Chapter Text
While the moon lay high in the sky and the autumn night air grew ever colder, Yoimiya and Itto walked through the now mostly-quiet Inazuma city.
“Itto we’ve been out here for hours, I don’t think he’s even in the city anymore.” Yoimiya slid hands over her crossed arms as a particularly sharp breeze blew past. “We’ve already asked the inns, they all said nobody’s come by recently.” Itto turned toward her, placing hands into silver hair and tugging through it with a groan.
“Well where else could he be, none of bro’s little ninja people have popped up either.” Yoimiya’s lips pulled into a thin line at Itto’s impatient tone, making deliberate eye contact as she shifted her weight.
“No clue.” She replied after a beat, eliciting yet another groan out of the oni. “But he sure as hell isn’t behind that empty fruit stand.” Yoimiya watched as Itto fidgeted with empty crates behind a wooden cart, throwing them around haphazardly as if it would unveil something new.
“Well you don’t seem to have any better ideas, at least I’m doing something.” Itto retorted, annoyed, voice cracking as he grew more and more impatient.
“Calm down, calm down,” She moved forward, setting a hand on Itto’s shoulder as he crouched to the floor. “Let’s go sit down for a bit, recollect ourselves hmm?” Her eyes softened when Itto looked up, his expression looking hopelessly worried.
The two found a patch of grass not far from the Tenryou commission’s front gates where they plopped down, letting themselves relax for the time being. Still, Itto fidgeted with his fingertips, pulling at them as he bit his bottom lip, staring off into the darkening city roads. Yoimiya watched him for a moment before shoving a warm hand over his.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” She asked, urgent and leaning into his space. When Itto continued to stare, she sighed. “Look at me,” She said harshly, and with it came Itto’s gaze.
“I just,” He breathed, pulling his hands back from hers, “I’m worried about the guy.” Yoimiya leaned back on her heels humming,
“I mean I was the beginning of the whole domino effect for him,” He looked up at her, brows furrowed and eyes glassy, nose reddened from the chill of night air. “You saw his face when he up n’ booked it, a guy like that- he’s gotta be hurting, to pull a face like that..”
“You’re really not mad at him huh?” Yoimiya asked. Itto shook his head, a small smile pulling at his face.
“Naw, there’s no point in making him feel worse about it.” He paused to drop the grass blades he’d been pulling up beside him, “Besides, I’ve probably done dumber stuff.”
“Oh, so you admit it?” Yoimiya pulled a grin as Itto frowned immediately,
“No-” A high-pitched squeak sounded out from the surrounding area, startling both Itto and Yoimya.
“Your hands are cold, stop touching my face.” Came a voice, its reprimanding words laced with slurred giggling.
“If your face wasn’t so red, maybe my hands would be warmer, divine priestess.” From where he stood, Itto’s eyes widened and before he knew it the words flew out of his mouth before he could think about it.
“Tengu?” He called out, a bajillion notches too loud and startling the now flustered couple away from each other. Yoimiya shoved him harshly, an annoyed ‘what?’ falling from Itto’s mouth.
“Uh-um Arataki and Naganohara, is it? How-uh-”
“What’re you two doing out here, go home.” Sara cutover Kokomi’s stuttering phrases, but the bright red flush of her face betrayed her and made the Kujou-typical commanding tone much less intimidating.
“Your face is red Kujou Tengu,” Itto teased, words drawn out as he wagged a finger at her. Yoimiya hit him again.
“State your business, or leave, Arataki.” She said harshly, gritting her teeth and visibly clenching her jaw. Itto threw his hands up in response, feigning innocence as he turned to step in the other direction.
“Alright but-”
“Actually, we have a question.” Yoimiya spoke up, glaring in Itto’s direction pointedly seconds passing before he raised his brows and mouth an elongated ‘Oh.’ Sara gestured her hand, crossing her arms as she settled her weight back onto her side. “Um- have you happened to see General Gorou anywhere recently?” She asked slowly, watching as the two womens’ expressions shifted into mild confusion.
“No, we haven’t, is he not at the Kamisato Estate?” Kokomi spoke up from where she stood, lacing a hand into Sara’s crossed arms. Both Yoimiya and Itto shook their heads and Kokomi pulled a frown. “It’s late, surely he should be there by now.”
