#where were you when ichi was kill

[amustrad]

ichi ga kill

[mikobeautifulheart]

How about JJK Men touching your weak spot, like on ur back or something in public and it makes you jump and them laugh.

IDK what ever you want to write but something like that.

TEHEHE YESSSS

Not edited btw :(

Weak spot

Including: Yuji and Yuta

Yuji

You were standing at the door to Yuji's dorm. He told you earlier that he would be 5 minutes late and that you could just head inside.

Was he sure, could you really just freely walk in? I mean what if he left stuff out that your not meant to see...or if he left his things out and forgot about it.

You reached out to turn the door knob before pushing the door open slowly. Everything was...normal. Clean, neat, nothing out of the ordinary actually. You walked in quietly, this place was to quiet to clean...there's got to be something he's hiding.

Well he is Yuji, he wouldn't hid anything...would he?

First you looked under the couch.

Then his desk draws.

And then in the book shelfs.

Nothing. Maybe you were just to caught up in trying to find anything interesting, in reality you knew there probably wasn't even anything there.

Finally you opened his bed room door and were about to peek under the bed when you felt something gently run down your spine making you jump slightly.

You heard Yuji's laugh "Your spine really is your weak spot"

You stood up and grabbed the pillow off of his bed and whacked him with it.

"YUJI YOU SCARED ME!"

"HEY! CALM DOWN" He said wrapping his arms around you, pushing you on his bed, his body on top.

"What were you looking for?" He asked

"Mmm nothing Yuji, I was just looking around. I guess I was right, you don't seem like a guy who hides things"

"I don't need to hide anything from you babe, I have nothing to hide" He said smiling while kicking his old Jenifer Lawrence poster under his bed.

(He forgot to throw it out before you got there)

Yuta

You were sent on a mission with your boyfriend, last one of the day. You were practically on edge after the past few nights with little to no sleep. Worked to the bone and tiered.

You and Yuta had pretty much finished the mission, but there were still traces of cursed energy so you both spilt up.

Man this sucks.

You swore as soon as this was over you were going to collapse into Yuta's arms and sleep all the way back home. But in the mean time you just had to hurry and finish this mission.

Walking down the hall way you heard something inside of a room, that was it, it was the last curse. It would be an easy kill, if only you could find the damn thing first.

You swung open the door and was hit with a wave of exhaustion hit you making your eye lids get heavier. Your vision blurred and your limbs became heavier.

"Not now" You mumbled to yourself seeing the curse move away in the corner of your sight.

You stumbled into the middle of the room and swung your arm aimlessly, managing to punch right through the curses body.

A sigh escaped your lips. Finally. Or so you thought until you felt overwhelming cursed energy behind you. Before you could turn around and react you felt a small poke on the small of your back making you jump and your knees go weak, body falling slowly backwards into something...you close your eyes to just accept your fate at this point only to be met with the sound of a light hearted chuckle.

"Y-Yuta, you rat. You know that's my weak spot" You mumbled looking up at him, seeing his smile.

"Sorry, sorry I couldn't help it." He lifted your body up bridal style and carried you out the building.

"Where's Ichi when you need him" Yuta said looking down to see you peacefully sleeping.

THANK YOU FOR READING ♡

AUTHOURS NOTE: So random but i'm dying with out requests, I only have two more to write and I've nearly finished them. PLEASE.

[lexsssu]

Family (Matsuno Ichimatsu)

TAGS: Ichimatsu/F!reader, yandere, possessive behavior, breeding, impregnation, smut, drabble Ao3 ver. | Ko-fi | Commissions (OPEN)

Sweat dripped down in rivulets from Ichimatsu’s temple down to his chin as he fucked into you with speed and ferocity so unlike him, but this wasn’t unexpected considering what you were both aiming for.

“ Thank you for giving my boy a chance, dearie. You’ve made one of this old lady’s greatest wishes come true. Now, if I could only have a precious grandchild to hold before these brittle bones wither away… ” said Matsuyo as she embraced you during the wedding reception, just before you and Ichimatsu left for your honeymoon .

“Mom’s counting on us, you know? She’s been dreaming about this for ages now and the fact that it’s now within her reach...I don’t think we can afford to disappoint her, right kitten?” His sharper than average teeth glint against the soft lighting as he smiles predatorily, emphasizing his words with a rough thrust that smacks noisily and wetly against your soft ass, ramming his cock straight inside which has you keening.

You could only clutch the silky sheets of the bed as your darling mounted you from behind, face down ass up like he preferred. Now that you both had a mission to fulfill, it is only imperative that you take the proper mating position like the filthy animals that you were.

“Did you see how envious my brothers were when you were walking down the aisle? How they were basically eye-fucking you every second their disgusting gazes roamed across your body?”

Rough hands clutch at the soft meat of your hips, loving the way the plush flesh felt against his own thin and bony digits. The tall length of dick parted your pussy lips so cutely, the sweet cunt secreting out lewd fluid with every move he made and even every word he said as if to say that you found everything he did to you is arousing.

That you found him as irresistible as he found you.

“I’d sooner kill all of them than let them have you. Hell, if it wasn’t our wedding I’d have gouged their eyes out right then and there…” He mutters darkly, scowling as dark feelings fester within him at the thought of not just his brothers but so many other men assaulting your beautiful body with their unworthy eyes.

“Ichi…! D-Don’t think about them anymore…’kay? Think about m-me and...our f-family…!” Despite the constant assault on your senses, you somehow manage to look back at him with a smile as if to remind what was more important.

That seemed to snap him out of his dark thoughts.

“You’re right, kitten. None of them will ever see this beautiful body like I do. They’ll never get to taste the sweetness of your skin. They’ll never hear the beauty of your voice. They’ll never feel how heavenly this cunt is…” A lazy, cat-like smile replaces his earlier scowl as he proceeds to fold his upper body over yours in order to nibble at the junction between your shoulder and your neck as he continues to drive his cock inside your lower lips.

One of his hands snake downwards to press onto the area of your skin where your womb ought to be, rubbing and stroking it in soft circles. “...And they’ll never get to knock you up too…”

Reassured for now, the gloomy Matsuno sextuplet doubles his efforts.

Thanks to your combined efforts, Matsuyo happily holds her first grandchild nine months later.

[russenoire]

on first watch as an anime-only, i remember feeling like ritsu kageyama's descent into evil in episode seven needed a little more air, more space to breathe. i... no longer do. if that slide down the slippery slope feels a bit sudden, there is a reason; and if you know what to look for, it's not actually all that sudden. bear with me here.

from the first episode, the anime sets ritsu up as shigeo's kind, solicitous younger brother. we don't see much of him for the first three episodes, but when we do, he's making bids for shigeo’s attention: helpfully straightening his spoon when it bends and deposits a bite of his dinner on the dining table; noting that he seems out of it and offering himself up as a confidant at least twice; checking in on him in the morning so they can both leave on time. (i actually love the anime for doing this. ritsu doesn't even show up as a character until maybe the middle of the manga's second volume?) except for the spoon, shigeo gently turns him down every time.

and yet. the interview ichi mezato snags with ritsu in episode four confirms a distance between the kageyama boys. you are not seeing things here. he initially refuses her desire for detailed information about shigeo’s powers, only indulging her to find out what shigeo’s been up to. ritsu holds those powers in such awe that he uses a rather hyperbolic phrase to describe shigeo for her: '世界の基本', or sekai no kihon, literally the standard for [his] world.

after he coldly walks out on her, she reviews what little she’s gleaned from their chilly meeting: he's hawt, at the top of his class, athletic, very popular... all things his older brother decidedly is not. the story establishes a duality here between ritsu’s image—indirectly revealed through mezato’s notes—and the reality of ritsu, sat hunched across from her, sullen, barely tolerating her until she coughed up the information she promised him. later on that evening, we see just how deep ritsu's awe goes... or rather, how snared up it is in resentment and envy as he attempts in vain to bend a spoon, just like shigeo did when they were younger. all the trophies of others’ esteem already gathering dust on his shelves don’t mean shit if he can’t have this.

ritsu intercepts shigeo as he leaves for class the next morning: no student council meeting, so an opportunity to actually talk to him. this is rare, his brother notes. and of course dimple is haunting shigeo. when the specter comments on their apparent closeness, the boy side-eyes him hard. this can easily be read two ways: ‘why the hell are you talking to me when no one else can see you?’ and ‘man, fuck you for sticking the knife in deeper.’ ritsu doesn’t ask about the cult meeting here or ever in the entire series. was he really all that interested in mezato’s news? no, he only wants to know why his brother doesn’t use his powers anymore. and this is the first time they’ve talked about this.

it’s such a neat little mystery, these breadcrumbs the story leaves for us until ritsu’s formal introduction in episode six. even though they share the same home and appear to be on friendly terms, the kageyama brothers may as well live on opposite sides of the planet. we don’t even get a sense of why this state of affairs exists until episode five, where teru chokes the breath out of shigeo and his pissed-off soul levels teru’s school before catapulting him into the stratosphere to reflect on his sins: several years prior, shigeo nearly killed ritsu (and possibly ended three much older boys) in an accident neither boy understands; fragments of memory flash before his eyes as his consciousness shorts out.

‘brother, you’re home late, sopping wet. here’s a towel. are you hungry? you seem down; is everything OK? if you need to talk, i’m here for you.’

instead of turning down this bid for connection like all the rest and turning inward again, shigeo actually opens up. he apologizes for the accident—for the first time—then asks for some clarity, since his memories of it are broken. and ritsu clenches the knob to his brother’s bedroom door tighter. he lies to his face, tells him to ‘get over it already.’ this after asking shigeo to confide in him again, no less: too terrified to be honest with him, too used to being shot down. this boy is soaking in fear he has no context for, and he heads downstairs to soak in it alone. shigeo at least has reigen to process his own fears with, though he never trusts the man enough to take full advantage.

ritsu has no one.

he’s already keeping up appearances at home and has been for years; over the course of the spring cleaning big cleanup arc, we learn the extent to which he’s been doing so at school.

(all those expectations of him weighing him down for so long… he can’t hold out forever.)

student council vice president tokugawa calls him out on trying to melt into the scenery like his brother; his considerable gifts make that impossible. said gifts, however, are so ego-dystonic for him that they’re yet another part of Ritsu Kageyama’s Big Lie. the academically-gifted, popular sprinter so many of his fellow students swoon over isn’t real: why does everyone praise him for things anyone could do? he doesn’t actually have friends, just associates. who cares about charisma? why does everyone think he’s perfect when the only thing he truly wants will never be his? and why does his locker leak chocolate every valentine’s day?

gentle reader. are you still wondering why he snaps when he finally gets his wish? and why it looks the way it does?

[baahsu]

Thinking about a what-if scenario where the poison Sora took gets passed on to the 1234ji. Ichi, Niji, and Yonji are fine thanks to their mods, but poor Sanji gets the worst of it.

Imagine he just passes out one day, with blood dripping from his nose and mouth and 124ji start freaking out. They were prepared to fight for their brother against any enemy, but how were you supposed to fight an illness?

Just the angst of it all, Sanji getting weaker and weaker each day, barely able to talk or open his eyes, his brothers remembering their mother in him and slowly regaining their emotions. All three of them are moving heaven and earth to find a way to cure Sanji, and somewhere in between they learn how to love each other again.

(Now I'm thinking what if Ichiji, the calmest of them all, is the one who panics the most. He's always been the most reliable and competent one, but now he's rendered helpless as he watches Sanji struggle.)

🦋 anon

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH

Imagine ichiji going into germa's labs, demanding the scientists do something to help sanji and when they say they're trying their best but there isn't much they can do ichiji practically destroys everything in a fit of rage

It's only yonji coming in right at that moment that keeps him from killing everyone. Yonji decides he needs to overlook the whole thing, work with the scientists so they can get results faster

Niji contacts multiple countries to demand supplies, he can mimic judge's voice to be more intimidating and his actions grant them constant shipments of different medicines and medical equipments

Ichiji is exhausted, but seeing the other two working so hard gives him hope. He figures he should avoid getting in their way and dedicates his days to keeping sanji company

[adm-starblitzsteel-4305]

What headcanons do you have for phrosphera?

