#farewell equines

[pumpkinbxtch]

𓇼 the sun & the sea 𓇼 〰✷〰

— apollo / lester x daughter of poseidon!reader

part i | part ii | part iii | part iv |

☆ radiostar is playin': blackbird by the beatles…! // eye of the night by conan gray...! // meet me in the woods by lord huron...!

warnings: none n/a: i'm so fuckin' proud of the prophecy i created. it's all, thank you. taglist: @emidpsandia

You arrived when the fun was already over, or well, something like that.

As soon as you got off Pegasus, your heavy steps echoed through the gravel, and the glasses of water belonging to some tired campers rattled at your presence. Percy turned around when he noticed everyone staring at him as if he was about to die soon. Despite being surprised by a tornado of water glasses swirling where the dining hall was supposed to be, he feared more the way you were looking at him. It took him quite a bit not to step back to avoid humiliating himself.

— Percy, what the fuck?! — You shouted, and he nervously smiled.

— Sis.

— None of that 'sis' crap — You approached, gave him a smack on the head, and he complained — I go out for a few hours with Mom to buy stuff for dinner, and you escape. You said you wouldn't come.

— How did you know?

— Blackjack.

— Oh.

Everything turned out as you feared, things didn't look good, and your brother ended up saving the stupid Apollo's butt again. After having an exclusive report about what was happening there, at the Big House, with Chiron, Dionysus, and Percy, the only reaction you got from yourself was a loud bang on the table that made the utensils jump.

— Sister…

— Where's Apollo? — The two older ones tensed up, and Percy just sighed.

— He'll leave in the morning, us too, just…— he growled as he nervously scratched the back of his neck. Now he understood why they were so alike, and sometimes that wasn't exactly a compliment. — let it go, he's having a really hard time.

— A god — You said incredulously.

— Ex — Your brother corrected, and he settled impatiently in his seat, as he had found something more important to tell you in order to divert your attention. — Leo is alive. — He announced, and you opened your mouth slightly with surprise. With that, Percy believed he was winning. — Listen, while we were all solving the, well, “inconvenience” at the beach, he was at Apollo's cabin. They wanted to make sure he's okay before he leaves with Apollo in the morning. He'll help him with his mission, not us.

— Oh, Percy — Dionysus sighed as he rubbed his temple with disappointment. He never believed his ability to make things worse was real or unintentional until he said that.

— What? — He said innocently until he turned his gaze towards you.

Your blood began to boil, and with anger, you managed to bend a metal knife from the fine cutlery that Chiron had barely acquired. The half-equine sighed silently, and before it could bid farewell to the rest of its tableware, it hoped you would keep calm. And calm was what you had been lacking for a few days now.

“Of course,” Percy thought, his lips pursed, “who would have liked to hear that at that moment?”

Shortly after, the three of them found themselves grappling with you to prevent you from leaving the house straight to meet Apollo.

— APOLLO! — You shouted fiercely, your voice echoing through every corner of the camp, as you managed to break free from their grip, and Dionysus had no choice but to make you faint.

— Alright, kid, you've exceeded your bedtime — And he touched your temple, making you lose strength in your legs.

You fought against that magic, but you only managed to reach the porch, with blurred vision and distorted hearing. There were only a few voices that you heard clearly in your mind before losing consciousness.

“Come to the forest, find us, you don't have to ask”

The campers stopped their final nocturnal activities and admired your body being dragged back into the Big House. When Percy greeted them casually while holding your ankle, they knew it was better not to ask. And although everyone found it totally normal, in the corner of Apollo's cabin, he himself was clutching his legs tightly, trembling and with teary eyes. Was there anything worse than the love of your life hating you to death? And the answer, for him, was no because he knew it and knew it so well that he was tired of it.

“Find us, you don't have to ask”

“come find us”

“You don't have to ask”

“Apollo is…”

You woke up startled and pulled the sheets with cold despite it being mid-spring. You were in your bed, and Percy was sleeping in his, everything seemed fine, so where had those voices come from?

— Damn Dionysus, you've made me crazy — You whispered as you lay back down and tried to sleep.

“The sea and the Sun...”

“Come find us”

“You don't have to ask”

You opened your eyes and looked around, was madness real? Or was something really calling you? Instinct spoke first for you, and with bare feet, you got out of bed, then out of the cabin. Just as if it were a charm, you only knew you had to go to the forest, and your feet obeyed that sudden desire.

“They can't come in now. Not until Rachel knows what's going on or how Apollo's grove works,” Chiron said at the table, just before everything went to hell.

“Especially you, girl, we know you, and we're telling you not to dare,” Dionysus warned.

“You don't have to ask,” the voice insisted, as if it knew what was going through your head at that moment, and without knowing what awaited you, you took the first step into the forest where your only company was the moonlight.

— Dionysus — Chiron warned. He appeared calm, however, the alarm in his words betrayed him. Of course, why wouldn't it, since he had just seen you enter the forest in nothing but your pajamas.

— We can't do anything now. The Grove found her, and as we've already seen with the other campers, it won't stop until she hears what it has to say. The good thing is that the Grove already has its voices channeled. — Dionysus leaned his forehead against the windowpane, still holding his coffee cup tightly, and let out a sigh. — Funny thing is that Apollo himself gave the girl the keys to know her destiny. What an idiot.

The truth was you didn't know how you had gotten there, but you could hear the murmurs guiding you among the trees, and it was late when a wave of fear enveloped you. You tried to run away when in front of you there was a set of trees different from those in the forest, and that's when you knew you had reached the Dodona Grove. You admired it, and immediately felt the presence of something utterly ancient, so old that you would never dare to defy it.

So, as if they knew of your arrival, the wind blew, and you saw some wind chimes hanging from the branches swirling with the breeze, making small whirls until they finally collided with each other. The chimes caused a tinkling that simultaneously deafened your surroundings, almost as if you had been submerged in water. For a moment, you were unable to hear anything, you looked up, and your eyes blinked with the moonlight. 

The voices that began to form as if traveling from afar to be heard gave you a twist in the stomach, that which you had dreamed of for a long time was about to be given to you.

"The sea and the sun are not far away as they look, even the greatest can't hide what the lovers need to through. One will long while the other fight, nothing more to do even if you try. It's the price to pay, no matter if the sun doesn't shine again, cause this is no more than the consequence. Cry a river or flood with love, all hangs in the hands of the man who now you love. This rhymes for him were different, but he hopes for put that ring and find what he's been missing."

The voices ceased, and they finished reading your future to you. Every word kept resonating in your mind, you remained speechless, you had no way of assimilating that instantly. You wanted to review those words better and hope for the best, and what was that? That it wouldn't be what you suspected? Or that it would come true just like that? You couldn't answer any of those questions.

Stunned, you began to walk back, or what you supposed was the way back. With a blank stare, murmuring the statements, shortly after, you realized that you were actually somewhat lost. You took several turns and felt overwhelming how the trees surrounded you, as if they were mocking you. It wasn't until the sun peeked out that you finally saw a path, which you found ironic. At that moment, you were only capable of responding to that, then as usual, your mind didn't let you be happy even for a moment when Percy's words reached your ears.

“They'll leave in the morning, just like us.”

And you ran. No matter how much your feet hurt, or how many times the branches of the trees hit you or got stuck in your clothes, you never stopped running, but you simply didn't seem to get anywhere. Your breath was short, you had to see Apollo before he left. You had to catch up with him and ask for an explanation, after all, he was the god of poetry and prophecy, so he could explain it to you in more detail… he… he… He had also hidden it from you, but why?

You ran even faster, pleaded with the gods, with the trees, whoever could hear you, to let you out of the forest. It was several minutes later that you saw the lights of the camp, as if they had always been there. You emerged, and many campers alerted your arrival, you must have looked terrible judging by their reactions.

— Where's Apollo?

— What? — Said a Demeter kid, who struggled to get the branches out of your hair, you just wanted to push them aside.

— Apollo, where is he? — You gasped and looked as Percy ran towards you.

— Sister!

— Percy!

They let you go with him, you almost crashed into his arms, and he held you tightly.

— Apollo.

Percy frowned and snorted.

— Again with that topic?

— No, where's Apollo, Percy? — Your serious face worried him, and he shook his head.

— They left almost at the end of the dawn, they left earlier than expected. — Your tears began to flow, and you struggled from your brother's grip. — What the hell's going on?

— Miss Jackson.

Everyone looked behind you, and you didn't bother to do otherwise. Dionysus and Chiron were looking at you anxiously, you could even notice their bloodshot eyes, as if they hadn't been able to sleep all night.

— That's why they didn't want me to get close to any oracle, prophet, or skeleton.

Your words were thinking, and realization could be heard in them.

— What are you talking about? — Percy asked, and you clenched your fists.

Chiron stepped back and pointed to the Big House, you just scoffed and walked into it with big steps, hitting your feet against the grass. Adrenaline was such that you didn't stop to think that it would hurt later.

— You have to go back to New Rome — You looked up and gave them a puzzled look, you couldn't believe what they were asking you.

— You want me to go back to New Rome with THIS happening?

Dionysus growled, and Percy kept his gaze fixed on his feet, barely managing to assimilate all the information he had been given.

— Girl, go back and mind your own business. The prophecy says so, you can't do anything.

— That's true, it's all in Apollo's hands.

— But—! — You cut off your sentence. Why were you fighting with that? You weren't in love with him, you denied him. He was a god, what kind of pity could you feel for him? They always made you flee from prophecies, most of the gods suck… but in that forest, something had changed. It was as if you had been able to see the truth of something, but it would still take you to put it all together. No matter.

Apollo… you never knew him so closely, was that intentional too? It doesn't matter, anyway, you knew he was an idiot. They called you “lovers” when both barely knew each other, maybe all that was a mistake, but it doesn't matter because you felt nothing for him, and without that, nothing made sense.

Dionysus and Chiron still watched you attentively, while Percy had already leaned on his forearms on the table, looking at you intently, as if trying to figure out what you were thinking. You sighed and started to feel pain in your feet.

— I hope Leo returns safely. after all, I couldn't see him — You said firmly, but with a hollow feeling in your stomach. You looked at your brother and smiled as if nothing had happened.— Let's go, Percy. Mom must be worried, and I have to go back to New Rome.

Before anyone could say anything, you left the house limping slightly straight to Apollo's cabin, it really hurt, and you couldn't afford to get sick before going back to college.

Percy got up and looked at the two older ones, his gaze hardened, as soon as he considered everything that had been hidden from him, too, but he didn't allow those feelings to take center stage. He wanted you to be happy.

— Do you think he'll come back? — He asked, and Chiron hummed while Dionysus made a somewhat discouraging face.

— It's hard to say, Percy. — Chiron sighed and shook his head, considering the odds. — Many things are at stake, not just Apollo returning to being a god.

That was enough for him, he was already used to the slim chances of success on a mission.

— Provided Apollo isn't as much of an idiot as usual and messes up. His egocentric butt is sure to get him into trouble, not to mention the fact that he has no powers. — Dionysus let out a small laugh that made Percy consider the supposed brotherhood he had with Apollo — He's like a newborn jaguar set loose in the cruel tropical forest called life.

— Work on your jokes, Mr. D — Percy said with disgust, and the god bared his teeth at him.

Your brother insisted on driving the car, he thought you had already done enough, besides making it clear that he didn't trust you after you spent the whole night awake in the forest. Obviously, you didn't have any ways to defend yourself, because it was true, and you were grateful for that, there was enough of that shit swirling in your head that you were trying to forget.

With the window down, the breeze caressing your hair, and the immense silence, Percy found it impossible not to ask.

— Do you feel anything for him? — He asked, and you were surprised that this time it had taken him longer to stick his nose in the gossip. You shook your head.

— No, Percy. Maybe, being kept away from him all this time has its advantage, and I'll never fall in love with him because I don't see how I could do that without even being close or knowing him better — You sighed and pretended something your brother longed to see, a smile because it was the first one in those days.

— Maybe that stupid prophecy is so old and stale that it's useless.

Percy nodded silently with his hands almost sunk into the steering wheel and his eyes fixed on the road ahead. More than anyone, he knew that couldn't be true; more than anyone, he knew that stupid prophecies always found their way, but he didn't want to say it out loud.

— Yes, maybe you're right — He said without conviction, and you could also feel the improbability in your own conjectures.

[wickedts4finds]

Equiliberty Transphobia and Censorship - Jocelyn and company react to my departure

Thrilling followup of Jocelyn/Moe/Crownhill EC/cathcc/cath-creative-corner/bambisimmer responding to the farewell message I had to post as a screenshot because she blocked the word 'transphobe' from the server to keep people from talking about her revolting behavior and bigotry.

Red mark-out indicates her complicit (at BEST) mods - people who are morally okay with working along someone who believes pronouns are "political", loudly argues that there are only two genders, misgenders people (even calling one trans person it), comes onto posts about respectfully playing Native American characters complaining about cultural sensitivity, and more!

You'll notice Jocelyn's typical victim complex behavior here and emotional immaturity - she is being attacked, she is being bullied, not the transgender people she's treating like dogshit.

