wingedtiger | OPEN RP POST

[ This time, it really is just Yukimura as usual. He's gotten better at picking up other people's innuendo, but unless he's actually trying to make a double entendre... he's still kind of oblivious to how certain things may sound.

Sasuke's reaction makes it seem like he did suggest something dirty, but on the other hand, maybe he was just surprised to hear that Yukimura intended to make his soul as BLAZING HOT as his own?

Logic is hard for him even on a good day, okay. And Sasuke's kisses are very distracting, just as they were intended to be. Clever, clever, Sasuke.

Despite everything that's happened, Yukimura's feeling better. Emotionally, anyway. The whole atmosphere has changed since when he first woke back up in the hut. It feels like everything is going to be okay.

They're going to be okay.

Ha. Take that, Matsunaga.

And yet... a slight frown creases his forehead. ]

...can't remember..

[ Yukimura murmurs something to himself. ]

My memory is failing me still... I am unsure if I told you that I love you. It is important that you know.

[ The mood has changed. Both of them have been pulled back from their individual brinks. They're alive, together. The future doesn't look as bleak. There's hope. Yukimura's body will mend. Sasuke, too, might yet be mended; his darkest secret has been brought out into the light and accepted.

No, Yukimura had called Sasuke precious, a friend, a partner. He said Sasuke was wanted, that there was a place in his heart for him, that he'd protect him, and fight for his soul... but he had not said those words to Sasuke previously.

Unlike his earlier fluster, Sasuke's reaction is surprisingly subdue and quiet. Nearly too quiet. How could three small words rattle Sasuke to the core? How could they also be words he desperately needed to hear? ]

... Do you... really...?

[ The question sounds so stupid once it's said, but the voice saying it is so timid and fearful. Sasuke can't believe it came from his mouth. ]

[ Sasuke is quiet... Is he surprised? Shocked?

No, worse than that. When Sasuke answers, he sounds afraid again. After all that's been said and done, does he not believe him? Yukimura would never say something like that if he didn't mean it... But, Yukimura reasons, Sasuke wouldn't think he's lying. It's just that he needs to hear it again. Needs to let it sink in. Allow it to sink it, maybe. Yukimura has sworn to repair to Sasuke's heart, but that won't happen in a day, no matter how many revelations Sasuke may have had.

Love takes patience, and for Sasuke, Yukimura will find that patience. ]

I do. I love you. Not only as a friend, but in the romantic way as well. Like the tiger who protected the human he loved no matter the cost.

Edited 2020-02-01 15:33 (UTC)

I... needed to hear that.

[ He admits. He needed to hear the words much like how he needed to hear Yukimura say his name, Yoshiharu. Sasuke can and will twist words left unsaid to not be in his favor. He trusts Yukimura. Yukimura wouldn't lie, especially about something that could be so potentially damaging. That's not the person he is.

However, that doesn't mean Sasuke is fully confident in his new role in life. A heart, humanity, Yoshiharu, loving and being loved by Yukimura, to not be a shadow... There are a lot of radical changes for Sasuke to accept and make an effort to adopt. He wants to, yet, no one learns how to master a weapon upon the first try. It takes practice, mistakes, successes, time. The same applies for matters of the heart, especially one so fragile from years of pain. Or perhaps his reaction is closer to a skittish, wild animal who befriends a human but still must contend with years of animal instincts urging him to run.

Yukimura can rest assured that Sasuke will make the effort if Yukimura continues to be patient and persistent. He can be proud of the progress they've already made together. ]

I love you too, Master. You've been the light in my dark life for such a long time.

[ Maybe this has all been one of those human-youkai romances after all, and Sasuke's taken the youkai's role. A kitsune, most certainly.

Yukimura didn't doubt that Sasuke loves him, though that doesn't make hearing it spoken any less special.

There's just one thing that strikes Yukimura as being slightly wrong. ]

This may be selfish of me... but Sasuke... would you call me by my name? You don't have to all the time. Just when you say those words... rather than being your lord, or general, or master, I... want to be "Yukimura".

[ Maybe it is. After all, Yukimura learned that Tenko Kamen and Sasuke are the same person, and he has transformed himself into other forms before. If Sasuke isn't a monkey as he once claimed, then he might just be a fox following a tiger's lead. Perhaps Yukimura should check to make sure Sasuke isn't hiding a long fluffy tail.

He gives Yukimura a brief kiss to the lips. ]

I love you, Yukimura. In so many ways, it scares me.