My own Phosphera Headcanons!!!

(AN: Since Legendary scrapped her from GxK, I decided to add some little details about her)

Scientific Research:

Phosphera believed to be an Angel descended from the Sun God Horus and has her own worshippers back from BC.

Her iridescent feathered wings marked as one of the most fascinating beauty of the Egyptians (due to the colors rainging from red, gold, blue, and green).

She is a secluded Titan and is unknown about her whereabouts (Monarch theorizes she comes from the Hollow Earth in migration when fall comes).

Phosphera has also joined in the Titan War, who happens to be the Protector of the human civilization, including the Iwis.

No one knows where she was until today. Phosphera did not respond in King Ghidorah's Alpha Call in 2019.

There are some rare sightings about Phosphera's form seen flying from the Hollow Earth, though it may have to be confirmed.

Headcanon Interaction:

Phosphera respects Godzilla as the true King of the Monsters, she even loves chatting to the Queen of the Monsters, Mothra.

On Titan War, Ni was fascinated by Phosphera's astounding beauty and wants to claim her, but due to Ichi's decision about their job, he obeys him, on a condition that after killing all of the Titans who opposed him, they will claim Phosphera as their own, to Godzilla's disgust and anger.

She is haughty and sometimes really nice to meet those who are kind to her. She hates being untidy by herself.

A chatterbox and a huge gossiper, able to spread good information, and even inconsistent stuff that made the Titans want to time out of this.

She has no plans on becoming an Alpha.

She and Mothra were friendly rivals.

Phosphera typically loves hot seasons, especially summer.

Music is her primarily favorite past times when the humans presented her with offerings and prayers.

According to Phosphera, she dislikes Rodan because of his roguish attitude. Worse was Ni Ghidorah, who attempted to mate her.

[belovedsteelandmoss]

Light Passing Through

Sanji dreamed of a love he could hold with both hands and a worn wooden table and children all around it.

By now, Sanji had thrown away his chances at such a life.

He was a pirate and a chef.

He loved both his captain and his job.

He dreamed of a sea of abundance and life.

He was not stupid enough to long for more.

He tried to remember not to long for more.

But sometimes he wondered, what were the chances of meeting someone like that anyways? Someone you could love, and who would love you equally in return? Sanji wondered how anyone was supposed to know what love looked like. Was the woman selling him tomatoes in the last port the one who would love him in all his inadequacies? The math of finding true love was impossible, surely.

-

Zoro gets hurt and Sanji carries him back to the ship and watches over him.

Named after Visible World by Richard Siken because no one gets Sanji like Siken does.

1,438 words, General Audiences, Blood/Injury Mention

Link to read on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/60057658

Or read below the cut

It was supposed to be a simple mission, especially for the two of them. Go figure that the swordsman would find a way to get his abdomen slashed open the one moment Sanji wasn’t watching. Which led them to the situation they were in now.

“I’m bleeding on your prissy clothes” Zoro murmured against his neck, puffs of air, rough and broken by pain.

“Don’t worry, I’ll beat your ass later, Mossy.” Sanji’s voice was stained with dread and agony. The forest ground was smooth and he moved swiftly, trying not to jostle the swordsman on his back.

“Cook” Zoro said, voice wavering and sounding more distant by the second.

“Woah there, Marimo, stay with me,” Sanji huffed, gripping the white sheath of Wado with renewed vigor. He knew he was pressing bloody prints into the delicately engraved wood. Zoro would surely try to kill him later, when he realized that Sanji had grabbed the first sheath that would come off of Zoro with an easy yank. He would probably even kill Sanji from the grave if he heard the quiet groaning of the sheath where it was tucked beneath the brutish man’s ass.

Sanji thought of the brand new suit jacket he had tied around the swordsman’s bleeding torso. He didn’t feel that bad.

“Talk to me, shitty swordsman” Sanji prompted, squinting through the patterned shadows the trees threw on them, trying to estimate the distance back to The Thousand Sunny.

The man stayed silent, slumped forward with his nose pressing sharply into the back of Sanji’s neck.

“Hey!” Sanji hollered, trying to resist the urge to jostle the dying man.

“Hmmmm” Zoro groaned, one leg briefly kicking the air as if Sanji was waking him up from one of his naps on deck and he was being mildly inconvenienced.

“Hey Mossy, why three swords?” Sanji asked, not knowing where the question had come from and not caring. The ship was going to come into view any second, once the trees broke away to the shore. Anything to keep Zoro awake until then.

“Sanji-“ Zoro said quietly, causing Sanji to stumble, nearly sending both of them falling into a bank of thorny bushes. Zoro grunted with pain at the sudden movement but continued his low murmurs.

“Three, get it? Ichi, Ni, Sanji-“

Sanji shuddered despite himself. The swordsman was incoherent and was continuing to mumble about numbers and swords and Sanji. Sanji hated hearing about the number three and swords in the same sentence as his name.

As if by some kind of fate, the tree line appeared and in the distance, the Thousand Sunny glowed in the late afternoon sun. Sanji immediately kicked them upward, skywalking them straight to the infirmary doors on deck.

“Ok got it, we are almost there, hang on a little longer.” Sanji twisted, kicking the air with efficient pushes. In the distance, he saw movement on deck as the alarm was raised.

Behind him, Zoro whispered just barely loud enough to hear over the sea breeze and Usoop screaming for Chopper across the remaining beach.

“Two swords for my dream. And one sword for Kuina’s.”

With that, Zoro promptly passed out just before Sanji’s feet met the deck.

-

Sanji brushed the short spikes of green hair plastered to Zoro’s forehead back. His golden skin was pallid and wet with cold sweat. Sanji watched in the darkness of the infirmary as his own hand shook. He felt wrung-out and hollow, like the moonlight might pass right through him as it shone through the portholes.

Chopper snored quietly, head down on his desk, having collapsed after Zoro was stable and Sanji had brought him his late dinner. The young reindeer had eaten and turned back to making notes on the exact treatment Zoro had undergone. He had made it only a few more minutes before Sanji watched his head dip down with sleep.

Sanji glanced at Chopper now, chest tight with something like fear.

Sanji raised his hand, turning it slowly, watching the way the moonlight shone blue through his flesh. Illuminating him from within. The delicate bone of his hands, which he was always so careful to protect, were the only things capable of stopping the light. That didn’t seem right.

If anything should keep the light from passing through, it should be the ache in Sanji’s chest. Robin had once told him that moonlight was light from the sun rebounding off the moon’s surface to reach Earth. It seemed like a waste to block the light that had traveled all that way just before it landed on Zoro’s bandaged chest. Sanji dropped his hand to the cot, fingering at the worn blanket that was draped over Zoro’s legs. The moonlight shone on stark white bandages against golden skin.

Sanji thought of Zoro bleeding out on the deck of the Baratie. Clutching his sword, floating in a pool of tears and blood. His chest stretched open, singing death's sweet call into the salty morning air. Sanji had watched it all, stricken as a practical stranger danced the edge of life but still proclaimed his dream in spite of his suffering. All for a dream he was too inexperienced to realize. And yet, Sanji still remembered how he felt that morning. That was the morning he had decided to leave the only home he had ever loved enough to miss in favor of the All Blue. All this time, his journey had begun with the swordsman’s blood.

In Sanji’s lap, Zoro’s three swords lay, sheaths scrubbed suspiciously clean. He did not dare to breathe it out loud, but Zoro had taught him something he would never again forget.

He did not need permission to chase his dream.

Sanji melted into Zoro’s side, three sheathed swords clanking softly. Sanji was desperate and cold and Zoro was warm with fever. Sanji leaned close, turning his face away from the portholes, as if the moon itself was watching. And gently, slowly, he pressed his lips against Zoro’s forehead.

-

For all the memories Sanji had of his mother, he couldn’t remember a single time she talked about his father.

When he was younger he thought that surely they had loved each other once. Sanji was never quite sure what had changed.

Sometimes though, in the years after his mother’s death, he would imagine what his parents had been like in love. He imagined that Sora made Judge soft, and that Judge made Sora brave. He dreamed of his family impossibly together, of tripping over his brothers when his mother called them all to dinner. He dreamed of a warm kitchen with a wooden table, crowded with chairs to accommodate a gaggle of children. He dreamed of his father resting a gentle hand on his mothers knee after she had finished serving the meal and sat down. Of the soft and knowing smile his mother would reply with.

When Sanji shook away his nightmares, clawing at his iron helmet, he would hold the image in his mind until it was worn like an old photograph.

When Sanji woke to the feeling of his stomach eating itself, he would imagine a warm kitchen with a love for himself.

When Sanji gasped awake in the men’s bunk room, he would drown out the sound of his captain's snores with his thoughts of children’s laughter.

By now, Sanji had thrown away his chances at such a life.

He was a pirate and a chef.

He loved both his captain and his job.

He dreamed of a sea of abundance and life.

He was not stupid enough to long for more.

He tried to remember not to long for more.

But sometimes he wondered, what were the chances of meeting someone like that anyways? Someone you could love, and who would love you equally in return? Sanji wondered how anyone was supposed to know what love looked like. Was the woman selling him tomatoes in the last port the one who would love him in all his inadequacies? The math of finding true love was impossible, surely.

So he did not long for more.

Instead, he bounced from place to place and found his meaning elsewhere.

This kiss has to last me the rest of my life, Sanji thought.

Surrounded by darkness, propped over Zoro’s unmoving form, with the scent of steel and blood in his nose, Sanji thought that he had never been so lucky. He could live out his life with just his dream and his crew if he just had this one kiss.

It was something new to remember when he woke up in the middle of the night.

[iron-embers]

The Iron Hashira

Name: Isane KuraTetsu

Age: 20

Height: 5’7

Sword style Hyoho niten Ichi- Ryu, a form of kenjutsu associated with battle techniques used by samurai during combat in feudal Japan. It focuses on the use of two blades

Translated as the school of strategy of two heavens as one

Family

Mother: Suzume Kuratetsu (Igarashi)

Age: 42

Father: Ryujin Kuratetsu

Age: 46

Twin brothers: Jin and Raiho Kuratetsu

Age: 14

Second Cousin: Saigo Mazashi

@bloodbladesanddemons

Relationships

Gyomei- Mentor/Friend/Looks up to him

Sanemi- Tentative acquaintances

Obanai- Respectful acquaintances

Giyuu- Distant acquaintances

Tengen- Friendly

Mitsuri- Friend

Muichiro- Cloud watching buddies

Shinobu- Friend

Kyojuro- Close friend(Romantic)

Kagaya- Respects him like the others. He was the first to fully have faith in her besides her parents about her voluntary choice to become a demon slayer

Main Weapon

Hybrid Ko Katana

Secondary

Wakizashi

Personality traits

. Stubborn/Hard headed

. Determined

. Quick witted

. Honest

. Observant

. Attentive

. Decisive

. Adaptive

. Strong willed

. Compassionate

Fun facts

. While not freakishly overpowered in the sheer strength department, she has a strong pair of legs. Meaning any defensive stance she takes doesn’t falter as she trained with Gyomei to build up her core foundation. Also to be on the receiving end of one of her kicks can prove fatal, as she has trained them to the point of shattering bones and an opponents defense.

. Loves spicy or rich food. Has been related to having an iron stomach, and she doesn’t get queasy easily

. Her style is made to defend and combat multiple attacks at once.

. Has a hard time wearing traditional kimonos, her thighs and wider hips feel restricted and hates the lack of motion. Long baggy sleeves make her uncomfortable as it gets in the way.