Jocelyn, I want you to know that there's not a damn thing that's going to deliver you from the community's wrath on this one.

There's nowhere you can run to get away from your choices. You can change your url or the name of the server or delete channels over and over again as many times as you want, but this community has a long-ass memory. Make a new account! Change your username again! We're going to find you. There are eyes on you in that server. There are eyes on you frankly most places you post. I want you to know it's not safe to vomit up your hateful "opinions" anywhere on god's green earth without it ending up in another public post, and honestly, you're going to be exceptionally lucky if youtube's simmers don't pick up on this one for views from the controversy. You had an okayish rep as a creator back in TS3's equine community and you, nobody but you, threw that all away why? To hurt other people who did nothing to you.

Most of us are LGBT+ in some way and those who aren't are almost always allies, not fellow bigots.

Without further ado! Here's my post in the 2 minutes before Jocelyn deleted it (after saying to me specifically 10-15mins prior she was going to stop deleting posts she just didn't agree with).

Sooo much here.

"when people aren't older" This is deranged behavior from someone who's allegedly not a minor.

"If it causes drama, hurts someone or the like it should go to be honest." I guess the exception is if it hurts trans people, right, Mod?

"I didn't call the person an it on purpose" 1) oops accidentally fell on my keyboard, hit the I and T keys in the correct order followed by space, then finished my sentence & 2) the way she avoids saying "them" EVEN NOW by saying "the person" instead lmfao

"What I'm upset about is people painting me bad, when I'm not" Girl you are a bad person. You are not kind to people who are already oppressed. You're immature, incapable of leadership at 30something years old, desperately clinging to a failing server which you imploded with YOUR OWN hateful diatribes against people who did NOTHING to you, trying to jealously hoard members and talking about "poaching". You had to create an entire server because you were not welcome elsewhere simply because of your personality before you even started spewing hate speech!!!! Honestly when I joined the discord I kind of anticipated a fall of Rome scenario given who was at the helm, just tried to not interact with her, etc, but nah man. Nah.

"and try ruining my rep" You already ruined it.

But my favorite of all, from the mouth of the bully herself, is this:

It's not okay to post, I'm being attacked. Can't you see how wrong that is?

[my-timing-is-digital]

send  👫  for  a  reunion  starter

After the conclusion of Clemens' debacle, and his and Guinan's subsequent departures, the android repositioned the transreceiver in his supposed prototypical device for the horseless carriages and settled himself at the desk, monitoring the instrument's workings deliberately. Assiduously, he observed the rhythmic oscillations of the metal indicator, which functioned in a similar fashion as an analogue seismograph. Thus far, his device had not measured any time shifts, and would not for the next 39 minutes...

A long-awaited, arrhythmic scratching sound instantaneously tore his attention to the contraption. Excitedly, the pen attached to the end of the indicator recorded the occurrence — the device finally measured the time shift he had been anticipating —, and based off of the particulars printed on the sheet of paper, he could accurately determine the epicentre of the spatial distortion. Data consulted a map of the town to confirm the location, and without a moment's hesitation, he leapt to his feet and vacated his room. He navigated himself down a flight of stairs with mathematical precision and hurried outside where he supplied the bellboy, Jack, with sufficient 19th century currency to have him procure a carriage, preferably drawn by two equines — to multiply the carriage's power.

The ever-efficient hotel employee immediately scurried off to the stables and returned within several minutes, gesturing gleefully at the wagon he had snatched from an agitated colleague. Prior to mounting the box, Data expressed his gratitude for his services and pressed an additional sum of money in the boy's hand. He had never rode on horseback, let alone piloted a vehicle that was pulled by two of them, but he had judged it advantageous to observe others operate this form of transportation, in case he would relay on its services in the foreseeable future — he was glad he had pursued that particular endeavour.

Data armed himself with the reins and managed to set the equines into motion, gently instructing the animals to accelerate. The terminal words of farewell that emanated from the bellboy were left behind in a cloud of dust...

The carriage careened through the streets, teetering uncomfortably toward his destination: the local hospital. And it was not until he was in close proximity of the aforementioned facility that his positronic subprocessors sensed the familiar hum of 24th century technology, or rather, the wavelengths of a tricorder that was broadcasting signals on all frequencies. While he narrowly circumvented a collision with another horse-drawn carriage, he inferred that the others must have successfully ferried themselves across the frontiers of time and were here to assist him.

When the carriage swept around a corner, the tricorder transmission started to grow stronger and more prominent; his conjecture was confirmed when he sighted the others filing out of the hospital, and he promptly surmised that the occurrence of the time shift might have been a joint effort between them and the two individuals with the ophidian. Unfortunately, he could not initiate his interrogation, for his friends appeared to have antagonised the local police force.

'Data!' Commander Riker's loud, sonorous voice lacerated through the air, alerting him, unnecessarily, of their presence.

The android pulled on the reins to render the equines stationary adjacent to the pavement, allowing his friends to embark the vehicle.

'Doctor,' Data said, his own voice extraordinarily tranquil. He extended his hand for to grab and join him on the box seat while the others clambered into the carriage. 'It is good to see you again.'

'Go, Data! Hurry!' Captain Picard ordered, an urgent accentuation vibrated in the words he had enunciated.

'Aye, sir,' he replied compliantly, providing the horses with the objective to proceed down the street, with the intention to escape the police and take temporary refuge in the countryside until the coast was clear and they were certain no reinforcements would be ambushing them upon their return...

[tcub123]

Scene: Nuckelavee and the Fairy Knight

Tamlin: ...

The Nuckelavee: ...High Lord? Is... that you? Am I dreaming?

Tamlin: ...

The Nuckelavee: It's been so long.

Tamlin: Andras.

The Nuckelavee, or Andras: What happened to Spring, High Lord? The birds stopped singing, the gardens faded, the land decayed... and you were gone.

Tamlin: I've come to take you home.

Andras: Home? Have you, done it then? You saved our Spring?

Tamlin: No.

The High Lady of Night set us free.

Andras: But what happened to the people? What of Lucien, that fox? And the sentries, our friends and brothers?

Tamlin: They are safe. Living. Growing. Lucien, regretfully, we... separated.

Andras: I see.

Tamlin: How are you feeling, old friend?

Andras: I have seen better days, High Lord. My rage, my pain, and the ruin in our Court... overwhelmed me. Burned me inside out, as if my skin had fallen off. It is a terrible feeling, a bitterness not unlike snake venom.

Tamlin: You have endured more than anyone has any right to ask for.

Andras: I can see it too in you, with my remaining good eye. Changes, like our home.

Tamlin: I've lived five thousand years by now, and changes come round every Spring.

As you get older, you notice things are never the same.

Andras: Ah.

I notice now. The magic... left you. But you're still alive, how?

Tamlin: Because I failed you, Andras. I failed everyone.

Andras: No, no! You only did your best. You only ever did. Whatever struck our Court down, must be... the enemy. My enemy. Who did this to you? To us?

Tamlin: It is I, Andras. I made mistakes. Our people were broken because of what I did.

Andras: What mistakes?

Tamlin: Ones that I am still paying for.

Andras: And so you have come to me to make amend? Ridiculous. I gave my life up for you, for Spring. It was my choice.

Tamlin: No.

I simply want to make sure that one of my few remaining friends in this world is not lost and bring him back.

Andras: ...Hah.

Tamlin: Though I am glad, that you have not forgotten me.

Andras: How could I forget? My "Once" High Lord.

(Andras shifts his great, but mangled form with difficulty, bending his equine knees to his former Lord. He lowers his head in a bow.)

Tamlin: Easy, sentry.

Andras: High Lord, will you... Will you save our home once more?

Tamlin: I will try.

Andras: Good. That's good.

...How I have longed to see you, dear Tamlin.

(Andras' body gradually turns into red mist.)

Tamlin: ...

Andras: This is it. Sorry. This form is not me. It's not who I am.

I don't want to be buried—or remembered, as a terror.

Tamlin: You are not.

Andras: Tell—tell Lucien I sent my regards and that he can keep my medal collection. Sell it if he needs pocket money. Tell the people of Spring, to keep singing and dancing, to continue celebrating our free spirit.

Tamlin: Everything you ask, I will see it through.

Andras: I know you will. I still believe in you, in the great things you will do in our names. You will walk us down the ave of history with pride and honour. In that, I hold more faith than in the Mother.

So long my friend, so long my brother.

Farewell, my... Once... then Forever... High Lord.

[loominggaia]

...Despite his hatred for the old witch, Javaan still feared her power. So he bid his lovers of the night farewell as he dressed and left the tent. He fetched Glenvar and Mr. Ocean from the lake, and together the three met Morbus, waiting for them at her cottage.

“Take off your shoes before you go inside,” Morbus snapped at them as they stepped through her door. Poking Javaan in his equine chest, she added, “And you, wipe off your hooves!”

The trio did as they were told and set to work smoothing her wood floors. They kneeled down on their hands and knees and scrubbed at it vigorously with primitive sanding tools. Morbus complained at them all the while, until Glenvar finally had enough and barked, “Don’t you got somethin’ better to do, stira? Why don’t ya crack open one of yer fancy books ‘n find a cure fer Big Philly! Her time’s tickin’ away while yer bitchin’ away, ya know!”

Morbus recoiled in surprise. “How do you know about her condition?” she asked.

“The whole village knows,” replied Javaan. “It’s the talk of the town! That poor lady. She seems so nice.”

“Yes,” added Mr. Ocean, “and Dr. Che is heartbroken. I’ve never seen him in such a terrible state. I’m truly concerned for both of them.”

Their words made Morbus’ chest feel tight. She waved a dismissive hand and assured them, “Don’t worry about them, dears. It should be no surprise, really, considering the size of that woman! I mean, gods, she’s fatter than a hippopotamus! She has no one to blame for this except herself. Maybe she should have skipped the butter once in a while, hm?”

Glenvar and Javaan turned to eachother, exchanging looks of disapproval. Mr. Ocean kept his eyes on his work as he smoothed down the floor, though the expression on his face seemed to harden.

Javaan said, “I don’t know how Philly got so big, but I know she wouldn’t be that size if she could help it. Why don’t you quit judging her and put yourself to good use?”

Morbus replied, “Well, I wouldn’t have to stand here and supervise you lot if you just did your jobs correctly the first time! If this is anyone’s fault, it’s yours! Now hurry up so I can get on with my life!”

--Excerpt from "Love Poison".

Bruh the absolute NEEEEERRRRRVE of this bitch lmao.

Morbus: *maliciously poisons Big Philly into a coma*

Village: omg what happened to poor Philly??

Morbus: idk she's fat? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

*

Questions/Comments?

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[petnews2day]

‘She did everything she could to create a kinder world’: farewell to animal welfare champion

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/biKP2

‘She did everything she could to create a kinder world’: farewell to animal welfare champion

The RSPCA case officer and National Equine Welfare Council director died on 21 April from cancer, aged 47. Kirsty lived in Buckinghamshire, having grown up in Hertfordshire. She always had a passion for animals and learnt to ride as a child. Aged 11, she got her first pony, Topaz. She gained a national […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/biKP2 #PetCharitiesNews

[goairdrie]

equine cremation services

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[cogiita]

❝  are ya hurt ?  did they hurt ya ?  ❞

OVER PROTECTIVE PROMPTS — accepting !

arlen’s men had visited club sanctuary on numerous occasions, and every time they announce their arrival, iggy spice ensured their departures swift and ruthless. granted preserving their no-touch rule. every yakuza body dispenses outside sanctuary’s perimeters.

The sole distinction separating Arlen’s loyal kin from other family members are religious-esque emblems pinned upon their sleek jackets—bedecked in faux gold with emerald insertions on every four points. Depicting an equine figure rearing, centered within a holy ring; spikes protruding in each cardinal direction.

she never informed her newly beloved of these nefarious individuals. these are problems left unburdened on his shoulders, conflict mediated by her hand alone. needing no outside resolution nor assistance. any time Arlen’s men make themselves known amidst her presence, either she or iggy spice divert them away from Majima’s vicinity, however roused his suspicions might be.

however, tonight is one exception. she waited patiently outside club sanctuary’s doors, bidding her hostesses farewell before trekking off herself. they arranged another date during late hours of the night, specifically reuniting at their agreed upon rendezvous point: three blocks further down the street from her club. a small, unassuming restaurant just around the corner. she understood majima disliked fancy, elegant dining. hence her settling for something quaint yet still bearing an air of class to its establishment.

upon reaching said rendezvous point, spotlight shine over cogita from street lamp alight her social bubble. peripheral scouts for her partner whilst intermittently glancing down to her phone screen; deft digits formulating notice of her punctuality.

[ text -> majiboo ❤️ ] — Hello, Majima-san! I'm here. Try not to keep a lady waiting for too long mon cher.

texting engrossed cogita's foremost attention, unable to heed footsteps gradually closing in. ❝ Oi ! 'ey, ya slut ! Y'should stop browsin' on yer phone fer dick pics' n' instead come on over here. Me n' my boys can fulfill your needs better than some amataur porno. ❞ an unfamiliar voice barks out commands that successfully rears her head and cast sight unto whom rudely disturbed the peaceful, serene ambience of busy kamurocho streets. deliberately ignoring their presence, she refuses to humor the three hooligans in front of her, casually sauntering away.

