#katsuko talks

[the-haunted-office]

Nextday shrugs. Everyone in the office tells everyone else in the office about everyone else in the office, pretty much. Not like spreading rumors or gossip or anything like that, but they do keep track of each other and of who is coming and going. One of the other Days told her about Moriko and the other kitsunes and so that is what she tells her.

"One of my alternates," she simply states, and the app on her phone translates. "I'm not particularly well-known around here either." Another shrug. She likes it that way, even if she does get lonely from time to time.

"Oh alright!"

Moriko says before smiling happily

"Oh so you are a Thursday, That's nice! Oh ok Nextday.."

Moriko giggles a little

"Yes, I am Moriko, Who told you about me?"

"I'm not that popular ehehehe"

[ritsukaaoyagi]

whenever I read a chapter of loveless with katsuko in it I’m like I wish I was her. I want to listen to ritsuka talk about his problems every week and buy his favor with expensive ice cream A GIRL CAN DREAM!

[the12thnightproject]

Chapter 21: Exuent, Pursued by a Bear? - Okatsu’s reunion with her brother and Sasuke is postponed as they all prepare their attacks on Iekane’s army. Mitsunari heads out on a dangerous mission.

Mitsunari x OC; Nobunaga x Mai

Previous Chapter

Logline - In order to protect a political alliance, Katusko and Mitsunari must pretend an engagement. But this “all business” arrangement is threatened by a coup against Nobunaga… and by feelings.

From the Military Notes of Ishida Mitsunari…

Personal comments: I am no longer able to continue researching military theory, as events have conspired to throw us all into the middle of a military operation. Assets: One scout/archer; one Princess/archer; one ninja of self-described ‘moderately awesome’ abilities; one healer; and one small boy. Assets promised, not yet acquired: twenty vassals; a dozen servants; an unknown number of women archers.

Missing asset: Lord Mitsuhide.

Opposition: Upwards of three hundred men – some of whom may be paid mercenaries.

Mission: Prevent above three hundred men from overrunning Genba castle and killing Lord Nobunaga.

Keep Okatsu alive.

Kissing Okatsu should not be on this list, as it is no longer a priority.

Kiss Okatsu.

Was I still asleep and dreaming? Was I dreaming that both Sasuke and Toshiie were here?  No, because right before my brother yanked me into a hug too tight to be a dream, I saw Sasuke and Mitsunari standing behind him.

Toshiie’s hands were strong on my back, and he babbled nearly incoherently. "Katsuko. Oh God, I'm sorry. They told me you were dead. I swear, I never would have stopped looking if I'd known. I never would have gone back. I’m sorry. I should have protected you."

Dead? Me? I mean, even when I was locked in the crate, I hadn’t reached the point of ‘mostly-dead.’

His words didn't make sense, but did it matter right now? His hair was shorter, he looked a little thinner, there were new lines in his face, he wore a different pair of glasses ... but it was Toshiie "Sh. It’s ok. You found me... or did Sasuke find you?" Where had he been all these years? How had Sasuke found him?

I double checked to make sure that Mitsunari was out of earshot. Ok, he and Sasuke had politely withdrawn to give Toshiie and I privacy for our reunion. Further beyond them, Hikosane and Shohime were busy -- were they making ground spikes? In any case they were all far enough away to not overhear Toshie and my conversation.

"Actually, I found Sasuke in modern Kyoto. Katsuko, I was only in this era for a few months. The same wormhole that brought us here, sent me back to modern Japan almost seven years ago." He put his head in his hands. “I thought you were dead. The bandits said you were eaten by a bear."

"A bear? What?" I clapped my hand over my mouth to prevent laughing in his face. But seriously. I had encountered one or two bears in my time here and they never showed any interest in eating me. If Toshiie had spent more time here, he would know the bears were shy of people, "Never mind. Go on, I always thought you were on a ship of some kind. Guess that was as wrong as the bear."

“That’s right. I was on a ship. We'd been at sea about six weeks," he made a face (Toshiie always had had terrible motion sickness), "when we sailed into a storm. And I could tell it was the same kind of storm that brought us here. That fog bank moved right off the port side, and while they were all dealing with the storm, I dove right into it."

"Wow. That was…" Stupid. He could have drowned. "Brave."

"The next thing I knew, I was back at Togakushi, alone, in the middle of winter. I was messed up for a while.” He paused and looked down at the ground. In my family, the three of us had never used words like “depressed” or “anxious.” Even though psychology courses were required for his studies, Toshiie had nearly always avoided talking about mental health with me (well, until the day that we’d ended up sucked into the wormhole). So for him to even use ‘messed up?’ Things had been bad for him. “Anyway, eventually, I pulled myself together and went back to school." He lifted up a medical bag that looked far too anachronistic to my eyes.

"Look at you. Are you a doctor now?" It was hard to take in. While I'd had a life here, Toshiie had - eventually - picked up where he left off. It felt jarring, like we were two pieces of a puzzle that looked like they would fit but didn't.

"Not yet. Close. I have another year of residency." He glanced at Sasuke. "A couple weeks ago, I saw an announcement for a lecture about time travel. Since I've never had anyone to talk to about it, I went, and that’s where I met Sasuke. After he was done talking, I followed him out of the lecture hall, and said, you're not going to believe this, but what you described happened to me. We went out for a drink, and I told him everything.”

Sasuke and Mitsunari had made their way over in time to hear the last bit of Toshiie’s story. "And I told him, I do believe you... and I know your sister. She's not dead. I had already been making plans to return to-" He sideeyed Mitsunari. "To this part of the county."

"To this era. You may say that. I am aware Okatsu is a time traveler." Mitsunari spoke as casually as if he were offering tea.

He knows?

I must have looked stunned, for Mitsunari patted my arm before continuing. "I was already aware that Mai is from the future as she mentioned it on the day she arrived, and after observing her actions for a few days, I concluded she had not been lying. As you once noted you are from the same place as Mai, the logical conclusion was that you are also from the future. Since you did not mention it to me, I presumed you did not wish to discuss it." The words were mild, but his tone sounded hurt.

"I never mention it to anyone. Even Aki, who I've worked for for many years, doesn't know." Then because I wanted to give Mitsunari something of myself, a truth he could hold onto, I added, "My name actually is Katsuko. Mitsuhide changed it when he made me a princess." I put the word ‘princess’ in air quotes, although probably he wouldn’t understand the gesture.

That dazzling smile came out. "Katsuko." It sounded like he was tasting the name on his tongue. “Katsuko,” he repeated, and coming from his mouth it sounded like a song. "It is a pretty name. It suits you." Then he sighed. “I am terrible at remembering names though. I apologize in advance if I forget and call you Okatsu.”

For the sake of our charade, he likely should continue to call me Okatsu anyway, but it was nice to know that I was no longer lying to him about one thing.

Toshiie gave him a ‘back-off dude,’ big brother type look, then picked up the story. "Sasuke has a friend who is very ill, so he asked if I would also come along to-”

"- Where I work," Sasuke jumped in very quickly. Yeah, it wouldn’t be a good idea to advertise to an Oda that you worked for-.

"I'm also aware you work for Uesugi Kenshin. Do not censor yourself on my account." Mitsunari calmly sat with his hands resting on his knees as if he was doing nothing more than discussing the best brand of tea, instead of chatting with an enemy.

"Er. Alright then." Sasuke pushed glasses further up nose. "In any case, as Toshiie and I came through a wormhole at Honno-ji, it was simple enough to detour to Genba, but Mitsunari has briefed me on your current situation, and clearly it's not that simple."

"You'll help us though." It wasn't question. I knew he would do that for Mai. And I suppose given that he also was aware of Japan's future, it was vital that unification happened.

Sasuke nodded. "Mitsunari has been discussing strategy with me." He began pulling all manner of ninja tools out of his pack. "I understand we'd be practicing guerilla tactics to carry out attacks on the enemy until reinforcements arrive."

Finally, Mitsunari looked confused. "Gorillas... we need monkeys?"

"Um... it's just another word for Ewok." I didn’t know why it was called guerilla. I’d probably skipped school that day.

"Ewoks!" Sasuke looked at me. "If I had known you were also a time traveler earlier. I imagine we would have had some fascinating conversations."

Now it was Mitsunari's turn for that 'back off' look, and he directed it at Sasuke. However, he continued in a pleasant tone of voice. "Now is not the time for that. Okatsu, Katsuko.” He sighed. "As I said. I am not very good at remembering names.”