. Will find creative ways to solve disputes or situations. Some would say unconventional

. Is down to meet any challenge as she has a desire to better herself

. Creeped out by snakes more than demons

. She became a hashira by killing 50+ demons as a kinoe. She has been one for a full 2 years now

. Despite being the iron hashira, she is very open to hearing new ideas and perspectives, in a way to challenge hers so it can temper her mind and comprehension of the world.

. Her Father Ryu was the one to teach her the dual sword style

. Before her current nichirin blade set, she had another pair gifted by her father, but it broke after a great deal of wear and tear. She had one more simpler pair that broke when she was rank Kinoe, but Her mother made her the new one right before she became a Hashira.

Statistics

Openness

75-79 or 80

Strength

Below Giyuu, she is not freakishly strong where she can lift extremely heavy things, but you give her something to carry, she will carry it for a long time. Her stamina and durability outlast many of her peers when it comes to taking hits and holding her stance for freakishly long periods of time.

Speed

Below Kyojuro when it comes to running, but her reflexes are quick considering she wields two swords.

Breathing style and forms

Iron breathing style

Subsect of mainly stone breath, She mainly learned under Gyomei as his tsuguko, but when she realizes that defense for her frame cannot be kept forever despite her above average strength. And so she finds another style to help compensate with more dexterity. Flame breathing showed promise, and she learned the techniques and building stamina since she and Kyojuro were close friends/frequent sparring partners. Later she realized while flame breathing techniques compensate for the immovable defense of stone breathing, with her dual style it did not feel complete. Now that defense and dexterity was covered, she felt like it could be improved upon with more fluid movements. Isane trained to have the strength to take the hit, but if something stronger hit her, she could not only defend herself, but use their power against them. She didn’t want to constantly use up her stamina and energy, she studied water breathing with Urokodaki so she would have the ability to transfer energy back to the opponent without expense to her physical capability. Basically kind of made up her own subsect using some aspects of two style while based mainly on the defensive stone breathing. In all essence a three way hybrid

Iron breathing has 8 forms she developed

First form(Stone)-Full defense (Unyielding Will)

Second form(Flame)-Dexterous offensive (Piercing Temperance)

Third form(Stone+flame)- Defense and offense dexterity counter (Honed Double edge)

Fourth form(Water)- Full dodge with swirling dual blades to deflect and gain better ground (Steel Maelstrom)

Fifth form(Stone+water)- Mix of powerful grounded attacks with upward and downward slashes (Corrosive force)

Sixth form(Water+flame)- Agile offense with fluid redirection, bunch of flips and avoiding while flowing to find an opening, simultaneously redirecting their attacks to use up their stamina (Metallic Blitz)

Seventh form(True Iron)- A move set where she swings both blades in synch with another for devastating offensive attacks, like a large singular blade (Behemoth blades)

Eighth form- (True iron)- (Valiant Iron Guardian)

Overall Outlook

Because she did not experience an inordinate amount of trauma like many of her other hashira, similar to Mitsuri she brings a new perspective to them as to what it means to not let their actions be dictated by this extreme of loss and weakness. If things get heated and words exchanged, she brings up advice and perspectives to challenge their somewhat jaded views. They often say. “It is easy for you to say.” But Isane is more than willing to help them see how they can achieve it in their own way so to help them heal and be more understanding. In all essence, she knows the toll of demon slaying, that it is training your body and mental state to exceed human boundaries so to better protect others from demons, but what good will that be if it self sacrificing and you can’t be human when it matters most. She reminds them of the importance of their humanity and compassion. Though in some aspects, she is a little naive.

Do the best you can to help the people affected is her mentality

She can make an impact in the world by helping people come out of their ignorance. Change is inevitable, iron used to be for swords, and now it is for Trains and cars. Isane is the embodiment experiencing and embracing change, and so her journey is basically learning to become more malleable while also tempering her understanding and acceptance of cahnge

Finally finished the reference sheet for my first Demon slayer Oc, Isane KuraTetsu. I have a lot more info that will be posted later, but if you guys have any questions or interactions you wanna see feel free to ask! Hope ya like and stay tuned

[thewarmestplacetohide]

<3 your blog! trying to watch more international films and i know there's some classics from Asia. do you have any recs for Asian horror

thank you!!

here are my favorite Asian horror films (note: a lot of these contain triggering content, so please do research beforehand if that's an issue):

Japan

ゴジラ/Godzilla (1954; creature feature, science fiction): US nuclear testing off the coast of Japan creates a giant lizard creature that rampages through Tokyo

藪の中の黒猫/Kuroneko (1968; ghosts): a woman and her daughter-in-law come back as vengeful spirits after they're murdered by samurai

ハウス/House (1977; horror comedy, ghosts): a group of schoolgirls visit a haunted mansion

天使のたまご/Angel's Egg (1985; dark fantasy, surrealist, animated): in a ruined world, a young girl cares for a giant egg

吸血鬼(バンパイア)ハンターD/Vampire Hunter D (1985; vampires, animated): when a woman is betrothed to a vampire, she hires a vampire hunter in an attempt to escape

アキラ/Akira (1988; science fiction, animated): 31 years after a nuke was dropped on Tokyo, a young man tries to save his friend from government experiments

鉄男/Testuo: The Iron Man (1989; techno horror, body horror): a man finds his flesh is cursed to turn to iron

パーフェクトブルー/Perfect Blue (1997; psychological horror, animated): a pop star is driven mad by a stalker

リング/Ring (1998; techno horror, ghosts): a videotape curses anyone who watches it to die in seven days

��ーディション/Audition (1999; psychological thriller): a widower auditioning women to be his new wife makes a deadly choice

バトル・ロワイアル/Battle Royale (2000; science fiction, psychological thriller): a group of students are put on an island and told to slaughter each other

回路/Pulse (2001; techno horror, ghosts): a group of young people in Tokyo discover a website that claims to show you ghosts

殺し屋１/Ichi the Killer (2001; psychological thriller, slasher): a sadomasochistic Yakuza enforcer goes on a rampage

仄暗い水の底から/Dark Water (2002; ghosts): a divorced mother and her young daughter move into a haunted apartment building

ノロイ/Noroi: The Curse (2005; occult, found footage): a paranormal investigator tries to tie together a series of supernatural events

シン・ゴジラ/Shin Godzilla (2016; creature feature, science fiction): a giant lizard kaiju attacks Tokyo

カメラを止めるな!/One Cut of the Dead (2017; horror comedy, zombies): people making a cheap zombie flick find themselves in the middle of a real zombie outbreak

South Korea

올드보이/Oldboy (2003; psychological thriller): after being imprisoned in a room for fifteen years, a man hunts down the ones responsible

괴물/The Host (2006; creature feature, science fiction): a monster made when American chemicals were spilled into the Han River emerges to attack a community

박쥐/Thirst (2009; vampires): a Catholic priest is turned into a vampire by a blood transfusion

악마를 보았다/I Saw the Devil (2010; psychological thriller): a man goes on a brutal revenge mission after the murder of his wife

늑대소년/A Werewolf Boy (2012; werewolves, dark fantasy): a girl moves to a country home, where she befriends a strange, feral boy

부산행/Train to Busan (2016; zombies): a zombie plague breaks out on a train

서울역/Seoul Station (2016; zombies, animated): a zombie plague breaks out at a train station; companion film to Train to Busan

아가씨/The Handmaiden (2016; psychological thriller): a woman hired to be a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress plans to defraud her

곤지암/Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018; ghosts, found footage): a group of influencers livestream themselves exploring a supposedly haunted institution

#살아있다/#Alive (2020; zombies): a young man is trapped in his apartment during a zombie outbreak

Hong Kong

殭屍先生/Mr. Vampire (1985; horror comedy, vampires): a Taoist priest must fight jiangshi that descend upon a village

餃子/Dumplings (2004; psychological thriller): a woman obsessed with staying young eats dumplings stuffed with strange meat

維多利亞壹號/Dream Home (2010; slasher): a woman goes on a killing spree to get her dream apartment

India

Bhoot/Ghost (2003; ghosts): a Mumbai businessman and his wife move into a haunted flat

Ek Thi Daayan/Once There was a Witch (2013; supernatural horror): a magician seeks protection from a witch who has haunted him since childhood

Tumbbad (2018; dark fantasy, occult): a father and son seek treasure in a castle inhabited by an evil god

Bulbbul (2020; dark fantasy): the village of a child bride, now grown, is attacked by a chudail

Indonesia

Pengabdi Setan/Satan's Slaves (2017; occult): a woman returns from the dead to haunt her children (this is a remake of a film from the 80s, which i have not yet seen)

Sebelum Iblis Menjemput/May the Devil Take You (2018; occult): a woman and her step-family visit her sick father's old home in search of what ails him

Iran

دختری در شب تنها به خانه می‌رود/A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014; vampires): a vampire targets a small Iranian town, attacking men who mistreat women (technically an American production)

زیر سایه/Under the Shadow (2016; occult): during the War of the Cities, a woman and her young daughter are haunted by djinns

Thailand

ชัตเตอร์ กดติดวิญญาณ/Shutter (2004; ghosts): a man begins capturing strange figures in his camera

Turkey

Baskin (2015; occult, dark fantasy, surrealist): a group of police officers discover a gateway to hell

Taiwan

哭悲/The Sadness (2021; bio horror): a virus spreads through Taipei, compelling all who are infected to commit the worst crimes they can imagine

[featherxs]

been thinking about asuka ren a normal healthy amount ever since she debuted in webtoon and now i realize tumblr is better for compiling all my thoughts on her. so here… are some thoughts, for sure!

first of all… we know so little about her :( the main things are basically: japanese mangaka, creator of peace land, and was present in the group regression in epilogue. mostly she serves as hsy’s foil throughout the peace land arc, and she briefly shows up during the enemy of the story scenario to support kimcom.

but there are a lot of small details that add up to her character, in my opinion… for example, her constellation sponsor is “master of the niten ichi-ryu,” who cannot be anyone but miyamoto musashi himself. this is kind of funny considering how she is unfortunately a wet sock for most of peace land arc except for that scene (…where she doesn’t even use a sword!). what’s even funnier, though, is that miyamoto apparently did ink paintings as well. sometimes i think singshong just gave asuka some random big-name japanese sponsor to cement her status as a leader among them, and sometimes i think about this coincidence. because… is it?! (incidentally, she is mentioned to have/use a katana, but it isn’t specified if she has two. tsk… what’s your dual blades stigma for if you’re not gonna use it, girl?) in addition, her physique and strength were both level 55 during peace land arc, which were pretty high when you compare it to michio’s mid-20 stats. a twitter user got the idea of her being from a family that runs a kendo or judo gym and was going to inherit the dojo someday before she declared she’d become a mangaka, and i haven’t stopped thinking about it ever since.

as for her personality… well, we’re told she’s a leader among the japanese incarnations, but… honestly, does she act like a leader to you…? from what we see of her in peace land, she can be cowardly, easily shaken or attacked, and she put the small people’s lives over her companions’… in short, she’s a little bit pathetic (fond). but then again, that was in peace land, so i guess you can’t blame a girl for being a little shaken up after being confronted with choosing between killing her friends or killing her creations. but we also see her argue with hsy a little over clichés and tropes, and we also see how she spoke out against yamamoto when he declared he’d kill the small people, so that adds up to her being decisive and true to her morals. (also, tangentially related, she calls michio by his first name without honorifics, which is as intimate as you can get. this is cute, personally, because in the ebook he mentions he was a college student before the scenarios, so he could be anywhere from 18-22+ years old, while asuka… is 31. that’s, like, her little brother.)

