#or if Takasugi has to help her out she's in trouble for ignoring him

[aurata-rin]

Fate/Grand Order Gudaguda 2021 (Ryouma Close Call) - Chapter 2 summary

Arrow 1

The scene fades in to show Akechi Mitsuhide, who’s talking to himself. A soldier checks in on him, but he waves him off, instead saying they need to cross the Katsura river to reach their enemy. The soldier asks where the enemy is, prompting Mitsuhide to begin his famous line: "The enemy is--"

Scene fades out, then in at a burning Honnouji with an adult Nobunaga. Ranmaru bids her flee after reporting that Mitsuhide has turned traitor. Nobunaga thought it would be the monkey (Hideyoshi) that would be the one to kill her. She says there'll be no way to slip out if Mitsuhide is the one in charge. In the words of Nobunaga, "It can’t be helped!"

Scene switches to outside the burning temple. Mitsuhide calls for Nobunaga's head; without it, the world he envisions will not become reality.

Back in the temple, Nobunaga tells Ranmaru to flee with her head, but Ranmaru hesitates. Yasuke is still out there fighting. Nobunaga says her head cannot fall into the hands of the likes of Mitsuhide. It'll be the last thing she pesters Ranmaru with. Ranmaru does not seem convinced still, and Nobunaga asks if they intend to hand her head over to Mitsuhide. Ranmaru gives in, and promises to do as asked. Nobunaga settles down, remarking that her near 50 years on earth feel as if they were a fantasy. Scene fades out.

Back to the current setting in Saitama, Chacha and Nagayoshi are enjoying some of Saitama's sweets. Ranmaru X has prepared them to be easy to eat for Master, and Nagayoshi remarks that such attention to detail is just like the Ranmaru he knows, Naritoshi. Chacha wonders where Sakamoto went, since he’s not there. Ranmaru informs he went out in the morning to investigate, and Nagayoshi complains about him running around on his own -- to which Chacha says that's rich coming from the head of ignoring his lord's orders and moving independently. He thinks Chacha is praising him. Ranmaru asks what they came from, and they tell her it's to find the missing head of their lord. Ranmaru starts feeling sick, but waves it off and heads out for some fresh air.

Outside, Master joins Ranmaru. Ranmaru wonders what her own objective is. She's forgotten, but it feels like something important. Master tries to cheer her up, and they're interrupted by a mysterious man. Ranmaru steps in to protect master, who the man wants to bring back with him. Ranmaru attacks him, but the man fends her off, unimpressed. He rushes straight at Ranmaru, but Master calls out in warning and jumps forward. Blood splatters on the screen, and the scene ends.

Arrow 2

The detective office is under attack by the Loyalist Nobu. Chacha and Nagayoshi try to hold them back inside. Nagayoshi remarks that at times like these, they should be aiming for the enemy general.

The scene shifts to outside, picking up where we left off; Nagayoshi is the one who took the hit for Ranmaru -- or rather, Master, who was trying to protect a Servant. The mystery man is impressed that Nagayoshi survived the blow. Still, Nagayoshi can't move. The man says he'll leave peacefully if they hand over Master; Ranmaru pauses, and Nagayoshi calls out that a man of the Mouri clan who can't protect their lord is a disgrace. Ranmaru agrees; she will not take even a single step back. The man is about to attack when a shadow figure appears; a woman. She thought she'd lend a hand after seeing Master and co. in trouble. Ranmaru is surprised she'd help so easily. The lady smiles and proceeds to list her prices, but a first time trial is free. The mystery man refers to her as Takasugi's dog. She calls forth Zanzaburou, her mecha assistant, and introduces herself as Izumo no Okuni.

With Okuni's aid, the man is beaten, and Izou arrives to tell him to fall back. There's an alarm going off that the man failed to hear over the ruckus he was making. The man tells Okuni to pass a message on to Takasugi; that the Loyalist Party will not be broken. Izou leaves with the man after bidding Master to return to Chaldea with no elaboration. Okuni disappears in a puff of smoke, except she pops right back to ask if poofing like that is bad. She'll pull the curtains in an even better way next time. Nagayoshi collapses now that Master is safe.