"Might as well leave it at Okatsu so as not to confuse anyone." We really didn’t have time to keep explaining a name change to Hikosan, Shohime and the Kanamori vassals.

Susumu had rounded up thirty-five vassals and servants, an additional six women archers, and all the spare weapons and ammunition he could find. Once everyone had gathered in our camp, Mitsunari outlined his plans. "I intend to split us in three groups." Susumu, you and I will take the largest force and to capture as many of their supplies as possible." He used a stick to draw out the military formations in the dirt. "We’ll isolate and outflank the supply chain here."

"Okatsu, you are to lead the archers, with Shohime and Hikosane to the top of the northermost signal tower. There you are to defend our rear guard and the-” he nodded at Toshiie, "medical facility for the injured."

“Hang on! I’m not part of this fight. I came back for my sister and nothing else. Sasuke promised he could get us home.” Toshiie tugged on my arm. “I couldn’t help you before, but I’m here now.”

This… was not the brother I remembered. What had happened to him? And while on an intellectual level, I knew that Toshiie hadn’t undergone the seven years of survival training I’d been through, but even without that, did he really think I’d abandon my friends now? “If you really want to help, then listen to Mitsunari.”

Toshiie turned to Mitsunari… and said, “Look, I didn’t go through all this just to watch my sister get killed. She’s impulsive. She’s unreliable. She’s-”

“Standing right next to you.” I elbowed him in the ribs. “I can speak for myself, and I’m not going anywhere until this is over.” One way or another.

With a calming hand, Sasuke patted Toshiie on the back. “I will get you and your sister home, but we can’t leave until Nobunaga is safe, or there may not be a home to return to.” Given all these witnesses, Sasuke couldn’t bring up quantum theory and temporal paradox, but the unspoken message was clear.

Although he clearly didn’t like it, Toshiie grudgingly accepted Sasuke’s statement. “Fine. As long as I’m stuck here, I will provide medical care to my best ability. Under these conditions.” That last part was muttered under his breath.

Calmly, as if Toshiie hadn’t been possessed by the spirit of Debbie Downer, Mitsunari continued his instructions.  "Sasuke believes he can find a way into Genba castle and potentially sneak Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, Mai… and Mozumi out. But if he cannot, he will at least be able to return with valuable information about guards and troop movement.”

His expression serious (although his expression always was serious), Sasuke saluted him and nodded.

"Based on how much Susumu’s forces can obtain or destroy, and what Sasuke learns," Mitsunari continued, "We will refine and move on to phase two of the plan."

All that was great and all... but I was a bit... peeved... that I was going to be stuck on top of a tower. Not that I would say anything to Mitsunari in front of anyone else (unlike my brother I understood the military chain of command… and unlike my brother I also had manners). Instead, I waited until everyone dispersed and Mitsunari finished relaying instructions to Sasuke, before approaching. "Lord Mitsunari." I bowed.

"Okatsu there's no need for formality.” Then he looked at me for a moment before frowning. "You... are upset?"

"Are you trying to protect me by putting me in beacon tower?" I thought I had proved my worth by now.

"I see. No. That isn't it. I want archers on top of that tower, and you are the best archer I know." Then, even though no one was looking, he took my hands in his. Instantly at his touch, I felt calmer. Mitsunari always could soothe the noise in my head. "I was treating you as a warrior and placing you where you are needed."

"Oh. Alright then. Thank-you." I paused, then withdrew my hands from his, feeling the cold as I did so.

The beacon towers were part of a network of towers that Takeda Shingen had built all through the territory when it was his. Since the primary function was to send smoke signals from tower to tower, the structures were crude, mostly open to the elements, wider on the ground floor, and tapering upward to the beacon level. The one we planned to use had been abandoned for months, although to be certain, we had one of Susumu's men with us (the Redshirt), to check things out.

On the ground level, Toshiie set up the ‘medical tent,’ in one corner, grumbling all the while about medieval medicine.

"I realize you’re being sarcastic, but this literally is medieval Japan," I reminded him, as Shohime, our girl-power archery corps, and I prepared to climb onto the higher level to set up the defenses. "You don't hear me grumbling about the lack of binoculars, do you?"

Toshiro reached into his pack and handed me a set of binoculars.

"Wow. Really?" Not taking a gift anachronism in the mouth, but… "Does Sasuke know you brought those?"

Tosh shrugged. "We weren't planning to be here that long. Just get you, help his friend, and hop the next wormhole out of here." He kicked at the dirt and leaves that littered the ground since the tower’s sides were partially open to the elements.

"Too bad you couldn't sneak a handheld vacuum huh?" I broke off a branch of a nearby tree, then flipped it leaf side down. "Here, Macguver this into a broom."

Tosh rolled his eyes (and to think I missed his sarcasm?) but grabbed the branch and got to work.

I joined the others on top of the tower, they were milling around and it took me a moment to realize that they were waiting for me to tell them what to do. Mitsunari had effectively made me commander of this team. I looked them over.

Though a couple women were around my age, there was one who had to be at least a grandmother, if not a great grandmother. Shohime went right over to the woman and hugged her. The woman whispered something in her ear, and Shohime laughed before turning to me. “Lady Okatsu, this is Ushi. She used to work in Genba castle and she taught me everything I know about archery.”

Well, that was good information that I hoped I’d know what to do with. I'd never been in charge before. It looked like I would need to rely on Shohime, whose transformation from airhead to semi-capable warrior had left my head spinning.

Alright. Speech time. Hopefully I would not suddenly develop stage fright. "If our luck holds, and of course we can't count on luck, we can remain undetected until Susumu and Mitsunari launch their raid. But as I said we can't count on luck. We'll start with four people, one keeping watch over each direction.” The top of the tower was only about four square meters, narrowing from the larger room below, so even though we all faced different directions, we would be able help to each other.

“Four up here watching. Two asleep. Two guarding and helping medical. We'll rotate in shifts every quarter watch." Given Shohime’s recommendation, I put Ushi in charge of the other shift, then sent them back to the main floor, telling them to determine for themselves who would sleep first. And… feeling like I ought to add some kind of inspiring words to fire them up, I said,  “And… um, clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.”

After the other shift retreated to the base of the tower, all was quiet. I sneakily used the binoculars to see if I could get a sense of what was happening at the castle, but these glasses had been meant for bird watching, and I couldn't see close enough for details.

"Shohime, how long have you been pretending to be..." I bit back the word 'stupid,' as I didn't want to insult her.

She understood what I meant. "Since I was eight. I saw Lady Yone about to smother Hikosane with a cushion! He was just a baby! I interrupted her and asked her to help with a dance I had been learning. It was easier protect Hikosane if she thought I was an idiot."

"I take it Lady Yone was pregnant with one of your sisters at the time?" Though Japan didn’t really follow the western tradition of primogeniture, Genba Castle's domain was on the small and poor side, especially before the silver mines had been discovered. Yone would not have wanted an unborn son to divide his inheritance with Hikosane.

"Yes." Shohine's shoulders slumped. "She steps up the efforts every time she is pregnant. Although this-" she gestured vaguely around the forest. "Was not something. I expected."

"I imagine Iekane helped her come up with this.... or maybe they found each other." I didn't want to discount the intelligence of another woman, especially, after misjudging Shohime. "Are your feelings for Mitsunari part of whatever it was you were doing to protect Hikosane?"

If she was sincere in her feelings, then maybe after this was over, after I went home, she and Mitsunari would get together after all. She'd shown herself to be resourceful and smart, although clearly she needed more education to be able to take advantage of that raw intelligence.

"How could anyone not love Mitsunari?" Shohime had a fond smile on her face. "He's smart and sweet and beautiful."

True, he was all of that and more. He would be very easy to love…

…if I weren’t catching the next wormhole out of town.

I must have looked upset or something, because Shohime leaned over and touched my arm. "But don’t worry Okatsu. No matter how I feel about him, it's obvious that the two of you are perfect for one another. Please don't worry that I will try to come between you."

At the moment, I was more worried about Mitsunari getting back from his mission with Susumu. They’d been gone a while… too long? I hadn’t been paying enough attention to the position of the sun to estimate how much time had passed. Something rustled in the trees below, and I took a moment to track and find it through the binoculars. It was just a rabbit. A regular rabbit, I presumed, and not a monster out of the imagination of Monty Python. “What about the poisoned tea? Lord Mitsuhide said you could have killed us all."

