#reliving the past

[hotwife-fling]

[hungarianshinobi]

Reliving the past - Kokushibo x F!Reader (Ongoing)

Summary:

Kokushibo x Reader - MANGA SPOILERS! Continue reading at your own risk!

.

.

.

Kokushibo, also known as Michikatsu Tsugikuni who's been a demon slayer himself before turning into a demon. His life as a human was as happy as a man could wish it to be. His wife was the source of his happiness until everything has been taken away from him because of an incurable illness his wife suffered from.

He lost everything and he promised himself that even if it took thousands of years, he will find the soul of his wife again. That's why he accepted the demon king's offer to become a demon over 500 years ago.

He was beginning to lose hope until one day he had finally found her. His beloved (y/n), more than 500 years later. A woman in her 20s who looked exactly like Kokushibo's long lost wife. She was her reincarnation.

But how will she react when he tells her?

Read the story to find out!

❗⚠️EXPLICIT CONTENT⚠️❗

• I do not own Demon slayer or any of the characters.

• I only own the storyline/plot and a few OCs here and there.

Story started: 2024.08.01.

Story ended: ~Still ongoing~

Disclaimer (MUST READ)

This short disclaimer is as important as the story will be itself, so please don't skip, read!

The most important thing:

NO MINORS! Or at least no minors who are not mature enough for such explicit content I am going to write in this story. So if you are under at least 18, read at your own risk! I'm not a sensitive, merciful person when it comes to mature content! So seriously if you are uncomfortable with themes like very detailed smuts/lemons, violence, kissing or whatsoever I suggest you to leave right now... And don't blame me if you've read further. I don't take responsibility for losing your innocence. Always remember that I warned you ✌️

This book contains spoilers from the manga about Kokushibo, so if you don't want to get spoiled, leave.

Okay, let's start...

As in my other stories, I would like to thank you for clicking on my book and giving it a chance! It really means a lot to me ❤️

What I give in exchange for clicking on my story is nice adventure! Something that my crazy mind created...

Those who have read any of my other stories know what kind of writing style I have, but for those who are new, I'm going to tell a few things:

• I usually write about 2000 words per chapter. However there are times when I make it a bit longer if there is a lot happening according to the plot. I think 2000 words for a chapter is the most comfortable to both write and read.

• I am a merciless person when it comes to cliffhangers so bear with me. I try my best with updating, and there are times when I'm so into writing that I might publish two or three new chapters in a week/month. It depends on my free time.

• Speaking of which... Yes I do write in my free time just like most of the fellow fanfiction writers here. I have a life, a family with two kids, so please be patient and don't ask for an update when I just updated. (Of course badly waiting for it is something else, but I'm not going to force myself to write if I don't have time or if I'm not in the mood)

• I LOVE drama, fluff, angst and dirty minded scenarios. I honestly live for these kind of themes so prepare for an absolutely nice adventure if you are as rotten as me when it comes to mature content ✨

• Yes the story will contain smut. (How could I not include any in it ತ‿ʖತ) I know that somewhere deep you all seek for quality smuts just like me... That's why that those chapters will definitely be longer than my usual 2000 words. Yes you read it right 😌 if you don't believe me, peek into one of my latest stories for proof.

• I won't always put a warning before the chapters, because sometimes I forget about it. Oh and be sure to get the whole world's holy water for yourself. (Honestly I think it's going to be useless. We are all going to rot in hell for liking these kind of books but if all the hot anime men are waiting for us there who cares 🤷‍♀️)

• Also I am very cruel because I try to describe feelings as detailed as possible. This is both true to happy and sad feelings. Make sure to always have ice cream in your freezer. If you don't have any, come back here, I am giving them away for free. Extra popcorn is free as well. Choose to your liking: 🍧🍨🍦, 🍿🍿

• I do love plot twists and make my readers confused or fool them with these twists so be prepared 😈

Things I appreciate:

💟 I love any kinds of feedback. Let it be comments, votes or messages. It makes me want to write more and update more frequently to satisfy your needs. So if you have anything to say, feel free to do it! I always appreciate it!

💟 If you have any fantasies in your mind you want to see throughnout the story tell me! There are no limits. (If you knew how dirty my mind is you would run away I swear)

A few more things that are important:

° My first language is not English so I apologize for any kind of grammar mistakes, I try my best. (Typos don't count)

° I'm not going to follow the anime's timeline and plot since this story will be about both the past and the present. I mean, there will be a few things included from the original story to bring life to my book and be close to the world and the characters from Demon slayer, but this is a fanfiction where I am the boss 😎

° You may also find me on Archive of our own (Ao3) and Wattpad so you don't have to dm me and tell someone stole my work if you see the story there. My username is the same.

https://archiveofourown.org/users/HungarianShinobi

https://www.wattpad.com/user/Hungarian-Shinobi

° I am also available on patreon. I always put new chapters up there for early access before publishing anywhere else. All supports are highly appreciated. You may find a link on my profile for that as well: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=104357938

° I do not own the anime/manga, nor the characters. They all belong to the dear creator, Koyoharu Gotouge.

° This fanfiction was created for fun.

° I do not own any of the pictures and fanarts I put inside the story unless I say so.

° I only own the storyline and a few ocs here and there throughnout the story.

Reliving the Past - Kokushibo x Reader

Written by: Hungarian Shinobi

Time for advertising 🎉

My hero academia stories:

Overhaul x Reader - FORBIDDEN: An alternative universe where Overhaul is not a yakuza. He's a doctor. He's married and y/n has a huge crush on him for a long time. No spoilers! (Completed)

Overhaul x Reader - From haters to lovers: Going mostly by the anime's timeline. The title says it all. Spoiler alert! (Completed)

Dabi x Reader - When I was your man: Y/n works as a prostitute. The story is about how Dabi wants to get her back because they broke up. Also it tells their story of their meeting and progress. (Completed) Spoilers about the truth of Dabi!

Dabi x Reader - Our Destiny: High spoiler alert! If you haven't read the manga or don't know the truth about Dabi and don't want to get it spoiled, don't read! Y/n and him know each other since childhood. Toxic relationship. (Completed)

Demon slayer stories:

Uzui Tengen x Reader - His Princess: A story in which (y/n) is part of the Rengoku family. Tengen is a teasing, flirtatious bastard and she wants to avoid to fall for his charm. But of course she fails eventually... (Completed)

Rengoku Kyojuro x Reader - F#cking Professor Rengoku: The title says it all. Teacher and student relationship. Kyojuro in the beginning is different, but later he turns into the sweet, caring boy we all love. (Completed)

And of course the Kokushibo one we are talking about:

Jujutsu kaisen stories:

Fushiguro Toji x Reader - Red flag? I'm colorblind (Ongoing)

Ryomen Sukuna x Reader - His favourite Obsession (Ongoing)

Hunter X Hunter:

Chrollo Lucilfer x Reader - The Devil's Angel (Ongoing)

-Hungarian Shinobi

.

.

.

Chapter 1

Author's note: If you haven't read the previous disclaimer chapter, please do now! It contains important informations! Also, this book contains spoilers about Kokushibo from the manga, so if you don't want to get spoiled, leave. If you don't, then don't blame me for getting spoiled. 🤷‍♀️

.

.

.

Two person. A husband and wife who were hopelessly in love with each other from the start. They were both lucky enough to find something rare, something that's one of a kind and true, which was their pure love for each other. Two souls who were meant to be and found each other more than five hundred years ago from the present we know as the modern world.

Of course, love isn't always perfect. It isn't a fairytale or a storybook. And it doesn't always come easy. Love is overcoming obstacles, facing challenges, fighting to be together, holding on and never letting go. It is a short word, easy to spell, difficult to define, and impossible to live without. Love is work, but most of all, Love is realizing that every hour, every minute, and every second was worth it because you did it together.

And that's exactly how Michikatsu Tsugikuni and his wife (y/n) Tsugikuni, formerly known as (y/n) (l/n) existed.

