#grass dango

[stamplover]

sweets and desserts stamps (2019)

[tumberkin]

Um, first time asking for a stimboard. I'm actually still questioning whether I'm fictionkin or not, ehe.

Could I please have a cute Ushio Okazaki Stimboard with a focus on dango and like.. large long grassy fields? Sorry if I'm doing something wrong... Uu.

Ushio Okazaki Stimboard W/ Dango & Long Grassy Fields

I hope you enjoy!

[aishiteru-kenshin]

Autumn Moon Viewing

Late September — Mid-November Tsukimi means nothing more than "looking at the moon." However, the Japanese custom of holding special moon-viewing parties, in autumn in particular, dates back over a thousand years. Harvest Prayers Autumn moon-viewing, or tsukimi, has long been a popular pastime in Japan. Traditionally, it was a way of expressing gratitude for a good harvest and hopes for similar bounty in the future. On the old lunar calendar, the full moon appeared on the fifteenth night (jūgoya) of each month. The best night in the year for observing the celestial body is said to be the fifteenth night of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, known as jūgoya no tsukimi.

According to traditional reckoning, autumn was from the seventh through the ninth months. The exact midpoint of the season, the fifteenth night of the eighth month, was called chūshū (mid-autumn), so another name for the full moon that night is chūshū no meigetsu (the mid-autumn moon).

The custom of jūgoya moon-viewing began in China during the Tang Dynasty (618–907) and spread to Japan thereafter. The aristocrats of the Nara (710–794) and Heian (794–1185) periods enjoyed moon-viewing parties at which they played music and composed poetry. By the Edo period (1603–1868), tsukimi had come to be a popular practice even among commoners, and was closely associated with autumn festival traditions involving thankful offerings of freshly harvested rice to the gods. Moon-Viewing Decorations The place where people gather to view the moon, such as a veranda or window, is known as the tsukimidai. It is traditionally decorated with such offerings as rice dumplings called tsukimi-dango and produce like taro as well as susuki, or pampas grass. There may also be special displays associated with the tea ceremony or ikebana. 1. Tsukimi-Dango These round rice dumplings represent the full moon. The shape is also considered to be auspicious and eating tsukimi-dango is said to bring health and happiness. One tradition is to display 15 dumplings to match the fifteenth night, while another calls for 12 dango, one for each of the months. 2. Susuki Five or ten plumes of pampas grass on display represent the bounty of rice plants, which they resemble. 3. Taro As taro bulbs produce many shoots, they are associated with a large and prosperous family. 4. Autumnal Produce Seasonal produce like edamame soybeans, chestnuts, and pumpkins are also offered during the moon-viewing festival. The Rabbit in The Moon In Japan, instead of the Man in The Moon, the moon is said to present the image of a rabbit pounding mochi rice cakes with a mallet. According to one theory, this is based on a Buddhist tale that later became well known in Japan. Another theory is that it is a play on the word mochizuki, meaning “full moon,” which also sounds like the word for pounding mochi.

[kana-de]

OKAY OKAY BRO. WHAT IF EI KEEP SCARA?? So like inagine a shogun!scara x Kitsune!reader (like Ei and Miko) during the vision hunt decree where reader is helping traveler by distracting scara with cute dates cuddle and keeping him from chasing traveler by holding him in the tightest im race and just sleeping on top of him. BRO AAAA THAT SOUNDS SO CUTE and scara is annoyed at first but eventually just gives in and Ei is just like 🧍‍♀️. idk if you have anons but -💤🌀

★ summary: shogun!kunikuzushi x kitsune!fem!reader. you're using your little tricks to distract him from the traveler's arrival.

☆ cw: sfw. fluff. established relationship. 1009 words.

☾ a/n: thank you 💤🌀anon for your req! i got so inspired that i started writing this almost instantly after getting the req.

there weren't any news in inazuma that weren't heard by shogun's all-knowing ears. the vision hunt decree was progressed well - until some rumors appeared about a certain traveler from the overseas who decided that they're capable of standing against the vision hunt decree, and against the shogun himself.

"hah. how amusing." kunikuzushi mumbled, having a devilish grin attached to his lips. "who do they think they are?"

"hm? what're you talking about, kuni?" you looked over his shoulder curiously, your ears twitching in amusement.

you always watched kunikuzushi's emotional spectre with delight. once even witnessing his face going from having a smirk to one of horror and disgust when he realised that you bought all the available dango from the narukami island just to arrange a picnic date with him, clearly knowing that he hated dango. he got mad instantly, walking away, furiously stomping his feet. (he felt bad right after could barely resist your puppy eyes and wiggling tails when you tried to get him back.)

or when you drew small kitsune all over his face with a permanent ink, or the time when he decided to pay you back with asking the seller to put salt and pepper in your mochi, or the incident in a shrine when you almost got caught-

even if that happened just once, he already witnessed a thousand of your little pranks for the following thousands years of you being by his side.

so you, suddenly appearing near him now, couldn't bring any good news. kunikuzushi knew it, reacting at your emergence with an exasperated groan.

"what do you need now?" he turned around to you, his long kimono hem spread on the grass. he was sat under a few sakura trees, so there were some pink petals on his clothes.

you examined his face with great amusement and a usual soft smile, until... you started giggling. your giggles quickly turned into a full-blown laughing session.

"you- k-kuni- hahaha!... don't you see?" you tried speaking through your laugh, holding a fan up to your lips to cover your giggles.

your hand reached to - as he thought - touch his nose, but instead, you held up a sakura petal between your fingers that sticked to his nose. you couldn't hold back another laughter, tripping over your own kimono and falling on top of him.

"what are you- [name]! get off of me!" kunikuzushi could barely hold a yelp as you fell on him, not letting him get any chance to move.

you spread yourself on top of him, your body a bit shaking from all the laughing, as you tried to steady your hands, putting them on each sides of his head to look down at him. letting out a few last giggles you finally stopped, a large smile plastered on your lips as you stared down at him with amusement. your hand reached once more to touch his hair, getting a few more sakura petals out of it.

kunikuzushi's face looked like a mix of embarrassment and irritation - knitted together brows and a slight blush on his pale cheeks because of how close you two are now - you couldn't guess which one was there more, so your only option was to stare down at him, until a guard from the shogunate approached both of you.

"shogun, the traveler was spotted near tenshukaku." the guard informed, seemingly not minding your little hugging session - could that even be called hugging?

kunikuzushi sighed, running a hand through his hair. the moment was almost ethereal, why did it have to be interrupted so fast?

"that idiot-" he gave a useless try to stand up, only for you to pin him down again.

"hush, you're staying here." you spoke to him, your hand's fingers entwined with his indigo hair, curling and brushing it on some places. "there's no way i'll let you go now."

"[name], stop with these games, it's an emergen-"

"kunikuzushi, i said you're staying here." you shot him a glare with narrowed eyes, a smile disappearing from your features. it then came back almost instantly when you looked up at the guard. yet, the smile on your lips now seemed threatening, showing your authority. "the shogunate are able to keep an eye on them, aren't you?"

"i- y-yes, yes, we can... you can rely on us." the guard, seemingly a bit frightened - as you intended - took a step back, and bowed deeply to both of you. you kept your intimidating grin, nodding to them. they ran as soon as you sent them away.

"that's better." you smiled at kunikuzushi, now without that gloomy appearance. he, in turn, could only stare at you with a sceptical look.

"you didn't even let me finish, and i'm the shogun here." he says, his eyes narrowed and a small frown on his face. giggling, you could tell his pride was hurt by your actions.

"aw, don't get all grumpy. here..." you leaned down, your lips meeting his. the kiss wasn't heated, it was rather transmission of emotions. you enjoy the moment to the fullest; there was no hurry in both your and his actions. he moved his lips slowly, gently, and closes his eyes. you, on the other hand, let your fingers entangle in his hair, moving your hand down to his neck, tips of your fingers gently sliding down his skin.

it was a sweet moment. the sound of the wind as it blows gently through the sakura trees, the birds chirping above, the sun shining bright...

that was, until you heard a crack of wood underneath him. breaking the kiss, you looked down at him with your brows furrowed.

"...did you just break my fan?"

"you didn't let me stand up!" kunikuzushi protested, his back feeling the broken wood. shit, you won't let that slide now, he thought.

"jackass. now you're definitely not going anywhere." you plopped down at him once again, the fur of your ears slightly touching his jaw as you nuzzled your face in the crook of his neck. kunikuzushi groaned.

"[name], don't forget that you're a bit... heavy too. ugh... wait, are you sleeping?!"

[pleasedonteatmedemon]

Hotaru Hagenezuka x DemonSlayer!Fem! Reader (NSFW) (Takes place during village arc, no spoilers)

I can't help myself, this man is so damn scriddily scrumptious, LOOK AT HIM !!!

(Contains; Hotaru cheats on his wife with you/Manipulation/virgin reader/age gap)

(Story is under the photo ofc.)

"You don't think he'll be to mad? Do you Tanjiro?" You say, your face filled with worry as sweat drips from your face. You hold your broken-in-half sword, looking at it and then at Tanjiro who only cringed. He scratches the back of his head, "Uh well..." He starts, taking a breath and then looking at you. "Yeah no, I'm pretty sure he's going to try to kill you..." He says, slight worry in his face. "W-What?!" You say, blinking. "Well...You can probably get him some mitarashi dango, it usually calms him down. " Tanjiro says. "I'm sure you'll be fine." He adds on, a reassuring smile on his face. You slightly whimper, "If you say so." You say, scratching your head. Tanjiro smiles once more, "Well here, I can take you to a market and then walk you to his home since you don't know where it is." Tanjiro says, you both stand up; as you were both sitting on the grass.

Tanjiro had been in the sword smith village for a few days, he already had his sword fixed but he told you some demons were lurking about and he had to stay to capture and dispose of them. Your sword had broke on a mission, and you got here just today.

You and Tanjiro walk along a path, you look at all the buildings and such in awe, "This place is sooo big!" You exclaim, a smile on your face. Tanjiro smiles, "Yes," He says. The sun was setting and it was starting to get slightly cold out. You and Tanjiro finally make it to some small food stand, originally you were going to a market but this was closer to Haganezuka's home. Tanjiro walks up to the stand, a masked individual inside, Tanjiro smiles and says, "2 mitarashi dangos please!" He says, holding up the number two with his hands. "Coming right up!" The person inside says. While waiting for the food, you decided to bring up Hataru again. "I've actually never met Hataru before...he was busy so someone else had delivered his sword to me." You say. "Oh, I see, well I hope your first meeting doesn't get too off on the wrong foot..." Tanjiro says. You sigh. The person finishes cooking the Mitarashi's and you take them both. You and Tanjiro thank the person, then making your way to the Haganezuka household. You reach the door to which Tanjiro the knocks on it. Someone with a mask anwsers the door, you could see long hair but not the face. Tanjiro bows, "Hello miss, we're looking for Hotaru Haganezuka, is he home?" Tanjiro says with a small smile. "Oh! No he isn't, I believe he's at the hot spring. Oh and also, I'm Nanako Haganezuko, I'm his wife." The woman states, then bowing slightly. Tanjiro side eyes you and raises an eyebrow, to which you only shrug. He sighs then smiling at you. He looks at the woman,"Thank you ma'am. " He says. Nanako shuts the door. You turn to Tanjiro, "I have some things I need to do, its late so please be quick, if I were you I'd go ahead and give him the Mitarashi and tell him about your sword tomorrow." Tanjiro says, then turning around and leaving, after a few steps he turns back and waves, you then do the same.

You sigh then starting your way towards the hot spring. It had reached night already. You lightly groan. You finally reach the large building, you feel the heat from the building even though you're outside. You remember Tanjiro had told you these springs were known to heal people. You waling inside the building, it was made out of wood and long big sticks for fencing. After a bit of walking, you make it to the springs, there was steam everywhere and tons of water and rocks, there were lanterns that lit up the place, you could also see the night sky. "Wow..." You mutter, looking up. You then look around the room, holding the two mitarashi's in hand. "M-Mr Haganezuka! Are you here..?" You yell out. You then see someone come out from the water, still inside the pool though. Their back was turned to you, the person had long wet black hair, you could tell even just from looking at the person's back, they were very 'ripped'. You then saw a mas and clothes right outside of the 'pool' area he was at. "U-Uhm sir..?" You call out. The man turns his head, his dark brown eyes piercing straight at you, he furrows his bushy eyebrows. His eyes then turn to the mitarashi dangos in your hands and he gives you a toothy smile, turning around fully. "Who are you and what do you what?" He asks, sternly but still smiling. You take a deep breath, "Uhm...My name is Y/n L/n, You had made me a sword uh...well...its kinda funny actually-" You try talking, then sweating as you scratch your head and look away, nervously laughing while speaking just to get cut off. Hataro's smile fades and he furrows his eyebrows slightly, he starts walking towards you but still in the water. "Whats actually kinda funny?" Hataro says, cutting you off. Hataro then steps out of the water, your face turning a dark shade of red as he walks right over to you, snatching both of the mitarashi's from your hands. "U-Uh..." You say blinking, looking up at him in awe.

