museguided

[museguided]

Inuyasha kept his eyes on the prince and the fox, snorting when the prince completely avoided his gaze in favor of the door when they stood and left. A dog ear flicked once, and he turned his attention back to Kagome. “I figured you’d say that,” he grumbled, not as bothered as he thought he would be after what they had learned. “That prince is hiding something, and we haven’t heard a single word from this lord that’s supposed to be running the place.”

He moved to follow her out. With the sweet scent of poison only just beginning to fade, he wouldn’t leave her side until he could be assured that someone like Ferid didn’t linger around the corner. Poison, amnesia, corruption, and conspiracy—everything fit too neatly to Naraku’s usual manner of operation for him not to be involved, even if indirectly.

“We didn’t escort that fox all the way here just to watch him struggle alone.” In that sense, he was glad that they accompanied Yuu all the way here. For all his determination to get back to his prince, Mika, and everyone else within the damned castle, seemed reluctant to accept him. Inuyasha flexed his hands into fists at his side, a bout of irritation urging him to knock some sense into that brat.

 It was then that he remembered that he still had the vial on him, safely tucked away into his sleeve. “I should’ve throttled that apothecary for an explanation, too. Here, Kagome.” He held out the vial, the contents inside made up of what he could tell was crushed, dried herbs. “This is what that prince was poisoned with. Think you can make something of it?”

Mika kept his gaze ahead as they walked, practically sensing Yuu’s emotions rolling off of him in waves. He could only scarcely imagine how distressed he was in this state, but he also knew full well how upset Yuu would have been with all of his memories intact. He wondered if his Yuu would have understood, at least, that he didn’t have much of a choice. 

What Inuyasha and Kagome said had struck hard; he had been aware that things were not what they seem, that he was possibly making the wrong decision. But, throughout his life, he had merely been complacent, much too wrapped up in Yuu’s company to realize that they were mere pawns in someone’s game. If he wanted to survive and uncover the truth about his family, he quickly realized that he could never do so alone. 

The occasional passing attendant kept their heads lowered, not sparing Mika a single glance. If anything, they would sidle away when Yuu’s tail caught the corner of their gaze, keeping themselves otherwise unbothered on their way from one point to the other. It was the result of Ferid’s influence once he assumed the position by Mika’s side. When Yuu had been around, the halls were much more lively. The prince can remember how difficult it was to traverse the castle together with Yuu without being caught or scolded for being together so casually as they grew older and fell into their assigned roles.

He finally released a long, weary sigh as the corridor opened up to sunlight. Hidden away in the far wings of the castle, it had been one of their favorite places to share each other’s company. The plum blossoms were in full bloom, their pale petals coating the packed ground that told of their training sessions. Mika had barely been allowed to hold a sword, constantly pestering Yuu about learning what he was taught. He would simper when he finally managed to knock Yuu off his feet, only to grow flustered at the sight of a proud grin instead of the annoyed scowl he had been expecting.

It was where they once played as children, spending countless hours beneath the tree’s shade before they realized that there was a bigger world beyond these walls. Many of the secrets they shared had been uncovered there and buried there. When Yuu left for battle, Mika quietly prayed for his safe return while he watched the flowers bloom.

When Yuu was pronounced dead, it felt like time stopped and left him waiting in this place. He had begun to resent it, being surrounded by memories of the precious life that wouldn’t return. Right when he considered the order to have this isolated wing sealed away is when the enemy charged through their defenses. He had met them head on with the intent to end his life on the battlefield, just as he imagined Yuu had, when the giant fox appeared to save him. 

One look upon that gravestone made him turn his attention to Yuu, assuring himself that he was there. Angry, beautiful, and not quite his. Again, he found himself hesitating when faced with his questions, stuck between the need to keep him safe and the desire to press the memories of them onto him. But he noticed Yuu’s focus was elsewhere, drawing him to the spot Mika dreaded to linger by anymore. “Yuu…?” Mika slowly followed behind, his hand raised with the temptation to pull him back. He didn’t. “Nothing has been the same since you left,” he uttered toward his back, “even if you did remember, I doubt you would recognize anything you’ve seen. Except maybe here, in this place.”

Without hearing Yuu respond, the prince felt himself losing strength. Withholding truths from Yuu when he wanted nothing but to speak with him about everything, falling into the solitary role his father had set upon him, pretending he had everything under control when it still felt like he was grieving—it was tiring. A sharp frown curved his mouth as he stopped following, watching Yuu stop at the two grave markers that made up his most precious secrets. 

“I didn’t know what to do without you.” When Yuu turned around, the prince’s breath caught. Misty blue eyes widened at the familiarity and love written in his own green hues. The sound of his own name never sounded sweeter. “Yuu-chan…” Pulled into an embrace, relief washed over him anew, a feeling that passed when they were first reunited. Again, somehow, he knew that his Yuu had returned. 

When he was pulled away, his hands immediately came up to grasp at the front of his clothes, unwilling to let them be apart any further than their arms allowed. Blond brows furrowed as he focused on Yuu’s face. “No one would tell me anything!” he cried. “When I heard what happened, I thought we would retaliate to avenge you and everyone we lost. But no one even knew what I was talking about! And all of our friends… the ones that stayed behind with me—I couldn’t find anyone…”

His shoulders trembled with the struggle to keep himself together as unpleasant memories came flooding back to him. “I spoke with my father directly, begging him that, at the very least, we should bring our dead home,” he said softly, “but he just said that you were brought back to your—” he caught himself, displeased that he had to associate that precious word with them, “...to the family you were born into.” As was custom, he said. As if Shikama didn’t know that Mika was his family too. 