Their love was one of the purest, the dearest, almost, only almost obsessive and addicting. Ever since they first met, they both fell in love with each other way before actually realizing it. The times they met on the village streets, or the times they happened to bump into each other in the market while shopping for food, they both never wanted to part ways whenever it was time to say goodbye.

All these small meetings led them into dates, initiated by Michikatsu, who wooed her with his best abilities to catch the young woman's attention which of course succeeded, since (y/n) found him just as attractive in both looks and personality.

It didn't take long for them to begin a relationship and soon get married. Things happened quite fast, but back in those times it was normal for a couple to start a life together as soon as possible.

As a demon slayer, Michikatsu brought home more than enough money for them, so they never really had a problem. They had everything they needed. A pretty house with a pretty garden. They couldn't have asked for more. Being there for each other was the most important thing for them.

(Y/n) was always happy to wait for her husband to come back home from his dangerous job. At the same time she was always worried for him of course, but she trusted him and believed in him, knowing no limits, because she loved him.

Everything seemed to be fine in their lives together...

That is until one day a plague, known as 'black death' was around the corner, growing fear in every people.

They were lucky enough to avoid it for a long time, but then, tragedy reached the happy married couple too. The women fell sick.

"Michikatsu..." the sick woman called out to him, laying on her futon in their once shared bedroom. She was feeling weak. She knew that death was haunting her and the plague could end her life in a short amount of time.

It was one of the worst nightmares back in that time that could happen to mankind. Most victims died within four to seven days and (y/n) was suffering from it for the fifth day now.

She continued, her voice weak. "You shouldn't come this close to me... You might... get infected..."

The young man was on the verge of crying, kneeling by the edge of her futon, desperate to hold her hand, but he knew he mustn't. He was clutching his pants over his thighs, thinking about what he could do to ease the pain for his beloved. He shouldn't be near her at all, but he couldn't stay away. He wanted to see his wife. He didn't want her to suffer alone.

"My love, you can't ask me to leave you alone." He replied. "Especially when you suffer like this. We vowed to be there for each other through thick and thin, didn't we?"

"That's true... But I don't want you to get infected and die." With half closed eyes, his wife responded.

The man took a deep breath, before speaking up again. "The only thing that will end me will be the moment you die. How am I supposed to continue my life without you?"

"You must..."

"My life has no meaning if you are not by my side anymore. You are everything to me, darling. You know that..." The man was having a hard time fighting back his tears as he spoke through gritted teeth. "How could I-" his words got caught in his throat, holding back a sob.

His wife had a hard time breathing properly as she felt herself getting weaker. "My love..." She called out to Michikatsu, making the man dedicate all of his attention on her. It was hard for the both of them not to make any physical contact with each other. "Thank you... for everything..." she gently smiled. "I love you... and will always love you in the afterlife as well..."

"(Y/n)-"

"I'm sorry... I wish I could stay by your side for longer..."

"You don't have to apologize. It was me who failed to protect you, my love."

He blamed himself. Though of course it wasn't his fault at all. They were simply unlucky. For those few years of them being together, they stayed loyal and true to each other. They greatly cherised, trusted and respected each other no matter what, even when this tragedy happened.

The moment his wife stopped breathing, Michikatsu couldn't hold back any longer, his tears were falling on the tatami floor, his entire being full of sadness and sorrow. He was screaming. The pain he felt in his heart was like non other. He has never experienced such grief in his entire life before.

Seeing his wife's lifeless body in front of him made him feel like his entire world has burnt into ashes. He no longer had a reason to live. It was his wife who gave sense to his life. That's why it was an unbearable pain for him.

She was gone. He wailed... he cried... he screamed... as loud as he could, hoping that if she can hear him on her way to heaven, she would turn around and come back to him, wipe his tears and be with him as they promised each other.

"What a tragedy..." A deep voice from a man, surrounded by a cold, powerful aura found the crying man's ears.

The grieving man turned over his shoulder, only to see a tall male standing in the center of the opened sliding door. The darkness of the night and the rain behind him made it impossible for him to see his features. All he saw was two crimson eyes glowing on the mysterious man's face.

However it was enough for Michikatsu to identify him as nothing but a demon. He was ready to charge at him, gripping his katana beside him, yet somehow he didn't move a limb. Somehow he knew that this demon was different and he wasn't here to harm or consume him or his deceased wife.

And he was right. The demon had an offer. An offer which was tempting enough for Michikatsu to accept and he did. He no longer had a reason to stay here anyways.

He glanced at his wife's beautiful face for one last time before standing up on his feet and leave with the demon, soon turning into one himself, gifted with this power by Kibutsuji Muzan.

He felt like this was the greatest chance of his life. He lost everything and promised himself that even if it took thousands of years, he will find the soul of his wife again, because he believed that her soul will sooner or later find a new body to merge into.

Throughnout the years more demons joined the king. Among the upper ranked ones, Michikatsu, now known as Kokushibo was exceptional. Not only because of his strength, but his way of living. He had permission for many things the others didn't. His only task was to stay loyal to the king of demons and obey to his orders beside searching for his long lost love's soul.

He believed that she will reborn. He believed he could find her. Time didn't matter to him, since he was immortal. His only weakness was the sun, like every other demon's, so he could only continue his search at nights.

For hundreds of years his hope didn't falter. He was strong and determined enough to believe that he will find his wife. No matter what he has to do, he would do it in a heartbeat to see and talk to her again...

.

.

.

More than 500 years later...

(Y/n)'s POV:

"Congratulations, honey! We are so proud of you!" My mom said as she smiled along with my dad and three siblings as we sat in a restaurant at the same table. My mom called me here, telling me she needs to talk to me, and it turned out that they wanted to surprise me with this small dinner to congratulate me for moving up one step on the ladder in my job.

They were always sweet and dear to me. They were the main supporters in my life. Always there for me, always helping me whenever I needed it.

"Thank you." I smiled back at them.

My 10 year old sister leaned closer to me. "So does this mean that you can buy us more gifts?"

"What?" I laughed.

"You will earn more money now, right?"

I blinked at her and patted the top of her head.

"Yes!! Sis will buy us more presents than before!" My 8 year old brother yelled. My mom and dad immediately shushed him, because everyone in the restaurant were looking at us.

"Geez, you are so loud." My 16 year old sister spoke up this time. She was just like them when she was smaller, but she is a teenager now, so she mostly likes to be alone. She loved our younger siblings nevertheless. She just had a hard time showing it most of the time.

Meanwhile my dad spoke with the waiter who took our order and soon when our meals were done, we ate peacefully. Well, almost. My younger siblings always had something to say, but that's how it goes with kids I guess.

After our dinner my family went home together and I was left alone. I thought about my co-worker's offer on drinking with him to celebrate my promotion, but instead I texted him that I feel tired and want to go home.

I was certain that he was crushing on me, but he wasn't really my type. I wasn't lying though. I was really feeling tired. This day was a long one and I needed to rest.

'It's fine. Maybe next time. Good night to you (y/n).' he texted back to me.

Hopping in my car I fastened my seatbelt and drove off soon. At least the traffic wasn't as bad in the evening as in the mornings. Sometimes I rather go to work by train, because despite the crowd it's faster to get there.

My apartment wasn't anything special. Just a simple, cozy apartment with my belongings. Nothing luxurious, nothing more than necessary. A place where I can go to at the end of the day and start a new one after waking up. A place where I can be safe. The landlord and the people who lived in this building were all kind and nice to me. Fortunately I never had any problems with my neighbours.

Everything was perfect. Well, almost... Expect for one thing.

I knew that I should be grateful that I have no major problems in my life, yet I always felt like it lacked something. Every single day were the same. I woke up, went to work, spent time together with my family and friends and came home at the end of the day. The same cycle kept repeating as if I was stuck in a time loop. There was something I was missing, but I didn't know what it was.

