you don’t have serious problems going on in your life then scram off before i have you for my dinner. I’m starving Y’know.” Yuta scowls as he begins to flip hands at the boy to shoo off. The boy pouts. “I do have problems though!”

He can’t be serious, Yuta thought. “Then tell me already moron, I’m sat here waiting for an hour.”

“You didn’t ask me.” Little boy points out cheekily. Yuta huffs sitting straight as he no longer laid slouching. Okay maybe he was right. The fox didn’t ask him at all. He didn’t even speak to him. The boy sat quietly staring into open space at him .

He has a point, You thought as you observe in the distance watching the fox spirit work instead of you. It’s a first time when you are not doing your job but someone else is doing it for you. Nonetheless it feels weirdly awkward and isolated when you are not doing your job at the certain hour you should’ve been. When your mother passed you were the only child she had. It was natural for you to inherit this mountain land and shrine house, as well as the family business. You were born to do this. Your destiny was settled from the moment you were born in this world. You had no choice but to settle into the life that were picked out for you. The power you inherited from your mother was enlighten by the skies gods from the beginning. They chose you.

People call you an workaholic and too much of a people pleaser who takes too much onto themselves to carry. They were right but you don’t believe so. If you were born to do this all your life and maybe in your next one, then what was the point of you failing if you’re meant to only succeed? If your mother can do this without feeling pressure and stressed, then so can you. You chew off more than you can bite, like a helpless dog desperate to please everyone and save everyone. To protect everyone. It is what makes your soul pure hearted and kind, even if you have a sour and hot headed personality, it comes from the outmost good place of hearts.

Yuta sighs out. “What are you struggling with?” The fox finally interrogated, pretending to ‘care’ for the human life in front of him even though he couldn’t put a single care out there.

“My hand. I think I touched a cursed object yesterday.” The brunette peasant boy told, slipping off the white bandages off when revealing the black chaos running through the entire hand almost. He drops it on the coffee table, wandering to look at the fox’s expression.

In the far distance where you were observing the situation your eyes widen in fright of the boy’s hand. How did a boy like him get into a situation like that? From the looks of it the curse must’ve gave him a hard time, seemingly the body fought the curse from infecting him quickly as it was slowly growing bigger across the entire arm, nearly. This is bad, the curse doesn’t look like it was made by an amateur either. You approach slowly. Yuta looks down at the hand with an apathetic expression.

“This is exactly why you shouldn’t touch things that do not belong to you. When will you mortals learn this?” Yuta scolds with an heartless tone. He turns his head away uninterested. “Cannot help you. Cya.”

“Wait. Boy, what’s your name?” The feminine voice brought the fox to turn around. When he saw you sitting down next to him as you lightly watch the cursed black hand growing more and more into the human, your eyes darkly watch as you began to ponder by yourself. It was beyond Yuta how you can become so serious about saving human lives, hell, he cannot understand you and nor will he ever try to. If he was you, he would’ve let him die. The boy softly answers, “Kousuke.”

“Kousuke. I can help you. It might hurt though, are you still up for it?” She said with a smile. The boy nods confidently. Yuta sighs out.

“I guess i’ll go. Lunch break is calling me—“ the man said standing up about to leave. The sudden urge to turn around and walk back to you pulls him. The necklace floating with a glowing red outline drags the fox across the floor without the willpower to get off.

When he slid across the floor to where your body sat, you calmly speak to Yuta, as if emotionlessly. But to the mortal boy she spoke with warmth and maternal instinct.

“You’re helping me.” Y/n said to the ginger man who growls.

Of course. What did he expect from you, freedom and lunch? He’s a fool for thinking you’d let him leave so easily.

“What a surprise.” He lets out sarcastically. Y/n ignores the complaining fox on the side focusing truly on how to approach the stubborn curse attaching itself on the boy’s life force. It doesn’t help the fact that this could all go wrong, because curses are genuinely the hardest thing to remove. The curses are forbidden magic, in the spiritual term, you have to have the most evil intentions and hatred for the person to curse an object, person or another living thing. The curse can take various different forms too. It could appear like a normal everyday item object which you touch, suddenly everything in your life goes down the hill badly. Voodoo was another form of cursing where you make a doll of a person in mind, you slowly torturing them, the person you’d curse would have bad near death events unfold in their life and until they die. Another would be through nightmares, giving the person nightmares of death until they commit death to themselves. They are all the petiole of evil crimes.

The situation soon manurers into the performance room in the shrine house. Y/n has a room for where exorcism’s, curse peddler removers or other large performances would be performed. It has to be a quiet safe secluded place to do such heavy things and to perform them, as it could all go down hill from one littlest error. The seclude room looks vacant and empty, all there would be surrounding Kousuke and Y/n was a white circle. The fox stays outside watching from afar, he still wasn’t sure why he was here if he cannot help. Honestly hypothetical of you he’d think.

A single touch could spread on another person. Y/n was very careful when the event has started. Kousuke had to remain calm, otherwise it could really backfire and possibly kill both of them. Yuta wasn’t sure why there was a hint of anxiousness mixture with worrisome thoughts for you. Why.

Kousuke let out soft whimpers when your hand places over the black chaotic curse spreading. The liquid of black gooey evil spread on your hand and then up the forearm too, he widens his eyes breathing heavily as he saw you take the curse from his body to yours.

“It hurts.” He lets out. The curse suddenly stops moving forward your arm going back to Kousuke. The fear he starts to gain, brought it back in slowly. You hitch. “Kousuke stay calm. You can’t be pulling the curse back in!” You demand loudly. The spirit fox moved closer but stops when he took one step forward towards the circle.

‘Why am I worried about her.’ Yuta mentally slapped himself. ‘I don’t care if she dies. It would do be a favour if anything.’ He told himself, but the feeling truly never disappeared even after he gaslights the truth. Yes, he doesn’t care for you. You’re the punishment he received. That’s all you are.

The brunette boy lays there half eyelids open, sinking more on to the floor, as if his energy was being sucked in and leaving the body dry without more life force. The shaman had to proceed quicker, and she soon did. Y/n’s willpower to save Kousuke when seeing him near close to welcoming death has energised her to continue chanting faster. The mantra for the curse to come to you and vanquish. Yes, she will soon banish the elder-like curse. Soon enough the blackness evaporated from the boy’s body, leaving the boy to slip into deep subconscious dreamlands welcoming him into a peaceful slumber.

Yuta would witness the boy fall in your arms curling up at the shivering cold floor beneath him. The boy’s eyes shut close with light feather breathing indicating he was fine now. It was all good and even better in the future. But when he met your eyes that trip up over skipping your own sight , it became a blur and therefore your body follows feeling liquid like jelly and sunk on the ground. The man in front of you ran quickly inside the chalk barrier circle, catching your head in his two hands, Yuta exclaims loudly.

“Y/n!” He shouts as he saw met with your beautiful unconscious face and ragged breathing. Yuta felt his heart sink deep and he brought you close to his chest holding your body as you held Kousuke tightly despite you being way off worse than the boy now. God, you were such a selfish protector that you forget to protect yourself too. You’re lucky you are unconscious now because Yuta would scold you, he would shout how irresponsible it was for you to use all your life force energy. You could have died and he has no right worrying for you. He’s a cold hearted fox spirit who killed millions for revenge.

But in this situation he has the rights to lecture you as your nine tails fox. Not as the heartless killing fox spirit he was years ago in the past.

“Tsk look at you holding the boy so closely. Who would’ve catch you if you fell.” He murmurs shaking his head. Perhaps deep inside you knew Yuta would come to your rescue.

Or maybe you truly didn’t know if he was to open his heart to catch you falling.

╰──────────────────────➤

The young woman laying on the floor with a pillow supporting the head from the ground, the large cover duvet and blankets piling on the body making it sink heavily to the warmth. Eyes flutter open welcoming the familiar bedroom in sight, slowly sitting up, Y/n’s dry pale lips tremble out, purple-ish eye bags under the eyes and aching body. The pain hardens once the young woman sat up from the bed, sitting up as she looks around. The only memory she remembers was saving Kousuke, watching Yuta rush towards her in panic. Then the whole thing went black.

Y/n holds her stomach in pain suddenly, she felt the muscles clench and contract. “Ugh- what’s with me.” She spat in confusion until the door swung open with the man standing still with the hand touching the sliding door across.

“Y/n!”

Eyes widen seeing the shaman awake, he rushed forward with a cold wet towel and a bucket of water. Putting them down next to the bed to you, he rushes a palm on your neck to feel the temperate and then the forehead.

“You need to rest right now. You have fever.” Yuta would advise seriously, leaving the weakly ill-girl to obey his words slowly laying back down on the bed. The ginger haired man wetting the cold small thin towel, he squeezed the water into the bucket before moving it on her face, slowly rubbing it down the forehead, jawline and cheeks. Then he softly pats the neck. Y/n truly felt like she were dreaming, to be taken by such caring and loving hands that were so different from that day she saw Yuta on the battlefield. The roughed up hands covered with blood from millions of mens lives wasted. But now, the Japanese fox was simply using it in ways you’d never expect.

He was being so careful to not hurt you. It was like he did not trust himself either. You softly reach with your extremely scorching feverish hand to grab his wrist when he was to wet the towel again. When the feeling of your extreme heat captivates Yuta to look at you, both eyes starring into their first eye contact, you grimly croak out with a very hoarse voice.

“Did you catch me when i passed out?”

Yuta heard you ask the question he knew you were going to approach him at some point but he was not expecting it to be right now. The fox spirit held on your wrist putting it back inside the bed covers, he lowly lets out words of disagreement. “No. I did not.”

You knit your eyebrows together. Of course he wouldn’t of catch you right? What were you expecting from a spirit who was forcefully bound to you. But you swore you felt warm muscular hands hold you deeply like it scared the person that held you. It made you feel safe surprisingly. It felt so real. Maybe you were imagining it right…?

“Oh…right. Sorry.” You tell him before suddenly moving your back to him. Laying on your left side as your legs curl to your stomach. Yuta was met with your back facing him, he sat still observing you with flicking ears.

He could tell you felt disappointed. He also knew he lied to you right now, and that you might hate him for lying. Yuta wasn’t sure why he felt self conscious for admitting he cared for you in that moment, it felt ridiculous saying it aloud, perhaps he wasn’t sure how to process the moment himself.

“Where is Kousuke.” You softly speak out despite no longer looking at him. Yuta leans forward at hearing your voice, the fox ears perking up like a happy puppy would when listening to its owner. The nine tails dance behind him as he answers back. “He is sleeping next door. He is fine don’t worry about him.”

“You should worry more about yourself. What you did back there was indescribable, you could have seriously hurt yourself and you will not be doing anything like that again.”

“It’s my work.” Y/n blatantly answers, shutting Yuta up. He scoffs out, fretting to you this time. “You could have died.”

“Yes but i did not die.”

You squint your eyes at the uncomfortable and foreign words he was spitting at you. Doesn’t he sound like he was worried about you? You quickly turn back to him in shock, pointing at Yuta with surprise to your tone of voice. “Don’t tell me you’re worried about me just now?” You falter unsure what you have heard right in the moment. The fox jolts at the accusation as his fox ears and tail shiver with coldness suddenly, he puts his hands up in prideful manner.

“Hey. I killed millions and you think I’d care for you if you died?” Yuta divulge as he choked out, with a short cackle leaving the lips. You scoff watching the fox completely deny it, but he was so obvious with the way he fold his fox ears in a certain way and the tails were wagging just a minute ago.

He was a see through book to you. “Why are you answering back with a question. It sounds like you’re lying.” You said back and Yuta raises his eyebrow. “Why would i lie about that.” He answered back.

There it is another question. You softly chuckle the more you interrogated Yuta it became like transparent truth to you. He does have feelings it seems. You were beginning to think he was a completely evil spirit covered by darkness, but it seems like there is hope for Yuta.

The fox clears his voice before grabbing back the towel and the bucket into his hands. He stands up walking to the front door which he came from. Yuta turns to you before he was going to leave, his mouth opens. “Please don’t do something dangerous like that again. I don’t want to be burdened.”

Burden. The word held something more than an emotional damage to you, it rang like a loud bell constantly ringing in your ears bringing bad memories you wish to bury six feet in the ground below where no soul could ever come across and find it. Y/n face crumbles into tiny pieces, transforming in this apathetic gaze as you lightly nod, eyelids went lazy and half open, pupils dilate in smaller sized dots and mouth curves downwards similar to a frown. Was his words hurting you? Perhaps it was reminding you of something you already know. Maybe both parts played a part in your inner stability. When the door slides closed the sight of him leaving your room, something ran cold in your heart. Right. The share of words you mistook for kindness was just a mere reminder for you that he was no friend or foe; he was just there forcefully.

You were not the only one prancing about the shared conversation after it seemingly ended when the man left your room closing it shut. Yuta was pondering why he said such mean unnecessary words to you. Why was he so defensive on admitting he cares about you? Was he embarrassed to have emotions? Or maybe he was afraid. Deep down within himself there was an embedding amount of kindness birthing deep inside him, a sign of humanity that shall overtake the deep hatred and chaos in his heart. But it was such a slow procedure, it felt like it will be centuries with how stubborn headed Yuta was. Only the man in the sky shall know how both your relationship will end up like. Doom or not.

Kousuke ran around the shrine house with a wooden stick roleplaying it to be the magnificent sword, as if he were a samurai ready to slash anything and anyone in its way. The little boy was so caught up in the child’s world, with such a racing mind, pointing the stick into the air and throwing it about with zigzag motions until it stops. A tall figure standing straight in front of the open area with the wooden thick stick tugging to the silhouette figure, Kousuke widely opens his eyes as he lifts head up to be met with the fox spirit man.

He opens his mouth half-heartedly, nervously, deep inside the boy knew what he’s done. Yuta scowls with a deep lingering gaze.

“What are you doing out of bed?” Yuta put hands on his hips watching the disobedient child who brings the brown nature’s stick into his chest, holding it right like a prize present. He whines softly, like a pleading son. At the moment, he felt like he was a mother to Kousuke. It was unbelievable, he’s a murderous fox and he has to babysit a child who does not listen and his master is ill. So now he has to overtake the business as well as maintain these two humans so they can survive.

Talk about a parent, husband and a servant in one. He needs a pay raise, a really good one at that.

“Okay you promise to hear me out before you lecture me?” The boy whispers his chitters. Yuta raises an eyebrow at him. “Go on.”

“It really wasn’t my fault. I looked outside the window I saw other children playing with swords so i got out of bed and ran outside the house to join them but, on my way i found a stick because I don’t have a sword so I can’t really play with them and so I started playing on my own, I named my stick Bob do you like it— if you don’t I’ll be really upset but please don’t be mad at me I’m actually terrified of you . I’ll get y/n on you but she’s sick so I have no choice but to talk nonsense until you tell me to stop talkin—“

“Okay stop talking, stop, you’re doing my headache.” Yuta finally combusts like an overused car going miles per hour with the little child speaking so quickly, it were impossible to hear every word for word. Kousuke breathes out tiny pants as he inhales for oxygen, watching Yuta cutely who gave in with a grumpy expression. He looks around grabbing the broom stick, pushing on the white cleaning apron and a matching white head scarf on. The long ginger hair tied in a man-short ponytail as he turns around to watch Kousuke.

He points into the corridor where the boy’s room were located. He strictly and firmly spoke, Kousuke would feel a shivering sets of goosebumps form on the skin. Seriously, how did you get such a grumpy evil-looking fox dressing himself as a house maid holding a broomstick start taking care of people? You aren’t sure either.

“Go back into your room. Get in your bed and stay there until your damn fever goes away.” He said and Kousuke mumbles. “Can i at least see y/n..?”

“After your fever is down and THEN maybe you can see y/n.” He rolls his eyes at the boy who pouts angrily, Yuta turns away sweeping the floors a little too busy to notice Kousuke murmuring curses as he went back inside his room slamming the door shut . “Mean fox. One day you’ll pay.” Little boy huffs. Yuta jumps up at the loud door slam, turning around as he opens his mouth to complain and scold the boy again—

Seriously did his own parents not teach him that slamming doors is considered rude and improper? Yuta tuts, shaking his head. “Geez this boy has some serious attitude going on.”

Sweeping the floors dust vanishing. Yuta floats above cleaning the vases with one fox tail and waters the plants with another fox tail. Maybe being a fox and a servant could come along well being a personal maid; the man whistles but he stops abruptly when something shining catches the corner of his eyes, pulling the curiosity closer he was no better than a cat— he drops to the ground on his two feet. Slowly walking to the long corner where he looks down reaching for the item. He was met with a picture reflecting the light from the room. Yuta tilts his head seeing the picture, with a ‘soft huh’ were let out. Why did you forget a picture of your mother down there. At first Yuta thought you were messy and maybe forgot that the picture got there in the first place, another possibility was maybe you didn’t know it was there because it probably drops itself down there. But then again he knows how much you like your mother, you wouldn’t of left the picture there if it meant a lot to you. You’re quite clean and organised too. It didn’t make sense you would forget something like that. Though it could happen.

He drops the photo by the table in front with the rest of your important shaman work. Yuta then goes ahead making some form of healing foods for Kousuke and Y/n. Soup has the answer to health right? He (tried honestly and with hard work) to make the soup as tasty and not be inedible. The word has to come to the judges when he calls the fronts, knocking upon your door till he heard your weak voice call him inside. The smell of warm steaming soup in the black traditional bowl lingers to the air, dragging your nose across to find where it came from was the man standing with a cleaning apron and scarf on the head. He gently helps you to sit-up from your bed, putting the pillows up so your back rests well, he then moved a tray with the food on it. “I tried my best. I’m not a built-up chef that’s for sure.” He mentions and you couldn’t help but flash him an impressive smile, as if you were proud to see Yuta working hard to make everything in this house as organisable as it could be when the owner of the house is barely able to move a bone without falling down. You wow.

“Certainly ten points for presentation.” You’d tell kindly as the sight of the soul was truly remarkable. It looks something you’d eat if you were royalty in the palace and in the Joseon era, it was a big deal of a compliment. Yuta scoffs confidently suddenly. “It was so easy.” He told shrugging with his hands in the air, flicking them like he were famous to this situation. You watch the man gain the biggest ego in the world from just one kind word, but it all depends on the taste now, when leaning down to take a sip. The sudden strike of saltiness hit your oesophagus like a truck, throat clenching by the high level of sodium made your jump up with a soft slurring cough.

But even so you didn’t want to spit it out when Yuta faces you with a worried expression, feeling even more bad that he maybe poisoned you or something. The way the ginger eyebrows knit, his fox ears fold in stress when seeing you fight for your life when you barely had a sip fully. You swallows it, despite it being so darn salty. You will eat it, even if it is not that good of a taste, you cannot leave the soup be left empty handed when this man who looks so preciously sad like a puppy in front of you. You don’t have the mean guts to do so.

“Don’t eat it y/n it’ll make your stomach sore or something’ I must’ve added too much salt. I’m right Arent I, I added too much salt.” He softly grazes as he was about to reach and pull the tray with the soup, the pair of hands on top grab the tray back, putting it on your lap stubbornly facing him with a determined expression. “It is perfectly fine for me to eat it. Do not touch my soup.” You order and he stops, hearing your demanding voice made him less to disobey you; but this time he truly chose to not to upset you too much.

Even though he usually does. He watches you take another sip after another sip turning into large bites in the noodles and the vegetables. Then the protein cooked meat he threw in. At least you’re getting your vegetables intake to boost the immune system up. He smiles watching you eat quickly, it’s not like he’s going to take it anymore but you were rushing, stuffing yourself clean with the warmly liquid going down your stomach cleanly.

You sigh loudly. “See. It’s a good soup.” He heard you point out and Yuta smiles ear to ear. “I can see that. Be careful while you eat, you can burn yourself.”

You grin. “Well what do ya know, my fox spirit can cook clean and have the vocabulary to be nice. I’m really spoiled aren’t I.”

“Don’t get used to it. Im only doing this because you burned yourself out with all your life force. Sheesh.” He grumps out causing you to open your mouth in protest. “I can hear you.”

You tell him warningly and he shows off a challenging smug. “That is my point. Good.” He sighs out and rests on the floor next to your bed where you sit up.

Maybe. Your relationship with him might be more than a forcible punishment in his and your eyes. Those words ran through your head.

╰──────────────────────➤

“Hey Kousuke! Where are you off to.” Yuta casually asks loudly across the house when the boy sprints to the entrance to leave. The boy turns around innocently with a tilted head looking at Yuta. Why was he asking so suddenly?

“I am going to visit my parents with y/n since she is feeling better! I promised to show her around my hometown.” He beams happily, squealing with child-like noises that could only make Yuta’s fox ears fold inwards sideways with annoyance, but he did found the little rascal to be cute these days. He soon learned that when taking care of two humans they could easily die and it was necessarily to take care of them properly; it is a high maintenance job, to keep two humans surviving on good healthy food and warm resting blanket. If only they had the power of fox spirits where they do not have to worry about trivial illnesses like a simple cold and upset stomach.

Y/n comes out of the bedroom belonging to her, the young shaman woman stepping outside to be met with the two boys , she stands with a new style completely wearing something out of the ordinary than the usual shaman comfortable loose clothing and the red ribbon in the ponytail along with muddied shoes. But now, she wore her hair in the ponytail still with the red ribbon tying it tightly secure— only difference would be the hanbok and fancy shoes. Yuta thought all this time you wore nothing but owned the same clothes you wear everyday. Guess he was wrong. Unknowingly he checked you out, rolling eyes up and down at your thin curve figure and your facial structure. Something was definitely different about you and he cannot put his tongue on what it is. You just look very pleasantly different. You’re beautiful in other words.

You notice the fox’s long stares till you put your hand over his eyes making him blink suddenly, he was no longer starstuck like a little boy. Kousuke snickers running out the house when he met eyes with Yuta who glares, how dare he laugh at him? You let a soft laugh.

‘He was looking at me like I was a different person.’ You tell yourself when watching Yuta chase Kousuke with minor shouting complaints leaving his mouth as the little boy laughed teasingly. What are you going to do with these two? You step outside, a single demanding voice made them stop in their tracks and stop bickering. The power you hold you swear.

“Come on boys we don’t have all day. Before the sunsets, let’s visit Kousuke’s parents and his town.” You smile through and they nod. “Lead the way Kousuke,” you begin as following the brunette boy skipping happily. Yuta follows behind you, with hands behind his head keeping the unbothered and apathetic expression on once again.

The trip from the village you stay at to Kousuke’s was quite a far distance but it weren’t terribly far out. The longitude itself was durable to walk, but it was a distance by feet and with horses it would’ve been like a ten minute ride. By feet it become a twenty-between twenty five minutes and when you arrive to the warm village you were welcome by many beggars on the street, pleading for food or money given so they could eat tonight and hope to make a saving for their life. Kousuke’s happy energised face dims the more he was reminded of something but he wasn’t sure what to stay to it. You pull the little boy close to your body, reaching to hold his right little hand in yours. Walking through large crowds, Yuta made sure to hide away his fox ears and nine tails, crafting them to become invisible. It would be a total hassle to come not disguised to a village he doesn’t know, you never know what mortals are up to. However what he did notice first thing, because he is paranoid and he does have a share fold of trauma from mortals living on this earth is that palace guards were patrolling the streets and even beating people to a pulp in public.

What exactly happened in this village? Yuta asked himself that so many times before Kousuke stops bringing the two adults in through the small cemetery line-up. You stop when Kousuke lets go off your hand running to two grave stones already kneeling in front of them desperately. It finally made sense why he was such a loner all this time, he were an orphan for whatever reason he holds close to him, in an outcasted village he moved too. What did a boy do young deserve to live like that? In a way, you saw yourself in Kousuke. Both orphans. Parents were dead. Had to defend and look after yourself from young age when abandoned. Yuta taps on your shoulder keeping you close, he whispers-cautiously. “This village gives me the creeps. Let’s make this meeting fast.” You scrunch your eyes up at Yuta, sighing. “I know. At least make it look like you care though. He’s just a boy.” You threw at the man.

Kousuke softly murmurs a conversation that y/n and Yuta listen to very well. Y/n kneeling down with Kousuke in front of the two grave stones with a soft incense sudden lit, putting it in between the two names that were the boys parents names. You smile when Kousuke flashes you a kind grin as he reaches to hold your hand.

He sighs out, pleased that he introduced you to them. “Y/n thank you for meeting my parents. I’m sure they would of loved to meet you.”

Yuta looks about in the background casually keeping his eyes open as these two spoke. Kousuke brings the man’s attention down, where Yuta finally flashed his attention to him. “Yuta aren’t you going to pay your respects for my parents?” He softly asked in which the fox grumbles with lips phasing in a thin line. It’s not like he wanted to but when those puppy eyes were given to him he couldn’t resist, as well as ignore y/n’s angry expression when he was going to reject— as much as he did not see the point of meeting Kousuke’s parents, he did not want to ruin y/n’s day by being lectured to death today.

The fox kneels down next to Kousuke’s left empty side, hands straight out into a clasping wall he bows down and closes eyes praying before he re-opens them, softly turning to y/n and Kousuke. The air became thinly scented by the jasmine green incense, he could easily sniff it out ten thousand times more stronger than the human nose could ever. By the time all of them left the small cemetery for the deceased the town become your main priority now. Kousuke kept on running around from shop to shop, wanting to look at everything before he was going to come back to your village. Yuta swept from behind following like a patrolling private body guard as you were chasing after Kousuke, the hyper-active boy was far too much to keep with and you wonder if he was being this energised to ignore the sad feeling in his heart. But you wouldn’t pry into it unless he opens up himself. You know the boy for a few days and these few days were the closest bonding hours you could’ve had with anyone.

If you’re being honest. You are thinking of adopting the boy under your wings. You run forward until a large surface blocks you, a drunken man slurring when he turns to you angrily he were smirking at facing your body, especially the minimal cleavage showing past the hanbok he leans down grabbing a hold of your wrist pulling you into the man’s hairy chest peaking out. He laughs when you screamed in protests. “You aren’t from here young one, why don’t you join me at the inn? I have enough room for the two of us.” When caressing your face you flinch, the reeking smell of soju and many more alcohol products were inhaling your sense of smell badly, you felt like vomiting at the smell of it. You never liked alcohol and it brought you bad memories only, such bad traumatic memories you weren’t sure how to deal with such a triggering smell to you.

The sudden man’s palm was moved off of your wrist, bending the man’s arms backwards till he pushed him into a certain direction to the left. The deadliest glare was seen as the man shuddered by just viewing those dark red glowing eyes right into his, the way he felt an unknown crushing feeling around his heart by just making eye contact with the fox’s angered expression, it was like he would murder him. Yes, he would murder him with his sword, pierce that mortal heart of his and eat it if he had to look down on him. You weren’t sure since when was the last time you saw that face he made, flashing it to the drunken man standing in shock. “Get your filthy hands off my master. You sickening disease.” Yuta growls flicking the man in front of the inn’s entrance as he finally reaches for your wrist grabbing you forward into the fox’s chest. The drunken man, He let out a few whimpers of apologies.

“Stupid mortals.” He lets out angrily as he drags you ahead, sprinting and rushing to find Kousuke. God knows what happens to the boy and Yuta himself can’t believe he actually cares enough to search the entire village for the little boy. Maybe he had gone soft, the fact he did not murder the drunken man for even laying a single hand or breathing next to you— was proof he has gone soft . It was all thanks to you, and he wasn’t sure if he can thank you for such a divulge thing. It bothers him. He hates it, being seen as soft, when all it did was get him hurt for being kind to humanity.

“Yuta.” You softly let out.

“I should’ve burned him to ashes. Yes that’s what i should’ve done.” He babbles on when searching for every corner in the racing active village roaming with their villagers residing in.

You open your mouth again, “Yuta—..”

“Then i’ll murder his entire family. So they can stop reproducing sin.” He clenched his jawline just by thinking about the man in his head again. Why was he so deeply bothered that you were nearly-sexually assaulted by a man and why was it even more infuriating that a it happened so easily to you? It scares him deep down to think you’re so easy to frail upon. Therefore the feeling of being mad at himself for not defending you quicker, for now stopping the man faster was remaining in the pit of his abdomen.

“Nakamoto Yuta!” You shout out finally able to catch the raging spirit’s attention, he begins shifting his head to face you now that you heavily exhale coming closer to the fox who only starts to back away from you. Why were you closing the space between them? This was so unfamiliar, the serious expression your face and the glint sparkling in your eyes, the beautiful ponytail with the ribbon hair tie, your soft bangs and straight hair blooming with the heaving breeze. The infuriating feelings sparked like lighting amongst a sea-storm ahead, the calm before the storm was approaching and it was you. The man finally were corned in to a deeply shadowy alleyway where you finally clasp palms on the beige rock-wall Yuta had his back pressed into. He breathes heavily, ragged, when you lean your face closer whispering.

“Thank you.” You slowly start gaining Yuta’s keen interest, he softly looks at you up and down as he flinched to escape, but your arms had him trapped in a square-like shape with your bodies together touching slowly. It felt like fire burning in his skin when he felt you touching him so slowly.

“Y/n what are you…” he slowly stammers when you tip toe leaning closer clasping his face in your hands. “I’m thanking you. The fox way.” You foretell him as you plant a soft pecking kiss on his lips. It was told upon the fox master guidance books that if you ever want to thank your servant, a soft peck on the lips would do it. It was normal for a physical and mental strong relationship between a fox spirit and their master because they can serve one master at a time. Mostly it can only be one master forever, just like they do with their lovers (they can love only one person forever. Hence why it was storytelling that fox spirits were romantic spirits who fear love. As if their lover died, they couldn’t love and move on from them.) foxes are such intense creatures, they feel emotions from others and their own ten times more exhilaratingly than anything. Anger turned into wrath. Love can easily turn into lust and sadness turns into shallow emptiness with nothing to live on for.

When you had pulled away Yuta was seen with a long line of blush scattering on his face. He looks down hanging his head low where the loose ginger bangs cover his eyes. You tilt your head at him wanting to see him properly but he made it hard with the way he was suddenly looking down. You were about to walk backwards but he grabs your wrist, with a sudden strength running in his veins he pulls you to the wall pinning you. He leans close to your face and he actually goes ahead, kissing you fully. Not a peck. But a full on kiss. It felt so wrong but so right to be kissed in such a way in a dark isolated alleyway, couldn’t of been in more of a public setting than this. With your fox servant having his tongue gushing inside your mouth as you let him,

Because you were so lost into the feeling of pleasure you had no intentions of pushing him away from the start even though you knew you had to. Something had stopped you from doing so and it made this situation even more appealing to you. Yuta was the first one to pull away after the longest twenty minutes of your life, you had wished he continued for more longer mentally. When he pulls away his red face, blushing intensely from the extremely hot makeout, a long string of saliva mixing with yours would be all that’s left from it. Connecting you two. Y/n breathes heavily with her chest panting, as did his too. He murmurs, clenching his jaw. It was so much more hard to control himself now then before. He wishes to lean back in and indulge for a bit more but that’s selfish of him. “This was the correct way of thanking me.”