❝ ‘ey, ya bitch ! ❞ one of the trio grasp her wrist, forcefully yanking her back into their clique whilst two other men obstruct her path. prompting stern, disciplined hand smacking across his face--the one who grabbed her. ire-fueled eyes fixed fierce glares unto cogita, soon feeling her wrist freed in exchange for both enlarged hands choke-holding her svelte neck. slowly tightening his grip to savor cogita's physical distress and wildly squirming. eyes eventually screw shut out of reflex, incited by metal bashed against something organic in front of her. curiosity emboldens cogita's sole iris to open, beholding all three thugs groveling to their knees. majima stands, baseball bat equipped; obviously the perpetrator in this scenario.

❝ You are late. ❞ arms fold over her chest, facetiously playing along with his nonchalant air. however, his conveyance is strikingly sincere. it warmed her heart that he concerned himself over her current condition: slight red rings her neck with minimal bruising visible.

❝ . . . yes. a tad frazzled, but I have endured far worse than you could ever imagine. ❞ said with utmost confidence, supported by her undeterred demeanor. unfazed by the incident.

[nepalsaysrawr]

Farewell Horse Friend 👋 🐴

When I remember my beloved horse, I will think of:

arriving at a destination on the back of my best friend

pony rides for free

saying giddyup as a form of affection to my equine colleague

their great neighs of joy

giving them warming hugs

[queencatherynerhys]

Taken - Part 12

A/N: I know it’s been forever since I’ve updated this series, but I still constantly go back to it. I must have worked on this chapter, and revised it 15 times. I just wasn’t satisfied on how it kept turning out. It’s been 2 years since I started this series, but hopefully, one day I will finish it.

Summary: Liam deals with Catheryne’s disappearance, and we also take a quick look on Catheryne’s journey out of Cordonia.

Tag List: @devineinterventions2 @madaraism @theroyalweisme @drakewalkerwhipped @laniquelove-blog @drakesfiance @hhiggs @hellospunkiebrewster @alicars @mrswalkerreynolds @mfackenthal @simplyaiden-blog @hopefulmoonobject @blackcatkita @cocomaxley @boneandfur @lizeboredom @crayziimaginations @umccall71 @zarina-x-zig @ranishajay @heatherfilliez @kingliam2019 @texaskitten30 @mom2000aggie

Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine. They solely belong to Pixelberry. Also, credits for the image used for the book cover.

*CATCH UP HERE*

Liam dismisses Drake after a long, tense conversation about Catheryne and her sudden disappearance. He is determined to find her, so he summons for Bastien to come to his office right away.

He waits for his head of security outside in his balcony with a glass of scotch in hand. One question keeps eating away in his mind. How do you find someone who doesn’t want to be found? Is finding her even what fate wants him to do? Screw fate. I love her. I will never stop looking until I find her. He has to hold onto the tiny hope of finding and being with her again if he is to remain sane.

After a few minutes of waiting, Bastien finally arrives in his office.

“Your Majesty, you summoned for me?” Bastien greets him formally.

“Yes, thank you for coming, Bastien,” he replies as he moves to sit down at his desk.

“I won’t beat around the bush. Catheryne has left and disappeared. I need you to arrange a small task force to search for her. Use any resources you need to do that. Start your search at the airport and any other forms of travel. If she’s left the country, travel manifests and workers must have recognized her. I want to know where she’s headed. I want an update on every information you uncover,” he relays his tasks to his trusted head of security and friend. Bastien didn’t seem too fazed about learning that Catheryne disappeared so suddenly.

“I will get that done right away, sir. And as asked, I do have information for you. Duchess Catheryne’s horse, Nightingale, has just returned to the palace a while ago. She’s a smart horse. She must have found her way back on her own. We’re guessing Her Grace didn’t take her too far before finding another mode of transportation,” Bastien informs his king.

“Thank you for the update, Bastien. You may go,” Liam nods toward the door as a sign of the end of their brief meeting. When the door closes, he finally lets himself grieve. His shoulders slump forward with the burden he carries. Tears of loss, exhaustion, and pain fall and he has no strength left to hold them back.

His runs his fingers through his hair as he wonders why this is happening to him. Have I done something wrong that fate or destiny sees that I suffer? Was it such a big request that I marry not just for country but for love, too? All he wanted was to be a good king for his people and rule them with Catheryne by his side, but he guess that was even too much to ask or wish.’

Half of the day passes, and Liam tries to muster enough focus to get work done. Policies need to be reviewed and signed, but he just didn’t have the energy to do it. His heart and mind ached for Catheryne’s presence. Just to see her smile, hear her voice and laughter ring down the hall, and feel her touch would heal the deep hole she left in his heart.

Liam is startled by the sound of the opening door. When he looks up, Bastien is once again standing in front of him. Bastien begins to bow, but Liam interrupts him.

“No need for formalities, Bastien. Just give me the report. Have you found anything useful on where Catheryne is heading?” Liam asked.

“After a thorough search of all modes of transportations, we found no clues of where Her Grace might be heading. We’ve warned agencies to not disclose the reason of why were searching for her. But after looking at every manifest from all forms of travel out of the country, we found no trace of her.

Her name wasn’t in any of them nor did anyone recognize her. We are speculating that with her…background…that she must have known to use an alias and a disguise to avoid being found,” Bastien finishes his report, and Liam loses even more of the tiny hope he is clinging onto. I should have known that she wouldn’t make it easy for me to find her. He lets out a deep sigh.

“Thank you, Bastien. If there’s anything we’ve learned anything about Catheryne by now is that she doesn’t do anything in half style, but I’m not giving up hope. I want you to use any resources to find her. Search through security feeds from the airport and other areas. Look for anyone that might resemble her. If that doesn’t turn up anything, branch out to other countries. I’m not losing hope,” Liam commands.

He is not losing hope. It seems the beginning of his new mantra. He will scour the face of the earth if he has to. He needs her. He can’t live without her.

~Catheryne’s POV~

Catheryne races away from the place she calls home. It takes all of her willpower to not look and turn back around. She knows that she needs to leave, but she can’t bear the thought of what Liam will go through when he wakes up.

She tries to pull her mind away before it drowns with any more guilt. She concentrates on the sounds and feel of Nightingale’s powerful stride. Before she knew it, they’ve arrived on the location where they part ways. She decided not to take her too far away.

She tugs at her horse’s reins to slow her down. When they come to a stop, she dismounts the black horse and pulls her towards the blanket of the trees to avoid being seen. She gently strokes her loyal mare’s forehead.

“Thanks, girl. For everything. But I’m afraid this is the end of our journey together. I trust that a smart horse like you can find her way back home. I know Drake will take extra good care of you,” she whispers to her equine friend. Nightingale responds with a resounding neigh and touches forehead with her as if begging Catheryne to don’t go in her own language.

“I’m sorry, Nightingale. I have to go, but I want you to watch over my friends, ok. Take care of them, and make them happy,” her voice cracks as she backs away from her. The horse tries to get closer to her, but Catheryne replied with the shake of her head.

“No, girl. You have to go, ok? Go,” she points towards where they came from. Nightingale obeyed, but before galloping away, looks back at Catheryne with sad eyes.

“Goodbye, Nightingale,” Catheryne bids her farewell and pats her rump to send her back home. She watches as the black racehorse sprints back toward the palace.

Catheryne takes a deep breath and continued her journey. I will not cry here. She rummages in her backpack for the items she needs for her disguise. She pulls out a wig, a pair of glasses, and a US passport. One important thing her parents taught her was to always have a bug out bag packed with different named passports and types of currencies. It made her escape easier to execute.

She has been planning her leave within the last 2 months. She coordinated a taxi cab to pick her up near the boardwalk where she and her gang of friends had their first late night excursion to get cronuts.

As she walks down the quiet, eerie streets, she relives the memory of the social season and the exhausting tour of Liam and Madeline’s engagement. It was the first time in her life she tasted what it felt like to not be her parent’s daughter. All her life she spent running away from her demons, until she met Liam. He brought happiness and reprieve that she was longing for.

Sure, they had problems along the way with the conspiracy against her, but she thought she would finally be free, then she was kidnapped and manipulated by those bastards. Now, she’s…she doesn’t even know who she is.

She doesn’t know how to fit in the world, her world. She couldn’t stand the looks anymore. She knew running away looks weak and, even, cowardly, but she didn’t know how to heal emotionally in the confines of the palace and courtly politics.

Before she can get deeper in her insecurities, she sees the red light of the taxi she ordered. She climbs in the back and asks the driver to take her to the airport. It was a quick fifteen minute drive. She exchanged no words upon arrival, only handing the payment for fare and gratuity to the equally silent driver.

The airport was busy with tourist, even in the middle of the night. Ever since the arrival and rise of the American duchess in Cordonia, travelers have been flooding the tiny, fairytale-like country. She hopes that they will love this beautiful land as much as she does.

Her journey through security and to the gate was smoother than she previously anticipated. She sits down by the large picturesque window and watches as dusk makes way for dawn. She waits for half and hour before the attendant calls for boarding to begin. It wasn’t long before till her plane is taxiing on the tarmac.

She looks out her window to the wonderful place below. She sees the grand palace, and the tears she’s been holding back finally rolls down her face. In the glistening golden building, her king lies peacefully asleep dreaming of good things before waking up and finding her gone. I’m so sorry, my love. I hope one day you’ll forgive me for leaving.

She closes her eyes as she takes a deep breath. She doesn’t know what the future lies ahead for her and Liam, but before anything can happen she must first find herself again and who knows how long that will take or if she ever will?

[crime-bot]

A Bargain (Fragment 10)

(Co-written by @theunluckyturtle)

 The sky was starting to get a bit cloudy, to The Shopkeeper’s delight. A warm day was nice, but it can be much easier to set up tents when the heat isn’t as strong. They were already halfway done with setting everything up on the outskirts of.. What was the name of this town again…?

 They paused for a moment and thought while their dogs and Faedris continued to help set things up. It wasn’t Selince or Crestonville; they’ve already left those places…  -No, it was Novrend! They snapped a gloved hand and planted a giant tent pole into the ground. Already, Novrend seemed very pleasant… The people there were curious, many of whom pausing what they were doing to watch them set up shop.

 It gave them a nice sense of ‘existing’, for lack of a better word at the moment. Sure, most of the people were trying to hide the fact that they were watching, but The Shopkeeper could still tell. By the time they were almost fully done with the setup and their creatures decided to rest in one of the smaller tents on either side of the main one, a couple of people were already entering the main tent.

 The shorter man of the two wearing a leather tunic tentatively spoke up, asking, “Hey there, Mr.?”

 “I think you mean ‘Mx.’, customer. Don’t worry, that gets confused all the time,” corrected The Shopkeeper as they put a small sign on one of the many simple, worn down tables.

 “Oh, um, alright, Mx.,” Replied the man, a bit confused, but willing to go with the odd person’s correction.

 The other guy, with a distinct lack of a beard, asked, “So, did you come here to sell stuff…?” while looking at a particularly demanding equine creature.

 “Oh, of course I’ve come to sell stuff!” The Shopkeeper offered the equine a biscuit, which it snapped up, startling the taller man in the process, and continued on by saying, “After all, /surely/ there’ll be someone here who’s interested, very interested in an animal of sorts.”

 The taller man exchanged a glance with the shorter one before piping up. “Well, if you’re so sure about that… If you don’t mind, we’re going to, um, get back to going on with our day.”

 “Yeah,” added on the other guy, “We need to get home and stuff, so, bye?”

 “Farewell, then,” finished Shopkeeper, working on grooming something that looked like an opossum that seemingly came out of nowhere to the two men. Their back was turned, and they missed the skeptical look the two shared before leaving.

← | ◉ | →

[awonderfullight]

My spider plant is immortal. She's been under-watered, drowned, tipped over, and munched. She watched my baby brother learn to walk, and Woodie's whiskers grey and bone cancer overtake her equine body. She sat on that formica counter when my first tooth fell out and blood dripped over the tile floor. She reached her fingers around the rotting bamboo plant — a farewell embrace.

She moved with me to Tennessee and sat without judgement in my halfmoon window. She said nothing when I snuck out of that very window each night or when I buried myself in blankets to block out the light. She just sat, reaching, adoring her own perfect shade of green.

At times, her fingertips browned and shriveled and her soil crumbled. And in other seasons, she burst with youthful, leafy fireworks — spawn! Those eternal botanical flames licked at the pot.

Spider plant is the wrong name for my perennial. It's not a mere leafy arachnid, it's an infinite botanical daydream. In all her newness, she remains. The same tuberous roots that I touched with tiny fingers and adored, eyes illiterate but full of love.

[victoodles]

Cruel World I’m Gone

A series of snapshots following life for you and Arthur after fall of the Van der Linde Gang. If you have any suggestions for future chapters (domestic fluff, meetups with the old gang, s m u t, hit a bitch up)

Find on AO3! 

“I gave you all I had.”