“After that, it felt like there was nothing I could do. I wasn’t allowed to bring you up again and they expected me to move on. I…” The walls of his home had begun to feel like bars to a cage. He had been dragged from his bed each day to carry on with his duties, dismissing the questions he still had, unconcerned that his grief had carved him hollow. “Before Ferid approached me, I didn’t think anything was real anymore. Then he brought up your name and offered to help…”

Mika finally lowered his gaze, fixating on the pillar of stone that displayed Yuu’s name. “I know I can’t trust him, Yuu. But I couldn’t ignore what he told me, either. When he said that you were sent to die… after all that’s happened, I believed him. I thought if I played along, he would help me uncover the truth.”

It was a relief at least to know that the apothecary in question wasn't one of Naraku's incarnations like she had first feared. But not enough of a relief to fully relax her either. After all, Inuyasha had said that it all seemed sinister enough to fit right into Naraku's machinations.. And she couldn't agree more from what she heard, but the prince himself seemed so sure it was a misunderstanding.

Even with hearing what Inuyasha said about the apothecary "testing his wares". Something was terribly wrong here, she had to agree with Yuu and her hanyou friend. Even with being outsiders to this palace, nothing could be clearer. And between Inuyasha tense body language and the twitching of a tail or ear from Yuu, it was clear that they were both unsettled. Probably even more than either were saying.

"Sometimes it takes outsiders to see things those in proximity don't.." Kagome softly suggested, her empathetic heart showing once again. "Have you ever heard the saying 'can't see the forest for the trees'? Its something like that."

But she wouldn't press further, she could tell that they had already agitated the prince. And pressing any further could have him shutting down entirely or even having them thrown out of here. And now that she had heard all of this, she couldn't just turn her back on the people here. Jewel shard or no jewel shard.

"I know what I smelled, Mika. And that wasn't medicine," Yuu added. And even if he hadn't smelled it, then the way it was delivered and the fact that, that servant had seemed to want to run off or hide said enough to him. That and the fact that the healer still hadn't made his appearance. "It was like rotting fruit combined with a corpse that's been left to rot in the sun for weeks."

Even if everything else was ignored, just the scent of that so called medicine was enough to have his instincts screaming that something was wrong. It had his hackles up even now and had him reacting before thinking this morning when he was offered the food by the very prince he sat with now. He doubted it could have killed him, but it had never been himself he was worried about.

And hearing now what he perceived as Mika defending that apothecary had his lips pulling back in a silent snarl. Not as effective in this form, but he still couldn't help but show it. But even so, he gave a curt nod when he was asked to leave with the prince and sent a quiet look at Kagome. Asking her with his eyes that glanced at Mika and back to her to get an antidote ready.

She responded with a silent nod of her own, softly biting her lip, though she worriedly watched them go. Indeed, from what Yuu said about the scent, it had in fact been a poison and she softly sighed and shook her head when the door closed behind them.

"I can't leave yet," she informed her companion after they were gone. "You and Yuichiro are right, there's something very wrong here. I can't just walk away now," she added as she stood to return to her room where she had the herbs she needed. "Just because Naraku may not be involved yet doesn't mean he won't be, Inuyasha. Or worse, we have someone too like him to just look the other way."

Meanwhile, Yuu was trying hard to keep a grip on his emotions to control his transformations. But he felt the warm, tickly feeling in his chest that usually came right before a full transformation into his smaller fox form. He now knew the emotion for what it was though, anxiety and it was turning into anger as well, the heat in his chest growing told him that much. Even if his glaring at the floor and his bare feet didn't.

But he quietly followed all the same, his own fists clenched tightly at his sides. The tells he didn't know he had kept showing themselves as well, a twitch of his ear or tail that was still out for the moment. Only when they came to a stop did he finally look up and turned to the prince immediately.

"Now let's hear it. What's going on that I supposedly don't understand? What could possibly explain away poison attempts? Or people's lack of reaction to-"

But his words cut off as from his peripheral, he saw what looked to be a normal vertical stone at first. But that feeling again that came just before a flash of memory stopped his tirade before it could truly begin. He already knew he knew this place, he had supposedly spent a lot of time here in this palace if not lived here full time. Which meant he had seen places like this a lot as well, it just made sense.

But the rest of the palace hadn't seemed familiar to him at all. This place though.. This did.

And that was when outwardly, he became dazed, seemingly no longer present. In fact he was lost, but in the memories that he had been chasing since he woke up on that battlefield weeks ago. A whole lifetime of memories flooded his mind.

Memories of a sweet, bubbly prince with a smile that rivaled the sun. The prince who befriended him on his first day here and gradually pulled him from his shell. He remembered shared meals, late nights spent talking and playing. He remembered the day that he recognized the difference between one of Mika's real smiles and the fake ones and called him out on it.

He remembered shared complaints, childhood promises, and a little fox they'd found and befriended after wandering farther than they were allowed to into the woods. The memory of days spent playing with that little fox after the skittish animal came to trust them. And remembered when they found him dying, staying with him and comforting him as he passed away.

The memories came rapidly, almost too rapidly to fully grasp before another took its place. As if he was watching his life in fast forward until finally he remembered why he had gone to that place where he died.. The memory returned of them basically being sent to die, being seen as invaders rather than peace makers. Then finally, the moment he was about to close his eyes forever.

The Goddess Inari and that little fox friend was there. Tomo-chan he now remembered to be the name given to him. She told him it wasn't his time yet and he had to live on. She told him he had to make it back to Mika before he felt himself changing just as everything went black.

When he came back to his senses in the present, the first thing he registered again was that he was standing in front of the monument marking Tomo-chan's grave and it seemed, his own. And when he turned back to Mikaela again, the knowledge, the affection, the familiarity was back in that emerald gaze, familiar, but changed. The pupils were still slit for a moment, but returned to the normal circles the moment he locked eyes with the sky blue again.

"Mika.." he breathed, relief clear in his voice. And probably in his actions as well as he wasted no time in pulling him into a hug he had to remember to keep gentle lest he possibly crush his bones in a very literal sense. But that relief was short lived before he was frowning again and pulled back to glare up into those blue eyes he so loved and missed. "You let Ferid close? What were you thinking?!"