Deep down I felt it. A kind of feeling similar to the one when you are so hungry you could eat a horse, but you don't know what you want to eat, and end up opening and closing your fridge all the time, in hope of finding something new in there you didn't see before.

There was something undescribable that made me feel empty...

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

End of Chapter 1

Comments and feedbacks are always appreciated! ❤️ Don't forget to follow to see further updates!

You can support me and my work on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=104357938 (Link in bio too)

-Hungarian Shinobi

[sjsmith56]

The Visitor

Summary: A visitor to the Avengers compound causes concern for Bucky as she wishes to talk to him about his time as the Winter Soldier. Tony thinks she has something to hide.

Length: 4.3 K

Characters: Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, name OFC.

Warnings: Emotional trauma, bringing up the past.

Author notes: In this canon based AU, the Avengers defeated Thanos in Wakanda. Bucky returned to the United States but was confined to the Avengers compound while his legal status was determined. Although Tony accepted his presence there is still awkwardness between the two men.

After the battle of Wakanda the world was in turmoil regarding the close call with the genocidal Thanos, that could have resulted in the death of billions of people.  The Avengers rallied together to fight the Titan, in a battle that saw the arrival of Tony Stark along with several non-human beings via a portal provided by Dr. Strange.  They met up with the force already in Wakanda that included the fugitives Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Natasha Romanoff, Wanda Maximoff, and the man most people knew as the Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes.  The moment when Tony Stark found himself alongside the man who had killed his parents was captured by drone cameras that broadcast the battle to the world.  There was no denying that Stark wished he were beside someone else, but when Barnes took out an alien beast that knocked over Stark from behind then offered the iron-suited man a hand up, a hand that was taken, it was hoped the healing could begin.

After the defeat of Thanos, it was Stark who asked Bucky Barnes to return to the United States, offering him a place at the Avengers compound while his legal status was clarified, and providing him with legal counsel as the American political, judiciary and military complex began drawing their own battle lines over the former PoW's return.  When Bucky provided Stark a long list of names of HYDRA supporters in those areas, names that would have marked millions as enemies to be taken out, he went public with the information, turning attention towards the traitors who still hid openly in plain sight.  While Stark was the public face of the Avengers that handled this, Bucky was required to stay on the compound, wearing an ankle monitor to keep him there.  He was free but he was still confined.

The two super soldiers entered the common room, both fresh out of the showers after they ran close to 20 miles that morning.  As they helped themselves to the offerings of the breakfast buffet, then sat down at the large table, several others strolled in, having just awakened.

"We have a request from the legal team representing the families," said Tony Stark, entering the common room, looking like he had been up all night.  "Friday, display the request.  They wish to send another person to interview Bucky Barnes."

"Why?" asked Steve, looking up at the formal letter.  He frowned at the terse request.  "He already submitted everything he remembers.  What purpose would this serve?"

Tony looked briefly at Bucky, who sat quietly, as he often did at the compound, still trying to fit in there.

"Part of it is to question him themselves in a non-legal location so they can get an idea of what kind of man he is," he answered.  "That's what one of the lawyers admitted to me.  Personally, I think the woman they are proposing may be looking to find inconsistencies in his memories.  Our lawyers are insisting that anything he says to her would be inadmissible and unpublished by her in any way, shape or form."

"Is she a relative of one of the dead?" asked Bucky.

"No, she's not related to anyone," said Tony, bringing up a picture of a woman in her late twenties or early thirties, her dark hair cut in a stylish bob.  "Her name is Dr. Aline Clifton, a sociologist, PhD from Columbia University.  She's written several papers on the effects of imprisonment and torture on PoWs and kidnap victims.  Her papers have been ... interesting as she doesn't really come to any conclusions on whether a person can be forced to commit crimes when they are a prisoner, yet she appears to be sympathetic to those who have."

"Do I have to see her?"

"No, you're under no obligation.  It's just a request.  They would like an answer by tomorrow."

He nodded at Tony and got up from the table, leaving the rest of his breakfast untouched, followed by Steve.  Together, the two men went to Steve's quarters, which Bucky was sharing.  His nightmares occasionally needed an intervention from his friend.

"Why are they doing this?" he asked.  "She's the third one.  The first two concurred with my defence that I was in no position to counteract my programming.  I guess they didn't like hearing that.  Why do I have to go through this again?"

"You don't," replied Steve.  "It's just a request that you have already granted twice.  You don't have to see her."

"They'll twist that into saying I have something to hide.  I'll see her."

He left to tell Tony personally that he would agree to the meeting.  It wasn't like he was busy doing much else.

Two days later

It was stressful sitting in the conference room, waiting for the arrival of Dr. Aline Clifton.  Bucky had examined every vibranium plate in his left hand, tracing the seams between each section.  It was the equivalent of chewing his fingernails, which he had already done to his right hand.  He looked at the LED clock on the wall, noting it was only a minute since he last looked at it.  Then, with a sigh, he got up and went to the window, looking out over the nearby reservoir.  The waters looked so calm and peaceful, but he knew below that they were anything but, as currents drew the water towards the downstream dam that originally formed the body of water in the 1880s.  Hearing the door behind him open he was startled to see the woman in question standing in the doorway, alone.  She nodded her head at him, then entered, closing the door behind her.

"I'm Aline Clifton," she said.  "Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Barnes."

"Bucky is fine," he answered, then gestured to a chair.  "After you."

She sat, facing him as he sat across from her.  Quickly, he took in her appearance.  Her dark hair was cut in a modern style that accentuated her dark eyes and fine facial features, giving her an intensity that wasn't common on someone her age.  She had a septum piercing which drew his attention until he realized he was staring and looked away.  She smiled slightly at him, noticing his stare.

"A remnant of my youth," she explained.  "I embraced a goth lifestyle for a time.  There were many such piercings that I discarded over the years as I became more attuned to myself.  I keep this one as a reminder that everyone has issues, both exposed and hidden."

"I'm sorry.  That was rude of me to stare.  I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"You didn't and the sentiment is returned.  You're probably wondering why I'm here."  Bucky didn't answer.  "The truth is that I wished to meet you, and I put in a request to your lawyers, but they refused me outright.  So, I reached out to the lawyers of the families as I heard that two others approached you on a fact-finding basis.  I was hoping a third request would be accepted."

"I didn't hear about you until two days ago but now that you're here, you seem familiar.  We haven't met before." 

She shook her head; her mouth set in a grim line. 

"No, we haven't met but I did manage to be in the courtroom several times during your appearances.  Perhaps you remember me from that."

"Perhaps."  He caught himself staring again, trying to reconcile exactly where he knew her from.  "Why did you want to see me?  Everything that you see or read about me is true."

"I know, but I was hoping to provide you with some comfort, for lack of a better word."  She looked outside the window then, and he saw how she was choosing her words carefully.  "My whole career has been spent in studying individuals who were indoctrinated by others.  Some were subject to it by proximity; their parents were members of a cult, or they were looking for personal enlightenment at the hands of charlatans.  Others, like yourself, were captured, imprisoned, and tortured.  Sometimes, the treatment they received was just for the hell of it, to satisfy the sadistic desires of their captors.  Other times, it was with a purpose in mind, such as manipulating them into becoming agents or supporters of their cause."

"I didn't choose to be the Fist of HYDRA," interrupted Bucky.  "I was a prisoner of war, who was experimented on before my rescue, then I fell into their hands again, in a broken body that couldn't defend itself, and they continued the experiment for decades.  It was only Steve saying my name, and me recognizing him as being someone I once knew, that everything they did to me began to unravel."  He breathed out steadily.  "That's all public knowledge."

She nodded again, then looked out the window.  "Can we go for a walk and just talk?"

"I'm not allowed to be off the grounds."

"That's okay," she smiled.  "I just want to get out of here.  It feels confining."

