sugarcube | psl || like a ripple that chases the slightest caress of the breeze

They shouldn't. This person was supposed to die anyway since it was a raid. But just in case any of their guards saw, I'd rather be faster than not so we don't need to kill anyone else on our way out.

[ . . . he looks thoughtful for a second, the slightest glimpse of sadness flashing over his eyes, before he cups itsuki's cheek and brings him closer for a brief kiss.]

I'll brief you on everything once we're at the Citadel. Is that okay?

[he still has so many questions, but they don't seem very important when Itsuki sees that look in Buzen's eyes,]

Mm. I'll stay close, and do what you tell me.

[he's ready. he's already said his goodbyes and looked around one last time, he'll leave the prism with one last emotion --

the absolute trust he'll always have in Buzen, no matter where they go.]

[he nods, satisfied with that. he glances back over at the prism as well - some sense of amusement, slight wonder - before he squeezes itsuki's hand and then moves to pull him through the tear. it's funny because buzen should maybe consider sharing some final sentiment before they leave. an 'i love you' or an 'i'm so glad i met you' -

but the overconfidence wins. he doesn't think he needs to say any of that in this safe moment, because he's so sure that he'll only get more. into the tear they go!

the year is 1486. sagami province. blood stains the floors and walls alike of this elegant home belonging to a lord. there are no sounds of fighting, not any longer. in the room they are leaving, there is the body of a fallen man dressed in a green kimono, his sword loosely grasped in his limp hand.

buzen looks back - if only to confirm where they are, that itsuki is following - before he tugs him forward. already he feels stronger, faster. more like himself. but he will slow to match itsuki's pace, as he promised he would.]

Ame should be ahead - he's a ninja, so he should be able to secure the best path out.

[Itsuki blinks rapidly, a little disoriented, but the warmth of Buzen's hand in his grounds him.

It helps that this isn't so new to him -- environments changing at the drop of the hat. The decor looks older than what he's used to... And the blood... He's not used to that either. His gaze goes to the man splayed out on the floor, but it doesn't rest there for long. He looks up in time to meet Buzen's gaze, and starts following,

he'd say something in response, but he doesn't want to distract Buzen. and if his comrade is out scouting, then that means there's a good chance they might be caught, right? he already knows that he doesn't want to hold him back,]

[itsuki is a good. as soon as he seems to be able to get his bearings, buzen focuses again. through the darkness of the immediate area, moving under the cover of nightfall. the hallways are luckily empty, though through the windows there are some torches lighting up in the distance. people will be coming this way soon.

buzen's hand tenses automatically when he sees a shadow shift - but more than that his entire body seems to perk up eagerly when another man in green walks into view. his gaze flits to itsuki, hand already falling onto his sword before buzen interrupts - ]

Ame, drop it. This is Suki, he's with me. Trust me.

[and the tone is so familiar. buzen would offer suggestions to anmitsu when they were in the prism, but they were only suggestions. they could deny him or disagree if they wished. but for this sword, buzen speaks with an assured confidence - he will be listened to.]

Let's go home. I'll explain to Aruji when we're there.

[samidare gou frowns, his gaze becoming the equivalent of a scolded puppy, before he looks to itsuki with distinct confusion but... he nods. 'If you say so, Buzen.' before he guides them both to a path outside of the compound. another pathway seems to open - a break in the evening, leading to somewhere experiencing a different season and time entirely. they walk through, leaving the bloody night behind them but ame will pause before looking back to itsuki. he introduces himself with a slight bow of his head.

'Samidare Gou. I don't understand... but if Buzen says you're coming with uss, i wanted to introduce myself.' and then a small grumbling wan....]

[Buzen has always been the most confident person Itsuki has known, but the authoritative tone in his voice is new. Does it excite him? ....Maybe! But that's something he's going to unpack later!!!

He has something more important to occupy his attention now, as they move through the night and head through -- another tear? Now they're somewhere entirely different... His hand is in Buzen's, but for a moment his attention is caught entirely by Samidare. Huh... He's heard of the Gous from Buzen, but it's one thing to hear of them and another to see them with his own eyes. His eyes take in that familiar green, and then the ears on either side of his head, and that shade of purple in his hair that feels familiar -- it reminds him of Chroma (he really is a heliotrope) and of Nanami.

Itsuki doesn't exactly think of himself as shy, but he is a little nervous. He can't help it -- this is it. The first of Buzen's treasured comrades that he's fortunate enough to meet. He wants to leave a good impression... He's probably overthinking this......... and then he hears the wan, and forgets to be]

Samidare... Like in that poem -- may rain and the Mogami river. [he'd quote the whole poem by basho but sometimes u just want nerd to nerd communication] Buzen mentioned that some of you have nature-related names.

[he pauses, ah]

Sorry, I'm Kagami Itsuki. It's nice to finally meet you, Ame-san.