[museguided]

Mika should have known that Ferid was involved somehow. He withheld a sigh of frustration, instead looking between his guests and the fox beside him. Without the knowledge of how things were like in the castle, their suspicions were justified. But a proper explanation would need to be tailored before he could placate their concerns. Something that should have been delegated to Ferid after he was promoted, in a sense, if he didn’t secretly thrive on chaos and disorder.

The real mystery was how Ferid still had his head after all these years.

The sudden force made him gasp, wide eyes turning to Yuu startled, but not afraid. His aggravation was to be expected. Blue eyes turned pitying as he placed a gentle hand over Yuu’s own. “It’s fine. There’s an explanation for all of this…” Mika hesitated. Yuu had the right to know, but it would come at a cost. He feared that the knowledge would only chain him to this place again. It could likely lead to his death again. If Mika could guarantee his safety by keeping him in the dark, he thought he would prefer it.

The hanyou huffed as he watched the display. “If he had, you would’ve heard about it sooner,” he muttered to Kagome. It would have given him the perfect reason to tear apart the whole estate looking for answers. Even now, his hands were balled into tense fists, arms rigid beneath his billowing sleeves. “But they could’ve been related, for all we know. Damn creep sounded twisted enough to fit right in.”

After hearing all of what Naraku had done, Mika’s hand tightened around Yuu’s own. “It’s not like that! Ferid is supposed to be helping me.” Biting the inside of his cheek, the prince turned away from Yuu’s stare. “I know what it looks like, but it was all a misunderstanding.” 

At least, he believed that it was. There was a time when he and Yuu wouldn’t trust Ferid to be in the same vicinity as them. Often enough, Yuu would threaten to lop off his head and even attempted it a few times. It was easy to mistrust him, but over Yuu’s disappearance, Ferid had been the only one he could turn to.

He could still feel Yuu’s eyes on him, making him feel the guilt of his actions.  “It was medicine,” he offered, quieter now, “I’m not poisoned, I’m sick.”

It could only be a half-truth, as far as he was aware. Ferid had hinted, assured, and promised many things, but he never gave him enough detail to be certain of anything. Lost and despondent in his despair over Yuu, Mika had become desperate. The apothecary was the only one that would listen to him.

He lowered his head. “I’m sorry to worry all of you. I didn’t realize Ferid was involved. But I can’t say anything more.” It would just make their situation more of a mess than it already was. “This castle, my family, we have our own customs. It’s not something outsiders would understand.” 

Inuyasha scowled deeply, growling his annoyance under his breath. “What that guy said about testing his wares doesn’t sound like he’s helping you.” Mika’s mouth thinned in disdain with his eyes downcast. “This whole place reeks of something sinister, and you’re gonna tell us everything’s fine? I’m not buying it. But if you don’t trust us, the least you can do is tell the guy that crawled out of a damn war zone to see you again!” 

“That’s—!” Mika snapped his head up to glare at the hanyou, though he was unable to hold his stare for long. Slowly, he turned his attention back to Yuu. Between the two of them, neither held all the pieces. With his amnesia, Yuu was just as much a stranger as he was familiar. But it wouldn’t be fair to him to take the choice away before he realized he had one to make. “If… if you will excuse us,” the prince uttered, “Yuu, will you come with me?”

Kagome smiled at the prince, but hoped that he was right. She hoped that the methods that they used would be enough to send Naraku and his incarnations running, or better yet, end them completely. But she'd either seen or heard of that treacherous demon infiltrating and even taking over estates and being something of a puppet master in others.

This demon's machinations had even managed to turn Kikyo and Inuyasha against one another. Kikyo, who was said and thought to be the best priestess of her time had fallen into Naraku's trap and deceived by him. Miroku's ancestor, yet another who was supposed to have been such a strong monk, had fallen into a trap set by Naraku and cursed along with his descendants. And of course Sango and her entire clan, leaving Sango and Kohaku as the only survivors.

All of which she shared with the prince now, as well as the back stories of those she mentioned. She hoped that they didn't let their guard down just because they thought that they had this handled. All the others she mentioned had thought the same, only to fall victim to that despicable demon instead.

Thankfully his lack of memory wasn't too much of a disadvantage right now. For what he lacked in that department, his instincts seemed to make up for. He may not know any of the people here apart from Mikaela himself, but he knew to listen if his instincts warned him about certain individuals. Like that person who introduced himself as Ferid Bathory.

Even now as they walked back toward the prince and the miko, he softly shuddered as he remembered him and the off putting feeling he got from him. Everything in him screamed not to trust him, that he was some kind of threat, that he should end him before he could be ended by him. Because of that and his proximity to, Mika, he'd not be leaving the prince's side for the foreseeable future. Especially not if that guy was around.

And if he pushed all of that aside, what the hell was that lack of reaction from everyone else? He still couldn't wrap his mind around it, to see no reaction whatsoever to the fact one of their monarchs had been threatened, that the poisoner had been standing right there with them. They'd reacted more to he and Inuyasha and to Ferid than they had to that news. It was strange, it was wrong..

But at least, he got reassurance from Inuyasha that Kagome knew antidotes. He didn't even trust the absent healer now, and even less when they reached the room and came inside. He didn't even have to look around to know that the physician hadn't come, though he could feel his features soften just slightly as the beautiful blond called out to him.

For a moment, their eyes met and a flash of memory came back. A small blond reaching out to him, Yuu taking his hand and the two boys running off laughing and carefree into the garden. Then another flash of the day he must have left for the battlefield he woke up in. Mika's blue eyes shimmered with unshed tears as they bid each other what they both hoped to be a temporary goodbye. Only for him to die there and to become what he was now.