He agreed, leaving the room with her, stopping to tell Steve and Tony they were going for a walk.  As they left, Tony looked at the pair and shook his head.

"There is something off about her.  I don't know what it is."

He whirled around, retreating to his lab while Steve stepped to the window and watched as Bucky and Dr. Clifton moved further away from the building.  Frowning, he went outside but hung back until he could barely see them, then he followed.

For some time, the couple didn't speak as they walked.  It was calming to Bucky then as they approached the path beside the reservoir, he put himself between Aline and the water, an action she noticed. 

"That's something that men of your time did, place yourselves between a woman and something that was a potential danger." 

"I guess the old habits came back quickly," he said.  "I can move to the other side if you want to be closer to the water."

"It's fine."  They walked a few more steps.  "Do you ever think of leaving?"

He stopped, frowning slightly at the question.

"No, I promised I would stay on the grounds until my case is decided.  I gave them my word."  He looked down at his ankle.  "They made me wear an ankle monitor but I wouldn't go back on my word.  I'm not that type of man."

"But if you could leave here, would you?"

"Not until my case is decided." 

"Did you try to leave HYDRA?" 

Ah, there was the question that was always asked.  It always came down to that.  So many of the politicians on the various committees that Bucky had appeared before had asked him the same question.  Why didn't he try harder to get away?  With a sigh, he answered.

"Many times.  They always found me, partly because they made me so dependent on them that I couldn't function in society anymore but also because I consistently tried to go home.  Even if I didn't consciously know that home was Brooklyn, a part of me knew and repeatedly headed there so they always knew where to find me.  The punishment for leaving was without exception worse than the time before.  You've read their files on me.  Do you really want me to say out loud what they did to me?"

Bucky stopped and looked at her, seeing the regret on her face.  Aline shook her head.

"No.  It was an obligation from the families' lawyers that I ask.  They are of the opinion that you could have left at any time, but you didn't because you were a believer.  They're surprised you don't try to leave now and go into hiding.  But you're done running, aren't you?"

He nodded, then looked out over the reservoir at the deceptively calm placid waters.  Even though he felt the anxiety and fear churning inside of him, he was still conditioned to display nothing on his face.  One of the psychiatrists he saw said it was a coping mechanism borne from years of abuse, a way not to give his captors a reason to hurt him any further.  Not that it ever really worked as HYDRA never saw him as human and most of his guards and handlers had strong sadistic tendencies that they expressed fully on him.

"Bucky, did any of your captors have families that you were aware of?"  Her voice was so quiet that it drew his attention to her face.  She was also looking out over the reservoir, her face an emotionless mask but he detected a note of anxiety in her voice.  "Were you allowed to interact with anyone outside of their duties?"

"No, although I did see children at times.  Most were told to avoid me, and I was ordered not to engage with them.  I wasn't seen as a person.  Just like most parents wouldn't let their kids play with weapons, I wasn't seen as being child friendly.  That's all I remember about that.  There are still a lot of missing memories."

Now she seemed distressed and wrung her hands a little.  Then she breathed out heavily and turned away from Bucky.

"I want to go back now, please," she said.  "I shouldn't have come."

"Okay," he replied, gesturing to her.  "Are you alright?"

"Yes ... no," she breathed out shakily. 

As they walked, he could see she was almost crying, and he reached out to touch her arm.  She pulled it away as if his touch was fire.  Then she shook her head and began walking quickly away from him.  He watched, concerned, then started following her.

Steve, who was close enough to see the expression on Dr. Clifton's face, frowned.  What happened that she looked like she was about to have a breakdown?  The sound of footsteps behind him made him look back to see Tony approaching.

"What's going on?" asked Tony. 

"I'm not sure.  She's walking fast and looks upset."

"Somehow I'm not surprised."  Steve's expression was curious to which Tony shrugged.  "I do know she wasn't completely truthful with us.  Bring her inside.  She has some questions to answer."

She came closer and made to walk right past them, but Steve reached out and grabbed her arm.  She pulled away briefly then stopped, breathing heavily.

"Please, let me go," she begged.  "I shouldn't have come."

"No," said Tony.  He nodded at Bucky who had just caught up.  "You owe Barnes some answers."

"I can't."  She shook her head, trying to pull away again, then began to hyperventilate.  "I can't do this."

"Do what?" asked Tony, staring intently at her face.  "Barnes is not the enemy, Dr. Clifton, but you already know that."

Agony was written on Aline's face as she looked everywhere until finally settling on Bucky again.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears.  "I'm sorry for what they did to you.  I could have told someone, but I was so afraid they would come for me ... please forgive me, please."

Burying her face in her hands, she slumped to the ground and bent over.  Bucky looked at Tony, questioningly, but he shook his head. 

"Give her a few moments then we'll go inside.  She can unburden herself in there."  He shook his head angrily.  "You and I weren't the only victims of HYDRA.  They hurt their own just as much."

It was several minutes before Aline was composed enough to go with them.  As they settled in the conference room, Tony poured a glass of water, placing it in front of the woman.  She smiled slightly at him then sipped it. 

"Where do you want me to start?" she asked.

"Allow me," said Tony.  He waved his hand, bringing up a holographic display.  "Alice Meyer, born April 10, 1985, the daughter of Dr. Ludwig Meyer and his wife Eloise.  Although you were born in Austria, your father worked in Siberia, in a HYDRA lab.  After a shipment of stolen serum was wasted on several individuals that became too violent to control, your father was transferred to a HYDRA lab outside of Washington, D.C.  You and your mother joined him.  You grew up in the small town that was built for the employees.  How am I doing so far?"

She swallowed nervously then nodded her head.  "I was seven years old when Mama and I arrived.  We lived a quiet life in Austria, seeing Papa every few months.  All I knew was that it was government work.  I wasn't allowed to ask about it and he never spoke of it when he was home.  But when we moved to the United States, it was like being dropped into the middle of a cult.  Everyone was HYDRA.  We woke up to the call of Hail HYDRA, on speakers throughout the town.  The only visitors that were welcome were other HYDRA followers.  Outsiders were made to feel very unwelcome and basically run out of town.  It was stifling and frightening all the time."

"You were HYDRA?" asked Bucky, a sense of anger in his voice.

"Not by choice," she answered.  "I soon learned that if I didn't display the proper attitude, I could expect punishment, both corporal and psychological.  It became easier to pretend that I belonged than to fight it.  My parents told me to go along with it, as my behaviour would reflect on them.  They used the Winter Soldier as an example of someone who didn't comply and look what they did to him."  She looked sadly at Bucky.  "You were the boogeyman, what we children were threatened with if we didn't behave and follow HYDRA's way.  Although my parents sometimes let slip that you were a prisoner, they never said you were being tortured or forced to do what you did.  Even when I heard the rumours of what was done to you, it was always explained that you deserved it for your crimes.  At that time, I thought my parents were good people caught up in an unpleasant situation, trying to get through the day without being punished in a similar way."

"What changed your mind?" asked Steve, sympathetically.

"September 11, 2001.  I was 16, in high school, a normal school, and all the TVs were tuned to the news, showing what was happening in New York.  It was frightening.  Who would do such a thing?"  She sipped some more water.  "The school bus took us home and it was like a party there.  Everyone was happy, hugging and laughing, celebrating this great moment for HYDRA.  I walked into the house and my parents both had a drink in hand.  No one else was there, so there was no need for them to pretend that this was anything other than a tragedy.  My father said it was a great day for HYDRA.  Now the world would know that they needed a firm hand on them to guide them properly."  She slumped a little and closed her eyes then opened them.  "I was staggered by their behaviour and for the first time in my life, realized that monsters had raised me.  It made me look at you, Bucky, with new eyes.  I noticed the bruises on your face, the way your hair wasn't tended to, of how they made you wear that mask and that heavy black clothing even on the hottest days of summer.  There was always a threat of violence around you, in the circle of people who surrounded you."