“Yeah, but he’s kinda not, fish-princess.” Itto said, silence falling between them. Yoimiya hit him yet again and Sara squinted in his direction.
“Well then where did he go?” Kokomi asked, audibly struggling to keep her tone composed. “And why is he not, I don’t know, sleeping?” She was frowning now, bringing hand up to her mouth.
“Well he, er I maybe, made him really upset because my actions accidentally outed him as-” Yoimiya kicked Itto in the back of the leg this time.
“You never know when to shut up, do you?” She sighed. Kokomi’s eyes stared, expression bewildered, Sara beside her nodifferent.
“At times like this, I wish your little deputy wasn’t such a good lawyer.” Sara said aloud, exasperated and pinching the bridge of her nose.
“Well, did you ask the Inns here?” Kokomi asked.
“Yes, we looked through the whole main city, he’s not here.” Yoimiya scoffed at Itto who knelt close to the floor rubbing his leg. “Sayu came by, said his stuff isn’t in the guestroom anymore.” At that Kokomi’s eyes widened,
“Did you check the docks? Out in Ritou, he might be trying to catch the first boat back.”
“No of course not, it’s cold near the water at night, and lodging in Ritou is booked full anyway.”
“So, my general is waiting on some bench out in the cold by himself?” Sangonomiya Kokomi, who was typically known for her sweet words that were hard to say no to, now spoke with a poison that made even Kujou Sara straighten her posture. “You, oni.”
“Uh, Yes ma’am?”
“Whatever you did, fix it.”
“Of course.” Itto swallowed, as Kokomi’s round eyes stared toward him.” She smiled, something sickeningly sweet as she beckoned for them to get a move on.
“Are you-uh, not coming?” Itto dared to ask the two. They blinked back, milliseconds of silence feeling like an eternity.
“We’ll meet you there.” Kokomi smiled thinly, tilting her head as her eyes wrinkled at their corners.
“Okay..” He watched her, turning his body towards the road. “Hey, are you sure-”
“Hurry up, we don’t have all night.” Yoimiya said, shoving him along, face beet red as she grumbled, annoyed with how obtuse the crimson oni could be.
“Archons, it’s cold out here.” Gorou mutters to himself, sniffling loudly before adjusting folded arms. The hair on his arms was standing straight up as frigid wind blew past, howling louder and louder. The idea of simply going back was a tempting one, with the cold, autumn-night temperatures in Ritou at the moment. But each time Gorou contemplated facing awkward interactions with both the Kamisato family and lady Sangonomiya, he shivered ever violently.
Irrational as it was, the embarrassment of his predicament was somehow far worse than dealing with the freezing temperatures for a few more hours. At least that’s what he thought, surely it’d only be awhile longer until the clouds parted and the early-morning rays of sun would come right?
Gorou’s leg shook as he waited, sitting on that wooden bench with nothing but the sounds of wind, water, and the steady tap of his foot against paved ground to accompany him. He took a deep breath, looking up towards the now unilluminated docks of Ritou, releasing said air and watching as it made itself visible in front of him. He shook again, feeling the shiver run its course down his spine and moving his tail.
Figuring nobody was around to judge him anyway, he pulled the furry appendage into his lap, holding it close to his chest and breathing hot air into his own fur. Archons what he would give to be bundled up in warm blankets, tail tucked into himself as he lay there comfortably and at peace.
His mind drifted, the daydream of warm blankets wrapped over his body slowly replaced with the intrusive thoughts of strong arms and comforting body warmth. Gorou found himself drifting, eyes falling as he let himself entertain thoughts of those wonderfully large, calloused, hands carding through his hair, over his arms, through his tail. He absently felt his eyes begin to water, the signature sting and sour warmth threatening to wash over yet again. In response, he pushed his face further down in an attempt to stop it in its tracks, his eyes were already irritated enough.
“Gorou, are you out here?” an effeminate voice called, the tone shrill and clearly worried. It shook him from his thoughts, forcing him to take a sharp breath in before prying himself from his curled up position. He looked up and surely, a little distance away was her signature frizzy hair.
“Puppy-er, Gorou, you out here dude?” Another voice added in, and the sound of it made his heart sink.