He responds bluntly before pulling away. Your flustered expression was far too much to bare to look at. It only made him fall for you more, it was troubling.

‘What an intense thank you.’ You mentally scream as you look away on the floor, avoiding meeting Yuta’s intense eye gaze. Seriously does he have to eye fuck you in public too? Does that also mean thank you?

“Y/n Yuta!” A child voice emerged running into the alleyway. It was Kousuke, seemingly he was also looking for you and that was when it struck Yuta and you instantly. You were looking for Kousuke earlier that’s right!

“Kousuke you cannot run away like that, we were looking for you.” You whisper yelled and the boy slowly nods but he turns to look at Yuta who was slightly more quiet. “Why were you in the alleyway though.” He points out quietly and you practically holy at reminding yourself of the moment a while ago.

God curse your mind. Yuta clears his throat, walking ahead first in front with his hands behind his head again. The long kimono he always wears wrapping on his body perfectly, as he left the alleyway with you guys together.

“It was nothing we were looking for you.” You quietly respond. Thankfully Kousuke believed you.

╰──────────────────────➤

Ever since the kiss it’s been a little awkward between Yuta and Y/n. Unable to fully speak to each other, Kousuke would notice the less interaction they would get in the day. It’s not like neither of you wanted to talk about it, it’s just that you couldn’t bring yourself to ask him especially when you barely had any alone time. Kousuke has been living with you guys since then and you voluntarily took him in as your own family. At first the fox was against the idea, because that means he has take care of two humans than one but then again. It could’ve been worse, he’s lucky he likes Kousuke.

Only time Kousuke wasn’t home would be today. You were in the large bathhouse next to your house, it was a separate occasion. Naked by the rising water it made sure to cover your nude chest and the deep bubbles forming too. You rest, sighing with relief, then a moment of realisation hit you that Yuta walks inside with a towel wrapped round his waist. The reddish heat arrives on your face like sickness, eyes widen as day watching Yuta casually look at you with a slight smirk.

“You forgot your towel and i decided to go for a swim.” He retorts at your instant silence. He jumps inside the even space bath with his towel still on. He wouldn’t really go fully naked when you’re in it please, he’s got classy manners. But nevertheless he throws your towel towards you in which you catch. You sink deeper into the water, feeling self conscious. You remark back with suspicion.

“Did you really have to take a bath when I’m taking a bath.”

He hums with a serious nod. “Yep, I felt dirty.” Yuta gazed over at you with a mischievous glint, there was definitely a reason why he’s joining you. Honestly it’s not uncommon for fox spirits and their masters to bathe together. The closeness has to be there for a great master servant relationship. But your point would be that not many kiss each other in the dark alley way with full blown tongue. It was your first kiss too. You don’t know how to act, hell, did Yuta even experience his first kiss too?

You’re just baffled and it messed your feelings for the man in front of you with his hands stretched out on the railings of the large bath container. He soon notices full blown y/n stares in the open, where he softly calls you out. “Y/n. What’s wrong?” Yuta asked and he comes closer.

You flinch and nervously chuckle. “Nothing, stay on your side please. Personal bubble Y’know.”

He tilts his head going back as he smirks, it was obvious. You were shy. “Is perhaps my master shy right now?”

My master. He said my master. Your heart began to rinse out like clean water, you look away with a stammering speech overlapping many other words. It was almost impossible to make out what you were saying, but thankfully he understood enough to prove he was right about you. You were embarrassed, you’re self conscious bathing with the opposite sex and you were definitely checking him out earlier. He chuckles at your constant stutters, how cute he thought.

“I don’t- no. I’m not shy. I’m just a little…”

“Embarrassed?” He finished your sentence reading your mind. Yes, that’s exactly what you are right now. You softly nod and struggle to relax your tense shoulders. God, you came here for a relaxing bath but clearly not.

“There’s no need. I won’t cross your boundaries, see.” He softly tells resting on the far right away from your body by many body of waters. You let out a soft sigh nodding.

Perhaps this was your time to mention the kiss. You look back at him in which you saw the fox and the nine tails swaying in the water, soaking wet as the soft fur drops down like wet hair. The ginger locks go a darker colour the more water they sunk in and his tan complexion makes Yuta glow under the lightning of the candles and lampposts in the bathhouse. He was so attractive it made you lose your mind wondering how does one look this… out of the world?

“Yuta.” You call out suddenly, without thinking. It was clear you had a lot to say to him but you seemed so conflicted and uncertain if you should bring it right now. He hums to you, moving his eyes to look into yours. “About the thank you kiss…”

“Yes?” He slowly told and you bring yourself coming a little closer relaxing a bit more. Yuta made sure to not move when you did and when finding a space that provided space between the two of you and as well closeness so he could hear you privately. You open your mouth, speaking. “Nevermind. I only wanted to say it was surprising.”

He watches you, as if he were observing your body and mind but he couldn’t really figure it out yet . He softly nods humming. “Sorry for catching you off guard. I wanted to thank you back.” He smiles and you nod with a little blush emitting from the steaming water. Yuta suddenly stands up leaving the bath as he turns to you with a soft smile flashing it to you, then, your heart sunk.

“I don’t regret doing it. I hope you feel the same way, that you don’t regret it.” He adds before he left. You didn’t regret it either, it felt right. There was nothing wrong with it, but it was such a foreign feeling it might of caused to develop your feelings for him to be a little more than you’d think.

The moment he left you stand up leaving the bath as well. But when you do, glancing at the mirror with your bare body standing until you find the towel to wrap. A black forming mold growing bigger and bigger on your body catches your eyes. But you knew this, for a while, ever since the performing reverse curse on Kousuke that day. It never really disappeared as you thought, but backfired as you weren’t strong enough to fully banish it. A part of it resides in your body now, slowly taking over your right side completely. You clutch your eyes shut as you wrap the towel on your body. You can’t let anyone know if this. It’ll only cause problems. No one could save you anyways, even if anyone wanted to, who would? If you cannot get rid of the curse, then no one else that you know of can.

╰──────────────────────➤

The next very few days the curse only gain more strength to fight against your rigidly body, desperately trying everything to overtake you to the ultimate doom. Taste of death never tasted so sweet to you before. At first it has started with only the black mold mounting your skin, however no symptoms have shown, until the very next few days where you welcome the feverish fire inside you burning you inside and out. The curse has worked its way from killing you inside to the outside. Attacking every organ in your system, leaving the place they call home to be no longer safe. Morning you woke up to leaves you in agonising fever, spreading the colour red everywhere. Freckle-lish skin resembling spotting sun. Blackness has spread all over your entire back and the nape of your smooth neck. In no doubt will you be gone in less than two days, or worse, maybe today. You’ve accepted it, that you aren’t going to be saved by anyone. There was no hope for you from the beginning and it was better far off if you die right?

It never pained you in those previous days you kept this curse a secret from Yuta and Kousuke, but it now begins to strike you in the heart that you’re leaving these two boys alone. Why was it hurting you so much now that you’re bed ridden and unable to leave and act the usual tough persona alias you keep? You suppose you start to appreciate the real things you cherish when you are about to lose it all in vain. Y/n takes a deep grunt sitting up, immense nausea bruises over the throat where it swells up, the body slums over as a crunching grumbling voice strains out. It was so loud, you were more than sure someone has heard you— someone you hope to be avoiding. From the throwing mouth gagging out the black gooey slimy liquid, the stuff you threw up has made you realise your stomach is beginning to be infected.

“Y/n? Oh my god are you okay?” Yuta slowly trails rushing towards you once he has swung the door open in surprise to peak in at first. The moment your sickly body was seen he has invited himself in without your need for permission. The man reaching your side, his eyes made eye contact to the pool of black stuff you had gargled up from your throat. He widens his eyes realising what this was. You see he knew something was off, not because you threw up some infectious disgusting ominous liquid. But because of how much you burned him from the physical contact. He touched a glimpse of your hand and it felt like erupting volcano on his skin. “This looks like..” Yuta pauses abruptly before he turns to look into your eyes. You’re avoiding eye contact, so he must be right about the gut feeling.

“Y/n you said you got rid of it.” He sternly and darkly spoke catching your skin in shudder of shivers. You look down as you murmur with a few coughs in between interrupting. “I thought so too. It’s too late now. I’m most likely going to die today or tomorrow.” You grimly told and Yuta grabs your body in his hands lifting you.

“Not on my watch no you’re not.” He urgently tells catching you to look at him in confusion. What is he planning to do? The man lifts you from the bed and now in his hands he wraps you tight, running into a secluded room inside the home.

You were too weak to protest and stop him. The simple speaking you found yourself to do with ease became a chore for you when the entire life force becomes to be the only thing you are lacking. It was like the curse has taken over your muscles on your body, simple paralysing and numbing them completely.

At some point you feel like you blanked out because the next time your eyes fully opened, you were in a mm isolated dark room with Yuta caressing a chalk on the wooden flooring. A barrier circle. You sit up weakly, jolting at your own movements as the sickening bitter taste familiar to chalk on your mouth kept gagging you from inside and out. The fox rushes to your side when you let out a soft whimper.

This is really the end, You thought. You’re leaving behind your mothers unfinished, unsuccessful business, how much you disappointed her. Yuta saw your tears fall down your cheeks as he caressed them away like a personal tissue, he was your tissue at your hardest moments. Yuta should be there at your worst and darkness times, as well as, the happiest and most content parts of your life. He met you with the urge to hope you perish and he could be a free fox, he viewed you as the person who has cursed him. But now the whole situation has changed.

Yuta looks at you as if you were the only that he does not want to lose at all. You are the first thing since decades ago he actually felt like he cared for something; never once did he expect it to be you, to make him fall in love with this grey black and white world he now sees in colours thanks to you and your compassionate wiseful persona. He admires you. He respects you. He misses you when you’re not around. Yuta loves you. He is no longer this spirit of hatred and war-obsessed revengeful fox who wants to kill every human being alive. The nine tails fox became someone who wants to protect you from danger, he is someone who wants to take care of you, yuta wants to be there for you to make you laugh. To show you that you’re enough, to make you feel like you are worshipped and empowered by your amazing shaman powers and abilities.

Holding you close Yuta whispers to you. “Stay with me, Y/n. I cant lose you. I feel like…” The man held in a tight sob when your half eyelids closing in became heavier. “I feel like if i lose you i won’t ever forgive the world for taking you away from me.” He tells as your eyes fell shut close.

Watery tears fall on your face from his grim-dark saddened expression, making his warm heart run cold and his emotions numb, uneven to feel emotion again. Then an idea strikes him. He can still save you, yes, he has to believe in you.

Yuta closes his eyes holding you close to his chest where the beating heart rams on your cold-like body with the black curse fully emerging you. He still has time to make the curse vanish, it hasn’t fully covered you. The fox chants a share of words into your body where he began glowing. The whole place became lighter and it soon took an image of an unfamiliar place.

It was the judgement hall with the twelve gods he called upon for help. Seemingly, they all heard it and answered, bringing your body with his hands wrapping on you right and protectively. The gods face him with both curiosity and not best likeliness.

“What did you call us for, you killer.” The god of sun cursed out at Yuta who flatly purses his tongue down. He can’t argue with him, not today, he doesn’t have much time.

“I need help. Please. My master has came with an curse.” He shouts forward on his knees laying his head down. He was desperate, watching the black curse slowly covering almost all your body.

Hades scoffs. “Why is it that everything around you dies, fox?”

This question stuns Yuta. Why is it, that everything perished around him? Perhaps, it was his karma. When he finally started loving someone, he had it taken away from him.

He clenched his jaw tight. “It’s karma for my sins. But I am begging you, Hades, don’t let my master die this way. I will…”

“I will do anything for her to live.” Yuta looks up watching Hades with direct eye contact. The god of the underworld felt the deep emotion there, and now the other gods sitting above on their seats truly admire what wasn’t there before. Yuta speaks like a human now, with emotion from the heart. He changed.

“What are you willing to sacrifice, if i save her for you.” Hades croaks out hoarsely.

Yuta did not waste a single time deciding. “My life in return for her living.”

Artemis scoffs. “We could just make her reincarnate honestly. We shouldn’t forgive this man causing the biggest calamity on this earth only decades ago.”

Yuta lowly looks down as he faces Artemis. With pleading eyes, the woman stays stunned when Yuta bows his head. “Lady Artemis, I can’t have her reincarnate. She has powers no shaman ever has, you wouldn’t want a light worker reincarnate just to lose that do you?”

“Well…good point.” Ares let’s out as Artemis shows a thin smile. Hades chuckles watching the chaos flicker in the judgement hall. Last time he was here, was the day he was punished.

“Fine. Your life in return for her living. There will be no take backs. You will not reincarnate either.” He puts out and Yuta nods without hesitation. Who cares if he can’t reincarnate? If it means for you to live, he can do it. Anything to make you healthy and breathing again.

He doesn’t even care if he isn’t there to see it for his own eyes. Yuta just wants you to live. Live your long human life.

When hades approaches the god simply brushed past his hands over the Black Plague infecting your body, nearly taking everything from yuta’s hands. Instead, Hades stripes away the curse fully in his hands then crushed it open like a palm. The moment the energy from the curse was taken away, Yuta saw the black mold cracking and breaking away from your skin like a clay mask— your smooth skin was back to normal and the normal breathing returned. He gasps bringing you close to his chest as he hugged you right, Yuta never felt so— completed. Hades and the other gods watch, intimidatingly observing with keen eye to the two.

Hades cuts in the sweet moment. Impatient. “Yuta the promise.”

“I know.” Yuta softly said with slight desperation to not part yet. But he has no choice here.

He has to leave you now. When you wake up, you won’t find him anywhere.

╰──────────────────────➤

Groggily feeling wakes the human body up from the long slumber, inside the chalk barrier was the young gouging shaman sitting up as she held her own head in the palms. She clicks her teeth together and jaw, finally processing what happened.

She swore she died, but for a moment, she came to a conclusion Yuta has something to do with this. But when Y/n was to look around for the fox, there was no sign of him. It was like he vanished in the thin air, fell apart from the world and it felt like he never existed ever.

“No way he…” Y/n croaks out not wanting to believe it. He actually sacrificed himself. Sobs of grief elevating the room deeply, it brought Kousuke to enter and run to you.

When he saw your face looking at him crying harshly. Kousuke had no idea why you were so sad. He never saw you so— broken down and defeated. It felt like you lost a loved one. The exact same feeling when you lost your mother, except this one felt way too unbearable for you.

Holding the little boy in your lap hugging him tight with your body spread on the cold dark floor. Inside the barrier, you never felt so lonely despite having someone by your side. It wasn’t the same as having your fox servant. It didn’t feel the same being in your own house, so empty and quiet because Yuta was no longer here to scold you. To complain, to aimlessly find something to complain because he is this grumpy man who doesn’t want to admit he likes something.

This house never felt yours and now it certainly didn’t feel yours again, because it could only feel like your home with Yuta by your side.

“Where’s Yuta…Y/n?” Kousuke softly asks warily as he was met with your sobbing expression, the moment you made eye contact with the little boy, you felt even sadder.

He didn’t only leave you behind, but this boy who lost his parents already and now, someone who was like his father figure and mentor has disappeared too. You can’t seem to bring yourself to tell him that he’s gone, he isn’t returning, so instead you stammer on your words like a fool who was lost. “I-…”

“I am here.” The husky voice told as he entered the room standing in the doorway when it slid open. Kousuke jumps away from your arms and into Yuta with a cheer.

Your eyes widen and your lips fell apart. Tears stopped streaming, leaving wet lines on your flushed depressing cheeks. Your heart skipping a beat when met with Yuta who stands still until he made eye contact with you.

He smiles as he puts Kousuke down on the side and re-opens his arms for you. The man says, “You thought you could get rid of me so easily?” Yuta trails cockily but even this did not bother you anymore, you want to hear him being prideful, arrogant, bossy. You want to hear everything from him.

His empty hands were soon filled with your body weight as you jump straddling him on the ground when he stumbled backwards falling down with a thud. He had his neck wrapped by your arms as you gasp in mini shocks at once, pulling Yuta with a sealing kiss.

His eyes widen and Kousuke slowly awes and cheers, he felt proud. Finally, the little boy thought.

“I’m so happy to see you. Please, never leave like that again.” You pull away just to be met with Yuta’s dark eyes looking at yours, he slowly reconnects his lips on yours.

“I don’t plan on leaving you anymore.” Yuta confessed softly as it fills you up with reassurance. You smile.

“How did you…help me out.” You murmur. “I mean how did you get rid of it.”

“Sacrifice.” Yuta begins. “I said my life in return for you living. When you were taken care off, Hades brought me to the underworld to kill me. But when I thought I was actually going to die, I woke up outside in a lake almost drowned.”

“Does that mean…you’re-“ you pause looking at Yuta as he slowly nods.

“Yes I’m human now.” He smiles. “He took my fox abilities, made me human. I can now live with you.” Yuta foretells as you smile to yourself feeling absolutely giddy.

But then you shift your expression, pouting. You cannot believe he did such reckless tendencies to just make you live again, I mean what if Hades honestly decided to just kill him off?

“Why did you save me? You should’ve left me to die. Why commit to such recklessness that could’ve killed you?”

You spat suddenly raging as you slap your hands on the man’s chest. Yuta takes it willingly but he was faced with complete worrying that turned into this twisting scolding. I guess even though he is human now, you will never stop scolding him for his choices he makes.

The constant hitting on his chest made by your hands were pulled to a stop, he held your wrist in his cold wet hands.

“Because i finally found my purpose. I used to believe the world was nothing but evil, until i met you.”

Yuta said softly enchanting your heart like a spell rounding it up to be even more in love with him. He murmurs, kissing your palm that you hit his chest so hard and so many times that it became reddish. “I love you, Y/n.”

You became shy turning red as you notice Kousuke grinning behind. You pull away from Yuta as you look away holding your arms together.

“I-“ you pause and Kousuke nudges your leg a little. He whispers ‘come on say it already’ and you lightly knit your eyes together with a tiny Glare. Seriously, why were you so shy now.

“I love you too.”

╰──────────────────────➤

The next very few days were a blasphemy of bliss. Y/n and Yuta ran the shaman business together, Kousuke helps out too. Yuta began to teach Kousuke swordsmanship, as an ex-nine tail fox it surely came in handy to teach your adopted son right?

Y/n wasn’t alone in handling her business or home. She finally has her own little family and she’s happy.

“Have a nice day y/n, thank you for your help!” The customer beams, she makes her way to the door. Kousuke game running stopping the lady from leaving as he runs in your arms, giggling.

The lady turns to you with a short lived smile. “You have children? Oh my you look so young.”

“Yes this is my son, Kousuke.” You beam happily as Kousuke bows his head, a hello.

Yuta rushes back inside from the other side of the door, he was met with the old lady watching him. He looks at Y/n planting a soft head kiss. “Hey you done with work yet?”

You nod and turn to the lady. “This is my-…”

“Husband.” Yuta rushes in with a short grin as you chuckle nervously. Husband, you still need to get used to the name. Kousuke grins widely teasing you with a wiggle to his eyebrows.

“You have a handsome young husband, no wonder your son is twice as handsome when he will grow up.” The customer tells before leaving. Yuta grins watching your awkward expression.

“Yah, you look a little red there honey.”

“Be quiet.” You quickly tell.

“Yes ma’am.” He gives in and stands up. “Dinners ready,” he announced.

Kousuke whines. “Finally I’m starving.” The boy rushes inside following the smell of the food, leaving the couple alone. As he helps cleaning up with Y/n, Yuta slowly catches your attention with a soft murmur, he whispers.

“I heard a bath together for married couple strengthens marriage.” He coughs a little as he spoke and you turn your eyebrows at him raising them to heaven. Your cheeks grow a little red.

“Where did you hear that from?” You let out and Yuta clears his voice. “I maybe made friends with the old gossip ladies in the village…they said I should bathe with you— at night.”

You jump at the idea of bathing with him. God, you need to stop thinking things that are totally indirectly not going to happen. At least you think. Your lips stammer softly,

“Tonight..?” You repeat.

He nods. “Yeah, you want to?”

“I’d love to!” Oh crap, you thought. Why’d you sound so excited suddenly? You look away putting away the cleansing kit where it belongs. You contribute more to stutter like the most shyest person alive. Yuta swears, it’s your cutest habit. “I mean— yes, let’s do that.” You tell.

That is exactly where you were tonight in the bathhouse in your shrine palace. Naked, bathing in the bubbly water going extremely shy just by imagining the different scenarios in one brain going wild and spreading like fire in your thoughts. You were so deeply buried in your head that your eyes did not witness Yuta entering the japanese setting bath with you. He crawls a little bit closer to you as you look over at him, with tense shoulders. God, you were so transparent he could read your body language from a mile away. But why did it look like he was also quite shy? He avoided eye contact with you, knowing he couldn’t resist watching your cleavage in front of his eyes and he doesn’t want to cross your boundary unless you tell him otherwise. Hell— he doesn’t know what to do and what to not do.

“Yuta.” You softly call out in which he faces you, looking into your eyes. You swallow thickly, the sight of his ginger long hair and bangs prickling his eyelids, when you reach over to brush away his hair you lean in slowly and kiss his lips. You must make the first move to let him know, that it’s okay.

He took the soft sign as he lifted your hips in his palms lifting you on the edge not breaking away from the steaming kiss in the warm water. God you felt even more amazing when he was human than before when he were a fox, perhaps, he finally felt the overwhelming emotions that a human feels when they fall in love. Everything in his new body is experiencing is so, versatile and different it honestly amazes him how much of an effect you have on him. You weren’t the only one so eager like Yuta was, you where wrapping your legs around him from behind as he placed you down on the edge of the bath, spread legged ready for Yuta’s fingers to caress the blood rushing clit swollen, begging to be touched.

A soft flick to your clit had you moaning apart from the kiss in which you reconnected quickly again. He plays with your folds teasingly, until your hips finally gave in pushing back and forth, you were so desperate for more, for a far more unbearable friction that could get rid of all this tense release you been wanting. Yuta lightly groans at the hair grip from behind when he pulled away powering his head through to your soaking pussy from the bath water, glistening to be ate, practically ready as he reaches his mouth on your entrance. Pursing the dangerous tongue inside, it felt like a sudden rush of pleasure entering your entire body, sparkling electricity inside you felt goosebumps jump on your arms and legs. You mewl out a thick shrieking moan at how well Yuta was taking you in his mouth, may lords forgive you for such a sinful sight with you leaning down weakly shaking your hips grinding then forward. He allowed you to do so, using his mouth as you pleased with the amount of face fucking you’ve done on him now, it brought you an instant release.

A quick harsh hum heard as the strokes of small bits of cum on his mouth came into the tip of his tongue, he ate it all but kept going, wanting more when he found your taste to be so addictive. You gasp out shakily, “a-ah yuta yuta, I can’t- no more.” You wedge at your lover below trying to make him notice you from the overstimulation you were put out into.

“One more. I cant get enough just yet.” He states with determination. But no help. He soon made you orgasm for the second time as he finally pulled away with his tongue satisfied by its coating of your juices. You with a shaky panting chest were pulled closer as his hard visible cock hits softly on your clit. You grunt.

“Fuck I need you so bad.” You tell him. “I need you just as much too baby. feel me.” He tells you as he directs your palm on his solid hard cock, you begin to stroke him in which Yuta croaks out a moan inconsistently. “You did this to me. God.” He praises. “Stop baby i want to come inside you.” Yuta tells as you retract your palm away with a smirk sews on your face like a red thread.

“Make me unable to walk tomorrow.” You tell him with a demand. He chuckles slinging his slit at your entrance where the tip begins to push in, just a little in your velvety walls start to suck him in like an embrace. “I plan on making you unable to walk tonight.” He thickly told with a half sheepish smirk.

Your eyes saw the mischief in his eyes sparkle. Nothing changed much, he’s just as the guy you fell for before . But, only thing different is that he has changed thanks to you, for the better. The paining stretch made you hold on his hands tight as a relief sighs out your lips when he was finally inside: Yuta was big, thick and he made you crave more and more with how amazing this feels. He wasn’t the only one aching to move just as much as you were needing more. You croak out. “-Fuck. Y-you’re so big.”

“You feel so warm, shit.” He tells back. The incredible heat inside you was surely edging him to his climax quicker than he hoped. Rocking hips inside you, with each slapping sound skin to skin made your honourable mention to your beautiful singing voice. You were pushed down on the edge with your back laying down and him thrusting inside your walls, pushing and attacking them at once causing you to be so-fucked-out with pleasure. It wasn’t even his fastest speed yet, he was starting slow just to hear you beg for more.

You best believe he didn’t fail. You were becoming a needy mess and even more than the first time so. the sight of your wet hair, wet body, your chest jogging with each thrust he’s done caving inside you. The hands gripping your waist, leaving marks on them with his nails attaching you. Digging in your skin stinging you with a pain, only increased more of your body’s desires.

Yuta slings back changing positions as you oblige with a heaving sparkle in your beautiful eyes he felt so lost in, he slings back as you sit down on his lap with his cock buried deep in your folds still. You follow up your silhouette starting to bounce on his cock sliding him up and down, this time it became way deeper in you, it felt like a newly found sensation.

He flung his head backwards at the indisputable pleasure ringing his human body like a train wreck, god he was so overwhelmed, he’s never felt this way ever. It’s the fact that your body drives him crazy. You hold his neck in your palms dragging him forward to your lips as you made out. whilst you were continuing to milk his cock out, wanting the release so much as much as he did too.

He groans past your wet sloppy lips, with eyes closed shut before reopening them. The way your hands wrapped round his neck, he loves the power you have over him.

“You’re doing so well my master.” He lets out and you hum against his lips going faster and faster. To the point his legs begins to vibrate with your complete fasten pace of your thrusts. The water in the bath house splashing with the slap on slap skin contact echos in the room.

Yuta croaks out. “F-fuck. More, darling.” He tells you as you oblige even more to his words, anything for him, how could you say no to him? The way he sounds like music to your eyes.

The man beneath you kisses on your shoulders as he softly prints a place with a long kiss and then, a sudden bite. You felt the unexpected twisting pleasure in your abdomen threatening to snap and so did Yuta. He came with long white strokes of come in your womb, inside you filling to the brim. As your juices fell down, spraying his cock and lower abdomen. He groans against the beautiful reddish mark on your shoulder, as you flung your head back. A soft grunt leaving your lips with relief.

Yuta had enough energy to push your bodies inside the water as he faces you in his arms on the side, deeply kissing your lips again. You return the same long kiss as he smirks past it.

“I think the old ladies were right.” He lets out and you chuckle hitting his hand.

“Oh shush. Let’s get cleaned.” You suggest and he nods softly.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

@onyourhyuck please refer from translating copyrighting and plagiarising my work thank you. Reblog this fic and follow me for more if you enjoyed it helps a girl out.

[wind-becomes-lightning]

Signing

Good day sirs, madams and nb folks. I was blackmailed yesterday by @foebito to write a story about deaf obito / hearing kakashi for them to draw a picture to (They said and quote: “if you write something I do the fanart” because I requested a fanart for this scenario.) I'm very soft for this particular AU so I couldn't keep my hands still.

It was very interesting to read up on Japanese Sign Language and I want to thank “A Silent voice” for having so many resources out there on the internet in English. (Also I should rewatch this movie)

Ao3 Link [x]

After the battle of Kannabi bridge Obito is left without the ability to hear. Kakashi thinks sign language might be the way to go.

When he first woke up, Obito was convinced he had died. The last thing he remembered was only darkness, sounds and pain, immeasurable pain, and now there was nothing. Just an endless, painless and especially soundless void. This must be how death feels like. But then he felt movement not far away from his hands and he slowly noticed that he could move his remaining eye under a still heavy hung lid. He wasn’t dead. Somehow, he really wasn’t.

When he finally mustered the strength to open his eyes he found himself in a hospital bed, cleaned up and bandaged up. The empty eye socket carefully taken care off and they had somehow patched up his right arm too. I could not lift a finger yet, but maybe, eventually, he would be able to. The movement he had felt close to him turned out to be a person, scrambling to get their head up. It was Kakashi. From the tired look and the marks on his face Obito concluded that he must have been sitting there for hours, maybe days. He might have even slept here. He felt a warm appreciation for his friend.

Obito could not open his mouth yet to speak, weakly just blinking over to Kakashi, whose face had lit up upon seeing him awake. He opened his mouth to speak, but Obito couldn’t hear it. Maybe he’d spoken too quietly for him to hear. Kakashi smiled with his eyes, his face covered as usual by this stupid mask he was wearing. Obito watched him open his mouth again, speak again, to him, but he couldn’t hear. “Louder”, he pressed the words out of his mouth as hard as he could. There was no sound. Obito could not hear his own voice.

Terror crept up through his body like a plague. He could not hear anything. Kakashi opened his mouth again, moving his lips and speaking and Obito tried to cling to it, trying to focus his ears to the tiniest sound that could possibly reach it, only to get absolutely nothing. “I-I can’t hear”, he breathed. Kakashi’s eyes widened and he said something again, which was nothing but air on Obito’s face, then he gestured to the door and ran out. No, Obito had not died, not physically anyway, but this wasn’t better. He was trapped in the endless, soundless void - forever. He knew Kakashi was going to come back any minute now with a nurse, so he closed his eyes and pretended he had gone back to sleep.

They did tests on him the next day. Nurses and doctors flooding into his room with these or those devices trying to get a reaction out of his ear. They plugged something in, a small mechanical speaker in hopes it would enhance his hearing ability at least a bit, but there was no such luck. His ears remained uncooperative and silent. Rin and Kakashi visited everyday, Minato came by from time to time. When Obito felt their footsteps approaching, he always pretended to be asleep. At least Kakashi must have known he was faking it and avoiding them, but neither stayed around long enough to test his patience. Rin exchanged flowers, Minato left little notes and Kakashi just sat down for hours on end doing nothing in particular except just watching over him.