He wasn't bad looking, and you found him quite attractive with his long hair and very muscled body, but he was a middle-aged married man so you just shook the thoughts away. He looks into you eyes, his tall figure looming over you. His eyes were like mini swords poking your eyes, you couldn't help but look away from his gaze. He grunts, "You know making swords costs money right? You were right to buy me these but it just won't do-" "I-I can pay you, really its n-no problem-" You had cut him off to which he holds his snacks in one hand, using the other to grab your jaw, You whimper. "I don't need money." he growls. He bites off one of the rice dumplings from the stick, chewing it. You raise an eyebrow in confusion, then putting your hands around his wrist, trying to make him release his grip on you. "H-Hey! Let go of me!" You yell out, although it was slightly muffled. "You're very pretty you know that? Hm?" He says, talking even though he had food in his mouth. You'd think he would swallow it by now. You whimper, you feel your blood run cold, you thought he'd get super pissed but not like this. He lowers himself down, a more calm look on his face, "Say...mm... If I let you leave now, I'll make you another sword but...if you break it, I'll never make you a sword again, but if you stay here and let me do my way with you, I won't care if you break 100 of my swords!" He exclaims, chewed food being spat onto your face as he speaked, it wasn't intentional, but you found it gross. You gulp. You were new to being a demon slayer so you didn't know you could just have a different swordsmith if he doesn't want anything to do with you. "A-Aren't you married..?" You ask, your eyes were wide and you were frightened. He rolls his eyes, "Indeed I am, but..." He says then groaning, "She's old and we're not really close anymore..." He says. He was still chewing his food, you thought it was so weird.

You whimper, slowly looking down, accidentally your eyes find their way to hotaru's cock; which looked rock hard. You didn't look for too long but long enough to now exactly what he looks like. He was quite hairy not unkept or in a gross way though. You bite your lip, you can't deny you're slightly turned on by the man. He holds a cold expression in his face. "So..what'll it be?" He says, raising an eyebrow. You sigh, your face was a very dark shade of red. You close your eyes. "F-Fine..." You answer. You feel his grip on your jaw go away, you open your eyes, the man lowers himself to your level, then cupping your face, he moves his face closer to yours, you gulp. His lips reach yours, unexpectingly you feel him push the food from in his mouth into yours. Your eyes widen. "Mphhh!" You moan out. Your lips part, before you can spit it out he puts a finger over your mouth. "Swallow it." He says, that same cold look was in his eyes. If it were possible you'd blush even more, you quickly swallow the pre-chewed mitirashi dango. You could feel your panties starting to soak. You start breathing heavily, feeling yourself get hot. Hotaru takes another bite, stuffing his mouth with a mitarashi before dropping the sticks to the floor. He then starts unbuttoning your uniform, then removing the top and tossing it to the side. You look away from him and cover your chest up. Haganezuka looks at you hungrily, grabbing your wrists and moving them to get a better look. He backs up slightly, "Take it off..." He says. "Wh-What...?" You say. "The bra...no all of it, take off your pants.." He says, his voice very stern and serious. A small frown was present on your face, you unhook your bra, then taking it off before going to your pants. Haganezuka watches in excitement, starting to slowly stroke his cock. You unbutton your pants, pulling them down and tossing them to the side. You look down at the floor and fiddle with your hands, you were now only in your underwear. Haganezuka groans, walking closer to you. He grabs your underwear, ripping them off your body, in response you let out a small whimper, then covering your pussy. "I-I...I've never done anything like this before..." You say, just above a whisper. The man freezes, dropping your ripped underwear to the floor. "Wh-What? You're a virgin..?" He says, looking up at you, his eyes slightly widen. "Y-yea..." You respond, biting your lip. You were 20 but you were still a virgin which made you incredibly embarrassed. He smiles, "Oh..." was all he said. Haganezuka the picks your up, cradling you, "A-Ah!" You squeak. He looks down at you, giving you another toothy smile then turning around and walking towards the hot spring's water. You look down nervously.

He walks into the water, setting you down. "Look at me.." Haganezuka says. You oblige, looking up at him, you couldn't help the fact you were actually incredibly horny. He puts his hand in the water towards you, touching your inner thighs, squeezing and rubbing them before going higher. He rubs the outside of your pussy, then rubbing your labia. He smirks. "You really like this don't you?" He says, slipping a finger inside of you. You gasp. He slowly move his finger in and out, adding in another shortly after. "M-Mr. Haganezuka...P-please don't be rough with me.." You whisper, your breaths starting to get heavier by the second. The man only chuckles in response. He curls his fingers inside of you, working them in and out of your body. "A-Ah-!? You quietly moan out, then letting yourself fall onto Haganezuka's chest. He chuckles once more, pulling his fingers out of you. You look up at him, your eyes filled with lust. He looks back at you, a small smile on his face. You feel him grab your thighs, he pulls you up, then holding your ass so you didn't fall. You gasp, feeling his tip lightly touch your entrance. Your eyes widen. He lowers you down slowly. You bite your lips, your palms laying down on his chest. You feel him slowly filling your insides to the brim. Your eyes go half-lidded, you look up at him. "M-Mr..H-Hagnnn...." You try to say his name but you feel him start to slowly bounce you up and down on his cock, distracting you. He slowly gets faster and faster, your tits bouncing in sync with your sex being violated by Haganezuka's. You can feel yourself starting to get over stimulated. "H-Ha...H..." You try to say his name, failing miserably and turning into a moaning mess. You hold onto his shoulders. He was being too rough, he started going fast way to quickly considering he had just put it in. The water splashes around you both, causing very small waves. You pant, your eyes go to the back of your head. Already you could feel your walls tighten around him as he repeatingly hits your core. He continues shoving himself in and out of you, you feel yourself reach your climax. You Scream out in pleasure, your eyesight going blurry and you feel a wonderful sensation all over your body. You laid limp against him as he continued fucking you; having not reached his own climax. His thrusts start getting sloppier and sloppier by the second, You hear Haganezuka let out a loud grunt, then you feel a hot liquid fill inside of you. He pulls himself out, setting you in the water, the cum drips out of you and into the water. You couldn't stand, you were so tired. You take a hold of Haganezuka, hanging onto him as if there was a 800 foot drop below you. "You did know that you could've just found a different swordsmith right? Or am I just that good looking?" He boasts. "Wh-Wha-? What do you mean...?" You say, panting, a red tint still on your face. Haganezuka only lets out a laugh, then patting you on the head. "You did good, you should break your sword more often..." He flirts. "Hey...I said what do you mean! We didn't have to actually do all that...?" You say, a frown was present on your face. "You enjoyed it anyhow..." He says, lowering his eyes at you. You only blush in response. "How about I take you home..? Its dangerous at night." Haganezuka asks. "Mmm...Well, I don't really see why not...I mean the worst has already past so..." you think to yourself. "S-Sure.." You say. He smiles.

-

Any Constructive criticism is appreciated. Please tell me what you think.

[fanfictionalhooligan]

The Swordsmith's Spring〚Haganezuka x Kakushi/Reader Oneshot〛

Preface: Haganezuka is left discouraged after the failure of his first matchmaking arrangement. Tecchin's next pick for him is a Kakushi, oddly enough, but he obliges. He has little hope that his Spring will arrive (as Kanamori words it), but love has a strange way of bringing together those who look after the Demon Slayers.

Intended to be a follow-up to the Demon Slayer novel, Telltale Signs of the Wind. This story can still be read independently but it probably hits differently if you've read the light novel. I added a link to the specific chapter at the end of the story, but if you just want a quick overview then see this post!

"I think we've met before, Haganezuka-san."

"...Is that so?"

"Just for a few seconds. You, um, were running with a knife and yelled at me to get out of the way."

"...Oh." Haganezuka had no memory of this. He'd delivered too many death threats and knife chases in his life to recall small details. "Sorry if I frightened you."

"It's okay. I yell at Demon Slayers a lot, too," the female Kakushi replied. "They can be really frustrating."

"They are."

So, this would be the first topic of their matchmaking. Knives and yelling at Demon Slayers.

The two of them were here on extremely short-notice thanks to Tecchikawahara Tecchin, the Swordsmith Village chief. The old man had taken one look at her face a few days ago and shamelessly asked if she was married. He wasn't supposed to see her face at all, actually, but a spider had crawled under her mask and caused her to shriek and yank off her entire hood in wild terror. Tecchin lit up with glee and told her that his adopted son, Haganezuka Hotaru, was looking for a wife.

The chief was persistent and beseeched her to stay for just a couple of days in the Swordsmith Village, no matter how many ways she tried to find excuses to escape for work duty. However, there was something endearing about the way Tecchin wished for "Spring to finally blossom" for his son and for her as well. The female Kakushi gave in and decided that there was nothing to lose from one matchmaking meeting, anyway. She was constantly given a hard time about being unmarried, but what was she supposed to do? The Kakushi had her running all over Japan with Demon Slayers on her back, and she was never in one place long enough to meet a potential suitor. Still, at least she could get everyone off her case after this meeting and say that she'd tried.

...As it turned out, it was mostly Tecchin trying to find a wife for Haganezuka. The latter was carrying on with his life and his swords as always, and no one told him anything until she'd already agreed to the meeting. He threw a fit but grudgingly obliged since it would be rude, even for him, to disregard her gesture.

And here they were.

For two people who apparently yelled at Demon Slayers a lot, they could only manage a quiet mumble when they spoke to each other. Tecchin had insisted that they show up without their masks, claiming that their good looks would be sure to make a lasting impression and a shame to keep hidden. Besides, it was safe given that they'd both been working alongside the Demon Slayers for several years and needed no explanation. Tecchin arranged the meeting in a secluded area away from the village houses, surrounded by Sakura trees and difficult for onlookers to spot.

Secluded or not, though, sitting out here on the grass in broad daylight without a mask felt similar to being naked. The fact that she actually found Haganezuka as handsome as he found her beautiful, true to Tecchin's claims, somehow made it worse. They couldn't look each other in the eye for more than a few seconds at a time before getting embarrassed and pretending to focus instead on the plate of dango between them.

She decided to choose the first thing within sight that she could start a conversation about. "So... I hear that this is your favorite food?" she held up her skewer of dango.

Haganezuka had just stuffed one of the round masses of sweet dough into his mouth and gestured with his free hand for her to give him a moment. After a loud gulp, he cleared his throat. "Yeah. Mitarashi dango's my favorite."

"I can see why. They're really good," she remarked, taking a bite from her own stick of dangos.

"Wish I could eat them every day," Haganezuka added.

"Yes, wouldn't that be great?" she responded as cheerfully as she could manage. He was making it very difficult to keep the conversation alive and had returned to eating without replying. "So, um...do you have any hobbies, Haganezuka-san?"

His face hardened for some reason. "Making swords."

"Hey, it's great that you see your work as a hobby, too!" the Kakushi girl exclaimed, trying not to think too much into his sour expression. Haganezuka seemed surprised, though, lifting one of his glaring, jagged eyebrows."That makes it more fun since it's usually a really strenuous process, right?" she continued. "On top of that, the Demon Slayers just throw new requests at you as if you could magically just hand a new one to them the next day."

"I would still make swords whether or not anyone uses them. I enjoy it." Haganezuka stopped eating and just looked down at the dango skewer in his fingers instead.

"Well, that must be how you became so great at it," she told him earnestly.

Haganezuka smiled halfheartedly. "It's odd... I was asked the same question last time."

"Last time, as in, you had another matchmaking meeting?" she exclaimed. For some reason, she wasn't fond of the idea of another woman entertaining a chance to marry him.

"Sorry, forget I mentioned anything. Nothing good came out of it." Haganezuka straightened up and cleared his throat, a little ashamed. "...But I do like your answer better."

"Oh, about your hobby?" she remarked, unsure of what he meant. "Eh...what else would someone say? If you don't mind."

Haganezuka went silent for a moment. "...That swords are barbaric weapons that should be left in the past for me to look into more useful things. Like kitchen knives." The Kakushi stared at him in horror. "That's all."

"Someone actually said that?" She suddenly threw down her unfinished stick of dango and startled him. "What - why?"

Haganezuka shrugged. "I rejected the arrangement."

Everyone who met him was able to tell within minutes how much he adored swords. Whoever wanted him to discard them like useless artifacts might as well have told him to go kill himself. The Kakushi was enraged. "Kitchen knives?!" she repeated. He said nothing. "Well, how about those kitchen knives you chase after Demon Slayers with, then?" she scowled. "Yeah, let's see how much she loves kitchen knives after -"

"Those aren't kitchen knives," Haganezuka interrupted plainly. "Too dangerous. They might look like cutlery, but I made them extremely sharp. I wouldn't recommend them for cooking."

"...Oh." She was thrown off by the random comment about the actual knives, rather than the person that deserved to be hunted down by them. "I, um, didn't know."

He didn't add anything else.

It was probably a better idea not to talk about it. He was still sitting over there without touching the plate of dango.