definitely the most interesting part about her is peace land and her relationship with it, though. because, of course, a creator must have a relationship with their creations! she must have resented her work at some point because of all the critique it got and how it ended up getting canceled so early in its serialization… i wonder how long ago was that before the events of orv, if peace land was her debut manga or her most recent work. if it was somewhere in the middle, then i want to know if she went back to making mainstream content after peace land’s failure just to earn money and if she resented that, too, or if she was prideful enough to try and make more unorthodox manga like it but kept getting shot down anyway. did she lose confidence in her craft… could she no longer find the same joy in creating no matter what she made…

then when tls123 apparently contacted her about it — how cruel must it have been to unknowingly have let someone borrow your setting, thinking your words may have finally reached someone, only to later find out the characters and setting you had put your heart into were turned into cannon fodder for your colleagues. to destroy your own work in order to move forward… what if she considered it for just a moment… after all, if anyone had the right to decide what happened to these people’s lives, it should be her, the one who made them in the first place. but after seeing them with her own eyes, in that panel where the small people are looking up at her, it must have really cemented her decision then. to them, she’s just another disaster here to kill them, but they don’t know she’s technically their god… (maybe that’s also partly why she seemed so agitated when questioning how hsy won over the people’s loyalty so quickly, because who is she to them?)… they don’t know she must have really loved them as she wrote their story. and even if they knew, maybe they would only resent her for bringing this torture upon them anyway… the guilt and resentment and frustration of a failed work but still, still that creator’s love and pride throughout it all. because after all, a writer truly can’t help but love what she has created…

i never really thought about asuka beyond a really stupid fic idea i had for her and hsy, but seeing her in webtoon following the ebook’s revisions really made me appreciate her character more. her feelings towards her work are so complex, even if we don’t see a lot of it, and even worse is that she forgets all about making peace land in the end. she doesn’t just become a character in a bigger story: her narrative has also completely escaped her hands now. but in a way, maybe she’d be happy to know they’re separate from her as she is separate from them, because that means they’re moving forward in their own world line… and not bound by such mortal restraints as the manga serialization being canceled.

man this got long, and this doesn’t even include all the delusions i have for asuka/michio and asuka/izumi. well then, my final message:

[aranea-princeps]

THE TRAGEDY OF THE FUJIHARA

BRANCH FAMILY

The Single Shot Snake

ㅤFujihara Ayame is the great granddaughter of Yukiko; her father, Asahi, son of Fuyu, took up the passion that her great grandmother had for the sea. Unlike her older brothers, she held a wild passion for the sea. While Daisuke took control of the Sapphire Serpent and Kotetsu took the throne of Janoshima, Ayame was relatively left to her own devices. Thus, she began to teach herself how to survive- how to shoot a flintlock, how to create her own bullets, and how to create gunpowder. By the age of sixteen, Ayame had become a gifted sharpshooter, and left Janoshima to explore.

ㅤShe ran into Gol D. Roger at Loguetown, where- after mentioning that she was looking for a crew to join and offer her skills to- he offered her the position to be his Gunner, despite Rayleigh’s initial disapproval. She gained the moniker of the Single Shot Snake due to her odd ability to only need one shot to take out her enemy almost every time.

ㅤHere, she met her future husband, Yusuke, who was acting as a carpenter for the crew. It took a little over two years for the two to fall for one another, but once they fell- they both fell hard. Within the year, Ayame not only marries Yusuke ( officiated by Roger himself ), but became pregnant with her first child. She refused to back down, however; she remained active on the ship and within fights.

The First Born

ㅤTheir first child was a girl, Mai, born seven months after Kiyomi and Kiyoko. She was born shortly after midnight; the labor was easy, surprisingly so for a first child. The next morning, Mai is brought out on deck by Yusuke and Ayame. Shanks loudly declares himself her older brother. Rayleigh asks if this makes him a grandfather, to which Ayame replies that yes- he and Roger are both grandparents now, purely joking- though Roger seems positively delighted with the concept. Buggy asks why Mai looks all squished.

The Son

ㅤAyame and Yusuke have their second son, much to the enjoyment of the crew. Jun’Ichi was born, weighing 8 lbs, and came into the world yelling. He was born while they were in the Grand Line, shortly after Roger discovered his illness. Mai is four years old when he is born.

ㅤTwo years after his birth, the Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates enter into a battle that lasts three days before it ends with a peace treaty between the two crews. During the battle, Mai and Jun;Ichi were held below deck, where they would have been safe.

The Twins

ㅤAyame and Yusuke then have a pair of twins a year after the battle ended, a girl named Itsuki and a boy named Izumi, the final children born while they were actively part of the Roger Pirates. Together, the Roger Pirates continue their travels, until Roger makes the difficult decision to request that they port in Janoshima. For the first time in fourteen years, the Fujihara siblings are together. At this time, Mai is eight years old, Jun’Ichi is four, and the twins are two.

ㅤShortly before they ported, Daisuke and Daiyu had also made port. They celebrated with the Roger pirates for two days before the Roger pirates left- leaving Ayame, Yusuke, and their two children behind. It was a bitter parting; Ayame cried openly while Roger held her close, promising to see her again. Rayleigh teased her about being too soft, now.

“Is that any way for the Single Shot Snake to be acting? We’ll see each other once more. You aren’t done sailing. You’re just taking a break. You’ll both be back on these waters, soon- maybe even with your own ship and crew. Wouldn’t that be something? I think I could be proud if I got to see that, one day.” -Silvers Rayleigh’s parting words to Ayame and Yusuke.

“You listen to me, Yus. Take care of her, alright? She’s the mother of your kids, now, and she’ll kill you if you ever try to act up. I’ve known her longer than you. She’s like my kid. And you- stay out of trouble. I’ll see you soon, out on the Blue again.” -Gol D. Roger’s parting words to Ayame and Yusuke.

ㅤFor the next eleven months, the family is whole once more- giving Daiyū time to rest, to gather herself. Ayame acted as the mother figure for the children during this time- with Yusuke acting as a father figure. She didn’t mind; she could see that the stress of motherhood was affecting Daiyu in a clearly negative manner. There were several conversations during this time period, including whether or not the children should simply remain in Janoshima for their own safety. Daisuke would hear nothing of it.

ㅤAnd then, one evening, a conversation occurs between Ayame and Daiyu. Their husbands had both been on the porch while the women remained inside; Ayame watched as Mizuki attempted to play with Itsuki and Izumi. The conversation went as follows:

ㅤ“I’m almost jealous of you, you know.” Ayame murmured in a purely playful tone, sipping her tea as Daiyu froze.

ㅤ“Of course you would be,” Daiyu sniffed, turning her nose up. “Look at you- wasting away on this island. Tell me,” the woman turned, watching as Itsuki and Izumi colored. “Are they truly his children?”

ㅤ“I beg your pardon?”

ㅤ“Oh, come off it. I saw the way you looked at Roger,” she sneered, setting her cup down. “And Rayleigh, at that. How many times did you whore yourself out to them?”

ㅤIt happened quickly; one moment, Ayame was sitting in stunned silence at the way her sister in law had spoken, and the next, her gun was drawn, the muzzle of her flintlock pressed between her brows. “Get off of my island.”

“Daisuke!”

“YUSUKE!”

ㅤDaisuke and Yusuke both entered to find the women. Daisuke, Daiyu, and his children left the very next morning before dawn.

ㅤAfter a month, Kotetsu passed away due to complications from his illness. Ayame ascended to the throne and promptly became the Empress of Janoshima. She did not hear from her other brother, nor did he send any reparations for their brother’s passing.

ㅤShe didn't know that, in four and a half years, she would be witnessing the execution of her Captain.

Child, not of Mine Own

ㅤFujihara Mizuki was kidnapped by three men who mutinied against Daisuke. When word had come to them across the Denden, Ayame hadn’t believed it at first. Five years with no word from her brother, only to be alerted that his daughter had been kidnapped.

ㅤThey returned to Janoshima once more a month after Suma was born, after being invited back by Ayame and Yusuke. It was a tense initial meeting; Daisuke attempted to insinuate that he should be the one on the throne before Ayame reminded him that the throne was in Janoshima, not upon his ship.

ㅤShe was a frail baby, underweight and shrieking at all hours. Daiyū, at her wits end, attempted to kill her own daughter before Yusuke and Ayame intervened, stopping her. Ayame took Suma in as her own, afterwards. Daisuke argued at first before Ayame threatened to simply keep all of his children if he could not care for them and his crazed wife.

ㅤHe relented.

The Birth of the Golden Age

ㅤTwo months later, the family traveled to Loguetown to witness the execution of Gol D. Roger and the birth of the Golden Age of Piracy. As the reigning Empress, Ayame had been invited to witness this death. She watched from afar without her children; she refused to bring them out of fear for their safety- and that her two eldest didn’t need to see the man they’d come to fondly speak of be killed. She watched with her brother’s family, and left immediately after to avoid being caught in the chaos his words caused.

ㅤUpon returning, Ayame settled easily into her role as Empress; Kotetsu had taught her everything she would need to know to take over. Yusuke would take over teaching Mai and Jun’Ichi skills they would need to survive.

ㅤAt age twelve, Mai would begin joining Yusuke on excursions to the islands that curved around the main island of Janoshima. Due to how large the island chain was, it would take two hours to sail from the port at the head of the island to one of the outer islands. During these excursions, Yusuke would teach Mai how to navigate by using the position of the sun, how to handle a small vessel when it was only one person aboard, and how to dock offshore. Jun’Ichi, age eight, begins to join them.

Additional Child

ㅤThe next year, Suma would celebrate her first birthday. There would be no word sent from Daiyu or Daisuke; Suma was treated as a princess, and seen as the daughter of Ayame and Yusuke. The celebration lasted for two days and two nights. She had survived her first year.

ㅤMai, thirteen, has become adept at being a marskwoman. She speaks about wanting to go out on her own, one day. She has her tongue surgically split. The process is much more pleasant than what Kiyomi and Kiyoko go through, and is celebrated. The healing process, while difficult, was well worth it in her opinion.

ㅤJun’Ichi celebrates his eighth birthday by concussing himself via falling face first into the steps leading down from the main house. The alarm is loud, and while he enjoys the forehead scar he gets from this, Ayame is certain she had a heart attack. Suma takes her first running steps at the same time, running out onto the porch and trying to run down the stairs before Mai caught her. Suma begins calling Mai “Mi-mi”.

ㅤShe refers to Ayame and Yusuke as Mama and Baba. She does not know Daisuke or Daiyu, something that Ayame will always be grateful for. Suma is simply another one of her children.

ㅤThe next year, Janoshima is rocked by a powerful hurricane typhoon that rips through the island chain, stripping the outlying islands of their trees. The reconstruction will take over a year to fix the cities and smaller villages. Ayame would leave the throne to help the citizens to the best of her ability, helping to repair the docks and houses. She is heralded as the saving grace of Janoshima due to her aid.

ㅤLuckily, they lost no lives. Unluckily, the typhoon struck on the twins’ seventh birthdays.

The Final Child

ㅤAyame and Yusuke announce their pregnancy with their last child, who would come to be named Kai.

ㅤIn March of that year, Mai has her first accidental run-in with the Whitebeard Pirates. She meets the man himself, who had come to Janoshima to speak with Ayame. He offered to protect the island. The conversation goes as follows:

ㅤ“You know how large my fleet is, now, and how it continues to grow.”

ㅤ“I’m aware. But you are aware you’re speaking to an Empress, no?”

ㅤ“I am.”

ㅤ“Then get off my island. I can protect it well enough by myself- something you are well aware of. How’s that old scar treating you?”

ㅤ“Feels just like a snake’s biting my arm right now!”

ㅤMai confides in her father that she wants to join Whitebeard, who overhears. He tells her that he doesn’t normally allow women on his crew- but for her? If she can prove to him in three years that she’s anything like her mother was, she’ll get a spot. But not before then. Mai, delighted, yells from the edge of the dock as he departs that she’ll train to join him, she promises!

ㅤIn November, Kai is born. Healthy, and happy. The island celebrates for five days straight with festivals, fireworks, and feasts. Ayame is happy, content. She and Yusuke have a big, happy family. What more could they ask for?

Tearful Departing

ㅤDaisuke and Daiyu would return when Suma was seven. This would be the first time she met her parents, whom she did not like, as well as her older siblings. She took to Junpei and Mizuki quickly, but confided in Mai that Kiyomi and Kiyoko scared her. They were mean, and they stared.