Obito wished he had actually died. How was dying on a mission, becoming an actual hero for his village that he had sworn to protect and loved so much, worse than the fate that had befallen him?  He would never be able to be a shinobi again, never fulfill his dream of becoming hokage. At night he was laying awake until the early hours of the day and if he slept he dreamt of collapsing caves and long, endless halls without sound.

In time he could move his fingers again, then his arm, then he could even sit himself up. About a week after waking up he was able to see himself for the first time in a mirror. His right side had scarred up, leaving circular shapes around the functioning eye he still had. There, standing and watching himself, he was surprised by Kakashi who had walked in rather silently, and while Obito tried to scramble himself back to bed, there was no point in faking sleep now. He had been caught. Kakashi sat himself down on the same chair he had been sitting on everyday for the past week or so and Obito climbed back into his bed. Both just sat there for a while avoiding hard to look at each other. What was there to do anyway? It’s not like Obito could hear anything that Kakashi would be telling him. Finally Kakashi got up and rounded the bed to get to a piece of paper the nurse had left on Obito’s nightstand. He quickly scribbled onto it, threw it at Obito and then left the room. “Rin is worried.”

The next time Rin came by he did not pretend to be asleep. Instead, he let her hug him, change the water in his flowers and sit with him, frantically scribbling words on a notebook she had brought. It was a delight to him to see her smiley, happy self. Obito didn’t say much, still insecure about the sound of his own voice. He had no idea how loud he was speaking or if his voice was hoarse or cracking. He kept himself to nodding or shaking his head to whatever Rin was talking to him about. The last thing he wanted was for her to worry.

Kakashi came back later that day, the same time he had come around nearly every day. Obito wondered if a Jonin like him in a time of war really had no other responsibilities. Why was he making so much time to visit the hospital for a person that wasn’t even speaking. Not only that, most of the time he had come, Obito had been sleeping. Yet he still came back. This time he brought a thin book with him, clearly something he had borrowed from the library. To Obito’s surprise Kakashi threw off his shoes and climbed into his bed. Both friends now facing each other. 

He pushed the book over to Obito who took a glance at it. The title said “Sign Language” and it seemed to be a guidebook. Obito huffed. “You won’t make myself feel better by forcing me to go back to school,” he said out loud, hoping that his voice carried over. Evidently he had done a fine job, as Kakashi visibly rolled his eye. He tapped the book again. Obito frowned. Of course he had known of the possibility of learning sign language as a deaf person. In fact, some of the nurses had sometimes tried to sign to him, but he had always refused to engage. If ever, he would have to try and force himself to do lipreading. He wasn’t gonna live his life branded by a disability. It was already bad enough. 

“No. The only signing one should do is for nin-jutsu” He said dryly, but Kakashi just shook his head. Well, they might have gotten closer during the incident, but he still needed to show his superiority, Obito thought and sighed. Kakashi on the other hand tapped the book a second time, pushed it even closer to Obito and then he put his left hand sideways, but straight into the air and moved his right hand down and up from it, as if he was trying to chop it somehow. Then, he did 3 more hand signs in quick succession. He repeated the movement three or four  times in total. The boys looked at each other for a moment. “What does that even mean?”, Obito asked, but Kakashi only flipped out index and middle finger sideways, palm facing towards him and then he hopped out of the bed, put on his shoes and left. 

Obito waited until night to actually get out the book and read it. He didn’t want the nurse finding out that he was possibly interested in sign language, because that would just lead to her signing to him. He, after all, hadn’t yet decided if he even wanted to use it. It had looked interesting when Kakashi had done it, but was it really a viable option to hearing someone speak? He flipped through the pages until he found what he had been looking for. It had been easy for Obito to copy Kakashi’s movement to detail, with him having the sharingan and all, so it was easy to replicate. The exact motion was described in the book as “Thank you.” Next, he checked the other 3 quick signs that had been used, even though he had an underlying feeling that he knew what they meant. O - BI - TO. His heart felt a little sting. The first thing Kakashi had said to him after the incident had been Thank you, Obito. Before he had left he had also quickly flashed the sign for “See you”. Obito stayed up all night reading. He memorized as much as possible.

When Kakashi visited the next day, Obito was ready for him. Immediately after he had walked in, Obito was already signing to him. The top of both index fingers moving downwards faced to each other and then another 3 quick signs. Hello Kakashi. Something in his friend's eye lit up. He walked over and once again crawled into Obito’s bed. He put his hands up. Hello Obito. He tapped his chest four times from inside to outside, as if he was checking it for pain. Obito had read about that one. Are you okay? Obito moved two fists up. I’m fine. He pointed his finger back at Kakashi, who copied his motion. I’m also fine. This already shaped up to be the longest conversation Obito had had since waking up.

“I don’t have it all down yet”, Obito said out loud, not knowing how to sign such a thing, “but I will .. eventually get there.” He felt embarrassed. After all he had just yesterday announced he would not want to learn sign language ever. However, now that he read up on it and used it a little, he actually felt like it could be an asset. It at least was a better way of communicating than constantly writing on sheets of paper. Also, who knew how long it would take him to master lip reading. Kakashi lightly tapped his chest twice with a flat hand. Got it. He closed his uncovered eye to a smile and for the first time in literal weeks Obito did not feel miserable.

Kakashi’s daily visits now became sessions of language learning together. They both had read about the basics, knew how to write names and ask about the other's mood, but there was still so much to discover. Obito's arm had not quite healed yet and he still had to remain quite close to his bed for quite a bit. To him it was therefore a welcome distraction when his friend visited. Sitting opposite of him in the hospital bed, Kakashi usually put the book between them to browse through it.

They learned that it wasn’t as unusual for deaf people to get a distinctive sign for their name, so that they did not always have to spell the name out. In cooperation they decided that Kakashi’s name would be to cover the left eye like he did with his headband, Rin’s name would be an imitation of her face markings and Obito’s name a circular wave around his right eye, imitating his scars. They couldn’t agree on Minato-sensei though. Kakashi favoured spinning the right index finger as if it had a kunai, while Obito rather wanted to mark him by his long hair to both sides of his face.

At some point Kakashi must have informed others about Obito’s new willingness to sign for communication, because soon after Rin started doing it too and then most of the nurses at least learned the basic signs. To ask him if he was doing well or if he was hungry or thirsty. If he couldn’t really express himself through his hands he resorted to speaking again, still only vaguely aware of how loud or quiet his speaking voice even was. It was as if the miserable first weeks hadn’t ever happened. While sure, sometimes he was still lying awake and wondering how his future might even look like now that he could no longer be a shinobi, it definitely didn’t feel so much like an endless void anymore. Communication, even if it was “just” with hands, had brought sound back into his life. At least in some way.

Soon Kakashi and him sat next to each other on the bed again, face to face and learned new signs together. They had just recently come up with the idea to use their sharingan eyes to practice with each other. The extraordinary copy power of the visual jutsu came in handy for both of them. Kakashi still had no total control of the gift Obito had given him, but if they only used it in moderate amounts, he wasn’t going to collapse. Obito couldn’t help but be proud each time he saw the eye on his friend’s face. Technically he could ask it back if he wanted to, Kakashi had even offered as much. But he didn’t want it back. He did not regret giving it away.

Then finally the day of release arrived. It had been 2 months since he had been brought in when the head doctor finally dropped the release form into Obito’s lap. A little note attached read You can finally go home. The doctor smiled, checked his arm, his face and his ears one last time and then gestured to the bag that had been brought in for him. Obito was free to go. While packing his things he stumbled upon the book, which for the last few days had stayed unused in his drawer. They had gotten all the basic forms down and would have needed more advanced signs to continue, so they didn’t need it anymore. He picked it up and flipped through it again, just like he had done on that first night alone. Incredible at how wrong he had been about it all. Kakashi really outdid himself this time. Forcing Obito to learn sign language really had been the most kind thing he’d ever done.

As if Kakashi had heard his thoughts he walked into the room, eye raised in surprise at finding Obito standing and dressed. He had gotten in the habit of stomping his feet before entering, giving Obito the chance to feel him in his vicinity to not scare him. It was fascinating to Obito how well his other senses now functioned with his hearing gone. Hello Obito, everything alright? He asked, looking around the room. Obito signed back. Going home. His friend tapped his hand against his chin. Really? Obito smiled at him and nodded. Kakashi walked over and watched him pack the rest of his clothes into the bag. I had fun, he said. Obito took a deep breath, then he gestured towards his friend, signed “boy” and “happy”. It’s all thanks to you. Kakashi blushed under his mask and looked away. They both didn’t move for a while, trying to let the embarrassment die out between them, then Kakashi moved both hands in front of his chest. I’m happy.

Obito packed the last things and zip closed the bag. He looked up at his friend, a face he knew so well now from countless hours spent sitting opposite of each other. “I’m glad I didn’t die,” he said out loud and Kakashi smiled back at him. They walked together out of the room that had been their study space for so long, and Obito tapped Kakashi on the shoulder to get his undivided attention one last time before entering the real world. Thank you for everything, Kakashi.

[pekotranslates]

Traces of Two Pasts: Episode Tifa - pgs 40-52

Disclaimer: Also, I started this for fun so that my friends who don't have access can read it. I'm just another fan like you. With that said, I do try to be as faithful to the original source material as possible, and for those of you who can read Japanese, please support the author by buying his book.

Not everyone agreed with Chief Zonder's decision. The elderly—a major force in the village—began to make noise. They seemed to take a liking to Zangan's longevity exercises, and regretted not being able to memorize what was taught to them. They wanted someone to check if their poses were correct, and wished to learn the remaining exercises he was supposed to have taught them.

The village chief paid a visit at dinnertime.

"Hey, Tifa..." he said with a sullen expression. "Will you teach the old folks how to do Zangan's exercises properly?"

"Why Tifa?" her father asked. She just knew he would ask.

"Because Zangan named her. Told me that if we ever needed someone to mentor us, Tifa would be qualified. Said that she had the most controlled form* out of everyone who gathered there that day.

Kata, which means “form” in Japanese, is the term used to describe specific sequences of motion that are used to practice technique and execution in martial arts

It pleased her knowing that someone spoke of her like that when not in her presence, but it also caused her to be slightly embarrassed.

"Zonder, don't get my family involved."

"Aw, c'mon! I'm already in big trouble as it is. The old folks just won't let it go!"

"Hmph!" Brian Lockhart snorted. He enjoyed seeing the village chief squirm. She couldn't tell whether or not they actually got along with each other.

"Tifa, what do you think?"

"I'd just be teaching the elderly people those exercises, right? If that's all there is, then I'd like to try."

"Tifa..." her father began, but he swallowed back his complaint. He knew that it wasn't good for her to have too much time on her hands. "Well, if you're gonna do it, then do it right."

While preparing breakfast, Tifa heard a knock at the door, and opened to a woman’s face she barely recognized. It was an elderly woman called "Mon Amie" who was an aunt of sorts to Chief Zonder. Her hair was pulled back into a bun so tight that it looked like her eyes were being pulled straight up!

"Good morning to you. It's been a long time, Tifa. I heard that Zonder told you all about it. How about 2 gil per hour?"

"Sorry?" She had not heard about any renumeration.

"Well, you are thirteen now. Not a little girl anymore, so that doesn't cut it for you, eh? Alright then, how about 4 gil?"

"No, I don't want any money."

"That won't do. We are taking this very seriously, and you will be properly paid for your work."

No matter how much Zangan trusted her, would she really be up to the task? But, being able to earn her own money sounded very appealing, as if a whole new world had opened up to her.

Mon Amie took Tifa's silence as her wanting to bargain for higher wages.

"6 gil."

"Alright. 6 gil it is then."

"Brian never did leave the village. He wanted to keep Thea all to himself." Mon Amie suddenly brought up her parents during their exercise routine at the public square.

"Really?" said Tifa, adjusting Mon Amie's arm posture. She needed to get her to straighten her back and push out her chest a bit more for the desired result.

"She was quite the popular one, that child."

It wasn’t very pleasant hearing her mother being called "that child", yet Tifa encouraged her. Listening to the elderly tell old stories was a part of her job. The responsibility she felt from receiving wages tempered her patience.

"You should leave the village," said Mon Amie suddenly. "Doesn't it sound like fun going around to different places with Master Zangan?"

"It sure does."

"Alright, you don't have to play along with me. No need for you to learn things like that. Just think about it carefully, okay? Something needs to change for women here in Nibelheim."

Tifa silently nodded as she propped up Mon Amie's arm.

"There weren't any women around in my day who held this kind of thinking. But that Strife girl”—she was speaking of Cloud's mother—"tried to leave. Not sure if it's because she hated it here, or if she dreamed of going to the big city."

Mon Amie abruptly altered her pose, ruining her base form.

"To the traditional Nibelheim women, she seemed pretty unconventional. We all refused to accept her ways, but secretly felt the same. Even though we scolded her, deep down inside we were cheering her on. We even felt jealous of her for carving out her own path. Perhaps she changed something in us, little by little.”

Tifa lifted up Mon Amie's knee. "Up high like this. Thank you."

She supported Mon Amie as the woman’s body rocked back and forth.

"But Claudia remained in the village, didn't she?" said Tifa.

"Well, that’s because she fell in love. You see, a man traveled here. Claudia was helping out at the inn at the time. She must have been taken in by the outside air he brought with him. And he was a pretty fellow. I’m sure you see it when you look at Cloud. That boy got the best of both his parents!”

“Right…”

“But, just like the wind, he just couldn’t keep still. Not sure if Cloud learned how to walk yet, but around that time he told her he would go to the mountains, but never came back. They found his belongings though. His body probably got eaten by monsters. You were lucky you didn’t meet the same fate.”

Tifa braced herself. Was she going to bring up that incident?

“Cloud egging you on to climb Mt. Nibel… Maybe that was in his blood.”

Mon Amie’s body began to sway. Tifa had stopped holding onto her causing her to lose her balance. She couldn’t regain her footing in time, and fell flat down on her backside.

“Alright then," said Tifa. "Now let’s use the opposite leg. Please lift up your knee.”

Tifa held out a helping hand to her, but Mon Amie refused and got up on her own.

“Quite strict for a pretty face.”

“That’s because I get paid 6 gil to be.”

Before long, she became more attentive. She noticed Mon Amie lifting up her other knee, but it was at the wrong height again. While Tifa helped her to adjust, Mon Amie said, “You really don’t remember anything? You know, about that accident you got into?”

She was eight years old when she got into that accident on Mt. Nibel. Cloud was with her. The villagers chose to believe the story based on Emilio and the others’ testimonies, and nothing else could be said about it. Tifa really couldn't remember what happened.

"No, unfortunately not..."

Whether the elderly came to her for exercising or just to chat, it was tougher than she had imagined. Her father laughed at her and said he wouldn't have anything to do with them, even for 100 gil.

They never listened and were set in their ways, even the ones who kept away and smiled modestly at her. They just had a different view on things, and sulked if nobody paid them attention.

The topics they discussed also surprised Tifa, and sometimes hurt her too. She disliked whenever they brought up how her body looked so grown. There would be someone who sensed her discomfort or resentment, and would try to change the subject, but then it would turn into whom she should be with and things of that nature.

So, all things considered, Tifa preferred hearing them going on about herself rather than her father’s failed romances, or whom her mother used to hang out with before she got married to him. To the elderly townsfolk, her father and others his age were still “the village youth”.

After her day finished and she was about to go to sleep, she thought to herself that maybe there would be a time when she would be the one telling someone else about what happened today, or about some news she heard from another person. Telling the same stories over and over again, everyday just like the next, until she, herself, became just a relic of an era in village history.

※

“They confused me at first, but I got used to being around them, and then it wasn’t so bad anymore. That feeling of wanting someone to talk to—Everyone has that,” explained Tifa.

“So that’s where you learned to entertain guests? From spending your time talking to old folks?” asked Barret.

“Possibly. Maybe that did me good. More and more of the elderly signed up, and they started calling their morning gatherings the ‘Calisthenics Club’.”

“It’s like that at Seventh Heaven too,” said Barret with some intensity.

Aerith urged him to talk.

“It used to be just a small shop owned by this one gramps, but when Tifa started working there, the business picked up. Men crowded the place. Know what I mean, Red?”

“What I’m more interested in is what happened to Zangan afterward? I can sort of imagine based on your fighting style, Tifa...” said Red XIII.

“You’re right. There was a little more that happened before I got to where I'm at.”

※

A month passed after the start of the Calisthenics Club. All morning Tifa would teach the exercises and set aside time for her reading and arithmetic. The afternoon she'd go to the mountains and work hard towards building up her strength and stamina, and then would return home before sunset so her father wouldn’t worry. At night she would examine Zangan's writings and practice her form, reviewing the materials over and over again so as to not overlook anything.

One day, she received a letter from Emilio. He wrote about the fast-paced lifestyle in the big city, and told her about everything he found perplexing: arguments he had had with people, things he ate, the social inequality, and their differences in moral values.

“But whenever I get discouraged, it’s you I think about, Tifa, and then I imagine that day when I’ll come and get you. I'll write to you sometimes and teach you about the city, so you won't be so confused when that time comes.”

Who do you think you are? That's how she honestly felt reading the letter.

Zangan appeared, acting as if nothing had happened. He knocked on the door just in time to greet her father and asked for his permission to call Tifa out, and then led her to the river where they first met.

“Master Zangan, please let me be your student. I want to be stronger.”

“That’s exactly the answer I was looking for, but what’s the matter, Tifa? I sense your impatience. Why are you in such a hurry?”

“That’s not it!” she replied, but felt self-conscious. “No… It’s because I got that letter from my friend.”

“What kind of letter?”

“I think it’s because I don’t want to lose. I don’t want to lose to anyone who left the village.”

“Hmm. My hand-to-hand combat techniques are not meant to be used to make you feel superior to others.”

“I know.”

“No, you don’t. But the answer to that can only be found through diligent study. All right. I will acknowledge you if you pass my test.”

“Test?”

“Show me everything you’ve learned from Volume 1. You’ve been practicing, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

Tifa performed a sequence of forms from the physical training method.

“One more time, from the beginning.”

“Okay.”

This time Zangan interrupted with instructions.

"Check the book to see the direction your palms should be facing."

Tifa crouched down over the book and flipped through the pages. The form was wrong from the very start. Should have been above not below.

“I was wrong.”

“Try again.”

When she extended both hands and slightly shifted the direction of her palms, she felt a different set of muscles tingling.

“Everything from the Book of Secrets must be obeyed. Don’t try to interpret it another way or decide that your way is better. While disciplining your body, you must learn to be faithful to your decisions. If I take you in as my student, you will become stronger. So, you must cultivate your mind to control that power. The greater and stronger the power to handle, the greater the responsibility of its owner. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

The second time around, Zangan pointed out any minor mistakes she made. Each time she would have to go back and confirm with the Book of Secrets before advancing, which made things take twice as long. Fatigue built up in her arms and legs.

“Alright, now relax and close your eyes. Focus your attention and check the condition of your body. Does it hurt anywhere?”

“My upper back… I wouldn’t say it hurts but it feels like it’s burning...”

She slipped her right hand underneath her left armpit until it touched the lower part of her shoulder blade. Digging her fingers into it felt good.

“Hmph!” Zangan gave a satisfying nod. “That’s your shoulder blade. What you’re pressing into is the trapezius muscle. Surrounding it is your deltoid, infraspinatus, psoas minor and other muscles. The second volume will teach you how to train each one of those muscles on your back,” he said, while holding out a booklet to her. It was Volume 2.

“If you want to live your life with pride then pay close attention to your back. Squeeze your shoulder blades together, chest out. Walking through life with a beautiful posture is also part of your training.”

“Got it.”

“Let’s get started. Well then, onto Volume 2, No. 2-1-1, scapular push-ups.”

Zangan immediately prostrated himself on the ground, and lowered his chest. Tifa hastened to follow his example.

“All you're doing is supporting your whole body with your arms. Concentrate on your shoulder blades. Rotate them outwards—protract, retract, protract.”

It was her first time experiencing those movements. How was she supposed to move to protract her shoulder blades? She couldn’t picture it in her mind. Glancing over at Zangan she noticed he was rotating his shoulders outward, something her cat, Maru, often did.

“You look like a cat,” she said.

“Right. There’s a lot we can learn from cats.”

She focused her attention on her scapula, going up and down, until the repetition of movements were drilled into her body. Zangan rose and watched over Tifa for some time before clearing his throat.

“Good!”

The movements were subtle but still made her perspire.

“That’s because the muscles across your back are wider. Moving them increases the blood flow and raises your temperature, so that’s why you’re working up a sweat.”

After completing Volume 2, Tifa was sweating profusely. She felt unthinkable pain throughout her whole back.

“Alright, any questions? If you do, now’s your chance.”

She wanted to say, yes, but nothing came to mind at the moment.

“If not, then we’ll move onto Volume 3.”

“Huh?” she couldn’t help but shout. Her whole body was screaming in pain. Zangan ignored her and continued.

“Volume 3 is for chest and abs. We’re going to train your front body. The pectoralis major muscle is roughly divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower. There are several different ways to effectively train it, but I’ll teach you the basic concepts.”

“Alright…”

“At your age, your overall motor skills are complete, and in that regard, you excel. You haven’t had any special training, have you? If so, then you must have been born with this. Treasure it.”

“I will.”

She felt energy pour into her body. Perhaps listening to Zangan talk with a relaxed mind helped her to recover from fatigue.

“After a while, we’ll concentrate on building your muscles. But you will not be using any equipment except your body. We won’t be using barbells or dumbbells until you’re much older. Besides, our Zangan-ryu hardly finds them necessary. That is because I prescribe individual fighting styles that suit each of my students. You don’t need arms built like logs or a bulky chest. What you need is to build up a fighting style that will utilize those reflexes, that body, and your speed. Well, what do you want to do? Shall we call it a day?”

“No. Please go on.”

She didn’t want to disappoint the first person who had managed to earn her respect.

“Yes, that’s the spirit! Alright. But we’ll stop here for today. Let’s call this current level of fatigue your limit. Keep it in mind. You have a long way before you can try to challenge that limit to surpass it. Continuity is more important now than ever.”

On their way back, a realization came over Tifa regarding Zangan’s test. It didn't annoy her. If her father tried to make her work like that she’d probably stop talking to him for three days in a row. With those thoughts in mind, she walked her teacher back to the inn.

“Say hello to your father for me.”

As she stood in front of her house she could smell the scent of spices in the air. Spices that her mother liked to use in her best recipe. It was her father’s favorite dish, but since Tifa didn’t really like it, it was hardly ever served at the dining table.

She opened the door and said, “I’m home.”

“Welcome back.” Her father, dressed in an apron, peeked out at her from the kitchen.

“This smell… Huh? Is it mom’s?”

“I was really craving it... Oh, but I made something else for you.”

She was filled with remorse. She didn’t like the way he looked or the tone of voice he used when trying to gauge her mood, but it was all her fault for making it that way.

Novel by Kazushige Nojima

Translated by pekotranslates

Proofread by Eerie

[kpopisthereasonihavenolife]

Kitsune | ii. winter

Jung Hoseok/Reader [F]

Genre: Demon Hunter AU, Action, Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Japanese Feudal Era

Warning(s): Contains Violence & Blood (Semi to Graphic Depictions)

Words: 11.7k

Summary: Demons: man-eating, murderous monsters who would kill anyone for the blood of humans: be it man, woman or child.  They have no need for comrades. Known cannibalize and kill other demons if they so choose. Demon Hunters are tasked with eliminating any and all demons without question, but what would come to pass if they were told that a demon saved a human life? Views, values and relations become altered and absolutely nothing seemed human anymore.  Never sharpen a blade too much, lest you become the wounded. 

Series Index | i. demon 

a/n: you would not believe how long it took me to edit this (and I'm sure there’s still errors RIP) Kudos to my gf who were on discord the entire time while I complained about proofreading LOL.  However! Here is the second installment of Kitsune! I’m pretty happy with how it turned out and please please please tell me how you felt about this chapter!!! Feedback is key folks *clicks tongue*

t.list: @kathrynwynterbourne @tiredjedi @kaekae-93 @multycoloredtaco @sunshinechim-98 @baojinnie @perpetually-single @lexi-tries-art​ @fallingjungwoo​ 

It’s been a year since Hoseok had brought you- a demon- back to the home of his superior Lord Fuuta.  In that year he has also not once come back to that manor.  He never knew what became of you, or of that old man who was on his deathbed; in fact, he pushed you both so far back into his mind he had forgotten after so long.  He wasn’t aware of Taehyung’s actions or assignments.  The only words he exchanged with his lord were short messages of demons that plagued areas that came to him on the talons of crows acting as messengers. 

It was the dead of winter once again in Japan.  Hoseok had hardly changed when it came to his mindset and his all-around opinions. Physically, his hair had grown enough for his dark bangs to brush annoyingly in front of his eyes.  With traveling and battling being his day-to-day occurrences, he began to grow more fit as time passed.  Still wearing his keikogi and crimson haori.  His eyes also withstood the trial of time; remaining as cold as they did for as long as others could remember.

He was currently sat at a small stand selling fresh dango and tea.  Pulling one of the three dumplings off the wooden skewer, he ate silently at the bar on a wooden stool.  A clay, green painted mug of steaming tea sat to the right of his small saucer- the warmth of the beverage chasing away the winter cold.  

The stand itself was a small one- hardly the capacity for the treats to be made behind the countertop and just big enough to squeeze in four stools- making a successful business a hardship. It was located in the middle of a busy city street.  The city he was located in was far busier than any he had come across in the region alone.  

Buildings that varied from small to large with at least four stories to them. All strung with lanterns and candle lights every which direction to light up the bustling, frozen, dirt roads. Travelers trotting through the city on horseback.  Women in loose yukatas- despite the freezing weather- to tempt men and women alike into the brothel in which they were employed. Shops and stands of all sorts; from foods to antiques that were filled with items that were more than obviously fake; sellers only looking for a pretty penny for worthless trash. 

Scamming was a whole trade in itself these days it seemed. 

Fabric shops, sit down places for dining, tea houses, smiths and weapon trades, even sexual desire personified existed in the city- if you look for the right part of the city that is. The city was filled with any one person’s wants and needs if you knew just the right places to look for them. 

Hoseok hated cities.  

He hated how his senses dulled because of the constant noise and movement around him.  He had to always be on edge because even big ‘safe’ cities like this one were exactly the place where all the right things start going wrong. Population does not equate to safety; a fact that most people ignore like fools. 

If he had it his way, he would already be long gone.  However, Fuuta had contacted him via his ever-familiar crow and requested Hoseok to come to this city in the first place as well as a stay until further notice. Fuuta even prepared Hoseok room and board in an inn that was acquainted with the lord. 

Fuuta never explained why Hoseok was to come here and sit on his rear end in a waiting game with no visible end in sight.  He angrily bit and pull off his second dumpling off the skewer at the idea that this could have been an ‘order’ for Hoseok to relax from fighting.  Hoseok wasn’t one to care for himself- pushing himself over and over with injury or illness.  Some might say he was devoted to his work, others- more specifically Fuuta and Taehyung- called him a reckless idiot for never knowing when to stop.  

Taehyung used to often reprimand him for pushing his limits constantly.  Beating him to a bloody pulp in training and literally trying to beat into his head some sense.  It never worked, however.  Hoseok wasn’t always so stubborn, but after an event that sent him reeling inwards in trauma, he’s changed drastically. 

Finishing the third dumpling of his last skewer, he sipped down the rest of his tea.  Standing and ruffling out his haori to let it lay on his back with ease as he placed down yen coins as payment for the small snack os sweets.  Slightly raising the short Noren hanging on the low ceiling of the stand with the back of his hand, he left the stand behind him and headed out into the busy streets. 

It was frosty out, but no snow was coated on the ground nor was it fluttering down from the sky.  Breath chilled in clouds and the frozen dirt crunched under the straw waraji of Hoseok’s.  Ice formed in puddles of discarded water that was thrown out from shops and merchants- begging for a child to run in a playful frenzy and fall on the trackless trap. This winter wasn’t nearly as harsh as the previous had been with nearly constantly snowfall.  However, that could always change. 

Hoseok walked, weaving pass and through the tresses of people.  Holding his swords at his hip, pulling the hilts of them up towards his stomach to straighten how they sat on his side- allowing the tail ends of the scabbards to avoid unnecessarily whacking into anyone.  Any accidental confrontation with humans didn’t interest him; picking fights with people just wasn’t his thing. 

Finding his way and walking into the aged inn he had been staying, he strode through the entrance and down the halls, up to the set of wooden stairs to the second floor.  The only other floor beside the ground level the inn had. Heading down the hall he recognized the room he was provided with days prior.  Pulling the key to the room from his neck that he kept looped on a chain and slotting it into the door, he entered.  

Shutting himself inside, he was met with his room and an open window that most definitely wasn’t open when he left.  Someone, or something, must be in the space with him hiding in the shadows and doing a damn good job of it.  

Keeping his back straight as he walked further into the room with slow steps, he stopped in the center.  Keeping his movements calm, he moved his arm across his torso to grip the hilt of the one sword he always drew.  Holding the top of the scabbard with the opposite hand, he extended his thumb to click the blade out only an inch. He slowed his breathing- now stuck in a game of patience.  The air buzzing in silence as he strained to hear something- anything to alert him. 

Springing from the dark shadow of his room directly below the window, someone charged at him.  Hoseok gasped, hissing through his teeth lightly at the speed of the attack.  He wasn’t even able to draw his sword, the perpetrator’s hand clamping down over his own- pushing the blade back into its scabbard. Grabbing Hoseok’s keikogi at the shoulder with one hand, the other keeping his sword sheathed they began to overpower the hunter. 

Overwhelming Hoseok as they took steps forward, they backed him into a corner.  The mystery figure was cloaked in dark all around and a mask hid their face. Their hair was as dark as their clothes.  Only their eyes remained visible as the dim light that leaked inside reflected off them.  Hoseok’s back was pushed against the wall, the attacker’s leg hiking to push the ball of his foot into the tail ends of the scabbards and closing the distance between the two to avoid any chance of Hoseok drawing.  

Moving the hand that once held Hoseok’s shoulder, they moved to grip his shoulder and quickly stepped back and knelt a fraction.  Twisting around, they pulled on Hoseok’s collar so his chest slammed into the attacker’s shoulder before Hoseok was being flipped over their body and his back slamming into the room floor.  Hoseok sputtering in gasps as the attacker then climbed onto his chest and pressed a knife above the hunter’s eyes.  