[YOU'RE REALLY MAKING ME RP THIS FURRY

BECAUSE SOMETHING REALLY UNFORTUNATE HAPPENS WHEN ITSUKI STARTS NERDING OUT, AND IT'S THAT SAMIDARE STANDS UP A LITTLE STRAIGHTER BEFORE BARKING OUT AN IMMEDIATE

'Wan!!'

before he just

realizes what he's done and turns very red, bringing his scarf up with one hand to cover the bottom half of his face like it'd do anything to take his little bark back.....

buzen just

cracks up help]

[IM IN TEARS HELPPPPP

Itsuki like 'i'm gonna impress samidare gou' and then just RECEIVES ANOTHER WAN??? AND NOW SAMIDARE LOOKS EMBARRASSED???? if the little wan didn't break the ice then the big wan absolutely did,

now im rping a furry because Itsuki brings up his hand and does the little cat paw gesture]

It's nyan to meet you.

[absolutely hateful that these cat puns are canon but he'll do it,]

[this is fucking killing me and it's also killing buzen this was going to be a cute homecoming thread and now it's just about furries

but unfortunately this is furry to furry communication... ame looks a little surprised but also mollified. there's a slight embarrassment to it but he will just slowly nod like he feels perceived and understood. 'Mm, I don't really know how you got to know Buzen so fast... but I guess if anyone could... It's good to meet you. Wan.'

the terrible thing about this is that buzen just looks so terribly fond over... all of it? all of it. he looks between them both before reaching out to samidare, one hand outstretched. his comrade walks closer, up until buzen can curl his hand around the nape of his neck and draw him in until their foreheads touch.

it's more tactile than he'd normally be - but he didn't think they'd be separated for quite this long.]

... I'll explain soon, Ame. I missed you.

[the other gou looks surprised and perplexed even if he so clearly leans into buzen's touch - but buzen doesn't leave much room for that]

Suki's gonna stay a while. Can you regroup with the others and tell them? We'll need another futon in the room, and if you could actually set up a separate room I'd appreciate it. I'll debrief with you all soon. Leave reporting to Aruji to me.

[buzen lets go soon after, and ame just nods. the confusion doesn't leave his face, but he has instructions from his leader now... so he'll just do a quick little bow to itsuki before leaving the both of them.

which is when buzen will finally turn to itsuki as they stand here at the entrance of the citadel - a large, sprawling compound where even now you can hear distant voices bustling. the sun is out, warm and calm, and when buzen breathes in the air it feels like home. even moreso with itsuki next to him.]

Hey. Welcome home.

[stop u say that like ame isn't the cutest,

...His heart feels soft, watching Buzen with Samidare. and softer still, when Buzen turns to him.

'welcome home'.

anywhere can be home as long as Buzen is there, but seeing the potential in reality, right before his eyes... it's wonderful. buzen's figure, with the compound in the backdrop behind him, welcoming him home.

Itsuki slides his arms around Buzen's waist and then leans in to kiss him.]

...I'm happy to be here.

[as much as he'd like to gaze into Buzen's eyes forever, his gaze flicks back to the citadel beyond. his expression is obviously curious, if also excited. he feels nervous again too, now that the 'wan' is no longer here...]

It's so big. I knew it was a citadel, but I'm still surprised.

[the gous are all so cute.... i love them so much it's horrible.

that said buzen doesn't mind the affection. he lets itsuki's arms loop around him, and even though he knows they can't linger for too long - for this brief, safe moment he'll let his arms loop around itsuki too. he leans into the kiss, satisfied with the affection.

he never thought he'd get anything like this, when he was last leaving the citadel to go on this mission. funny how things truly take a turn when you least expect them.]

Hah, we can give you a tour if you want. I bet Matsu and Kotegiri are off somewhere, maybe with Kumo... Kuwa's probably in the fields. There's a lot of other people I'd want you to meet - Tsuru-san is always fun to spend time with. Kuri-san's quiet... he reminds me of Esti-san, though.

[but he knows that this is just a bunch of names. there's already something fond in buzen's voice. it hasn't been that long since he's seen any of them but... well. he did die. he thought briefly that there was a chance he wouldn't get to see them again at all.]

Mm, but we should find Kiyo-san and Yasu-san... I might leave you with them for a bit, if that's okay. Then I can report to Aruji and explain to him that you're staying.

[explain to aruji..... just generally expecting that he will be able to get permission,,]

[some of them are familiar, and itsuki thinks he's heard the name 'tsuru' before... the last one makes him laugh a little at the comparison,]

Sure.

[he wants to see their anmitsu!!! (EVEN IF THEY'RE FROM DIFFERENT CANON POINTS APPARENTLY). he does tilt his head, even as he loosens his grasp so Buzen can start walking again,]

Should I come with you...? So that I can properly introduce myself to him.

[he notices how buzen says 'explain' and not 'ask' and he has full faith in him but also he just crashed at the prism for almost three months without asking the residents there, so. ]

[buzen seems to think about it for a little. maybe Aruji would want to meet itsuki and it’d be a good idea

but what if aruji wants to be very clear with buzen about time travel rules and what is at stake for itsuki, and buzen would rather be the one to explain that information very gently and with a lot of kisses so itsuki doesn’t get spooked

hm]

Maybe later. I’ll go first, and then I’ll bring you to meet him properly when we’re all settled in. I have to report about the mission we just finished anyway.