"I was afraid that Lady Yone was having me watched… that page that always follows me came to the castle in her entourage.” Oh. Huh. I had wondered why she hadn’t brought that seemingly loyal page with her when she ‘ran away.’ “So, I had to at least pick the flowers. But if the stable – er, Lord Aketchi had not already stopped me, I would have switched it out before I gave it to you - or to us, since I believe I was the intended victim. She wants Iekane to herself."

"Ugh. She can have him." I was years away from the naïve girl who had once found Iekane’s smile attractive.

"With a ribbon.'' Shohime and I smiled in a moment of simpatico. "Lord Aketchi said what I ended up giving you truly was a love potion. I suppose it was simply something like water?"

I shrugged. "With Mitsuhide, anything is possible. He might have truly handed you a temporary love potion because it amused him to do so."

"Interesting. Lord Aketchi sounds like a fascinating man. I imagine I could learn a great deal from him." There was a look on her face that made me suspect she might be willing to see him as a romantic prospect, but all jokes aside, I thought the age difference between the two was too great. Besides, I did not want anyone to get in the way of the great enemies-to-lovers romance that was Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi.

Any further conversation in this vein was interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the ladder, as Toshiie and Hikosane climbed onto the observation platform.

"It's as clean as it is going to get,'' Toshiie dusted his hands on his hakima. "Though in an ideal world we won't have any wounded anyway."

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, there was a muffled sound of gunshots, carried through the clear afternoon air.

Oh God. Mitsunari. That’s where he was. What if he’d been shot?

The gunshots were followed by a-

BOOM.

-that rattled the tower in its intensity.

My breath caught in my lungs as a plume of smoke rose over the trees above a dark orange glow.

BOOM.

@lorei-writes @bestbryn @katriniac @lyds323 @briars7

[melishade]

Sorry about that. Named are not my strong suit. Especially if the names aren't English or Spanish. The only foreign show I've watched where I can remember all the names is One Piece.

Anyways, if Elita's been trapped that long, between Zeke talking to the Emporer and Mikasa's visit, that means she missed the fight.

There's no way she's not gonna notice the new scar on Optimus' shoulder. Levi and/or Wheeljack would definitely take the opportunity to get Megatron in trouble twice in one day.

Elita-1: So, what did I miss?

Optimus: Oh, nothing much. Just bit of trouble with the Marleys, Wheeljack and Arcee dropping by, and Azumabito Clan wanting to see our strength by having Megatron and I-

Megatron: *Covers Optimus' mouth* Atatatatatatatarah!

Elita-1: *Glares at Megatron* What happened?

Megatron: Nothing of importance! Mind your own business!

Levi, Wheeljack, and every other person who hates Megatron or likes drama:

@excelciorst Part 8: Elita getting out of Hizuru

Pacifist husband/bloodthirsty wife. That's hilarious.

Elita would ultimately ask about the scar, but Optimus quickly tells her that they'll discuss it later because they have guests and he doesn't want them seeing any more violence than they already have. And the royal family and Kiyomi already got a peak of the Elita v Megatron and the aftermath.

Kiyomi whispering to Taisho: Maybe it was a good investment after all.

Kenshin: Please tell me that you did not refer to the titan that just kicked the Flying Titan's ass as a 'good investment.'

Cause they've heard the reports on the Flying Titan from Marley. And Kiyomi has seen Optimus and Megatron fight. That is honest to god terrifying, seeing one of these titans fight with an intent to kill.

Hanji: Hello, your majesties! My name is Hanji Zoe: Commander of the Survey Corps! While we let Buckethead wallow in a pain of his own creation, how exactly was it that you've managed to find Elita?

Elita and Wheeljack stay outside on the Jackhammer and listen in on the conversation in the building while Optimus and Arcee are inside with their holoforms. Taisho explains that he had bought Elita because he was simply trying to buy one of the newer model cars that came on the market. Kiyomi then explains that Kenshin had learned about Elita's actual identity and were trying to find the exact same model car she copied before anyone found out.

Levi: Buckethead blew her cover by just being himself.

Kiyomi and Kenshin: Yes.

Optimus hates the fact that his conjunx is being considered property but keeps that to himself.

Then there's also the fact that Taisho brings up the deal he and Elita made: 5% increase in energon and protection from coups in exchange for free passage to the island and government secrets. This is a controversial deal, mainly because Elita isn't known and could be at risk of being discovered. Not to mention she's going to be in service to a country that they don't know they can completely trust yet. Katsuko has remained quiet in all this, but does notice the way that Optimus reacts to something that would jeopardize Elita's safety. Something as simple as a flinch or a flex of the finger. Her husband is as stoic as he appears to be, but...this was familiar.

Now somewhere along in that conversation, Taisho does refer to Elita as machinery and/or property, and oh fuck no one has ever seen Optimus look that pissed without saying a word. Arcee is genuinely afraid (because she doesn't know Optimus and Elita are a thing. No one expect Ratchet really knows among the Autobots.) And the Survey Corps immediately take a step back. And Optimus warns Taisho of not referring to any of the Autobots as machinery or property. And then it finally clicks for Katsuko what the hell is going on and quickly requests an intermission before pushing Taisho out the room before he gets himself killed!

Elita is a little embarrassed but also a little smitten. She knows that Optimus was pissed from audio. However, Wheeljack is confused why Optimus reacted that way, and Elita, seeing that the war is finally over, decides to tell him.

Wheeljack:

Finding out that your leader is alive, Megatron is alive, Elita is alive, and that Optimus and Elita are in a relationship really breaks some brains. But the fact that Wheeljack has been on this world for at least 24 hours and this is what he found out, really makes him love the place.

Meanwhile Katsuko has to quietly explain to Taisho away from everyone else that Optimus and Elita are lovers you dense idiot! Taisho already got the idea that Megatron was considered and enemy, and is no doubt considered hostile, but he never expected lovers in any of this.

Katsuko: Darling, lover, my precious hare...you're so dense sometimes and I hate that about you.

Taisho blushing in embarrassment: You married me when I asked, so what does that make you?

Katsuko: You are sleeping on the couch when we get back home.

After that debacle, they work out the deal and come to an agreement before the royal family head back home. Kenshin gives Mikasa her gift of origini and sakura mochi before hugging her (causing Eren to nearly snap at him) before heading off. Elita is finally able to calm down...until she notices the claw marks patched up on Optimus' shoulder.

Elita: Optimus, what happened?

Optimus grows rigid at that question: I fear if I answer, you may kill him.

Elita inhales deeply before turning to Levi: What-!

Levi with the biggest smirk: Optimus and Megatron fought each other to show their battle prowess and Megatron injured Optimus.

Elita's optic starts twitching.

Levi: Drawing energon.

Elita draws her sword. Optimus gets in her way.

Optimus: Let it go.

Elita: Optimus-!

Optimus, more commanding: I am ordering you to let. it. go. I am fine.

Elita puts her sword away: Stop making excuses for him.

Optimus: It has been a long day. I do not want any more conflict.

Levi laments being robbed of his fun. Meanwhile, Hanji is surprised at how much Levi is actually smiling because of Megatron getting pain.

Optimus and Elita definitely spend some time catching up with each other in private. Elita goes after Megatron again once he feels better. Wheeljack tells Arcee about Optimus and Elita being in a relationship, and she goes:

This world is going to break her brain.

And true to Katsuko's word, Taisho sleeps on the couch, and she locks his office so he can stew in what he did wrong.

[katsuko-rp-blog]

Katsuko looks at the speakers and nods before she starts clawing one of the chairs.

She might be after Cyrus or his stuff, she might not be but now that she knows Thursday isn't the office...Katsuko might be a little more misbehaving, She might instead be mischievous to Thisday instead, she just has to make it up to the control panel

Katsuko decides after ripping up this chair she's going to go mess with Thisday.

Katsuko is crawling around in her fox form looking for a way to make mischief without being stopped by Thursday.

@katsuko-rp-blog

Luckily for Katsuko, Thursday is still at the Sanctuary! Also luckily for Katsuko, Thisday is in the control booth today. Right away he notices the little fox sniffing around the office and gets on the speakers to communicate with her.

"Hello! Is that you, Katsuko? Whatcha looking for? Thursday isn't here right now, is there something I can help you with?"

[princess-of-the-corner]

Re:The Chlotsuki thing.

There's lots of angles the relationship could take but I think considering their parents and pwrsonalities the funniest would be big anggy Katsuko turning into his sweet demure dad around her, and allow her to actually be in love with him so she's more belligerent like his mom, but with that line she won't cross(unlike Audrey)

Bakugo is basically the world's biggest Tsun, only his gf gets all the cute and everyone else gets the angry.