She thought of something else. "You know, I've always wondered how swordsmiths know what to use to forge a Nichirin Blade." Haganezuka's face immediately brightened, and she couldn't help smiling. "Maybe it's obvious to you, but I personally can't tell them apart from regular swords until they change colors. Is there a special component in the metal?"

"Absolutely." Haganezuka's voice was suddenly clear and confident, sounding nothing like their initial conversation about knives and yelling at Demon Slayers. "Have you ever heard of Mount Yoko?" he asked eagerly.

"I haven't," she replied curiously. "But the name sounds familiar. Where is it?"

"It's the mountain closest to the sun," Haganezuka explained avidly. "It's bathed in sunlight all day, and that's where you'll find Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Ore, which is what we use to forge Nichirin Blades." The young woman nodded along, fascinated. "The result is a sword that absorbs sunlight," continued Haganezuka. "The source of the very thing that kills demons and makes them terrified of the day."

"That's amazing, Haganezuka-san!" She was able to look at him directly for once, without remembering about the whole mask thing and how foreign it felt not to have one. "So, all the blades actually come from the same place? Even with so many different colors and finishes?"

"Yeah, isn't that incredible?" Haganezuka exclaimed. "When I see the sun's energy flow through a new blade, how it transforms into colors and patterns that are entirely unique to the owner of the sword... It's one of the most beautiful things in the world."

Her eyes sparkled with awe as she tried to picture it. "Wow, I wish I could see that, too. And the mountain sounds like it would be a very beautiful place."

"Oh, you have no idea." Haganezuka was glowing with joy as if he were standing on the actual mountain. "The sunlight makes everything flourish - every leaf greener, every flower more vibrant, every tree taller." He gazed off into the distance, presumably in the direction of the mountain. "There's a river with a waterfall as clear as glass, and you'll see streaks of the ores running across the rocks near its bank. There are just...so many things that words can't even describe."

"It sounds gorgeous..." the Kakushi said breathlessly. "Can I go with you next time? I want to see it, too."

The question flew right over his head. Haganezuka was completely immersed in his praise of the Nichirin mountain and continued to ramble. It was a pure, almost childlike kind of adoration that the Kakushi found endearing, and she patiently continued to listen.

"I would live on Mount Yoko if I didn't have to stay in the village to forge the swords," Haganezuka declared. "In fact, that's where I want to get married." He suddenly froze on the spot.

"I-I mean...just in general. T-that's where I would choose to have my wedding...if I got...married."

It was as if Haganezuka just remembered why they were even sitting here, talking to each other. On the other hand, the Kakushi was a bit relieved that she didn't have to be the one to bring it up first. There was an odd silence in the air as they simply looked at each other, both of them setting the dango sticks quietly back onto the plate.

"Hotaru..." she finally began, ever so softly. His face was burning red as she called him by his name. It sounded lovely, coming from her voice.

A particularly harsh gust of wind suddenly rattled all the Sakura trees above them, causing a flurry of pink petals to blow straight at their faces. A good number of petals flew into Haganezuka's mouth, while another one of them hit the Kakushi's eye along with a cloud of pollen. The two of them jolted as their arms flailed in the ambush.

"Pffft -" Haganezuka hunched over and spat the pink petals out irritably; the young woman next to him violently rubbed her eyes to get rid of the stinging pollen. At some point, the two of them stopped and looked at each other. They suddenly began to laugh.

"Hey, it's definitely Spring," the Kakushi giggled.

"Well, that's one way to be reminded."

The petals were everywhere - caught in their hair, down their backs, fluttering over their shoulders.

The moment had passed; the two of them were more fixated on brushing the sakura petals away from their faces, which weren't used to particles getting on them after wearing masks for too long. Haganezuka didn't look like he was planning to repeat anything he'd blurted about mountains anytime soon and started picking Sakura petals off of the dango plate instead.

She had no idea how to comment on it, either. But honestly, she enjoyed spending time with him here and was okay with just talking and sharing with one another their stories. All she'd ever heard about him was that he'd go completely off the handle whenever his swords got damaged and could not be reasoned with. She'd heard many rants from former clients - even if the lower-ranked Slayers seemed to complain the most - and it made her sad that he probably didn't receive many thank-yous.

"You know...I can always tell when a sword's been forged by you, Haganezuka-san."

He was eating another row of dango and looked up with surprise. "Is that so?" His face was relaxed again and eyed her curiously.

"Most of the Demon Slayers who use your swords look terrified whenever the blade needs to be repaired or reforged," she replied sheepishly.

"...You mean because of me."

The young woman let out a nervous laugh. "Y-yes."

"Anyone who brings harm to a Nichirin Sword deserves death," Haganezuka replied matter-of-factly. "It's their own fault."

"But there's more than that. Your swords are sharpened with such precision and polished so flawlessly that when it's nighttime, I can see the moon and stars reflecting from their blades."

Haganezuka's face grew warm, but he brushed the compliment aside. "All Nichirin Blades are like that. And if they're not, the wielder probably got it dirty and is a careless slob that deserves to die."

"But the thing is...I've seen a lot of Nichirin Blades." The young woman's eyes suddenly went downcast. "When Demon Slayers are killed, the Kakushi take their swords back to the village to be reforged into new ones." There was a heavy silence. "A lot of times, the blades tell me how it ended. Some are broken. Some are bent. Some are still splattered with blood."

Haganezuka was taken aback when her eyes began to water. "H-hey, are you okay?" he exclaimed, reaching out his arm awkwardly towards her for a moment before stopping himself.

"I'm fine...thank you, Haganezuka-san," the Kakushi replied with a somber smile. "I just get reminded of my friends from the Demon Slayer corps who never made it back from battle. Some of them died while I was still carrying them on my back." She swallowed back a lump in her throat. "But it's good to have a body to bury, you know. We're not always that lucky. Sometimes there's nothing left but a limb or a finger here and there, an eyeball, or just some scattered organs. We identify those Demon Slayers by their swords instead."

Haganezuka felt his stomach twist. How many times had this Kakushi seen such things? She was describing it so calmly, completely composed. Graceful, even. But every once in a while her voice shook, ever so slightly. It betrayed a deep, underlying grief that no one in the Demon Slayer Corps nor their associates could truly recover from. Haganezuka himself constantly dreaded the possibility of seeing another one of his swords in those bloodstained piles that were sent back for reforging. How did this Kakushi stay sane? She was out there delivering corpses - or pieces of them - and witnessing the maddening grief from their loved ones. Over and over again.

The young woman could sense the concern and looked away for a moment. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said so much. People don't need to hear that."

Haganezuka wished he had something more useful to say. "No, it's fine -"

She cut him off. "What I really meant to tell you is, I've recovered more swords than I can count from fallen Demon Slayers. And yet, I rarely ever see one engraved with the Haganezuka family's crest."

"Oh...maybe because there aren't as many of those," Haganezuka replied gruffly. "People prefer other swordsmiths." As much as he loved swords more than humans with little regard for anyone's opinion, it still was discouraging whenever a Demon Slayer stormed off and demanded a more tolerable swordsmith.

"That's not what I'm getting at." The Kakushi girl suddenly gazed intently at him, causing him to pause for a moment. "I never see your swords laying out there, in all that blood, because the people you made them for are still alive. It's your dedication, the love you put into making each blade, that endures and protects them and makes it possible for them to win." She gazed softly at him with humble admiration. "That's how I know when you've forged a Nichirin Sword, Hotaru."

Something warm and bright glowed deep inside his chest. "Is that really how you see it?" Haganezuka asked, his eye glittering as he gazed back at her.

"Yes, I mean it! And the swordsmen who trust you with their Nichirin Blades can do amazing things," she told him earnestly. "Urokodaki Sakonji. Tomioka Giyu. Kamado Tanjiro -"

"The Kamado boy lost his previous sword and was willing to use a basic, first-degree blade before I could finish sharpening it to its full potential!" Haganezuka immediately threw in. His brow twitched just from the memory. "Forget the demons, I wanted to kill him myself!"

"Oh...right, I've heard." A bead of sweat ran down her temple. "But even so, you were the one who honed the sword that Tanjiro used to slay a demon that would have killed everyone in the village. It gave him time to save a lot of people because you were so committed to finishing the job that you refused to stop, even while you were wounded. And you even lost your eye..." She unconsciously reached towards his face, where his left eye was permanently shut with two long scars that crossed each other over the lid.

"I still don't remember exactly how my eye ended up like this," Haganezuka commented obliviously, scratching his head.

The young woman quickly placed her hand back down. "What do you mean?"

"I was in the workshed for days, honing one of the finest blades I've ever had the honor of being entrusted with until that misty Hashira brat suddenly took it and ran off," Haganezuka grumbled. "I noticed that my left eye was bleeding for some reason, and it hurt when I tried to open it." He scrunched his face as he tried to recall the details. "Everyone tells me that a demon crushed it, but I have no idea what it looked like or when it appeared. It was already dead by the time I noticed."

The young woman stared at him incredulously. "Wow...they weren't joking about your ability to focus beyond human limits."

"Huh?" Haganezuka blinked. "I thought all swordsmiths never get distracted while forging."

"But with you, it's, um..."

"Is there something wrong with me?"

"No, no. Not at all," she quickly retorted. "I think it's amazing, really. I've never met anyone so dedicated to their craft. That's a commitment to be admired, you know."

She had such a bright, endearing smile. It was contagious, and Haganezuka found himself smiling as well. "I appreciate that." Upon closer look at her face, however, it occurred to him that he could still see a shadow of grief in her eyes, just beneath the surface. The sadness was so subtle, so quiet without daring to speak out loud. It made his chest grow heavy.

"Is something wrong, Hotaru?" she asked, cocking her head a little. His name sounded impossibly beautiful again.

"I want to ask you something." Haganezuka turned to face her, suddenly stern. "Do you ever get to rest?"

"...What do you mean?"

"When you're out there, tending to the dead bodies and their abandoned swords. When you see the hell on earth that demons bring to humans." He spoke so bluntly that the young woman jolted and her eyes went wide, her face growing pale. "Does your spirit ever get a break for you to rest?" he asked, deathly serious. "You, the Kakushi, literally carry our swordsmen and look after them and let them rest. Even if they're dead. Even if they're in pieces." Without thinking, Haganezuka reached forward and grasped her shoulders. "But what about you? Who carries you? Who is there when you're the one who needs to rest?"

The young woman looked down at the ground, completely silent. Her shoulders began to tremble. "I..."

Haganezuka held her shoulders more gently when he realized that there were tears pooling beneath her eyes. He'd gone somewhere that she couldn't hide them.

"You don't have to worry about me...but thank you," she replied softly, almost a melancholy whisper. 

Okay, that was it. "Listen," he told her, holding an intense gaze. "Remember all the things you just told me earlier? About my impact as a swordsmith and empowering Demon Slayers and all that." His face was turning red again, but he wanted to tell her. "That...made me really happy."

She was at a loss for words, but her face grew pink as she looked up and met his gaze.

"I want you to know that you give just as much as I do to the well-being of the Demon Slayers. You put so much care and dedication into making sure that they are looked after and can become strong enough to fight again. My swords won't do a thing to save them if they're still beaten up and left out there to die. Without the Kakushi, Demon Slayers would crumble without the strength to even lift a blade again. You keep them alive to fight, too."

"Hotaru..."

"But if you ever feel like you can't take it anymore," he went on, "If your spirit is shaken, you don't have to put on a smile and force yourself back out there right away. You...you can come to me." He never imagined that he'd be saying these kinds of words in his life, but it felt right. "You can tell me all about it, you can cry - anything at all that would help - I want you to come to me. You don't have to shoulder all the pain."

She nodded silently. Haganezuka felt her shoulders lift and then drop again with a sigh of relief, held steady by his calloused hands. He wasn't sure when their faces had gotten this close to each other, but he couldn't look away from her eyes. They were green like the fresh leaves of Spring that emerged after a long Winter.

It suddenly occurred to her that the sun had begun to set. "So, um...I think it's getting dark soon."

"Oh. Yeah, it is."

"What are we supposed to tell Tecchikawahara-san?"

The two of them shared a long, tender gaze.

"If you ask me, I'd tell the old man that there's going to be a wedding on Mount Yoko," Haganezuka declared. He paused for a moment and went still. "If...if that's okay with you." His voice grew quiet, suddenly afraid that she might recoil and run away from him like all the Demon Slayers. "If you'll have me."

"Yes, Hotaru," she told him gently. "With all my heart."

- The End

Thank you for reading💚

You have my gratitude forevermore for setting aside time for this little tale 🥹

POST-CREDITS AND COMMENTARY:

This is the first tumblr fanfic I've attempted, but I also posted it on AO3 here if anyone else likes to have a traditional story page format! I never intended to write a Demon Slayer fic at all actually! But in the light novel Haganezuka was down in the dumps for several days after the incident with the stinker who called swords barbaric; the chapter ends with Kotetsu's prayer that Spring will arrive for him one day. That was just too sad to me so I wanted to give Spring to Haganezuka myself :')

I intentionally left out any mention of Ms. Kakushi's name so that you can choose to interpret the POV or treat her face as more of a placeholder for yourself if you'd like. If you like the default OC, however, she's in fact a retcon and referenced from this young lady! Picked for her green eyes and presence in the Swordsmith's Village and hey, maybe they even glanced at each other. Here's her profile if you'd like to roll with it (link!)