It was his last testament to a mentor - a father - long since departed from this world.

Arthur clutches the heel of Dutch’s boot, desperately trying to hold onto the last tangible evidence that the man he remembered was still with him. Before the Devil on his shoulder known as Micah plagued them with false promises of glory.

Even that is stripped from him as the shell of a leader pulls away and retreats into the darkness, leaving a battered and broken Arthur behind in the dirt.

Alone.

Arthur hurts. Hurts in ways he’s never felt before. He is no stranger to physical pain: having being beat, shot, even tortured. But this was a newfound suffering that leaves the heart he rediscovered shattered. Everything he’s ever known is dead and turning to ash as the last remnants of the Van der Linde’s burn away with Beaver Hollow.

There’s nothing left to salvage. But at least he managed to save those who still had a chance at life, away from the depravity. John, Abigail, Jack, Tilly, Sadie.

You.

It was unbearable to part ways with such a heavy air of finality surrounding the two of you. As he lifted you onto the back of Sadie’s horse with Abigail, your anguish was palpable. To hear you plead with him so desperately, begging to let you go along with him? It was worse than any bullet to the chest.

Regardless, he wouldn’t hear any of it, caressing your hands with bruised fingers as your tears continued to fall. You then tried to reason with him, bless your heart, knowing his stubbornness all too well. Whispering such sweet things, pretty dreams of leaving it all behind and starting over together far away.

Revenge was a fool's game, he was keenly aware, but it was well beyond that at this point. Now it was about making things right, and it was something only Arthur could do. Ever the dutiful guardian - even to a fault.

He finds the inner strength to let you go and swears he’ll see you again soon, to live out those pretty dreams.

Arthur never liked lying to you.

As he drags himself over to the cliff side, inch by agonizing inch, he supposes there’s some truth to his words. Perhaps all those prayers Swanson said on Arthur’s behalf put him in God’s good graces after decades of depravity. If He’s as forgiving as the Reverend foretold, maybe he’ll allow Arthur to watch over you from wherever he winds up. He never thought himself a devout man, but in light of recent events he decides there’s no time like the present.

Redemption had been a tumultuous climb for Arthur. But as he lays at the top of the mountains overlooking Roanoke Ridge, the effort was worth the outcome. He feels lighter, no longer burdened by crosses Dutch forced upon his shoulders. A veil has been lifted, and the colors of the dawn seem so much more vibrant than before. Shades of orange and pink blend together seamlessly and cast an ethereal glow over him and the country he loves.

He almost forgets about the excruciating aches that plague his body as the cool kiss of morning mist hits his cheeks. As the gang’s - ex-gang’s - primary enforcer he never could afford submitting to fatigue. But he feels tired, so tired, and he allows himself the luxury. Just this once. There is nothing left for him to do anymore.

Oh, he muses, the sun’s coming up.

~

You had been riding with Abigail on one horse with Sadie taking point on the other, rifle at the ready, for what felt like hours. Arthur’s last order of business was entrusting Sadie with escorting the two of you to safety - as far the hell away from this mess as possible.

Everything felt numb, the only sensation registering in your mind was Abigail’s trembling hands against your waist as you all rode onward in silence. Tears still fresh on your face as you brought yourself further and further away from what was now a past life. And what could have potentially held a future.

Arthur.  

Yet another pang in your chest as guilt wracks the very foundation of your soul. You had been compliant in sending the man you love into the wolves den. Into the company of men who would spill his blood with smiles on their faces.

You could’ve stopped him.

You could’ve gone with him.  

If he dies it’s your fault.

Without a word, you pull tightly on your horse’s reins and bring it to an abrupt stop. Abigail gasps lightly in surprise, peering over your shoulder to see what was the matter. Sadie notices the interruption.

“Sugar, we have to keep moving,” Sadie urged gently, trotting her own horse up next to yours. She was right, they did have to keep moving.

But not you.

You looked at her, gaze firm. “I have to go back.” Sadie opens her mouth to interject. Arthur was a proud man, but on the verge of tears he had implored her to keep you safe - alive. She empathised with your plight, truly she did. But this was her last promise to a man she practically owed her own life to. You stop her before she can protest your obstinance.  

“I need to do this, Sadie. You know that.” Your eyes soften and she bites her lip, “You would for Jake.” Sadie’s eyes widen at your mention of her departed husband, knuckles whitening around the stock of her rifle. Her impassioned devotion to Jake began to put cracks in her usually hardened resolve and now it was her turn to shed a tear. She’s quick to wipe it away and takes a moment to compose herself.

Abigail looks between the two of you, disbelief apparent on her face. “You can’t be serious, Dutch has finally lost it! You heard what happened to,” she tries to hold back a sob, “to J-John...” Abigail grips your wrist tightly, “If you go back, there's no doubt he’ll kill you too!”

You smile at her wistfully; all of you had been carrying this heavy burden of grief in one way or another. The heartbreak was insurmountable. An entire way of life, a home - a family - was nothing more than dust in the wind now. Dutch’s swansong of one more score - of a better world for the Van der Linde’s - had enchanted the lot of you. It effectively distracted you from the treacherously thin ice he was willingly leading you on.

But now the honied melody had turned rotten.

“Arthur needs me,” was all you could say. Abigail looks to Sadie for a voice of reason in all of this but she is already dismounting her horse, offering its reins up to you.

“My horse is faster," She says, looking at you expectantly. Suddenly words elude you as you struggle to express your gratitude.

Now it’s Sadie’s turn to interrupt you. “It’s okay. Now get a move on.” She promptly helps you down, holding onto your hand for a beat longer before pulling you into a tight embrace. Her arms are so warm, and it adds to your pain knowing you have to pull yourself from them soon.

“Be safe. And,” she squeezes your shoulders, “bring him home.” The gravity of her request is filled with hope. You find yourself crying again and you nod in affirmation. Sadie had done her best to follow through on her oaths, and now it’s your turn to do the same.

You look back up to Abigail who is clearly devastated with your decision but she tries to make peace with it - for your sake. Another smile tinged with sadness tugs at your lips and you offer her your hand.

“You’re just as bullheaded as that man of yours!” Despite her hard tone, her words are laced with admiration and affection. You laugh genuinely for the first time in what feels like weeks.

“I guess we were just meant to be.”

Abigail brushes her fingers softly across your own. “That you are,” she all but whispers. She finds the strength to let you go and you mount up once more. As you settle into your saddle, you regard your friends for what could possibly be the last time. You turn your horse and prepare to head back into uncertainty, but Abigail calls your name a final time.

“You,” she pauses to mull over her farewell before deciding on, “you both gotta see lil’ Jack grow up. He’s gonna be somethin’ great one day!” Her words are bittersweet but they hold so much promise. You swipe the last of your tears away; there was no room for weakness anymore.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

~

Your heart beats wildly against your ribs but you disregard it as you urge your horse onward through the forest surrounding Beaver Hollow. Determination boils your blood, refusing to sit idly by and let Arthur walk willingly into his own grave. You curse yourself for not fighting harder with him earlier. But this was Arthur Morgan, and persuading him to take you willingly into what would be a bloodbath was always going to be a losing battle.

Arthur wasn’t the only one who could be stubborn.

You cut through every available shortcut on the trails you know; stray branches scratch at your face but you can’t bring yourself to notice or care. The sun is just beginning to peek over the tree-line as you find yourself back at what was once the Van der Linde’s final campsite.

All that remains now is a charred husk as the blaze that consumed it dwindles down to a few meager cinders. Ashes cascade down like snowfall with the morning breeze around all the ruin. What once teemed with so much life had been desecrated beyond recognition. Despite the emptiness, you leave your horse behind a tree near the precipice of Beaver Hollow, away from any lingering eyes that could still be amidst.

At your hip, the pearl-inlaid revolver gifted to you by Arthur suddenly feels heavier. You’re no stranger to a gun, but aiming it at another human in contrast to an animal is still a foreign concept. Arthur had tried to keep your hands clean of blood, but he couldn’t always protect you from the dangers of the world you both resided in. He could at least provide you with the necessary tools.

Embedded in the dirt are multiple footprints - both human and equine - and you decide that’s as good a trail to follow as any. Tentatively you approach the camp, hand hovering just over your holster as you mentally prepare yourself for the worst. You hadn’t been witness to the carnage that transpired here, but the aftermath doesn’t paint a pretty picture.

A single body lays in a crumpled heap at the center of camp. The recognition of its dress wrenches the dread you feel deeper into the pit of your stomach. Before you can begin to parse what’s in front of you, your feet are carrying you to Miss Grimshaw. You drop to your knees beside her, eyes glazed over and hands still clutching at the fatal gunshot wound that claimed her life. A thin layer of soot covers her face and you take care to brush it away with shaking hands as you close the eyes that once held so much fire.

The camp’s matriarch may not have always been the gentlest of women, but she cared for all the girls with a passion you never saw even in your own mother. It was a tough form of love she dished out, but it had emboldened you into a fierce woman much like herself during your years with the gang. For all the grief you girls gave her, all the time spent complaining about her strictness, you are forever indebted to her for teaching you how to be a woman in this harsh world.

You told yourself you wouldn’t shed another tear, but as you gather Miss Grimshaw up into your arms you can’t hold back the onslaught of anguish. Fresh tears fall onto her cheeks as you bring her closer, resting your forehead against her own. You only cry harder when you feel just how cold she is.

As much as it hurts, you have to press forward. You brush the hair off her face and place a single kiss on her forehead before laying her gently back down. You cross her hands over her chest - she looks more at peace, as if she was only sleeping. With a hand to her cheek, you promise her you’ll return for her and continue on.  

You turn your attention back to the trail of footprints, following them into the cave’s mouth behind the camp. It had always exuded an ominous aura that left the hairs on the back of your neck raised, but now was not the time for petty superstitions. You have your revolver at the ready as you walk into the cave as silently as possible. Whatever shadows could be lurking within would not get the jump on you.

It’s just like a hunting trip, you tell yourself in an attempt to assuage your fear. It’s a piss poor comparison; you wished it was a simple as keeping yourself hidden from ravenous beasts on four legs. But this was a different kind of animal, one with a human face and no qualms about taking a life.

Every echo that reverberates through the extensive tunnel system has your heart lurching into your throat. But you remain tenacious, continuing onward with two sets of muddy footprints as your guide through the caves.

The trail runs cold at the start of a rusty ladder and you breathe a sigh of relief that you’ll be moving onward and upwards out of the darkness. That solace gets caught in your throat at the sound of rushed steps heading in your direction. Panic singes your nerves and you quickly find shelter behind a large boulder near the ladder’s base.

You clasp a hand over your mouth to contain your shuddering breaths, hoping you don’t give your location away from the faceless cave-dwellers. The acoustics of the tunnels distort most of what they’re saying, but you can make out two distinct voices hurriedly passing by you.

“Dutch I think we should-”

“I believe you’ve done enough ‘thinking’ for the time being, Micah.”

Distress evolves into white-hot ire at the realization of who exactly you were alone with. The betrayal you experienced was nothing in comparison to Arthur’s twenty years of loyalty being discarded, you could admit that. But it still left a hole within you that was just as deep.

You stumbled into the Van der Linde’s just a trepid young woman trying to escape the shackles of an abusive home. As a man who dreamed of fame and fortune, it would’ve all to easy for him to turn you into the numerous bounty hunters your father sent after you. Weave together some extravagant tale of the big bad outlaws holding the wealthy socialite’s runaway daughter for ransom to turn a higher profit.

But Dutch had cast that all aside without a second thought and taken you in as another one of his ragtag children. Who your family was before did not define you. He had given you the chance to change the path life had predetermined for you.

That man was gone. Perhaps he was never really there to begin with - a mere facade. The inability to adapt to a rapidly changing world had broken his spirit and instead left something warped - unrecognizable. Leaving him susceptible to the temptations of a snake’s hiss that lurked just beyond in the underbrush.

The casualties - his casualties. Everyone’s faith he continually prattled on about that smothered with his own two hands.

Arthur.

The fingers clutching your gun feel restless all of a sudden.

You peer from behind your cover as they unknowingly pass you by, an imposing chest being carried between the two of them.  

Our money.

The culmination of the gang’s hard work after the mess the two of them created in Blackwater. Plans, schemes, and money that people had bled for - died for. What gives them the right to run off into the night while the remainder of them would suffer from the aftermath of their reign of destruction? You practically draw blood from how hard you bite your lip, holding back your rage.

The barrel of your revolver is quickly pointed at Dutch’s back with quivering hands. It’s a shot as clear as day. You can end everything here and now, make up for countless years of false hope. Avenge those who fell in hopes of earning their keep and Dutch’s eternal admiration.

It was all horseshit, you think bitterly with gritted teeth.

You go to pull back the gun’s hammer when all too familiar voice comes to mind.

Revenge is a fool’s game.

It causes you to hesitate, the shaking of your hands intensifying. Your eyes dart between Dutch and Micah’s silhouettes and the morning light bleeding in at the cave’s summit.

Bring him home…

The finger resting just over the trigger retreats and you lower the gun to pursue someone much more significant.

You leave them with a final sentiment.