I don't think it'd be the /biggest/ personality flip because I don't think Kats can be like. Demure.

But Katsuki /can/ be sweet. It just comes with a tone of derogatory(affectionate).

Though honestly with both of them having a hard time being what they're told is to be 'baseline standard 'nice'' and their own issues, I could also see them struggling with that.

Like Chloé is the 'I told myself that my mother loved me despite the mean things she says. So does my partner who say mean things actually love me?'.

Meanwhile I've had a similar thing with Katsuki on writing her being a bit confused about how much her mom cares about her because of the shit she'd say. (to be clear, Mitsuki does love her. She's just Like That™) so it's still a game of 'how do I tell when you're saying something derogatory(affectionate) vs. actually insulting me?'.

Basically they both need therapy and a long talk

[neonclean]

FANGAN QUEER SHIP TOURNAMENT UPDATE 8

Hihi it's the 9th in which I have gathered the 2nd day votes so here is my talk on it and results

FOURTH MATCH RESULTS

Well Katsuhiko x Hideyoshi won against Kanaroha with a 37.8% difference. The host haves nothing to say on here no older prediction or vote but we have gotten a great propaganda for Katsuko x Hideyoshi which may or not be the reason for today's victory. If I wasnt a host I'd choice my vote based off the propanganda. Anyway

CONGRATULATIONS TO KATSUKO X HIDEYOSHI AS WELL AS THE (HE)ARTLESS DECEITERS YOUR SHIP MOVES TO ROUND TWO!!!!

FIFTH MATCH RESULTS

*commentary countains tetro spoilers

Fire fox won by a wooping 51,2% against Tamba x Watari. As a host I'm sorta not surprised doomed ships are generally more enjoyed In media but for smth to be that they should interact and Tamba x Watari had maybe 1-2 words in tetro and that's it. Theirs is more like AU canon to me overall which plays into my theory of reason as for why the results are that way. But Firefox is toxic and doomed after 3rd chapter to which adds it more likeness points for a community like our Tumblr Well my popularity ship theory/analysis aside...

CONGRATULATIONS TO FIREFOX AND THE OKAZAKERS THE SHIP MOVES TO ROUND 2!!!

SIXTH MATCH RESULTS

We get a AreiJ sweeping Hironagi with a 62.8% well with that result our host determines that Let's say we the Tumblr ppl are in 4 separated households of fangans 1st is dra/sdra2 2nd is drdt 3rd is p:eg 4th is tetro. Drdt would have the most citizens which means I made a huge mistake by putting Hasemura against an easy opponent like kaimon I should of put it against ace x Levi. Well underestimating the drdt community was the secound overall misstake on my end. There is no way soruko and kinjomae are getting 2nd round but that aside....

CONGRATULATIONS TO AREI X J!!! IT MOVES TO ROUND 2!!!

KEEP IN WATCH FOR TOMMOROW'S RESULTS OF MATCH 7 8 AND 9

[yokumirumerafan]

If MHA switched genders?

Ahahahahah I had fun with this. Hope you like it <33

Class 1-A

Izumi Midoriya (Izuku Midoriya, Female) 💚 Still kind, heroic, and strategic, but a bit more emotional in her expressions. 📖 Might be a bit more motherly towards her friends, constantly worrying about them.

Katsuko Bakugo (Katsuki Bakugo, Female) 🔥 Same explosive temper, but with an even sharper tongue. 💄 Might have a more punk/goth aesthetic instead of her usual tough-boy attitude.

Shoko Todoroki (Shoto Todoroki, Female) ❄🔥 Cool and collected but slightly more elegant in mannerisms. 🖤 Might show her emotions a bit more through small, subtle actions instead of being completely quiet.

Ochiro Uraraka (Ochaco Uraraka, Male) 💰 More like a big brother type—goofy, hardworking, and optimistic. 😆 Probably has a dorky "cool guy" personality but fails at being cool.

Tena Iida (Tenya Iida, Female) 🏎 Still strict, but a bit more of a "big sister" instead of a "strict senpai." 🎀 Might have a slightly softer, caring tone while still enforcing rules.

Eiko Kirishima (Eijiro Kirishima, Female) 💪 Energetic and unshakably loyal—still calls everything "manly" but finds a new word for it! 💋 Probably has a tomboyish but very friendly personality.

Denka Kaminari (Denki Kaminari, Female) ⚡ More like a teasing, playful flirt instead of a clueless dork. 📱 Probably a social media queen, spamming selfies and memes.

Hana Sero (Hanta Sero, Female) 🕷 Still laid-back and fun, but with a more tomboyish attitude. 🎤 Might love gossip and teasing her classmates.

Fumiko Tokoyami (Fumikage Tokoyami, Female) 🌑 Same gothic personality but might be even more poetic and dramatic. 💀 Possibly a mysterious beauty type instead of a brooding loner.

Meza Shoji (Mezo Shoji, Female) 🤐 Even quieter but very protective—like a silent bodyguard. 🏋️‍♀️ Probably stronger than most guys but super humble about it.

Rika Sato (Rikido Sato, Female) 🍰 Buff, cute, and loves sweets—probably acts like a big sister to everyone. 🤗 Gives the best hugs in 1-A.

Koko Koda (Koji Koda, Female) 🐰 Shy, sweet, and even more animal-loving. 🍃 Might have a soft-spoken, princess-like voice.

Toru Hagakure (Still Invisible, Female-to-Male) 🕶 More mischievous, like a prankster little brother. 🎭 Loves sneaking up on people for fun.

Momo Yaoyorozu (Gender-flipped but same name) 📚 Elegant, brilliant, and still rich—might be slightly more serious as a guy. 🎩 Could have a bit of a "noble gentleman" vibe.

Kyotaro Jiro (Kyoka Jiro, Male) 🎸 Still sarcastic, but a little more chill. 🎶 Might be like a cool indie musician type.

Minoru Ashido (Mina Ashido, Male) 😆 More like a flirty, fun-loving jock but still very friendly. 💃 Loves dancing and having fun but doesn't go too far with it.

Yuki Aoyama (Yuga Aoyama, Male-to-Female) ✨ Even more dramatic but in a fashionable, stylish way. 💄 Loves beauty and probably has an elegant, graceful presence.

Pro Heroes

All Queen (Toshiko Yagi, Female All Might) 🦁 Still super heroic, but with a strong "powerful mom energy." 🤗 Gives the warmest, strongest hugs ever.

Flame Empress (Enna Todoroki, Female Endeavor) 🔥 Still intense, but maybe less aggressively competitive. 👑 More of a fierce "warrior queen" than a straight-up abusive dad.

Hawkeye (Keika Takami, Female Hawks) 🦅 Sassy, fun-loving, and a bit of a femme fatale. 😏 Loves teasing people but always stays composed and cool.

Shadowcat (Shiori Aizawa, Female Eraserhead) 😴 Still super tired all the time but might have a slightly more caring, "tough-love" approach. ☕ Drinks even more coffee than male Aizawa.

Best Diva (Tsunako Hakamada, Female Best Jeanist) 👗 A high-fashion queen, probably an icon in the hero world. 💅 Takes elegance to another level.

Dusk (Nemu Kayama, Male Midnight) 😏 Still seductive, but in a more "suave and mysterious" way. 🎩 Probably a smooth-talking gentleman type.

Villains

Tomoko Shigaraki (Tomura Shigaraki, Female) 🕷 Even creepier, but with a quiet, eerie beauty. 🔪 Probably acts like a horror movie villain with soft, unsettling smiles.

Dalia (Dabi, Female) 🔥 Still brooding and angsty, but might use seduction more as a weapon. 🖤 A punk-goth queen with a dangerous aura.

Hideo Toga (Himiko Toga, Male) 🩸 Still obsessed with blood, but might act more like a "twisted prince" type. 😈 A mix of playful and terrifying, even creepier as a guy.

Ms. Compress (Atsuha Sako, Female Mr. Compress) 🎭 A charming magician lady with a theatrical presence. 🎩 Loves to manipulate people with her wit.

Kurona (Kurogiri, Female) ☁ Still just as mysterious and polite. 🍷 Might have a soothing yet haunting voice.

All For Empress (All For One, Female) 👑 The ultimate evil queen, refined and coldly ruthless. 🕷 Might wear a terrifyingly elegant black gown.