"You tried to run away," said Tony, bringing up a picture of her in her high school yearbook.  She looked like she was on the edge.  "You were screaming for help, but the police always returned you to your parents."

Aline nodded, transfixed by her high school photo. 

"HYDRA always tried to recruit from within," she said.  "Career day was a tour behind the scenes.  I saw Bucky in his cryogenic capsule, then we were shown the whole support team that went into reinforcing his missions.  It was like being in a nightmare and I wanted no part of it, but I couldn't say that as it would mean my own imprisonment and probable torture.  I was a coward."

"No, you weren't," said Bucky, quickly.  "Don't say that.  You were afraid with good reason.  How did you get out?"

"I took on a job as a driver," she said.  "We would be sent to safe houses to restock groceries, clothing, medical supplies, cash, false IDs, etc.  One day, they trusted me enough to go on my own.  I kept the money and staged an accident with the vehicle, made it seem that I drove it off a bridge to avoid an animal.  Then I went full goth makeup, clothing, and piercings.  I mentioned that to you, remember?"

He smiled at her and nodded his head.

"They found the car but never found my body.  I went to Canada, with a false passport for Aline Clifton, born in Montreal, May 12, 1986.  I registered in the sociology program at McGill University and got my bachelor's degree, then master's there and my PhD at Columbia, in New York, specializing in the indoctrination of prisoners of war, cult members and abductees.  Then I was offered a position at the university, where I was when you fought against Thanos.  They announced that Bucky was part of the force that fought against him, and that he was coming back.  I wanted to know for sure if what I always suspected was true."

"That he was coerced into it," said Tony.  "I had my doubts too, but the files and the videos were damning testimony against HYDRA.  They were monsters.  As much as I wanted to hate him for killing my parents I couldn't in good conscience do it.  I killed more people with Stark weapons than he ever did.  Yet, I'm supposed to be one of the good guys."  He smiled apologetically at Bucky.  "I'm sorry I tried to kill you.  You had no choice but to obey your orders when you killed my parents."

"I'm sorry I killed them, your mom, especially.  I'd give anything to see my mother again."

"You could always try binarily augmented retro-framing."

"Did it work for you?"

"Not really as it never really fixed my issues that I had with my dad before he died.  It was nice to see Mom again."  Tony huffed a little.  "Sorry, getting a little off topic.  Dr. Clifton, is there anything more that you want to say?"

"Yes, most of the legal team behind the families are connected to HYDRA," she said.  "I'm sure of it.  They want Bucky in prison and likely want him in a specific location where he can receive very special treatment."

"The words don't work anymore," said Bucky.  "Wakanda took their power away."

"They don't care," she answered.  "They'll try and keep trying to bring the Winter Soldier back.  They spent billions on you and you're the only one they had success with.  You're too valuable to give up on now."

"How do you know?"

"I'm a sociologist, trained to observe human behaviour.  I know how to question both perpetrators and victims of torture to get to the truth.  I know liars when I see them and all the tells of someone who is under stress.  I never told anyone about you before because I was afraid of them finding me and forcing me back but I'm not afraid anymore.  I'm not a monster but I know one when I see one.  You're not one, Bucky.  You never were."

A rush of emotion went through him, and he couldn't speak for a moment.  Then he whispered out a thank you and left with Steve, wanting to cry in the privacy of their shared quarters.  Aline looked at Tony.

"You're not a monster, either Mr. Stark," she said.  "I'll write down the names of the lawyers who are true believers.  Make sure they don't get away with this."

"I'll make sure," said Tony, sliding a virtual keyboard over to her.  "Just enter their names and Friday will investigate their backgrounds before I notify the proper authorities."  He watched her as she used the virtual device as if it were no big deal.  "Dr. Clifton, have you ever thought of working for an organization like the Avengers?  Your training would be a great asset to us."

"No, I like being a teacher," she replied.  "But I could visit on a regular basis, if you wish.  Say, once a month?  Maybe more, if circumstances permit?"

"That could work," said Tony, smiling at her as she stood up.  "Will you be alright?  I'm guessing this was the first time you disclosed your real past to anyone."

"Yeah, I think I will be," she said.  "It was freeing."  She looked towards the door.  "He really is a good man inside.  It was obvious to me very quickly that he still feels tremendous guilt for what they forced him to do.  A monster would feel nothing."

Tony walked her out of the building, then waved as she drove away.  He headed for his lab, but instead found himself in the residential part of the building.  Knocking on Steve Roger's door he looked past him when the door was opened.  Steve led him in to where Bucky sat at the couch, the thousand-mile stare on his face.  The man still carried so much on himself, and Tony knew that words alone weren't enough.  Standing in front of Bucky, he offered him his hand.  When Bucky took it, Tony pulled him up, then hugged him until he felt the other return it.  The tears followed and both men wept until they had nothing left.  Their visitor, Dr. Aline Clifton, was right.  Bucky really was a good man inside and so was he.

One Shots Masterlist

Please support the author by reblogging.

[thejohnlockedfemboy]

∇ ☉ ∇ ☉ ∇ ☉ ∇ ☉ ∇ ☉ ∇ ☉ ∇ ☉ ∇ ☉ ∇

"Songbird on a Wall" Pt.6

pt.1 here

pt.2 here

pt.3 here

pt.4 here

pt.5 here

[ tw for brief references to grief, death, therapy aversion, and foul language ]

The next day, Price called them all together.

Normally they would use one of the briefing rooms if they had a team meeting, but the hard professionalism there didn’t feel right for the conversation they were about to have, the fluorescent lights too harsh and the air too stale. So they shut the rec room door and locked it, then took their usual seats.

Soap eased himself down onto the couch with a wince, his body aching from the laps he’d had to run. Ghost allowed the Scotsman to sit closer than he usually did to show that there were no hard feelings between them– just a Lieutenant allying corrective punishment to his subordinate.

Price took his usual armchair, and Gaz the other side of the couch, with Roach sitting on the floor between his legs.

Scanner crept in, his helmet pulled down low over his eyes and his gaiter scarf up to his nose. He was wearing his old Ranger’s coat despite the hot weather outdoors, the well-worn fabric holding the comfort of memories. He hesitated until Price beckoned him forward to sit.

“It’s about time we all had a talk about some things,” Price began, leaning forward so that his hands were resting on his thighs. “There’s been some tiffs between some of us, and it’s time to clear the air. We can’t function as a team unless there’s no reservations or secrets kept. Now, I’ve told you about the events that led up to Mander being assigned with us, but I think it will do good for you lads to hear it directly from him.” Scanner sunk further down into his chair. “Sir, I don’t–” “Mander,” Price cut him off firmly. “That’s an order. It’s either this or I’ll have to send you to the base psychiatrist.” “I don’t need a shrink!”

“Maybe not, son, but it’s clear that you’ve still got some things you have to work through. We get it out in the open, we save ourselves a lot of paperwork. Because nobody can bottle it up forever. You have to let it out or you’ll break.”

“I won’t break,” Scanner said fiercely, but he was struggling to keep up his soldier facade. Sometimes it was difficult not to just be Paul. “I’ve lasted this long.”

“And tha’s th’ problem, laddie,” Soap interjected, histone almost desperate. “Ye cannae deal wi’ this all on yer lonesome. It isnae fair to you or to us, not when we have tae listen tae ye tearin’ yerself apart for somethin’ tha’ happened seven years ago.”

“I can’t just– just talk about it,” Scanner – Paul – exclaimed, his voice cracking. “It’s not just something to… to bring up.” Soap opened his mouth to argue further, but Roach cut him off.

“Paul,” the Brit said quietly. His voice was always low enough to defuse any volatile situation within the team, and his use of Scanner’s first name felt intimate somehow. Roach had been the first to ever take to calling the surveillance specialist that. “You don’t have to tell us everything. But Price is right: letting out the hurt can sometimes help the scars heal.” “Scars don’t heal,” Paul replied hoarsely.