Sure enough, following closely behind Yoimiya was the crimson oni himself, horns and all, his bellowing voice amplified by the hands wrapped around his mouth. Leave . Was all Gorou could think, all he wanted to do, so he did. Padding away briskly, silently, while the pair were still just out of ear shot.
He was a good distance away when he gasped at the realization he’d left his things tucked underneath that damp, wooden bench.
“ Shit- ” He murmured to himself, turning on his heel, ready to rush back and get rid of the evidence he’d been there in the first place.
“Hey Yoimiya, look’ere,” Itto called out to the woman, holding up Gorou’s haphazardly packed luggage in one arm.
“Huh, so Sanganomiya was right, she’s good.” Yoimiya hummed, taking the bags from Itto’s grasp. “Well, he can’t be far now, let’s look around, yeah?” Itto nodded whipping around toward Gorou’s general direction. Gorou held his breath, sinking low to the ground and inching backward to remain out of sight.
“Maybe he's taking a piss.” Itto said, thoughtfully and Yoimiya pulled a face. “What? There’s so much water here, I wouldn’t be able to last this long without at least one tinkle break.” The word choice made Gorou also pull a face equal to Yoimiya’s, minorly baffled as to why this was the man his touch-starved brain attached itself to.
“I hate that I even have to acknowledge that this is a legitimate suggestion, Arataki.”
“Hey, I have good ideas, and you know it.” She sighed again, walking up the path a bit in the opposite direction.
“I’ll go this way, okay?” Itto gave a thumbs up and moved yet again in the direction of Gorou’s hiding place.
Itto hovered for a good while, always close, but never far enough that Gorou deemed the distance enough for him to make an escape. He figured, screw his things, Kokomi would probably bring them back home anyway.
“Listen, I know you’re here puppy, or at least I hope so.” Itto suddenly said aloud, startling Gorou just a bit. “It’d be awkward if I was just talking to the air here.” Itto hummed loudly, the buzzing sound low and bass-filled. Gorou’s ears fluttered recalling the way that same voice felt vibrating against his face, when he’d been tired and wrapped by Itto’s unwavering arms.
If Gorou was being honest, he was tired now, and found it hard keeping himself alert when his face was still irritated, while he was sitting crouched low to the floor in the shadows, cold and exhausted.
“I-uh I’m not upset about the Hina thing, if you’re worried about that,” Itto started again as he continued to walk aimlessly. Gorou let himself lay his head back against the wall nearest him, letting out a breathy exhale into his hands. He supposed that it was a good thing, that Itto wasn’t too bothered from getting set up. At least he would leave Narukami with one good thing on his conscience.
“And uh- I’m sure that the others aren’t mad either, of course I don’t really know that, but, like bro’s a good guy, I’m sure at least he’ll be on your side at least.” Itto began to ramble and Gorou watched from a few feet away as he combed through silver strands using his blackened fingertips. “And that fish-princess-lady- shoot what’s her name- Sango? Uh Sango- Sango-no-maguro? I think that’s a fish- anyways she’s really worried about you too, so that’s them at least.” Gorou found himself smiling at the nonsense words spilling from Itto’s mouth, he sat there, letting himself relax a bit more on that dirt-covered floor, burying his giddy grin in his hands.
“Look, if you’re here can we just- I dunno talk a bit? I wanna make things right, this is my fault after all.” Itto let out an audible breath, the air loud as he blew raspberry through his lips.
In spite of all of it, Gorou felt his chest pang, guilt of his actions built up over at least a month rising. The voice in his head saying he was still better off not saying anything, cutting the guy off before he subjected him to more of his stupid, selfish mistakes. Because, from now on Gorou had to be responsible, a military leader worthy of being looked up to by family, by friends, by his peers. That meant no more playing around here in Narukami where the festivals were loud and the people were kind. Where the fireworks made your heart palpitate and the food had you salivating at the mention of it.
Gorou closed his eyes, just once, because his head hurt and he was tired and he was freezing . It’d been at least a half hour by now, surely Itto wouldn’t find him anytime soon.
“Hey, you asleep?” Well now he definitely wasn’t.
Gorou opened heavy lidded eyes to see Itto’s massive figure leaning over him. Soft expression looking down as Gorou rubbed at his face.