Todoroki Family

Ren Todoroki (Rei Todoroki, Male) ❄ A soft-spoken but deeply emotional father. 😞 Probably gets a lot of sympathy from fans.

Fuyuto Todoroki (Fuyumi Todoroki, Male) 🍳 Still super caring, but a bit more like a responsible big brother.

Natsumi Todoroki (Natsuo Todoroki, Female) 🌸 A cool, independent woman who just wants a normal life.

[kobayashisoul]

》 Raziela Kobayashi Bio 《

Name: Raziela Kobayashi

Also known as: Reeze

Meaning: Kobayashi [Small Forest]

Clan: Kobayashi Clan

Kekkei Genkai: Hyôton [Ice Release]

Clan Village: Tengoku

She is one of the last living Purebloods of her Clan, means one of the last Persons who can use the Kekkei Genkai [Ice Release].

She was born in Sunagakure but she moved with her Family to Tengoku when she was around eleven years old. At her Age of 21, she returned to Suna, her Place of Birth

Species: Human

Gender: Female

Sexual orientation: Demisexual

Birthday: 3rd September

Zodiac sign: Virgo

Age: 

Part I/Pre-Shippuuden: 11 - 13 years

Part II/Shippuden: 14 – 16 years

The Last: 18 years

Epilogue: 29 years

Boruto next Generations:  31 years

Chakra Nature 1: Sūiton [Water Release]

Chakra Nature 2: Fūton [Wind Release]

Together it's combined to: Hyōton [Ice Release]

Fighting Style: Distance Fighter

Ninjutsu: 5/5 - Expert/Strength

Taijutsu: 2,5/5 - Average

Genjutsu: 0,5/5 - Bad/Weakness

Personality:

Introverted • doesn't talk that much • passionate • loyal • supportive for her loved ones • Family is everything to her • hates Changes • has a terrible fear of loss • it's not easy to make her cry

Relationship Status: Taken/Married

Family:

Sabaku No Gaara [Husband] [alive]

Jiro Kobayashi [First Son] [alive]

Aoi Kobayashi [First Daughter] [alive]

Shinki [Second Son (Adopted)] [alive]

Shiina Kobayashi [Second Daughter] [alive]

➖➖

Kankuro [Brother in law] [alive]

Temari [Sister in law] [alive]

➖➖

Vaizen Kobayashi [biological Father] [alive]

Zynia Kobayashi [Mother] [disappeared]

Haruka Kobayashi [Sister] [alive]

Buredo Kobayashi [Brother] [alive]

Katsuko Kobayashi [Foster Father] [alive]

More Informations to come!

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Art (c) zefimankai

Raziela Kobayashi (c) @kobayashisoul

Kobayashi Clan (c) @kobayashisoul

Tengoku (c) @kobayashisoul

Naruto Stuff (c) Masashi Kishimoto

This Picture was a Gift for me from zefimankai . I am NOT the Artist of this Artwork. The Character, the Design and the Story belongs to me and I have the Artists written Permissiom to upload it to my Social Media. ⚠️

Without my written permission you have no righ to use this in any way. ⚠️

[themculibrary]

Bruce/Betty Masterlist

[don't count the miles] (ao3) - Feather (lalaietha) G, 2k

Summary: She ends up talking about it to Natasha Romanoff one evening, over very Italian coffee in the shell of what will eventually be Natasha's floor.

[not my ugly side] (ao3) - Feather (lalaietha) G, 4k

Summary: The fight technically starts over coffee - specifically, over who needs to get up and refill the coffee cups - and then it sort of mushrooms from there. Or maybe branches out is a better way of describing it, because it gets way the hell and gone off topic pretty quick, rapidly covering the ground of "but I always get the coffee" and moving onto "maybe we should ask Tony for one of those Nespresso machines" and from there escalating happily up into every single one of Betty's instincts screaming that there has got to be a catch to that, even if her logic has basically accepted there isn't, mixing uncomfortably with all of the irrational discomfort with asking for more stuff that she'll never be rid of, jumping track over to whether or not they're being wasteful, and finally the volume dials itself up until Bruce stands up from the table with his hands on his hips and half-shouts, "And this isn't even about the coffee, is it?"

accidentally family (ao3) - Katsuko T, 2k

Summary: As odd as the statement may be, it was a simple series of accidents that had made their little family what it was. Or, how the Banners accidentally became the Banners.

After the End (ao3) - copperbadge T, 3k

Summary: "You looking for someone?" "A friend. My friend Bruce. I came here to find him."

An Unforgettable Day (fanfiction.net) - Aboodash56 T, 1k

Summary: One-shot story. After the defeat of Thanos and the death of Thunderbolt Ross, Bruce and Betty decide to start anew with their lives together.

background (ao3) - seekingsquake past bruce/betty G, 1k

Summary: Bruce's life revolved around her, even after she had gone.

breadcrumbs (ao3) - irnan G, 2k

Summary: Betty is aware that this is not going to work unless she can come up with a better plan than calling up the Pentagon and asking if they can direct her to a scientist who occasionally turns into a giant green monster, a specific one, she didn't just wake up this morning with a craving, she's actually his girlfriend, so would they mind very kindly putting her through... ?

Tempting, just to hear the reaction on the other end, but Bad Plan. For one thing, she's not sure the Pentagon knows jack squat about... well, anything. It seems expedient to take a different approach.

cracks (ao3) - seekingsquake G, 6k

Summary: Bruce has never been able to take a breather. The team reminds him that he’s not on the run anymore.

Feel Like Home (ao3) - Trumpeteer34 G, 22k

Summary: Six months after the Invasion of New York, Betty receives a phone call.

Forces of Nature (ao3) - seekingsquake T, 5k

Summary: Twenty five years is a long time to be at opposite ends, but the earth and the ocean never did play well together.

I'm With Stupid (ao3) - intangible_girl T, 2k

Summary: He never thought he'd miss kissing this much. He'd enjoy it more if he didn't have a big, green backseat passenger to worry about.

Bruce comes home to Betty after the events of the Avengers.

Missed Connections (ao3) - Chaibelle bruce/betty, pepper/tony G, 2k

Summary: Bruce wonders where Betty was during the attack on New York. Meanwhile, Betty is looking for a doctor in Calcutta...

Shifting Gears (ao3) - seriousfic clint/natasha, bruce/betty T, 7k

Summary: Okay, I didn't hate AoU like a lot of people and I'm not an ardent shipper of Clintasha, but I thought it'd be fun to experiment with a Clintasha/Bruce&Betty rewrite of AoU, just as a writing exercise, sticking largely with the established storyline.

Small Acts of Defiance (ao3) - icarus_chained bruce/betty, pepper/tony T, 4k

Summary: So, Tony might have kidnapped the love of Bruce's life. In his defense, she was totally cool with that.

Small Comforts (ao3) - lucdarling G, 1k

Summary: Sometimes it's heroes who need a hug most of all.

Sticky Notes (ao3) - blacKatDP G, 2k

Summary: It's been months since Bruce Banner gave up his humanity to save her, but he keeps coming back to her in little, green pieces.

The Letter (ao3) - copperbadge M, 2k

Summary: Bruce is a great scientist, a hell of a letter-writer, and kind of an idiot in certain other respects.

the love lab (ao3) - anthropologicalhands pepper/tony, jane/thor, bruce/betty T, 3k

Summary: His teammates are getting a little too frisky in the lab. Tony tries to set boundaries.

these walls are paper thin (ao3) - IamShadow21 T, 13k

Summary: When most people think of Bruce Banner and The Hulk, they think of it as an either/or situation and assume that it’s easy to tell who they’re face to face with.

Most people are wrong.

Thirteen Years Later (ao3) - Blizzard_Fire M, 4k

Summary: Tony slung an arm over Bruce's shoulders. ‘Green bean here just got his first date in thirteen years.’

‘Ah!’ Thor clapped his hands in delight. ‘Who is the fortunate one?’

‘It’s Betty,’ Bruce said reluctantly.

Natasha's eyebrows shot up. ‘Betty as in the Betty?’

[ask-katsuko-jojo]

Hey y’all! I’m Katsuko and I’m @ask-johanna-jojo ‘s jobro! We’re going on a trip with the bois to Egypt to fight some vampire guy and we’re having a good time!

(Feel free to interact or send asks! Promos appreciated!)

[katsuko-rp-blog]

A five-year-old Mae approaches Katsuko with something in her hands, and when she gets close enough she reveals it to be a snake. It's a harmless little garter snake, and she has absolutely no fear of it at all. If anything, her bright eyes and even brighter smile reflect how excited she is to have caught it.