I designed and illustrated the rest of her for this story using a combination of blank OC templates and body references to adapt to our hotheaded swordsmith. See the links below!

I also drew a random epilogue comic (link)

All fanart and overview of continuity

Care for Part 2?

REFERENCES:

Light Novel Chapter and Inspiration

Drawing Base 1

Drawing Base 2

Drawing Base 3

Drawing Base 4

Drawing Base 5

Drawing Base 6

[queenmikoto]

Traditions

(I’m making up my own Uchiha tradition based on this image and the Japanese Festival Tsukimi, the Autumn Moon Festival)

Fic under cut. Ao3 link

As one of the founding clans of Konoha, the Uchiha took pride in their traditions and festivals. Outsiders were rarely, if ever, allowed to join. 

There were winter prayers in the Naka shrine, the whole clan kneeling, praying, sharing the warmth of the flames at the front of the room. Sasuke remembered fidgeting and his mother’s graceful hand alighting on his knee to stop his squirming. His father sat at the front of the room leading the prayer, Itachi kneeling tall and proud behind him. The fur collar of his kimono tickled his cheeks. 

Spring brought the cherry blossom viewing festival and his mother’s most beautiful kimono, a silvery grey with white and pink petals all over. The slippery silk was cool to the touch and the potpourri that his mother kept in the folds was always comforting to him. He sometimes wished he could use it as a blanket, his mother said no but offered her soft apron covered lap as a substitute and that worked just as well.  

Summer had street fairs. The whole clan, usually reserved, let loose and had fun. Children running and playing, the adults indulgently smiling. Outsiders were let in and the Uchiha went out among the people, the whole village celebrated. Sasuke clung to his brothers hand or rode on his fathers shoulders in the crowd. The family together, and happy. He always got a new cotton yukata for his birthday, to wear to the festivals, the Uchiha crest stitched by his mothers own hands. 

Autumn was the Tsuki no Inori festival. There was no need for fancy clothes or loud music and laughter. Every year on the night of the first full moon in Autumn all of the Uchiha, young and old came together in the heart of the Uchiha district to light candles and share the love and celebrate the bonds in the clan. 

Sasuke was excited to stay up past his bedtime and to spend time with Itachi who had grown increasingly busy as a newly minted chunin. He held his small candle tightly as he walked behind his mother and father, Shisui at his side and Itachi holding his other hand. The rest of the clan followed behind, the light of the full moon guiding their steps to the bank of the river. They stood in a loose circle, the moonlight creating halos on their dark hair. There were artful arrangements of pampas grass that his mother helped with. He had helped too, handing her the stalks to put into the vases, she occasionally tickled him with it, gently caressing his cheek when he got distracted. To the side there was a table with sake, tea, and traditional tsukimi soba, chestnuts, edamame and piles of tsukimi dango. Sasuke could see Itachi eyeing the dango with a wistful look.

Fugaku came to the center of the circle, the whispers silenced as he addressed the crowd. 

“We gather here today, as we do every year, to celebrate the autumn moon. To also celebrate the bonds between us and our members of the clan that have passed on. Tonight we will light the flames in remembrance of them and to honor the history of our clan. The Uchiha crest on each of your backs represents the fan that rouses the flames of our wills and our hearts.”

Fugaku looked towards Mikoto with a softness Sasuke rarely saw on his face. She stepped forward towards her husband. She held up her candle, in it’s simple flower shaped holder, Fugaku’s hands slowly and deliberately formed the signs for a Katon jutsu. The flames bloomed from his mouth and lit the candle in his wife’s unflinching hands. She was wreathed in light, not the silvery light of the moon any more but the warm golden flames of her husband’s power. She smiled at him and turned to place the candle on the ground, to start the shape of the crest. She closed her eyes over the candle, to take a moment to reflect, then she raised her face to the moon and inclined her head in reverence. Standing, she moved back to Fugaku’s side, he nodded and flames started to light up the glade.

Tradition held that those closest to you lit the candle, usually direct family husbands and wives, siblings, parents. Those orphaned and alone had friends do it. Itachi stepped over to Shisui, who held up his candle to present it. The light burst out of Itachi’s mouth, Sasuke stared with pride and some envy, longing for the day he could do the same. Shisui placed his candle carefully and returned to Sasuke’s side. He and Itachi kneeled and Itachi held of his candle infront of Sasuke. He looked confused for a moment before Shisui spoke. “I’ll help you until you can do this yourself ‘cuz ‘Tachi here wants you to be the one to do this.” 

Sasuke beamed at his brother, elated that he was Itachi’s closest person, he honestly thought it was Shisui since he was older and he took his brother’s attention away from him. Itachi gave him a smile warmer than the flames that had glided past Sasuke’s head. Shisui had formed the seals while holding Sasuke’s hands in his and gently blew the flames from his position over Sasuke’s shoulder.

Itachi placed his candle and turned to his brother who’s focus was on their parents. Mikoto was kneeling to place another flame. As the matriarch of the clan, Mikoto was responsible for lighting a candle for each clan member that they lost in the year.   Fugaku kneeling behind her with a protective arm around her, not touching but just grazing her shirt. He should have been looking at the flame, but he was looking at his wife, still as radiant to him as the day they met.  Itachi could see the love plain as day. His father caught his eye and he would swear he saw an extra glow upon Fugaku’s cheeks. 

Chuckling to himself, he turned to his brother again, who was practically vibrating in excitement for his brother’s attention. He smoothly ran through the signs, and taking a quick breath, he let out a thin line of flame, the control a testament to his mastery, even at a young age. Sasuke, who had been focusing so hard on Itachi’s hands, trying to memorize how he did it, grinned brighter than the flame after it was lit. 

In the glow Itachi thought about activating his Sharingan to capture the moment. Shisui, who’s curls shined in the light and who’s eyes held all the warmth of the flames around him. Sasuke’s cheeks, still round with baby fat, were squishing his eyes almost closed with the smile on his face. Itachi could feel the presence of his mother and father behind him, he could feel their happiness. He remembered when he was little, his father kneeling behind him, cupping his hands around his own to hold the candle. His mother before them lighting the flame, her long eyelashes touching her cheeks before they swept up and her eyes caught his, the flames painting them as red as the Sharingan.

Blinking when Shisui nudged him he watched Sasuke taking slow and halting steps towards the nearly finished crest of flames. Sasuke knelt as slow as possible, knees bending centimeter by centimeter till he was on the ground. When he placed his flame he let out a gusty sigh, almost enough to blow out his candle. Clapping his hands to his mouth, he turned wide eyes to his brother and Shisui who were trying (Itachi) and failing (Shisui) to hold in their laughter. Sasuke hastily went through his reverence before running back to Itachi’s side, slightly behind him and peeking out at the crest. 

When the last flame was placed Fugaku stood and started saying the ancient prayers for the deceased.  Itachi stayed at Sasuke’s level since Sasuke was still hanging onto his shirt. He could feel Sasuke fading from tiredness after a few minutes so he nudged Sasuke before making subtle motions towards the dumpling table, as if he was going to make a break for it.. Sasuke giggled and an uncle cleared his throat quietly nearby, glaring. Sasuke’s shoulders fell under the scrutiny but Itachi’s returning glare and warm hand in his made him feel better. 

Once the prayers had finished, Itachi presented his back to Sasuke so he could climb on. Sasuke wrapped his arms around Itachi’s neck as he moved at a quicker pace than his usual towards the dumplings. As son of the head and a once in a generation prodigy,he had certain privileges to get to the front of the line quicker than most, and if Sasuke was holding several dumplings for him as Itachi held his own, no one said anything. The brothers retreated with Shisui to a nearby tree, to lean on and share the food they grabbed. Meaning Sasuke handed Itachi his dumplings and rested his head on his shoulder. Sasuke promptly started dozing, surrounded by the love and light of his family.

Sasuke opened his eyes. The Uchiha hideout where he had his fateful battle with Itachi was cold in the autumn. The moon shone over head through the destroyed roof. The candles before him had almost burned out in their lotus shaped holders. He was now more than strong enough to light all the flames himself in one go. Arranging the crest with one hand was what took the most time. One candle was laid for each Uchiha who passed in the massacre and one for Shisui and one at the end for Itachi, all of them long gone but the memories fresh in his mind.

The candles would burn out soon, the moon would wax and wane, and time would keep moving on. But Sasuke would always be surrounded by the love of his family.

[bubblefina]

Dad Scaramouche? just some post reuniting stuff

No Puppet Strings Attached Scaramouche specifically 

I’ve been thinking about this before I even finished writing the final part of the story-

Didn’t feel like I could include it at the very end cause it just didn’t fit, but how could I not include it at all! 

Here’s some of my brainrot about it-

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : – ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ – : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .

- yknow after hundreds of years being a cold hearted harbinger, I think he’d walk the line of being somewhat of an ass to his kids, but eventually warming up to them

- The way I imagine it, you and scara have two twin daughters. They look so similar to him...actually they look more similar to the raiden shogun if I’m being honest

- through a really long discourse, the twins ended up being named Makoto and Ei  🤩

- he really REALLY hates the names

- but how can he say no to his cute little wife that he’s been in love with for so long?

- Both you and scara still live in Sumeru, occasionally venturing out to neighboring countries for the festivals and such

- favorite by far has to be lantern right. the twins love seeing the lanterns go in the sky :(( so cute

- when they turned 5, both of you made the decision to visit Inazuma. It’s been way too long since the both of you went back (well for you at least *cough delusion factory cough*)

- head to liyue to catch a ride on Beidou’s boat

- Uncle Kazuha is there too!! How much joy you felt to know that he was your descendent, and that the blood line continued with him

- Kazuha loves the twins too, keeping them entertained while parents get some much needed alone time

- playing tunes on a leaf, he’s never had an audience that asked for an encore like this

- the amount of people that had to do a double take when the four of you stepped off the boat

- “why do these little girls look so much like the shogun?” blah blah blah

- continued until you got to the tenshukaku, where even Kujou Sara was in shock to see it

- after centuries apart, mother and son finally reunite (he’s not the most happy about it)

- Raiden Ei is pretty awkward too, ngl both of them barely spoke, it was just you carrying on the conversation

- when it was finally time to introduce your kids, Raiden’s expression immedietly softened when she heard the names

- she didn’t speak much, but it was written all over her face that she was so happy

- even happier when both of them ran to her and hugged her legs, calling her different variations of grandmother

- she kneels down and pats their heads  😩 😩 offers them dangos!!

- scara was about to pull out a heavy NO, but you managed to keep him quiet 

- Raiden Ei and the girls bond really well, and as much as Scara hates it...he wants his girls to be happy. To have the life that he always dreamed of having, and he was willing to give up whatever to make it happen

- While the girls were occupied with activities at the Tenshukaku, both you and scara venture to tatarasuna

- walking around, remembering all of the happy times before everything fell apart. it felt bittersweet to be back here. it was around night time when the both of you were about to return, but Scaramouche had another thing in mind

- he guided you a little far away from what used to be the village, you recognized the path

- just in the middle of the wooded area, there stood a single bloom blossom amongst a patch of grass

- he confesses that he planted it years ago when he visited inazuma for the first time since he joined the fatui. it seems as though it culviated itself and kept itself alive all this time. Still glowing alone, through all of the darkness.

- everyone else may be gone, but the both of you started a new chapter with each other. Both Makoto and Ei would carry it on, tatarasuna will never truly die

- If only Niwa, Katsuragi, Miyo and the others could see the both of you now, how you started a family. They’re watching up from above somewhere, and that’s all that matters.

[depressedhatakekakashi]

A New Book For Your Collection

Pairing: Kakagai

Words: 2,741

Konoha was quieter than usual.

Everywhere he looked there was less activity. People walked a little faster, waving to the friends they spotted in the street before continuing forward without uttering a single word. There were multiple stores with line ups all the way out the doors, yet it seemed like no one was saying a word.

Not even the shop keepers uttered greetings when a customer approached them, and they stayed equally as quiet when the customer paid and made their exit.

The village was busy, but no one was saying a thing.

“Lost in their thoughts,” he sighed, cringing when he heard his own voice cutting through the silent air, breaking the tranquility of the village for just a second before it settles back into place. Not wanting to shatter that silence again, he opted for a silent communication of his own.

‘Did I forget something important?’ 

Projecting an image of a calendar in his mind, he searched the dates for any special event. A birthday, or an anniversary, or anything that would explain the eerie silence that hovered over the village.

‘The Kyuubi’s attack happened in october,’ images of the burning ruins of Konoha homes popped into his mind, followed closely by the pictures of the dead that had lined the cemetary afterward. As soon as Minato-Sensei’s picture began to materialise he shoved the thought out of his head, refusing to deal with the emotions that swelled inside of him whenever he dared to think of the Sensei he lost so many years ago. ‘It’s March, so the cherry blossoms should be falling soon. Oh, and there’s Shunbun No hi but that’s still not for a few days.’