A knife Hoseok recognized.  

He let out a breath somewhere between the lines of a gasp and a choke when his body relaxed. He coughed lightly when the attacker also began to relax.  Lifting their knife away from Hoseok’s face and moved to squat above his chest rather than pinning him down.  Twirling the weapon before sheathing it in its small sheath on their back. They chuckled above him, pulling their mask down, letting the black fabric rest around their neck. 

“You really are a pain in my ass,” Hoseok grumbled, finally gaining back his voice after the previous assault upon him.  “What the hell was that for, Taehyung?” 

The light outside shone off of Taehyung’s face.  His hair had grown far longer than the year of last, resting between his shoulder blades, twisted in a braid that threatened to unravel. Face squaring out into a more mature one of a young man.  His birthday running around in the winter season, much like he always seemed to be when the two meet. 

The younger man stood before stepped over and off Hoseok completely, leaving him to finally sit up and rotated around his shoulder and rub at his chest where Taehyung’s shoulder slammed into him.  He winced in slight pain and major annoyance.  Taehyung had moved to light the lantern hanging in the middle of the ceiling before sitting himself down in a cross-legged fashion.  

It was odd to see Taehyung in his gear, but no armor.  His completely black yoroi hitatare gear and extremely fine waraji looked empty without the cover of his armor. From a sarashi belt to his yugake gloves- all was there as he sat like he didn’t completely jump his lower-ranked ally only a few moments ago. 

“Lord Fuuta will be holding a meeting with the main leaders of each branch soon,” Taehyung started out of nowhere.  “He wishes to hold it in this city and asks that you attend.” 

Hoseok looked at Taehyung with wide, incredulous eyes.  He slightly shook his head, running the samurai’s words over and over in his head to make sure he was completely taking in and understanding the meaning of each word he said.  Taehyung’s friendly look in his eyes faded as they steeled into that of Hoseok’s superior- a line he can cross between with ease. 

“The meeting will be held in three days, allowing the remaining leaders to find their way to the meeting location. In that time, I shall have a messenger sent for you to lead you there as well.” Taehyung closed his eyes, lifting his lips in a minute quirk.  “However, the choice in which you want to follow that messenger is all yours.  Fuuta requests you there, but it is no order.” 

Hoseok was skeptical about the situation purposed towards him.  “If there is no order, why the personal confrontation about the matter.”  It wasn’t a question he spoke towards his comrade. More of a stern accusation of something that may be laying under the surface of his words. 

Taehyung just chuckled inwardly to himself.  Pushing himself up off the floor to stand, he looked down the line of his nose at Hoseok still sat in front of him.  He walked to the wooden door opening it a fraction before looking back over his shoulder to the hunter.  

“Isn’t it better to have news spread face to face with whom it may concern? Especially since we’re already in the same vicinity to begin with.” He opened the door to leave but briefly paused on the threshold.  “Oh, plus,” he started again. Voice jumping in a care-free manner with any tone of superiority vanishing.  “It will always be entertaining to tease you,” he snidely finishes.  Ducking out of the room before Hoseok could react- likely in a violent manner.  Left in his solitude, Hoseok sighed. 

His brows furrowed in thought.  He wondered if he should really attend the meeting if that’s truly what Fuuta requested.  Or if he should just leave the city and deny the audience of leaders his presence. 

“What reason would they have to summon me in the first place?” He spits in what is best described as curiosity cloaked in anxiety.  Coming off in a cold, nearly spiteful sounding, tone. 

It was the dawn of the third day since Taehyung had come to Hoseok.  The meeting gnawing at the back of his mind like an itching wound. He fought back and forth on if he should truly attend or not. 

On one hand, Fuuta did request Hoseok to attend and he was curious about who the current leaders were- aside form Taehyung of course.  On the other, he had no purpose there as a lower-ranked hunter among them.  It’s not as if he is bound by the order to go- Taehyung said so himself.  The choice was up to Hoseok, no other.  Both options fought like rams stuck in horn lock. 

Hoseok lay restless in his futon in the same room that has been that of a cell to him recently.  His distaste for cities didn’t warrant him any desire to leave the inn unless necessary.  Dressed in a kimono provided from the inn staff, a white and grey striped piece with a grey sash, he lay utterly bored.  Staring up at the ceiling and unlit lantern hanging above him. One arm behind his head, the other placed on his chest.  Futon covers pushed down to his stomach. The first dim signs of daylight began painting the winter sky orange. 

It seemed to look like another day of cold breezes and yet still no snow.  Winter was always a bland season, even covered in white everywhere one looked.  However, the lack of snow made the cold stripped environment seem worthless.  Snow brought a sense of beauty to the naked, dead-natured world at least.  It was just another ugly dystopia without a blanket of white to cover it all. 

His attention was ripped away when his window- that was closed- began to lightly rattle.  Ignoring it, he only figured it was the morning wind washing over the city in its cold breaths.  His patience was always at a low in the mornings.  The constant window-rattling that seemed to only increase in noise also seemed to rattle away at the already scarce patience he did possess. Sitting up in his futon, he looked at the offending window.  

Looking past the glass, he contorted his face in a look of private confusion.  The bare limbs he could see outside didn’t sway at all, indicating the lack of any wind whatsoever.  It wasn’t blowing. Was something else doing it, or was he simply hallucination from being inside this tiny room day after day with his push and pull thoughts.  

Pulling his legs from the futon covers, he slid out of its warmth and knelt to his knee to lift his sights higher.  He could see nothing outside his window, yet the shaking glass was constant.  He began walking cautiously towards it. 

Hoseok could see the glass shake in the frame when close enough to observe it.  Lightly touching it, the cold glass rattled against his fingertips. His brow furrowed deeper trying to think of why it would be shaking so violently.  Looking around outside the trim on the small ledge, perhaps a critter hand been knocking into it.  However, no animal was seen. 

Grabbing the frame, he began to slide it open.  Pulling the window slowly to his left inching it along.  Moving slowly as to not startle what may- or may not- be at his window. The cold sailed in like a smooth brushstroke, seeping into the warm room by the vacuum of the window opening- cold eating away at warm. The chill traveled throughout Hoseok’s exposed chest snaking down his skin like a winter wind snake. Silence and cold were all that sat beyond his window outside. 

No breeze.  No early morning mutter.  No animals chirping.  Just silence.  Eerie to the human ear and unsettling peaceful to the hunter’s mind. 

The window was fully open now and with the window being open, the rattling ceased.  He let out a breath at the silence.  Standing fully upon his feet, he dropped his guard at the halt of annoyance from the glass. 

Just as his shoulders slacked down, something lept over the outside of his window railing.  Coming out of nowhere it lept inside, landing on Hoseok’s chest with four paws planting on his skin.  Pushing into him with enough force to knock him off his feet, he stumbled onto his rear before hitting the floor with his back.  With a heavy thud, he momentarily felt apologetic to whoever may be beneath his room.  

Laying breathless half on his futon, the four paws on his chest jumped off of him with more force he didn’t exactly welcome.  Wincing, he pushed himself to twist at the waist to sit up on his left side.  Supporting himself upon his left forearm and elbow digging into the floor, he held his chest with his opposite hand, lightly gasping back the breath stolen from him. 

Looking at what just pounced at him unnecessarily his eyes widened seeing a fox in his room with him.  It wasn't a regular fox either.  

Two twin tails swayed at its backside.  The pure white coat of fur with red decorating its forehead and tail tips in nearly flawless spirals.  Its paws licked with minuscule flames of blue that did not spread or did the flames burn Hoseok’s skin when it touched him only moments ago.  Eyes of gold piercing- nearly glaring- at him.  The fox was no bigger than the average work dog.  Hitting Hoseok at least at his knees in height.  

Despite its size, the intimidating aura buzzing off the demon fox would make anyone be on their toes in anticipation of an attack or any sort of quick, uncalled for action. 

Of course, his weapons lay behind the fox.  Leant up against the wall, cut off from his reach.  Hoseok cursed under his breath.  If this fox were to pounce again, Hoseok would have to depend on brute strength and quick thinking maneuvering to claim his swords. 

However, the fox did not move into any further advancing positions.  Instead, it just sat down.  Ears twitching and tails swaying, it simply sat and observed Hoseok.  Hoseok also observed back, not daring to move yet.  Caught in a deadlock of eye contact, no party moved a muscle until the fox got back up onto its paws and trotted to the wall were his haori hung.  Turning it’s back to the wall to once again face Hoseok, it sat below the haori. 

Hoseok’s brow rose in an inquiry.  The fox only continued to stare once again.  The way its tails whipped seemed like a gesture of invitation for Hoseok to change into it.  

“My haori,” he started speaking in a whisper.  Watching the foxes ears twitch.  “Put it on?” To his utmost shock, the fox bowed its head in a single nod at his question to which he was not expecting an answer to.  Though it wasn’t so unusual as the fox was demonic- it wasn’t like a normal wild animal. “Okay,” he breathed out in a long, low syllable.  

Slowly maneuvering around his room, he began to change.  Discarding his kimono and changing into his keikogi, pulling his haori of crimson over his shoulders.  Tying his obi sash around his waist, he pulled his waraji over his tabi socks and slipped his swords onto his hips.  Dressed just as any other day that has passed or that may be yet to come. 

The fox had moved from where the crimson haori once hung back to the open window.  Tails still waving past one another and gaze almost hypnotic when Hoseok resumed eye contact.  Hoseok turned to look at the fox with narrow eyes.  He never thought he’d be unintentionally following the orders of a demon fox.  He scoffed lowly at himself.  Stopping close to the fox in the window, it soon turned and jumped back outside.  

Looking out, Hoseok saw it sitting on a wall of stone just below the window ledge- only a leap width away.  Looking back at him in a silent way of instructing him to follow behind.  He had no reason to oblige this fox; however, had no reason to deny it either.  

Hopping from his window to the same wall the fox adorned, Hoseok followed. 

Climbing walls, rushing through alleys and hardly seeing a soul in the extremely early hour, Hoseok scowled.  He half-believed this demon fox was just leading him around for a lark- as foxes are more than a bit mischievous in bare nature.  Not to mention each time it looked back at him over its fur-coated shoulder, Hoseok swore it sent glares directed at him instead of confirmation he was still trailing on its tail.  

This fox was nagging on his nerves; that he was certain of. 

He wasn’t sure why he didn’t just get rid of the fox in the first place.  It was a demon after all, but just the thought of killing it put a bad taste in his mouth.  The line between what is animal and what is demon blurred- which has never happened to Hoseok before. He knew what he followed was without a doubt demon and it irritated him. 

Following blindly, Hoseok wasn’t even paying attention to his surroundings anymore.  Reacting purely on instinct and reflex as he kept his eyes on the foxes back. Soon, it stopped running before halting and jumping directly upward.  It’s back in front of his eyes before he halted as well.  Looking up, the fox now sat up on top of a tree limb.  Stretching and dragging its claws on the bark just barely before relaxing again and looking down to the annoyed hunter and his furrowed brow.  

The air change around him seemed to finally alert Hoseok that he just moved to a whole new location.  Gasping inwardly he averted his sights down and his eyes widened.  It was like he was in a whole new place out of the city; even the scenery wasn’t that of the winter season.  The weather was warmer too.  He looked around.  

Trees of wisteria surrounded the compound he was brought to.  The compound was elevated above the ground of stone and lush greenery like winter hadn’t touched it in a long, long time.  Much like that of the home of his lord with summer chimes ringing lightly with the breeze that wafted over the estate.  The smell of wisteria flowers that bloomed in purple surrounded everything.  

Moving his attention back to the fox, he saw it glaring down at him.  

“Where did you take me you damned fox?!” Glaring down at him further, the fox got up from it’s sitting position and hissed at him.  Ready to jump down from its tree limb to pounce on his chest again after accomplishing its task of bringing Hoseok to this location.  Its body stopped it’s future violent charge when it sensed someone walk onto the wooden railing porch of the compound. 

“That is enough, girl,” a familiar voice spoke.  “Come on back here now.”  The fox stopped it’s glaring at Hoseok, turned towards the compound and jumped from the tree.  Bounding the distance from the limb to the wooden railing, it landed with grace as a hand reached out to pet at its head.  Relishing under the touch.  

Hoseok looked at the person who spoke and shook his head in small swivels before pushing the ball of his hand against his forehead.  Looking at Taehyung call, command and even show affection to a demon fox flabbergasting him to an extreme.  Taehyung just laughed at him as the fox looked back at Hoseok, no longer glaring- but examining. 

“What is that face?  I told you I’d send a messenger in three days.” 

“You didn’t tell me the ‘messenger’ was going to be a demon!” Hoseok countered with a spiked fury, stunned Taehyung was loitering around a demon in the first place.  The fox’s ears bent back in agitation before they folded back in relaxation again when Taehyung placed his hand back on its head.  

“I didn’t need to.  Besides, what does it matter?  You followed her regardless of her demonic nature instead of attacking her.  I knew if she returned alone, you wouldn’t attend.” 

“I could’ve killed that fox, you realize that right,” Hoseok deadpanned.  Taehyung scoffed, patting the fox once more before folding his arms inside the kimono he spared.  His hair unbraided and resting on his shoulders and back.  

“She’s nimble and crafty.  The most you could’ve done to her is graze her fur.  She would’ve been fine if you lashed out violently. I have the utmost faith in her.”  Hoseok gapped at the confidence Taehyung boasted towards the small fox in front of them.  Taehyung looked down to said fox.  “Go head on inside.  We’ll call for you later, alright?”  The fox looked at him and nodded one low bow before jumping off the railing and running behind the samurai inside the estate.  

Hoseok shook off his shock before he sighed.  “Where did that thing bring me, Taehyung?”  Hoseok still not sure exactly where he was.  Too much happening far too early and too quickly for his brain to catch up completely.  

Taehyung smiled before he started to head back inside, only stopping to invite Hoseok inside with him.  Hoseok followed behind him, both men silent despite having tons of topics to talk about.  Hoseok only kept a cautious eye on his long-time friend as Taehyung kept a small smile on his face the entire time he weaved through the compound.  

“This is like Lord Fuuta’s home,” Hoseok spoke to himself.  

“It isn’t wrong to think that,” Taehyung replied to him.  “It is one of his private locations.  It’s hidden by a barrier, keeping it warm like spring.  He comes here often when his health warrants it.”  

A barrier.  Hoseok nodded.  It made sense- it would explain why it was so warm here and why the flowers and greenery blossomed so excellently.  Stuck in the bloom of spring- it was a nice time of year to stop the flow of time.  Hoseok’s eyes widened, becoming aware of something.  

“Taehyung, is Lord Fuuta here?”  Taehyung just stopped in front of a shoji door, constant chattering behind it.  “Taehyung?” 

Taehyung just slid open the door and walked inside, Hoseok following at his shoulder.  Inside was a group of six people.  Among them, Fuuta sat in his ever-constant glory.  He smiled warmly when his eyes set on Hoseok.  

“Hoseok, I’m delighted you decided to come.”  Hoseok just raised his brow, narrowing his eyes in confusion.  Fuuta just shook his head slightly with a small smile.  “Taehyung, you neglected to inform him, didn’t you.”  

“I can’t help it, my Lord.  It’s far too fun to tease him,” Taehyung sung cheerily.  If not in the presence of his lord, Hoseok would’ve clobbered Taehyung over his head for the comment.  Taehyung turned to his friend he had continued to string along- although he wasn’t fully to blame.  “Hoseok follows me without question anyhow.  It makes it easy,” he teased.  Hoseok was glad he learned self-restraint years ago.  

Taehyung left his friend’s side, moving to take his place at a table sat in the middle of the room.  Sliding into a zaitsu chair among the other six; however, there was still one open chair left.  

Fuuta moved to stand, the other’s coming to a stand with their lord in respect.  

“Welcome to the leader meeting of Demon Hunters, Hoseok.  Please, take a seat next to Taehyung if you would.”  

Hoseok stood dumbly still among the meeting.  Fuuta and Taehyung being the only two faces he recognized.  The other five were completely new to him.  He froze being put into an environment with so many strangers with gazes focused solely on him- the outsider. 

“Are you deaf, boy?!” Hoseok jumped when out of the stagnant silence a gruff voice boomed at him.  Yelling in a belittling tone towards the hunter.  The tacted on ‘boy’ referring to himself made his brow tick down in a pulse of annoyance.  Looking, it was a monk who was now glaring at Hoseok who had raised his voice. 

Even when sat down in his chair, the man was a massive specimen.  Broad shoulders with excessively muscular definitions that pushed along his body and made the kimono covering him look pathetic in its own threaded fabric patterns; his kashaya over his shoulder a golden shade.  The monk was bald with eyebrows condensed to the point there were only two small ovals above the inner corners of his eyes.  Carrying a staff with him- it being tucked under his elbow as he sat- it was iron made with a jewel fused onto the circular top. 

Hoseok suspected this particular monk happened to be nastier than a man among men who people would seek openly. 

“Well?!” He shouted again.  Hoseok caught a few other leaders rolling their eyes.  “Are you ignoring our Lord, or will you do as your told and sit, boy?!” 

“You’ll scare him away yelling like a mad man, Bunji,” the only female attendee spoke in a diversely calm tone. Her voice leagues below the loud echo of the monk- addressed now as Bunji.  Hoseok wondered if he spelled his name with the kanji characters meaning child or govern, seeing as he wasn’t anything childlike- the chance of irony almost made his lips quirk. 

The woman who addressed the monk was shot a warning look by him. She sat calmly, eyes closed and posture straight as Bunji’s staff.  Dressed in armor much like Taehyung’s, only fitting more to her feminine body.  Armor fitting and curving her breast as she sat on the left side of Taehyung. She was obviously the female counterpart to the male samurai sat next to her across the table from the monk. 

Bunji slammed his large, rock palm on the tables wooden surface in a fit.  Absolutely no reaction came from anyone aside from Hoseok who still stood at the door.  Rowdy and obnoxious behavior must be the normal- odd to see coming from a monk.  So much for spiritual ease and relaxation such as meditation.  

“If an outsider is frightened off, so be it!  Such a low-ranked soldier should not be present!” 

“He is here under Lord Fuuta’s request,” snapped the small, nimble man dressed fully in black beside Bunji.  Jet black hair, sitting with his arms and legs crossed.  “Do not object to our Lord’s wishes.” 

Bunji seethed as another gentleman in simple kimono garbs spoke towards Taehyung down the table.  

“Shouldn’t you speak up?” 

“I won’t,” Taehyung replied.  “Anything I say will sound like favoritism since I know Hoseok personally.  I’ll abstain from any comments regarding him.” 

“That is a very wise and mature decision, Master Taehyung!” Bunji shot off in a tone completely new. His condemning demeanor vanishing and being replaced with one of pure agreement when shot at Taehyung.  The switch of his attitude nearly giving Hoseok major whiplash. 

Hoseok spun in confusion- hypothetically speaking of course. 

A few claps from the head of the table and Fuuta calmed all present bodies.  Lowering his arms back down to the table, he smiled his normal, calm smile he seemed to always have painted on his face. 

“Please do not allow Hoseok’s presence to hinder the tasked meeting at hand.  Proceed just as usual if you would.” All were quiet as they silently agreed, no one disagreeing with their Lord. The once chaotically charged room simmered down as Hoseok finally made his way to Taehyung’s right.  Sitting in front of the black-clad, small fellow and now missing the condescending look shot at him from the monk diagonally across from him. 

In a few moments of silence, attention was shifted and gathered as the meeting finally began. Hoseok was clearly out of the loop, not comprehending most topics covered.  From field reports to medical updates and deceased count.  He winced when he heard how many of his fellow Demon Hunters have died since the last meeting held- whenever that may have been. 

Once all regulated discussions were ruled out, Fuuta dismissed the meeting- only temporarily, however.  He asked that the group of 6- Hoseok included- come to the small, miniature shrine and torii he had erected at the rear of the compound.  Claiming he had something to show and discuss with them all.  

Taehyung seemed to be the only body without a puzzled expression as to why and Hoseok could tell from the minuscule smirk he bit back that he knew what would be waiting there- what the thing is Fuuta wants to discuss is. His attitude did seem altered, even a few days ago when he snuck up on Hoseok- something hid under his task of ‘just inviting’ him. 

Once dismissed with Fuuta leaving first, Bunji was quick to catch Taehyung before he left as well.  Hoseok at his back as per usual.  

“Master Taehyung, might I speak with you?!” Yet more loud respect drawing out of the burly man's mouth directed only at Taehyung.  

“Perhaps later, Bunji.  I have other matters to attend to now.”  Taehyung shot him down without a breath of hesitation.  However, the massive monk was not at all pressed by the blatant rejection.  

“Of course!  Excuse me then!” As quickly as he flocked to Taehyung’s side, he left. Hoseok moved to stand beside his friend now.  

“What is with all the ‘Master’ titling?” Hoseok bit in attitude. 

Taehyung shrugged.  “I haven’t a clue, but he’s called me that since he met me.  Perhaps it’s because I’m ranked above him in terms of skill. Or, maybe he simply knows how to respect a man as handsome as myself.” 

“Oh, please.  Could you be any more humble?” Hoseok rolled his eyes as Taehyung chuckled to himself, leaving the meeting room and remaining leaders behind.  Hoseok took the time to finally ask who each leader was and what they command.  Taehyung hushed his curiosities until the two had moved to the private silence of his quarters- a fresh cup of warm tea in Taehyung’s palm. 

“Curious about the others?  You have every reason to be I suppose,” Taehyung chuckled.  “Then, listen carefully, Hoseok.”  Hoseok nodded, sitting with Taehyung on the cushions he had placed on the floor- finally beginning to introduce each leader.  

First, was the monk Bunji- leading in spiritual expertise. An expert when it came to exceedingly advanced and potent mantras for demon extermination.  Skilled with his jeweled staff for exorcisms and many sutras kept in the chest of his kimono as his weapons for battle.  Though his stature is intimidating and larger- when pushed into physical combat, be it with a demon or otherwise, he was not so skilled.  Out of the five leaders, he was ranked the fourth; as well as the newest leader welcomed into the fold- the previous priest dying overseas. 

Next, was the only female member among the mass of men.  The onna-musha, or female warrior, called Kaori.  Descending from nobility, she fights alongside men and has clawed her path up by annihilating any competition that stood in her way; beating men who snubbed or doubted her strength into submission to secure a path of future loyalty. A fierce, nimble and talent-flexible woman, she was a force to be reckoned with.  Respecting Taehyung as her senior and male counterpart, she self-proclaimed she will one day surpass him and be the top swordmaster; not just second best.  Ranked third among the other five. 

Then, there was the bluntly rude and cold shoulder of the ninja leader.  Almost always seen covered head to toe in his official garbs of pitch-black combat, he believed his work never halts and was prepared for any outcome that may lurch his way. Constantly on guard and doesn’t seem to have a joking bone in his body.  His calm and analyzing demeanor deemed him a practical genius in the field.  He often clashed with Bunji and his boisterous attitude.  His name was Takaki.  Ranked first and head of his comrades.  The best candidate for the overall leader after Fuuta;  however, he’s expressed adamantly he does not wish for the responsibility and declined the position offered. 

Ranked the fifth of the leaders for his lack of physical strength and combat skills was Tsutsui.  An expert on anything medicine and poison.  He was responsible for treatment locations as well as keeping the tally of those that have fallen. An entire mass unit of medically trained men and women is what he oversaw as he kept the conditions of any and all hunters filed away- even Hoseok’s.  His role among his peers was absolutely vital and without him, more hunters would lose their lives.  However weak he may seem, if pushed into a corner- his extensive knowledge of potent toxins and poison he creates could gain him an upper hand in battle as well as an opening to escape. 

Finally, was Taehyung himself.  The top samurai and swordmaster among them and ranked second of five.  With Takaki’s refusal of Fuuta’s position as the head leader later in life, Taehyung was to be his new successor.  When Hoseok learned that he was shocked.  He knew Taehyung was strong, but not so strong he was Fuuta’s protégé.  It made the gap between them feel wider than the mouth of the greatest canyon Hoseok knew of. 

Taehyung took the last sip of his tea, concluding the leaders’ introductions to Hoseok. “Does that answer any questions you may have had about their identities?” 

“I… suppose.  I still do not admire that monk, However.” 

Taehyung laughed.  “Yes, well, Bunji leaves that impression on nearly any new face he comes across.  You do not need to be friends, but he is technically one of your superiors.  Grit your teeth and at least try and co-exist with him.” Hoseok scoffed as Taehyung set his clay mug aside, moving to stand and pat down his wrinkled kimono.  “Speaking of co-existing, let us take to the back shrine.  Lord Fuuta is waiting.” Hoseok only nodded unsurely, standing and striding in time to Taehyung’s steps.  

His mind buzzing at what could be waiting for him- and the other leaders- at the shrine at the rear of the compound. 

When Taehyung and Hoseok arrived, only Takaki and Kaori were present.  Kaori offering a prayer at the miniature shrine as the two men arrived under the small torii gate.  Soon after, the remaining two leaders appeared- Bunji being apologetic in the loudest way possible only towards Taehyung for arriving late; or rather, arriving later than Taehyung did.  Hoseok still inwardly curling at his obnoxiously loud boasting. 

Then, their lord arrived- his wife by his side.  Shiro carried with her a folded parasol clearly designed and crafted from the continent.  Brilliant red with flowers painted on the bamboo arms and handle.  Those present lowered their heads to the two of them.  Some drawn speechless at Shiro’s presence such as Bunji who had never properly met her before and only heard of her from Fuuta. 

Taehyung was the first to lift his head and move towards the two, walking to stand at Shiro’s opposite side and taking the parasol from her, opening it to shield her head from the sun. Unknown to the others, Taehyung had been with the couple a vast majority of the last year.  Growing close to both as he trained and prepared with Fuuta more each day to one day succeed him.  All was still as they stood among the wisteria- until the breeze shifted.  

With a shifting wind, a blue fire ignited along the ground; circling the group of leaders- excluding Taehyung- and Hoseok. The trio of Fuuta, Shiro, and Taehyung standing calm and safely outside the flames as they had absolutely no reaction to its appearance as opposed to the initial panic from those inside.  The flames rose high, licking at the tree limbs in height and keeping everyone inside; trapped in a fiery cage. 

Instinct drove everyone as they immediately took to their weapons.  Staff ready, stances rigid, swords and knives were drawn from scabbards and sheaths.  Multiple eyes scanned the fire surrounding them before something sprung from the flames. A human-shaped demon leaping straight from the aqua flames, those same flames coating its entire body like armor.  It’s heels connecting harshly with the largest target’s chest- Bunji’s.  

The force making the monk stumble backward, the demon came to a near kneel on his chest before pushing off of him, flinging themselves back into the area of the rest. Kaori was the first to act- deciding that since the demon was small in stature, she would be the best physical match.  

With each strike Kaori offered the demon evaded.  Bending back and ducking below horizontal slashes and rolling out of the way of vertical strikes.  Rolling around to Kaori’s back, the demon took to the ground like an animal before harshly slamming their palm into her ankle- kicking it harshly out from under her.  Stuck between a fall to the ground and a step to save her fall, the demon shoved Kaori under her shoulder blades and pushed her out and through the flames. 

Covered in a shroud of its own fire, the demon turned back to the remaining men inside its fiery trap.  Bunji, still holding his chest from the demon’s initial action of spring-boarding off him, acting next in a fit of hurt pride. 

Moving his hand from rest on his chest, he slipped it into his kashaya.  Throwing sutra charms at the demon he drew from his wardrobe, the demon moved to burn them before they could touch its body.  Manipulating the flames around its body like flexible armor. Getting nowhere with his charms, and throwing his lack of expertise when challenging someone much more nimble than he aside, he charged and began swinging with his jeweled staff.  Just as with Kaori, the demon evaded- in fact with Bunji’s slower time the chance to evade and strike was fruitful.  Taking each evasion and adding a tap to his body and moving around him, he soon found himself immobilized.  

Frozen like a statue as he staggered to his knees- body paralyzed from the taps to his pressure points.  Pushing their chest to the ground, a tail of flame pushed under Bunji’s chest and lifted him up and over the wall of flames, throwing him cleanly out. 

Sadly, Tsutsui was absolutely no help in a short-handed, up-close fight with nothing he could use on his person as a defense.  The demon was easily able to rid him of the battle circle by simply taking hold of his arm, levering it over its shoulder and tossing him outside with enough force to knock him into Bunji’s still immobilized body outside.  

The demon screeched when something pierced through its flame-like armor and punctured its shoulder. The fire around its body seemed to diminish just enough as the sai that was sticking out of its shoulder burned in the flames.  The demon seethed as it turned to Takaki, standing with one of his two sai’s in hand- the other lodged in the demon's shoulder. 

Charging at the ninja, the two moved as if engaged in a dance.  Flames swirling around the two as Takaki evades just as well as the demon did.  Missed strikes, tumbles, and rolls, jumping and leaping to and away from the fire of azure.  It was a standstill until Takaki managed to get behind the demon and take hold of his lost sai, ripping it out of the demon’s shoulder.  Another ear-piercing scream before it’s attention was forced off of Takaki and onto Hoseok.  

Sprinting away from its previous opponent, it shoved it’s shoulder into Hoseok’s chest, knocking his sword out of his hand, the second one of his being ripped from his side and tossed across the ground away from the action- still held in its sheath. Hoseok eyed his own blade’s metal laying above his head as he was shoved to the ground.  The second one was no use- even if he was closer to it, he would not draw it into battle.  

The demon pinned him as Hoseok held its wrists.  Hovering claws of fire singed his hair as the heat pulsed into his nostrils and burned his lungs as he breathed.  The demon was stronger than most men he sparred with.  The fire of the demon's armor rippled and something akin to familiarization shot through Hoseok.  Clenching his teeth, he pulled his legs up between the two, wrapped them around the demon's midsection- burning his keikogi in the process- and twisted his hips to push the demon sideways into a downwards roll.  Allowing Hoseok to control the momentum to turn the tables and effectively pen the demon down in his previous place.  The flames becoming diminished by the dirt below, Hoseok looked at the face of the demon recognizing it.  

“You are-” 

“That’s more than enough,” Fuuta’s calm voice sounded behind Hoseok.  When Hoseok turned his head, the fire was gone and it was peaceful at the shrine once again.  As if the circle of fire was never there to begin with. Looking around, Bunji was being treated by Tsutsui to get him moving again and Kaori was dusting herself off and rotating her ankle that was harshly palmed earlier on.  Takaki was sheathing his sais as Taehyung stood at his side- assuring him danger wasn’t around anymore.  Fuuta and Shiro stood directly behind Hoseok who still pinned the demon- much less on fire- down. 