“No, they don’t,” agreed Roach. His gaze was warm and soft. Brotherly. Sympathetic. “But they do fade.”

Paul exhaled slowly. He took off his helmet, ran a hand through his pale, messy hair. “Alright.”

*  *  *

2018, seven years prior

The silence was unnerving.

Paul and his team were currently camped in the ruins of an old city, somewhere in a small, unspecified Middle-Eastern country. Even their Captain wasn’t told their exact coordinates for security reasons. The air was still and stifling, not a breeze to be felt.

“Bit spooky, isn’t it?” whispered Corporal Texley “Toad” Hudson. He’d gotten his callsign by putting a fat toad in the boot of one of their drill sergeants back in basic training, and he had been Paul’s best mate since childhood.

“Aye, I don’t like it,” Paul murmured in return. He scanned the dirty stone walls around them. Everything was the same dull, dusty color, and it was making him a bit claustrophobic to remain sitting in the same cramped position for so long. He panted for breath, his lungs never really filling full.

“Stop yer whinging,” grunted their Lieutenant, Erica “Nokia” Bjornson. She was six-foot-five, broad across the shoulders, and towered over the two much-smaller men like an omen of death. Her face was covered by a sniper’s hood, hiding the pulsing mass of scars below.

She had been shot, stabbed, blown up, knocked down, hit by a Humvee going forty miles an hour, and clinically dead for multiple minutes on multiple occasions. The team called her unkillable, like a Nokia phone; nothing short of being run over by a tank would break her.

“Not complainin’,” muttered Toad. “Just sayin’.”

Paul patted him firmly on the arm. “Not so quiet now, though, with you yapping. Keep it down, though, aye? Or Drainpipe–” Lieutenant Lawrence “Drainpipe” Gowan wasn’t quite so strict as Nokia, but he still had a mean left hook and he had no qualms about doling out some corporal punishment if the Rangers got out of line. “–will tan your arse.”

“I heard that,” Drainpipe drawled out from where he was slouching in the corner. Despite his lanky limbs, he could tuck himself into surprisingly small, twisted positions. He had gained his odd callsign by trying to climb down a drainpipe during a mission in his rookie days, only to have it break free from its bolts and send him crashing to the ground. “Toad, keep quiet. You’re announcing our presence to every hostile within earshot.” “Ain’t no hostiles, Drainpipe,” Toad said dismissively, waving away the warning with one stocky hand. “Paul already scouted the area. Didn’t you, Paulie-boy?”

“I hate that nickname,” Paul grumbled. “Makes me sound like a parrot.” “Paulie wanna cracker?” snickered Toad, slinging a companionable arm around Paul’s shoulders.

“Shut up,” Paul whined, his face heating up. “You’re such a prick.”

Toad smirked. “You know you love me.”

Paul stuck out his tongue, but Toad was correct. He loved the man like a brother and more, even if it was against regulations. He sighed and glanced around. “Drainpipe, are you sure we’re in the right place? I thought we were supposed to be putting down a coup.”

“The Marines are putting down a coup,” corrected the Lieutenant. “We’re here to provide backup and to keep things calm and quiet.”

“Sort of like a little vacation,” added Joseph “J.M.” Pérez, his voice lazy and drawling. He flicked a pebble at Drainpipe and was rewarded with a vampire-like hiss of protest. “We could use a vacation, to be honest. I’m sick of the same base in the same little Czech Republic. Feels fantastic to get some sun again.”

“We get plenty of sun already, J. M.” Paul tugged at the collar of his shirt. “It’s so bloody hot.” J. M. gave a deep chuckle. “Poor Scouser. I am from Córdoba. It gets up to forty degrees there.” Toad stared at him in disbelief. “How did you not die of heat stroke?”

J. M. shrugged. “It’s not even that hot, really.” “I agree with Paul; I wish we were back at base,” moaned Beau “Casper” Booker. He was named after the famous movie spector because he had cornsilk-colored hair, pale skin, and a pair of fluffy white footie pajamas that made him appear like a small ghost in low lighting. He was originally Russian but had moved to London with his father in his teens, giving him a very strange mesh of accents. “Maybe it is boring, but at least it is cooler there.”

“Missing Mother Russia?” teased Toad. Drainpipe gave a grunt of disapproval. Nokia glared at the other Lieutenant, as she had roots in both Russia and Norway.

Drainpipe raised a hand. “Easy, woman, I didn’t mean nothin’ by it.”

“You say ‘woman’ like it’s an insult,” accused Private Samantha McKay. She had a chip on her shoulder the size of Sisyphus’ rock and a cowardly streak that had yet to be expunged from her by military life. She had only gotten into the Rangers because of sheer and undisguised nepotism; her father was a thirty-year veteran major. Nokia was convinced that someday McKay was going to get them all killed or drive them insane with her “not like other girls” mentality.

Drainpipe smirked. “Don’t get your knickers in a twist, sweetheart. I’d never insult a member of the female sex.”

Toad gave him a sideways look. “Mate, it sounds so weird when you say it like that. You’re like that one family friend you can’t trust around your teenage daughter.” Drainpipe gave the younger man a hard look. “That’s not something to joke about, Corporal.”

Toad rolled his eyes. “I’m allowed to make innuendos like that. I was a teenage daughter once.”

They all collectively groaned. “Toad,” Paul said, “nobody wants to hear yet another transition story. I was there. And you’ve already told everyone else every single detail, like, a thousand times.” “Yeah,” agreed Drainpipe. “I didn’t need to know about how your… bits changed.” He shuddered. “I still have nightmares.”

Toad grinned unabashedly. “What can I say? I’m an inspirational story.” Paul snorted. “Inspiration? Right, that’s why I had to give you your first testosterone shot after you started bawling and couldn’t do it.” Toad gave a yawp of indignation. “That was supposed to be between us–!”

He was cut off by a rustle of movement. Derek “Cullen” Court stepped from the shadows. The medic had been doing a quick recon of the area in case of the unlikely event any civilian or Marine wounded should be nearby. Cullen saluted Nokia and Drainpipe in turn, and then stated his report. “The area remains clear. No sign of any action.”

“Good lad,” Drainpipe replied. He tossed the medic a ration bar. “Take a seat and join the party.”

Cullen bared his uncommonly sharp frontal canine teeth – the reason why he had been dubbed after the Twilight character – in a smile. He caught the ration bar and flopped down beside Casper, breaking the bar in two and giving half to the younger man.

Toad seemed to decide that eating was a good idea. He fished a package of peanut butter crackers from his pack.

Nokia glowered at him. “Did you bring enough for the whole class?” Toad smiled smugly. It was a long-running joke. The first time Toad had brought out his crackers, he had only had two packages: one for him and one for Paul. Nokia had decided that it would be bad for morale for just a pair of her soldiers to have snacks, so she had commandeered them… for herself. The next mission, however, Toad had been prepared. The hangry little man had brought dozens of the crackers, enough that his pack weighed five pounds more than the others’. It had been worth it, though, to see the widening of Nokia’s eyes behind her sniper’s mask.

“I did indeed.” Toad passed out the crackers, along with some fruit gummies that he had been saving. They were a bit melted from the hot weather, but that just made it more fun to laugh at each other as the sound of syrupy chewing filled the air.

“Eatin’ wivout me, are ye?” asked a deep, amused voice from the entrance of their hideout. Captain Mac Caesar stood leaning against the empty doorframe. His lilting Irish accent was recognizable to the team without them even having to look up.

Toad waved a package of crackers in the air. “I saved you one, Cap.” Caesar gave a low grunt. “No time, boyos.” He paused. “And gals. We move out now. Shoulder ye packs and steel ye spines. We’re heading deeper into the fray.” “What fray?” laughed Cullen. “All we’ve done for a week is skulk around.” “You just want one of us to get hurt so you can show off your patching-up prowess,” muttered McKay darkly.