[ Though the unadorned name feels awkward on his tongue, it tastes so sweet. Sasuke could get used to this. He can get used to saying it in his company and whispering it softly into his ears. ]

You're my light. You give me hope and a reason to live when I had given up. You've seen past my mask and embraced that fragile part of me I tried to hide. You make me, this Sasuke, this Yoshiharu, want to... try to become who you think I could be. I want to stay by your side as long as you'll let me.

God damn it, I'm not as good at this as you are, Yukimura.

[ He'll try to give Yukimura another kiss, longer, and deeper this time. ]

[ "I love you, Yukimura."

There it is. There are the words he so wanted to hear, spoken so readily.

Yukimura reciprocates the kiss as best he can in his state. That last thing Sasuke says gets a chuckle out of him, which doesn't make it any easier. ]

--So long as you're speaking from the heart, it does not matter... if you're eloquent, or have to grasp for what to say... The meaning behind the words... that is what matters.

[ Sasuke chuckles as well as he feels Yukimura's lips pull into a smile from his laughter. He'll leave another kiss to his forehead before snuggling his way back against Yukimura's body. Maybe that's enough distraction for the moment. ]

I'll leave the bold proclamations to you. It's easier to read the stories with those than come up with my own.

[ But maybe he underestimates himself. ~~And then in his next life he becomes a writer and more willing to admit being a book nerd.~~ ]

[ Kissing is always good, but right now snuggling is really where it's at. ]

By the way... Those stories...

[ Making out didn't embarrass him, but now his cheeks are tinged pink. ]

I maybe... might... possibly want to borrow one of them? It is, ah, good, I think, to expand my horizons... and such.

[ Yukimura isn't the only one with cheeks tinged red more from reading material than make outs while both parties are near-naked. What a pair they make. ]

You... want to read them? I--Sure. It'd be a good way for you to pass the time.

[ When he's still healing and unable to return to duty as normal. Even with his rapid healing (even faster with Shingen punching him), he'll still need to rest. ]

When we get back to camp, I'll bring you some.

[ They're dorks through and through. ]

Lend me some of your favorites.

[ Sasuke's bound to have good taste, right? ]

[ Sasuke will throw in a few action oriented stories, but Yukimura will soon find out that Sasuke reads a number of romances or stories where a character is reunited with loved ones. ~~Maybe he's doing a little wish fulfillment while also hoping for happy endings.~~ If Yukimura needs any more proof that his ninja is a big softy on the inside, the stories will only give him more evidence... not that it's a surprise by this point.

To the relief of them both, Yukimura's condition improves enough to allow him to not be so bed-stricken. He's still on the mend. If he overdoes it, his injuries make themselves known and possibly need attention. There's no going out to battle or even light sparring for this tiger cub. Not yet. Still, the situation isn't all bad. Sasuke remains ever present by Yukimura's side, whether they've made it back to the Takeda compound or remain in that isolated hut at the edge of the forest. ]

And how's Japan's number one warrior feeling?

[ It's no wonder Yukimura got some phoenix imagery in his own game; his healing factor makes him more than deserving. Given the severity of his injuries, he's still barred from any physical activity that could be called strenuous and wearing far too many bandages for his liking, but most people in his shoes would still be entirely confined to their beds.

They're back at the Takeda compound by now, and the familiar surroundings aid in his recovery -- eventually. At first, the shame of having gotten himself into such bad shape in the first place was churning constantly in his stomach. He's sure the only reason Shingen didn't punch him skyward and call him a fool is because for once, he wouldn't be able to take it, and knowing that hurt worse than he imagined the punch itself ever would.

Fortunately, the shame lessens the more he heals. Staying put and resting is hard for a person like Yukimura, but the variety of stories Sasuke brings him keep him from getting too stir-crazy and jeopardizing his healing as a result. It's a little hard to read through the more scandalous parts, like when people hold hands, but he thinks he gets a little stronger as a person every time he makes it through a scene like that. He doesn't even let himself skim over them!

He's lying on his side, intently reading one of those stories when Sasuke comes to check on him. ]

Improved from yesterday, Japan's Number One Ninja!

[ It hurts to do most things that aren't lying in bed (and even that's not painless), but it's a lot more bearable than it was at first. ]

[ Everyone in the Takeda both breathed a sigh of relief upon their return and raised an eyebrow at Sasuke. They can tell something has changed, but they haven't figured out what. They simply sense that the ninja's aura has shifted. The Sanada ~~Braves~~ Ninja Corps have their own ideas, but they show more restraint over expressing them. (They instead place bets among themselves.) No one tries to convince Sasuke to let someone else nurse Yukimura back to health. It's like everyone realizes he needs to do this. ]

I brought you something.