ㅤThis resulted in Mai punching Kiyomi when she asked why Kai was so ugly. Kiyomi, in retaliation, drew her blade, but had a warning shot fired by Mai that nearly clipped her foot. Mai reminded Kiyomi that this is not her island, this is not her home, and she would be respectful to the prince- and to Suma.

ㅤSuma had spent her life with her family, the ones she was truly close to, but Daisuke and Daiyu refused to allow her to remain. She is brought onto the Sapphire Serpent by her parents. She learns she is leaving with them, which causes her to completely melt down, crying and asking why she can’t stay with Ayame and Yusuke. Daisuke replies that she cannot stay because she is not their child. Suma attempts to jump off the ship; Milorad catches her, though Daisuke and Daiyu made no move to help. It is a tearful goodbye on all parts, with Mai and Jun’Ichi promising to see her again soon. Ayame spends five minutes holding Suma, telling her how much she loves her, and that she will always be her daughter.

ㅤThe next year, Mai, aged eighteen, leaves the island with the blessing of her mother and father to pursue her own life with a tearful goodbye. She promises to be safe, before taking a personal ship and sailing to the island where Whitebeard had last been seen. There, she undergoes a challenge; three days later, Fujihara Mai is accepted into the First Division of the Whitebeard Pirates as their sharpshooter. Her bounty rises from four thousand to five hundred thousand due to her new alliance. She is given the name “Serpent Shooter”.

ㅤJun’Ichi leaves the year following Mai. He vanishes after six months. No one knows where he lands.

Akainu

ㅤIt happens on a quiet Monday morning. Ayame had Kai, age seven, sitting on her lap while he tried to braid grass. Itsuki and Izumi were further down in the courtyard when the sounds of distant canonfire caught her attention. She handed Kai off to Itsuki before running to the docks, where she spots her husband’s ship being destroyed by a Marine vessel. Ayame watches, helplessly, as Yusuke abandons ship and begins to swim to shore. He makes it to the beach as she continues to scream for him, only for Akainu to follow him-

ㅤAnd plunge his fist through the center of Yusuke’s abdomen.

ㅤThe silence that settles is loud; Akainu claims that Yusuke had attacked first ( he had not ), and that he had no choice. Ayame pushed her children behind herself as Akainu approached, only for Kai to run down the dock screaming “PLEASE DON’T KILL MY MOMMY! PLEASE DON’T KILL MY MOMMY!” It’s unknown why Akainu stopped- if it was due to seeing a seven year old sobbing and begging for the life of his mother, to see how Ayame was willing to sacrifice herself for her family, or some other reason-

ㅤBut Ayame was spared, with a warning: To never set sail upon the seas again.

ㅤThe next day, she, along with her children, begin to repair her vessel: the Vermilion Viper.

Death of a Snake

ㅤOn October 16th, the following year, Ayame receives word via denden from one of her brother’s men that Mizuki had slaughtered Daisuke and Daiyu in their sleep. She does not cry.

ㅤAt the end of the year, Ayame makes the decision to leave Janoshima, taking Itsuki and Izumi, as well as a crew twenty strong. Kiyomi docks the Sapphire Serpent in Janoshima, where Ayame and Kiyoko meet.

ㅤThere, Kiyoko reveals her fears of Mizuki. She can no longer trust her, or Kiyomi; they were the two that plotted the death of Daisuke. ( A lie, though Ayame didn’t know this at the time ). Ayame agrees to allowed Kiyoko to take the throne in her absence.

ㅤAyame sees Suma for the first time in years; it’s a tearful reunion, where Suma reveals to Ayame what had been done. Ayame informs Suma of Yusuke’s death; they visit his grave together, where Suma promises to one day leave Kiyomi’s crew- when she’s able to, when it’s safe. Ayame agrees.

ㅤThe Vermilion Viper and Sapphire Serpent departed from the Royal Port of Janoshima on January 1st, though they split ways three hours into the voyage: Ayame ventured North, Kiyomi ventured South. In the three years leading up to the events of canon, Ayame traveled with her children through the Grand Line and into the North Sea, where they made contact not once, but twice with the Heart Pirates- the first time, coming to the unintentional aid of the submarine, and the second- with that being paid in kind.

ㅤAt some point, Ayame was offered the position of a Warlord. She declined.

ㅤAs of the beginning of canon, Itsuki and Izumi have departed the Vermilion Viper and began to sail with Kiyomi to watch her. Kai begins to work on an unknown mission. Ayame begins to make decisions that will later affect everyone.

[oddeyevibes]

Where For Art Thou, Ichiban?

Summary: You step into the new millennium with terrible news concerning your best friend.

Words: 3131

A/N: I did most of this on mobile so if there are grammatical errors plz forgive that thanks, my eyes are in not shape to sit in front of a computer atm.

Then

The matter was urgent. 

You didn’t care about the looks from other people. 

You needed to find Ichiban. 

The day started normally enough until you found Ichiban’s wallet on the ground. No money, but his ID in there, bold as day. 

On any other day, this might have instantly caused some concern, you chalked it up to him simply enjoying himself. It was also his birthday after all. You figured he and Mitsuo got shitfaced. 

So you had set off to find and return his wallet to him. That’s when you heard a terrible rumor. At least…you hoped it was a rumor. Bad gossip always makes the rounds just as much as good gossip. 

Ichiban killed someone last night. 

When one of your mother’s coworkers told you that, you felt your heart drop. Ichiban? A murderer? 

‘That can’t be.’ You remembered thinking. 

Ichiban’s the type that’s always caught off guard when betrayals happen in crime dramas and now you’re supposed to believe he took someone’s life. 

When you stopped by the cigarette shop, the old lady told you the same thing. Of course, she made a slight harsh comment about it when she saw your worried expression. 

“It was only a matter of time, Y/N-Chan. He’s Yakuza, after all.” 

Then you ran to Michiyo. Unsurprisingly, she wasn’t much help. Almost as wasted as her customers and in her inebriated state, she gave the worst advice someone could give a teen going through emotional turmoil looking for their friend: check the Arakawa family office. 

So you went. Barreling through the streets of Kamurocho, ignoring the dirty looks and profanity people shouted at you for rubbing into them. Only one of them actually stopped you, Mitsuo. 

“Hey, hey! Slow down, Y/N. What’s wrong?” He looked behind you, worried you were being chased. 

You struggled to catch your breath before speaking. “Tell me everyone’s lying.” 

He shrugged, clearly lost on what you’re on about. “Lying? About what?” 

“Everyone’s saying Ichiban was arrested. That he killed somebody last night.” 

The look on Mitsuo’s face said a lot. He was just as in the dark as you were, if not more. He was deep in thought before a look of dreaded realization washed over him. 

“Oh shit!” He hissed. “I called him earlier and he started spouting some nonsense about how old we’ll be in the future. I thought he was just being sentimental cause of his birthday but…” Then he focused back on you, noticing the tears forming in your eyes. “Listen, Y/N, there has to be a misunderstanding. Ichi wouldn’t do that.” 

“I know! Why is he going to jail?”

“I don’t know, Y/N…maybe they got the wrong guy. Listen, I’ll talk to Arakawa-san. You just get back home—HEY!”

You bolted off into the direction of the Arakawa family offices, Mitsuo chasing after you. 

Standing in front of the office was none other than the captain that Ichiban and Mitsuo reported to: Jo Sawashiro, smoking a cigarette. 

“Y/N, slow down!” Mitsuo shouted, drawing the attention of Sawashiro. 

The older man turned in your direction, instantly recognizing you. The kid that Ichiban kept hanging around. Another example of Ichiban’s negligence as a Yakuza in his eyes. 

You stopped in front of the man, breathing heavily as he eyed you with an unreadable expression. He then looked past you to Mitsuo. 

“Mitsuo…what the hell is this?” He asked. He spoke with his usual stern tone. “Get this kid out of here.” 

“Yes sir!” 

“No! Where’s Ichiban?” 

He didn’t reply. Merely staring you down in an attempt to scare you but despite the mixture of fear and confusion, you stood your ground…and he respected that. Instead, he looked back at Mitsuo, gesturing his head in your direction, silently urging his subordinate to carry out his orders. Mitsuo went to gently grab your arm but you instantly snatched it out of his grip. 

“You don’t get to send me away!” You yelled. “Tell me where Ichiban is!” 

‘The audacity.’ Sawashiro thought. As much as he wanted to tell you off, he smirked. “You’re running through the street making a scene. You obviously know. Why don’t you tell me…boss?” 

“Everyone’s saying that Ichiban…killed someone last night. But I know it’s not true. Ichiban would never do something like that so then why is he going to jail?!” There was so much firmness in your yell as the tears let loose and began sliding down your face. To be honest, you looked like you could pass out any second but in your mind, you needed to be awake to help Ichiban if you could. 

“If that’s the word on the street then I guess it’s true then…Ichiban’s a cold-blooded killer.” 

He was teasing you. You knew it. Mitsuo knew it. 

“He’s nothing like that. He can’t even do a collection run like a normal Yakuza.” You reasoned.

“Maybe he’s an idiot savant.” He suggested, earning more of your ire. “Bad at collections…good at killing.” 

“SHUT UP! You’re lying! Ichiban would never take someone’s life!” 

Sawashiro finally got fed up. “Listen, you little brat, how well do you know Ichiban? How can you say he would never do something like that? You only know what he shows you.” 

“Captain…” Mitsuo interjects before you can shoot something back. “What…did happen last night?” 

Sawashiro scoffed. “Yasumura…why is she still standing in front of me?” 

“But what about--” 

Sawashiro said nothing but gave him a stern and threatening look. One that said, pry anymore and you’ll be losing part of your finger and Mitsuo knew Sawashiro was just petty enough to do it, especially with Mitsuo’s close proximity to Ichiban. Guilty by association and all that. 

He was too focused on intimidating Mitsuo that he wasn’t ready for the hard shove he received from you. He had almost toppled over before catching himself, nearly dropping his cigarette as it happened. He felt his rage quickly build as he stared down at you ready to tell you off but the tears in your eyes were just flowing and he didn’t have the heart to do that all of a sudden. 

You were some teenage idiot trailing behind another bigger idiot. You knew nothing true about this world and you probably had some black-and-white view of how things worked. He knew that if kept trying to poke fun at you, he’d eventually tell the truth, and while he could probably get away with just letting you in on it knowing no one would ever even try to believe you, he couldn’t with Mitsuo there.

He had to play it cool and collected to keep up the story. The story of him being the one that murdered someone last night and that Ichiban was covering for him by orders of Captain Arakawa. Maybe one day you’ll know but until then…

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” He shouted. 

“YOU KNOW HE DIDN’T DO IT!” You were screaming now. 

“Keep your voice down.” He hissed. 

“You know he’s innocent and you’re letting him go to jail because you hate him. You’re nothing but a jerk! A petty jerk! You’d let an innocent man rot in jail knowing he doesn’t deserve it.” 

“He got himself in there by himself. He thought he was a big man so he killed a member of someone else’s family. Now Arakawa can’t bail him out of this one.” 

“HE DIDN’T DO IT!” 

“What’s going on out here?” A calm voice came and tore through the rising tension. All three of you looked to see Masumi Arakawa standing there in his normal get-up with his signature fedora. Arakawa’s voice always made him sound calm and collected in a way that made other people nervous because they could never guess what was going on in his head. It was unnerving that way.

The Arakawa family head surveyed the current scene in front of him. Maybe in normal circumstances, he could laugh this off as simply Sawashiro letting a kid push his buttons. But under these circumstances, when he knew who you were and who you were here for…this talk was not going to have a happy ending. 

“Jo…what’s going on?” He asked. 

Sawashiro straightened himself up to give off the physical impression that he was not about to get into a verbal confrontation with someone that needed a hall pass to use the bathroom. 