“Stow the snark, princess,” barked Caesar. “Ye no' here to complain. And Cullen, you better be damn glad we haven’t seen any action, because the state of ye gun is atrocious. Get it cleaned. I want it done yesterday!”

Cullen cowered down with a “Sir, yes sir!” and began to fumble with his cleaning kit, polishing frantically at the barrel of his semi-automatic. He didn’t have to engage the enemy often, but when things went south, sometimes even the medic’s sloppy shooting could win them the right to fight another day.

Casper, wolfing down the last of his ration bar, got Cullen’s backpack and supplies ready for him while the medic worked furiously to scrub off even the tiniest molecule of dust from the barrel of his gun. “Thanks, Casps,” Cullen muttered anxiously, his gaze not leaving the weapon.

Caesar watched with a keen eye as the rest of the team got ready to move out. “We move silent and we move quick. Our objective is to make it to a hot zone twenty klicks from 'ere. Ye hear that thunder in the distance? They got 120mm mortars.”

The team winced. “Shite,” said Toad. “That’s a bit of firepower.”

“Damn right,” agreed Caesar. “One of those things hit ye, there t'ain’t gonna be no homecoming except for a pine box with some confetti scraps of flesh inside. So we stay low and shoot what needs shooting. Understood?”

“Sir, yes, sir!” cried the team, though McKay said nothing.

If Caesar took notice of this, he didn’t comment. He scanned his team. “ETA is an hour and a half. That means we’re running most of the way, soldiers. Because how do we follow our orders?”

“By all means!” chorused the team. This was their usual game, to boost their morale before going into a dangerous situation. It reminded them that they didn’t just serve themselves. They served the British Army Rangers.

Caesar gave a curt nod. “Forward march.”

note: J.M. uses Celsius ( since they’re all from Europe ). 40° C is about 100° F.

[kboo1999]

the way that i am so over this athena reliving her past storyline

[amalthea-felsblood]

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧Our Moments✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

◦Marian◦ "Tell me, Estinien. Do you regret any of our adventures thus far?"

◃Estinien▹"Nay Marian, though our adventures have been far from ordinary, my heart holds no regrets."

Goodbye Endwalker

Onward to Tural

[pawnshopbluessz]

ughh

[arkeives]

Hello! & Welcome ♡

Hello! I go by K, I’m 16 and currently want to archive everything I can so that I won’t forget my past.

This blog is still quite blank, I will do my best to update it as I learn more html to customize it.♡

this little space is my personal archival blog — a soft landing for fleetings thoughts, study notes, college memories, and gentle chaos. here you’ll find:

✧ college prep notes & academic snippets

✧ soft study guides + revisions for exams

✧ late-night thoughts and ideas.

feel free to stay a while, read, wander, or whisper back through the inbox. this blog is for me, but i don’t mind if you eavesdrop.

please mind your words and be kind.

—à bientôt. xoxo, k.♡

[elaboratelysimple]

Went to Bone Thugs-n-Harmony last night.

[hungarianshinobi]

Reliving the past - Kokushibo x F!Reader

-Chapter 1

https://www.tumblr.com/hungarianshinobi/781533736478146560/reliving-the-past-kokushibo-x-freader-ongoing?source=share

-Chapter 2

https://www.tumblr.com/hungarianshinobi/781559273450799105/reliving-the-past-kokushibo-x-freader-ongoing?source=share

-Chapter 3

https://www.tumblr.com/hungarianshinobi/781636435765755904/reliving-the-past-kokushibo-x-reader-ongoing?source=share

-Chapter 4

https://www.tumblr.com/hungarianshinobi/781726734050590720/reliving-the-past-kokushibo-x-reader?source=share

Chapter 5:

Third person POV:

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, loud and ragged, as if her body had been yanked out of time and thrown violently into a scene far beyond her comprehension. The air was thick with the scent of blood and burnt flesh. It clung to her skin, curled in her throat like smoke, and refused to let go.

(Y/n) stared at the bodies on the floor, her breath hitching in her lungs. Two adults. A man and a woman. Their lifeless eyes stared at the ceiling, and for a moment, the world tilted again.

No. No, no, this couldn't be real. She had parents. They were alive. Breathing. Smiling. Somewhere back in her own time.

She took a step back and hit the wooden wall behind her, the coldness of it grounding her just slightly in this nightmarish reality. This was a dream. It had to be. A hallucination. A trick of her mind. Just moments ago, she had been in her bedroom. Kokushibo stood in front of her. She had touched his hand, and then-

And then the world had shattered into blinding light.

Now she was here. In a room that looked like something out of a period drama, lit only by moonlight and the warm flicker of dying lanterns. The floor beneath her was polished wood stained with blood, and the shadows danced unnaturally across the walls.

A sound of movement made her flinch.

The man who had beheaded the demon turned toward her. The sword in his hand dripped with thick blood. He moved with calm grace, like a predator that knew it had already won. His gaze met hers.

(Y/n) froze.

He was tall, clad in traditional japanese clothes, his dark hair pulled back in a tight, neat style, revealing strong features. His eyes were piercing, dark as ink and equally as deep. He looked young, perhaps in his early twenties, but there was something ancient in the way he carried himself, like he had seen centuries of war and still stood unmoved.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice low and composed.

(Y/n) tried to speak, but her throat constricted. She shook her head slightly, though the trembling in her limbs betrayed her.

The man took a step closer, sheathed his sword, and knelt down before her.

"I am sorry you had to witness this." he said gently. "I arrived too late. If I had come sooner, perhaps your parents might still be alive."

Her eyes widened. "My... my parents?"

He glanced toward the two bodies on the floor. "You must be their daughter. I sensed the demon here but... I failed to reach them in time. I offer you my deepest condolences."

(Y/n)'s head swam. "No... No, that's not..."

But she stopped. How could she even begin to explain that they weren't her parents? That her actual family was alive and well? That none of this made sense?

Her fingers clenched tightly into the fabric of her sleeves. Her heart pounded against her ribcage like it wanted to escape. Everything felt surreal.

This isn't real. This isn't real...

He must have taken her silence as grief. "Forgive me for intruding during such a moment." he said, lowering his head slightly in respect. "My name is Michikatsu Tsugikuni. I am a demon slayer. You are safe now."

Michikatsu.

Her breath caught. It wasn't the demon she met. And yet... it was.

The same face. The same voice, though smoother now, warmer somehow. He stood before her not as a demon, not with those eerie eyes and twisted aura, but as a man. A protector. A stranger from a different time.

She was beginning to understand. No. She didn't want to. (Y/n) swallowed hard, her body still trembling. "This... this can't be happening."

He looked at her with concern. "It is a lot to take in. I understand. The death of one's family is a wound that never truly heals."

Her lips parted to protest, to tell him he was wrong, but the words stuck.

Would he even believe her if she told him she wasn't from here? That she wasn't their daughter, that she wasn't even from this time?

Of course not...

Hell, she didn't believe it herself. She closed her eyes and took a deep, shaky breath.

"You don't need to speak if it's too painful." Michikatsu said softly. "But I must know- are you able to stand?"

She opened her eyes again and looked down at her legs, which felt like lead. Still, she nodded slowly.

He offered his hand. Her fingers hovered just above his. Last time she had touched his hand, the world had split apart. What would happen if she did it again?

But something in his eyes, the quiet strength, the patience... reassured her. Not Kokushibo. Not a monster. Just a man.

She placed her hand in his. The warmth of his touch grounded her instantly. Her body trembled, but he supported her with a steady grip, gently helping her rise.

"You're safe now." he said again, his voice calm and resolute.

She looked up at him, lips parting to speak, but nothing came. Not yet.

Michikatsu gave a respectful nod. "There is a family nearby I trust. They will take you in for the night. You shouldn't stay here."

(Y/n) looked around the bloodstained room again and quickly nodded. Anywhere but here.