Once again, he reached for it, but it slipped away before he could grasp it and - with an agitated sigh - he moved to sit beside the noble. But the fox ears that still hadn't vanished twitched atop his head, his tail flicking with agitation as he heard his hanyou friend confirm that this had indeed seemed to be a constant poisoning.

He knew that something had been off about Mika's scent since returning! He hadn't been able to put his finger on why, but now.. He should have known!

"Poison..?" Kagome gasped, her hands going to cover her mouth. "Do you know what kind? I can get started on an antidote right away!"

"This place is a death trap.." Yuu growled beside the prince, certain of what he said. "No one reacting the way they should. A shady, off putting apothecary who happens to now be an assistant. It all sticks of conspiracy."

Indeed, it all sounded strange to Kagome as well. Hearing that there hadn't been any reaction at all, that an apothecary somehow became an assistant. She too didn't know a lot about the lives of royals or other nobles, but even she knew that this wasn't normal. Even the prince himself didn't seem all that bothered by the news as she turned her eyes back to him. Which was alarming enough on its own, something that Yuu himself seemed to agree with.

"Why is everyone acting like this is just another normal day?" he demanded to know, turning fully to the prince and grabbing him by the collar. "How often does this happen, Mika?! Who is that guy?!"

Which also alarmed Kagome, reminding her of the very demon that she had been warning the prince about. So she too turned to her companion, albeit much more calmly even as her heart raced with her worries.

"Inuyasha.. Did this.. Ferid person happen to smell like.. Naraku..?" A stupid question probably. If he did, then she was sure that her companion wouldn't have just let him go.

But her racing and worried heart couldn't let her just not ask and put the possibility out there. If he was one of Naraku's incarnations then everyone behaving so strangely could be explained, as could the off putting feeling he gave off.

[museguided]

To know Yuu had no visible tie to the evil demon brought the prince some relief. Given how forthright she had been with him thus far, he felt little reason to doubt her. But it still begged the question: who would bring Yuu back from the dead, different and much stronger than he was before, and why?

While he was curious about finding answers, he couldn't lose focus on Yuu's current situation, either. His return made the castle uneasy, but though Mika's position protected Yuu from any harassment or worse, he wouldn't put it past the warmongers that would want to use him for his power.

Mika refused to yield to their demands again.

"Even if Naraku does choose to come here, this place is well-equipped to handle many youkai that dare to cross into our territory," he assured. "Though it may seem that we are left vulnerable with our attention on the war, sensing and purifying youki isn't unfamiliar to us." More than that, it was a ritual that all who live within the castle walls should be able to perform in their sleep. Of what little he knew of his father, the castle lord abhorred the mischievous spirits that blatantly disregarded his order.

Of course, that sort of vigilance wouldn't bother with something as insignificant as an assassin aiming to take the prince's life. Mika might have laughed if he could forget the whole morning. Against his own silent indignation, he smiled. "I won't take your concern lightly. Yuu and your companion should be the only ones allowed to walk with ease here, but it won't hurt to have my advisor strengthen the wards around the castle for the time being."

It was one of Ferid's many responsibilities, which brought Mika a modicum of comfort. While he had always made Mika uneasy when he was around, since Yuu's supposed passing, he had proven himself quite reliable as his attendant. He held faith that Ferid would take the matter seriously and handle it well.

But he would also have to discuss the matter of poison with him. Being so privy to everyone, Mika wouldn't put it past him to know something.

Inuyasha couldn't agree more with Yuu's sentiment. For a second, it crossed his mind that this sort of thing was common place. The strange man and the reaction of the staff made it seem that way. No alarm was raised and, given the severity of the situation, everything was too calm. While Yuu didn't have much memory of this place, he supposed they would get some clarity from the prince, himself.

He nodded curtly. Though Kagome had followed him for a time, he supposed she had her own curiosity to satisfy somewhere along the way. "I ain't too worried. Kagome can handle herself." Though, after what he had watched, he would waste no time in heading back the way they came. Briefly glancing at Yuu, he grunted, "yeah, she knows plenty 'bout treating poison at this point." Between Sesshoumaru and Naraku, and every venomous youkai they had met in between, knowledge about varying antidotes had become strictly necessary if they wanted to continue their journey. "But you have to wonder just how long your prince had been ingesting the stuff without knowing."

It was a messy operation; if someone decided to off the young lord slowly, surely they would have done a better job at hiding it until he finally keeled over. Even if it was only detected through their sensitive noses, he would've assumed that nobles had plenty of precautions to prevent that sort of thing.

Dark brows furrowed, his frown deepening. Whatever messy plot they stepped in the middle of, they were going to get tangled in it soon enough. Catching where Kagome's scent lingered, he threw the doors open without preamble, watching the blond prince start at the sudden slam. Though, his demeanor quickly calmed, then brightened when Yuu's human-esque form came into view.

"Yuu-cha—ah." Though they've reunited, it had still been much too long since Mika had seen his face properly. He nearly forgot himself and their positions in the company of others. Mika glanced askance at Kagome and quietly cleared his throat. "Did you... find anything?"

Inuyasha scoffed. Never mind the staff that lacked concern when the victim himself was hardly panicked. "Y'mean the person trying to poison you? Yuu would've ripped their throat out if Ferid didn't come around." Deciding he didn't like the way Mika's brows furrowed, Inuyasha crouched between him and Kagome, leaning forward to take a cursory sniff.

Mika blinked and shuffled away, his confused gaze shifting quickly from Inuyasha to Kagome to Yuu. "W-What did Ferid say...?"

The hanyou sat back on his haunches, scrunching his nose. "Turns out there might be more to it. But first, you oughta let Kagome look at you. You smell like someone packed you in a healer's bag." More than that, the sweet, sickly stench of the poison clung to him, thick enough to replace his natural scent.