Scene shifts to in inside the detective office, where Sakamoto has returned and been briefed about Izou. Oryo has seen to Nagayoshi's wounds. Sakamoto's found someone while investigating the city that would like to meet Master. An old friend of Sakamoto's, the chief of the Takasugi Industries of Saitama: Takasugi Shinsaku.

The scene fades.

[gintokissilverbells]

The First Time

Pairing: Kawakami Bansai x Female Reader

Warning: A little angsty and a bit of fluffy/semi-romantic?? moments. A bit of a sad past, but I promise it gets better! I think...

TRIGGER WARNING: Mention of family death and grieving (break down??).

Summary: When misfortune befell on you; you were given a chance to seek revenge against those who wronged you, but you got a bit more than what you bargained.

Word Count: 2.3k

A/N: AAAHHH!! My first request!! I’m not gonna lie, I panicked a little when I got this request. (I deleted it by accident, but hey I got a screenshot of it). Sorry that I took a bit of time. I got carried away when writing this request. It was supposed to be short but I ended up getting into it, and I ended up editing some things out because this WASN’T MEANT TO BE SAD WTF... Anyhow, my writing is still improving and my grammar isn’t the best, but I will definitely edit this out for any grammar mistakes on a later date.

To the Anony: Thank you sweet pea for your well wishes!!! It makes me happy knowing someone out there is looking forward to this request. I hope this lived up to your expectations, or at least grazed your expectations a little. I hope to hear more of your asks if you wish to send some more.

- Mrs. Sakata

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Life has a funny way of turning sour things to sweet, and vice-versa. You never know when the wrong side of the coin will land on top, or when misfortune befalls on you.

You lived a comfortable life as the daughter of the shogun’s top general. Your upbringing and education were of the best quality, and your family were loving and supportive. As your family tradition dictated, every direct descendent of the family’s main branch were required to learn the art of the sword and martial arts.

You excelled at whatever given tasks, and even advanced to learning strategy and war tactics from your father himself. You were the perfect only daughter of the (y/l/n) clan, and the one who was given the hope of surpassing your father’s intellect and strategy. Your growing connections with the wealthy, the politicians, and influential people were making you a reliable future head of the family.

Until the day misfortune befell on your family, and ultimately on you.

The greatest and exemplarily man of your life had slipped up, and he and all of your family paid for it. The man who you called your father was found guilty of treason against the Bakufu by aiding various Jouishi extremist groups with supplies, investments, and most importantly, weapons. The most notable extremists of them all, the Kiheitai. The Army of the Demon Soldiers. By aiding these extremists, your father was taken and executed along with most of your family and servants.

Escaping with only your father’s precious sword, the (y/l/n) clan’s former glory and status had all but plummeted. You were all alone and being persecuted, with only a sword to really call your own.

Then you stumbled on the very people your father was helping with overthrowing the Bakufu. You don’t know what really happened, or how you became to join the Kiheitai officially. It was all a blur, a lot of noise, and a lot to process. Yet, you found yourself sitting amongst the dangerous leaders of the group instead of being forced to death by your family’s killers.

You found yourself quickly introduced into the ranks before you had completely assimilated the absence of your family. It was too much all at once, and to add to it, the mastermind behind her rescue was no other than the Kiheitai’s leader: Takasugi Shinsuke.

It was no secret to you—or to anyone—for the reason of your recruitment. He knew he had lost a valuable backer and spy with the death of your father—and he made it known that even if this setback their plans slightly—he still intended on using you and your connections amongst those who are willing to back the Kiheitai. And you willingly allowed it to happen. After all, the Bakufu were the reason for you losing everything that was dear to you, and you were not going to rest until you saw the corrupt organization burned to the ground.