“Your time will come,” you whisper and hope that the wind carries that declaration up as far as it can travel. You’ll let the “when” and “where” be decided by a higher authority, whoever that might be.

With haste, you grab a rung and begin to climb up the ladder as fast as your arms can carry you.

Onwards and upwards.

~

As you continue to push yourself to every limit possible, your body screams from exhaustion. You feel as if your legs could give out at any moment but you can’t bring yourself to care as the steep hills transition into the cliffs of Roanoke Ridge.

You’ve tracked a series of hoof prints as far as you can before they end with the body of Arthur’s precious Appaloosa, Moonstone. Yet another innocent soul taken by this path of indiscriminate bloodshed.  

There’s still no sign of Arthur, and you’re too frantic to decide if that's a good sign or not. Your breathing is labored, lungs burning and heavy in your chest. But you can’t give up now, not with so much at stake.

Bring him home.

Again Sadie’s words resonate in your mind; regardless of the outcome you will find him. You have to - he deserves that.

Face me to the west so I can see the setting sun…

A sunbreak slips through the morning clouds over the horizon, saturating them in varying hues of blue and yellow. It’s captivating, drawing you to the cliff’s edge despite the exhaustion in your muscles. A gentle wind that rolls over the treetops of varying oaks and cedars envelops you. You follow its direction in a daze and it leads you around the corner of a mountainside trail.

You briefly entertain the idea that your weariness has finally dissolved into delusion. For there amongst the wild poppies, you find a figure in the shape of Arthur laying under a stone alcove facing the still rising sun. It might be the work of a cruel God, but be it reality or mirage you’re just overjoyed he’s here. You don’t even realize you’re crying again.

And you’re running. Again. Your body is wailing but you don’t feel it, and even if you could you don’t care. You just don’t fucking care.

“Arthur…” Your voice is hoarse, barely above a whisper but as you get closer,

“Arthur!” You cry out this time, desperate to get his attention. To get any sort of reaction.

Please. Please. PLEASE!

You collapse beside him and sob in relief when you see his eyelids flutter open weakly. He’s looks a wreck, covered in bruises and blood - a mixture of his own and god knows who else’s. Ugly splotches of red and purple are scattered across his face and his left eye is practically swollen shut. You realize he was going to lay here until he succumbed to the severity of his injuries and your heart breaks all over again. Your hands find purchase on both his cheeks as you move him carefully to look at you. Somehow he finds the energy to smile.

“An angel,” he manages to wheeze, bringing a hand up to card through your tousled hair. You let out a choked laugh and you place your own hand atop his. Keeping his touch on you to reaffirm he wasn’t just a clever hallucination.

“I...it’s me, my love. I’m here,” you bury your face in his chest. His heartbeat is faint but it’s there. By God it's there. It’s the most beautiful sound you’ve ever heard. Your tears keep coming with no end in sight and they mix in with the blood on his jacket.

He tries to shush you, his split lip kissing your temple tenderly. “Why are crying darlin’?” It’s asked so sweetly it practically hurts your teeth and again you let out a huff of laughter. Your amusement quickly shifts to frustration - you can’t help it.

“You stupid fool!" The words are harsh but they have no edge to them. Now it’s his turn to laugh, albeit feebly. He places another languid kiss to the crown of your head this time. “You silly man,” you pound your fists softly on his chest.

“You were just going to-“ the words get stuck painfully in your throat. “Going to d-die here?” The thought of losing him weighed heavy on you and now you’re finally free. The both of you are.

Arthur doesn’t know what to say except, “I’m sorry.” It’s enough. He’s enough. He always is.

You’re weeping openly now against him, and he finds himself starting to succumb to his own emotions. With everything said and done, his grief hits him in one tremendous wave. The both of you are sobbing as the sun rises in the East. As it has done, and will continue to do for the two of you.

And so you cry.

For the past.

For the lost.

And now for the future.

[otome--fantasy]

Of Demons and Dragons

Ikemen Sengoku Imagine: Being able to turn into a dragon.

Ch.7 Pt.1

Warnings: Swearing, ya girl got tired of only using 'Milady' and 'Princess' (thank you @thatsmolart for helping me brainstorm nicknames). Whoops this chapter was ment to be more comical, but my hand slipped and it got spicey - things get a little steamy at the hot springs (just a little); this one ran on longer than expected.

You once again hadn't realized you'd fallen asleep till you woke up the next morning and the sun was shining through the thin barrier of your balcony doors. You groaned, opening your eyes to see the dimmed sunlight, before deciding it was too early to be up and threw the blanket completely over your head. You felt safe and secure underneath the slightly weighted fabric, and would have fallen back to sleep had it not been for the loud knock at your door.

Perhaps if you remained silent and pretended you were still asleep-

'Knock knock knock'.

They would go away.

"Oh my little Ryū~"

Fuck, Mitsuhide. You let out a hiss of displeasure and stayed under your blanket, while the Kitsune allowed himself in, "Come now, Ryū, it's time to get up."

You lifted the blanket just enough so you could peek through the bottom. Mitsuhide leaned over slightly to get a look underneath and caught sight of a glowing slitted eye staring back at him, till the blanket slammed back down on to the floor. You gave a sleepy, half hearted growl, "Go away."

The white haired warlord laughed at your childishness, "Isn't your trip today? It's rather late to be just waking up."

"I do not wish to go," you briefly poked your head out from underneath to argue with him till retreating back underneath.

"Has my little Ryū made a den for herself underneath that blanket?" He continued to mock you, knowing full well that if he annoyed you enough, you would eventually come out.

"Your choice in nicknames is truly impeccable," you poked your head out again, "Tell me, just how many brain cells did it take for you to come up with it- wait wait," you waved a hand out from under the blanket, "You don't need to tell me, I know it probably took all three of them," you retreated back underneath.

Mitsuhide stayed silent for a moment with a brow raised in an unimpressed manner, "Well if you didn't want to go, you should have just said so in the first place."

You poked your head out from underneath the blanket and looked at him skeptically with narrowed eyes. A moment of silence passed between the two of you and he shrugged, "If that's all you want," you slowly emerged from your blanket as he began to waltz out of your room, "There's an exit on the southern side of the castle," he waved you off before turning the corner around your door and disappearing from sight.

That asshole.

You moved to slam the door shut behind him before you proceeded to get ready - brushing your hair out of any knots before tying it into a lazy bun.

He probably knows you won't listen to him.

You threw on the Kimono you had picked out for the journey (and Kinu had approved of), and straightened it out till you looked decent enough to go out into public.

Which means he knows you would go the opposite direction, North-

Then finally after freshening up with your morning routine and chewing on a mint leaf you took from Masamune's cooking stash, you headed out of your room - completely leaving the bag Kinu had packed for you in hope's you wouldn't need it.

Which means North is the trap, so you shall go South.

Once you reached the outside world you used a small handkerchief you had tucked under your obi to spit out the mint leaf and wipe your mouth, before folding it up and tucking it back. When you looked up, your eyes widened.

That motherfucker.

It was a dead end. No exit in sight. The nicker of a horse behind you caught your attention and made you turn around, only to be met with the sight of Nobunaga atop his horse and ready to depart, "Just where Mitsuhide said you'd be. Though I don't know what you're doing out here."

Son of a bitch.

You should have gone in any direction except South, the East or West would have probably been preferable. Nobunaga approached you with an outstretched hand, and you huffed- finding no sense in fighting your fate at the moment. You took his hand and he helped to pull you up into the saddle, allowing you to sit infront of him. He took hold of the reins after assuring you were properly seated, caging you between him and the horse with his arms outstretched on either side of you.

After a brief moment he took the reins in one hand, using the other to wrap around your waist and pull you flush against him. You turned slightly to glanced back at him through the corner of your eye, and he leaned his head forward to speak into your ear, "I expect I'll have plenty of entertainment with you along."

"Getting a bit excited already are we?" You chuckled in response before turning back to face forward and scooted up about an inch to put some distance between you and Nobunaga. He 'tsked' before pulling up the small sack Kinu had been packing for you last night, "Carry your own belongings."

You huffed before taking the sack in your hands and placing infront of you to rest between your legs, "You're so considerate," you snickered sarcastically, "Grabbing my things for me."

"Mitsuhide brought them to me," he clarified, "said you had accidentally left them in your room."

Ass.

He clicked his tongue, urging the horse forward to the front gate of Azuchi's castle, where Hideyoshi and Mitsunari were waiting to see you both off, "Lord Nobunaga!" The two bowed to him.

"Please be careful in your journey," Hideyoshi, ever the worrywart.

"Of course. Thank you for seeing me off."

"I hope you'll take good care of our lord, Princess." Mitsunari smiled, and you chuckled humorlessly, "I'll do what I can."

"I slipped some coins in with your belongings," Hideyoshi turned to you now, "Use them to get anything you like."

Your brows furrowed and you looked at him skeptically, "Wait why did you look into my things?"

"I suspected you would try to run, so I wanted to make sure you were packed for the hot springs and not to run away," You glared at his response, "But then Mitsuhide assured me that he had packed your things himself- of course that only gave me more reason to look into it-"

"Hold on, hold on," you waved you hand infront of him, "Mitsuhide packed all my things?"

"Enough," Nobunaga cut in to your conversation, "We must be going."

Hideyoshi and Mitsunari bowed and smiled, saying their farewells as Nobunaga urged the horse foward, and gave it the signal to pick up speed. Before you knew it, the equine was in full gallop and you were holding on to the horn of the saddle to be sure you wouldn't fall off. You felt like one of those cats in those old cartoons where the poor feline was scared to death of something, and jumped into the air only to latch on to the ceiling. When your hands became sweaty and clammy you moved your grip to the horses mane - wrapping your hands in the animals long locks.

This was the third time you had been on a horse since your arrival to the Sengoku period, and you really felt like you were getting the hang of it...maybe, a little, okay not really, but at least you weren't falling off. You had figured out that if you clenched the barrel of the horse between your thighs and legs it was easier to hold on.

After riding for a few hours, Nobunaga gently pulled the reins of the horse back when you reached a lake, causing it to slow to a stop. You gazed at the body of water in awe. The water was so beautiful, and it reflected the sky and the line of trees on the otherside perfectly. Water was hardly ever this clean in your time period. Years of people using it up, and throwing trash or other gunk into it made it all murky and ugly.

The sound of Nobunaga whistling broke you out of your thoughts and you turned to look at him with a raised brow, "What are you doing?"

"I'm calling Haguro."

Who?

You heard a loud screech from the skies and looked up. A black dot shot across the sky and you squinted your eyes to try and get a better look. Your eyes shifted, and suddenly everything was inhanced.

A hawk.

Nobunaga moved both reins into one hand again before stretching out his free arm. You glanced back at him for second before looking back up towards the sky.

The giant hawk was diving down towards the both of you but just as it was a few kilometers away, it extended its wings and came to a sudden halt with another screech. Nobunaga looked up at the bird with a perplexed expression, "Odd."

You swallowed, having an idea as to why it wouldn't come near, "Maybe he doesn't like strangers," you hadn't ment it seriously, but Nobunaga thought you had.

"Nonsense, he doesn't care."

The bird of prey descended more cautiously, flying circles around the two of you as if to inspect you both before getting within arms length of you. The giant hawk with black tipped feathers fluttered in front of you for a moment, looking you in the eyes quizzically, as if to ask why you were on the back of horse.

"Haguro," Nobunaga spoke to it firmly, but it hadn't even seemed to flinch. It merely tilted its head and chirped, gazing into your eyes like it knew. After a moment he flew another, tighter circle around the two of you, hesitating infront of you for a moment before ascending into the sky, stopping to look back at you before letting out another screech.

Asking you to join perhaps? They did always say animals had a sixth sense about people.

Without verbally saying a word, your eyes flickered back to normal and you turned your head away from the bird - a gentle wordless decline to his offer.

Nobunaga whistled again, and this time Haguro listened, descending once again to rest gracefully of the warlords arm, "This is Haguro. It's odd, he normally doesn't act that way."

You shrugged, extending a hand out towards him, pausing mere inches from his beak to allow him to inspect you further, "Maybe he's feeling under the weather."

When he neither showed signs of agression nore fear you moved to stroke the underside of his neck with the back of your finger, and he gave an appreciative chirp, "What do you use him for?"

"He's an attack hawk," Nobunaga jested, and you looked at him questioningly- wondering for a momemt if that was an actual thing. He laughed at your expression and you looked at him wryly.

Just then, Haguro turned his attention from the both of you and towards the open grass fields. You turned to look in the same direction and smelled something. The grass rustled, and a rabbit hopped out from hiding.

"We'll hunt before the hot springs," Nobunaga raised his arm slightly to give Haguro more room to spread his wings, "Join me, princess."

You gave the man in incredulous look and your eyes shifted to the hawk, who was also looking at you. It felt like the bird was giving you the opportunity to have first dibs, but you shook you head, "How?"

Nobunaga threw his arm up into the air, allowing Haguro to take flight, "Go Haguro," you turned to watch the bird fly off wordlessly, not wanting to scare off the rabbit. Normally, there would be something to be said about using an animal to kill another animal, but had Haguro not had a handler and were simply hunting for himself, could the same be said? No, because that was nature. Besides, in this time people had to hunt to eat, or else they might starve.