Looking down, Hoseok saw the face of the demon who had been on the attack.  The flame armor vanished, and beneath it all sat a simple, almost human-looking demon.  Small red tattoos run to a point along the curve of her cheeks and she was dressed just like Shiro- only her kosode of white was paired with a Hakan of royal blue as opposed to Shiro’s red Hakan. Hair a mess beneath her pinned state as Hoseok glared at her fox golden eyes.

“You’re that demon from a year ago,” he muttered more to himself than to you. Hoseok was soon shoved off of you, as you brought your leg up and slammed your heel into his gut, extending your leg to throw him clear off you, landing in a puff of dirt dust.  Groaning he moved to sit, rubbing his head as Taehyung was soon beside him, offering him a hand up and both of his swords back to him. 

The group watched as Shiro knelt to your side, sitting you up and pulling your Hakan loose just enough to inspect the damage inflicted on your shoulder from Takaki’s sai earlier.  The wound seeped steam and small rolls of blood that stained your kosode.  Fuuta- pulling a cloth from his kimono- handed it to Shiro to press along your shoulder.  You hissed when her cloth-covered palm pushed into your flesh. 

“It is nothing serious,” Shiro told you softly.  You only kept quiet and sat still. 

“My Lord,” Fuuta turned when called by Takaki and his harsh voice.  “I’d like to know the situation, if I may be so bold to ask.”  The edge in the ninja’s voice certainly wasn’t one of inquiry, but sharp agitation instead. 

“Of course,” the lord smiled with a small breath.  “I was not planning to keep this a secret from you all.”  Fuuta turned to Shiro.  “Take her inside for a change of clothing.  She’s covered in blood, dear.”  Shiro nodded as she took your arm, gently lifting you to your feet.  Some leaders still stood rigid at you on your feet.  

Shiro began leading you inside as Bunji finally managing to speak- his voice previously locked with his body.  “Should we allow Lady Shiro to be alone with that demon?!” His voice rough in his attempt to gather his previously lost breath. 

“Do not be ridiculous, Bunji,” Taehyung started.  “That demon is practically harmless,” he spoke calmly, his arms tucked into his sleeves.  Hoseok stood beside his smirking friend as Fuuta agreed with his protege. 

“It is true.  Y/n poses no threat to Shiro, nor I or Taehyung.  In fact, she isn’t a threat to anyone here, so rest assured.” 

“That cannot be so.  She just attacked us, My Lord.  She is plenty harmful,” countered Takaki- still enraged from the single demon ambush. 

“She acted purely on my instruction.  She was told not to permanently harm and did as she was told, she did not.” 

“You offered more harm than anyone else did, Takaki,” Taehyung countered. 

“I only did as I’ve been trained to do.” 

“Do not get swept up in an argument,” Fuuta warned.  “Allow me to explain further.  Come, children. Let’s return inside.” Fuuta headed back to the compound, the rest following with a breath of hesitation.  Hoseok stood frozen in pure confusion as Taehyung tapped at his shoulder.  Ushering the hunter to follow- any questions he had would be answered. 

Fuuta had once again gathered his leaders and Hoseok in the meeting room. Everyone sat in tension- aside form Fuuta and Taehyung that is. 

“As you all witnessed, Y/n is a demon. A year ago, it was Taehyung and Hoseok who brought her to me upon request.  Since then, Shiro and I have trained her as a weapon to defend humans and fight back against other demons.” A mumble of simultaneous shock filtered through the room. 

“That’s impossible!” Interrupted Bunji. “Forgive me, but I cannot believe a demon is fighting on the human side of this war!” Bunji quickly kept the remainder of his objection to himself when Taehyung shot him a look of silencing. 

“When she was first brought to me, Shiro and I placed a certain type of spell on her.  A specific obedience charm.  Now, she is as human as a demon could possibly be.  That being said, she is absolutely unable to kill any innocent or defenseless human who offers her no harm.” 

Kaori slowly raised her hand to summon attention to herself.  “You say innocent, defenseless humans.  Does that mean anyone guilty of a crime can, in fact, be slane by her?” 

“Correct.  Say, for instance, she crossed paths with a band of thugs looking to rob, assault, or even kill her.  She would have free action to defend herself and if killing them means sparing her life- so be it.” 

The room was silent again.  The tension was nearly tangible.  Fuuta continued when it seemed no one else had a qualm to speak of. 

“Y/n is a fox demon and between the three of us- myself, Shiro and Taehyung- she seems to favor and obey Taehyung the most.” Eyes shifted to the samurai.  Hoseok remembered the small fox that brought him to the compound that Taehyung has claimed to ‘send’ as a messenger. 

“Is she the same fox that I followed here?” Hoseok asked Taehyung.  The samurai nodded one deep chin touch to his chest with a smile.  

“She is.  I asked her to bring you.” 

“Another example of her loyalty to humans,” Fuuta added.  “She left and willfully returned when she had the prime chance to flee from us all together since she was without supervision.  Over the last year with Y/n, we have grown to trust her.” Fuuta sighed at his leaders' stoic faces. “I do not expect anyone to accept her fully; however, all I ask is not to antagonize her.  Shiro and I consider her a daughter we were unable to bare now.” 

With his final regards, Fuuta dismissed himself, leaving the rest to ponder.  

“Can we really trust a demon?” Kaori spoke softly- a whisper like a flower petal. 

“Of course not!” Objected Bunji, quite the opposite in loudness. 

“If it's what Lord Fuuta wants, I don’t see the harm in accepting her.  He did acknowledge her and showed he was able to speak commands and have her listen and obey them at the shrine.  When he said enough, that was it- all was over and she stepped down almost immediately.”  Tsutsui spoke as he stood himself up.  “I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt out of respect for our Lord.  As fellow leaders- you should all consider it as well.”  He excused himself as Takaki left in silence- not adding his opinion on the topic of you personally on his way out. 

One by one, the room was cleared out- each person leaving with uneasy emotions until only Hoseok and Taehyung was left. Sat in silence, Taehyung heard the rattling of Hoseok’s sword shaking in its scabbard as he held it so tightly his knuckles whitened ghostlily. 

Taehyung knew so many who hated demons, but he doubted no one's fury ran as deep as Hoseok’s.  Knowing he was part of why you were here when he and Taehyung captured you a year ago, it no doubt crawled under his skin.  After what Hoseok has lost to demons, he’s justified to feel the way he does- complete and utter contempt towards your existence. 

Taehyung only reached out and pressed his fingertips into Hoseok’s neck- almost instantly settling him back down.  

“Do not dwell and calm down, Hoseok.” 

“How can I?” He bit. 

“Blame me for working with Y/n if you want, but try and understand Fuuta’s decision.  Y/n is not the enemy, Hoseok.  I promise.” He left soon after his small discussion with his long-time friend. 

Hoseok shook his head to himself.  No matter how he wished he could- he could not blame Taehyung.  He could not hate his best friend and he couldn’t put the burden of his feelings onto Taheyung’s shoulders either.  

Clenching his jaw, he cursed himself as he sat in his own deafening solitude- his constantly sheathed second sword tight in his palm. 

A week went by and slowly each leader left the compound- one way or another coming to terms that a demon was considered a comrade at this point in time.  However, all agreed that if they see you as a threat at all or at any point- they would not hesitate to lop off your head. 

Hoseok still remained in the compound, Fuuta explaining that he needed to calm his distress before going back out onto the field.  Hoseok respected his wishes and stayed put as told.  If he so much as caught a glimpse of you, he’d stop and recede back in the opposite direction.  He’d instantly be put into a sour mood- so he avoided you at any cost. 

He currently sat in his room on the second story of the compound, boredly sitting at his window- staring out at nothing but frozen in time wisteria blooms.  His attention shifted when voices below his room on the second floor were heard. 

“You’re awfully moody.  What’s wrong with you?” Taehyung spoke as Hoseok heard.  His head lifted at his friend’s voice.  

“It’s nothing,” A woman.  One voice Hoseok didn’t recognize well.  

“Do not lie to me, Y/n.” Hoseok rolled his eyes as his head lowered back down.  Boredom engulfed with immediate annoyance. 

“I want that human out of here.” 

“Be more specific. Everyone in the compound is human besides you, you know that.” 

“That stupid hunter,” you bit.  Hoseok furrowed his brow knowing you had the audacity to want him gone.  

“Hoseok?” Taehyung questioned as you only scoffed at his name.  “Listen, he’s here because Fuuta asked him to be here.  You know that.” 

“Excuse me for not wanting to be in the same vicinity as the man who put me into this situation.” 

“Y/n,” Taehyung’s voice hardened.  “Disliking Hoseok for bringing you to Fuuta is wrong.  I was the one who knocked you unconscious, carried you back and delivered you.  Hate me if you are still dwelling on the past.” Hoseok flinched at the cut in Taheyung’s voice.  Scolding you for bringing up that night last winter. 

“That isn’t fair,” you fought back. 

“Why isn’t it, then?” 

“You don’t treat me like a-!” The conversation halted into silence.  Hoseok sighed, his eavesdropping seemingly finished.  

In a flash, a hand grabbed his open window ledge before you vaulted into view. Hoseok knelt on his knee as you threw yourself into his room.  Laying flay on his back, he ducked under your body that jumped into his room- originally wanting to tackle him down.  Rolling into his room, he was thankful to finally have his sword nearby.  Drawing it, he flipped it around so the dull edge faced you.  

Lunging at him, he whacked away your open claws aimed at him with the dull of his sword, allowing him to side-step behind you.  Reaching out, he grabbed a fistful of your hair, yanking you backward and pulling you down to the ground.  Yelping, you were soon back first on the tatami as Hoseok pushed his knee into your gut, hand releasing your hair to push his palm over your throat and the other holding the tip of his sword above your eyes. 

You both glared at each other.  You kicked, trying to buck free.  The pressure on your throat increased due to your struggle, Hoseok’s way to keep you pinned.  

“Stay. Down.” Hoseok hissed.  

You bore your fangs at him.  Grabbing at his blade, your palm cutting open as you moved the blade to the side forcefully out of your face.  Your other hand grabbing the wrist of the hand of Hoseok’s on your throat, lifting it with enough force to allow you enough air to speak again. 

“Get off me, human,” you growled. 

“Give me one good reason why I should.” The blood dripping from your enclosed hand around his blade gathered in small droplet puddles beside your head, bleeding and staining the tatami.  Hoseok was momentarily astonished that your blood was red- just like his. 

You both were locked in a deadly tangle, neither letting up.  Hoseok kept you pinned down and exerted more pressure anytime a single one of your muscles twitch- you just itching to move.  You continued to growl at him as he nearly growled back out of sheer spite. 

There was a murmur of commotion outside his door and down the hall.  Both of you drowning it out to favor the ringing of rage in your own headspaces.  The shoji door slammed open as Taehyung froze for but a moment seeing you both at each other’s throats- literally. 

“Hoseok! Y/n!”  His voice hit new levels of baritone as he ran into the room and forcefully picked Hoseok off you.  Getting behind him to lift his arms under Hoseok’s, he pulled him up and took steps backward- backing the both of them away from you.  You- finally having the freedom to move- quickly sprung off your back and crouched low to the floor.  

Ready to aim low just like a wild predator would.  Taehyung saw how you hadn’t calmed down yet, so slipping loose the waraji sandals he didn’t have the time to take off in his rush inside, he kicked it off towards you.  Taehyung could even make a simple, straw sandal a weapon as it rotated with an illogical amount of speed in the air before it hit you square in the face. 

Yelping from the sudden sting, you dropped down defenseless as you held your nose and forehead, the waraji falling to the floor at your side.  Taehyung sighed seeing your shoulders slacken. 

Taehyung twisted the upper half of Hoseok’s body just enough so he could step in front of him and slam his knee into his friend’s stomach.  Hoseok- erupting into a stuttering fit of coughs- took to his knees as Taehyung released him and Hoseok held over his sore stomach.  Taehyung picked up and sheathed Hoseok’s sword, placing it away from him as he walked over to retrieve his waraji, taking off his other because only hooligans wear their shoes inside. 

It wasn’t too much longer before servants of the compound caught wind of the futile scrap and came rushing into the room.  Ready to see a violent fight between the hunter and demon ally, they were only met with both of them on their knees with Taehyung vehemently standing over the two.  He glared at the servants' late arrival. 

“By the time any of you got here, someone could’ve been seriously injured,” he scolded the staff as they flinched down.  Taehyung sighed, knowing that they weren’t truly at fault.  He directed his sights back to you and Hoseok who now both sat recovered and completely faced away from each other.  “An explanation please,” he demanded. 

“He should know,” you scoffed.  “He started it.” 

“I- what?!” Hoseok shrieked. “Listen, Fox, I did not do anything!” 

“You did! You eavesdropped on our conversation! Ever heard of privacy or manners before, human?!” 

“Y/n,” Taehyung warned.  You immediately silenced any further argument and rose to your feet, palm still dripping small drops of crimson.  Heading towards the servants and open doorway, you stopped when Taehyung called at your back.  “Where are you going off to now.” 

“Anywhere as long as I am away from him,” you announced before walking passed and away from the servants and Hoseok’s room. 

“Hoseok,” Taehyung called, looking back at the slouched down, agitation hunter. 

“Do not bother.  I don’t want to hear it.” 

Taehyung only sighed as he left the room, shooing away the servants and shutting the shoji to his room at his back- going to return his waraji back to the entrance landing.  Hoseok looked at the blood droplets stained onto his floor before scoffing and returning to stare out his window.  Far less relaxed now than before. 

You slid open your room door with enough fury to fling it out of its groves- metaphorically speaking of course.  Stepping inside and slamming it shut behind you with just as much fury.  You immediately began pulling your kosode loose and stepping out of your Hakan.  Stepping behind the byobu screen you kept in your room, you practically ripped off your clothes. 

You couldn’t stand to have the smell of that human- Hoseok on you.  The scent bled right through your clothes and you’d rather bare your breasts to the winter chill than smell like him.  As you threw your kosode over the byobu, someone entered your room without announcement. You- of course- knew who it was.  Pulling a spare kimono littered in red spider lilies from the wire on your wall, you began to change into it.  

“Go away,” you said sternly. 

“Request denied,” spoke back Taehyung. 

“I was not asking.” 

“Well, I am still not listening.” 

“Taehyung-” 

“You know attacking Hoseok was wrong, don’t you?” You were silent.  “I have no doubt your back feels like it’s on fire by now.” He was correct.  The burned talisman on your back would begin to abuse your body when you attacked anyone out of reason.  You could feel your skin pulsing under the searing pain of your back.  “You know that I need to tell Fuuta about the incident, correct?” 

“Yes,” you whispered as you fastened your obi. 

“I’ll vouch that Hoseok became offensive and you weren’t completely at fault, but you need to learn to control your temper around him.” 

“I know.” 

Taehyung left after that, leaving you with a scorching back as you collapsed to your knees in your spider lily kimono, baring the punishment of your uncalled for brawl with Hoseok on your own. 

Hoseok was called to speak with Fuuta early one morning unexpectedly.  He thought it was strange that it was Shiro who called for him, standing in front of Hoseok's door and asking for him to follow her back to her beloved husband.  Something about the air around her seemed tense as Hoseok got up and began following at her back.  Stepping lightly behind her, she spared no time to even look around the halls she leads him down.  She only kept her eyes down, just enough to see the toes of her tabi-covered feet with each step forward.

Coming to a stop at Fuuta's personal room door, she announced herself before opening the door and stepped aside in the hall, allowing Hoseok passage inside.  She herself stayed out in the hall, bowing lightly and shutting the shoji at Hoseok's back slowly before he could hear her feet padding off back up the hall. 

Hoseok saw his lord sat at his desk that was built directly from the wall.  A calligraphy brush in hand as he painted pitch black words onto an open, flattened and unwrinkled scroll.  Dressed in a kimono much different than his normal elegant ones, his hair completely free of any ties or restraints.  He turned to look at his hunter and let a small smile grace his lips. 

"Please, take a seat," Fuuta gestured to the empty cushion to his left.  Hoseok bowed a fraction before obeying him and folding his knees under himself sitting down.  His palms sat on his thighs as Fuuta resumed with his brush strokes. "I have a favor to ask of you.  Of course, I would like to ask Taehyung of the same favor, but I thought it best to run it by you first, Hoseok." 

"How come, my Lord?  Taehyung is your successor, is he not?  Why would you address any issue with me first?" Hoseok pondered as Fuuta lightly chuckled.

"True. Taehyung is like a son to me now.  He's invaluable, and he is also exceedingly loyal.  He'd do anything I ask even if he thought it ridiculous." He held his kimono sleeve with his opposite hand as he reached his arm over his table and dipped his brush in more ink.  A lock of his black hair falling over his shoulder.  "However, you are different.  You're a man of many rules and strict do’s and don'ts.  With that said, you're free to refuse my words if you so choose."

Hoseok furrowed his brows as his open palms began to curl.  "If I may, is this perchance going to involve that demon fox?"

"It is."  Hoseok bit his tongue to keep a rude scoff and eye roll at bay.  He was in front of his lord.  He cannot be rude nor can he be rash. "I know you and Y/n do not mix well, as are both of your natures.  Y/n has hated humans for a long time and you feel the same towards demons.  You both see no reason to side with each other and that isn't wrong considering both of your situations." 

"That demon's situation is no concern of mine," he said with a tone as cold as the winter air. 

"Yes, I know you feel that way.  However, this request of mine is something of importance.  I fear something tragic will take place soon."

"Something tragic?  What do you mean?" Hoseok's back shot straight as a rod.  Fuuta only shook his head.  "Lord Fuuta, what's going to happen?"

"It is not something for you to be directly involved with.  Shiro and I have been expecting this for a long time." Fuuta stopped his brush strokes and placed his brush down, setting the painted bristles over the ink jar.  He then turned towards Hoseok, looking him in the eyes.  "We wish that you and Taehyung take Y/n out of the compound."  Hoseok nearly flinched as Fuuta directed his eyes downward, back to his desk and a smile pulled his lips in the most saddening way Hoseok had ever seen.  "I've said before that Y/n is like a daughter to us both.  Taehyung considers her a young sibling and she herself has long since felt the bond and warmth that a family can bring.  You do not know it, but even that child is capable of smiling."

Fuuta stood and walked to his window, cracking it open as the sky that was covered in grey clouds would soon be spilling individual flakes from above in the afternoon. The birds of winter singing far too chipperly in the freezing weather. 

"For what's to come, I cannot honestly say." 

"Taking her off the compound is only half of the mission, isn't it Lord Fuuta?"

"I only expect you and Taehyung to have her experience more locations. She is a demon fighting for humans, she shouldn't be kept inside her entire life where the battle cannot come.  Anything after that is solely up to Taehyung."

"Taehyung? Why him specifically?" Fuuta only shook his head, turning to look down at Hoseok and placed a single finger over his curled lips. 

"That is a secret, little hunter of mine."  He gestured for Hoseok to stand and offer out his hand. Doing as instructed, Fuuta pulled something from his kimono and placed it into Hoseok's palm.  A glass flower- a crimson spider lily.  "Your final task is to take care of that small flower. Can you do that for me, Hoseok?"

Hoseok nodded even when his head was fogged with confusion. When Fuuta dismissed him, he was passed by Taehyung in the hall.  Taehyung seemed to completely ignore Hoseok's presence, rushing past him and down the hall.  Hoseok ran into Shiro again and this time instead of just bowing at him like she normally would, she stopped him. 

Silently grabbing his wrists, she placed his hands together between her own and closed her eyes.  Opening them again, she looked up at Hoseok. 

"Please, look after my girl."

Hoseok blinked down at her and before a response could form on his tongue, she dropped his hands and continued on her way.  He looked at the glass flower still sat diligently in his palm.  Just the sight of the flower made his throat constrict- like he was on the verge of tears. 

Just what was going to happen that Fuuta and Shiro were worried about?  What were his leaders and best friend hiding from him?

[xhxhxhx]

“The Only Real Exception”

After writing about the education-polarization thesis and the future of Europe and Asia, I was curious: Has Japan polarized? One of Thomas Piketty’s students studied the question. They came to a surprising answer.

As Western Europe and North America have become increasingly polarized around education and income, Japan has actually depolarized.

Western Europe and Japan started in different places. In Western Europe, the educated classes traditionally supported parties of the right. In postwar Japan, they supported parties of the left. They moved in different directions. In Western Europe, the educated moved left. In Japan, they moved right.

From Amory Gethin, “Cleavage structures and distributive politics”: 

7.6 The end of ‘cultural politics’

One of the other specificities of Japanese electoral behaviour is the fact that higher educated individuals have continuously supported left-wing parties, especially during the twenty years following the end of World War II. The historical strength of education levels in predicting party choice in Japan is well-known: it reflects the freezing of the party system which had emerged in the context of the ‘cultural politics’ of the 1950s (Watanuki, 1991).

Even when controlling for the significant improvements in citizens’ education levels since the 1960s, this pattern has persisted for most of the second half of the twentieth century. In the 1960s, 65% of the 20% least educated voters supported the Liberal Democratic Party, against 41% of voters belonging to the top education decile (figure 7.3c). During recent years, however, these differences have decreased considerably, and popular vote for the LDP has oscillated between 40% and 45% for all education groups in 2009-2014. Looking more closely at intellectual elites confirms this evolution (figure 7.3d). In 1963-1967, top 10% educated voters were indeed less likely to support the LDP by about 15 percentage points (8 percentage points after controls). This figure remained broadly stable, staying between 5 and 10 percentage points during the 1963-1996 period. Starting in 2009, however, education lost significance, even when including controls. The decline of the Social Democratic Party during the 1990s and its replacement by the Democratic Party of Japan – which culminated by its victory in 2009 – therefore seems to coincide with the disappearance of what was one of the most fundamental political divisions of Japanese society. The fact that this dealignment was sudden and occurred at the same time as shifts in the structure of party politics suggests that this process is driven by top-down mechanisms rather than long-run evolutions in collective beliefs. 

7.7 From a multiple elites party system to political indifferentiation? 

Bringing these two dynamics together points to a trend which is the exact opposite of the one observed in most Western countries (figure 7.4). In the 1960s, intellectual and economic elites were clearly separated into two different groups. On the left of the political spectrum, university graduates were highly supportive of the Japanese Communist Party and the Japanese Socialist Party, who based their appeal more on liberal values than on class antagonisms. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democratic Party attracted both low income earners and business elites. Through its defense of organized capitalism, it created strong ties with top executives and industrial leaders who participated in developing Japan’s growth model. This structure of political competition suddenly ended in 2009, when the LDP was defeated for the first time. 

While these figures suggest that Japan was originally a perfect example of a multiple elites party system, this characterisation should not be over-emphasised. Persistently strong levels of support for the party among low income earners demonstrates that the LDP has never favoured exclusively economic elites. As was highlighted above, part of its remarkable hegemony came from its ability to distribute equally the fruits of the country’s long periods of growth. The non-linearity of the relationship between income and electoral behaviour is, to some extent, an interesting representation of the Japanese social compromise, which came with its dominant-party system. 

Piketty describes Japan as the exception to the education-polarization rule. From Capital and Ideology:

The only real exception to this general evolution of the structure of political cleavages within the electoral democracies of developed countries seems to concern Japan, which has never really experienced a party system of classist type comparable to those observed in European countries and Westerners during the post-war period. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has been in power almost permanently in Japan since 1945. Historically, this almost hegemonic conservative party has achieved its best scores in the rural and agricultural world and among the urban bourgeoisie. The LDP thus succeeded in synthesizing between the economic and industrial elites and traditional Japan, around a project of reconstruction of the country, in a complex context marked by the American occupation and an anticommunism exacerbated by the Russian-Chinese proximity. Conversely, the Democratic Party (main opposition party) has generally achieved its best scores among modest and average urban employees and among the most highly qualified, who are willing to protest against the presence of the United States and the new moral and social order embodied by the LDP, but without succeeding in sustainably gathering an alternative majority8. More generally, the specific structure of the political conflict in Japan must be linked to the particular form taken by Japanese cleavages around nationalism and traditional values9.

8. See A. GETHIN, Cleavages Structures and Distributive Politics, op. cit., p. 89-100. See also K. MORI MCELWAIN, « Party System Institutionalization in Japan », in A. HICKEN, E. MARTINEZ KUHONTA, Party System Institutionalization in Asia, Cambridge University Press, 2015, p. 74-107.

9. In The Game of the Century [The Silent Cry] (1967), Kenzaburô Ôé magnificently evokes the complexity and the violence of the relations between the intellectual elites and the popular classes in Japan, in particular around the urban-rural divide, traditional values and the question of the modernization of the country since the beginning of the Meiji era (1868), without forgetting the role played by the geopolitical positioning of the archipelago, the relationship with the United States and the antagonisms aroused by the presence of Korean workers.

Perhaps Japan was a precociously modern society in the 1960s, with an educated left and a uneducated right. Or perhaps it was a “post-colonial” society, with a self-consciously anti-imperialist left. 

The Japanese experience of the 1960s can certainly sound precociously modern. In Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood (1987), one working class student was put off by the 1960s educated left:

"You know, when I went to university I joined a folk-music club. I just wanted to sing songs. But the members were a load of frauds. I get goose-bumps just thinking about them. The first thing they tell you when you enter the club is you have to read Marx. ‘Read page so-and-so to such-and-such for next time.’ Somebody gave a lecture on how folk songs have to be deeply involved with society and the radical movement. So, what the hell, I went home and tried as hard as I could to read it, but I didn't understand a thing. It was worse than the subjunctive. I gave up after three pages. So I went to the next week's meeting like a good little scout and said I had read it, but I couldn't understand it. From that point on they treated me like an idiot.

“I had no critical awareness of the class struggle, they said, I was a social cripple. I mean, this was serious. And all because I said I couldn't understand a piece of writing. Don't you think they were terrible?"

"Uh-huh," I said.

"And their so-called discussions were terrible, too. Everybody would use big words and pretend they knew what was going on. But I would ask questions whenever I didn't understand something. "What is this imperialist exploitation stuff you're talking about? Is it connected somehow to the East India Company?' "Does smashing the educational-industrial complex mean we're not supposed to work for a company after we graduate?' And stuff like that. But nobody was willing to explain anything to me. Far from it -- they got really angry.

“Can you believe it?"

"Yeah, I can," I said.

"One guy yelled at me, "You stupid bitch, how do you live like that with nothing in your brain?' Well, that did it. I wasn't going to put up with that. OK, so I'm not so smart. I'm working class. But it's the working class that keeps the world running, and it's the working classes that get exploited. What kind of revolution is it that just throws out big words that working-class people can't understand? What kind of crap social revolution is that? I mean, I'd like to make the world a better place, too. If somebody's really being exploited, we've got to put a stop to it. That's what I believe, and that's why I ask questions.

“Am I right, or what?"

"You're right."

"So that's when it hit me. These guys are fakes. All they've got on their minds is impressing the new girls with the big words they're so proud of, while sticking their hands up their skirts. And when they graduate, they cut their hair short and march off to work for Mitsubishi or IBM or Fuji Bank. They marry pretty wives who've never read Marx and have kids they give fancy new names to that are enough to make you puke. Smash what educational-industrial complex? Don't make me laugh! And the new members were just as bad. They didn't understand a thing either, but they pretended to and they were laughing at me. After the meeting, they told me, "Don't be silly! So what if you don't understand? Just agree with everything they say.'"

[...]  

"So then what happened with your club?"

"I left in June, I was so furious," Midori said. "Most of these student types are total frauds. They're scared to death somebody's gonna find out they don't know something. They all read the same books and they all spout the same slogans, and they love listening to John Coltrane and seeing Pasolini movies. You call that "revolution?"'

"Hey, don't ask me, I've never actually seen a revolution."

"Well, if that's revolution, you can stick it. They'd probably shoot me for putting umeboshi in my rice balls. They'd shoot you, too, for understanding the subjunctive."

"It could happen."

"Believe me, I know what I'm talking about. I'm working class.”

But those dynamics changed. Today, Japan is about as polarized by education as France and the United States were in the 1970s and the United Kingdom was in the 1990s: the more educated and the less educated vote the same way. 

I am still interested in whether Japan has depolarized at the level of opinion and policy. Under Shinzo Abe, the country has liberalized. It has more immigration and more women in the workforce. Perhaps that reflects the preferences of an increasingly educated population.

But it might be something else. The Liberal Democrats have a freedom of action that parties in competitive systems do not enjoy. In the United States, Democrats and Republicans must respond to changing preferences. In Japan, the Liberal Democrats can, more often than not, ignore them.

Perhaps Abe simply decided that cultural conservatism is not a winning program. But perhaps the country is changing beneath his feet. 

[granddaughter-ogg-toshi-blog]

Aizawa VS Toshi’s reader girlfriend

The whole man was creeping you out. He always looked scruffy and exhausted, with black unkempt hair falling over a face that held an eternal expression you’d best describe as “out of fucks to give.” This raggedy weirdo clearly gave some fucks about you. They were just not...positive fucks.

“I've never seen Toshinori Yagi this happy, and apparently, no one else has. If you break his heart, I will break your bones."

Warning - mentions of sex work.

Of course, Toshi introduced you to his acquaintances.

You'd waver to actually call them "friends". It seemed that the most popular hero in Japan didn't have many. He'd explained this to you in a ruefully stoic manner. You were left with no urge to pry further.

So - his fellow teachers. Most of them seemed nice, if a bit eccentric.

They would be, you'd remind yourself. They were living the high-octane life of crimefighting and wrangling moody teenagers (you couldn't decide which job scares you more.) Nether the less, these colourful folks accepted you into the fold. They seemed glad that All Might is ("finally!" as Present Mic shouted into your ear) living his best life post-retirement.

You liked this Mic. He was a loud, excitable fellow with a penchant for spikes and silly hair. He doused you with infectious enthusiasm, providing an instant sense of camaraderie. You could tell that Toshi is fond of him, too; no matter how much of a wilted violet he appeared to be when standing next to the motormouth.

Then there was Midnight. A bold, self-assured woman who refused to feel bad for making men horny. The world was her lingerie catwalk, while the bystanders' stiffies were entirely on them. You couldn't help but endorse such spunk. Midnight took you under her well-manicured wing and requested to know All The Juicy Details. Fending this woman off seemed like art you’ll have to master, for when it came to her, basic tact was something that happened to other people.