[buzen sure did just kill a guy]

[he sure did!!! Imagine itsuki was just like rip to that man but it's not about to ruin my day,

Technically he is thinking that yeah, but he's curious too. To know what kind of mission it was, what Buzen was doing before arriving in Chroma... Anyway all of this sounds acceptable to Itsuki, so he nods.]

-- Right, I wanted to ask you if it's okay if I take a photo. Nogiku-san asked me to send her one when I got here. I'd like to send one to Crow and the others too...

[he has a vague idea that Buzen and the others' work is secretive but??? That's about all he knows, but better to ask permission now]

Edited 2022-04-11 15:05 (UTC)

Mm… that should be fine. The Citadel doesn’t have a lot of rules once you’re here besides to make sure to do your chores.

[itsuki will get added to the chore wheel…

but buzen will pull away - only so that it’s easier for itsuki to take the picture! he’ll go behind him and let his chin rest on his shoulder as he hugs him from behind. master photographer itsuki time]

[backhug... that gives him an idea... master photographer itsuki lifts his phone

and immediately switches to selfie mode]

Look here, Buzen.

[and he'll turn his head and plant a kiss on Buzen's cheek, right at the same time he presses the button. Click!]

[help

he does as requested and the selfie probably catches the look of surprised amusement on his face when itsuki kisses his cheek? he laughs even as he turns his face to give him another quick kiss on the lips like he’s assuming that’s what he wants

but]

What, are you going to send that photo too? That’s not the Citadel…

[imagine trying to kill the president of the united states and u get a gay itsuki and buzen selfie, but no Itsuki just laughs]

This one's mine.

[smooches back... buzen has to go and REPORT to his ARUJI and yet Itsuki wants to make things gay i can't]

I can take pictures of the Citadel later, like when I see Yasu-kun and Shuu-kun.

[ARE THEY EVEN AROUND]

[itsuki is really just out here like it's time to just kiss my boyfriend even tho i technically have forever with him

but buzen just looks amused]

They only went ahead of us by a little, right? They're probably just getting settled again. Let's go look.

[THEY'VE HAD MULTIPLE MONTHS AND PERHAPS YEARS TO GET SETTLED i think buzen is furthest along in the timeline so this won't be too big of a deal at least. their memories are fixed....]

[""""technically"""" huh....

this is so funny the way anmitsu will punch itsuki again for finally showing up. they're off to finally tell them that they're back... imagine i forced u to rp all the swords dana but maybe they're on a mission or something. in the meantime, Itsuki's preoccupied with looking everywhere as they walk through the citadel]

Is it just you and your Aruji who lives here?

[you meaning all the ikemen swords]

[STOP buzen will just head further into the citadel to show itsuki around. it's big. he's probably taking itsuki through the front gate and headed through the entryway, aiming to get to the living quarters.]

Yeah! There's a lot of us here... maybe around forty or so now...? And then Aruji, who sends us on our missions. We really normally don't interact with humans much...

[if he's being honest. but he'll interlace his fingers with itsuki anyway as he guides him along, almost like it'll keep him from wandering off]

[no it's itsuki's turn to wander off now....

except he'll very obediently stay with Buzen, hands linked together]

That's because you're time-travelers, right? [SO THEY PROBABLY CAN'T KNOW...] And also, because you're idols...?

[and they must maintain an air of Mystique]

[nodding along,]

More about the first point than the second point. [a beat, thoughtfully] We'll have to check in with Aruji about it but... it's why there's some people I don't think I'd get to see again - or I wouldn't want to.

Ryu-san's from a time too close to Kiyo-san and Yasu-san's original era... so if I were to see him again, it'd mean that he or the people close to him are in danger. So it'd be for the best, if we don't meet again.

I worry the same thing about Chi, or Kumo-san or Kazu-san... It'd be nice to go see their plays, but I don't know how realistic that is when they might know too much about us.

[their normies... feel too far away too buzen now, despite technically being the closest]

[ah...

he'd been thinking of 'humans' as complete strangers, since Buzen and the others wouldn't have come to know them anyway, but... hearing Buzen mention Ryunosuke and Chinatsu, and their Summer Troupe...

...]

Will they still be in danger if I go see them? ...I could tell them that you and the others are doing well, maybe pass along any messages you have...

[or would that also count as interfering...? itsuki who doesn't know the history of the Japan Buzen is from, but that doesn't mean his actions wouldn't have consequences...

honestly, he's thinking less of the fate of the world, and more about the chances of Buzen getting to see them again,]

... we'll have to figure it out.

[he'll bring itsuki's hand up to his lips, aiming to be reassuring. the truth of the matter is that he doesn't want to keep itsuki from doing anything, from seeing who he wants to see. the swords are fairly prepared in their duty to make sacrifices but... buzen would like it if itsuki didn't have to.]

It's a little complicated. It's for the best if they don't truly know what we're up to...

But I don't want you to feel like you've lost anything, by choosing to be here.

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