To be honest, the idea that Yuu could have been brought back to life via Naraku and a shard had crossed her mind. It would be just like that demon to want to further corrupt the jewel by doing so, especially with the amnesia as well. Hadn't that happened to poor little Kohaku too? But then they had spent a lot of time with Yuu on the way here.. Aside from his amnesia and the clear fact he was now a youkai, there was nothing to suggest he was a pawn of Naraku.

So it was with a smile that she put the prince's fears to rest. Or hopefully she did, as she shared with him that she had the ability to see and feel shikon jewel shards. There wasn't one in Yuichiro at all and so there was no reason to suspect Naraku in his case. Though it was still troubling to find no more leads on their target.

She mentioned others on their journey reporting a cloud of demonic aura or miasma as Naraku passed overhead which unsettled many people. She also mentioned his incarnations that were still alive, their names, and what they looked like as well just in case. Naraku could be too hurt to show himself or a puppet, but one of his existing incarnations could after all. And if they hadn't yet, they still could at some point. She figured it was better to share that information so that the prince could be ready and know when and if they showed up.

"Naraku is a horrible demon, your highness.. I really hope you don't become interwoven into his web," she added with a sad sigh. "I'm honestly relieved you haven't heard of or seen him until now. He normally only targets those close to Inuyasha and Kikyo or who could be a big threat to us. or him." Like in Sango's case for example. "And with your territorial disputes I doubt he'd find cause to come here."

Unless his reason was because of Yuu himself.. But why would he..? Yuichiro didn't trust anyone who wasn't the prince she spoke with now. Except for she and Inuyasha that is and even with them he seemed to be on guard somewhat. From what she could tell at least.

Yuu stared down the silver haired man who seemed to know him. He wasn't all that surprised though, everyone seemed to know him somehow. But what he didn't like was the feeling he got off of him, nor how everyone else also seemed to fear him. There was something wrong about him, something he knew on an instinctual level but couldn't put his finger on. A sentiment that Inuyasha seemed to share as Yuu could hear the escalating growls of the hanyou as he too stared him down.

And Yuu only tensed further at the implication that this man - whoever he was - had even more poison and would be near to Mika. Not once did the hardness of Yuu's eyes leave the man, he even had to hold himself back so he didn't transform and go for this man's throat. Though during the whole exchange, he couldn't quite keep himself from a partial transformation as a fiery hate gripped him. Fox ears and a tail appeared on him as he glared at the man, his inhuman eyes tracking every move he made.

Though he still couldn't get past the fact that the emperor or whoever he was - Mika's dad - wouldn't be informed about this. Shouldn't he be if his son's life was nearly taken? Shouldn't there be an overhaul to make sure no one else threatened him? Heightened guard? Not that there was any need for that, not with him around, but still.

Even when he spoke of how he would be the one to issue punishment, he made it seem as if it were a chore that he had to do. And suddenly, he wasn't sure if this man hadn't been the one to put her up to it in the first place. He doubted it was just this woman who wanted Mika dead either. Someone above her had to be pulling the strings here. The thought had his lips pulling back and exposing canines that had lengthened in his mouth with his partial transformation.

But what could he do other than defend Mika as each threat came? To inform Mika's father, he'd have to leave the prince's side and he wasn't all too keen on doing that. Especially in light of what had just happened this morning. Even now, being as far from him as he was, he didn't like it.

That in mind, he snatched the offered clothes from the servant and dressed himself with jerky movements. The longer he was away from the prince, the more tense he became.

"The only things I'm sure of is I was right to come back to protect Mika.. And I have to get him out of here," he replied, his glare hadn't lessened even the smallest bit, if anything, it hardened further as he stared at where the man had left. "I may not remember much, but I know at least this isn't how a castle is supposed to behave when a prince's life could have been lost." Had the healer even gone to Mika yet? "Why isn't anyone questioning whether or not the prince had been gradually being poisoned? They're acting as if this was a one time issue and that even now, its not all that serious."

It made no sense to him and it had all kinds of alarms raising for him as he scoffed and started making his way back to Mika's side again. In light of everything he'd just witnessed, he was more sure than ever that he and Mika could only rely on one another.

"Kagome was with Mika when I got here by the way," he mentioned as he walked. He figured his companion would want to know that. He probably didn't need to mention it though, Inuyasha could probably smell where she was, same as Yuu could. "Kagome is a miko.. She knows about poisons and antidotes right? Mika forced himself to expel what he ate earlier, but I'm worried there could be some poison still left in his system. If he really has been poisoned regularly then.."

[museguided]

as much as i love the trope of a character falling fast and hard for someone, i also love the subtle descent where they don’t really think about it; where that person is just kind of there until one day they realize that person is so ingrained in their lives and they cannot do without them. where there is no conscious effort on either ends to become romantically involved but somehow the thought of them being with someone else is disconcerting. where “i enjoy being with you” unwittingly turns into “i want to be with you”

[museguided]

›     SOFT   ROMANCE      →      receiver    to    sender.

brushing   snow   off   their   shoulders

offering   to   carry   their   bag

humming   a   lullaby   beside   them

making   sure   their   drink   is   just   right

touching   hands   under   the   table

sharing   a   quiet   moment   in   an   elevator

pulling   the   blanket   up   over   them

fixing   a   crooked   button   on   their   shirt

gently   resting   a   hand   on   their   knee

bringing   them   flowers   “just   because”