You watched the giant hawk dive for the small mammal before the sound of small voices caught your attention, "It's a rabbit! Get it!"

Yours and Nobunaga's eyes snapped in the direction of a nearby tree, and out from behind it appeared three small children armed with rocks. With all the racket, the rabbits ears perked and it fled just as the kids started to throw the stones at it. You looked up, noticing Haguro remained stagnant in the air, probably having seen and heard the children as well.

"Aww," the children, dressed in patchy and tattered clothing rationed into kimonos, plopped onto the ground to sit and willow in their defeat, "It got away!"

"You suck at this!" One of them spoke up, pointing a finger at one of the others, "That's why it got away. I was gonna' get it 'cause I promised mom I'd get dinner."

"Nuh-huh!" Another spoke up, "It was mine!"

"No," Nobunaga's voice from behind you caught your attention, as well as the children's attention, "it was mine," Haguro circled the sky above all of you once more before descending to gently land on the warlords shoulder. The children gaped at him, and you were unsure if it was out of awe or intimidation, probably a mixture of both. "You disturbed my hunt. Brave, but foolish."

You watched as he dismounted the horse, sure he wasn't really going to do anything, but there was still a tiny part of you in the back of your mind that whispered, 'but what if he does?' You shook the thought off, so what if you saw him cut down enemy soldiers on the battlefield? Those were grown men who had fully intended to strike him down, these were just children who didn't even know who they were talking to.

"Who's the mean guy?"

You dismounted the horse at that comment, fully intending to get in the middle if the warlord took things too far, "It isn't polite to judge people based on the way they look," you shot Nobunaga a mischievous look, "even if you're 100% right."

You chuckled before looking back to the children and crouching down to their level when you reached them, "Would you like to try again?"

One of the children, wide-eyed and fearful, nodded, "Are you a samurai?"

Nobunaga's expression didn't shift the entire time, "I am Nobunaga Oda, Lord of Azuchi Castle."

The fear in the children's expressions now overpowered the awe, and they seemed to shrink back, "R-really?"

"Now name yourselves."

Oh boy.

"M-my name is Taiichi," after a moment the one in the center finally spoke up, which gave his friends the courage to speak as well.

"Kisuke."

"I'm Kotaro."

"Taiichi. Kisuke. Kotaro. If you plan to steal my prey again, you'll need to be much better than that." Your brows raised at his words. You hadn't known what you had been expecting, but it certainly wasnt that. "Taiichi, bring the stone and come here."

"Okay," with a puzzled look on his face, Taiichi searched the grass for a stone and when he found one he brought it over to Nobunaga, who crouched down beside him.

"The first step in hunting your prey, is to have good sight of it," the raven haired warlord pointed out towards the lake, and when you turned to look you saw a hollowed tree in his line of sight, "Do you see that tree by the lake? Do you see the hollow in its trunk?"

"That hole?" You didn't turn around to look at them, but you could hear them conversing, "Yeah, I see it."

"Throw the stone at it as if it were the rabbit." You allowed yourself to smile at the whole situation.

"Okay," you turned back just in time to see Taiichi throw the stone, and you followed it in its path to the tree. It flew pretty far, but much too high to hit the hollow hole, and he missed.

"You have a good arm," Nobunaga praised, "but you're letting go too early." The image of a father teaching his son how to play baseball in those old Hallmark movies came to mind, and your smile only widened. "Put out your hand, I'll show you how to grip the stone."

Nobunaga has a soft side after all.

"Show me too!"

"Me too! Me too!" With the flip of a switch, all the fear that had been previously in their eyes was gone and replaced with excitment as they crowded him.

He's teaching them how to hunt, how cute.

Nobunaga explained how to aim, how to throw. He spoke to them like they were adults, though his voice still had a twinge of his normal demanding tone. However, you did notice how he gently placed a hand on their backs to support them, and guide their arms into the right position. Even when their attempts failed, he remained patient with them and began explaining again from the beginning. Then finally, Taiichi managed to hit the tree hollow dead on.

"Did you see that? I did it!" Taiichi fist pumped into the air.

"Remember that timing," the warlord sounded like a coach.

"Taiichi, that's awesome!" His friends praised.

"Thank you, Lord Nobunaga!"

"Don't thank me," Nobunaga chuckled, "And dont get cocky either," before standing up, "In a real hunt, once your prey sees you, it will attempt to flee. If you want to land the killing blow, you need to lure it to a place where it can't escape."

"We will!" With that they ran off, turning back for a brief moment to wave to the both of you before heading into the woods to begin their hunt anew.

You sent them a wave as well while Nobunaga turned back to face you, "It's going on towards afternoon. We'll go hawking another time. We must go to the inn."

"Why, Mister Nobunaga," you held a shit eating grin on your face the entire time the two of you walked over to the horse, and you placed a hand on the saddle before turning to look at Nobunaga, "I had no idea you were so soft."

Nobunaga scoffed at this, "I'm not soft-"

"Oh don't be ridiculous," you gently took hold of the neckline of his kimono and ran it between your thumb and index finger, "It was absolutely adorable, though very uncharacteristic-"

Nobunaga looked down to watch your hand before you brought his gaze back to you by bring the same index finger under his chin to tip it back up so he could meet your eyes, "So why did you do it? Why did you show them how to hunt?"

Nobunaga slowly put his hands on you waist, and you leaned into him, thinking for a moment that perhaps you had him like that night in his room - till he lifted you to place you in the saddle. "Because," after he was sure you were steady, he began to climb into the saddle as well, "they weren't any good at it," he shrugged.

You raised a brow at him and he continued, "If they can't hunt, they may someday starve. A country starves if it's people starve. Those boys have the will and the need to fill their stomachs. What they lack is technique. I have given them that."

For the second time in just a few hours, Nobunaga suprised you. Much like when you both first spotted those three boys, you hadn't known what you were expecting his answer to be, but it wasn't that. You were glad he gave those kids a life skill that would help them survive and feed their families, but up until this point you had thought Nobunaga was a slightly sadistic, greedy, power hungry man, with a touch of carnal desire - so why? What did he have to gain from this? You turned your head to look at him quizzically through the corner of your eye.

"And the hawk?"

"How I hunt," he spoke like it was obvious.

"No shit," you laughed, "but why?"

"I planned to take the rabbit with us and serve it to you for dinner. Now that's changed."

You hummed as a genuine smile broke out on your face, before you shook it off. You were going to say, how sweet, but who are you kidding he needs to eat too. It definitely wasn't a kind gesture of any sort.

"Why don't you try learning a useful skill, like Taiichi and the others?" He gently kicked the horse into a canter.

"You'd like me to learn how to hunt?" You chuckled.

"Something more immediate," Nobunaga reached out and put the reins in you hands.

"Wait what- No," you shook your head definently, "Absolutely not, Nobunaga," you sighed exasperatedly, "Can we at least slow down first?!"

"If I'm going to teach you, it's not going to be slowly. Besides a gallop feels better," with another kick, Nobunaga urged the horse into a gallop. You flinched, scrunching your eyes shut as the horse picked up speed, and clenched your teeth to keep in a frightened squeal. You gripped the reins tighter.

"Keep your grip loose on the reins. They aren't what keeps you on the horse."

"Well then how am I supposed to keep hold of them?!"

"Squeeze the horse between your knees. That's how you stay on."

"I'm already doing that!"

"Push against the stirrups and raise your rump to ride steady."

"Oh no!" You hissed, "My ass is staying firmly planted on this saddle!!"

You yelped when the horse jumped over a boulder, "Get me off this stupid thing!" You felt tears pricking the corners of your eyes, genuine fear. For a moment you were airborne and you almost expected to fly right off the saddle and be dragged by the reins (which you were still gripping tightly). However, you noticed that you were still seated in the saddle, and from there you realized you felt a firm pressure on your hips- Nobunaga's hands.

"Keep your eyes ahead. If you're nervous, the horse will know."

You let out a shakey breath and readjusted your position, "How long do you intend to run at full speed?" You turned your head to look at Nobunaga, "I believe there is a cliff up ahead."

What.

"What?! And you didn't think it was important to tell me that?!"

Nobunaga looked at you like you offended him, "I am telling you."

That's when you noticed the density of the trees becoming more scarce as the horse continued on, and you looked ahead to see the cliff. You felt panicked, not sure what you should do. You briefly remembered when you rode that horse into battle, but you didn't know what you were doing, and it was hard to say whether it was your actions or the actions of the soldier who had run into you that stopped the horse that time.

You felt your heart practically pounding out of your chest, you felt slightly short of breath, and there was no end to the amount of fluttering in your stomach that followed the feeling of dread. You blinked and suddenly everything was in high definition, you were hyper aware of your surroundings and the quiet growl that rose in the back of your throat as you took in a deep breath before roaring out a, "STOP!!!"

With a suprised whinny, the horse skidded and reared into a stop, just inches from the edge before taking a few hurried steps back farther away from it. You sighed in relief, glad the horses decision was to stop as opposed to run faster. For a moment you thought your ears were fooling you when it sounded like both you and the horse were panting in sync. As you calmed down your dragons eyes faded and you gently placed a hand on the side of the horses neck, as if to confirm that it was just as out of breath as you were, and just like you the equines pulse was bounding.

Nobunaga gently pried the reins out of your hands, and you looked at him with wide eyes and mouth agape - still trying to catch your breath. "Generally," he started, "You would pull the reins to stop your horse."

Your brows furrowed and you looked away from him, bringing your gaze to the steed below you as the both of you calmed down.

"But congratulations," he chuckled, "You survived your first riding lesson."

"Oh wipe that smug look off your face," you barked, "You would have died if we went over that cliff!"

"I would have stopped you. Although it was getting close," he peered over the horse to look at the cliffs edge, "On second thought, I probably wouldn't have been in time."

You scoffed, "You're unbelievable!"

Nobunaga laughed at this, "I wouldn't let the horse get out of my control."

You weren't sure if you believed him or not, but if you could get off this horse without having to walk the rest of the way to the hot springs, you would. You turned back to look at him with a joking suspicious look and saw that he was grinning like mischievous child. You found it hard to growl at him and frustratedly ran your fingers through your hair, speaking quietly to yourself, "Just when I thought I had you figured out," you laugh at your own naivety.

"You are laughing. Why?" He smiled still, though it slowly faded away and instead he held a perplexed look.

"Just the irony of it all I guess, I don't really know," you shrugged and cleared your throat, thinking yourself stupid for letting your walls down around him, "We're done right? No more lessons for today?"

It was Nobunaga's turn to scoff, "What a foolish question, I never intended to stop here. By the time we reach the inn, you'll be able to ride on your own."

You puffed, "Or we'll be dead before we get there."

The warlord laughed at your comment and you smirked. So he likes dark humor, "Oh just give me the reins!" You turned to take them with a determined look on your face.

"That's a good look on you."

"What?" You chuckled, a bit caught off guard, "Spiteful? Exasperated? Plotting revenge?"

"Determined," he corrected, "Resolute. Unyielding. Confident."

You put your tongue to your cheek and looked away from him. How dare he honestly compliment you, and it was empowering too. After a moment he took the reins from you once more, "Here I'll teach you to turn."

You dramatically groaned. The ride had been long and hard, probably would have been a lot smoother and a lot faster if Nobunaga had just steered as opposed to making a novice take hold of the medieval steering wheel. You both had to stop several times, and you managed to go off course at least twice, but damn Nobunaga for being patient with you. You partly wished he would have been harsh so it would be easier for you to loath him.

When you arrived at the in and checked into your room, Nobunaga left you saying he had something to take care of, but he urged you to enjoy the hot springs. You didn't need to be told twice, and as soon as he left you shut the door behind him and stripped before walking to the hot water with pep in your step. You sat at the waters edge before slipping in and plunging yourself underneath, only to emerge completely soaked with a gasp followed by a relaxed sigh. You revealed in the waters temperature, it felt nice on your skin, and you were sure your scales would appreciate the rocks underneath. You paused, looking around and wondering if there was any way for someone to see you. There wasn't, not unless they came through the rooms door but even then you would hear the door before they would have the chance to see you.

A deep purr rumbled from your throat before you plunged underwater yet again. You couldn't fully shift, this particular pool was much too small, but maybe if you could scale yourself down to the size you were when Mitsuhide confronted you? You emerged from the spring, body covered in scaled patches here and there.

No, still a little too small.

You huffed, maybe if you sould stay human sized it would be fine. You had never tried it before. With a deep breath you went under water again and attempted to shift while maintaining your size. It was difficult - a limb morphing into a size that was much to big before turning back, here and there. Some of the water splashed outwards from the pool and you growled in frustration. By the end of the struggle, you settled on a partial transformation that wouldn't make you quite as big as you were the other night when you freighted Mitsuhide. You looked much like an anthropomorphic dragon - with a long neck, slightly longer torso, and a tail. The proportions frustrated you, but you would have to deal with it for now.