“Nothing sir, she was just--” 

You pushed passed him to be face-to-face with Arakawa. The way Jo wanted to swing so bad but he knew better than that.

“Arakawa -san! Say it’s not true! About Ichiban! Everyone’s saying he killed someone but you know he could never do something like that.” You pleaded with the man. 

Sawashiro’s teasing had nothing on the way Arakawa suddenly avoided your pleading gaze, tilting his hat down. That told you clearly. Even he’s in on it. 

“Arakawa-san…?” 

“Y/N…have you eaten yet?” 

/////

You didn’t make much of a fuss about his request. You didn’t have any reason to not trust him but the energy of the whole walk was somber as the two of you just sat in initial silence as the sounds of small talk filled the cafe. 

He opted to just let the two of you sit in silence while you waited for your meals. He wanted to let you have a moment to breathe. It was only when the server delivered your food and left that he started to talk with you. 

“You know…Ichiban and I were supposed to get some Peking Duck last night…we had to settle for ramen since the place was closed. He was so excited, he almost made a scene shouting at the closed sign.” Arakawa chuckled. 

You couldn’t help but crack a smile but that didn’t answer the questions you needed. Your lack of an audible laugh told Arakawa that. It broke his heart that he couldn’t tell you the truth. From what Ichiban told him about you, he babysat you and was practically a friend of you and your mother’s small family. And now…he would have to take that away. That hurt him deeply. 

“You must be very close with Ichiban.” 

You looked up at him with a somber doe-eyed expression but there was a break before you responded. 

“Yeah…I guess so…he’s not really my babysitter anymore but my mom still tries to get him to come to the house. It’s her…really bad attempt at trying to get him out of crime…” you laughed. “She says he’s too good for that type of life.”  

Arakawa smiled. “I would agree. The life of a Yakuza is a life of…taking advantage of the community around you.” 

You shrugged. “Well, that’s not true. A lot of gangs start with the intent on protecting the communities they form in. It’s just…they all lose their way at some point.” 

“That is true. You’re lucky to have such a caring mother.” 

There was another beat of silence. 

“How have you been doing in school? Ichiban told me you’re graduating this year. That’s good. It’s nice to see young people living up to their full potential. So many are lost in the cracks that oftentimes they have no choice but to find shelter in unsavory places. Do you know what you’ll do once you graduate?”

“Well…my mom wants me to go to college. I’ll have better opportunities to fall back on if something doesn’t work out. But I don’t really know what I wanna do after that. Seems like I’m always asked that but I never have an actual answer.” You let out a nervous chuckle. You hated that question so much. 

“I’m hoping Masato changes his mind and does go to college. He’s a smart kid and he deserves a chance at showing that to the world.” 

You didn’t say anything to that. You had no real opinion on Masato in general and what few times you did meet him when Ichiban was tending to him, he was kind of an asshole. You probably shouldn’t say that to his father right now though.

“Maybe he just needs time to think is all…or maybe some motivation. I mean, he probably thinks he doesn’t need or…deserve to do something with his life since he’s the son of a Yakuza boss maybe?” 

“Ah…maybe so…” He seemed sad when you suggested that and you instantly felt guilty. 

“I’m not trying to say that it’s your fault, Arakawa-san. It’s just that…the few times I have met him with Ichi, he always seems so…sad, you know?” 

The man nodded. “I understand completely. Though I never know what I can ever do to reassure him that he has value in this world. I always try to tell him that he can make his own space without bending others’ notions of what he should be. I want him to live for himself but…it’s hard not to think that I’m holding him back sometimes.” Even with him pouring his heart out, the tone of his voice felt like a father’s reminiscing about fond memories with their kid.

You let out light laughter in an attempt to alleviate the tension. “Now I feel bad…the worst my mother and I fight about is how I’m trying to grow too fast. She wants me to go to college back in America so I can experience a chaotic youth like she did.” 

Arakawa sat back with a laugh. 

“Well, she didn’t say it like that but…she might as well have. I told her I’d feel out of place there. I mean…I’ve been here since I was practically a baby. But even then…it feels like I don’t have roots here either. I’m not even a foreigner but I get treated like one.” 

Arakawa casually leaned upright. “Maybe… you’re scared of leaving because you think it’ll hold more weight to the notion that you don’t belong here.” 

You nodded like a child caught red-handed. “I guess so.” You mumbling.

“Maybe you shouldn’t be living for these people. Maybe you should be living for yourself? Maybe that’s what your mother wants you to realize. I know it can sometimes sound like we parents are just…lecturing without understanding but often we do but…it’s been so long since we were young that we’ve forgotten how to say in a way that our children would understand. There’s a chance your mother can feel guilty because of how you feel and she wants you to find somewhere to place…your roots.” 

“Maybe so…but…I think I just need time.” 

“Of course. Life’s too short to force yourself onto one route. I think a lot of people forget that.” 

You shrugged. “Well, it’s hard for people to remember when everything around them is constantly telling them to be this way like it’s…life and death. People’s hands are being forced every day. It’s a rat race out here.” Your eyes lingered outside the cafe’s window, watching busy bodies move past, not even taking the time to stop for anyone busking on the sidewalks. 

You didn’t see the smile that Arakawa had on his face. Like a proud dad. You were a smart kid, clearly. You were gonna be alright with or without Ichiban. 

“Arakawa-san…” you only spoke his name but the delivery told him what was going to come out of your mouth next. “What happened to Ichiban?” You didn’t bother to look back at him. 

Arakawa was silent for a moment, mentally prepping himself for the question. Would he tell you the complete truth or half the truth? Would he even tell you at all?

“What happened to Ichiban?” 

Still not looking at him. So he took a moment before replying. “He’s going to jail. He killed someone without orders…someone in another Tojo family—”

“You have to be lying.” You finally turned back to face him. “You and I both know Ichi couldn’t have something like that. There has to be more to the story. Maybe he defended himself and…it was an accident. He’s probably losing it right now. Murder is…intentional. It’s premeditated. He’s not a murderer, Arakawa-san, you know that.” 

“…….I know. Maybe you’re right. It was an argument that got out of hand and maybe…Ichi took it too far.” 

He was willing to indulge this idea if it meant that you would simply go home after all is said and done. He could see how desperate you were to rationalize the idea of Ichiban being….going to prison for murder. 

“It’s not enough isn’t it. Nobody meant anything by it, right? I mean…your both Tojo clan…maybe they were just hanging out and got a little too drunk…were you there?” You asked him. 

He shook his head. “No, after the Peking duck idea fell through, we went our separate ways for the night. I had hoped to see the ball drop with Masato but…” 

“He’s not made for prison.” 

……….

Arakawa looked down at his food. 

“He’s hard headed but he’s got a soft heart.” You went on. “Can’t you do something, Arakawa-san?” 

There was a tense pause before he replied to you. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do. He’s no longer a part of the family.” 

Hearing that broke you. Ichiban really was on his own. You didn’t even know what you could do to help him. You doubt any court or lawyer would actually help in the way he needed. Not to mention, this was Yakuza stuff and they would damn sure work to keep Ichiban in jail as retribution. 

“If it is any consolation…Ichiban accepted his expulsion from the family. He knew the risks if he stayed. This punishment is his and his alone but so long as he keeps his head down, he’ll be fine. The years will go by in a flash.” 

You let out a heavy sigh. There was no relief. Only sadness.

“I have a feeling you’ll be fine. So long as you focus on yourself much like your mother wants, you’ll lead a good life.” 

“My best friend is going to jail, Arakawa-san.” 

“If Ichi were to know you were panicking, that’s all he'd do during his time.” That clearly didn’t satisfy you. He folded his hands and placed them on the table.  “Right now, Ichiban will need you to be strong. Do you think you can do that?” 

There was a moment of contemplation before you nodded. 

“I promise, I will do everything in my power to make sure Ichiban is safe inside. That is my part. Do you know what yours is?” 

You nodded again. 

“Good.” He then extended a hand, signaling for yours. 

Your hand gripped his in a lackluster manner that was only shooed away when you realized how firm his was compared to your own. 

“Your mother has no doubt probably heard this. We should probably get you home. Alright?” 

“….ok.”

[kimium]

Earlier this week I made a personal post about how I'd love to talk about my KHR (Katekyo Hitman Reborn!) fics. So, here I am, making the post. I have a sizable collection of 10051 fics (24 works plus some snippets) meaning I have plenty to discuss! There isn't a formula behind these rambles, but maybe my ramblings can either stir interest to check out the anime/manga OR my fics.

(Note: 10051 is the ship name to Byakuran/Shouichi. KHR ships are simplified into numbers based on the kanji in the character's names. Example: The "Bya" in Byakuran can mean "100". "Shou" can be read as "5" and "Ichi" can be read as "1". Thus, 10051 is their ship name.)

Let's Start! This is long, so it's under a Read More Cut!

My Ramblings about my 10051 fics (In no particular order)

The Only One I Want

My first 10051 fic! I remember the time I wrote this I was into NBC Hannibal. That influence shines through as I explicitly wrote Byakuran killing someone and displaying the body to Shouichi in a manner that would make Hannibal proud. Truly a horrific sight. Even though this is my first 10051 fic, it holds a special place in my heart.

Would I ever redo the fic? Not directly, but I'd have no issue taking the core idea (Byakuran's jealousy causing him to murder someone for "getting too close to Shouichi") and reworking it.

Flawed Logic (It's True Because You Want It to be True)

I think this fic is where I truly hammered down 1) my interpretation of Byakuran's perspective on Shouichi and 2) Shouichi's perspective on Byakuran. A fixed point is the perfect way to describe Byakuran's perspective!

I also loved writing Shouichi hiding from Byakuran. If someone were to ask my opinion on the "bad" timelines and how Shouichi is living in them I'd point to this fic.

Personal Server

Honestly the entire time I wrote this fic I had a very specific restaurant in mind. Sadly, it doesn't exist anymore, but the vibe and atmosphere of the restaurant remains in my heart and has seeped a little bit into this fic. Though, to be honest, I'd love to redo this fic's idea. While I like the direction it went, it didn't quite hit some of the ideas floating in my brain. Perhaps, in the future I will take the core idea of this story and write another fic.

Monochrome and Lavender

Many times when asked "what is your favourite fic" I dart around the question with "I like all my fics". While that's not a lie (I think all my stories have their own merits or reveal my thought/head space at the time of writing) this fic is by far my favourite KHR fic.

Where do I even start? Magical curses are a trope Right Up my Alley ever since I was twelve and picked up volume 4 of CLAMP's Tsubasa. (I read the first four volumes out of order!) Next, the visual representation of Byakuran's obsession?? Shouichi truly cannot escape reality this time. In other fics he has the luxury of lying to himself. How can he lie here where his vision is black and white except for Byakuran's signature shade of purple? What about the idea of "love is blind" only Byakuran's love is blinding Shouichi? Just... the symbolism is endless.

The Unspoken "K" Word in the Room

My favourite part about this fic is how something horrible has happened (Shouichi being kidnapped by Byakuran) but the entire situation is treated as a "mild" inconvenience. There is humour yet underneath the humour is rotting, festering horror and terror as Shouichi is powerless to stop Byakuran. Easily one of my favourite dynamics between them.

An Unofficial Prize (The Last Extra Hours Spent Together)

At the time of writing this story I think this idea had been swirling in my brain for two full years. I am (still) obsessed over this fic's premise. Byakuran adding Shouichi as a "prize" to Choice? How could that idea not send shivers down my spine? Make my heart thump and beat rapidly? Send me daydreaming about the idea consistently? It's too perfect. There is a high chance I'd rewrite this story or the core idea again.

Though the only snag in this fic was my worrying I was writing "too close to canon" at certain moments. Whenever I diverge from a specific canon point I always bog myself down with "accuracy". I had to rewatch some KHR to get the lines and beats of the scene perfect.