As they stepped into the cool night outside, (y/n) glanced back one last time. The house, the corpses, the flickering lanterns, it all seemed so far away, like a nightmare slowly fading at dawn.

But this wasn't a dream. This was the past. And somehow, she was part of it.

They walked in silence for a while, Michikatsu guiding her down a narrow dirt path that wound through a dense grove of tall, swaying bamboo. The air was cool and still, heavy with the scent of earth and night blossoms. Crickets chirped quietly in the distance, and a soft breeze stirred the leaves above them.

(Y/n)'s senses felt overstimulated, every detail around her too vivid, too real. She glanced up at the sky, it was darker than she remembered, unpolluted by artificial light. The stars were far too clear, too numerous. She could make out entire constellations that she'd only seen in books.

Her gaze drifted down to the path under her feet. Dirt and stone, uneven and ancient. No signs of concrete, no power lines, no city lights on the horizon.

Everything felt off.

"I know it must be difficult." Michikatsu said beside her, his tone thoughtful. "But speaking can sometimes ease the mind after a tragedy. Do you have siblings? Family nearby?"

(Y/n) hesitated. "I... I do." she said slowly, unsure how to phrase the truth. "Or I did."

"I see." Michikatsu nodded, his expression sincere. "We will find them. If they live, I will ensure your reunion. I promise you that."

She didn't have the heart to explain that her family wasn't just lost... they were centuries away.

As they walked, she paid more attention to the houses around them, low wooden structures with sliding shōji doors, paper windows, tiled roofs, and hanging lanterns flickering with flame. People moved quietly through the village, clad in traditional kimonos and simple robes, some barefoot, others with straw sandals. There were no signs of electricity. No cars. No modern buildings. Not even a telephone pole.

It hit her like a punch in the chest. This wasn't just some remote village. This was a different time. She stopped walking.

Michikatsu turned toward her. "Are you alright?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper. "What year is it?"

He tilted his head slightly, confused by the question. "It is the sixteenth year of Tenshō."

Tenshō?

She racked her brain, struggling to recall what little she knew of Japanese history. Tenshō... That was a historical era during the Sengoku period. A time of civil war and chaos. A time centuries before her own.

Her blood ran cold. She truly had gone back in time.

"This isn't real." she murmured, taking a step back. "This can't be real."

Michikatsu looked alarmed but kept his distance. "You may be in shock. Come, there's a home not far from here, and a healer I trust. You should rest."

"I was just in my room." she said, barely able to form the words. "I was with... someone. And then everything- there was light, and I- how is this happening?"

The wind picked up, rustling the bamboo around them. He stepped closer, gently but firmly. "You may be overwhelmed, and rightly so. Your mind is likely struggling to comprehend the trauma. I do not blame you."

He didn't understand. Of course he didn't.

How could anyone believe that a stranger had just fallen out of time?

Still, there was something calming about his voice. The way he looked at her, serious but kind. He wasn't the monster she had seen in her own time. Not yet. Here, he was just a man. A warrior. And a stranger who was trying to help her.

"I know this place is unfamiliar." he said gently. "But you are not alone."

She clenched her hands at her sides. "How can you be so calm?"

"I am not." he admitted after a moment. "I have simply learned to carry the weight."

(Y/n) stared at him. The lines of his face were sharp and noble, his eyes dark but not yet corrupted by the void she had seen in Kokushibo. He was strong, composed... and heartbreakingly human.

Her throat tightened.

Michikatsu gestured to a warm light in the distance. "Please. A few minutes more, and you can rest. We will speak further after you've had time to breathe."

She nodded silently, swallowing her panic as they continued down the path.

But in the depths of her heart, one truth had already settled. She wasn't in a dream.

She had time-traveled.

And Michikatsu Tsugikuni, the man who would one day become a demon, was now her only guide in this foreign, ancient world.

Still, there was something calming about his voice. The way he looked at her, serious but kind. He wasn't the monster she had seen in her own time. Not yet. Here, he was just a man. A warrior. And a stranger who was trying to help her.

They walked for a few more silent steps until Michikatsu glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

"If I may ask..." he said gently. "...what is your name?"

(Y/n) hesitated for a second, as if the question itself reminded her how far she was from home.

"(L/n) (Y/n)" she said finally, her voice quiet.

He repeated it softly, almost reverently. "(Y/n). It is a beautiful name."

There was something in the way he said it that made her chest tighten. Like it wasn't the first time he had spoken it.

She looked away quickly, afraid of what she might see in his eyes.

Just as she took another step beside him, a sudden sharp pain bloomed behind her eyes. She winced, pressing her fingers to her temple.

Flashes of something... no, memories... flickered in her mind like broken film. A flower basket in her hand. The scent of lilies. The smiling faces of an elderly couple... not her parents. No, they weren't her parents at all.

Her heart pounded as the realization struck her. Those two people, the ones lying dead in that blood-soaked room, they were neighbors. Friends of her grandparents. She had brought them flowers. She was supposed to be on her way back to her grandparents' house when-

The demon...

Her breath hitched. The headache dulled slightly, but the confusion remained, heavy and tangled. She staggered for a moment before steadying herself.

Something was terribly wrong...

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

End of Chapter 5

Comments and feedbacks are always appreciated! ❤️ Don't forget to follow for further updates!

You can support me and my work on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=104357938

-Hungarian Shinobi

[charmantroses]

fuck it gonna decorate my room the way i did when i was a preteen

[financia012]

The Year I’d Relive: A Journey Back to Simpler Times

Hi everyone! 🌟 Have you ever thought about going back to a specific year in your life? For me, 2023 holds a special place in my heart—the year I turned 21. It was a time of incredible growth, unforgettable memories, and valuable life lessons that shaped who I am today. I’ve just shared a blog reflecting on why I’d choose to relive this year and what it meant for me. I’d love for you to read it and maybe even share which year you’d go back to! Let’s take a walk down memory lane together.

Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live? Introduction Have you ever thought about going back to a particular time in your life? That one year that holds cherished memories, defining moments, or perhaps an opportunity you’d approach differently? For me, there’s a special age I would relive if given the chance. It was a year that shaped who I am today and left an indelible mark on…

[vacuously-true]

Cis intersex women being discriminated against in sports for not being "real" women is not misdirected transphobia, it is intersexism.

A century of sex testing for sports participation is intersexism. Calling intersex women "not real women" is intersexism. Saying their sporting successes are due to their not being real women is intersexism. This is on purpose, it's not collateral damage from transphobia. It's intersexism.

When you post about an intersex woman experiencing intersexism in sports but your message is "this person is experiencing transphobia, but actually they are cis! Let's talk about trans women being included in sports!" that is intersexism. If you're using instances of intersexism to discuss transphobia and not even acknowledging the intersexism, it's intersexism.

And it fucking hurts. It fucking hurts when I see a post about one of these athletes and I think "oh! Maybe this post is actually going to acknowledge the discrimination intersex people face! Maybe someone is actually going to care about us!" and the discrimination is immediately minimized and the spotlight is immediately yanked away.

Shut up shut up shut up people like me are worth caring about beyond the extent to which you can use us to talk about other issues!

[sonknuxadow]

sonics side of sonic x shadow generations vs shadows side of sonic x shadow generations

[fillissa]

I feel this!!! I feel this so hard! It will overwrite a little, at least it's done for me. But not enough as to when I closed my eyes in the cinema I was instantly seeing my Harold Pinter Balcony View in my mind. My advice: try to enjoy it. It is a different staging, it is a different thing. Take from the audio what you can and match it with what your experience in the WestEnd was. There is no shame in closing your eyes for a bit.

Save me Donmar Macbeth cinema release (and visit with a friend)

Save me

A bit anxious about seeing it in an hour tbh. I was so excited but then after seeing some of the jarring looking direct to camera previews, I’m scared it’s going to overwrite my experience of seeing it on the West End, which was amazing and which I very much Do Not Want to be overwritten 🥺