With one last deep breath, you went below the waters surface and rubbed the side of your face against the rock walls, easily knocking off any loose or damaged scales that you were unable to gnaw loose when you groomed. Another purr bubbled from your chest and you pressed your elongated body against the side of the spring and wriggled. Maybe after this trip you could convince Nobunaga to take you back to the lake so you could search the bottom for a bed of smooth rocks to polish the new and salvageable ones.

With all the rough treatment, the irreparable scales were not long for this world and crumbled as soon as they left your skin, though without the wind to carry them, they left a fine glittery dust over the top of the water. You emerged to inspect yourself, but before you could determine if you scraped off all the loose scales you heard your door slide open. With a squeak, you went underwater and shifted back before poking your head out above the surface.

To your horror you noticed the fog all the dusted scales left over the water, and you couldn't cup your hands fast enough to begin throwing it out before Nobunaga stepped out of the room, "How is the temperature?"

"It's warm, not too hot-" you froze as he stepped out of the room and out to the spring. He was dressed in only a thin cotton robe, carrying a tray in one hand. You faught the low growl at the back of your throat and attempted to hide the resulting blush by sinking lower into the water so only your eyes and up were visible. Nobunaga raised a brow at your behavior before he noticed the foggy cloud that made the water opaque. He carefully put the tray down and inspected the water with suspicious eyes.

"They're exfoliating minerals," you came back up to spit out an excuse before he could inspect it more, "You put it in the water and it's supposed to rub against you while you bathe to get rid of the layer of dead skin on your body and make it softer."

It wasn't a complete lie, there were many uses for ground dragon scales as well as any other asset one could harvest off a dragon, live or dead. Which was one of the reasons your kind was so sought after by specialty hunters - you could make a pretty penny off all the things you get off a dragon. He plunged a hand under the water before pulling it back up to see how the glittery material coated his skin, "Odd, I have heard of it before, we make our own at the bathhouse with salt and sand," he turned his hand around to see the 'exfoliator' shine iridescently, "But I've never seen one like this before."

"I brought it from my village with the things I packed."

"I thought Mitsuhide had packed your things?"

Damn him for paying attention.

"Yes well, Kinu and I had packed together last night, but I fell asleep and I guess she finished for me," you paused, "And when I checked my pack after we arrived, I saw everything Mitsuhide packed was basically just a trimmed down version of what she and I packed last night."

You gave him a small smile, as if to punctuate the fact that there was nothing odd going on at all. He hummed and you figured he would brush off your odd behavior for now. He wiped the odd substance off his hand with his robe as you approached him, before taking his hand in yours, "Are you going to join me?"

You playfully bit your lip, drew an invisible circle in his palm with the tip of your finger, and looked up at him with mischievous eyes. He smirked down at you, till you splashed him with some water, "Well too bad," you laughed, "This pool is taken."

You splashed him again before releasing him and disappearing under the water, only to resurface at the other end of the spring with your back to him. "I won't bother," he spoke and you looked back at him suprised.

He wasn't going to get into the springs? Surely he knows you were kidding? You couldn't care less whether he joined you or not, "The innkeeper brought this to our room. I won't drink tonight," you raised a disbelieving brow, easily catching that something was up, so you made your way back over to him.

"You have it."

You tilted your head up at him, "Wait," you grabbed the bottom of his robe before he could walk off, causing him to stop and look back at you. You gazed at him searchingly with slightly narrowed eyes, "What's going on?" You spoke in a low voice, as if worried that the walls had ears.

He looked down at your hand and then beck to you, before leaning down to meet your level as best he could, "Do not worry about it."

If he wasn't going to get into the springs, why bother comming? You had already suspected this was all some ploy, but you were also worried that you may just paranoid till he verbally confirmed your worries. You released him and he stood up again to walk away. With a sigh you redirected your gaze to the water.

Perhaps you should practice.

You watched Nobunaga as he disappeared into the room, before staring down at the cloudy water with a determined look. You eyeballed the steaming spring as you backed up against the wall of the pool again, like you were expecting it to do something.

After a brief moment, the water around you swirled like a mini whirlpool, causing the powdered scales to gather in the center, and the spot you had been looking at seemed to bubble up - like there was a spout pushing the water up from underneath it. Your gaze became more intense, and the bubbling turned into an air born, steady stream that gently slithered into the air just half a foot above the water before draining onto the stone and gravel ground a few feet away. You were able to focus enough to separate the muddled water from the clean, and clear the hot spring of your dusted scales, but just as you were finishing up a faint sound broke your concentration and made you jump slightly.

You looked up, making sure Nobunaga hadn't spotted you. You saw nothing, but decided to take that as a sign for you to get out - wrapping your robe around your body when you emerged.

"Hey, did you hear something-" when you walked into the room you noticed Nobunaga had some sort of game set up. To you it looked like some medieval version if chess or checkers, "What is all this?"

"Are you familiar with Go?" He turned to look at you, hands resting on his knees as he sat cross legged on one side of the bored.

"Heard of it, but I don't know how to play it."

"I will teach you. And then, when I ask, you and I shall play."

"A Go call girl?" You raised a brow, "Why?"

"You're resilient. Resolute. Strong willed." He adjusted the pieces as he spoke.

"And?" You came around the table to sit on the other side.

"You like to play games, so do I, and as much as I hate to say it- I won't beat you in your own game," you chuckled at this, you guessed he was talking about that night three months ago, and every other teasing moment after that.

"So you're going to play my game."

You snickered, "And how is that any more fair?" You picked up a playing piece and examined it, "The only difference is, the scale tips on your side more now than it does mine?"

"Life isn't fair."

"Okay fine," you looked at him tauntingly, "So what do I get if win this game?"

"Games," he corrected.

"Right, sorry," you sigh, "What do I get if I win these games?'

"Why your freedom of course."

You perked up at this and cocked your head to the side.

"You strike me as the adventurous type," yes good observation, "And right now you're confined to the castle," a temporary hindrance, but continue, "Or rather, Azuchi's castle and town," better, "If you win, you're free to go."

"If I win? As in, if I win in one game?" You smirked, liking your odds before your smile disappeared, "What do you get if you win?"

"You."

Your expression never turned into a glare so fast, "No. Absolutely not," you didn't like your odds anymore.

"Oh, come now," Nobunaga rolled his eyes, "Every time you lose a game, I will claim a part of your body as my own. That means I am free to touch or kiss it. I won't take all of you at once, or else it wouldn't be any fun," he gave you a cocky smirk, "Unless you want me too- and, you can even tell me when to stop."

You chewed the inside of your lip, thinking about it. He gave himself a handicap by allowing you at least one win for all your freedom, while he had to win several games to get his end of the bargain, "Fine."

"Excellent, I wouldn't take any pleasure in using force, so I will have you submit to me piece by piece until I've conquered you completely."

You rolled you eyes, "Let's just begin the first game."

Nobunaga gave you a run down of the game as you both played, explaining how the pieces moved and answering any questions you had. It wasn't long till Nobunaga won the first of your games. Of course you hadn't been expecting to win on your first game, but your win would come with experience.

"A promise is a promise," you huffed as he reached across the table and took the hand you had been moving pieces with, "Tonight, I'll take this."

"My hand?" You raised a brow, "I would have thought you would go for some place more daring."

He brought your hand right up to his lips and kissed your fingertips. Your breath hitched and you actually felt your heart pound, not having expected him to be so gentle. His lips were soft, a stark contrast to his overall personality. You weren't sure if your fingers were actually pulsing, or if it was just your pulse points echoing your heartbeat, but it didn't hinder you from subconsciously moving the Go table aside so you could scoot closer to Nobunaga. You definitely wanted more, but you couldn't just give him everything after the first game - afterall, he obviously wanted a challenge, "Perhaps that's enough."

"Why?" He took your pinky between his teeth and you glared at him, before feeling your face heat up as you suddenly recognized the parallels between now and the short lived tryst you two had a while back. You felt a jolt go up your spine when he started using his tongue and you gasped pleasurably.

One thing you never did care to admit, was that dragons were incredibly emotionally and sensually driven creatures.

"Ah, I see why now," he gave you a cocky smile as he withdrew, but you followed him - crawling into his lap and making yourself comfortable. "Just to be clear," you whispered, "My hand is all you get to claim tonight, but-"

You leaned forward and he met you half way, the both of you claiming eachothers lips with breathy eagerness. You slid your hands up his chest and around his neck, while he slid his around your waist and brought you closer. You let out an unintentional moan, getting far more excited than you cared to admit - especially at the fact that the only thing separating your bodies were your two thin robes. He took advantage of your moment of weakness made a trail of kisses down your neck, gently biting and scraping his teeth on junction where your neck and shoulder met.

"Ah!" You gasped, one arm staying firmly wrapped around his neck while the other hand slowly scraped its way up to tangled in his hair. Nobunaga grunted and bucked his hips up into you, seeming quite a bit excited himself. Before you knew it, you pulled away from him and slowly leaned back - tugging him down with you by the neckline of his robe till he had you pinned underneath him. You gazed into his eyes for a moment, his eyes were trained and focused on you, but he also seemed distant, detached, and cold.

You wrapped your legs around his hips and pulled him closer to you before you began kissing him again, nipping and sucking at his lip to tease him. At this point you weren't sure if he was genuinely enjoying this or just going through the motions as he began to run his hand up and down, and around your body.

Wait.

You pulled back and looked at him, your memory briefly flashing back to the first time the two of you did something like this.

That first time he was obviously aroused and looking to have you sleep with him - his pupils were diolated, his cheeks had been slightly flush from the heat, and his breathing was fast. But this time, this time he seemed like he was trying to keep control of himself, like he was on guard, had his walls up, and still feeling you up. Even in places he, as an experienced man, must have known would give you no pleasure.

Your brows furrowed and you pushed him away with a hurt expression when it occured to you. Your mouth was slightly agape as you let out a shakey breath and blinked away pinprick of tears.

How could you be suprised by this?

How could you let it affect you the way it was?

Perhaps you were getting a little too comfortable at Azuchi.

"You think it's me?" You quickly unwrapped your legs from around him and slid out from underneath the warlord, before scrambling to your feet and backed up towards the door, "Or at least, you think I have something to do with it?"

As if on cue you heard a noise from the hall, and your head snapped to the side to look at your rooms door. The door began to rattle and suddenly, Nobunaga was on his feet and alert. You actually felt like you had to take a slightly defensive position, you had no weapon, and no fighting experience, but you could defend yourself if you had too. When the door rattled more violently you turned around to face it just in time to see the screen door split in two - falling apart with a clatter.

At that point, your instincts took over - the emotional turmoil and adrenalin rush from feeling like you may be in danger allowed you to easily hone your senses. When three men dressed completely in all black entered the room, the first thing they would have seen was you - with your dragons eyes. The next thing they would have seen a few feet behind you was Nobunaga.

"Nobunaga, prepare yourself!"

"You finally decided to show up," your eyes widened. Your theory had been correct all along. This was a ruse to draw out his enemies, only problem was, he thought you might be in on it too. "You should be ashamed of yourselves, attacking a man while he takes his evenings pleasure. You obviously lack the skills to please a woman."

"Go ahead!" One of the men leapt forward, "Prattle on!" Slashing his sword down toward Nobunaga, but before he could get past you - you quickly grabbed his arm, spun him around and easily threw him into the next room, breaking a hole in the wall. You flinched slightly, not having ment to cause damage to the place or throw the man that hard. You had merely wanted him to get away from the both of you, "Oh, sorry."

The other two men watched you with wide eyes, "Ahhhh!" Till a second one decided to come for you. You jolted like a frightened cat and jumped out of his way, before knocking him down like you would a rowdy animal - by grabbing him by the back of the neck, picking him up slightly, only to slam him down into a laying position on the floor, with your knee resting in his back so you could put your weight on him to keep him down. Your eyes widened and you quickly scrambled off him and to your feet, "Sorry, reflexes!"

"You lack follow through, who taught you how to fight," Nobunaga was poking at the three assailants, making things worse.

"Grrr!" The third and final man came running at you and you turned you back to Nobunaga before ducking with your arms above your head, in a curled position- causing the man to trip and fall. Meanwhile, the first assassin you had thrown was climbing back into the room through the hole in the wall, "Die, tyrant!"

Nobunaga turned and drove an elbow into the mans face when he was close enough, "Guh!"

With the third assassin fallen and the first one currently clutching his face in pain on the ground, the second attempted to stand, but you quickly turned around and grabbed his foot, before pulling, and causing him to fall once more, "No, you stay down!"

"Are you taking turns?" Nobunaga taunted, "Fight us like you mean it."

"Shut up, Nobunaga," you growled.

"Damn it!" The two that had been occupied by you scrambled away on their hands and knees towards the wall with the hole, and just when they were about to charge you and the warlord-

"Stop right there!" Hideyoshi and Mitsunari came through what remained of the door.

"My lord, are you injured?" Mitsunari quickly examined Nobunaga with his eyes.

"As you can see, I am unhurt." Your eyes narrowed at him.

"Hideyoshi and Mitsunari are here?" The two who stood by the broken wall held suprised looks in their eyes, "He was supposed to be alone!"