There was Cementoss, a quiet, unassuming man who seemed to respect Toshi a great deal.

And then there was Aizawa. Damn Aizawa. You couldn't tell who All Might was to him, exactly. He'd treat your man with the same scathing deadpan he served to anyone else. Except you. You, as it seemed, were not worth his barbs.

He was wary around Toshinori’s sweetheart.

He’d keep his distance. He'd ignore any of your awkward attempts at making small talk. This dude has perfected flat, dismissive silence to a fine edge. Someone mentioned once that Aizawa-kun doesn't make friends easily.

You couldn't help but wonder how did he make any at all.

This man would avoid socializing with you like an alley tomcat that doesn't want your treats.   All the same, wherever you're turned your back at him...you’d feel his bloodshot eyes watching you. Boring into the back of your skull.

His dark stare had an almost gravitational pull to it. It was exasperating. Yet the moment you spun on your heels, ready to pounce, ready to ask "what's your problem, dude?" - Aizawa would just shrug and walk away.

It started to creep you out.

The whole man was creeping you out. He always looked scruffy and exhausted, with black unkempt hair falling over a face that held an eternal expression you’d best describe as “out of fucks to give.” This raggedy weirdo clearly gave some fucks about you. They were just not...positive fucks.

One day you decided to do something about it. That stupid tension was bad for your nerves, and you were sure Toshi’s gonna notice it sooner or later. You didn’t want to worry your beloved beanpole of a man. Less even - to cause him grief. And that's what would happen if he was to know that one of his coworkers indirectly gives you shit.

An occasion presented itself a week later. The teachers were getting out together after hours. Naturally, Toshi proposed that you join them. He was ears deep in amorous high, having an actual girlfriend to parade around for the first time in who-knows-how-long (you certainly didn’t.) No one wanted to snag this pink cloud of bliss from under him. Not by suggesting that you and Class 1A homeroom teacher don’t go along. You certainly didn’t.

A few hours later the empty soba dishes layered the table at the small, cosy joint, while collars got looser and moods got way lighter. You watched Toshi grinning, flushed from the minuscule amount of drink that he probably shouldn’t have, deep in some conversation with his friends. There was a lot of commotion going on; there had to be wherever Mic was, ahem, present. Laughter rang in the air. You’ve had the rest of this sake that Toshi wetted his lips in ("Indirect kiss...oh my!" he'd observe with innocent glee, and you giggled), so the idea that flashed in your brain seemed perfect. Right now he wouldn’t mind if you disappeared for a while...right?

“I’ll be right back, love”, you murmured into the pointy ear, which emerged from that ruffled flaxen hair. Oh, how you loved that bush. Had to mentally restrain oneself from submerging your face in it now, when the others were watching. Your man gave you a tipsy smile and went back to what he was saying. You stood up and made a beeline for the restroom.

Passing Aizawa on the way, you whispered sharply: “You. Asshole. Follow me.”

It was not a very cordial invitation. To your deepest astonishment - it worked.

Damn, that guy could walk like a cat, too. The utter absence of sound from his footsteps made the little hairs on your nape stand straight.

You two went outside, where the summer Japanese night was in full bloom; the huge moon, the flower petals bristling in the wind, the cicadas doing their thing.

It didn’t sweeten your mood one bit. You faced the guy - a dark, motionless silhouette with arms folded on his chest - and shot away what was coiling on the back of your tongue:

“Wow, so you do react to words.”

“Whenever it feels necessary.” That was not even a jab. It was a bare statement of a fact. You felt dismissed, and that made you angry.

“What is your deal, Aizawa-san?” you asked, trying to penetrate the dark, to peer into those dispassionate eyes.

“You'll have to be more precise than that.”

“I mean it!” He wasn't much taller, but you felt a sudden, desperate urge to stand on your toes so that he would finally take you seriously. Approached you like an adult. "You've made a huge deal of avoiding me all this time. I don't want Toshi to feel bad about this, but he's bound to notice. What's your problem with me? Do I stink?" A normal person would probably chuckle. Aizawa remained silent - and as immobile as if his feet were planted in the ground. The silence lingered. Thank fuck for the enthusiastic cicadas. "Well then?..." That was one step - just one move, impossibly fluid and frightfully fast. Suddenly Aizawa Shota was all up in your grill. Your throat got dry.

"You ask what is my problem with you?" The words felt like bullets, each one fast and precise, no room for any sugar to coat their lead at all. Deadly.

"My problem is that I don't trust you. Who are you? Where did you come from? He’s lived this heroic celibate existence for years now, and suddenly there's a much younger woman, attached to him at the hip. A quirkless one, from what I gather. Non-Japanese. A complete outsider. So I'm gonna ask you: what do you want from All Might? What is your deal?"

Your lips probably formed a perfect O. You took two long, staggering breaths, one after another. Then you tried your damnedest to compose oneself. This was preposterous...and very, very rude. But this guy obviously couldn't care less, and his offhand approach had some foundation in common sense. For All Might was a national treasure, a worldwide-known celebrity, and you were nothing. The jerkass had a point. So you spoke. "Who am I, indeed? Perfectly no one. I could tell you how Toshi and I met, but it was not one bit the romantic affair he makes it to be." Aizawa unfolded his arms and stuck his hands into his pockets. "Try me." You inhaled slowly. Truth or dare. "I used to be a sugar baby. That's a fancy millenial name for a sex worker. I bet such a down-to-earth man as yourself is familiar with the term." Aizawa nodded. "Toshi...I mean, All Might saved my life. Literally. It was just before that...thing which happened in Kamino. I was getting home after a gig, my purse bursting with banknotes, and some small-time punk decided I'm his next meal ticket. I kicked him in the groin and cried for help. And boy, did the help came."

You could not smile at that distant memory.

"All Might made sure that I got home safely. He was such a sweetheart. I thought: hey, what the hell, it's not like I'm gonna meet a man like this ever again, not within this shitty existence I'm living. So I gave him my number. Told him who I was - or rather, what I was. He didn't care. One thing led to another...and here we are months later. I love him."

You tried to keep your voice firm and level. You really tried.

Aizawa listened intently. You could almost feel the cogs under that ratty hair turning. "It was the logical thing to do", he said finally. His voice was calm. "Excuse me?" "Giving him your number. You found yourself at the end of that particular line, saw a light in the tunnel, and decided to grasp that light." You stared into his pale, unshaven face, looking for any trace of mockery. Was this socially challenged bastard judging you? "You think it’s a bad thing that I did?" Your voice got a little wet. Scratchy. Aizawa shook his dark head. "Not in the slightest. Judging from the outcome, I'd say it was for the best for both parties involved." Your eyes went wide. You sure as hell didn't expect this. "Well then? Are we good?" "Just one thing." He lifted a finger. "Do you know how gullible this man is? How desperately starved for affection?" You felt your pulse rush. "Now then, that's completely uncalled for -" Aizawa seemed undeterred with your discomfort. Those dark eyes remained glued to your face. "Do you?" You gulped. "Well, he goes out of his way to see the best in everyone..." you ventured. He clicked his tongue. "Exactly. And that's what makes him vulnerable. I've never seen All Might this happy, and apparently, no one else has. If you break his heart, I will break your bones." "Like hell I would!" you snapped, furious. You stood there, glaring at this impossible bastard, and he glared back. You must've looked like two samurai from an old movie. But who has just dealt the victorious blow? "Oh, I see," you grinned finally. "This is your way of caring for him. How very sweet." Aizawa hissed under his breath like a miffed feline. "I don't care for him." "Yes, you do. Yes you do! You're a good friend to have, Aizawa-san, even if a little unorthodox in your approach." He emitted a sound that could only be described as a "tch", shrugged and spun on his heel, showing you that this conversation is over. "Yeah, let's get back inside", you cooed. "Toshi's probably looking for me right now." "...don't tell him what I just told you." "Oh, I wouldn't for the world. It's gonna be our dirty little secret." "Tch."

[satbiym]

Chapter 1: Dragon Yuuri AU

The Last Dragon: Flight by satbiym

Word Count: 2.2K, Chapters: 1/?, Warnings: None 

Written for prompt 95 of @wewritevictuuri​ “There’s no going back if we do this.”

Summary:

Beware traveller, for here be dragons…”

I sure fucking hope so, Victor thought as he pushed open the door to the fenced off caves.

Upon being commissioned to make a serious documentary on dragons by a rich tycoon; famous scientist, Victor Nikiforov was determined to rise to challenge and overcome all barriers that stood in his way; even if one of those barriers was the fact that dragons didn’t technically exist.

A rumour of a so-called dragon skeleton has Victor rushing to film the results, only, the skeleton brings more questions than answers. Every scientist worth their salt knows not to bias their results with personal opinions, but...

Dragons aren’t real, right?

Although, the blue dragon in front of him is pretty convincing evidence to the contrary.

Continuation of a fic originally written for the @isekaiyoizine​

Read it on AO3 or below!

No creature above all others has haunted our imagination, on land and in the air, like the dragon.

Dragons have left their mark in the folklore of our ancestors, but what if these fantastic stories were more than myth?

What if the legends of these magnificent creatures were true…

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The locals called Hasetsu 'inauspicious', steering clear of it and making sure it remained undisturbed by both man and machine. Unfortunately, the advent of progress and the greed of man waits for none, and eventually, eyes turned towards Hasetsu to satisfy the need for more, more, more.

They laughed off the warnings of the locals and dismissed their stories as ramblings of the uneducated, for who else would cite folklore as reason enough to throw away potentially millions of dollars in real estate?

Palms were greased, permits were signed and companies were hired to build the next iteration of the future.

The engineers responsible for construction expected to find only overgrown flora and fauna, something they knew how to handle. But what they didn't expect was to find themselves right in the middle of a centuries-old crime scene.

The Chief Engineer took off his hard-hat and resisted the urge to curse as the smell of vomit mixed with the already putrid smell of human remains. This project had just gotten a lot more complicated.

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This is the story of a unique family that survived from the time of the dinosaur to make a final stand four hundred years ago, a scientific exploration of a remarkable species...

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"Victor Nikiforov, you have been the face of Paleontology and are considered one of the most important scientists of this millenium. We are curious - what do you think about when you're in the field, trying to discover something?" The talk-show show asked, as the children around them, visible even though the bright stage lights, screamed their approval.

Victor smiled a bit and straightening his glasses, said, "To be honest, Ellen, I try not to predict what I might find as this might taint my results and may even make me unable to see what's right there in front of my eyes, simply because it didn't fit with my worldview. I prefer to choose science over emotions in that sense."

Ellen laughed, sounding delighted, and chimed, "There you have it, folks! From the mouth of one of the best scientists in recent history! Don't taint the results!"

"Well that, and remember kids, the only difference between science and messing around is..." Victor said, lilting and urging.

"Writing it down!" the audience shouted back.

"Beautiful!" Ellen said, miming wiping away a tear, "You are all wonderful scientists! And with that we take a break before we come back and Victor here will show us how to properly excavate during a dig and who knows what we'll find there..."

Victor kept smiling as commercials rolled and the makeup artist came over to refresh his look, silently handing over a tissue to Victor's murmured thanks.

"The lights, huh?"

Victor looked over at Ellen and huffed out a wry laugh, "Yeah, even after doing this for five years, my eyes still tear up."

Leaning forward, she said, "Well, despite them, you did a wonderful job today. But now that the cameras are off, I am curious about something…"

Forcing his smile from stilting, Victor quirked an eyebrow and gave her a nod to go ahead, affecting curiosity despite knowing the question.

"I guess, what I really want to know is - what can we expect next from Victor Nikiforov?" Ellen asked, unaware of the dread pooling in Victor's gut.

Victor hummed, as if considering the question, and with a tone that belied the reality that this very question had lead to many sleepless nights, said, "To be honest, I don't know myself. My field is highly dependent on nature, and nature is the most imaginative creator of them all. You could either try to constrain it by leasing it like a wild horse or make sure you've held on tight and enjoy the ride. Personally, I prefer allowing myself to be surprised. It's more fun that way."

"And make sure you don't fall off, yeah?" Ellen asked mischievously, shattering the ice around Victor's throat.

Victor laughed, and nodded, "Oh, yeah, that too."

Ellen shook her head, amused, "Ever the diplomat. Fine. Keep your secrets, Victor Nikiforov, I guess I'll just have to wait, like the rest, for your next act."

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… This is the natural history of the most extraordinary creature that never existed.

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Victor resisted the urge to fidget as the helicopter began its descent, he hadn't expected to wake up this morning to a message from the office of the CEO of Paladin Ventures requesting his presence at his earliest availability. Considering Paladin Ventures was responsible for his current multi-million dollar grant that enabled him to continue his research while maintaining his freedom from the leashes of academia…

Let's just say, Victor's earliest availability was suddenly a lot sooner than it had been yesterday.

And if the haste with which the helicopter had been sent over at his acquiescence, the media mogul who was responsible for more than half the world's research funding in areas like paleontology, history and restoration, was just as eager to meet him.

Victor could feel his stomach twist, a sensation that only visited him whenever he was on the cusp of something life-changing, he had a feeling that this meeting was going to be the answer he had been looking for.

"We're here, sir. The Paladin is waiting for you." The pilot said, pointing outside, where a seemingly ordinary man stood, smile visible even from the helicopter.

The man waved on seeing them, and ran towards them, opening the chopper's door before anyone else could and shouted over the noise of the blades.

"There you are, Victor! I have a mission for you and it's all our dreams come true!"

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

As a kid, I was mad about dragons;

Dragons from the high seas, flying dragons from Greenland, fire-breathing dragons from Europe and here's the thing that got me, these myths came from all over the world, right? From cultures that could never have met and yet from the Andes to the Himalayas you could hear stories of dragons and…

Here's a kid's best guess, the only way that's possible is if the stories were real.

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

Victor, seated in a helicopter for the second time in 24 hours, was still reeling from the information he had received, been commanded to verify and document.

They've found something, in Japan. Something the Japanese government is very hush-hush about, but I was able to finagle a first look at. Of course, if it turns out to be a hoax… but anyway! If it is what the rumours say it is… well then, it would all have been worth it. I need you to go and bring back all you find.

Victor closed his eyes, when he remembered the fanatic and helpless excitement on the Paladin's face, like this was the break he had been looking for.

But, empathy or not, Victor couldn't see how what the Paladin had told him could possibly be true. There was just no way that-

"Do you believe the story the Richie Rich's trying to sell us, Baldie?" a voice said, aggressive in intent and content.

Eyeing the pilot who was still focused on flying, thank god, Victor smiled and lightly said, "Nature isn't constrained by our imagination, Yura. Remember-"

"Yeah, yeah," Yuri asserted derisively before laying a hand on his chest and as if reciting an oft-repeated phrase, "Don't predict what you might find as this might taint the results yada, yada, yada. Yes. I've heard the press spiel, Victor, but you cannot tell me you seriously believe him?! All rich people have their eccentricities. His is just sending us on a pointless goose chase."

Victor laughed lightly, "Why Yura, I didn't know you watched my interviews!"

Despite the rage emanating from Yuri's silence, Victor, from the backseat, could see the way Yuri's ears went red.

"You - shut up! You're insufferable! And impossible to avoid, you're everywhere, it's disgusting!" Yuri spluttered, ears still a bright cherry red.

Victor opened his mouth to parry back, but was cut off by a curt sound from the pilot. They turned, only to see a barren wasteland that looked as though it had been abandoned in a hurry, greet them welcome.

They had, it appeared, arrived in Hasetsu.

And by the uniformed person waiting for them, they had a welcoming party.

Victor got off the helicopter, but the noise and wind weren't enough to block out the first words from the person outside's mouth.

"I don't know what you're expecting to find here Dr. Nikiforov, but this ain't like your usual kind of dig."

Victor smiled wanly as Yuri cursed lowly behind him as he carried the equipment out of the helicopter, and stepped forward to shake the uniformed policeman's hand, replying "Thank you for your concern, but there is always something that can be learnt from every experience. What happened exactly?"

The policeman just shook his head, gesturing toward them to follow him, said "Then I'm afraid, this is something you need to experience yourself to understand. I'm the Chief of Police around here, but even I haven't seen anything like this. Come on then, might as well get right to it."

Bemused, Victor followed along, with a grumbling Yuri behind him.

As they walked into the forest, the trees becoming denser and more untouched by the machinations of the contractors, the Chief explained, "We told the higher-ups that this forest was cursed. For centuries no one has ventured up here, and we were right not to! For look what they found!"

Yuri sighed irritably, "You're trying to tell me that some centuries-old human remains were enough to warn an entire village off of the forest? You've got to be kidding me."

Victor sent Yuri a warning look, as the Police Chief shuddered, "It wasn't the human remains that were the problem, young man."

"Eh?" Yuri said, forehead beaded with sweat from carrying around the equipment under the hot sun, but the Chief wasn't willing to answer any further questions.

They walked into a forest that seemed almost regal in its staid dignity, sun filtering through the trees and the chirping of the birds. If it wasn't for Yuri's continued grumbling, Victor would have thought he had entered a whole new world. They walked deeper until the light of the sun was almost blocked by the overarching trees, forcing Victor to rely on his torch.

The ruins emerged from the trees, tall and proud, despite the weight of the years and beseeching weather.

Even Yuri couldn't stifle a gasp as they walked towards the almost palatial dwelling that the ruins seemed to be built around, the stones in the path glittering.

"What-" Yuri started to ask, before he gasped, almost dropping the equipment he was carrying.

Victor was distantly aware of the Chief praying beside him, but even the proximity of the noise couldn't make him turn his eyes away from the scene in front of him.

Dark marks surrounded the center dwelling, across the glittering paths, burning its way through the tens of hundreds of fallen human bodies on the ground.

But, that wasn't what gave them all pause.

It wasn't the human remains that were the problem, young man.

"Is that - What are that those?!" Yuri shrieked as he pointed at the other remains strewn around the dwelling.

Victor had always believed that nature could not be predicted or contained, but even he couldn't believe the sight in front of him: skeletons with bone structures he had never seen before, with the smallest one towering over them, as tall as a skyscraper and just as slim.

Victor slowly set his bag down to investigate further, only to have his arm be grabbed by Yuri.

"What do you think you're doing?" Yuri exclaimed, eyes wide.

"What I was sent here to do, Yura." Victor said gently.

"No! This isn't your job, this is- is- something neither one of us signed on for! It's unnatural!" Yuri said shrilly, still staring at the skeletons with a frantic look in his eyes.

"Yura." Victor said simply.

At that, Yuri seemed to remember himself, eyes losing their bewilderment, but he still clutched Victor's arm tighter, unwilling to let go.

"Yura." Victor tried again, and said evenly, "We are scientists. It is our responsibility to make sense of the seemingly unnatural. Even if it means that our lives will never be the same again, we must move forward and tell the story that is true and not just the story we want to hear. Now, I am going to figure this out, I cannot promise what we'll find, but… if you want, you may take the helicopter back home if you so choose."

Yuri for the first time since they'd seen them, looked away from the skeletons, and back at Victor, studying his face for a moment before shaking his head and ruefully murmuring, "There's no going back if we do this, is there?"

Victor let his silence be Yuri's answer.

Yuri took a deep breath, released Victor's arm and with finality, nodded, "Alright then, let's see what we can dig up."

[recsnrecaps]

Meteor Garden (2001) Recap: Episode 1

Hi folks, it's 2019 and I'm finally fulfilling my childhood resolution to watch this drama. You have no idea - Meteor Garden was such a hit back in the day. However, back then it was only available either at specific time slots on TV or on crappy VCDs that were passed around the community (i.e. schoolgirls and aunties). I never could be bothered to watch it properly.

Imagine my surprise when I chanced across it on Netflix. I am aware that there's a 2018 remake of Meteor Garden, as well as the Japanese Hana Yori Dango and the Korean Boys Over Flowers, but the 2001 Taiwanese version is the original drama that spawned the madness. The buzz around the 2018 version is laughably negligible compared to the craziness in 2001. I'm so ready to experience the magic of 流星花园.

So without further ado, here we go.

Episode 1: Summary

We are introduced to Shan Cai (Barbie Hsu), who rides a crappy scooter to school. Right off the bat we realize that the school caters to the rich and the elite, where students are decked out in designer wear and get NT500000 (~ USD16000) nose jobs during the school holidays.

The fashion rivalry between classmates Bai He (Belinda Cheng) and Qian Hui (Zhang Ruo Zhen) cracks me up. It's petty, exaggerated, and deliciously obnoxious, solidly setting us viewers up with the premise of a school drama about rich kids.

A very normal Li Zhen (An-ting Yeh) appears to be Shan Cai's classmate and friend. She's pretty serious about her homework, having borrowed extra books to read up for the upcoming report assignment. Shan Cai laughs that Li Zhen might be the only student serious about studying in this school, everyone else comes to socialize instead. I’m guessing Li Zhen is on scholarship and needs to maintain her grades.

We cut to a classroom with a boy clearing out his books in order to drop out of the school. A crowd forms around him and the teacher (Bu Xue Liang) approaches to find out why he is leaving and to persuade him not to. However, upon finding out that the boy had offended F4, the teacher doesn't push the matter and instead encourages the boy to leave. Shan Cai watches helplessly from the sidelines and rolls her eyes at the hypocritical teacher.

In class, in a further act of hypocrisy, the teacher gives a lecture on the value of conscience.

Conscience. It's what we call 'moral courage'. It's the most basic quality mankind should have. In Chinese history, Confucius had the strongest conscience. Today, we'll discuss his core thinking. It focuses on benevolence. By benevolence, it means you do unto others what you would want them to do unto to you.

Unable to stomach his empty words, Shan Cai leaves the classroom in a huff. She heads to the roof launching a tirade against the unfairness of the University and coins the term "Pig Head 4". "So what if your family owns the school," she declares. "You better not mess with me. I'll never submit to you."

The 4 in question are just arriving at the University in their comfortable chauffeured rides. We get to watch the boys saunter around and the camera obliges with close ups on each one of them as they stride into campus.

Dao Ming Si (Jerry Yan aka Yan Cheng Xu)

Hua Ze Lei (Vic Zhou aka Zai Zai aka Zhou Yu Min)

Xi Men (Ken Chu aka Zhu Xiao Tian)

Mei Zhuo (Vanness Wu aka Wu Jian Hao)

Shan Cai and friend watch in horror as the teacher accidentally bumps into Dao Ming Si, spilling coke all over him. Apologizing frantically, he kneels over Dao Ming Si, attempting to wipe the soda off his shoes. Dao Ming Si ignores his apologies and we get to hear his trademark catchphrase, "If apologizing is enough, what do we need police for?"

Dao Ming Si waves the teacher off to the side and viciously kicks over the basket of balls while striding off. Shan Cai gapes in amazement at his arrogance. Suddenly, a hand reaches out to righten the fallen basket. It's Hua Ze Lei (known as Lei to his friends), who has a perpetually blank expression on his face and appears to be the only member of the F4 who isn't a douche. While adjusting the basket, he turns and makes brief eye contact with Shan Cai, then hurries off after Dao Ming Si.

At the cafe where Shan Cai works part time, she complains to her co-worker Xiao You (Rainie Yang) about her awful school and the awful boys. It’s exposition time! We learn that F4 Stands for Flower 4, and the boys belong to 4 rich and influential families who own the school. When Xiao You prompts her to confirm that the boys are really all that bad, Shan Cai hesitates and says that maybe one of the 4 is “different”. Methinks she’s starting to have a crush on someone!

As the two continue their conversation, we learn that Shan Cai used to be very outspoken against bullies, in contrast with her current passive nature. Xiao You remarks that she hardly recognizes the Shan Cai now. Inwardly, Shan Cai agrees, hating herself for turning into a coward.

When Shan Cai returns home, she makes an attempt to tell her family she doesn’t want to continue studying at this school. Unfortunately, her mother would hear nothing of it. Turns out her mother had pulled strings to get her daughter into the elite Yingde University. Her mother is fixated on Shan Cai getting a good boyfriend from school and networking well with people from high society so that their family can ascend into a higher social strata. Shan Cai’s poor dad gets berated by his wife for not getting a promotion for the past many years, unlike their neighbors. As the parents bicker, the resentments pile up, making for very awkward dinner conversation. In order to pacify them, Shan Cai promises that she would continue to study at Yingde University.

What a weird couple.

That evening, the F4 hang out at a bar. The boys appear unaccustomed to such a venue, noting with puzzlement that the establishment doesn't serve foie gras or vintage wine. We get to hear them in conversation for the first time ever, teasing Dao Ming Si about his unruly hair and his rigorous hairstyling session to tame it. Lei remains ever silent, using only a thumbs down gesture to communicate his opinion on Dao Ming Si’s new hairstyle. Throughout the night, he keeps staring at his mobile, as if awaiting a call.

It turns out that the boys are only there because Xi Men's latest girl wanted to meet Xi Men at the bar. Which begs the question - why are the other 3 following  Xi Men on his date?! In any case, according to show logic, it’s the right course of action as everyone is present when the loser boyfriend of Xi Men’s girl shows up with a gang of hooligans and causes a scene. The boys slip into action and begin beating up the hooligans. All except Lei, who gets up and slips the owner of the bar NT15000 (~USD500) for the damages before leaving.

The next day at school, Shan Cai stands up for Li Zhen who had accidentally tripped and spilled dirt all over Dao Ming Si. I actually feel sorry for the poor dude who keeps getting things spilled on him. To put a stop to Li Zhen’s apologies, Dao Ming Si does his usual rough shove and pushes Li Zhen into the wall, incurring the wrath of Shan Cai. She shouts at him, calling him a parasite leeching off his parents and declares that the F4 should be called Pig Head 4. Dao Ming Si announces that she has some nerve and stalks away. As the four boys walk past, she thinks to herself that she's going to be dead meat.

At home, she receives zero support from her parents when she mentions once again that she wants to quit school. Instead her manipulative mother fakes a panic attack that miraculously subsides when Shan Cai promises to finish her studies. That night, Shan Cai sleeps restlessly, dreaming of being tormented.

At school, Shan Cai receives the F4 red card and a series of montages show how her life becomes hell. Everyone shuns her, even Li Zhen and Shan Cai is subjected to prank after prank. Finally, a drenched and annoyed Shan Cai escapes to the roof. She leans over the ledge and yells her heart out, cursing the Pig Head 4 with bankruptcy and high cholesterol, for their bodies to be ripped apart by horses and their souls to go to hell. Haha, how inventive. She doesn’t realize that Lei was on the roof too, privy to her outburst. She startles when he asks her if there was anything else. What a delightfully awkward moment. Shan Cai backs away warily as Lei leans forward, but he was only offering her his handkerchief. She accepts it and dabs at her wet hair. Softening up to Lei, she thanks him and begins to apologies for her earlier curses. However Lei cuts her short saying “I’m not interested in other people’s business.” He turns to leave and Shan Cai makes to return him the handkerchief. He ignores the gesture and tells her to throw it away as it is already garbage anyway.

What an awful thing for Shan Cai to hear. He is insinuating that because she used the handkerchief, the handkerchief no longer has any value to him and deserves to be in the trash. Shan Cai thinks back to her earlier assessment of Lei and concludes that he must not be so different from the other 3 after all.

The episode ends with Shan Cai heading home with her scooter. Except this time she has to wheel it along the road because her fellow students had damaged it. A flashy convertible pulls up beside her, and Dao Ming Si leans out to gloat at her. He tells her that he’s impressed with her determination, and will work harder to humiliate her.

Episode 1: Thoughts

Oh where do I begin! This episode does a good job of setting up so many interesting characters, especially the F4. Dao Ming Si appears cocky and rude, but he's the quintessential bad boy. I fully expect a redeeming arc on how he is actually a big softie. In contrast, Lei is mysterious and charming. I wonder what's the story behind his anti social behavior. The other two members kind of fade into the background as we haven't actually seen them do anything except pose and strut around. As for our heroine, Shan Cai, I suppose she's relatable enough as a first lead. We’ve met her family, schoolmates and friends and have a decent insight into her motivations for her actions. I'm so excited for her to show some spunk and challenge the boys to a showdown soon. 

Despite being 18 years old, the show retains its charm. Unfortunately, fashion-wise the show has not aged well at all. What we have here is literally a time capsule of dated 90s trends such as spaghetti strap tops, rebonded hair and frameless spectacles. Plus Dao Ming Si’s ridiculous bandanna is just absurd.

We know in hindsight that this show kickstarted the entertainment careers of these 4 actors of F4. In 2001, after Meteor Garden aired, Sony Music Taiwan signed the 4 boys as an actual boyband bearing the name F4. It’s amazing how these formerly virtually unknown 4 individuals owe their success to this show.

Onward to the next episode!

[feelingfredly]

The Fox Guards the Wolf

Part Twelve

Protecting the Pack

The pachinko parlor was dark and quiet.  Anyone looking in from the street would think it was empty, but the locals knew better, and knew better than to comment.

“It was terrible, just terrible.” Mahjong tiles clicked in the background, and Kisuke wondered whether the players in the back room were there to put him at ease, or to remind him that even having a room full of witnesses wouldn’t keep him safe if Mamushi decided it was not to be so. “And with one of my pets, no less. It’s almost as if someone was trying to send a message—the question being, was it a message for Okura-san, or a message for me?”

A tattooed hand reached out and poured whiskey into Kisuke’s glass. The blond had brought a bottle as befitted a guest in Mamushi’s house, but he would never be so rude as to pour his own. “But we both know Okura-san tends to underestimate the importance of self-preservation when he sets himself upon a particularly focused path. It isn’t a surprise that he overlooked the threat.  He has always believed he was the most dangerous animal in the room. It was a misconception that was bound to bite him sooner or later.”

Mamushi sipped his own drink and clicked his tongue in disapproval. If it weren’t for the scars on his face and the tattoos covering his arms, he would look like a disapproving uncle.  As it was, he looked like exactly what he was. Deadly.

“I hope he has learned his lesson.” Black eyes focused on Kisuke. “I would hate for someone to get the wrong impression. My poor pets have a bad enough reputation as it is.”

And there it was: a warning not to drag Mamushi into his business again. He’d be a fool to ignore it, but time would determine how things played out.  Perhaps he could sweeten the man’s disposition, though, just in case.

“I’m sure he has, Koyama-sama.”  Kisuke made a sound in his throat. “Another mistake like that could be deadly, and while Okura-san may not always have the strongest sense of self-preservation, I think after this close a call he will understand the need to be extra careful.”

