wingedtiger | OPEN RP POST

[ 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!

[ Shinobi must learn herbal medicine for use in the field to combat injury and poison. It's a necessary skill, and unfortunately, the plants that help do not taste good on their own. They need a little extra work. ]

That's how you know the author is skilled. Word have a certain power, don't they? They can grip you in ways a sword can and can't.

You're right...! These tales speak to my heart! I care for the fates of the characters as if they were people I knew!

[ ...Pause for more dango. ]

I confess that I have, until now, failed to appreciate the power of a well-crafted tale. How even a single sentence can shake one's soul. May the authors of this world forgive my ignorance...!

I think the author would be honored that their book helped you see the possibility stories can have.

[ Sasuke almost relates the text to the talks Shingen gives, but he doesn't want to rile Yukimura up needlessly and risk upsetting his injuries. It can be something he says later. ]

I liked how the author described the festival they attended. It was like I could see and hear it happening.

[ Yukimura nods enthusiastically... and then winces, rubbing his head. Ow. He probably needs that pain medicine sooner than later. ]

Gah... Yes, I felt the same! The scene was perfectly clear in my mind. The food stalls, and the lantern lights... the people milling about, and the fireworks overhead. It was very -- very romantic.

[ He looks down as he says that, somehow embarrassed. ]

Particularly when they shared a candied apple...

[ Sasuke sees that wince of pain and puts down his sewing. In a cleared off spot on the plate, he pulls the dango off the skewer and begins to kneed the pain medicine into the the sweet. ]

I'm glad for the writer's skill in telling scenes like that. It's a chance to experience something I'll never get to.... Here.

[ He holds out the drugged dango out to Yukimura. ]

This should make it easier for you take.

[ Yukimura takes it gratefully, biting into the now-medicinal dango right away. He can hardly taste the medicine! ]

Thank you.

[ He says, with his mouth full. Yukimura, honestly... ]

--But what do you mean? You will never be able to visit a festival with someone important...? I would attend a festival with you.

[ It's a relief to Sasuke when Yukimura takes the pain relief dango without argument. There's always a small part of him which worries Yukimura outright refusing medicine even if it would help him.

Also, Danna please. Manners. That's not a good look on you. ]

... You would? It's not really something a ninja...

[ Oh no. Yukimura's vision has cleared and can see the crimson coloring his cheeks. ]

Well, I suppose I may have a chance to now.

[ Note to self, start making a yukata for festival times.... so much sewing! ]

[ Sasuke would have never considered anything like this before. He's come so far.

And yes, he sure can see that blush. Sasuke is cute... ]

Let us go, the both of us, the next time there is a festival. By then, my wounds will be healed entirely! Ahhhh, there will be so much delicious food...!!

[ Forgive him, Sasuke, his mind is on snacks. ]

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