Of course, ideals are all good and pure up until the dirty work came around. It wasn’t all sunshine and daisies, nor was it easy to work with experienced soldiers, tacticians, and assassins. Being second-guessed, fighting for your position, and defending yourself against the toughness of ral life; you were quickly maturing to a level you never imagined you will reach. Where once you were amongst the rich, now you were there amongst real people, real suffering, and real pain. You weren’t the spoiled brat that was able to defeat your father in a game of war anymore. You were someone else now, and you weren’t quite sure what that meant beyond the revenge you seek for your family, and for your father.

Amongst everything that happened; there was a silent supporter amongst some of the opposition you faced. He was quiet, always hearing his music and seemingly ignoring his surroundings. When listening to something he particularly liked, he will bob his head to the beat and make his teal green hair flutter with the movement. When you first arrived at their main base of operation, he was the one who silently guided you through the Kiheitai ranks and guided you to a new beginning for a new you. Your first impression of him did not go beyond that of a good-looking man and wondering what type music he was listening to. Now, he was a mentor of sorts, and you often accompany him in negotiations and transactions made between the extremists and Amanto mercenaries.

Now, in your current present, you were sitting by yourself in one of the observatory rooms of the ship. You saw the stars pass by you as the ship sailed into the black void. As you looked on, you held the last memento of your family close to you. Scattered around you were products that you needed to clean your father’s sword, and you ceremonially cleaned it with respect and care.

You hadn’t noticed there was someone else in the room.

Going on about your business, the man you thought about lately stood next to you. Looking up in surprise, you saw him keep his gaze on the sparkling stars. There was silence between you two, not awkward, but pure and simple silence. As you were about to go back to your cleaning and maintenance, you saw him settle down next to you after taking off his shamisen from his back and holding the instrument on his lap. At first, there was a pregnant pause before he spoke,

“Have you’ve gotten used to life here?”

It was a random question and so very out of the ordinary for him. He wasn’t a shy man, and he had no trouble speaking, but often enough he just chose not to. You knew him as being quiet and usually did not initiate any conversation unless he found some interest on what he saw or heard. Most of the time, when it was just you two, you will be the one to start the conversation. It was always work related though.

“You can say that… It is better than what fate and the Bakufu had in store for me back then,” You answered as you ran a soft rag over the long blade of your father’s katana.

“­­Are you comfortable?”

You looked at him quizzically, but you indulged him with an answer,

“Yes…”

“…You sound unsure.”

Bansai looked at you through his maroon rimmed shades. His light brown eyes staring right at your soul and maybe your inner thoughts. You sighed, looking away from him in hopes he took the hint and dropped the future topic. You really did not want to talk about your state of comfort to him with his weird interrogation/caring questioning. Instead, you decided to busy yourself looking at the stars and questioning him,

“Bansai-sama, with all due respect, what brings you here? I doubt you came to question me about trivial things as the state of my comfort.”

You didn’t mean to be rude or trying to get rid of his presence. You were merely questioning his motives. After all, this was extremely out of his character.

Without missing a beat, the man ignored your question and repeated his statement,

“You sound unsure.”

You sighed and turned to look at him. He seemed to have not moved at all from the position you last saw him in. His staring became a bit more intense, and finally you gave in after having a small staring match with him. With a sigh, you looked down at your sword and found your face being reflected on it.

“It’s not that I’m unsure. I am comfortable. I have food, a place to sleep, and a roof above my head. There is no need to worry about that. It’s just… I guess I just miss what I had…”

You paused. This is the first time you had ever talked to him about a personal matter… or to anyone to begin with. You were always busy with something else or making meetings with potential backers and the such. There was no real time to worry about comfort, or to remember. To remember what you took for granted, and how much you missed it. 

Clearing your throat, you smiled forcefully and looked towards the man next you,

“Do not worry about me, Bansai-sama. I will be alright. You don’t have to worry about my performance or my ability to complete my duties. I will follow through our goal to my very end.”

Bansai stared back, and for a few moments the emotions in his eyes shifted into something soft before going back to being passive. Observing her as if she was something hard to understand.