"Mama! Mama! Look at this snake! Look, he's licking my hand!" she squeals, delighted.

@the-haunted-office

Katsuko bends down to meet mae

"Oh? How nice...but are you sure you should be grabbing random snakes off the ground?"

"Do be careful Mae, wouldn't want you to get hurt."

"Of course i do have confidence you won't, you know not to run too far off..."

Katsuko says while smiling at mae

"Anyway, is the snake all you wanted to show me or do you have something else?"

"You can talk with me any time you want!"

Katsuko says in a happy tone.

[the-haunted-office]

( @katsuko-rp-blog - Continued from here!)

Thursday feels peaceful at the moment, here in this little slice of life. Nothing to worry about. She has her baby, the baby is healthy, her friend/partner is here, they’re talking about Bob Ross, and that stupid chip in the back of her neck is gone. It’s almost like all her troubles dissolved along with it.

She says, “I’ve done a little painting here and there but not much. I’m not very good at it. But the wet on wet technique makes it more fun. I’d love to see the painters in Inazuma! Do they ever sell their works? It’d be cool to get some and hang them up in my room.”

[the12thnightproject]

Chapter One: Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition - Katsuko accepts a mysterious mission that will take her to Azuchi.

Mitsunari x OC; Nobunaga x Mai

Logline - In order to protect a political alliance, Katusko and Mitsunari must pretend an engagement. But this "all business" arrangement is threatened by a coup against Nobunaga... and by feelings.

Notes - Takes place after the ending of Nobunaga's romantic route, but before the epilogue. Slow burn (very slow burn). Friends to lovers. Canon typical violence.

From the Military Notes of Ishida Mitsunari: A primary goal of military planning is to enable Generals to meet their manning objectives for force size, composition, and wartime capability. To attain these objectives, forces must be appropriately structured with motivated personnel who are deployed to jobs suitable for their talents, and given training to improve their skills, even when the country’s security goals evolve to meet new threats. 

On occasion, it may be necessary to contract additional personnel, often mercenaries, who are specifically trained to carry out special projects.

Personal comments: Lord Hideyoshi read the above notes and reminded me that the hiring of additional persons should be performed by himself, and none other. He also said something that I am not certain I heard correctly, but it involved Lord Mitsuhide and a word that I am not comfortable writing down.

“She likes you better – it should come from you.” I eyed the missive in Aki’s hand as if it were an unexploded bomb. Ok, technically it was the match. The UXB was Fume. “She hates me. If I give her this, it will make it worse.” Yes, I am a messenger. Delivering messages is my job. At the same time, I’ve managed to do this job for years without becoming victim to the cliché, ‘kill the messenger.’ I had no desire to ruin this streak of not-being-killedness.

“I’ve been travelling for what feels like a thousand years.” There was wry twist to his mouth, as if those imaginary years had stolen not only time but also something incalculable.

It had felt like a thousand years to me too – I’d been here all summer, with only Fume’s dubious companionship. I was so happy to see a friendly face that I was almost willing to do as requested. Almost. “Well then, the time it takes for you to go into the kitchen and hand her the letter will feel like the blink of an eye, won’t it?”

“I cannot handle what is sure to be an unending spate of feminine histrionics.” He grabbed my hand and stuck the letter in it.

“Are you forgetting that I’m also female?” I shoved the letter back into his hands.

“You, my dear child, are never histrionic.” He waved the letter in the air. “Did I mention it’s in Portuguese?”

Dammit.

With a sigh I took the letter back, my fingers closing around the unfamiliar weight of the European vellum.

He patted my shoulder. “Good luck.” Shouldering his travel gear, he turned toward his quarters. “I’m off to sleep until tomorrow. Don’t bother me unless the world is ending. Don’t bother me then either.”

His footsteps trailed off, then I heard him pause at the doorway to the kitchen and tell Fume that he was under no circumstances to be disturbed. He was also probably telling her –

“Francisco sent me a letter?” Fume planted her squat body in front of me (had she teleported across the room?) and reached for the message. She must have been cooking when Aki stopped in to talk to her, because she still had a kitchen knife in her hand. The entrails of whatever she had been dismembering shone red and wet across the blade.

I felt less optimistic about that messenger not being killed thing.

Fume snatched the letter out of my hand, I had the dubious joy of watching her smell it, then clutch it to her cleavage. Finally, she opened it, sighed, and handed it back to me. “Translate this, Kaya.”

No ‘please.’ I considered requesting that she say it, but the letter was going to infuriate her anyway. No reason to push my luck. I opened the letter and skimmed through it, hoping Aki had been wrong about the contents… and-

Aki’s never wrong.

I wonder if Nobunaga’s job offer is still on the table.

“Don’t stand there like a witless idiot, what does he have to say?” Fume glared at me, and a bit of whatever she had been cutting slid to the edge of the knife and dangled. It was almost hypnotizing to watch that bit of intestine swing back and forth and back and –

“Kaya!”

Once, in a forest in Echigo, I encountered the God of War, and I was less scared of him than I am of Fume. I took a discreet step back, knowing that the knife would be flung at me once she heard what Francisco had to say. I opened the letter and read it to Fume. “My Dearest Little Squash Blossom.” (It absolutely did not begin that way, but my bedroom was close enough to Fume’s that I was aware of every pet name Francisco had ever called her. I unfortunately knew the pet name he used for his penis – which was not information I had ever expected or wanted to know).

“And?” She stomped her foot, and that bit of meat finally gave up and fell off the knife, landing on the floor with a loud, squelchy splat. Sigh. I was going to have to scrub that. “I swear Kaya, some days I wonder why Aki bothers to keep you.”

“Sorry Fume-sama. His handwriting is terrible.” I pretended to squint at the letter, rotating it as if to find a better angle. Mentally, I scrambled to find a diplomatic way to rephrase this ‘Dear John’ letter. “He had to travel to Goa for a family obligation.” I took another tiny step back.

“When will he come back to Japan?” When she was upset, Fume’s voice often rocketed through several octaves to reach a glass shattering pitch.

“That, he does not say.” Aside from what amounted to ‘don’t wait for me to return, have a nice life.’ Basically, it was the Sengoku version of break-up-via-text-message.

Fume’s screech of dismay would likely have all dogs in the district howling. The knife came flying, but though Fume has a terrible temper, she has worse aim, and I ducked it. While she was still raining curses upon Francisco, I escaped to the training grounds behind the manor.

During Aki’s absence, in whatever free time I could squeeze from the maid work Fume gave me, I had been working on my archery skills. My self-assigned task had been to become adept at hitting targets while I was on a moving horse. I’d gotten pretty good at this (it had been a really long summer) and could hit the target while seated in the saddle and while standing up in the stirrups.

Unfortunately, my current goal of hitting the target while hanging off the side of my horse was proving difficult. I either needed an extra hand or a better saddle, because my knee kept slipping off the pommel and I inevitably ended up thudding to the ground. Still, I continued to make the attempt. Falling off my horse was better than dealing with Fume when she was #MOOD.

After each fall, Moonlight would halt, trot back to my side, and nudge me with her nose. “What are you doing, you silly human?” At least, that was what I imagined she was saying. Fume might hate me, but my horse was my best buddy.

On my third attempt of the afternoon, I’d managed to get off a shot that landed at the edge of the target before thumping gracelessly to the turf.

Euuf. That one almost knocked the breath out of me.

Even with Moonlight nosing me, I spent a moment on the ground, staring at the puffy clouds in the sky, and pondering my life choices.

“Katsu, was there a purpose to this exercise other than practicing your falling skills?” The dry comment came from the gate to the yard, where a man with long dark hair looked down on me from his position on his own horse.

“Kyubei!” I got to my feet and dusted off my rear end. I couldn’t remember my Azuchi contact ever coming to this part of the country. I always travelled there, not the reverse. “Has something happened?”

“That was my question for you.” He climbed off his horse and glanced back over his shoulder at where the path angled steeply down the mountain. “We haven’t seen you in weeks, and Mitsuhide has an urgent request of your master.”

“Oh. Nothing’s wrong. Aki’s been away for some time. He finally returned this morning.” I glanced back toward the manor, wondering if ‘urgent business from Mitsuhide’ would meet his definition of the world ending. “I’ve been mired here all summer.”

I looped Moonlight’s reigns over the fence so she wouldn’t wander into the garden and eat something that would annoy Fume even more. “In any case, it’s good to see a friendly face. Welcome to The Mountain.” Aki had never actually named his manor, but given its location, most people referred to it this way.