“Kakashi!” A cheerful voice cut through the air, shattering the tranquil silence that he had come to enjoy and causing multiple nearby civilians to turn their heads in search of the enthusiastic voice.

Kakashi didn’t have to look to know who it was. There was only one person who would call out to him with such excitement in their voices. One person who had the ability to pull him out of his own thoughts and make him smile, though that smile was perfectly covered by his mask.

“Gai,” an arm dropped around his shoulder and tugged him against his side. Turning his head just a little, he sniffed the air around him.

Gai’s voice had been enough to pull him out of his thoughts, but it was the smell of grass mixed with a light wiff of dango that consumed him. For just a moment that smell was all he could register, and with each breath he took it overwhelmed his senses, shoving past every ache that had radiated from his muscles after a long mission and forcing his body to relax. 

“You made it home safe,” Gai spoke softly, but there was a question hidden in his words. A silent finger prodding Kakashi in the side, demanding that he tell him about any injuries he had sustained during his mission.

“Home safe,” he confirmed, holding up his right arm to show the one lone cut across the back of his forearm that he’d sustained while deflecting his opponents attack. “The village is rather quiet today. Know why?”

Gai’s eyes lit up with excitement. “You didn’t hear?”

“I just got home, so no,” he confirmed. “What is it? Something fun I’m guessing since you look like you’re about to explode with excitement.”

“Tsunade-Sama announced it just yesterday,” Kakashi could feel the energy radiating off of Gai. Contained, but ready to burst forth at a moments notice and consume Gai until he was jumping off of tree’s and buildings in hopes of spending just a small fraction of it. “She called it ‘Folktales and Fables week. It starts tomorrow.”

Kakashi’s ears perks up at the mention of ‘Folktales’. “Oh?” his left eyebrow arched upward. “Still, that doesn’t really explain, you know,” he waved his hand toward the market where people continued to exist without making a single sound. An eerie, rather unnerving experience in a village that was always so busy with noise. 

“Well, Tsunade-sama challenged everyone to think up their favorite fable today,” Gai continued, his smile growing even wider. “She wants every single person in Konoha to write down what their favorite fable is and turn it in at the Hokage’s residence when they go in to receive their new book.”

Suddenly all thoughts of the eerie quitness of the village left Kakashi’s mind. “Book?” he asked, pushing for even more information. 

Taking the hint, Gai grinned. “Folktales and Fables week officially starts tonight. To welcome in the week, Tsunade-Sama is going to have all of the Jonin standing outside of the Hokage’s compound handing out books of fables that she had written by one of Konoha’s best writers.”

“I didn’t realize Jiraiya-Sama was in the village?”

The smile dropped off of Gai’s face. “I said one of Konoha’s best writers, Rival. Not one of our most perverted writers.”

The worst struck hard, wounding Kakashi’s heart, but he did his best not to show that hurt on his face. It was simply Gai’s opinion that Jiraiya-Sama wasn’t a good writer. A wrong opinion, but still just an opinion.

“Well, does that mean-”

Gai rolled his eyes. “Of course you’ll be getting one as well. In fact,” reaching back into his weapon’s pouch, he pulled out a beautiful green book and held it up between them so that the cover was facing Kakashi. “Tsunade-sama gave us all one ahead of everyone else. She asked me to deliver yours to you personally.”

“Did she really?” Kakashi asked, his eyes following the golden writing as it curved around the cover to form a beautiful cover that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. 

‘Folktales and Fables of Konoha.’

His finger’s itched to reach out and claim the book from Gai, but he refrained. It was obvious by the way his friend waved the book around that he was trying to taunt Kakashi into snatching it away from him, but he refused to give in. He would claim the book when he was ready to and not a moment sooner. Not even if Gai turned it just right so the sun bounced off of the golden title causing it to shimmer. 

“What kind of stories are in it?” he asked, his eyes glued on the book.

“Oh, all kinds,” Gai’s smile grew, stretching from one ear all the way to the other. “Tsunade-sama actually asked us all to submit our favorite folktale or fable so that she could ask for it to be included. That was a few months ago when you were on your mission in the Land of Wind with Asuma.”

A whimper escaped Kakashi’s throat, but rather than expressing embarrassment with the unfiltered response, he turned his face away from Gai and tried his best to refrain from pouting. 

He’d missed it.

Not only the announcement of a week dedicated to folktales and fables, which were some of his favorite stories to read if he wasn’t consumed in the latest copy of Icha Icha or a pretty new romance novel, but he’d missed out on an opportunity to have his favorite fable included in the special book that was made to commemorate the new week.

It seemed rather unfair, but he was an adult. A shinobi of Konoha.

He was not going to cry over a book. Not in public where everyone could see him, at least. 

“Oh, Kakashi,” Gai’s arm dropped off of his shoulder suddenly, and in the blink of an eye his Rival is standing directly in front of him with the softest expression he has ever seen. Kind, black eyes staring into Kakashi’s one visible eye with such love that he was pretty sure he would melt. “You didn’t think I’d let them forget about the Rabbit on the moon, did you?”

At times like this Kakashi appreciated his mask more than ever. Without it the brilliant hue of red he could feel crawling up into his cheeks would be visible for all to see causing everyone in the village to gossip about how easily Maito Gai could make ‘stone cold Kakashi’ blush.

Most of the time he didn’t care too much about the villagers gossip, but if his students caught wind of this he would never hear the end of it.

Somehow three sixteen year olds were far more capable of making his life difficult than an entire village of experienced gossipers. Especially when one took Sakura into consideration.

She could easily make his life more difficult than it already was if she knew that out of everyone in Konoha, it was Maito Gai who held his heart. 

Clearing his throat he quickly shoved all those those thoughts to the back of his mind. “So,” he returned his full attention to Gai. “What do I owe you?”

Gai stared at him with a blank expression for just a moment before breaking out into a smile. “You know me too well, Rival,” shoving the book toward Kakashi he waited for him to finally give in and take hold of it before releasing his hold throwing a ‘thumbs up’ out in front of him. “One challenge should be sufficient payment.”

An expected response.

“One challenge,” Kakashi agreed with a sharp nodd of his head, his eyes fixing themselves on the book now sitting in his hands. Following the soft gold writing on the cover he couldn’t help but smile. “And dinner.”

Gai was in the middle of turning around, no doubt having already decided on what their challenge would be, when Kakashi added his second offer. Rather than stopping in the midst of his turn, Gai continued with ease and stopped at a three hundred and sixty degree turn, returning to the exact same position he’d been in before Kakashi opened his mouth.

“What did you say?” his eyes narrowed and his lips pressed together into a thin line. 

“I said one challenge,” stepping forward, Kakashi lifted his book and gently bonked it against Gai’s forehead. “And Dinner. My treat.”

“Dinner as in-”

“No eating contest,” once again he bonked his friend’s forehead, this time earning himself a slap to the wrist for the insult. “We’ll do a competition first and then we’ll go out to dinner,” pulling his book back he took one more look at it and smiled even widder. “And then maybe, if you’re nice, we can go back to my house and-”

A hand came down hard against his mouth. “Kakashi!” Gai hissed, his eyes darting around the area. Thankfully everyone around them had lost interest in what they were doing a while, but that knowledge didn’t seem to stop Gai from examining the area once more before focusing on Kakashi. “You can’t say things like that in public.”

It didn’t take a genius to figure out what Gai was hinting at. 

What was meant to be a sweet gesture had been misunderstood as something vulgar. An unsurprising turn of events considering the things the two of them could get up to when they were in the privacy of their homes.

Grabbing hold of Gai’s wrist with his free hand, Kakashi gently pulled his hand away from his mouth. “Let me finish,” he insisted, scolding Gai with a stern look when he opened his mouth to protest once again. “I was going to say ‘I can read the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi’ but if all you have on your mind is undressing me we could do that too.”

There was no scenario where Kakashi would turn down an opportunity to drag his eternal rival into bed. 

“N- no! That- i mean-” cutting himself off, Gai took a step back and closed his eyes. As Kakashi watched him he drew in a deep breath, held it for exactly five seconds, and then released. Once that was done he opened his eyes and flashed one of those bright toothy grins that was sure to blind a person if the sun hit it just right. 

“Don’t worry,” taking a step forward, Kakashi reach up and gripped the top of his mask. In one fluid motion he yanked the mask down and closed the distance between them. His lips pressed against Gai’s cheek for a quick second before he stepped back and returned the mask to its rightful place. “I can always read to you after we’re done.”

If Kakashi squinted he could almost steam rising off of Gai’s head. The embarrassment he’d felt earlier from Gai’s overwhelming thoughtfulness had been returned ten fold, though Kakashi was no where near as touching in his affections. Not in public, at least. Gai would have to wait until they were somewhere private to see that side of Kakashi. 

“So,” taking a step past Gai he refrained from chuckling when he heard his rival scrambling to turn around. “You have one challenge. What do you choose?”

Feeling Gai’s shoulder bumping against his he glanced to his side and smiled when he saw his friend walking at his side with a proud air hanging around him. “One challenge,” he mused, making a show of turning his eyes up to the sky and thinking over his options. “How about a spar?”

“It has been a while since we had a proper spar,” Kakashi agreed. “Taijutsu only?”

“That seems a little unfair,” Gai snickered, earning himself a sharp jab in the side from Kakashi’s elbow. “Owww! Rival!”

“No need to be rude about it,” he grumbled, though he knew he had very little ground to stand on when it came to scolding Gai for his arrogance. Both of them had an arrogant streak that could come out at any time, and it usually shawn brightest in their competitions. “But fine, all fighting styles allowed.”

“And no cheating!”

Kakashi rolled his eyes. “Says the guy who knocked a plate off of the table during our last eatting competition,” he fired back. “Besides, there’s no such thing as cheating in a fight.”

“Kakashi…”

“I’m being serious,” he insisted, unable to stop himself from laughing when Gai smacked him across the back of his shoulder. “We’re shinobi, Gai. Shinobi fight to survive, and sometimes that means playing a little dirty.”

“Playing dirty and trying to blind me are two different things,” Gai insisted. “And if you’re going to use the hounds at least tell them not to bite too hard. It’s embarrassing explaining all those bite marks to the doctor’s when I go to get them healed.”

Stopping in his tracks, Kakashi turned to face his rival. “Really?” he asked. “Their bite marks are embarrassing?”

“Well, ya,” Gai huffed. “I don’t like having to explain that my eternal rival used his hounds to prevent me from attacking.”

“Their bite marks are embarrassing?” Kakashi repeated, leaning in a bit closer and staring straight into Gai’s eyes. “No other bite marks?”

As soon as the words left his mouth Gai began to sweat. His eyes darted around the area, searching for an escape. “I- well,”

“Ah, well,” leaning back, Kakashi sighed. “I’ll just not summon them this round.”

“R-really?”

“Of course not,” he confirmed, a smile creeping onto his face and reaching up into his eyes. “I’ll leave enough bite marks for them to take care of. Those arn’t nearly as embarrassing at the hounds bite marks, right?”

For a second time in just a few minutes Kakashi could swear he could spot some steam rising from Gai’s head, and with a satisfied hum he turned back down the path and continued walking as if nothing had happened.

“K-Kakashi?” Gai’s voice cracked when he called after him. “Kakashi!”

Ignoring his rival’s calls, Kakashi lifted the hand holding his new book and admired the cover. It was a beautiful piece of work. One worthy of all of the praise he could muster. 

It seemed only fair that he provide that praise to Gai, who was the only reason he had a copy of the book, or that his favorite fable had been included in it. If that praise happened to leave Gai with a few questionable marks afterward, so be it.

Perhaps one day Kakashi would try to learn some medical Ninjitsu so he could care for those wounds himself.

Until then, however, Gai would simply have to deal with the embarrassing reality of dating a man who loved to leave love bites all over his partners gorgeous body.

[shintoinenglish]

Household Festivals in Shinto

Shinto festivals are usually celebrated at shrines. For those who do not live near a shrine, here is my adapted festival calendar. The dates for these festivals may vary due to astronomical or calendrical reasons.

New Year's Day (Oshogatsu):

On New Year's Day, eat and make lucky foods known as Osechi. Some recipes are listed here. Many Japanese people go to a shrine or temple for the first time in the new year, a practice called hatsumode. Instead of this, worshipers abroad could try offering sake at the kamidana.

Setsubun

Setsubun marks the beginning of spring. This is celebrated on either February 3 or 4. The date for Setsubun moves one day every 20 years. On this day, children throw roasted soybeans out the door or at an adult wearing an oni mask and chant "(鬼は外! 福は内!" (Oni go outside, luck come inside!). You can also eat roasted soybeans equivalent in number to your age.