[ He places a large plate of dango next to Yukimura. There's also tea and some pain medicine (if he needs it), but the important thing is that Sasuke made good on his promise to get him dango. He's relieved that Yukimura is taking it easy. Were their roles reversed, Sasuke doesn't know if he'd be able to remain resting. ]

Would you mind some company?

[ Since he needs to remake his forest camouflage outfit, Sasuke has taken to wearing his more standard ninja black attire around the compound. He's... not comfortable wearing a kimono around others besides Yukimura. That doesn't stop him from bringing the kimono over with the rest of his sewing supplies. Sasuke has a lot of general sewing to do. ]

[ Yukimura lays eyes upon the dango and is delighted. It's here!! The dango is real!! What better medicine could there possibly be?!

...Okay, no, the real pain meds (along with the tea) are appreciated too. ]

Not at all!

[ Yukimura pats the space next to him with a bandaged hand. The burns he received are going to scar, but he's trying to keep his mind off of things like that. ]

I have been wanting to tell you my thoughts on this tale.

[ Sasuke is willing to hide the medicine within the dango or create a sweetened tea mixed with the medicine. Yukimura won't have to worry too much about the bitter taste if he decides to take it. His ninja will do what he can.

Setting down his sewing bundle within reach, Sasuke sits next to Yukimura right where he patted the floor. He also tries not to think about which wounds will leave scars. It seems wrong for someone so fiery to bear burn scars like he has. ]

Did you finish it all ready? That was fast.

[ It took Sasuke longer to finish it, but he also had multiple other things dividing his attention at the time. ]

[ Yukimura shakes his head, slowly so as not to give himself a headache. ]

Not yet. I have reached the halfway point, where the youkai and her lover have been separated by the meddling onmyouji.

[ It's a gripping tale. He can't until he's finished the story before discussing it! ]

I was sympathetic to his unrequited love for the youkai at first, but he has made himself the villain now! How can he not see that he cannot take her love by force?!

[ Oh that point. Sasuke remembers how pained the youkai became. Her spirit seemed to fade, losing hope for life the longer she was held captive. ]

I think the onmyouji confused his desire for the youkai for love. He doesn't love her. He wants ownership, to claim her as his prized possession. However, he calls it love to justify his actions.

[ The onmyouji might have been sympathetic at first, but he started to show his true colors. A person shouldn't hurt their lover the way he has. ]

He cannot see his own selfishness, and looks away from her unhappiness as if it will resolve itself...

[ Yukimura's brow furrows as he thinks of the youkai woman's plight. ]

I cannot predict what will happen next, but I would like to believe that he will see the error of his ways, and learn from the youkai's example what true love is supposed to look like.

Some people only see what they want to see. Others have been blinded and don't know what they're missing. They need someone to help open their eyes.

[ Maybe the onmyouji will. Maybe he won't. Sasuke won't give Yukimura a spoiler. That'll ruin the story. ]

Which way will this story go...?

[ Sasuke takes off his gauntlets, spreads a piece of green fabric over his folded legs, and begins to stitch. ]

[ Yukimura gives both the story and Sasuke a pointed stare before rolling onto his back and making an impatient noise. ]

Why must it take so long to reach the ending? Is there a way to train myself to read more quickly??

[ Maybe he could just skip ahead a few pages... No, no, he has to finish it properly! But the poor youkai maiden...! ]

[ Sasuke can't help but laugh at the adorable tiger cub. And it feels good to laugh like this, brightly and honestly. ]

You can take a break and rest your eyes, you know. You're making me wonder if you forgot about the dango and tea.

[ Highly unlikely, given who he's speaking to, but the plate of dango has lasted longer than he expected. ]

And if you try to read too quickly, you won't enjoy the story as much.

[ Laughing at his very serious dilemma!! So mean, Sasuke!!

Yukimura frowns at the ceiling before huffing a sigh and rolling back onto his side. ]

I have no argument for that...! A story must be savored the way one savors dango!

[ He picks up one of the skewers and starts munching on the dango. ]

...But what if the ending is not sweet the way the dango is?

[ Compared to everything else they've gone through, the frustration over not reading fast enough in so lighthearted. At least there isn't blurry vision for him to contend with! ]

Do you think I'd give you something that would leave a bitter taste in your mouth? ... Besides the medicine.

[ While not a spoiler, Yukimura might be able to read between the lines: Sasuke wouldn't give Yukimura book with a bad ending. ]

[ Right, the medicine... He needs it, but why does it have to taste like that? ]

...No.

[ He's got to concede that. Sasuke's recommended tales have all had happy, satisfying endings, just how Yukimura likes them. ]

I suppose I know already that this story will end happily, but... the suspense, Sasuke! It makes me doubt what is certain!

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