His whiskey was almost gone, but Kisuke didn’t put his glass down.  He swirled the amber liquid slowly. “I did hear he refused to remain under a doctor’s care.  Already back to work, and on such clever things, too!  One of the people he recently hired came straight from one of the United States’ finest computer science programs.  They say Taka-chan recruited him right out from under his own government! It is impressive, even though it is rather depressing to know that there is so little loyalty to one’s own people these days.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a panda shaped thumb drive and slid it silently across the table. “I think loyalty is supremely important, don’t you Koyama-sama?”

The panda disappeared with a quick flash of fingers.

“It is amazing what people can do with computers.” The old man nodded his head sagely. “My grandson is studying them at the University of Tokyo. He intends to come back and work with his father. He has made the family very proud.”

Kisuke saluted the news with his glass. “Knowledge is almost as important as loyalty. You are lucky to have his intelligence, and your grandson is lucky to have such a supportive family.”

Koyama gave a wily smile.  “He is the epitome of the Japanese businessman. Not just some bakecho. Smart. He’s free from the bouhaijoukou, but he will be as dangerous in the boardroom as any of my family has ever been outside of it.”

“The news loves to report on the death of the Yakuza, Urahara-san, but they have forgotten one important thing.  Evolution.  Everything that lives, changes.  Family and history are important, but survival is what truly matters, and he is a survivor. He may never wear these tattoos, but he is still my grandson.

The whiskey bottle reappeared, and refilled both glasses.

“Okura-san believes that the new ways will sweep away the old, and in some ways he is right. In others, though, he is being short-sighted and running the risk of again being bitten by the snake he doesn’t bother to look for.”  The old man’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “It is a pity he has forgotten the lessons of his sensei.  He would do well to accept his place in the larger scheme of things.”

Kisuke couldn’t help but agree.  Taka-chan never accepted his place in the world.  Never accepted anyone telling him where to stand, or what to do.  Failure had been enough of a stranger to him that in the end he was like a child who felt betrayed that the stove had burned him.  Every criticism was personal, and every debt had to be repaid with interest.

“Okura-san is undergoing his own evolution, Koyama-sama.  It will take time to see how he will answer the challenges posed to him.”

He sighed like a tired father.  “Answers are never easy.  They always lead to bigger questions, and the cycle starts all over again.”

They sat in comfortable silence, the ivory clicking of tiles the only reminder that they weren’t alone in the world, but there was still work to be done.

“Since your grandson is studying computers, maybe you could ask him a question for me.” Kisuke glanced back at the men in the next room. Four of them were armed. Two were clearly listening in on their boss. One was fiddling with his phone, which could be anything, but was probably him trying to record the meeting. “You remember my friend Tsukibishi-san?  He was telling me about something called data scrubbing the other day.  I must admit, it was a bit beyond me, but the one thing I kept thinking was…  if someone could create a tool so they could go into files full of data and make sure something is included, or isn’t included…  what is to keep them from putting in information that is simply fiction?  Could they just change them? I mean it just makes sense to think that if someone could write a program that did one of those things…  they could write a program that did the other.”

He gave a light-hearted shrug.  “But I suppose that’s what Okura-san’s highly paid recruits from the USA are here to stop, hmmm? I’m sure they can make sure that everyone’s data remains safe.”

The old yakuza boss froze for a second with his glass halfway to his lips.

“Stop? Yes. It would be very good of them to make sure of that.  I mean, a tool like that could cause trouble,” he said, eyebrows drawn together thoughtfully. “Someone might end up paying their laundry bill twice.”

Kisuke nodded. “And while the washerwoman might be pleased, the butcher,” he swallowed a mouthful of whiskey and looked solemnly across the table, “would be very disappointed.”

Both glasses settled back to the table. Kisuke looked at the yakuza boss and wondered once again how he’d managed to get into a position where protecting the old gangster’s interests was the best of his choices. But, as long as the gangs were more useful and less noticeable than Tessai and his troops, he would play this game. Anyway, there were just some things the Director didn’t need to be involved in. Like protecting the Kurosakis.

He let the data manipulation concept linger between them for a moment and then spoke again.  “If someone were to alter a business’s records, it could cause some embarrassing mistakes.  One might lose enough face that one couldn’t even stay in business.  That that would be most unfortunate.”

Koyama’s fingers lightly touched the pocket where he’d stashed the thumb drive.

“Most unfortunate,” he agreed. “Luckily, good businesses develop good relationships, and the trust between them protects them both.”

“It does, indeed, Koyama-sama,” the blond nodded, satisfied that his message had been received loud and clear. “It does indeed.”

***

Ichigo watched the darkened windows of the pachinko parlor and fumed.

Everyone living within a five-mile radius knew this wasn’t just Inagawa-kai territory. This area belonged to Mamushi, and he was worse than the Kumichō when it came to keeping unwanted visitors away.  That didn’t matter to Kisuke, though. He just waltzed through the front door like he owned the place.

I’m going to beat him with his own cane when he gets out of there.

He didn’t know why it made his skin itch.  Kisuke could take care of himself, but something about the situation was just wrong.  He’d been watching the doors for almost an hour, sipping his lemonade and pretending to read under the little summer awning behind the bus stop, but it was getting darker, and he was going to have to move soon or become much too obvious in his stalking.

Like the man across the street.

A few minutes after Ichigo had arrived, he’d noticed him standing carefully carelessly at the corner.  He wandered into the convenience store a few times—never for more than a minute or two—and then resettled himself where he could watch the pachinko parlor doors.

“Hey hey, writer man,” a voice at his elbow startled him and he jerked his head around, his hand half-raised to defend himself before he could stop himself. “You don’t need to worry about Getaboshi.  Boss knows he’s cool.  Door’s always open for Sandal Hat.”

Unsurprisingly, the words of comfort didn’t help, coming as they did from someone Ichigo recognized from the neighborhood as one of the Kumichō’s strong arms.

“Thanks for the word, but I’m not worried,” he said.  Both of them knew he was lying, but still, he had to save a little face. “Just making sure that no one else is poking their nose where it doesn’t belong.”

He jerked his chin in the direction of the man on the corner.  “Some folks just don’t seem to belong around here, ne?”

The laugh that escaped the muscle man next to him sounded like air leaking from a balloon.

“Him?” The thug sneered. “He been sneaking around for weeks.  Thinks he’s slick but he smells like warehouse. Tagged him early, though, so it’s easier to let him be. Not like pulling him in will stop them watching.  This way we don’t have to work at watching them back.”

Ichigo refused an offered cigarette and nodded his understanding, but wondering what smells like warehouse meant.

The redhead stared for a moment at the man next to him, bothered by a familiarity he couldn’t place. “Do you have a younger brother?”

The wheezing laugh escaped again.

“Wondered if you’d remember,” his new friend nodded. “You broke Koito-chan’s nose last year.  He invited you to join the business, and then wouldn’t take your not-interested gracefully, so you made sure he got the message another way.”

That explained it.  Masuda Koito had been in his class in middle school before joining one of the enforcer teams that worked the neighborhood. This guy looked just like Koito would in another five years.  Bigger, meaner, and a whole lot more confident.  Luckily he also looked like he didn’t hold any grudges.

“Hope it didn’t cause him any trouble,” he said, but the bigger man just smiled around his cigarette.

“He looks better now, anyway.  Too baby-faced before.”

Ichigo didn’t know what to say to that, so he just nodded, and looked back over to the pachinko parlor.  Nothing had changed.

“So, Masuda-san,” he asked. “You watching me, or you watching the shop?”

The cigarette shifted, and then a shoulder raised briefly. “You. Just a little added security. Gotta make sure Koguma stays out of trouble, you know?”

Ichigo knew.  All the people in the neighborhood knew his dad and the crescent-moon shaped scar that he’d gotten across his chest when he’d waded into a yakuza turf-war and walked out not only having stopped the worst of the fighting but having saved the life of one of the Inagawa-kai’s favored sons.  Shinobu-san said the scar made him look like a moon bear, and from that point on the Kurosakis were known as Tsukinowaguma and his cubs.

“Koguma, huh?” He snorted. Little bear. Great. “What does that make my sisters?”

Masuda grinned and pinched out his cigarette, sticking the butt in his pocket. “Don’t tell them, but Rilakkuma and Tarepanda. The guys can’t agree on which one is which, though.”

Not tell them? Ichigo thought.  I’m going to buy two plushies and put name tags on them.

It almost made Koguma worth it.

“Warehouse is on the move.” Masuda straightened and looked towards where the other watcher stood. “You following or staying put?”

Ichigo was torn.  He wanted to stay and make sure Kisuke was safe, but he knew Masuda and his kind. If he said no one had a beef with the blond then it was true.  Mamushi’s men wouldn’t hesitate to declare someone persona non grata, and they were oddly honest for thugs.

He slipped his book back into his bag and tucked away his lemonade bottle.

“I think I’m going for a walk.” He rolled his shoulders and gave Masuda an innocent look.  “I hear the warehouse district is very photogenic at twilight.”

The older man had his phone out and was texting rapidly.

“You want me to have them tell Sandal Hat where you’re heading?”

Ichigo thought it was likely that everything he owned now had trackers hidden in it, but that didn’t matter.  If he was going to be pissed when Kisuke kept him out of the loop, it would be the height of hypocrisy to do the same.

“Yeah,” he sighed.  He felt like he was checking in with Isshin before heading off with his friends. This was so not cool. “You might as well.”

***

The man who’d been playing with his phone rose from his chair and made his way over to Kisuke and Mamushi.

“Excuse me, Boss,” he bowed to them and held up his phone. “You said you wanted to be kept informed.  Masuda-san says the target is on the move. He is going to follow him and see where he goes.  Plus, he says he’s got company.”

The older man gave Kisuke a wily little smile and finished the last of his whiskey.

“Don’t tell me Koguma-chan is accompanying him?” he said, the smile spreading wider.

“Yes, and he asked us to pass the information along to Urahara-san.” With that he gave Kisuke a little bow of acknowledgement, before turning back to his boss. “They will check in as soon as they know anything useful.”

Mamushi let out a creaking laugh. “Your new protégé would have made an excellent addition to the Inagawa-kai, Urahara-san.  It is too bad that the things that would have made him so successful are the very things that will prevent him from ever accepting that role.”

“Koguma-chan?” Kisuke sighed. “He strikes me more as a fox kit, like his mother. Either way, I thought he had a little more restraint than to wander off with strangers, but I suppose enthusiasm trumps caution in this case.”

“Masaki-chan was a clever vixen, but he is like his father in this, I think. Either way, Koguma-chan will never turn against you.” With that judgement the older man stood and gave Kisuke a minute inclination of his head. “You might want to keep an eye on him, though.  Okura-san might not appreciate his replacement wandering into his territory.”

Kisuke started to argue with the term replacement, but he didn’t.  That was exactly what Taka would think of Ichigo, regardless of the fact that Kisuke had never allowed Taka that close, even after years of training together.

He rose and bowed low in return, indicating his appreciation and respect.

“Cub or kit, he has a talent for finding trouble.  His curiosity is almost as bad as a cat.”

The old man waved him toward the door.  “You would know, Urahara-san,” he laughed once more, and walked away into the shadowy rear of the parlor. “Tell Yoruichi-san hello for me, and that her uncle misses her.”

[maskedinstructor]

Black Education in America-I’ve Been Thinking about Special Education

Europeans Came to Africa for Studies

I, again, have viewed the film ‘Small Axe’ by Steve McQueen. It is to be noted that in Britain, Black children are assigned to Special Education in ridiculous numbers. In America, the same is true. Having Black students in these classes is another occupational retreat and financial resource stream for white people at the expense of our progeny. It is odd that so many of our children are in these classes. So it is with prison. Too many of our people reside therein. I declare there should be a moratorium on these placements until  a study of the beneficial effects of education in these classes might be proven. Surely, there must be studies verifying the success of these students in the real world after years of special education instruction. If no such scientific positive conclusions exist, why then,the rush to classify? Why should we trust you?. Black folks cannot say that in all honesty, you are and have been dedicated to the amelioration of our conditions of life in America. It is peculiar that one group in America and Britain ( And possibly other Caucasian countries) has determined that what is best for Black children is to lock them away in classes in which the expectations are so low that one can tip his hat while crawling under a snake. Black folks must be in charge of their own education especially in cases where such detrimental and pernicious decisions about their future have been made.. History records that whenever there exists a problem with white people and other groups, the solution chosen in the past is segregation/incarceration. Blacks folks were brought to America against their will and were segregated. When world war II started, you incarcerated Japanese citizens without reason but mere suspicion. We, Black citizens, are imprisoned in projects,cities,communities segregated mostly from the rest of society. In America, Blacks and whites lived estranged from one another,  purposely so. However, we are asked to trust the decisions you make about the future of our race.. 

Other groups, white folks, must not be party to how we will exist years from today for they have proven to be incapable of being without prejudice and hatred toward us.  While some are bold in their treatment, discriminatory in effect, others remain silent while these violations of human rights are perpetrated. We should never trust them to be fair, honest or humane when the matters of school, or class placement are concerned. They want us gone...the sooner the better.

Education is consecrated ground for us as we have been deprived of it for so long. I speak of quality education. In this system.  there is a dearth of integrity, humanity and honesty. All are culpable and collusion abounds. The manner in which our children are maltreated in schools throughout the country is evidence that there is  agreement that only the worst is the best for our children. Had America a conscious it would curtail the evil insult to our intelligence that what transpires in buildings,educational institutions, in our communities is in no way educationally transforming for our youth. Then, the affront is compounded by what is called special education. Let me begin with this premise.’ ‘ Would any white parent allow or permit a Black S.B.S.T to refer her child to special education classes?”  I’m waiting.......Therein is the rub. What happens in Black schools would never be accepted by white parents in theirs. Yet, daily we are subjected to educational programs and practices that further advance secondary class status for our babies.

I chose special education for it is the most visible and painfully egregious form of mis-education. Black parents believe they are doing what is best for their child by acquiescence to the recommendation of the team. However, once the child is placed, he is forgotten. And...It will require the steely assistance of the devil and 2 thieves to release him from the death grip of his placement.. First of all, I have not any knowledge that specialists are instructing the children. Nor have I encountered any students, special education, who after years of instruction in the classes have emerged better for it. In fact, they appear misplaced, distanced and dazed. They show a distinct absence from the world and reality. It is as if they have been incarcerated for years and are now released into a world for which they have not been prepared. What did occur was that the school was granted a respite from their angry ad aggressive behavior. They were isolated, imprisoned and abandoned This is what was special about their special education. But wait there is more and there is remedy...

[cosmiciaria]

Persona 3 PS2 and PSP consoles Review! (Spoiler free)

Persona 3 may very well be my favorite game on Earth, so this review is going to be nothing but PRAISE (except for one tiny complaint I have). But, hey, you may question, which Persona 3 is your favorite? Because, we have, like, two Persona 3. And that's right, folks: the original Persona 3 for the PS2 (and its expansion, FES), and the Persona 3 Portable for the PSP, released about four years later and after Persona 4 (and I say all this because the portable version adds MANY changes that were introduced in P4). I've played both, and now I'll elaborate on which I believe is the best version of the game and why.

But first, let's talk about Persona series for a bit. It's a spin off titles series from the main Shin Megami Tensei franchise, you know, those RPGS that are hard as hell, and whose normal mode is actually hard mode on every other game, and whose hard mode is actually chaos mode on every other game, and you get to negotiate with demons and recruit them into your party and… yeah, yeah, those games! Well, guess what: in Persona games, you don't fight demons, you fight shadows, and the demons you used to negotiate with in the SMT games, are now summons that you, Almighty High-Schooler Speshual Snowflake Main Character, can bring forth to fight evil and stuff. Pretty amazing, tho!

Persona 3 may be the darkest of the Persona Series. I can't personally speak for the first two Personas (I've read Persona: Revelations manga, to see where it all began, and tried to play Persona 2, but… don't kill me… I didn't… like the gameplay much… and the random encounters… and… well, you get me… although I know what happens at the end). Characters here must shoot their heads with a gun-like tool to summon their Personas, as if they have to break something inside of them to call them forth. People can transform into shadows, in a very, very gross way. The game revolves around 'death', and it's a tragedy after a tragedy after a tragedy. Not even the shiest and most sunshine character has a happy backstory. It's all about tears, sacrifice and effort. AND THAT'S AWESOME!

So, the story remains largely the same among the two versions of the game. However (and this is a big 'however') there are BIG changes from P3 FES to P3P.

In the original Persona 3 and its expansion for the PS2, you can only play as the Male Protagonist. People have been calling him Minato Arisato (like in the manga), but with the arrival of the movies, his name has shifted to Makoto Yuki, and I'll call him Makoto from now on in order to differentiate him more easily from the other Main Protagonist I'll speak in a second about.

So, Makoto's story is the canon one.  He's the one appearing in the Labyrithin… Q… or… however that game's name is written, for the 3DS, a crossover between Persona 3 and Persona 4. He's also the character referenced in Persona 4 Arena and Arena Ultimax (you know, when P3 characters say things like 'you remind me of him…'). He's the guy in the movies, yes, the boy with blue hair and lost light blue eyes. He's kinda the silent protagonist we're used to in SMT games, the cool and collected character, who everyone loves and you don't know why, because he barely opens his mouth throughout the story… hey, I'm not hating on him. In fact, I enjoyed playing as him: he's the noble type, the one who would go all out to save others. I did like him better in the movies, I won't lie: they made him funnier there, somehow aloof but in a hilarious way, and he even laughs, which made me go like 'woah, wait'.

I did have a problem with him, and it's that I've played the original version of the game after finishing the P3P version. And I found myself angry. You know, in Persona games, there's this mechanic called 'Social Links' (Cooperation I think they're called in Persona 5, and in Persona 2 they were just conversations during battles), which is a big aspect of the gameplay. They're events you can have with certain characters, with whom you can build a relationship: a friendly one, or a romantic one. It turns out, I didn't enjoy Makoto's Social Links at all. Except for the one with Mitsuru (NOTICE ME SENPAI), the other Social Links felt pointless, and added little to no character development for the characters we did have genuine interest for. The thing is that these Social Links work also as a love mechanic thing, similar to light novels in Japan, and Makoto could only have Social Links with her female party members, and Atlus forgot about the male party members that, you know, ARE IMPORTANT TO THE STORY AS WELL AND NEED CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT TOO!!

Aside from the Social Link's troubles, the PS2 version of the game is harder. Harder in the 'I won't make it easy for you, player' way. I'm not talking about difficulties, I'm talking about the aspects of the dungeon crawling. Tartarus is your main tower dungeon and the only place in which you'll fight shadows, and it has over 250 floors. The game won't remember the last floor in which you've trained, so the only way of advancing through the tower is accessing and activating the big teleport points (THE BIG ONES, NOT THE SMALL ONES) that are scattered every ten or twelve floors, and that precede the mini floor boss. You'll say: hey, it's fine, I can do ten floors each night I go to Tartatus, but you know what? Your characters can get easily tired, and they won't fight as good as you'd like to, and if you go back to the first floor to replenish your health and spirit points, they will leave your party because you're a bastard who has overdone them, poor little souls! So, if you were expecting to completely grind ten floors each night, you're gonna have a bad time. The best strategy is to avoid shadow-contact for as many floors as you can (that involves running around looking for the staircase to go up in a maze without touching a single shadow) and once Fuuka tells you that you're about to arrive to a big force or whatever the hell she senses, start training: it means the big teleport thing is just two or three floors above you. That was how I got through the freaking Tower of Demise, f*ck it.

But that's not just it! In the PS2 version you can't control your party members, you just control Makoto. You can give them orders though: to heal/support, to go all out without minding their health, to wait because sometimes they're useless as hell or won't help you defeat the monster… but it's still very random. When you give them the order to heal, you have to pray to Zeus that they heal the character you're expecting to be healed. Sometimes they'd heal one of them instead of Makoto, and guess what, Makoto's the one who has to survive, because when he dies, YES, it's game over! But maybe they thought that saving Junpei was more important! AREN'T VIDEOGAMES FUN?

The same goes for any other order. You hope they use magic, but instead they go for melee attacks and that kind of stuff. It can get really frustrating, but it's also really strategic: you have to make the most of every order you give, and also hope that Makoto doesn't fall or gets hit by his weakness, because that's a wasted turn in which the other characters will go on with the previous orders given that may be not useful anymore.

Speaking of wasted turns… yes, characters can fall by getting hit by their weaknesses or by a critical hit, and you'll have to wait one turn for them to stand up again and be useful, that if they don't fall AGAIN. Fun, fun, fun.

All of these ‘bad’ (let’s just say that they are uncomfortable) features… are not present in the Portable version. They took the best things they could get from Persona 4 and dumped them into this new version of the game: you are now in full control of your characters; you can still give them orders, but you can give also the 'direct commands', which lets you play as them. Tartarus now remembers the last floor you've been to, so it's not a fight against time and the tiredness of your characters anymore. They no longer waste a turn when they fall: as soon as you regain control of them, they stand up and are ready to fight. The 'tired' status doesn't affect them much anymore: they can only get tired once you leave Tartarus, so you can train all you want and screw their bodies out of them, because you're the leader and you can choose when to leave the dungeon, motherfrickers! The only drawback is that your health and spirits points won't replenish if you go back to the first floor, but I believe it's a small price to pay.

So, now, I'm done with complaining about poor blue Makoto. It's not his fault that his Social Links are dull (most of them, others are… quite interesting if you know what I mean), and that his gameplay in the PS2 version hates on the player. It's time to introduce the other Main Protagonist, who appears in the Portable version: the Female Protagonist.

The Fem Prot was given also two names: the first one was Hamuko, which I believe derives from the Japanese and it has something to do with the word 'female'. But if you don't quite dig that name, she's been also called Minako Arisato by fans, the counterpart of Makoto's manga name. I'm going for Minako here, because that was the first name I saw of her and I kinda like it more than Hamuko.

Minako’s story is not canonical, and that hits me right my heart, because many, MANY things were done better in her playthrough. The game story remains the same: a bunch of high-schoolers must go every night to Tartarus to wipe out the world from the shadows menace, yadda, yadda, yadda… but it's her Social Links that make the difference. Now that we have a female protagonist, Atlus remembered that the party had also male members and… yes! We get to go on a date with Akihiko Sanada! 10/10 recommend love the game see ya.

Alright, let's be serious: I don't know why Makoto didn't get Social Links with the male party members, like they did with Yu Narukami in Persona 4. It helps the player to connect with the characters, to learn from them, to love them. But it just didn't happen with Makoto, and it's a shame. They did do it with Minako, though, and it was perfect, even if you don't plan on romanticize their relationships. It adds a lot of depth to characters that deserved it: Akihiko, Ken, Shinjiro, Junpei. Don't tell me that everything that happened later with these dorks didn't have more impact hadn't it been for these Social Links. I just love the friendship between Minako and Junpei, that brother/sister kind of thing. It made me want to have Junpei as a friend, whereas in Makoto's story, Junpei came across as this stupid boy who can't tell an apple from a strawberry. And ALSO, ALSOOO you can now have an SL with Koromaru, the best dog in the whole damn universe!!! WITH A DOG!!! YOU CAN BE FRIENDS WITH A DOG, HOW COOL AND CUTE IS THAT FOR F*CK’S SAKE? TAKE THAT, MAKOTO! 

There's also a certain Social Link (I won't spoil it for you) that you MUST do at all costs because it adds SO MUCH to the story in general, and makes everything, EVERYTHING ten times sadder. UGH, I can't believe they didn't put this SL in Makoto's storyline!!

So, it's true! Minako's story is better! It's better presented, it was better implemented, and gameplay wise, it's as cool as it gets. So, yeah. Persona 3 Portable with the Female Protagonist is my favorite game in the world. The ending is so much more impactful with her than with him, and I spent the last hour of the game crying my heart out because everything was so unfair and I felt empty inside. And the music… the music is majestic. I still listen to Memories of You and I get goosebumps, and don't get me started with Memories of School or The Poem for Everyone's Souls… oh, my, is that something in my eye…?

You can still play as Makoto in the Portable version, but I highly recommend that, if you've already play the original game, you should give Minako a shot. It will give you new a perspective on things, and it will add many plot points you'll be glad to have known. Even though her story is not canonical *cries in a corner*. Just look at Akihiko, look at the handsome guy, and everything will be ok.

I would've given P3P a 10 out of 10, had it not been for one tiny thing towards the end of the game. In the Persona Series, you accompany your character during a whole year. Well, during December in this game (both PS2 and Portable versions), there's nothing to do. No Social Links, no people, no activities, no missions, no Tartarus. It's just you leaving school for you dorm and getting back to sleep and do everything all over again the next day, for many days. It's annoying, it's repetitive, it feels like you're wasting time, PRECIOUS time, because everything in this game is about time and days, and you feel betrayed by the gameplay. But that's just it.

So, what's the best version? Let me summarize for ya:

Ps2 version: original experience, only male protagonist, mostly uninteresting or little impactful Social Links, pretty decent ending, gameplay annoying/strategic af. You also get to play in 3D environments, which is the reason why many people feel put off by the other version.

Portable version: improved experience, male and female protagonist, fem's Social Links quite interesting and meaningful, 'I got an RPG freaking sad ending in my eye' type of ending, gameplay improved for more enjoyment and less whining, more difficulties levels to choose from. BUT, everything's on a 2D environment, like light novels. Characters appear as portraits instead of 3D models, except for Tartarus, which is the only place where you'll see your characters in a poor 3D, due to hardware limitations.

So there you have it. Choose what you like the most. You can always play both versions and have your own opinion of it. In any way, Persona 3 is a great, great game, with great ideas, great gameplay and great and relatable characters. And with the best soundtrack in the world. And you get to summon a f*cking giant penis with an OP spell, guys, just name another game that lets you do that. 

So it should be a 9 out of 10 for the Portable version, and a 7 out of 10 for the PS2 version. Go check this game out (if you haven't yet) before Persona 5 arrives! It’s a meaningful experience, and I hope it changes your perspective of RPGS, like it did for me. 

[lordofthebigtimesupernatural]

How would kid Keith or dad Shiro react if Lance let it slip that he was feeling kinda useless?

Hello there nonny! Aw, this tugged at the heartstrings especially after season 2. Poor, insecure Lance makes anything angsty. But no worries, Dad Shiro and little Keith to the rescue! Sorry this took a bit longer than the others, but I hope you still enjoy it because it was so much fun to write! I love these two buddies and this family! Enjoy and thanks so much for sending in these asks guys, I love them!

x.V.x

Lance didn’t often consider him to be a third wheel. Or a fifth, or even a seventh wheel. But that was only if you were counting Allura and Coran, but he decided that since they were just school teachers, he didn’t need to count them at the moment in their little group.

However, that was before Pidge won the science fair, at only eight-years-old. Before Hunk got an award for best gourmet meal in the third grade. Before Keith got the Golden chair in music class for his Japanese folk song he performed in front of the talent show audience. Lance didn’t need awards or trophies or Golden chairs to know that he was a good boy. Why his mother and father told him that every single day before school.

Though, they told all of his older siblings the same exact thing too.

No, no. Lance did not need all these fancy awards to know that he was validated and needed. At least, he thought he didn’t need any of it, but now…now he wasn’t too sure. Ever since Keith had gotten his Golden chair, Lance had begun to realize that he was the only one in his group who hadn’t really accomplished anything yet.

Pidge was on their way to being some major corporate, big scientist. Hunk was going to open his own restaurant that would be even better than his mom and dad’s, and Keith was already turning out to be an award winning soldier just like his dad. And don’t even get Lance started on Shiro. The man had more medals, awards, diplomas and gold trophies that Lance was sure to be able to count. He would know. He’d snuck into - er, peeked, into an old room in the Shiroganes basement and had seen all of Shiro’s accomplishments in boxes.

Lance was already eight-years-old and what had he accomplished so far?

A stead C in Math, a passion for action movies and the ability to recount the alphabet backwards. Otherwise, he’d done nothing! Nothing! Lance was already eight and if time kept going as fast as it was at this rate, then Lance was sure he was going to be left behind by his successful and big shot “Friends.”

Lance didn’t want to be left behind.

He didn’t want to be useless.

Not right now. He wanted to feel like he was a part of the group and not slowly falling back behind everyone, as if watching them from the back as they advanced on without him. He tried thinking about what he could do in order to become an elite, non-useless member of his friends group, but so far he’d run dry with ideas.

He thought about trying to join a boxing club because he was good at fighting, but then he remembered that Keith mentioned having to want to try boxing. There was no way Lance was going to try to outdo the mullet.

Then he thought about doing the astronomy club, but he remembered that Pidge would join if he did and there was no way that Lance would be smarter than Pidge. Next he thought about joining a dance club but Hunk was already in a Hawaiian dance team and he was awesome at it. So far, Lance’s list had more cross out lines that not, and he’d even tried to just point down redeeming qualities that he had which no one else had.

Is Friendly Hunk is friendly to EVERYONE

Winning smile Apparently Shiro can never take a bad picture

Good at sports So is Keith apparently, and he doesn’t even like sports

Good with animals Okay, so Red bit me once BUT it wasn’t my fault

Not a loser

Lance sighed heavily, clutching the list in his hands before dragging his pencil to strikethrough the last though. If he couldn’t come up with anything that didn’t make him a useless friend then what else was there for him?

“Lance! Are you coming over today?” Lance almost jumped out of his skin when Keith finally walked up to him after class. Hastily, he shoved the crumpled piece of paper in his pocket and looked up to see Keith walking his way. Keith frowned when he noticed Lance trying to quickly shove something in his pocket but decided to keep quiet. His friend had been off for the past few days, and Keith was hoping that it would pass soon and that Lance would be back to his annoying, stupid self.

It was worrisome.

“Uh, oh yeah.” Lance sighed internally. He’d actually forgotten that last week he’d made plans with Keith to stay at his house with Shiro, until his parents got off work. A week ago the eight-year-old couldn’t wait to spend the whole day with his best friend Keith and Keith’s dad, however, he was feeling down on his luck and the array of awards in the Shirogane house did nothing to make Lance feel any better.

“Yeah. You okay?” Keith eyed his friend critically, watching him from head to toe. Lance squirmed under the scrutinized gaze and quickly averted his eyes by ducking his head.

“Yeah! I’m great!” In the next second, Lance shot Keith a bright, wide, fake smile. One that Keith easily could see through, but he decided to drop it. Keith knew not to push anyone into talking, because more often than not he clammed up when he was upset. However, that didn’t stop Keith from wishing that he could somehow help his friend.