Hinamatsuri

Hinamatsuri is held on March 3 at home by families who often are gifted hina dolls. These are carefully laid out, with votive miniature mochi in front of them. Special lanterns are laid out on both sides. Sometimes there are many dolls to play music and entertain the main couple. The purpose of this holiday is to pray for a good marriage for your daughter. Of course, this is quite heteronormative, but I wanted to include this just in case.

Haru Higan

Haru Higan is usually celebrated around March 20 for seven days. On this day, those with Japanese ancestry can worship their ancestors. Everyone can appreciate the coming warmth of spring as well.

Tanabata

Tanabata is usually celebrated on July 7, though some celebrate it on August 7. This commemorates the day that two literally star-crossed lovers, an oxherd and a weaver, can meet by crossing the Milky Way. If it rains, it is said that the weather prevents them from meeting until the next year. If it is clear, they are able to be reunited. You can write wishes on pieces of paper and hang them on bamboo stalks.

Obon

Obon is a major summer holiday held in honor of ancestors on July 15 or August 15 depending on the family. This one is often more Buddhist-flavored. You can make a small fire (real or symbolic -- and please be mindful of fire safety) as a landmark for your ancestors to find your home. Traditionally, specific altars just for the ancestors who return during Obon are constructed. A common practice is to construct horses and cows out of cucumbers and eggplants, respectively. The method for this is simple -- simply stick toothpicks in for their legs! It is said that this is to make ancestors come faster and leave slower. Bon Odori (Bon Dances) are held where slow traditional songs are played, and locals dance in a circle around a high platform with a drummer on it. This is a time of much fun and games. Fires are also lit at the ancestors' departure.

Tsukimi

Tsukimi is the moon-watching festival held on the eighth month of the lunar calendar on the 15th day. Traditions for this festival include making tsukimi dango (recipe here) and offering them on a sanbo tray by a window. You can also offer seasonal fruits and vegetables, and sprigs of susuki, or pampas grass.

Aki Higan

Aki Higan is the fall festival on September 22 or 23 marking the beginning of fall and cooler seasons in Japan. This is another day for worshiping one's ancestors.

Preparing for the New Year

At the end of the year, get mochi, shimekazari and any other items you need in preparation for the New Year. You may also wish to clean your home at this time.

*I may update this list later!

[italeean]

congrats on 350 followers!<333

for the match-up even: (god I love these things hehe)

brief description: I like to draw and play videogames, love dark colors and the grunge aesthetic, I like to surround myself with people that are chill and non-judgmental, people who aren't boring and that are just kind haha, in terms of food I'm a big lover of meat and sweets -w-

I'm a lee leaning switch!

fandom: genshin impact ofccc

romantic relationship please 👉👈

I'd prefer male for gender to be matched up with:3

thanks in advance <333

SINNY-CHANNN OMG HIII 🥹🩷 I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE YOUR REQUEST IN MY ASK BOX!!! I must tell you, the character I matched you up with came to my mind almost effortlessly... idk why but I just thought "HIM." Period. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your match-up!! ❤️🍡 *some dango for you to eat while reading my little work*

🔮 For this event, I match you up with... ITTO

🔮 Why did I choose him for you?

• Itto is the least judgmental person who ever walked on this planet • He's not the smartest, but he takes care of others in his own way (thinking about how he made everyone stop fighting during the Chasm quest) • Itto is a little (well... big actually) ball of sunshine, but his clothes are pretty dark... I have a feeling that you might like his style • I can see you tracing all his red lines just to find out if they're ticklish (spoiler: they are) • BUT... our favorite oni won't let it slide... prepare yourself to get wrecked, my dear • I think Itto is one of those people who get worried sick after they're done tickling the life out of you and become an anxious and agitated mess, which is fun to see, considering how careful he is to never overstep your boundaries • Like... you're fine but he's going around like Taz from Looney Tunes and bring you water, sweets and everything that might make you comfy • He would LOVE to play any kind of games with you... and he'd actually be a good match (unless you're playing trivia or strategy games) • He would shower you with food and then he'd eat together with you!! He'd take you around through the various festivals in Inazuma to make you try the best delicacies from the best stands • He'd introduce you to the gang as "the vice boss"... and everyone would call you that, except Shinobu. She'd quickly make friends with you and give you tips about how to survive in uni • Big tickle fights with the whole gang!! Although Itto would always be on your side hehe... you're his beloved after all • Dates with him would be romantic in their own way... nothing excessively sweet, but he'd do his best to make you feel loved and appreciated 24/7 (unless it's your anniversary... in that occasion he'll go all out with something so flashy that you almost die from embarrassment)

🔮 Tickle scenario "Oh and this is also good... and then we should go there! And we can't miss that ramen stand!" You barely managed to keep up with Itto's pace as he dragged you to every stand that was at the Irodori Festival.

You had already tasted soba, unagi chazuke, a portion of a so-called invigorating kitty meal, onigiri, katsu sandwich, an egg roll and an egg roll sushi and even some udon, and even though they were all small portions to just let you have a taste of everything, you were starting to feel quite full already. The problem was that Itto wasn't showing any sign of satiety yet!

"Itto, baby... don't you think we've already eaten enough..?" You tried to question him, but he just started rambling (loudly) about how you needed to try everything to enjoy the experience to the fullest. It was endearing to you how hyper he could get about the simplest things... and he had even managed to behave for a week just for you, to not ruin your festival experience! You really couldn't say no to him...

This is how you ended up lying down on the grass near the Statue of the Seven in Ritou, with your bellies about to burst but also with the widest smiles ever. "Did you have fun, Luv?" The oni asked you while staring into your happy eyes. "Yes... the food was amazing! And I loved the atmosphere, thank you" You replied enthusiastically, tired but ecstatic.

"Hell yeah! Even Kujou Sara was surprised by how nice I was behaving... maybe she'd become nicer if she found someone... not you, though! You're all mine~" He planted a big kiss on your cheek to emphasize his point. "Hush..." you manage to say as you felt your face getting a little hotter.

Even if he wasn't the smartest cookie around, Itto was extremely observant with you, and even in the weak light of the early evening he managed to notice the light shade of red invading your face.

"Huh? Are you getting hot? Is it too humid? Are you running a fever?" Well... he was observant, but he didn't exactly have Heizou's detective skills. "Drink this! It's refreshing and you'll feel better!" He shoved a bottle of dango milk in your hands and watched you expectantly as he waited for you to drink it.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked with such worried eyes that it flustered you even more. "Y-yeah... it was nothing, really..." You managed to stutter, but what you didn't expect was Itto connecting the dots.

"Wait! You were just flustered!!!"

He yelled it so loud that you tried to cover his mouth with your hands. "Hush..! Even Lady Guuji will hear you if you keep yelling like this..!" You whisper-yelled, but the oni had a smile even wider than before and a playful glint in his eyes... and you should've noticed.

"Aweee I have the cutest partner in the world!! Come here you!!" He quickly sat up and pulled you on his lap, and before you had the time to defend yourself or protest, five fingers found your tummy and started scribbling on it. "Awe... your giggles are so cute, Sinny~" He cooed while listening to your sweet laughter.

"Nahahahahehehe pfft- Ihihitto wahahait pleahahaseee..!" You squirmed in his lap, but he was too strong for you to get away. "Nope, no waiting. Now I wanna hear you laugh!" None of you two knew why, but your blushy face brought out Itto's playful side, and now there you were, squirming in his lap while he poked your tummy all over.

"Nohohohohooo" You squealed while kicking your feet in the air as if it could help you in any way. "Yehehehes!!" Your boyfriend mocked you without relenting even for a second. "Come on... you know how much I love your laughter, and take this as a revenge for this morning!"

Thinking about it, you shouldn't have tickled him awake that morning...

Knowing it was almost time to stop, the oni decided it was time for the grand finale and lifted up one of your arms while his free hand went to town on your now exposed armpit. "KYAHAHAHAHAHA NAHAHAT TEHEHEHEHEHE NOHOHOHOOOO" You yelled while laughing your head off.

Itto listened to your little howls (and even a couple of tiny snorts) and cherished every second of that moment, but he knew it was time to stop, which he immediately did and let you recover.

"So, did you have fun? It was quite the conclusion for our date, huh?" He asked you while smirking smugly. "Well..." You hesitated a little, because you wanted to act tough but you also didn't wanna lie to him, "well... I surely laughed a lot..." you mumbled. "Oh sure you did..." the white-haired guy chuckled knowingly as you let out a yawn.

"Ohoho... someone's getting tired after all that running around, eating and tickling hahaha" He said before getting up, and before you could do the same, you felt two strong arms wrap around you, one on your back and one under your knees.

"Aaand up you go!" The oni cheered while lifting you up as if you were a tiny feather and carrying you bridal style. "Come on, let's go home."

[fandangotales]

When I don’t remember you… please forgive me.

Thought I’d try my hand at a little bit of angst. :)

Summery: Creator!reader forgets the people they’ve met every 1000 years to avoid erosion.

Reader is GN, Angst to fluff, TW: Suicidal Thoughts.

A thousand years had passed, taking your memories with them.

You knew everything about the world around you, but remembered nothing of the people who lived in it.

Sucking in a breath, you tried to calm yourself to no avail. Hot tears streaked your cheeks as you curled onto your side, sobs wracking your body. Flashes of the past went through your mind, as you desperately tried to remember at least somebody.

Sunsets and fragrant tea atop Mount Aocang… But who was it who sat beside you at the stone table?

Sweet deserts under a blooming sakura… But who had always insisted on eating the last dango?

Soft melodies from a lyre drifting over a field of flowers… But whose fingers had gently struck the strings?

You couldn’t remember.

A wave of grief for those faceless people washed over your body, as you blankly stared at the leaves sprouting from the tree overhead.

What was the point of living forever if you had nobody to share forever with?

What was the point of starting over, if you were just going to forget once more?

You heard light footsteps from behind you, but you didn’t care. If it was a threat, maybe they could put an end to this never ending cycle of misery.

“Your Grace… why are you crying?” The person asked, as they sat down beside you. “You can always talk to me if you feel like it. After all, we’re friends, aren’t we?”

You slowly glanced over in their direction, and took in a boy clad in green, his aquamarine eyes looking at you expectantly.

“I don’t remember you. Sorry.” You said flatly.

He looked confused for a brief moment, before breaking into a sweet grin.

“Oh! Is this another one of your jokes? That was kinda a bad one… so can you give me an apple?”

You sat up, pulling your legs to your chest. He obviously didn’t understand your situation. The grin he previously wore morphed into a concerned frown, as his eyebrows knitted together.

“Your Grace… that was a joke, right?” He asked, as you began to cry once more.

“N-no it’s not.” You sniffled, his saddened gaze only adding to the turmoil of emotions in your head. “I can’t remember anybody. You look slightly familiar to me, and you obviously know me, but I don’t even know your name!”

“Have a thousand years passed already?” He asked meekly, staring at the grass in front of him. He desperately wanted to hug you to offer some kind of comfort, but restrained himself because you probably wouldn’t be comfortable with it. With him.

You started laughing, overwhelmed with the situation as a whole.

“Isn’t this stupid? At this point I’d rather be subjected to erosion!” You said jokingly, as the boy watched you with melancholy in his stare, before your words registered.

“Don’t say that Your Grace! Even if you don’t remember me or anyone, at least you’re still here!” He said, frantically gripping your arm. “Please don’t wish harm upon yourself in anyway. I don’t think I could ever forgive myself if anything happened to you…”

He too started sobbing, as he buried his face into your shoulder.

You sighed, before speaking again. “You’re right. Let’s start with something simple. What’s your name?”

“Venti, Your Grace.” He said lifting his head.

Wet streaks still remained across his cheeks, as you reached a hand up to brush them away.

“For the second time, it’s nice to meet you.”

His eyes widened, before a shaky smile made its way onto his face. “For the second time…” he mimicked, “It’s nice to meet you too.”

[madeliefkrans]

like a deer in the headlights of love

first skippy fic!! includes:

selfish shima bc it’s what he deserves to be for ONCE

holy deer

sticky dango

silly teenagers in love

prior to this fic shima realised he’s head over heels for mitsumi.

inspired by chapter 76 of fruits basket!! finished the series a few weeks ago (yes i’m very late and blessed to experience fruits basket for the first time)

fandom: skip to loafer type: fluff, idiots in love pairing: mitsumi iwakura x sousuke shima pov: shima's word count: 1,662 on ao3 as well

summary: when sousuke and mitsume walk through nara park during their school trip, sousuke realises he needs confess his feelings for her.

Somehow Sousuke lost his friends. Or perhaps Yamada decided to parade his girlfriend around the Isuien garden, Mukai and Egashira wanted to catch each other’s glances in one of the temples, and Kurume agreed to let Murashige braid her hair on a bench. In any case, Mitsumi and Sousuke are alone. Alone, yet surrounded by the thousand deer that unofficially own Nara Park.

Their school trip is in full progress. No one seemed to be more excited to visit Nara than Mitsumi; she made a list of all attractions she wanted to visit and all the food specialties she wanted to try. It was adorable.

Sousuke watches as Mitsumi crouches to let a deer nibble at the last of her rice crackers. Once in a while she turns her face to look up at Sousuke, standing next to her, her eyes full of excitement and disbelief. Her smile is contagious.