"Alone?" Mitsunari smiles sweetly, "No, we were waiting for you to show up."

"You idiots fell into a trap," Hideyoshi chuckled as he and Mitsunari knocked the two by the wall out, before looking to you, "I'm sorry if this startled you, Princess."

You tsked, "I can't say it did, I thought it odd Nobunaga would want to come alone with just me- I suspected from the begining this was a trap of some sort."

Hideyoshi and Mitsunari seemed surprised, "You knew?"

"Of course I knew, It's been three months since that battle, and the wound is barely being addressed now? And Nobunaga come alone when he is supposedly wounded? Even I thought that seemed out of character for him- he may be a cocky bastard, but he's not stupid. I just don't understand why none of you just told me."

"That was me," Hideyoshi spoke up, "I didn't believe we could trust you-"

"To what," you cut him off, anger evident in your voice, "Not be the mole? Or at least have some part in this attack? Or maybe even the previous one? Yeah I got that."

Hideyoshi pursed his lips together and Mitsunari frowned, his gaze turning to the floor in slight shame. "I can't believe you thought I'd do that, Hideyoshi," his suspicion of you honestly felt like it hurt the most - he was there for you when you lost your cool for the first time and nearly broke down, and he was there when you collapsed, heaven only knows what else he may have also done to help you when you first got injured, "I thought you said you trusted me, or at the very least, didn't suspect me."

"Milady," Mitsunari attempted to stand up for his lord, but you cut him off with a sharp look, "Don't fucking talk to me."

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Three Hundred Forty-Eight: Lost Again ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uchiha Itachi, Hyūga Neji ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Catch ‘Em All ] [ AO3 Link ]

 All he wanted to do was impress her...and now they’re lost.

Admittedly, it isn’t the first time Sasuke’s gotten turned around in the Safari Zone. It’s huge! And though divided into sections with paths, it’s so easy to forget where you’ve come from, let alone where you were going. And given that he’s lived in Fuchsia his entire life, of course he’s been here a number of times.

And nearly every time, he’s gotten lost.

So, in reality...this time, he’s lost again.

But perhaps, a bit of backstory.

Hinata’s long-awaited visit from Cerulean had been going pretty well. Sasuke already helped her catch a Goldeen, and Neji almost beat Fugaku for his gym badge. The Uchiha patriarch had agreed to train him a bit, so their stay had been extended (with permission granted by Hiashi, of course).

The two Hyūga had been settling in quite well. Neji spent all of the previous day training with Fugaku, Itachi even coming in to lend a hand. Which, of course, left both younger siblings (or...cousins, in Hinata’s case) without their elders to keep an eye on them. And today was headed in much the same direction.

When they finally headed downstairs, Mikoto greeted them warmly. “Did you sleep all right, Hinata?”

“Y...yes ma’am!”

“Well, I hope you’re hungry - there’s still plenty of breakfast left!”

“Did Neji and aniki already go to the gym?” Sasuke asked, clearly a bit disappointed as his brother yet again left him behind.

“They did. I believe Neji-kun wanted to get an early start on the training Fugaku is offering him.”

“Oh…”

“Don’t worry, they’ll be back when they have a lunch break! Maybe then your brother can spare some time to spend with you, ne?”

Not replying verbally, Sasuke just gave a solemn nod, which earned a sheepish glance from Hinata.

Considering the pair of them as they started digging into their meal, Mikoto then asked, “...Sasuke, why don’t you take Hinata-chan to the Safari Zone?”

He paused midway to taking a bite. “...huh?”

“It’s unlike anything else in Kanto, after all! Especially someplace like Cerulean. I bet you could show her all sorts of neat things.” His mother gave a wink and a smile. “You might even get to see some rare pokémon! What do you think, Hinata-chan? Does that sound like fun?”

Missing Sasuke’s sour pout, Hinata had brightened with starry eyes. “Oh, y-yes please! W-what kind of pokémon are in there…?”

“All sorts! A friend of Itachi’s volunteers there to help keep the pokémon in the reserve safe from poachers. She even has a pokémon of her own that was poached, but saved. She used to live in Lavender Town with an old man who helped take care of abandoned or injured pokémon. I bet she’d have lots of stories to tell you.”

Even as Hinata gushed over the idea, Sasuke picked at his food. While he liked the park well enough...the girl in question bothered him. Itachi seemed to find too many excuses to spend time with her. And with how jealous Sasuke could get about time spent with his brother, well...it meant he wasn’t exactly fond of her.

“You’ll take her, won’t you Sasuke?”

“...yeah, we can go.”

“Good! I’ll send my Butterfree to the reserve and let them know you’ll be coming. Maybe she can give you a tour!”

Sasuke’s expression pinched further. “No!”

Both girls paused, looking to him in question. “...why not?”

“I...I wanna do it! Hinata’s my friend…” And he didn’t want anyone else interfering!

Looking a bit confused but also on the verge of understanding, Mikoto had gently shrugged. “Well...all right. Do be careful - it’s pretty easy to get lost in there.”

“We’ll be fine…”

Once they were finished eating, the pair had thanked Mikoto again before heading north toward the Safari Zone. Sasuke, no longer quite so grumpy, explained what the park was for. “Mostly it’s to help pokémon that are more endangered. They live there with very few trainers allowed to catch them. You gotta pay a fee to go in, and you only have so much time to look before you have to try again. The money helps with the park, and keeping the pokémon there safe and healthy.”

“Rare pokémon…?”

“Well, not all of them are rare, but some are, like Dratini or Kangaskhan.”

“Do you think we’ll s-see one?”

Sasuke hesitated at that. Technically the odds were pretty low, but...Itachi’s friend had one of the pokémon in question. And it was even a shiny variety, hence it being poached. “...maybe.”

Arriving at the entrance to the reserve, the pair paid their fees, allowed a longer stay than a trainer as they weren’t heading in to try and catch any pokémon. And just as they were heading out the door -

“Hey, Sasuke-kun!”

The boy visibly flinched. Great...it was her.

“Heading into the park?”

“...yeah...m’taking my friend to see it.”

“I see! Is she a young trainer like you?”

“Er...kinda…”

“Sasuke-kun caught me a G-Goldeen yesterday! It’s my first ever pokémon!” Hinata replied, looking excited.

“Wow, congratulations! Be safe out there, okay? If you have any trouble, I’m sure one of the park rangers will find you. And Sasuke-kun can always send his Spearow for help if you need it, all right?”

“O-okay!”

Stubbornly taking Hinata’s hand, Sasuke tugged her through the door. “Bye…”

“Bye!”

That was this morning. It’s now early afternoon, and after a thorough romp through several areas of the park...the pair are about ready to call it quits.

...there’s just one problem.

Sasuke isn’t sure where he is…

“Um...Sasuke-kun…?”

“What?”

“Are...are we lost…?”

His stubborn expression only deepens. “...”

“Should...should we send for he-?”

“We’re fine! We just...have to keep going. This way!”

Stumbling a bit as he tugs her forward, Hinata has little choice but to follow. While she’s enjoyed herself thoroughly - they even saw a family of Kangaskhan! - the prospect of being stuck in here is unnerving. Especially since her stomach keeps gurgling… “S-Sasuke-kun -?”

“I don’t need any help. I know where I’m going!”

“But -?”

“I can do this on my own!”

Expression slackening in surprise, Hinata then digs in her heels, jolting Sasuke to a stop. “I-it’s okay to ask for help!”

“I can -!”

“Sasuke-kun…” She gives him a pleading look. “Y...you helped me the other day...right? To catch Goldeen?”

“But...that was different…”

Able to puzzle out at least part of why he’s upset, she flashes a sheepish smile. “I...I’m really glad you took me here! It’s been a lot of fun. But...we need to get back, right…? A-aren’t you tired? O-or hungry?”

His glance aside is telling enough.

“...let’s just send your Spearow, o-okay? Then we can go back, and have lunch with everybody. Ne…?”

“Oi!”

Both kids stiffen in shock, looking over to find a Rapidash galloping toward them. And on its back is the girl from before, worry clear in her expression. Sasuke can’t help a hint of a scowl - out of everyone, why her?!

Sliding from the pokémon’s back, she jogs the rest of the distance. “Are you guys okay?”

“Y-yes, we’re fine! Just a little, um...l-lost. I think I...I got us all turned around.”

Sasuke’s eyes widen. Why is she -?

“That’s okay! It’s easy to get lost in here - even I still get a little confused sometimes! Mikoto-san was getting concerned, so I said I’d come look for you. How about you two ride on Rapidash, and spare your feet the rest of the walk?”

“Oh, y-yes please!”

The elder helps lift them up atop the equine pokémon, smiling. “Don’t worry, she won’t burn you - she’s very well trained to help people here in the park. Now, let’s get you back home!”

Minutes pass by in silence, and soon enough, the entry building looms up out the trees. Both let back to the ground, the pair make their way through the door...and run straight into Itachi and Neji!

“Oh thank goodness…!” Brows wilted in worry, Itachi latches onto his brother, who tenses in surprise. “I was afraid you’d gotten hurt and were stuck somewhere…!”

“I...I’m okay, aniki.”

“Hinata-chan! Are you all right?”

“Y-yes, I’m fine, Neji-nī. Really.”

“Thank you so much for finding them,” Itachi offers, looking to his friend gratefully.

“Of course! They actually weren’t too far out. I’m just glad they’re both safe and sound. Now, you guys better go get your lunch, ne? That’s a long time to go hiking without a snack!”

Waving farewell, the four of them take their leave, walking back to the Uchiha household. All the while, Hinata gushes to Neji about all they saw.

“M-maybe we can go in another time so you can see! It’s beautiful in there...we didn’t get to see any Dratini, o-or Chansey. But maybe next time!”

“Ah, did she not show your her Dratini?” Itachi asks.

“She...she has one?”

“Yes, though…” Itachi glances to Sasuke, who seems to wilt. “...I suppose it isn’t quite the same as seeing one in its natural habitat. Maybe we’ll all go back before you two head home, and we can have a guided tour. It might increase our odds.”

“O-okay! I-I had a lot of fun with Sasuke-kun today, so...I-I’d like to do it again!”

Itachi just gives a small, knowing smile. “...and I’m sure he enjoyed getting to show you more about our town, Hinata-chan.”

Once returned, they all settle in for the lunch Mikoto’s made, the mother greeting the younger pair in relief. But with them safe and sound, the conversation soon drifts.

Noticing Sasuke still looking a bit put out, Hinata gently nudges him with her shoulder. “T-thank you for taking me today. I think...that was one of the c-coolest things I’ve ever gotten to do: see pokémon like that!”

“...really?”

She nods.

“...even if we got lost?”

“I-it’s fine, Sasuke-kun. You still helped me do something I’d n-never have done otherwise.”

After a pause, he manages a smile. “...you’re welcome.”

                                                        .oOo.

     (This is a sequel to days 18 and 88, and is followed by days 125, 127, and 278!)       More pokéverse! Haven't done this one in a while, and it's always fun to revisit. This one kinda falls in the middle, which...I try not to jump around in the order of the mini series, but I kinda had to xD      Poor Sasuke...he just wanted to look cool. Of course something had to go wrong! But it seems Hinata still had oodles of fun regardless, so...it's still a good day!      I'd say more, but it's VERY late and I'm very tired, lol - thanks for reading!

[iguessishouldbethankful]

Since you mentioned that Falco and Lucy get together in your AU, how does offspring from different species work? Would it solely be the same as one parent or the other, or are hybrids a possibility?

Okay so this is a good question and it’s one I have thought about for a while since last year.

For me, Lylatians are all able to have kids with each other regardless of their species/breeds. They share compatible DNAs. However, that still doesn’t mean that there isn’t a level of side-eyeing when, let’s say, a canine decides to marry an equine or a reptile. So crossbreeding between species isn’t very common. And that’s also shown in the series itself since:

Peppy marries Vivian who is also a rabbit.

James marries Vixy who is also a fox.

Fox’s main love interests, Fara and Krystal, are both a type of vulpine like him.

Slippy ends up marrying Amanda who is also a frog.

It’s implied in Farewell, Beloved Falco, that Katt ends up having a relationship with Kool who is also a cat.

Honestly, the only one that seems to entertain the idea of dating outside of his own species is Falco, as it is implied he had a relationship with Katt. So he is the odd one in the franchise as well as the one that would pursue a relationship outside of his own species. But I think we all know that.

Anyway, so I headcanon that it’s frowned upon when cross relationships like this do happen because of how hybrids work IRL: Ligers and mules are bred between two different species, but they offspring are sterile. In Lylat, the way it works is like this: Hybrids are necessarily sterile. But the more that bloodline mixes with others, there is a likelyhood that it will become a sterile bloodline. So that’s why it’s frowned upon and why I also headcanon that they keep track of what species are mixed with the genes of that particular Lylatian.

Now, as for what the offspring will look like: that is solely dependent on the mother. So Falco and Lucy have a child, the child will physically look like Lucy’s species instead with only a few minor hints that the baby is also 50% Avian. Such has having a few feathers hidden among the fur, or the colors of the fur might resemble the father’s.