Looking away with an embarrassed soft blush, you returned to cleaning your sword. At this point, you were just trying to make yourself busy rather than cleaning the sword. It was already clean to begin with.

A soft sigh came out from the man next to you before he spoke up,

“I had passed by to see if the room was empty. I was wrong, obviously… When I saw it was you… You held a sad expression.”

You almost didn’t catch the last part of his sentence, but for some reason it still rang in your ears loud and clear. A little stunned, you stared at him with a slightly confused face; mouth slightly agape. 

This was the first time he had expressed any concern for you. Ever.

He looked down on his instrument and prepared himself to play it. Ignoring your existence for a moment, he started to play a tune. This was also the first time you heard the instrument being played in such proximity. Almost like a private concert. You were entranced by it at first, the movement of his skilled calloused hands and the concentrated expression he held on his face made him look different to you.

This was different from his usual demeanor.

Finishing up, he finally opened his eyes and looked at you. A little mesmerized you complimented him,

“That was amazing... so beautiful.” 

He widen his eyes and his cheeks only so slightly turned pink, but he didn’t turn away from you. 

“Thank you.”

You smiled a little before looking at the glass window, the black nothingness outside peppered with stars. The silence that transpired between you two stayed liked that for a few moments, and you decided to speak again, 

“Father would’ve thrown a fit if he saw me following his footsteps. He would’ve for sure locked me in my room and tell me to study instead of playing with fire.”

She smiled down on your sword with a wistful expression. Raising it up, you let the light gleam on it’s sharp edge, “He often told me stories of the Joui wars, the amanto invasion, and how he served the Bakufu despite everything... The look on his eyes... they were those of a guilty man in a nightmare. I should’ve guessed his intentions from the very beginning.”

Your eyes started to water, and you let the sword rest on your lap. Biting your lips, you hid from the gaze of Bansai as you spoke again, “He wanted a different future for me... Ah dang it, I’m sorry... it’s been a few months and it still hurts so much... I don't even know what I am saying anymore. Forget-”

His voice interrupted you, “Instead of forgetting... and pretending to be strong in front of a man who also has known lose, you should remember the good and the bad times and let the tears flow. Do not pretend that it did not happen, it will only hurt more and for a longer time than what you will wish for. Instead, take it as the driving force to what makes you now, and what drives you to move forward. As twisted the path is, it is still forward. That is what (Y/Father’s/N)-dono would’ve said, I daresay.”

You were biting your lips so hard, you were sure to draw blood from them if you kept on trying to hold back the tears. A few traitor ones slipped by and finally a gasp for air was heard from you. Then there it was, you felt the few awkward comforting taps on your shoulder. You slowly turned your head to the only other person in the room, your eyes meeting slowly, a small hiccup leaving your lips before...

“... Bansai-sama? Are you alright?... You look... constipated.”

The man’s expression looked like it was in that sort of pain when you know it’s there but you can’t push it out because you think your whole existence will go with it. You know, THAT pain? Well that’s the look he had. 

Bansai looked at you with a dangerous glare as you mentioned it to him. Removing his hand quickly, you couldn’t help but snort before starting to laugh even with the snot clogging your nose.

The tears you tried to hide became those of laughter, and the look that Bansai gave you was enough for you to die down a little. Cleaning a tear away, you sighed when you finally completely stopped.

“I needed that. Thank you Bansai-sama.” You gave him the brightest smile you could and he returned a semi-soft one in return.

“This is the first time I see you smile like that...” You gave him a surprised look, cheeks flushed, but nevertheless you gave him another one. You felt lax, and a little lighter. The hurt was still there, but the pain was easier to bear today than yesterday.

He held a smile as well, not as expressive, but definitely reached his passive eyes. This was the first time you saw him show so much emotions to you, and you felt a different connection to him from the one that had transpired earlier.

There was always a first time for everything, and that time in the observatory was the first time to a blooming relationship.