Grounding the Sun

Another story I had circulating in my brain for years! I always wanted to write a story as Spanner! I love him so much and what's a better story than Spanner witnessing Byakuran and Shouichi's relationship as an outsider?? I remember this fic taking so much out of me though! It was a challenge but in the end I think I wrote a fun fic!

Can I help you?

TIME LOOP. TIME LOOP! Need I say more? This was another story I had circulating in my brain for years! Mostly because I wanted to write Byakuran with a more "supernatural" vibe. Also, the tone of this fic is easily my favourite out of all my KHR ones. I am always here for an unsettling tone... and a time loop. Big sucker for those.

You're Welcome, Byakuran

I love this fic because it's the result of an elaborate inside joke with @someobscurereference where it all started with "Okay but what if Kikyo runs a Beauty YouTube Channel in the good timeline?" The humour that comes out of it! Priceless.

The Blue Bottle (Warming Up in Snippets)

Probably one of my lesser known stories, this fic is Ch. 11 of my first Warming Up in Snippets collection. My favourite part of the fic was how I wrote it in present tense rather than past tense. I also adore the idea of Shouichi willingly keeping himself ignorant and Byakuran facilitating the poor decision.

Delivery

Once more a fic with a story that had been circulating in my brain for years. (I'm not joking when I say I am thinking of KHR fics all the time.) Anyways, there is something so compelling to me about writing Shouichi who just... goes to Byakuran of his own volition. No running or hiding, which as I said earlier, is my default "Shouichi" mode when dealing with Byakuran. This idea was so compelling I wrote it again in my newest story Total Percentage: 4%.

The Envelope

Mark my words: I will one day write a completely unhinged Shouichi who has fully given up on escaping Byakuran. I will write him in a dark head space where he decides "If I cannot escape Byakuran I will use his obsession and have him kill bad people. I will bat my eyelashes at him and tell him someone made me feel awful and without fail Byakuran will kill them. No questions asked."

Anyways, this fic was a slight dip into exploring that angle for a fic. This one softly dips its toes into the water and I love it.

And that's all I have to say! Was there a KHR fic I missed talking about that you want me to comment on? Feel free to send an ask and I'll gladly talk about it! I will be more than delighted to do so!

[milkberryroll]

pride, prejudice

"How about that upperclassman from the PT department? He liked you, right? He's a sports coach, now!" 

Yuzu close to shoved her phone screen to her twin's face, showing her black haired counterpart a photo of an acquaintance from university. Who apparently harbored feelings for Karin years ago. 

"No thanks. I turned him down before." Karin took a sip of her almost gone pear lemon soda.

also in ao3.

"Besides, I told you, didn't I? Not looking for a boyfriend. Not today, not tomorrow, not anytime soon. I'm way too busy for commitments. " She added, completely shutting her sister down. 

Yuzu pouted in disappointment — Karin really lacked romance in her bones. Maybe a good Pride and Prejudice movie night with Ruki-nee would help convert her, she thinks. 

"Oh, you're no fun, Karin-chan!" 

"I'm not interested." 

"But I'm telling you, once you see That Guy for you, you'll be eating your words!" 

"Yeah, yeah. Forget that, Ruki-nee's waiting for us at the department store, help me choose shoes for Ryouka, she says. And, Ichi-nii will be coming to get us, apparently."

Dismissing her twin with a text from their sister in law, she begins to stand up from their table. Yuzu proceeded to sip up the last of her iced chocolate, and stood up to follow her sister, ready to leave the cafe. 

"Speaking of, Ryouka-chan's going to school this coming semester, huh? Time flies so fast!" Yuzu wondered aloud, thinking about how her niece now is at that age for elementary school. 

"Yeah, it was like yesterday Ruki-nee was curs—" She bumped into a wall of toned muscle, losing her balance, expecting to meet carpet, only to be pulled to the same body she ran into by a firm arm around her waist. 

"Are you okay?" 

Karin looked up — and it was then rocks met ocean waters. Her eyes met with the owner of the voice, and saw turquoise looking back at her. 

An invitable encounter. 

"Ah, yeah. My bad, I wasn't looking where I was going." Karin tried her best to speak straight and not stumble on her words. 

"No, it's fine, I also wasn't paying attention." 

With a slight push, she pried herself off of the man she was now in an almost embrace with and bowed slightly in thanks, before stalking off to finally exit the cafe before any more eyes stare. She wasn't here to make a scene anyway, just to help her sister in law shop. 

Her sister was staring at her from outside the cafe with stars in her eyes, now with their brother, looking ready to tear a stranger's limbs apart.  

"Don't start." 

Meeting her siblings, she warned her twin, although she knows Yuzu will, regardless. Karin sighed in preparation for another tirade about romance and fate and destiny. 

She wanted to think it's not. 

 //

With a sigh, Toshiro slid to his seat, seeing his sister smile at him, readying himself for whatever she's about to spew out. 

"She's pretty!" Momo nonchalantly uttered. 

"Unfortunately for you, I'm not looking for a girlfriend. Besides, I'm here to bring you to your OB appointment, since Izuru had an emergency at work." Toshiro replied without missing a beat. 

"Oh, would it kill you to actually be fun, for once? This is why you have no love life, you're way too serious. You were cuter when we were younger." 

"Shut up." Toshiro called a waiter over to take their orders, after taking a backward glance at his chanced encounter. 

Oh, there's someone with her. The orange haired guy. 

The little peep did not go unnoticed by Momo's observant eyes. 

"Too bad, seems like a guy is with them. A boyfriend, perhaps?" 

He decided to ignore the little twinge of disappointment in his chest.

//

"My bad Karin! I swear I'll make it up to you next time!" Rukia's voice rang from her phone's loudspeaker. 

"I told you it's fine! It's my off today. Anything else I need to pick her up?" Karin picked up her wallet, preparing to fetch her niece up from her first day of school. 

"Nope, just your ID! Call me if anything comes up! And grab some food for the two of you on the way! I'll send you the money!" 

"No, it's fine, Ruki-nee. Alright, I'm going to get her now. Bye!" With that, Karin ended the call, turned her car ignition off, and alighted the car. 

Going into the school premises, she searched for staff she can talk to. 

"Oh! Hi, good afternoon! What's your business here?" 

A voice rang from behind her, and it was a teacher coming out of the faculty room.  Oddly, the voice sounded pleasantly surprised. 

Bowing to return the greeting, she introduced herself. 

"Hello. I'm here to pick up Kurosaki Ryouka, first grader." She handed her ID to the teacher. 

"Kurosaki Karin... What a pretty name. And sorry for not introducing myself, my name is Momo. I'm the first graders' art teacher, so I actually know Ryouka-chan." Momo grabbed Karin's ID, and proceeded to lead the way. 

"Oh, that's great! I'm not too late picking her up, am I?" 

"No, you're not! She's still with a few of the other kids playing, so she's doing well. I take it she's your daughter?" Momo inquired with Karin, as they walked the halls to finally arrive at the classroom. 

Karin burst out laughing, tears in her eyes, stopping as she tried to catch her breath. Momo, now some steps ahead of her, stopped to look back at her guest. 

"Oh, I'm sorry. No, she's not my daughter, she's my niece! I don't even have a boyfriend!" Karin said in between chuckles. 

"Oh! Apologies!" 

"No, no worries. It was just funny." Wiping tears from her eyes, she continued on walking to catch up with Momo, when she crashed into someone. 

"This makes it the second time, huh." 

A familiar voice. 

It was the guy she bumped into at the cafe. With his arms around her. He's saved her again. 

And for the second time, their eyes met. 

"We meet again. And sorry, for the second time. And, thank you."  She apologized to the white haired guy. 

"Oh! I'll introduce you two! Shiro-chan, that's Miss Karin, here to pick her niece up. And, Miss Karin, that's Toshiro, my brother!" Momo pipes up, sounding elated, and her voice breaks the two out of whatever dangerous territory they have entered to. 

He reluctantly let go, and suddenly she longed for his warmth on her.  

He offered his hand for her to shake, and she took it without question. 

He found her hand, soft and small, fitting with his own well. 

"Nice to meet you. But, I guess, it's more of nice meeting you again?" Toshiro greeted. 

"Yeah, it is. Small world, huh? You're my niece's teacher's brother. And to think, what occurred at the cafe happened the second time around." Karin snickered. 

"Here's to hoping the next time we meet, if ever, we're not smacking and crashing into each other." Toshiro answered in return, with a smile in his voice. 

"Yeah, I hope so too." 

Yuzu would probably laugh at her face and tell her "Told you so! Fate and destiny does exist!" if she knew about this, Karin mused. 

 //

Karin and Ryouka waved goodbye to Momo and Toshiro, with the sibling pair waiting and waving back until they were out of sight. 

"Wasn't that nice? Maybe you guys are really meant for each other." Momo teased her brother after a brief moment of silence. 

"Shut it." 

"Pease, you seemed happy seeing her again." Momo stalked off to proceed to the faculty room, and pick up her things to finally go home, with her brother trailing after her. 

"That's not it." 

Momo stopped just in front of the faculty door. 

"Oh, by the way. The orange haired man? That was her brother. And, she's single." She quipped. 

"You have a chance after all, Shiro-chan!" She hummed as she entered the room and closed the door behind her. 

He's not so against it now, if fate and destiny was always that pretty and amazing. 

[bleachanimefan1]

King and Queen of the Pirates Part 64

Island Where the Snow Lives! Climb the Drum Rockies!,

As Luffy and Ichi continued to head towards the mountain they heard a low rumbling sound. They saw Wapol, with his two henchmen, riding a large woolly hippo and they came to a screeching halt as they stopped in front of the two Straw hats. "Halt!" Wapol shouted, furiously. "Boy, your impertinence is unpardonable!"

"Get out of my way! I don't have time for you! Move!" Luffy shouted.

"Move? Wa ha ha ha ha. Why should I move!?" Wapol laughed. "Your three friends there are more dead than alive!" Luffy and Ichi ignored them and started to walk away. "I said stop!"

"Aha! I just thought of a new law!" Wapol shouted. "Chess! Write this down!"

"Yes, sire!"

"ANYONE WHO IGNORES THE KING, DIES!" Wapol smirked and laughed evilly. "START BY KILLING THOSE THREE THE SICK AND THE INJURED ONES!"

"Yes, sire!" The second henchman jumped at Luffy, holding a mace, trying to attack him. 

"What!?" Luffy dodged and Wapol's henchman tried to attack Luffy again.

"You dirty-!" Luffy growled about to throw a punch at him before he stopped. "If you mix it up with them. Every blow you take, Nami will feel it!"

 "Ichi, run!" Luffy and Ichi ran and Wapol and his two men chased after them.

"Get back here!" Wapol shouted.

"I'LL REMEMBER THIS, YOU JERKS!" Luffy shouted, angrily.

"Running won't save you, coward!" The jester henchman pulled out a bow and started to shoot arrows at them. Luffy and Ichi continued to run while they tried to dodge the flying projectiles. But when they looked behind them, Luffy and Ichi saw that the two men had disappeared.

"Where'd they go?" Ichi asked.

"Did they give up?" Luffy wondered as well. Suddenly, the ground began to shake behind them while their backs were turned and a large mouth came out. It was about to chomp down on Luffy and Ichi. Luffy quickly pushed Ichi out of the way and jumped into the air as Wapol snapped is teeth down. Wapol's two henchmen jumped out of the snow surrounding Luffy and Ichi on both sides, attacking them.

"This is snow country combat! The white mantle! Snow powder makeup!"

"In their weakened states they'll be killed instantly!"

"Checkmate!" Wapol smirked. Luffy's eyes widened when he saw the jester aiming his arrow at him. 

"DON'T!" Luffy screamed. Suddenly, large white rabbits emerged from the snow and jumped into the air, smacking the two henchmen away with their claws.

"Polar bears?" Luffy blinked in surprise.

"Lapins!?" Wapol cried out, shocked.

"Hey, it's those rabbit things!" Ichi shouted.

"They're protecting them!" One of the henchmen shouted.