“What do you want?” He asked, the words burned his throat, coming out bitter and annoyed when really they weren’t.
“Not sure, didn’t really think about that part.” Gorou pulled his lips into a line at Itto’s sheepish smile, averting his eyes when the oni moved to sit beside him, there in the shadow of some alley wall in Ritou.
“Well if you have nothing to say, I’m leaving.” Gorou said, near inaudible as he moved to stand. Itto caught his wrist, yanking him back down with a smidge too much force.
“Sorry about that, and I changed my mind, I want something.” Itto stared deep into Gorou’s irritated red ones, strong and hopeful. “First, I want to apologize.” He paused, “For kissing you,” Gorou didn’t even have a chance to hide the frown that formed almost immediately,
“If that’s it then don’t worry about it.” He spat out harshly, pulling his arm from Itto’s grasp and attempting to get up again only to get pulled back down.
“W-whoa hey, no need to be hostile-”
“Then why are you apologizing for that? To make me feel worse about myself?” Gorou’s face burned as he spoke and Itto’s expression became all the more confused. “You wanted to kiss Ms. Hina right? So you’re disappointed, right? You don’t need to say anymore, I- You don’t need to tell me okay?” Gorou felt his cheeks become damp again as tears spilled from eyes. “If anything, if anything I should be sorry, because I lied to you, to everybody . I took advantage of you, because I-”
“Because you like me?” Gorou closed his mouth, salty tears slipping through closed lips as he looked away.
“The point is, I should’ve been better, you’d all be better off if I just stayed on Watatsumi, working.” Itto let out a breath.
“You should let me finish, puppy.” Gorou breathed in, air rough as he held in the embarrassing hiccups that threatened to spill out. “For one you didn’t deny it.”
“Deny what?” Gorou shot back.
“That you like me.” Itto teased, “It’s okay Yoimiya told me that one, I would’ve never guessed, but don’t tell her that.” Gorou flushed, but exhaled again, his breathing slowly evening out.
“And?” He asked softly.
“And so..” Itto trailed off, seemingly lost in thought. “Look, I really did not come here with a plan, so just-” He hung his head in his hands. “It just doesn’t sit right with me for you to leave like this so let’s just do this,” Gorou looked up, startled when Itto suddenly shot up to his feet holding out a hand.
“Let’s just uh- start over, from the beginning.” Itto took a deep breath, exhaling noisily and speaking from the top of his lungs. “Hi, my name is Arataki ‘you can call me literally anything but I much prefer numero uno’ Itto.” He smiled widely and Gorou was left dumbfounded. “You sir, look like you’d like somebody to talk to, so would you care to accompany me to breakfast tomorrow morning?” Itto wiggled outstretched fingers from where he stood, looking down at Gorou who was still knelt down on the floor, eyes wide and face distraught.
“What are you-”
“Sir, I’m afraid I don’t know your name yet.” Gorou blinked and Itto’s grin grew ever larger.
“My-” He looked up at Itto's eager expression, watching as his gaze remained unchanging, “My name is Gorou, it’s nice to meet you, Arataki Itto.” He took the oni’s hand who pulled him forward, once again a little too hard, landing the smaller in an unintended embrace.
“ Celestia , you are cold, puppy- Uh I mean-”
“It’s okay, you can call me that.” Gorou interrupted softly, pushing his face into Itto’s open chest. Itto looked up to the sky, feeling his face flush when soft ears brushed over bare skin.
“Let’s go tell the others you’re okay, yeah?” Gorou nodded slowly,
“Just-”
“Just what?”
“-For a little bit.” Gorou said, words muffled.
“I have no idea what you just said puppy.” Itto looked down to see Gorou whose face was tear-stained yet flushed red.
“Carry me.” Gorou, repeated out.
“But sir we just met-” Gorou pouted, puffy eyes accentuating the look and Itto couldn’t hold in the laugh.
“Sure.”
On the walk back, Gorou fell asleep quickly, surrounded in the arms of an oni whose skin was warm, whose hands were rough, and who talked too much for his own good. Despite that, he loved it, reveled in the attention that idiot of a man gave him, and he dreamed. He dreamed right there, drooling openly on Itto’s bare chest, that those once intrusive thoughts of large hands carding through his fuzzy tail, were real.