“Mountain is rather an understatement. The path to here is vertical.” Once again, Kyubei looked over his shoulder at the view.

“You ought to see it in winter.” There were times when it was impassible for days. “It’s really an adventure coming and going then.”

He literally turned pale at that. “I will take your word for it.” His hand went to his waist where the edge of an oilskin pack peeped out from the vee of his kimono. “Do you know if Akihira is available to speak with me?”

“Um. Well, he did say he didn’t wish to be disturbed until tomorrow. Is there anything I can help you with in the meanwhile?” I directed Kyubei around to the front.

Kyubei paused and scrutinized me from toes to the top of my head, and I suddenly had the odd feeling he could see right into my soul. “Actually, I believe you can. Katsu, pardon me if this is an intrusive question, but are you a girl?”

Whoops! When I was here at home, I usually didn’t bother with the leather binder I used to flatten my figure, and my hair wasn’t neatly hidden away. Oh well. Too late now. “Not intrusive, and yes – though I am still Katsu. My birth name is Katsuko.”

He smiled. “You might be the perfect solution to our problem, Katsuko.”

Oh? Please. Let me be a solution to a problem, and not-

Just then the woman who generally considered me her problem blocked the front door of the manor. “Kaya stop flirting with this vagrant and come help me clean up.”

“Fume-sama, this man urgently needs to speak with Akihira.” I gestured to Kyubei, who bowed politely, but not with any particular deference.

“He isn’t to be disturbed until tomorrow, and I intend to make sure of that.” She eyed Kyubei with suspicion. “If he must speak with Akihira, then he can spend the night in the stable. Where, I might add, your horse also belongs, and not tied to the gate.”

I can’t win with this woman. “Play along,” I murmured to Kyubei before returning my attention to Fume. “This is Oda Nobunaga’s ally Akechi Mitsuhide. His message is extremely important.”

Kyubei instantly underwent a top to toes transformation – his posture straightened, his eyes took on a sharp gleam, and he flashed Fume a mocking smile. I appreciated how quickly he had done that. Although I was used to passing as a boy, and occasionally as an old man, I’d never tried to impersonate someone particular. “I’m given to understand that Yamaoka Akihira is in residence at present.”

A similar transformation affected Fume, who went from condescending to obsequious in the same amount of time. She bowed low and long. “He does not wish to be disturbed, but I am certain he would wish you treated as an honored guest. Kaya! Prepare a room for Lord Akechi.” She stepped aside and shooed me toward the guest quarters. “My apologies my lord. Akihira has treated this one as a pet.”

A pet would have people to play with, but… details.

When Fume is in a #MOOD, it’s easier to stand back and take it (while imagining a creative revenge to be named later). I turned to go inside, but Kyubei stopped me. “You do me honor, but it is, as I said, a matter of some urgency. Is there any way I can convince you to disturb him?”

“No need.” Aki padded down the hall, dressed in his nighttime robes. “It’s impossible to get any sleep with all this commotion.”

“Aki,” I said, hoping to clue him in before he broke Kyubei’s cover. “Mitsuhide – oof.” Fume had elbowed me, none to gently. “That is, Lord Aketchi travelled all the way from Azuchi to speak with you.”

With a conspiratorial smile, Aki turned to Kyubei. “He did, eh? Well, Mitsuhide, it’s a pleasure to see you… again. Shall we discuss this matter in my receiving room?”

Kyubei inclined his head and followed Aki into the house. I made to join them, but Fume grabbed my arm and yanked me back. “The floor, Kaya. There is something on it.” She pointed to the meat that had dripped from her knife earlier.

With a glance back to me, Kyubei paused. “This involves your messenger. Can she meet with us as well? It would save time.”

The “she” pronoun caused Aki’s eyebrow to raise, but he simply nodded and motioned me along. I resisted the impulse to give Fume a look of triumph.

I hurried after Kyubei into Aki’s office, skidding to a halt to avoid running into him. He’d stopped just inside the door and was looking around. I tried to imagine how the office would look to an outsider: an eye-searing jumble of odds and ends, Western trinkets and Chinese artwork culled from his dealings with the Portuguese traders, a mismatch of both Japanese style and European furnishings, and of course two shogi boards – one of which consisted of his ongoing long-distance game with Mitsuhide. I was used to it… but it could definitely be sensory overload to a stranger.

Kyubei looked down at shogi game-in-process. “This at least, is a familiar sight.”

“One would hope that this visit isn’t simply because Mitsuhide is impatient for my next move.” Aki paused by the firepit to put the tea water on to boil.

“No, of course not. Although, I will admit to being tired of losing to him every night while we wait for your message.” Kyubei glanced back and forth between the chairs that were facing a large European crafted desk, and the cushions around a traditional writing desk.

Aki gestured to the larger desk and chairs, which he preferred to use, claiming height was better on his knees. In all the years I had known him, he had not shown any evidence of knee pain. Once I had pointed that out to him, he’d told me it was because he sat in Nanban chairs. I think he chooses to sit there because it makes him look like a king facing his subjects.

Once we were seated at the desk, with cups of te- wait. Was Aki drinking… coffee? I sniffed the air and glanced at his cup.

“My latest find from a Nanban merchant.” He took a long sip. “Who, I believe, purchased it from a Dutch trader. Do you wish to taste it?” He pushed the cup toward me.

I knew what coffee tasted like, but ‘Katsu’ would not, so I took a sip then made a face that was not entirely fake. “It’s rather strong. Slightly bitter.” I don’t mind bitter. But I like my tea.

I passed the cup to Kyubei who also took a taste. “I imagine it could be an acquired taste but…hm.” He tapped his fingers on the cup. “I wonder if I might have some of this to take back to my master to see if he can taste it.”

That was an odd turn of phrase, but Aki simply nodded. “I’ll send a package with instructions on how to prepare it back with you. Meanwhile, I understand you have an important message from him?”

Kyubei handed over the message. Aki unfolded it and read through it with a few absent-minded hmmms of his own, a chin rub, and sidelong glances at me. “Mitsuhide asks if I have an apprentice or messenger who can pass as a woman. It appears to me that having Katsuko pretend to be a boy pretending to be a girl would be unnecessarily complicated.”

I imagine Julie Andrews would have something to say about that.

“Indeed.” Kyubei glanced at me critically. “However, we can do as well with Katsuko as herself. True, there would still be a bit of a disguise involved, but no one expects there to be any danger.”

No one expects the Spanish inquisition either.

I’m not really bothered by the idea of danger. After the past couple of months, I’d gladly take a change of scenery and would welcome. The denizens of Azuchi couldn’t be any worse than Fume, and even if there was some danger, it wasn’t likely to throw a bloody kitchen knife at me.

Aki rubbed his chin. “Kyubei, do you mind giving us a moment of privacy to discuss the matter?”

Kyubei bowed. “Not in the least. I’ll find your, er, kind, chatelaine and ask for a place where I can wash the mountain off me.” It sounded like he and the mountain were not fond of one another.

Once Kyubei had whisked himself away with all the discretion and attitude of an upper crust British butler (or at least a Netflix version of same), Aki turned to me. “I suppose the first question is, do you wish to do this?”

“My first preference would be to go with you on your next mission.” Aki often took me with him on short jobs, but not the long journeys where he went away, only to return looking as if the fate of the world rested on his shoulders… I would like to share that burden with him, if he would let me. Somewhere along the line, I’d stopped being just an apprentice to him, but he still shielded me from much of his work.

Aki smiled at me, but he looked … sad. Sad? Not an emotion that I usually associated with him. “That’s very … kind of you Katsuko. But these are missions that I must do on my own.”

“If that is the case then yes, please send me to Azuchi.” Not wanting to sound too overeager to be gone from home, I added, “If Fume and I spend much more time together, the next time you return, I cannot promise we’d both be alive to greet you.”

He laughed and ruffled my hair. “Alright my fierce… apprentice. Bear in mind you’ll be working for Mitsuhide who will not have as much tolerance for your brand of cheekiness as I do.”

I stole another sip of his coffee just to tease him. “You did teach me manners, remember?”

He groaned. “I do remember. That’s why I’m worried.” He looked out the window, but I had a feeling he wasn’t seeing lush summer greenery in the yard, but something less friendly…  something that weighed on him. Then he seemed to shake it off and looked back to me with that familiar professorial tone. “As it happens, you’ll also be spending time in the Hida region, and it suits me very much to have someone in that area, so I’m inclined to send you with Kyubei.”