"Impossible! Lapins hate humans!" The second shouted, surprised as well. Luffy noticed two of the Lapins looked familiar. It was the one he helped, pulling them out of the snow.

"THANKS LAPINS! YOU SAVED US!" Luffy grinned. Luffy and Ichi ran while the Lapins stayed back to fend off Wapol and his men.

"DON'T LET THEM GET AWAY!" Wapol cried out.

Finally, Luffy and Ichi had made it to the base of the mountain. "D-Doctor...Doctor....Doctor..." Luffy shivered. Luffy and Ichi stopped and looked up to see the tall mountain in front of them. The wind was blowing the snow around wildly, making it hard to see above. "Can't see the top."

"Are you sure you're alright, captain?" Ichi asked Luffy, worried, shaking a little from the cold. He saw that Luffy's skin was a little blue and had frost on it. Luffy shivered.

"We're almost there." Luffy said then he looked back to Nami and Sanji who were tied to his back.

"Just hang on a little longer, guys." Luffy said and he began to slowly climb up, carrying Nami on his back and Sanji with his mouth. Ichi followed Luffy as he climbed up beside him.

"L, we're almost there."

About halfway up the mountain, Luffy and L stopped as they felt their fingers were starting to get numb. "It's so c-cold." The wind picked up even more blowing harder. Suddenly, Luffy's hand slipped on a sharp piece of rock, cutting his fingers. "Ow!"

Luffy cried out in pain and Sanji was now plummeting down to the ground. "Ahh! Sanji!" Luffy quickly stretched his neck, grabbing Sanji by his mouth again. Luffy pulled himself back up, holding onto Sanji. Luffy and Ichi continued to climb up the mountain. Luffy's hands and fingers were bleeding, getting more cut up as they headed up. Ichi's fingers were getting scratched as well. Ichi stopped to catch his breath for a moment. As he glanced over at Luffy, Ichi's eyes widened in horror when he saw Luffy falling as he lost consciousness.

"Captain!" Ichi cried out. He immediately released his grip and dove down towards Luffy, trying to grab him. The two were plummeting fast towards the ground. He was not a crybaby anymore! He was a man!

"LUFFY!"

Luffy groaned as he heard Ichi's voice calling out to him. His whole body felt completely numb and cold. Luffy was drifting in and out of consciousness as he saw himself going back up the mountain. It strangely felt like he was floating.

"Captain..."

"Captain..." Luffy groaned hearing Ichi's voice calling out to him.

"Captain, wake up!"

Luffy slowly opened his eyes seeing Ichi looking over him in worry. "We made it."

In front of them was a large castle.

"That's a pretty castle..." Luffy murmured, tiredly, and he collapsed into the snow. 

"Captain!" Ichi cried out until he saw something heading towards them. He squinted his eyes trying to see through the blizzard, shouting at them.

"Help us!!!"

Aya groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. She saw darkness all around her and realized that she was buried in the snow. Before the avalanche, Aya felt Usopp wrapping his arms around her as he tried to shield himself and her from the falling snow. Aya's eyes widened.

Usopp! Where was he!? And where was Vivi? Aya tried to move her arms and legs until she dug herself out of the snow. She saw Vivi frantically shouting and crawling around in the snow, calling for them. Vivi quickly turned to Aya when she saw her.

"Aya! You're okay! Help me! I can't find Usopp!" She cried out. Aya crawled out of the hole and began to search and dig around the snow with Vivi until Vivi saw a large stalk sticking out of the snow. She quickly called Aya over and Aya immediately recognized it. Usopp's nose!

"Usopp!" Aya shouted and helped Vivi dig the sniper out of the snow. Usopp laid motionless.

"Wake up, Usopp!" Vivi patted Usopp's cheek, trying to wake him up. The sniper groaned a little, slowly opening his eyes.

"What? Vivi, let me sleep. I was having the nicest dream! I was in a garden filled with beautiful flowers and little streams. It was almost out of this world." He smiled before losing consciousness.

"YOU'RE ALMOST OUT OF THIS WORLD!" Vivi screamed and started to violently shake him.

"Usopp! Wake up! Don't fall asleep!" Aya shouted.

"No! Usopp, wake up! Don't die!" Vivi began to punch Usopp, repeatedly pelting him in the face. "Usopp!"

"Vivi, stop!" Aya shouted, trying to pull her away. Usopp groaned and sat up, seeing the two girls. Aya's eyes widen as she saw Usopp's face was completely swollen.

"Are you okay?" she asked him, trying not to laugh.

"I thought I was a goner." Usopp replied. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Just cold. It was Vivi who actually managed to wake you up." Aya told him. Usopp looked at Vivi.

"Phew, you saved me, Vivi." He said in relief. "But is it my imagination, or is my face swollen?"

"It's frostbite! Yeah, frostbite! It's terrible in snow countries. But never mind that. We've got to figure out where we are and what's going on." Vivi smiled sheepishly and got up and walked away. Usopp and Aya followed as they tried to find a village or come across someone. Suddenly, something lunged out of the snow in front of them, startling them.

"What's that!?" Usopp screamed. Aya blinked in surprise, seeing that it was Zoro, who was completely shirtless.

"Rats! I'm freezing and I got caught in an avalanche! What rotten luck."

"Zoro!?" Aya exclaimed. The swordsman turned around confused until his eyes widen when he saw her and Vivi.

"Huh? Aya. Vivi." Zoro shivered before he narrowed his eyes at Usopp, barely recognizing him, seeing his swelled-up face. "And..Usopp. What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here!?" Usopp questioned.

"I thought you were back with the ship?" Aya asked him.

"I went for a midwinter swim." Zoro answered.

"A midwinter swim!?" Vivi blinked in disbelief.

"That's right. But there was a fish in the river, and I was surprised to see a fish in such cold water, so I chased after it. But I got out on the wrong side of the river and got lost in the woods." Zoro explained.

"You idiot!" Aya shouted at him.

"What were you thinking walking around half naked in the cold!?" Usopp shouted at him as well.

"Never mind that. Usopp, give me your coat!" Zoro shivered.

"No way!" Usopp shook his head.

"I can't believe you went out in this cold." Aya told him.

"Then give me your coat!" Zoro asked her.

"N-No way!" 

Vivi watched in disbelief at the three of them bickering back and forth. "I wonder if putting up with these lunatics is what made Nami sick."

[ichisama]

1155 words | rating: g | high school au, confession

Ichiro didn't have the most typical childhood, or the most typical priorities. He didn't join any clubs at school or go to karaoke with his classmates when he was invited. While other kids his age started cram school to prepare for their college entrance exams, Ichiro started picking up work at any restaurant or warehouse that would hire him.

Typical, to him, had always been overrated. He didn't need to be a typical teenager as long as he could provide for his brothers and make them proud.

But.

But maybe there was one thing he wanted. One typical high school experience that he'd read about countless times in manga and light novels, that he wanted to live out in real life.

A confession.

He'd been confessed to plenty of times before, of course. As early as middle school, and as recently as just a few months ago, in his last semester of high school. He rejected each one as gently as he could, claiming he simply didn't have time for a relationship—which was true. He really didn't think he had time for school, work, and a relationship; it was the sort of thing that would have to wait until graduation.

It was just also true that he'd never met anyone who made him want to make time.

Until Samatoki.

Samatoki had transferred into Ichiro's class near the start of their second year, and for Ichiro it was love at first sight. Samatoki was cool, he was pretty, and most importantly—

"Aohitsugi Samatoki," he'd drawled, when prompted by their teacher to introduce himself. "My little sister just transferred in too. She'll be your kouhai from now on. Treat her well, or you'll be talking to my fists."

—he was a good big brother.

Ichiro and Samatoki became fast friends after that. Their classmates often joked that they were practically made for each other. Ichiro, who put his brothers above all else. And Samatoki, who would readily die and kill for his little sister. Just on that alone, they clearly understood each other in ways no one else could.

Bit by bit, Ichiro started to think people were right. Bit by bit, he started to feel like he had been born to meet Samatoki.

When he started to think about confessing to Samatoki, about asking him out, Ichiro found himself wanting nothing more than typical. He wanted them to have, at the very least, a shot at normal.

So he started with a letter. Nothing too flowery or poetic, just a note asking Samatoki to meet him after class, on a nice day in early March, with graduation right around the corner. He slipped it into Samatoki's desk while Samatoki was in the bathroom, then spent the rest of the day with his stomach so tied up in knots that he was almost tempted to drop by the nurse's office.

But that was normal, wasn't it? Nerves. Anticipation.

Typical, of a lovesick boy who'd made up his mind to confess.

Ichiro arrived first, racing out of class as soon as they were dismissed and hurrying to the music room where he'd asked Samatoki to meet. The choir club wasn't rehearsing that day—Ichiro had checked to make sure—so they would have the room to themselves.

It wasn't long at all before Ichiro heard another pair of footsteps approaching the door. He'd only just had time to open a window, to let in a soft breeze from outside.

"Ichi…?" Samatoki stepped in and slid the door shut behind himself, arching his brows as he lifted the note he'd found in his desk. "This is your handwriting, isn't it?"

Ichiro ducked his head, smiling. He hadn't signed his name, even though he knew Samatoki usually ignored all the confession letters he got. He'd simply trusted that Samatoki would recognize this one was from him.

"Wanted to talk to you," he said, lifting his head again to meet Samatoki's gaze as he took a step forward.

Samatoki met him halfway. The corners of his eyes were ever-so-slightly crinkled, with what Ichiro had learned to recognize as a smile. "Couldn't wait for the walk home?"

Ichiro grinned and gave a little shrug. They almost always walked home together, at least part of the way. It would've been just as easy—easier, in fact—to tell Samatoki then.

But this was… cheesy, probably. Trite. Clichéd.

It was also just what Ichiro wanted, a moment of typical in their atypical lives, and what he hoped Samatoki would want as well.

"Samatoki." Ichiro paused, then shook his head. "Aohitsugi-kun."

Samatoki's brows jumped up again, and it was no wonder—they'd been on a first-name basis since practically the day they met.

But a bit of formality wasn't misplaced, was it? Not for an important moment like this.

Ichiro saw the moment it clicked for Samatoki. The surprise and confusion melted out of his eyes, replaced with a warmth that made Ichiro feel instantly at ease. It emboldened him, enough that his next words came as easy as breathing.

"I like you," Ichiro said. Plain and simple, no frills. Just a smile, earnest and from the heart, and a hope that his feelings would be received and answered in kind. "Go out with me?"

The corners of Samatoki's mouth gave an upwards twitch. If he was at all surprised, he didn't show it. And that, in turn, didn't surprise Ichiro.

For a long while now, this had only felt like a matter of time.

But Samatoki didn't answer right away. Not with his words, at least. He did take one of Ichiro's hands in his own, like he couldn't resist any longer.

"It won't be easy, you know," Samatoki said. "Being with me. It'll be at least a couple more years before I finish paying off my old man's yakuza debt."

Ichiro knew all about that. He squeezed Samatoki's hand, undeterred. "It'll go faster with us both working towards it."

"Saburo already doesn't like me," Samatoki warned.

"Saburo doesn't like anyone," Ichiro pointed out. "I asked them, though. HIm and Jiro. For their blessing. Told Nemu, too. How much I like you. But, well, she's really smart—just laughed, said she knew, and wished me luck."

Samatoki breathed a laugh and drew his thumb in a circle against Ichiro's skin. "Thought of everything, didn't you?"

"I think a lot about you," Ichiro admitted, without shame.

"And you're really okay with me?"

"Do you really need to ask?"

Samatoki huffed one more laugh, and seemed to know that was answer enough. "Well, then. Guess this is the part where I say…"

Ichiro let out a surprised little breath of his own, stumbling a half-step forward when Samatoki suddenly gave his hand a tug. But of course, Samatoki didn't let him fall. His other hand was at Ichiro's hip in an instant, steadying him, pulling him close.

"Yamada-kun," he murmured. "I'll be in your care."