A gentle breeze rustles the red and yellow leaves of the surrounding trees, causing some to fall on the grass. The delicate munching of the deer is oddly relaxing to listen to. But Sousuke knows that Mitsumi’s presence is what truly calms him in this moment.

The deer suddenly decides it’s satisfied and struts away. Mitsumi stands up, patting her skirt to remove any lingering crumbs.

“Do you want me to lure it back? I have some crackers left.” Sousuke reaches for the pocket in his school blazer.

“No, no, it’s fine,” Mitsumi shakes her head gently. “It’s free to go as it pleases.”

Her words echo in his mind. Free to go.

Mitsumi adjusts her backpack and begins to follow the path ahead, carefree, determined, turning her back on Shima. His eyes linger on her figure, cast in a glow by the autumn sun. Each of her steps brings her further into the unknown. He’s captivated by her. She’s free to go where she wants.

His head is buzzing with the rustling whispers that echo through his mind, growing louder and louder. Uncertainty swirls around, caught by the breeze. Two questions linger in the air. Does that mean she’ll slip away? Does that mean I’ll get left behind?

Shima reaches out and grabs her sleeve, close to her wrist. Without thinking, he closes his fingers around the fabric. Mitsumi halts abruptly, and turns around, startled. He can’t make himself meet her gaze. He can feel her eyes on his face, then they drop to where he’s still clutching her sleeve.

“Eh, what’s wrong, Shima-kun?”

His heart drums loudly in his ears. He tries to remember the words of encouragement from Mukai, Chris, even some from Egashira. Impossible in this moment, because Mitsumi occupies every corner of this thoughts, taking up his mind and body. Realising his feelings for her had felt like blazing spotlights on his entire being. The sensation lingered persistently.

Every smile, frown, and sigh from Mitsumi makes him feel like a light flicks on inside. And another, and another. It leaves him feeling exposed in a way he’s never experienced before. Still, the terror of this vulnerability dissolves by the feeling that he cannot, and will not, retreat into the shadows of the wings. The love he feels for her illuminates everything, forcing him to confront his past, acknowledge his present and, for the first time, contemplate his future. He never wants to let her go.

He needs to tell her how he feels. Even if it’s only to her sleeve.

“I love you.”

A beat. His confession sticks in the air. Then, “But we have to get dango.”

Sousuke’s eyes snap up, a puzzled frown forming on his face. Mitsumi is blushing. Hard. Her fingers brush the skin on his wrist.

Nope. This isn’t part of the plan. He realises now that he never imagined what would happen beyond saying how he feels. How is he supposed to act if she blushes like that, looks at him like that, touches him like that?

He can’t handle this.

So he releases his grip, spins on his shoes and makes a beeline for the other direction of the path.

“Shima-kun?!” He hears Mitsumi calling after him, but her voice sounds far away already.

Sousuke doesn’t even know where he’s going. Deer raise their necks, heads stacked like dango between the trees, and keep a watchful eye as he darts by. The toro seem to lower their lanterns and chuckle at his display of cowardice.

He hears Mitsumi’s panting behind him. And suddenly, he remembers the first day they met. With the roles reversed, since it was him chasing her that spring morning. He remembers the sheer determination on her face as she sprung back to her feet after she fell face flat on the concrete road. How her conviction was infectious, inspiring. Is she making a similar face right now?

He slows his pace. Until he comes to a stop, and Mitsumi catches up and grabs his sleeve. He hears her coughing and wheezing. 

“Shima-kun, please don’t run away,” she pleads when she has regained her breath a bit. “My body can’t take it.”

Sousuke still faces the other way. The path they’re on is quiet and lined with rows of toro on both sides, covered with shades of moss. Must be soft. Perhaps he can hide under the green cushions when this conversation is over. Deer stand between the stone lanterns, curiously looking on.

“What do you think of me?” Shima asks her.

“You're Shima-kun,” Mitsumi replies simply, taking a step closer. “You're kind, reserved, always considerate of others.”

Heat rushes to his cheeks in frustration and he swirls around. “You’re wrong!” Mitsumi’s eyes widen by his exclamation. She lets go of his blazer. He balls his fists, averting his gaze again. “I’m only thinking about myself right now because I know you don’t feel the same way you did last spring.”

How can she say he’s kind when he was never genuine. He was only accommodating so people wouldn’t get too close. All his actions were calculated, self-serving mechanisms to safeguard himself emotionally. He was polite in the most selfish way possible.

“You’re right, I don’t.” Mitsumi’s admission surprises him. He relaxes his hands. That’s it then. This is the part where she rejects him, tries to reassure him that it won’t affect their friendship, smiles encouragingly. He builds up the courage to look into her eyes.

When he does, it’s not compassion he reads in her expression, but determination. He doesn’t understand.

“Yes, those feelings changed,” Mitsumi continues, steady, “but don’t assume I ever stopped loving you! My feelings for you only grew deeper!”

Her words hit him. Hard. Her face is open, a blush covers her cheeks, neck. Her gaze intense. This is Mitsumi’s affection, laid bare. He’s locked in place.

“Wh- What?” Sousuke stammers, perplexed.

Mitsumi huffs. “Is that so hard for you to accept?”

“That’s not it,” Sousuke blurts. He feels like mirroring her pouting. “I’m just… processing.”

But there’s not much time for that. They are only guests on this sacred ground, after all. They simply forgot there’s a whole world out there. So when a deer butts into Mitsumi’s back, possibly smelling the rice crackers on her skirt, it startles both of them more than would be expected during a walk around Nara Park. She tips forward, arms flailing. The deer already moved past. In a split second, Sousuke reaches out to her, catching her in one of his arms. Her hands, arms collide with his chest.

Crisis averted. But at what cost?

Because now his arm is around her waist, her hands are clutching the lapels of his blazer, and her face is closer than ever. Her eyes are wide, her blush deepens even more. Breath hitches in his throat. He can’t look away.

Neither of them let go.

Mitsumi turns her gaze to her hands on his chest. Sousuke catches a whiff of her floral shampoo. Did she always smell this good?

“Since when?” Her voice barely above a whisper.

Sousuke considers his words.

“When I realised my feelings, they had already been there for quite some time,” he admits. He feels Mitsumi’s hands clutch on the blue fabric. “After we tried dating for a bit, it was as if I couldn’t go back to my old ways. Something changed. You caused that.”

Mitsumi looks up, eyes fierce. “I didn’t do anything. Don’t give out credit when you should give it to yourself.”

Sousuke gulps, feeling the weight of her words and her proximity. “Okay.”

Her expression softens again. She’s quiet for a bit.

“Do you…” Mitsumi carefully voices the words, “want to start dating again?”

He cherishes her so. He pulls her the tiniest bit closer with his arm. She lets him. His answer is simple. “Yes. I want to.”

She beams up at him, causing the warmth in his chest to stretch on and on. She releases one of the lapels of his blazer. Fingertip by fingertip, spark by spark, she lays her hand on his cheek. Leaning into her touch, he closes his eyes, surrendering to the sensation. He feels utterly and completely content under Mitsumi’s affection.

“Dad, look at those people! Are they magicians?” Sousuke’s eyes fly open as he lets go of Mitsumi reflexively. In that same split second, Mitsumi withdraws her hand and catches sight of the excited kid pointing. Pointing at them and circle of curious deer they somehow attracted. Slowly blinking with their enormous lashes. 

Mitsumi is overjoyed, doesn’t know where to look. She tugs on his blazer. “They’re so cute!!!”

Sousuke grins at her enthusiasm. He glances around, then lingers on her face. He’s so happy he got to meet her. “Yes, very cute.”

Mitsumi grins at him. She slips her hand into his.

“Let’s get some more crackers,” Mitsumi suggests.

“And dango.”

Mitsumi laughs, giddy. The tips of her ears tinged with a rosy hue. His are probably too. Matching the fiery colours of the ancient tries surrounding them.

[icypenguin]

★~ Stargazing with heizou

helloo! sorry for not posting yesterday, im not sure if i’ll post tomorrow. my schedule has been really tight but i’ll try my best to upload everyday. enjoy this heizou fanficcc!

- stargazing with heizou are often during the stressing and tiring night. you both see ‘stargazing with eachother’ as a date and a date reliefs a stressing and tiring day, doesn’t it?

- sometimes you will lay in bare grass but sometimes in the cold night, he will prepare a blanket for you to lay on and a thin blanket just incase any of you got cold.

- i couldn’t say it’s a date where you eat foods. but perhaps a late snack like dango would do.

- ofcourse you both will cuddle!

what heizou thinks: cuddling/spending time with lover = stress reliever, best moment.

- you both love seeing the stars shining brightly in the sky, catching everyone’s attention other than the moon. you both are definitely astrophiles!

- sometimes, when you stargaze it’s usually because one of you are having a bad day right? that person is often to be heizou. so he will probably be the small spoon here.

- noone could interupt your stargazing date. the quiet night is the best time for you both to spend time with eachother.