I sat up straighter. Aside from the couple of weeks I had spent in the booksellers in Azuchi, I’d never had a solo mission. “What needs doing in Hida?”

Aki rustled around with the papers on his desk and pulled out a map. “There’s a great deal of mining in the area – many parties are very interested in those mines as the desire for Japanese silver exports increases. It goes without saying that Nobunaga wants control, but there may be people not happy for him to have that. I don’t expect that the area will destabilize – at least not quickly, but when you return, I would like to know your impression of the situation.”

Thrilled that he trusted me with this, I lifted my chin and fought back the urge to smile. Professionals don’t smile. “I won’t let you down.” Again though, there was part of my brain that had on repeat, nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.

“I know you won’t.” He took a large sip of coffee, savoring it as if it were the best beverage on the planet. “Or you’ll spend the next year solely under Fume’s authority.” He softened that threat with a smile. “I trust you know how to take care of yourself, but it goes without saying that I hope you’ll be careful and stay safe.”

Maybe it went without saying, but he had never before said it to me, especially not in that tone of voice that almost made me want to hug him.

And, so, I did hug him, and after a startled moment, he held onto me tightly, his palms pressed firmly into my back.

Although Aki encouraged Kyubei to spend the night and get an early and well-rested start in the morning, he preferred to leave right away, claiming that time was of the essence. Kyubei advised me not to bother packing any of “Kaya’s” clothing – advice that cheered me immensely, as Kaya’s clothing was a dreary pile of ugly kimonos in varying shades of mud. “Nobunaga will see that an appropriate wardrobe is provided for you. The Lady Mai is a talented seamstress and will be happy to outfit you.”

That didn’t provide much of a clue to what I would be doing, or what I should pack, but I simply threw together everything I would have brought along were I going on a trip with Aki, as well as my (sadly fraying) portrait of Toshiie, and the portable shogi set that Aki had given me on my most recent birthday. Though I knew I’d be dressing as a female, I chose to travel as Katsu – it was safer. Moreover, ‘Katsu’ was familiar, and I’d learned to keep as many familiar things close to me as possible, lest they disappear forever.

“I’m glad you were quick,” Kyubei said once we were on our way. “I do not want to make this descent after dark.”

“It’s actually easier if you can’t see where you are going,” I said, just for the fun of seeing him turn pale again. “At least if you fall off the mountain, you won’t see the rocks before you hit them.”

“I can’t wait for Mitsuhide to meet you,” he muttered as we led our horses along the steep path. Riding would have been faster, but I didn’t know how surefooted his horse was. Also, I doubted Kyubei even wanted to add another four feet of height to the equation.

“Why?” In truth, after delivering so many messages to him via Kyubei over the past four years, I was surprised that our paths hadn’t crossed.

“No reason… Katsu, can we stop talking until we reach flatter territory? I’d prefer to concentrate on not plunging to my death.” Kyubei sounded out of breath.

I glanced over my shoulder and felt bad for teasing him. I mean, put me in front of a tunnel, a cave or even a tiny windowless room, and I’d be a sobbing mess. “Alright, but to be honest, it looks worse than it is. Nobody’s ever fallen off the mountain in the summer. Well, not anyone who wasn’t drunk first.”

He grumbled something along the lines of about needing to be drunk to take this path.

It wasn’t until we made our way to flatter terrain that he regained his normal distantly friendly attitude. By the time we had camped for the night, he had relaxed enough to entertain me with some of his exploits.

“How did you manage to pretend to be Mitsuhide so quickly?” I set a copper tea kettle over the fire. “Oh, I wouldn’t eat those if I were you,” I added as Kyubei shook some of the coffee beans into his hand.

He ignored my advice and bit into one but managed to keep a straight face while what I imagined was very bitter coffee attacked his taste buds. “Some of it is training – but I’ve also had a lot of practice. He and I have exchanged identities in the past.”

“Really? I thought Mitsuhide was… older?” I’d once seen the back of his head – in fact that was the only glance I had ever seen of him – and his hair was silver-white.

“No, we’re of the same age.” Kyubei poured the coffee beans back into their metal tin. “Put me in a silver wig and anyone who doesn’t know him well would be fooled.”

Wow – I bet that made them fun at Halloween. “Will I be in disguise too?” Please don’t say housemaid.

“We’ll be presenting you Oda Princess.” Kyubei had a faint smile on his face.

“A wha-” I paused, realizing I had spoken with an unprincesslike mouthful. I swallowed, the tried… and failed… to come up with an appropriately regal reply. “Er, not that I’m not flattered, but you could have gotten an actress and done just as well.”

Kyubei inclined his head. “Indeed. Our Princess might have some additional duties more generally assigned to personal guards. But truly, as I said, we don’t expect this to be very dangerous.”

In other words, Princess-slash-bodyguard. On one hand, that sounded pretty awesome… aside from that voice in my head had that had swelled to an eight-part chorale: Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.

@lorei-writes @bestbryn @lyds323 @katriniac @briars7

[melishade]

How's Elita-1 doing in her timeline now that she's back on the island?

Part 9: The Deal between Hizuru and Paradis

So Elita still has to go back to Hizuru per the agreement, where she promised that she would gather intel for the royal family and see if anyone was after them. And Elita weeds out quite a few of them, which Taisho is grateful for.

Katsuko: We used to do lunches with them.

Taisho: They were trying to poison us.

Katsuko: Can't I lament a relationship I thought existed?

Elita: They were a traitor, and they needed to be dealt with accordingly.

What Elita thinks sucks; however, is that once again, her movements are restricted. See, before she was discovered by Hizuru, she was able to drive around the planet rather freely. Now with the deal, Elita can only really go to Hizuru and then Paradis, and she has to remain in her alt mode a good portion of the time in Hizuru.

That being said, she still does try to make it work. Now that Arcee and Wheeljack are here, she can just hitch a ride with the Wrecker to go back to Paradis, instead of going with Megatron. Which Megatron is super grateful for. Elita is also able to get to know the royal family a lot better. She finds her conversations with Katsuko to be enlightening, especially since the Empress figured out that Optimus and Elita are in a relationship and they've been telling each other stories and giving each other advice.

Not to mention, Elita is actually super excited to have Arcee and Wheeljack on the team. It's nice to talk to a Cybertronian who she isn't romantically involved with or she wants to murder. It's just nice to talk to other Cybertronians and have friends of the same species again.

There are some downsides to the deal, like giving a little more energon to Hizuru, especially since there are now five Cybertronians who do need that energon for consumption and for also contacting Cybertron. But Elita was the one who haggled the deal, so she has to accept the consequences. But Elita was still able to see some locations in Hizuru she'd never seen before when getting the energon, so that's nice.

But for the most part, the deal has been working, and that's all really Elita can be happy about.

(There's no really much to add to this ask. This is just things going slow before the storm.)

[ask-the-scrapper-gang]

Ayyy, everyone, consider this the cube’s thanksgiving post but worse because I can’t draw. So anyway I wanna shout out everyone who has made this year so much more fun and generally people who have given this blog life, and with the gods or other spirits on my side let 2023 be even better than 2022

@theblackcubeofdarkness: do I even need to say anything here, I’ve talked to you and Liam the most and generally I like talking to you, may the new year bring more of the crazed bullshit we know you for

@ask-liam-and-co: as stated in the cube’s part I talk to you the most out of everyone else on this hellsite and I’m atleast 80% sure you were the first to interact with me so that gave me the boost not to abandon this blog, may the new year brings Freedom and Diversity (and more asks)

@katsuko-rp-blog: you helped play a part in my crack shit lore and also responded to me so I gotta shout you out, may the new year bring more opportunity for mischief

@flusenimkopf: the newest to the list of people that I interact with regularly is out of this world… shit joke aside it’s been great talking to ya, may the new year bring new frontiers to explore

@eldritchdemonfox: similarly to fusenimkopf I consider you someone I interact with consistently (mostly because we have a ongoing rp but let’s ignore that part) I want to thank you for bothering to talk to me, may the new year bring much to Fox

@muses-of-chaos: out of everyone on this here list I think I’ve talked to you least (which I hope to rectify) but you still deserve a mention for bothering to talk to me, much like Fox, may the new year bring chaos to those who’ve wronged or annoyed you, I recommend the porn bots 

There are probably more than just the people mentioned but I can’t think of them currently, i’ll add them to the list if I remember them, until then happy new year and back to your regularly scheduled programming