watching   them   in   the   soft   morning   light

adjusting   their   glasses   for   them

saving   them   the   last   bite

quietly   placing   their   favorite   book   in   their   hands

squeezing   their   arm   in   silent   support

brushing   dust   off   their   shoulder

letting   their   head   rest   on   your   chest

warming   up   a   heating   pad   for   them

kissing   the   top   of   their   head   in   passing

whispering   their   name   like   a   secret

setting   their   phone   to   charge

pouring   their   tea   before   your   own

tucking   a   note   into   their   pocket

drawing   a   small   heart   on   their   wrist

holding   the   back   of   their   neck   gently

pulling   them   away   from   the   cold   wind

leaning   into   each   other   on   a   train

pressing   their   hand   over   your   heartbeat

offering   your   hoodie   on   a   cold   night

packing   a   snack   for   them

gently   rubbing   their   shoulder   while   they   talk

picking   them   wildflowers

saving   a   seat   beside   you   for   them

mouthing   “you   okay?”   across   the   room

standing   behind   them   while   they   cook

helping   with   their   coat   sleeves

asking   if   they’ve   eaten   today

tracing   their   laugh   lines   when   they   smile

turning   their   playlist   into   a   shared   one

leaving   a   mug   of   cocoa   on   their   desk

tying   your   scarf   around   their   neck

brushing   your   thumb   across   their   wrist

sitting   beside   them   during   a   tough   day

helping   them   put   on   a   bracelet

resting   your   head   on   their   lap

carrying   them   when   they   fall   asleep   somewhere   strange

painting   their   nails   for   them

pressing   a   kiss   to   their   wrist

gently   holding   their   chin   to   meet   your   gaze

leaving   your   scent   on   their   pillow

guiding   their   hand   while   drawing

humming   a   song   they   like

quietly   whispering   “i   missed   you”

brushing   a   tear   from   their   lash

hiding   a   gift   for   them   to   find   later

gently   pulling   them   into   your   arms   during   a   bad   dream

braiding   their   hair   without   asking

waiting   up   for   them   to   get   home

offering   your   lap   as   a   pillow

warming   their   hands   with   yours   in   your   pockets

shielding   their   eyes   from   the   sun

holding   their   face   during   a   long   hug

wrapping   your   arms   around   their   waist   while   cooking

softly   squeezing   their   pinky   when   anxious

sharing   a   hoodie   without   asking

resting   your   head   on   their   shoulder   during   a   movie

lightly   stroking   their   hair   while   they   read

offering   to   write   something   for   them

sneaking   a   Polaroid   of   them   smiling

casually   interlocking   fingers   while   walking

wrapping   an   arm   around   them   in   their   sleep

offering   a   tissue   before   they   ask

kissing   their   knuckles   one   by   one

gently   drying   their   hair   with   a   towel

placing   their   hand   over   your   heart

taking   their   photo   when   they’re   distracted

watching   them   laugh   and   smiling   to   yourself

opening   the   car   door   for   them

waiting   to   make   sure   they’re   inside   safely

gently   tugging   on   their   sleeve   to   get   their   attention

letting   them   nap   on   your   chest

setting   an   extra   place   at   the   table

lending   them   your   favorite   book

adjusting   their   jewelry

putting   a   hand   on   their   back   when   guiding   them

whispering   “you’re   okay,   i’ve   got   you”

resting   your   foreheads   together   mid-hug

brushing   rainwater   from   their   hair

slipping   your   hand   into   theirs   in   silence

bringing   a   warm   drink   to   their   bedside

folding   their   laundry   with   a   soft   smile

reaching   out   instinctively   to   steady   them

tracing   the   veins   on   their   wrist   with   your   finger

taking   off   their   shoes   after   a   long   day

straightening   their   tie   gently

offering   to   help   them   undress   when   tired

letting   your   head   fall   on   theirs   in   a   quiet   moment

playfully   hiding   behind   them   when   nervous

buttoning   up   their   cardigan   slowly

whispering   “you   make   me   feel   safe”

[museguided]

She chuckled as he grew flustered. As one of the few that could see her, speak to her, and touch her if he chose to, she really couldn't help herself. He was the victim of her attention, her affection. "There's a perfectly good sofa in the clubroom," she reminded with a smile, "if you're sleepy, you can borrow my lap."

“Yuuko-San you’re way too close! And…” To Teiichi there was no difference between Yuuko and a living person. He could see and feel all off her even if no one else could. The fact that even if she was a ghost she didn’t appear to be so to him meant right now the poor boy’s brain was short circuiting. “And I need to sleep at some point Yuuko-San how early do you expect me to be here anyway?”

[museguided]

Mika smirked in satisfaction when Yuu followed through, a wave of fondness making his heart ache as he lingered in Yuu's space. As much as he shouldn't, knowing that the majority of their past together had been consumed by misery, it made him just a bit happier to see how much Yuu remembered.

It had been one of his fears, selfishly wondering if Yuu would have forgotten all about him while escaping his father.

"Something else?" Blond brows rose as he straightened up, taking a bite of his gifted bun. It was to be expected; Mika wouldn't put it past Yuu now to have marked this date in advance to prepare. As much as he opposed to buying anything for him, Yuu would only insist. It wasn't as though Mika was any better when Yuu's own birthday came around.

But Yuu had the tendency to give away too much of what little he had. With so little regard for his own worth, even the smallest gift felt overwhelming.

"Yuu-chan—!" Mika swallowed hard, the sweetness of the pork bun melding with sharp words and a familiar bitter taste. He turned his gaze away from the amount scribbled down, quickly composing himself as fingers tightened around warm dough. It was a gift, paired with Yuu's hopeful look that he did something right, like Mika was still worth the trouble, and he should be grateful.

Slowly, he sighed and managed a small smile. "You didn't have to," he replied, "but thank you..." Gingerly, he accepted the cards, careful not to reveal his tension. After ensuring their safety in his own pocket, he relaxed and slid a look of skepticism toward earnest green eyes. "Just tell me you didn’t pull that from your grocery budget or rent—or anything more important."

Yuu started slightly as the bun was tapped to his lips instead of Mika biting into it. But it reminded him of another time years ago when instead of taking the last two pork buns for himself like Yuu had intended, the blond boy handed one back to him.

The memory had him snickering as he obediently opened his mouth to accept the pork filled bun. Some things never changed and since it was for his birthday, he wouldn't refuse. Not that he probably would have been allowed to anyway. Nor did it escape him that he didn't have to be cautious as they shared buns this time either.