~ small drabble ~

“there there… everything will be fine ‘zou. nothing will be wrong” you comforted heizou and he was burrying his head on to your chest. “but y/n… i just- im tired..” heizou complained while holding back the tears that’s starting to form in his eyes. you could feel a wet patch starting to form and you instantly knew what’s going on. “it’s okay.. let it out..” you secured heizou and he sobs while cuddling your body. your hand was wrapped around his waist and the other one was caressing his hair. that night was a surrowful night for heizou, but you managed to make it better by being there for him.

~~~

thanks for reading! idk what’s wrong w my grammar lol but anyway i hope you enjoyed! advices are accepted, thankyou!

[dat-bruv-person]

ೃ⁀➷ they all love you <3

a/n: just a little something that I thought of. Also I understand now that the tumblr algorithm is the worst and people aren't noting my posts as much anymore :( but thank you to those who have!

gn!reader, poc!reader friendly :)

﹌﹌﹌

You and Yae Miko make quite the duo.

Ever since her familiar left to meditate in her little plane for a few centuries, Yae found that she easily got bored with the mortals and their traditions. When you came along, an immortal being who seemed to have all the time in the world to wander as you pleased, a newfound excitement erupted from within her and fueled her to make conversation. It turned out to be one of the best conversations she's had in years. You were smart, witty and had an interesting sense of humour that could make her laugh effortlessly, to the point where her cheeks hurt. Ei could never do that, I mean she could, but it always had to be Miko who initiated a conversation. To put it simply, she loved you but oh did it make her blood boil when she saw you with thise Yashiro Commissioners.

Ayato, Ayaka and Thoma are all very fond of you.

It all started when you stopped to help Thoma with the groceries he was due to take back to the Kamisato Estate. He was a very friendly person, call him a bundle of sunshine if you may, and you only made him smile a lot wider when you complimented his vision, headband and sense of humour. You even made him blush at one point! He found delight in your company, so why not go extend that happiness to the Kamisato Clan? Ayaka was very shy to meet you, her heart already fluttering when she met your gaze. You looked so gorgeous at that moment, dare she say, she had to divert her stare elsewhere when you gently kissed the back of her hand as a subtle greeting. Ayato on the other hand was a lot bolder in shaking your hand and caressing your hair upon introduction, and decided to invite you for dinner. You four had a dream-like time playing the hot pot game and exchanging contact information. They were all on cloud nine, but seeing you go out with the Shuumatsuban and firework girl made their smiles falter.

Yoimiya and Sayu are polar opposites yet with you, they share many common interests.

Sayu liked resting her head on your lap without fearing the shrine maidens since you were well acquainted with the Guuji, and Yoimiya didn't mind taking a nap to recharge either. The sound of the fireworks made excellent background noise for the Shuumatsuban to slumber through whilst you and Yoimiya simply watched without a care in the world, chewing on dango and holding hands. Sweet smiles were exchanged between you two and she lay her head on your shoulder; finding it comfy. Times like this made both of the girls forget what Inazuma used to be like, they could just bask in your presence quietly... Until that oni came along.

Itto + You = the most wholesome team ever!

Itto always made sure to keep his hair in good condition - but even more so now that you've entered his life. From piggyback rides to onikabuto wrestling, he cherished every moment he had with you. Whenever he saw you, he'd run up to you and engulf you in his embrace, you silently suffocating in his manboobs, and whenever you parted he would run his fingers through your hair and squish your cheeks. Arataki pretty much saw you as his other half. His Arataki to his Itto. His dango to his milk. His soulmate. You were perfect to him, and you saw him as nothing but perfect too! Swinging each other around and running through tall grass together. The perfect combination. The only combination that wasn't perfect was seeing you and the shogun's most devoted tengu walking together on the outskirts of Inazuma city.

Kujou Sara vowed to serve the Shogun, but that same loyalty has seemed to apply to you too.

She was inspired by you, to work harder to regain the respect and trust that the Inazuman people once had in the Tenryou Commission; to make children smile when they saw generals patrolling the streets - not to make them cry. Though she had never met you before that moment, call you the pied piper because you could make all the children dance and giggle around you. It made Sara's heart soar to see that sight, and when she asked you for advice you did not seem afraid. You smiled at her and shared your secrets. Mornings with you then consisted of proposals to join the Tenryou Commission, promising high ranks and large amounts of respect. You only wanted to do it out of the good of your own heart, and who was she to stop you? She only wished that you could relax with her as you did with all the others, particularly the poet.

Kazuha could write one hundred poems about you every time you hugged him, but he would much rather say them to you instead.

Our Canadian Aether here did not have a grudge against anyone and was grateful for the gift of patience afterwards. Time was slow when you and he were together. Sometimes he'd come to Inazuma, other times you and he would set sail on the Crux fleet to Mondstadt and Liyue, and he would show off his maple leaf collection whilst playing you gentle tunes. Beidou was very proud of her son, proud that even with everything he had been through he had found someone to find solace in. Kazuha thought he was in Celestia whenever you rubbed his cheeks in clockwise circles. A blush tinted them a soft pink and he thanked you as took you up to the top of the deck to show you the beautiful sunset that had formed behind the ship.

Even during the hardest times, the Guuji Yae, the Yashiro Commissioners and their servant, the Shuumatsuban, the firework maker's daughter, the himbo oni, the tengu warrior, the anemo stowaway and his pirate mother could count on you. They all love you ~

[downywrites]

I’ve read a fic of yours and I love the way you write ngl. I’m not very good with prompts, but may I request lee!itto ? He is adorable and deserves to giggle imo.

I have a headcanon that he thinks tickling is fun, mainly bc I don’t want him to suffer. Also because it makes him laugh and smile but also makes his friends laugh and smile, which is precious. It’s clear in trailers and in-game that he loves to laugh in general.

ler!itto is another option bc he’s silly like that. He’s the type of guy to get revenge tickles every single time. I’ll let you choose who gets him or gets got by him. If u don’t wanna, that’s fine too! Your blog, your choice

I’d recommend inazuma characters, just anyone but Yae Miko or Raiden Shogun, I do not want them near him lmao

thanks for reading if u got this far uh have a great day 🐊✨

Thanks for the request :D I decided to pick a random Inazuma character, and Yoimiya came up.

Hopefully, I don't mess up their characterization too bad- this will be my first time writing Itto AND Yoimiya.

Resting in the top of this tree had never felt less comforting. He leaned back, eyes shutting for a moment of respite that he knew would do him no good. Within his head, a thousand thoughts swirled, unbidden, to the surface. Clamoring angrily for his attention, almost. Itto gritted his teeth.

'Why do you mess up things like this? Why can't you just..fit in?'

'Just a little?' 

He touched his hand to his face. The wetness upon his hand almost felt mocking. It was such a little thing. Why was this weighing on him now? 

Itto sighed heavily. "I shouldn't mope about this," he told himself. "I don't deserve to mope about this stuff…Uh- this is below me, Itto, the one and oni..!" Even to him, his mutterings sounded hollow. 

A solemn silence filled the air, save for the sound of the wind blowing gently through the village's wind chimes. 

It was almost an infuriatingly fair-weathered day. The sun was shining, just enough to be warm, but not enough to scorch anybody for the crime of leaving the house. The sakura blooms were blossoming, soft petals dancing in the afternoon breeze. Children were laughing and frolicking in the tall grass, throwing balls and playing with toys their parents carved for them out of otogi wood and painted in many bright colors. Even the snack stalls were out and about. The smell of dango filled the air- the kind that Itto would smell commonly at festivals… wait a minute..

"Hey there, Itto! How's it going?" A voice below him made him yelp (in a very manly way) and almost fall off his perch (also in a very manly way). "Do ya want some dango? Surely sitting up there alone isn't all that fun on a good day like this!" He glanced down to see a rather familiar figure. "Ah..hey, Yoimiya. I'll take some, sure..!" Scrambling down from the tree and sliding down half of it in his haste to not make himself even more of a private embarrassment, he grabbed a stick of fish-shaped dango and quickly took a bite. "Ah, wait! Don't bite into that yet, it's hot-" 

The oni bit back the screech of pain at the burning sensation in his mouth. Through watery eyes, he smiled slightly and gave her a thumbs up. He pulled the stick out of his mouth, chewing slowly. Yoimiya's hands flew up to her mouth. "Oh, are you okay??" Nodding through the pain, the geo user extended the stick towards her. "...wah ih bah?" 

Yoimiya's experience with children speaking with their mouths full saved her the confusion. She shook her head vehemently. "Oh no, please keep it. I'll find you a place to throw that away in a moment. But first… are you alright?" Itto painfully swallowed the piping hot dessert quickly to respond. "I'm right…as rain!..Why do you ask?" 

"You don't look too good, Itto…are you sure you're alright?" Yoimiya meant nothing by it, he was sure. It was probably because he had just done the equivalent of burning the entirety of the inside of his mouth. Even so, he felt more tears welling up in his eyes. Overwhelmed by emotion he was more than a little hesitant to express in front of the lady, he turned away from her. His shoulders trembled a little as he covered his face with both of his hands. 

Yoimiya winced a little. She had suspected he wasn't doing too well when she found the rest of his crew wandering around without him. And, coupled with the look of concern that flashed on Shinobu's face when she asked about him, had spurred her to look for the man herself in hopes of finding out just how badly he was faring. Slowly, as to not startle him too much, she pulled the stick out of his hand and burned it to a crisp quickly. She was not half as slow to wrap her arms around him. "Hey, hey. It's okay. What's bothering you?" 

The man's chest heaved, and as she patted his back soothingly, she felt his heartbeat. It was quick, not unlike a rabbit's. "You don't have to say anything if you don't feel up to it." He nodded into her shoulder, almost butting into her with his horns. "How about we find a better place to talk? I think it might be a little too open to chat about this stuff here." 

He let her drag him to her house without much fanfare. If there was anything else that could make the firework creator any more concerned, it was the way Itto was behaving. The Itto she knew would be trying to act natural and walk ahead or beside her. Almost like a kicked puppy, the oni was trailing behind. His eyes seemed to be drawn towards the pavement below him. And, almost damningly, he was silent. 

She opened the sliding door and slipped in ahead of him. "Welcome to my place!..Sorry, it's a little messy right now. I was working on some fireworks, and…" She trailed off, remembering swiftly why exactly she had brought him over. "Sorry, a bit too cheerful for the situation. Well..how do I make you feel better?" Itto had slipped in at some point, looking over the half-finished blueprints and the scatterings of gunpowder and colorful paper with interest. 

"...I just…Yoimiya, do you think I needa try fitting in better?" Her head swiveled around so fast, she felt the muscles in her neck cramp a little. She bit back a wince. "Ehh…what?? Who made you think that?" 

"I did… it just- y'know, feels like I always get my group in trouble for some reason or another. And then they tell me, well, onis are always like that an' stuff.. so should I just let my group go with Shinobu and find somewhere else to terrorize?" As he spoke, Yoimiya's eyebrows furrowed. With a strength he wasn't sure she had until just then, she gripped onto his shoulders firmly and shook him slightly. "Stop that, Itto. Those people are just being rude. And your presence isn't terrorizing anyone, and if they think that, then-then you tell them they should stop being scared of you!" 

Itto's eyes were wide as she continued. Determination and passion infused every word she spoke to him, and a steely look he hadn't seen many times before seemed to pierce his very soul. "You're amazing, just the way you are. Shinobu and the rest of the gang love having you around. Why else would they still be you?" The oni felt a prickling in his eyes and he reached up to wipe away the tears that began to blur his vision. His voice wavered. "Thanks, Yoi…" He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. 

The pyro user noticed. She pouted slightly, letting go of the man and placing her hands on her hips. "Not smiling still? On such a nice day? Now, this is a crime!" Tutting quietly and wiggling her finger, her amber eyes sparkled with playfulness. Any determination she expressed before seemed to have vaporized into thin air. "How about this- you can pay for your crimes quickly and easily, or you can resist arrest, and I'll catch you myself!" He looked at her, puzzled. "What are ya talkin about? I haven't done anything illegal for real, right?" 

She sighed. "No, Itto. It's play talk. I wanna make you laugh like you always do, so…"

"Won't you give me a big smile, you big dork?"  

Before he was able to respond, he found himself on the floor. The tatami mat was soft, almost bouncy. He yelped loudly, glancing up at his attacker. "AUG- Yoimiya, woah! Next time, warn a guy-" 

Another yelp came from him at the sudden poke to his ribs. When he didn't push her away, her hands gently fluttered over his exposed ribs. He bucked instinctually. Yoimiya yelped, grabbing onto him for dear life. This only served to tickle more. "GaH! Hehehey, whahat-" 

"I told you I wanted to hear you laugh again! What does it look like I'm doing, silly?" Itto's reply was too garbled with laughter to reply. Deep and rumbling, his laugh seemed to shake the entirety of his body with its intensity. Yoimiya's smile only grew as the oni below her showed no inclination to escape. From underneath her, his body was virtually limp, besides slight twitches here and there when she poked at his lower ribs. "Ah-hehe! Yohoimihiya, thihihis ihihis-" 

"Is what? You do this to your friends all the time. Have they never managed to get you back?" As she spoke, her hands moved to his stomach, tracing the outline of his abs with a nail. A rather unmanly speal squeaked its way out of Itto. For a moment, their eyes locked in unbridled shock. The oni slapped his hands over his mouth. "Uhm…" 

It wasn't silent for long. The pyro user took the short moment of reprise to taser his sides. "Okay, this silence doesn't sound like laughter to me." She watched as his shoulders shook and his eyes scrunched closed. But no noise came out from behind his hands. A fake frown settled on her face. "That won't do. Itto..~ could you let me hear your laughter?" He shook his head a little. 

"Oh, come on. Okay, well.. if you don't want me to, I guess I have to make your laugh too loud to muffle!" 

With that statement, Yoimiya tucked her hands into his sides, squeezing the muscle as firmly and quickly as she dared. Almost immediately, Itto's body seemed to jerk away from her hands. All compliance seemed to sail out the window the moment she got 'serious'. And, before long, she heard adorably high-pitched giggles. Muffled, and definitely restrained as much as possible, but audible. 

"Mff-hihihi!" She watched as his ears turned red. "Awhh! Your giggles are soo CUTE!" Gently spidering her fingers over his sides only made his giggles louder. "Did I get you all worked up, just from this? Oh my archons, Itto.. you're such a cutie pie!" 

"D-dohohon't sahahay thahat! Ihihi'm Ihihitto. Ihihi aihihin't cuhuHUTE-" Itto's voice hiked as she squeezed his hips. Unable to stop himself from curling into himself, he wrapped his arms around her and tugged her closer to him. Yoimiya could actively feel her heart melt. 'Why is such a big guy acting so cute right now? This has to be illegal. It has to be!' 

Her hands drilled into his hips, and she felt his grip tighten around her. His shoulders shook with mirth. And, after a brief moment of giggles, Itto's laughter reached its loudest yet. Rough-edged, his laughter could scare someone if they heard it in the tides of battle. Coupled with his towering height, perhaps his stature and laugh would be reason enough for an entire squad of police officers to turn tail. Even so, the only feeling Yoimiya had for his laugh was fondness, a warm feeling that seemed to pervade every part of her body as she continued to drill and knead at the slightly protruding bone. 

As he squirmed slightly, she could feel his heartbeat again. Just like before, it was quick. But this time, it didn't feel half as frantic as it was before. Testing the waters, Yoimiya's hands slowly moved towards his lower back. "He-hehehaha…! Hehehey!" She giggled at the way he tried to rest his chin on her shoulder. "I don't think I'm tall enough to be a chinrest… good try, though!" 

As he grumbled in soft complaint, she decided to make it up to him by dragging her finger up his spine. The resulting yelp sounded both indignant and amused. "GAH! Yo, what was that for?!" 

"Being all pouty in my ear is also illegal while I'm around!" Itto grumbled again. "Hmph, this stuff. I already told you, I didn't do anythin' wrong this time!" 

The pyro user sighed. She shook her head slightly, her smile widening in a mix of both fondness and a tinge of resignment. "Ah, Itto. That's not what I meant. It's just a joke, okay? Nobody's arresting you." She couldn't help but giggle again at the confused sound he made, though. "It's just a tease! Don't Shinobu and the gang tease you like that?"

"No?" 

"...okay, fair enough." Yoimiya's hands massaged at the tensest muscles she could feel in a soothing motion. She felt him sag in her grasp, and for a moment she reminded herself that his weight would probably be enough to crush her in this position. "Still, though. Are you feeling at least a little better now?" 

He nodded. "Yeah.." The silent 'but' hung in the air. "You still want me to keep going?" 

If it were virtually anyone else in any other situation, the sudden lack of noise would have been crushing. Nothing moved, not even the wind chimes outside. She took his silence (correctly) as acquiescence. "Alright, I hear you loud and clear." 

"I didn't say anything!" 

"You didn't need to say it, Itto. Now come on, let me make you smile again!" 

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Let me know if you have any other requests for me. I'd love to receive them :D