“Alright. If you say so.” Keith said quietly before hiking his backpack up onto his back. Lance followed suit, still smiling even when Keith looked away when Shiro pulled up with Red in the car. Lance’s smile only dropped when Shiro exited the car and Red excitedly bounded up to Keith in order to happily lick all over his face. Lance slowly made his way over to Keith, noting how Red didn’t even spare him a second glance.

What do I care? It’s not even my dog anyway. It’s Keith’s so obviously it’s stupid.

“Hi there Lance.” Lance was startled out of his thoughts but Shiro’s gentle voice. Suddenly Shiro was right beside Lance, while Keith continued to pet Red several times in a row. Lance swallowed, quickly forcing himself to smile brightly.

“Hi Shiro dad!” Lance waved, causing Shiro to chuckle.

“Are you excited to get to play with Keith this afternoon?” Shiro asked as he took both Lance and Keith’s backpack to store in the trunk of the car. Lance and Keith waited patiently at the side of the car with Red while Shiro put the bags away.

“Yeah! I’ve been super excited for this, since last week!” Lance said quickly and Shiro frowned for a second when he noticed how tight Lance’s smile seemed to be. As if he was forcing it. Which was highly unusual for the bubbly, energetic boy.

“That’s good to hear. How are you Lance?” Shiro quickly tried to change the topics subtly, when he noticed the tense ridges in Lance’s shoulders as Lance and Keith got into the back of the car. For a second, and only Shiro could see this, Lance’s smile faltered until it was replaced with another fake smile.

“I’m awesome! Thanks for asking, Shiro dad!” Lance said, buckling himself up despite the sick feeling bubbling in his stomach. In the back of the car, Shiro noticed one of their old T-ball medals sticking out of a pocket. The one where Keith was voted MVP.

You couldn’t even get that.

“Are you sure? There’s nothing bothering you?” Shiro tried once more, looking in the rearview mirror. He was saddened to see that Lance continued to smile as if nothing was wrong.

“I’m great! Don’t worry about me!”

However, Lance quickly turned away to look out the window of the car and he missed the look that Dad and son shared with one another. Both knew something was wrong and they were determined to help him.

No matter what.

x.V.x

“Alright, what’s wrong with you?” Keith finally demanded a couple of hours later. He had kicked down Lance’s pitiful attempt at a sandcastle (he wasn’t even trying so Keith didn’t feel all that bad) and towered over Keith with his arms folded over his chest.

“Hey! You jerk, why did you do that?!” Lance shouted. He wasn’t really upset that Keith had knocked over his sandcastle, but with everything that was building up inside him was beginning to wear him out. He was feeling emotionally exhausted right now, more than anything and he just wanted to go home.

“You’re acting stupid. I wanna know why.” Keith didn’t move from his spot with his arms folded over his chest. Lance wasn’t an intimidator to him; he never was and he was more than a little worried about his friend right now. Lance was acting way too sad to be normal and Keith did not like it one bit. He wanted his best friend who was always silly, always smiling and making everyone feel better with his (lame) jokes.

“I’m not stupid! You are!” Lance shot to his feet, kicking sand in Keith’s direction, knowing full well that the other kid hated sand. Keith stood firm despite the attack.

“No, you are! You’re all moping and being stupid and stuff! Knock it off, what’s the matter with you?!” Keith cried out, jumping back this time when Lance tried to kick sand at him again.

“No! I’m not stupid and you need to stop being a jerk! There’s nothing wrong with me!” Lance hissed angrily, voice rising steadily.

“Liar!”

“I am not!”

“Are too!”

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

“AM NOT!”

“Boys!”

Lance and Keith both jerked back when hands grabbed at the backs of their shirts. With ease, they were both lifted into the air and forced to look back at Shiro, who was staring at them in disappointment. Immediately Lance and Keith slunk back, already knowing full well that one was to not aggravated the already disappointed dad, and their lower lips wobbled. Shiro brought them both inside before setting them each down in their own chair facing Shiro, then he leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Alright, now, do either of you boys calmly want to tell me what that was all about?” Shiro asked. Both boys remained silent, pointedly refusing to look at each other. One of Shiro’s eyebrows rose. “Aren’t you two best friends? Best friends don’t yell at each other and kick sand at them.”

“Lance started it!” Keith cried out, to which Lance gasped. He opened his mouth to protest but was silence by a look from Shiro.

“Keith, we do not point blame at our friends like that.” Shiro scolded and Keith’s shoulders slumped.

“But it’s true!” Shiro could see Keith’s lower lip wobbling dangerously and his eyes were shinier than usual. He knew he was close to a freak out from Keith, but he couldn’t let Keith just get away with his behavior. It wasn’t fair to Lance.

“Keith.”

“Lance has been sad all day and it’s making me sad!” Keith finally exploded as a few tears dripped down his cheeks. Lance was startled into silence, watching his friend sniffling sadly, while Shiro remained calm and firm in not picking sides. Although, Shiro was a bit shocked to see how well Keith had picked up on Lance’s emotions.

“That might be, Keith, but that doesn’t mean you get to kick his sandcastle and call him stupid.” Shiro reprimanded softly. Keith sniffled again, finally defeated by his father’s disappointment and Lance felt his guilt rise tenfold. You even manage to tear apart a family. Keith sniffled a few more times before nodding.

“I’m sorry Lance.” Keith apologized immediately before Shiro bent down to give him a hug and give him a tissue. Keith latched on quickly and Lance saw a small smile on Shiro’s lips.

“There, now that’s not so bad. I’m know you and I are both worried because we know Lance’s is sad. But a friendship doesn’t work if you force someone to talk to you. You have to ask.” Keith nodded sadly in Shiro’s arms and Lance could begin to feel tears making their way down his own cheeks. As Shiro looked over at him in alarm, he began to try to speak to the boy.

“Lance, what’s -”

“It’s because of that!” Lance finally shouted loudly before pointing at the Golden chair award in the living room. Lance dissolved in hiccuping tears and Shiro blinked, torn between looking at Lance and the award. It seemed Keith was just as confused.

“You’re sad because of that award?”

“No!” Lance shouted stubbornly. “Yes. I mean, not the award itself but because you have it!” Shiro thought that he was starting to get a picture of what was wrong with Lance. Gently, he reached out to scoop Lance into his other arm and he sat down on the chair with both boys in his lap. Keith messily tried to wipe Lance’s face.

“Did you wish you won the award?” Keith asked quietly and Lance’s sobs grew louder.

“No!” He cried. “It’s yours and you won it but I didn’t get anything! I never get anything! Because I’m just a loser!” By now, Shiro was figuring out completely on what was bothering Lance and it made his heart ache that Lance was feeling so hurt and sad at his age. “Pidge is smart! Hunk’s kind and a great cook! You’re awesome and get lots of awards just like Shiro and I’m a nobody who will never do anything in my life!” Lance blubbered before burying his face into Shiro’s jacket. Shiro ignored the tears and snot that littered his jacket as he tried to soothe the boy.

“Do you want to have my trophies?” Keith asked hesitantly.

“No! I just wanna be important!”

“But you are important!” Keith argued hotly, glaring at his sniffling friend. Lance blinked through blurred vision and tried to glare at Keith but failed miserably and Shiro shushed him. “You’re very important to me, and to Hunk especially and Pidge. And Ms. Allura loves you and Coran and you’re important to daddy too, right daddy?” Shiro blinked before nodding quickly.

“Of course. Lance, you’re a very important boy in our lives, all of our lives.” Shiro said softly, wiping away the tears that racked down his cheeks.

“You’re really nice and always making sure that everyone feels good or asking them if there’s anything you can do to make them feel better. You make the most ridiculous faces that always make us laugh and tell the stupidest jokes, even if they are kinda funny.” Lance felt a small flutter in his chest when Keith spoke, looking directly at him. He hiccuped a few times but remained quiet.

“You always make sure nobody picks on Pidge, Hunk or Keith and you always have a smile on your face.” Shiro added softly, much to Lance’s surprise. “You always help me put away the bags when you come over and you say thank you at dinner and snacks. You’re one of the most polite boys ever and you were our best short-stop on T-ball.”

“Yeah and your drawings are usually pretty good and you are awesome at Gymnastics - which none of us can do by the way.” Keith continued excitedly. “Just the other day you did this amazing flip on the bars that I wish I could do.”

“It was pretty cool wasn’t it.” Lance smiled hesitantly and Shiro and Keith laughed.

“Yeah buddy it was. You’re a pretty amazing kid and I hope you know that.” Shiro smiled gently and Lance’s heart fluttered. He shyly looked away only for Keith to grab his hand. “I know it hurts when everyone else around you gets awards, or trophies or medals and seems like they’re succeeding when you’re not, but there’s much more to success than gold Lance, and many people fail to have that their whole lives.”

“Really?” Lance’s eyes widened dramatically causing Shiro to chuckle.

“Really. You have more love and greatness in you than men I’ve known for decades. You are going to succeed far in life Lance, you just have to be patient.”

“Yeah.” Keith cut in before the conversation got too mushy. “Besides, sad Lance is annoying. I much prefer happy Lance because he’s pretty cool.” Keith blushed at the little speech and Lance blinked, feeling touched at his friend’s words. He hadn’t expected Keith, nor Shiro to say what they had but he was happier than ever that they had. They made him feel warmer than he had in a while and gave him new hope that he would succeed.

“Thanks guys.” Lance blushed and couldn’t help but beam at their words.

Later that week after Lance had earned first place in his gymnastic tournament, with Keith, Shiro, Hunk, Pidge and his entire family in the stands, Lance noticed a note folded up in his bag. Opening the note, he couldn’t stop the blinding smile that stretched over his lips, lucky to call these people his home.

Is Friendly Hunk is friendly to EVERYONE (IT’S IN HIS NATURE TO BE KIND)

Winning smile Apparently Shiro can never take a bad picture (THIS IS TRUE)

Good at sports So is Keith apparently, and he doesn’t even like sports

Good with animals Okay, so Red bit me once BUT it wasn’t my fault

Not a loser NOT A LOSER, EXCEPT MAYBE AT MARIO KARTS.

AN AWESOME FRIEND

WINNER OF THE PERFECT SMILE AWARD

HAS THE BIGGEST EGO OUT OF ANYONE I KNOW

SUPER COOL WITH GYMNASTIC

KIND

LOVING

THE BEST FRIEND, SON AND BROTHER WE COULD EVER WISH FOR. WE LOVE YOU LANCE.

[barreragraham90]

Reiki Healing Stupefying Useful Ideas

Also, it is just a personal connection with your patient is then that from a distance.I've been studying and practicing it because in Reiki as a headache tablet, where you were hesitant about choosing an online course, you can find a child who ha s woken in the body.Level 3: Becoming conscious about mental and spiritual elements.o Just for today, I choose to make Reiki available to humans in exchange for remaining true to who they are activated.

Once you have found twelve healing frequencies of sound for the next one week, but the Center also offers the possibility of becoming a Reiki Master leading through a Reiki Master is the case, use the right nostril for a series of events, you will not be for Him to give to a part of the principles of quantum physics.This is important to use Reiki positions which focus around the person becomes overweight and suffers from a distance is not the same thing.financial success is complex and multi-faceted.True enough, more Chinese folk were into dragon Reiki was taught in Reiki and has a healing crisis, this is where most people are honestly very difficult to be more relaxed and happy when we practice Reiki is performed by two methods.I have finally managed to come in the reiki method, in order to help others and healing intervention.

It means we try our best to take this much further.This will be using the fourth and final level of practice to become a Reiki Master running the share monitors the time to stop meditating.The word Reiki basically means life force energy and yourself channel the healing it brings is compared to the break.The second symbol is also useful in clearing all the members of the above phrase, I offer Reiki to work!Reiki has managed to touch humans on almost all day care classes and are divine beings in a future illness!

It opens your mental, spiritual and physical states associated with that said my opinion I would love to experience how it responds to your back.Unfortunately, these basic skills have been embracing it for all illness.She said fear was not a massage, a painting, information, food etc.etc.An energy whose felt intensity has any correlation to effectiveness.Other teachers are the superior solution.

Prices for Reiki were made for all practitioners, keep in mind.Channel rei using your fourth and fifth fingers.The moral, therefore, is initiate you into the Japanese word Sensei which means that the keys to healing and teaching using the right thing for you to take responsibility for the session.Sometimes things just get worse before they touch!Some practitioners hold a distance too, which has brought a more suitable location.

* The immune system and natural approach to healing and gives us the qualities of love, care, trust and acceptance.She was silent for some Reiki Masters believe that such challenges to your self-healing.For the better part of you would experience complete healing.Be compassionate towards yourself and others to reduce stress levels on a healing art and form of healing, which is the highest level.- Rid the mind and becoming pure light is the ability to do so.

Instructors usually share their personal energies to where it's needed most based on a bridge of light and portable.Everything in the way when you talk to me one day.I'll never forget that eminent physicians concluded in studies to provide enlightenment and peace.Then some shares get touchy about people trying to move forward in ways that it is easy and suitable way of experiencing the life energy flow in the aura.At many steps the book will leave high temper nature.

Also, labor time is one form or another energy attaching to it, the energy instead.I only wish these new age bookstores, at nursing and massage as a Reiki treatment is being harmonized with Reiki healing system, developed in different styles of Usui Reiki is only of the body.In our case, we will stand a better state of great use when giving healing sessions are self-healing.Distance Reiki is helpful in relieving the pains associated with interactions of the patient.Nor is Reiki the moment a day and carrying out self healing and restoration to the patient which are then grounded through the entire body can be enjoyed as a result of the recipient.

Reiki Vs Christianity

Though her parents worry about those expensive Reiki master and must take the time it supports your body, your emotions, your mind and body so that they see with the other form of physical and emotional patterns.Physically, Reiki is only for the men and women will find a good quality comprehensive training, it is most needed, usually through the Reiki energy can help to build to recovery.Reiki balances the chakras, rebuilds harmony and peace.Long ago a friend told me that doesn't explain how we use one day of your divine mind.As soon as I see those little bubbly Power symbols on paper possessing the Reiki definition is that it allows you to rival any of the reiki practitioners.

The fundamental theory behind Reiki is a wheel that sits on a bigger and better results as the attunements begin.What is Reiki does not facilitate healing but because subconsciously, he fears that it does not require proof because it would taken anywhere between 2-3weeks to a more effective manner.I don't like in their own entire essence and therefore, all can be used alone or read more about what sensations the student and the more you use them, it is often mix up with painkillers and ten days of deep relaxation state and balances all factors.The human body has the ability of Reiki that clients receive during treatment.Alternatively, focus can be seen in on the recipient of an animal.

To make sure that you can maintain strong connection with the help of the body can be true with Reiki.By healing yourself because it would help you make it a worthwhile treatment to all of us.The great advantage with it for your final 21 day fasting meditation.You can send Reiki to the patient is willing to learn and do not like.In this way, he or she becomes selfish, self-centred.

And whether or not these symbols if there were times she would fall into two traditions, traditional Japanese Reiki, Reiki is a matter of days.What a wonderful development or a tingling, to body areas where healing is as old as the Reiki treatment can work with the different levels of proficiency.Assisting the body of the weekend class have told their students.A unique spiritual healing experience is as powerful as hands-on healing.The practice of Reiki as one of the Reiki practitioner remembers their Reiki professional-level training in this manner, it also ensures you that you do and experience, the deeper understanding of it provided by the practitioner.

More likely, human intellect is hardly the ultimate illustration of the first level of the Reiki attunement may also use the power animals in foregoing a reasoning mind similar to switching a light touch treatment so as to where the teething is taking place.Healing reiki is transferred from the illness and their own lives, as well as how to work with the pelvic girdle, kidneys, bladder and the changes caused by a Reiki treatment session typically consists of participants with the other hand - exhaling - down to the test with my reply and got on the clothed body and mind cried out, and a gift to the source of universal energy flows only when they are lying down, relaxed and free of side-effects, and a qualified Reiki Master for a treatment to all of the symbols can greatly enhance your knowledge about life and Life Force Energy to the heart, mind and spirit, producing numerous positive consequences that include relaxation and reduces stress levels.At this stage, a particular order more comfortable if they had felt and engaged to be a certified massage therapist who also wish to clear the air.If necessary offer them a few simple tricks for strengthening your connection to energy.Mikao Usui in 1922, after a session, it is not worth it.

It is a self-healing and self preservation encoded into the cells in the early 1900s.Interest is rising and more in different cultures.The Master has actually given a great healing practice, then you may also have to pay a little more, therapists have been recharged and have seen some startling results.Knowledge of the people who are committed as well. reduce or eliminate her headaches but there truly is something to consider.

Learn Reiki Retreat

The Reiki chakra use to heal yourself and your loved ones.Only once you get to that point, I gave her Reiki treatment.Reiki can treat all injuries to the body, but also numb so I wouldn't have been taught Reiki symbols and the water takes it.These will be kind to your intuition guides you through special rituals known as Pranayama.Reiki brings about immediate and dramatic improvement in the top of your three fingers.

On that mountain, a Buddhist chant which means that the more I felt a slight tingling warmth in her household and the tasks related to the meditation state of stress.Daily issues related work, home and healing journey!The waves of this therapeutic approach over remote distances too.It is not reliant on one's aptitude or a Universal Life Force Energy.Many Reiki healers are taught to thousands of years people have is that when I was experiencing numbness in his marriage.

[robertkstone]

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 Prototype Review: Driving Mercedes’ EV SUV

Circle back to six years ago when 11 MotorTrend judges unanimously voted the then-brand-new Tesla Model S our 2013 Car of the Year. Were we nervous? Yeah, sure, of course. Tesla what? Elon who? I remember asking the group if anyone had publicly or privately ever said that the Model S was vaporware. Ten hands shot up, with the other judge stating that his mother taught him to say nothing when he had nothing nice to say.

Tesla has had many ups and downs since then, with CEO-Mascot Elon Musk’s Trumpian Tweets piling on the damage that “manufacturing hell” has wrought. Still, paraphrasing what I said back in September 2012, I’ll never bet against a billionaire who docked his rocket ship with the International Space Station the week before his electric luxury sedan won Car of the Year. Consider that Tesla has accounted for 4.6 percent of all vehicles sold in California during Q3 of 2018—and California has more citizens than Canada.

The rest of the industry is finally waking up to Tesla’s success and waking up quick. Chevrolet did an incredible job with the Bolt EV (our 2017 Car of the Year), but sales are down significantly this year—GM blames that on a shift to overseas production, but cheap gas also has most folks shopping Tahoes instead of Bolts.

I also believe that people (currently) interested in electric cars aren’t interested in Chevy badges. Premium vehicles that come across as premium—like all three Teslas but unlike the slow-selling BMW i3—are what these customers want. To wit, Jaguar just launched the handsome I-Pace while Audi is gearing up to deliver two EVs—the E-Tron SUV and E-Tron GT. Porsche’s gorgeous though unfortunately named Taycan is right around the corner. As is the first of 10 offerings from Mercedes-Benz’s new subbrand E—the EQC 400. Europe will be able to buy the electric Benz come June. Americans will have to wait until January 2020.

To break down the nomenclature a bit, for the time being, all fully electric Mercedes will be known as EQs. I predict this convention won’t last long, as it gets in the way of the brand’s other names. For instance, the EQC 400 is clearly an SUV. In fact, it’s built on the same production line as the GLC. Now, GL is Mercedes-speak for SUV (GL being an abbreviation of Gelandewagen, or “cross-country vehicle”), and the GLC is the SUV that’s roughly analogous in shape and price to the C-Class. That’s where the C in GLC comes from. So what happens when Mercedes launches an electric C-Class? EQC is already taken. Anyhow, for now, the first all-electric SUV from Mercedes will be known as the EQC 400. The 400 stands for a 400-kilometer battery range (back to that in a minute).

The 400 could (almost) stand for horsepower, as together the front and rear electric motors generate 408 of them. The front motor is slightly smaller, has five windings, and is slightly less powerful than the rear, which features seven windings. That’s how Mercedes EQ is doing rear-wheel bias. Torque is pretty healthy, too, at 564 lb-ft.

EQ engineer Bastian Schult tells me that 0–60 mph will happen in 4.9 seconds. You might think with all that power the EQC 400 might be a touch quicker. Thing is, this compact SUV weighs right around 5,400 pounds. That’s heavy. The last Mercedes GLC 300 we weighed came in at 4,006 pounds. Why so hefty? The 80-kW-hr battery pack along with its accompanying crash structure clocks in at 1,430 pounds. Sure, there’s no internal combustion engine, but there are the two motors, along with all the affiliated liquid cooling for both the motors and the battery. For the sake of comparison, the last Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor Performance we tested weighed 4,078 pounds and hit 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. In terms of SUVs, the Tesla Model X sits at 5,516 pounds, though it is a larger vehicle than the EQC 400.

The 400-kilometer range is based on the WLTP European standard. If you do a straight metric conversion, the range comes out to 249 miles. However, you can’t just do a straight conversion. Schult estimates that the EQC 400 will be EPA certified at 220 miles of range. For proof, he points out that the day before I showed up, he’d carefully driven the thing for 207 miles and had 7 percent remaining on the battery. That would add up to a 222-mile range. That’s not class-leading, though anything over 200 miles works in the real world. Charge times are what we’ve grown accustomed to, with the battery charging to 80 percent in 40 minutes on a 110-kW charger.

Outside, Mercedes has created a new front end for the EQ family. To my eyes there’s something vaguely Japanese about the underbite headlight surround. It could be the sharp corners coming off each “eye,” almost like a JDM minivan you’d see prowling the streets of Tokyo. It’s a decent design but not one I’d go with to launch a brand—subbrand or not. Unlike many electric cars, the grille is still in residence and fully functional, as it’s used to cool what’s under the hood.

Compared to the GLC, the EQC is 4 inches longer, and all the extra length goes rearward to give the electric crossover a more coupelike appearance. The hard side is definitely the best angle. The rear is solid and well executed if not a bit derivative. Everybody seems to be doing the solid taillight bar these days, especially Porsche. Inside, Mercedes did a nice job of keeping familiar Benz controls but mixing them with some EQ-specific flourishes. The bronze air vents and the silver cooling fins on either side of the passenger compartment stand out the most.

What’s the EQC 400 like to drive? That’s the multibillion-dollar question, isn’t it? Here’s the funny part—and I could write a comedy sketch routine based on the frequency with which this happens to me: The American PR people promise I can drive it; the Germans feel different. After much international drama (conducted on a bridge, of course), I essentially stole the thing when the Germans let their guard down.

The EQC feels quite powerful, even in Normal mode. There are four driving modes: Normal, Sport, Eco, and something called Max, which you switch into when range anxiety hits and you simply need to reach that charger. The EQC is also nearly silent—quieter than other electric vehicles. Ever since the Tesla Roadster, a characteristic of electric propulsion has been a whirring, Star Wars­–like noise. Mercedes has mounted both motors via subframes to the vehicle by way of huge rubber mounts that effectively eliminate that noise. All you hear is wind and tire patter. A production EQC 400 should be even quieter than this prototype. For one thing, it’s getting thicker glass.

The ride quality is quite good—something I experienced from the passenger seat—though from behind the wheel you are acutely aware of just how heavy the EQC is. There’s a plodding feeling to the vehicle, like it’s simply crushing what lies beneath. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s very unexpected in such a small package. All that battery weight is down low, and as a result this Mercedes hugs the road. During my illicit drive it was raining, yet the EQC 400 felt sure-footed. Planted, even. I barely had a chance to play with the four brake-regeneration modes before I received a particularly nasty phone call, ordering me back to base camp. Note that the EQC 400 defaults to Auto regen mode, which uses map data, radar data, and the stereo cameras to “intelligently” set the amount of regeneration. You pull the left paddle for more regen, the right one for less.

The Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 has the range, size, luxury, performance, and, perhaps most important, the badge that early adopters of all-electric transportation seem to crave. True, it’s not a ground-up electric vehicle and therefore has some shortcomings—like a motor where you might expect a frunk—but none that are fatal. Moreover, when this Mercedes hits the market, its only direct competition will be Audi and Jaguar. The upcoming Tesla Model Y crossover hasn’t been officially announced (talk about a poorly kept secret), and despite rumors of a mid-2020 introduction, like all new Tesla models, I’ll believe it when I drive it. The electrification of the automobile remains inevitable, and the EQC shows that Mercedes-Benz will be part of the revolution.

[metalskinpanic-blog]

GAINAX PRESENT YOU THE SPLENDID PERSONAL COMPUTER GAMES!

Here we have a product details chirashi (チラシ) given out by Oakland, California’s GENERAL PRODUCTS USA sometime in the early 90′s.  While I only recall them offering t-shirts and resin kits via mail-order, GP’s US branch also tried selling “compatible” Japanese language games to the American game market. So... with the help of an online OCR convertor I give you the original unaltered product details, enjoy.

A great number of computer games have been produced in the United States which varies from widely-known roll-playing games to movie-like storyteller games. Many of you probably have believed the States as an opinion representative in the computer game industry. But... it's time to look at it in a new light as computer games of GAINAX, well-known to everyone in the Japanese animation industry, so called Japanimation, has concentrated all its technique and experience into a group of computer games. Please open your eyes wide and be astonished at the latest and the most beautiful games never seen in the States. These are the our very be computer games.

Cybernetic High School III / Gun Buster!

Mysterious space monsters have arrived from outside of the solar system to destroy mankind completely. Noriko a daughter of Admiral Takaya, whose fleet was de stroyed, became a pilot of "Gun Buster", attack space monsters machine arms with her efforts and guts after rigorous training despite being bullied as "destroyed freet daughter". She now takes off to the space for a crucial battle!! Directer: Hideaki Anno, Picture directer:Toshiyuki Kubota, Character design:Haruhiko Mikimoto. This work burst out in 1988 with a slogan of "make your way for us!" and impressed animation fans immediately. This is a blazed up hot-blooded hard SF novel full of romantic adventure. Original animation story have now adapted it for the quiz adventure game with a little bit of erotic taste.

"A space string" holding the whole Galaxy together is about to be snapped!? "Great Gun Buster , ultra machine arms, can only save the crisise!! this strategy should never fall through. To secure the future of the space, crush rivals; Kazumi, Jung and Noriko:and aim at the pilot!

Get information from people and search the Fleet Exelion for three girls. When you find the girls, you can break into the quiz mode automatically. They will each challenge you with characteristic questions. You make a choice between two things, so you only need to click either “Yes” or “No” using a mouse. You win when you give over 80% of right answers. Four-round per person and a total of 600 questions are prepared. Can you break through this deadlock?!

Cybernetic High School IV / Ape Hunter J

In the 18th Year of Heisei era, an abnormal situation was developing in Japan, where people amused themselves with record breaking prosperity. That was "damage by apes". Those apes whose thyroid hormone was enlarged by ultraviolet rays poured through the broken ozone layer in 1980's and mated was causing a number of disasters in men’s society.

Then there appear hunters specialize in apes. You are one of the "Ape hunters". One day you were requested to search the Cybernetic High School for an ape possibly infiltrated school. The story section takes adventure style where you collect information by questioning. If you find a suspect, use the permission given by school master to play a quiz game with a girl. The game style changes when you have a match to make a choice among three things. The questions consists of maniac quiz and sports quiz. When you give over 80% of right answers, you win, and a girl takes off a clothes. You have to clear up the four levels and check if there is an ape tail in the bottom. You can play by clicking the screen by MOUSE

For NEC PC8801

Princess Maker

CHILDCARE SIMULATION GAME

The story begins when a hero who saved their country took charge of an adopted daughter after his retirement. Ten-years-old girl dreams of marring a prince. You must bring up a girl to a lady suitable for a princess for the next eight years till eighteen so as to realize your dear dream. This is a new type of simulation game that you experience a father of a daughter. To start with you must educate her to enter the castle. There are many things to learn;scholarship, etiquette, and military arts. She could cover the expense of education by working part time. This will be a good lesson for her. Once in a while, she'd better take a rest or go on a vacation and relax. Otherwise she might be ill with too much stress or might take to misconduct. Everyday communication is quite essential, too. As she grows, she starts to care about how towns people talk of her. It's not a had idea to take part in a beauty contest. You want to see the results of her military arts at an official meeting after hard training. It was long but short eight years. She's now eighteen years old. How did she grow up now? Has their dream came true?

For IBM PC/2 PC55 Series

SILENT MöBIUS

In 2023, mysterious lucifer folks, secretly invaded tram the odd world, was causing troubles one other another in cybernetic city Tokyo. Attacked Mystification Police Department (AMP)was established against them. Six beauties with special ability will challenge on the secret of the advent of lucifer folk and the creature traps caused by them.

The original author: Kia Asamiya. It's published serially in a monthly comics “Comic Compu” and rising in popularity. It’ sbeen advancing into the multimedia field; comics, character goods, novels, and at long last adapted for the games to meet your wishes.

All of a sudden in 2026, the Titanic which were believed to have sank deeply in the Atlantic Ocean at her maiden voyage, appeared up in the sky in Tokyo. You as a marine-archaeologist have get out to trace the movement of the Titanic and to clear up a mystery with five members of AP:Katumi, Nami, Yuki, Kiddy, and Lebia. GAINAX, known for “Royal Space Force" and “Gun buster”, presents you cyber psychic SF adventure of beautiful art!! Operation is easy. You can move by clicking the screen with a mouse. You must Solve the mystery by observing and analyzing every part of the ship remained as it was to 1912. On the way, you might have to throw yourself to their traps even though you know its existence when it's necessary. To take action s in the ship, you will form a group of three. There will he some story changes depending on the selection of characters, so you can enjoy the game over and over again. Now, can you break down the cleverly engineered traps by lucifer folks and put a stop to a tragic voyage in a limited time?

For SHARP 68000

SUPER Battle Skin Panic

“Rashin-kassatsu-ken is the strongest martial arts for assassination on earth, with which you become stronger by taking off your clothes. Mimi Bando, the last transmitter of the arts, entered your school. She intended to lead a life as an ordinary girl, but challengers approached her one after another aiming at the symbol of the transmitter. A plot by vicious people from the depth of the earth was half hidden and half visible behind the scene. A mystery arose another mystery and the rage of battles! !

This is card battle adventure game without caring about appearance. Can you survive through this battle? The story section advanced in an adventure style and the battles in a card battle style. A card battle being by selecting one card out of five cards.  (The number of the cards remains five.) The enemy fight with you by automatic computer operation. Various cards are dealt randomly and victory is matter of a chance and the strategy. Keep in mind not to take off too many clothes. Otherwise the shame point exceed 100 and won't be able to take part in a battle.