"Oh I have something else for you too," he added after swallowing the bite he had taken.

It wasn't much, but his wages were meager at best, especially when he was "paid under the table". So from his pocket he pulled a hundred dollar gift card to a game shop from his pocket. A second gift card, this one worth fifty was also pulled free, this one from a book store.

"I wasn't sure if you still liked the same stuff. So I played it safe and got these instead so you can pick it yourself," he explained, a sheepish smile on his lips. After all, it was his own fault that he didn't know much about his companion anymore.

cont.

@museguided

[museguided]

In the midst of his panic, quiet yet frantic, he could vaguely recall something Kagome had told him about drowning. But it had been from a time when he didn't want to trust her, allowing the words to go through one ear out the other. She hadn't brought it up again and he never bothered to ask. He never thought he'd be in the position to save someone like this. Frustration fed into his helplessness like a vicious cycle.

He could hear the water churn as her system attempted to expel it. She needed help to breathe, right? Force air into her lungs to let the water out? Relief poured off of him in waves when Neya responded, releasing a sharp breath he hadn't known he held. Shifting to kneel, he watched to make sure she recovered before taking a look at their surroundings.

"Some bastard had to have planted 'em there." Inuyasha growled low. Some soon to be dead bastard if he ever got his hands on them. "It's gotta be 'cause of the treasure. If they couldn't find it, they'd make sure no one else could." It made the most sense to him—it meant that they had been on the right path. But to trap a secluded area for a mystery that left most people stumped already was simply vile.

Now that they were out of danger, he braced himself on his hands and shook away the excess water weighing him down. Silver strands flew, barely mindful about any damage his body might've sustained. His feet were definitely scrapped raw, but it was nothing he couldn't deal with for an hour or so while they healed over.

"Damn ears are still ringing from the blast, but I can take a lot more than that," he huffed and stood. The occasional rock fell from the hole they made as the explosion settled, breaking the water's surface and allowing him to hear more than the ear-piercing silence. He nodded toward the water as it settled. "Even if it was trying to kill us, that trap led us straight to what we're looking for. This can't be it, can it?" In his eyes, they were one Kaze no Kizu away from splitting the sea and reaping their reward. But it was much too convenient for that to be the case.

She’s falling. A faint realization. Distant and muddled, like struggling to surface through a thick fog. Wind rushed past her ears, drowning out everything else. Her breath hitched, stomach lurching. She plummets backward, weightless, dust and shattered rocks tumbling around her. She thinks she hears Inuyasha shouting her name, her thoughts are sluggish. Barely registers his voice, barely registers the strong tug as he pulls her close, shielding them from the debris.

Then—impact.

The moment they hit the water, her eyes snap open. The force punching the breath from her lungs, and before she can think, she inhales—only to draw in a rush of water instead of air. Her body betrays her. Panic seizes in her chest, throat spasming as liquid floods the space meant for breath. She chokes, a stream of bubbles escaping as she grasps his arm.

No—no, can’t breathe—!

Her world blurs at the edges. Darkness creeps in, swallowing her senses. For a moment—maybe longer—everything fades. Then, a touch. Faint, at first, pressing against her cheek. Then she hears a voice—urgent, familiar. Inuyasha.

Neya shoots up with a gasp, hacking up water as she lurches onto her side, coughing violently. Her body convulses, forcing up every drop she swallowed, throat raw and burning. She barely has the strength to push away from him, rolling onto her hands and knees, forehead pressing against damp earth. The solid ground beneath them is the only thing keeping her from slipping back into disorientation.

Deep breaths. In—out. Steady. Steady.

“I—I’m okay, thank yo—” She tries to speak, only to inhale wrong and dissolve into another coughing fit. “Hrrk—!” It takes several more desperate gulps of air before she finally feels stable enough to lift her head. “W-Why is it always bombs…” she mutters hoarsely, pressing her forehead back against the dirt. Neya exhales sharply, grounding herself in the feeling of damp soil beneath her fingers. Once her breathing evens out, she carefully sits back on her legs, scanning their surroundings. Darkness pressed in from all sides, the cavern was nearly pitch black, save for the pale circle of light spilling from the hole above—the one they created when they fell.

Her eyes drift down towards the lake, inky black and eerily still. Even with the light faintly filtering in, nothing reflected off its surface. No ripples, no shimmering, just darkness. Unease prickles at the back of her neck, making her swallow hard and scoot slightly closer to Inuyasha, she tears her gaze away from the water and looks up at him instead.

 "I can't believe we fell down here! I'm so sorry Inuyasha-san!" Neya couldn't help but feel like she was at fault for this unplanned tumble. "I just wanted to find us a safer way down!" Her eyes sweep carefully over his frame, trying to check for any visible injuries. "You are not hurt are you?"

[museguided]

"Today just feels like a really good day, doesn't it?!" His birthday was like any other day and, just like every single day, Eijun looked forward to making the most of it. "I'm gonna take on the whole world, one pitch at a time, 'til my arms fall off!"

[museguided]

He didn't visit his mother often. The place where he grew up was far from where he now resided, and it was pointless to talk to a stone. To Inuyasha, it felt more honest to carry her memory in the lessons she had left him with: hunting, hiding, cleaning his wounds, holding his head high, and walking with pride in the face of humiliation. She knew what kind of life he would lead and, despite what little time they had together, she had done her best in the position she was in.

He didn't like to reminisce about his childhood, either. Some might have said that he had gotten off lucky being born into nobility, where the people around him would wield sharp words to preserve appearances. Before she left him, he would have mere glimpses of the cruelty that awaited him, claws clashing with farming tools and fists about as often as they would bury into demon hides. Today, he would say he preferred the violence over watching his mother cry.

But Kagome had gone home, claiming that it was a day for mothers to be appreciated and honored. While the declared holiday eluded him, for once, he understood. When she left, the bond between mother and child became a focal point, and he watched with mild interest as the village carried on with their day to continue taking care of their families.

By then, Inuyasha knew that he should go. She didn't receive visitors too often, and someone would have to clear the weeds clinging to her grave. He took his time to collect wildflowers in bloom—only the prettiest ones he thought would have caused her to smile.

As he slowly walked up the gentle slope, when he was able to make out her carved name, memories of her sadness came to greet him. Like him, she was alone, but at least now she could rest in peace. He solemnly knelt before her, allowing the breeze to brush his hair back from his shoulders to imagine it was her embrace.

"I'm here, Mother," he murmured. "I'm still here."

[museguided]

Yuu can't miss something as important as Mika's birthday. So he comes bearing hot pork buns like he had years before and a single serve chocolate cake as well. Unfortunately with his hands full he had no way to give him head pats at the moment. But he does have another gift or two for him.

"Happy Birthday, Mika!"

(desiderium verse. ^^)

He didn't really miss the big celebrations. Between the balloons, the large sheet cake, the screaming, the singing, Mika would have been happy enough to be acknowledged. The orphanage days were far in his past now, and he struggled to keep his heart open to new people, nowadays, but the feeling persisted still. His phone occasionally lit up with a silent notification, a single line of text, bringing him a bit of joy on an otherwise normal day.

His world grew quieter as he got older, a consequence of his own making. It made the few connections he maintained all the more precious. He didn't need a huge party thrown on his behalf; to know that someone was thinking about him was enough.

But as he lifted his gaze to watch Yuu, he wondered if he had been lying to himself all this time. He rose from the bench where he sat to meet him, chuckling at the steaming pork buns. Did he remember?

"Thank you, Yuu-chan." Mika happily relieved him of the chocolate cake and one of the buns, setting the former aside when they sat back down together. Gently blowing on the pork bun, he leaned over and lightly tapped it to Yuu's mouth before he could bite into his own. "Now, for my birthday, open up." He wouldn't let up until Yuu did, just like old times.

[museguided]

It's late, but the birthday boy is accepting headpats. He won't bite your head off, promise <3

[museguided]

📏furihata from tep and gou <3

Send me 📏 (ruler) + your muses height and I'll compare them to mine! ( using this site bc I like it better )

Standing side by side, the difference was obvious—and a little intimidating. No one was surprised by this, right? It was already well known that Kiyoshi was the tallest out of all the members in Seirin. But it also made Kouki painfully aware that, while he wasn't the shortest, a couple inches barely spared him from that title.

"I'm in elementary being compared to a tree—" Clearing his throat, he dragged his gaze up to meet Kiyoshi's, knowing that any tilt of his head to make looking at him easier would weigh on his mind for the rest of the day. But he was starting to notice that their difference in physique didn't help his new-found insecurity at all. "I mean... I meant that respectfully. It's impressive, Senpai... really impressive."

At least he was given some confidence back, never mind that he was being compared to a girl's height. No, no, no. As a Japanese teenager, he met the average! His height was normal! "Uh, hi. Y-You're pretty tall, yourself..."

[museguided]

Send me 📏 (ruler) + your muses height and I'll compare them to mine!

using this site

[museguided]

“ Don't wanna live as an untold story rather go out in a blaze of glory. ”

yo👉👉 ! it’s a meme; it’s a post; it’s an independent private & selective multimuse ft. muses from BnHA, Servamp, Tokyo Revengers, Kimetsu no Yaiba, Fairy Tail, She-Ra, and more! give that ♥ a click or give this a reblog, and i’ll check ya out!

promo template.

[museguided]

exhaustion … sentence starters

the exhausted

“I can’t sleep.”

“I can’t keep my eyes open.”

“Can you help me back to bed?”

“I’m okay. I’m not even that tired.”

“I don’t remember the last time I slept.”

“I can’t sleep, yet. There’s too much to do.” 

“I don’t want to sleep. I keep having nightmares.”

“I promise I’ll sleep in a bit, just let me finish this, first.”

“Can you help me lie down? I can’t move, I’m too tired.”

“I can’t even think straight anymore… maybe I need to sleep.”

“Of course I want to relax. But, we don’t all get what we want.”

“I’m so tired I can’t do anything, but I’m not tired enough to sleep…”

the concerned

“You keep yawning.”

“Go. Sleep. That’s not a request.”

“If you’re that tired, just take a nap.”

“You look like you haven’t slept in days.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were this tired?”

“Those are some bad bags under your eyes.”

“You don’t have to push so hard. It’s okay to rest.”

“You can barely keep your eyes open, go lie down.”

“I haven’t seen you sleeping in a long time, what’s up?”

“I just had to stop you from toppling over. You’re not okay.”

“With everything you’ve been through lately, of course you’re tired.”

“I heard you thrashing around last night. Nightmares? Is that why you’re so tired?”

“You know, you keep fretting over everyone else, but you won’t even take a second to relax, yourself.”

misc

(doze) : one muse falls asleep on the other’s shoulder

(tuck) : one muse finds the other passed out onto the bed, and tucks them in

(collapsed) : one muse finds the other passed out on the floor from exhaustion

(carry) : one muse finds the other after they’ve fallen asleep on a chair / couch, and carries them to bed 

(cover) : one muse finds the other asleep somewhere other than bed and covers them with a blanket / their jacket

(assist) : one muse finds the other so tired they’re having trouble standing and helps them walk somewhere to lie down

(comfort) : one muse has been having nightmares and unable to sleep, so asks the other to cuddle with them to help them drift off

[museguided]

Send ❤🎶 for a mini playlist for our muses~

Can be romantic or platonic ships or just general vibes of our muses !! for multis, please specify muse !!

Meme originally made by @mcltiples please check them out! They are a wonderful writer and I highly recommend their blog 👍