Yatogami Kuroh | Tsukikage Yuri | 062

[arbitrament]

[It's been a long journey to this city. Not that it's his destination--Kibougahana City, was it...?--but nonetheless, he can't deny that it might not hurt to take a short break. Ichigen-sama always did say that he needed to take it easy sometimes so he didn't overdo it, because that wouldn't help anyone.

Except...more poetic.

Because Ichigen-sama is the most poetic of all.

He's taken to the rooftops like batman the slightly anti-social soul he is, but at some point, he notices that there's this old lady who needs help crossing the street, and leaving her to do it on her own would just not be honorable at all, and then there's a cat in a tree and it reminds him of Neko a bit, and then--

He's walking along, passing by a school, and honestly feeling very satisfied with how the day went (even if he hasn't gotten any closer to the end of his journey, sometimes it's the journey itself that is really important, right?) when he steps on something.

Something that goes crunch.

He freezes. This was clearly the first meeting that was meant to be.]

[le list:
- fashion modeling
- dinner
- badass fights
- magical girl transformations
- flower meanings
- post movie thread]

Comments

[arbitrament]

[Do you really want him to strip..... he blinks at her, but... even for someone as generally shameless as him, he somehow feels awkward pulling off his shirt in front of her.

...

And the silence drags on a little...

And then he finally mans up and reaches for his coat and shirt to neatly pull them off. IT's definitely injuries centered around his ribs and chest, because Crazy Senpai is a Dick.]

[socolognely]

... You made it here with injuries like this? Why didn't you call me sooner?

[ Yuri's definitely looking appalled - half-nakedness, what is that - before she starts pulling out ointment and bandages. ]

[arbitrament]

[He just blinks blankly down at his injuries--and slowly looks back up at Yuri.

And.

It's pretty obvious from the vague look on his face that he didn't realize for himself that they were this bad.]

I did not wish to drag you too far out of your way.

[socolognely]

Your well-being is more important than a few extra miles.

[ Grit your teeth, friend, she's going to start cleaning those wounds. ]

[arbitrament]

[Yeah, he's gritting his teeth, ow.

So for a moment, he doesn't respond, beyond just taking a shuddering breath in.

okay, he'll aim for Stoic Samurai right now. It's up in the air how successful he is.]

[socolognely]

[ She won't judge. But she will be efficient, quickly cleaning what she can and bandaging the wounds once she's deemed her work satisfactory. ]

[arbitrament]

[Efficiency is good, if nothing else. As soon as she's finished cleaning and bandaging him up, he breathes out slowly, and then he straightens as if to get up.]

Your assistance is appreciated.

[socolognely]

[ FLATTENS A HAND ON HIS SHOULDER. ]

I'd like you to explain your empty sword to me first.

[arbitrament]

[... looks like he's not going anywhere.

Does he have to, though, he really doesn't want to talk about it right now........ even as opposed to when he was sheepish and chagrined after his fever at the riverbank, here and now like this, he just looks...a great deal more defeated.]

That is...

[...]

It is true.

[socolognely]

In what way? [ seriously, she's not seeing it. And seeing him like this, so thoroughly downtrodden... it's hard. ]

[arbitrament]

[... he's quiet for another moment, but it isn't as though he doesn't trust Yuri. She's someone who...well, is more a confidant than he's ever had, truly.]

What...is my purpose for wielding my sword? If it is truly purposeless, as Mishakuji said...

[He pauses, expression flattening.]

Then it is no wonder I was unable to defeat him.

[socolognely]

Kuroh.

[ Yuri moves to replace the first-aid kit, before she glances back at him. ]

If someone were to attack me, or your King, what would you do?

[arbitrament]

Naturally, I would defend you.

[He blinks.

??? Isn't that obvious.]

With my life, if need be. [whoa there calm down]

[socolognely]

[ ... Okay, Yuri, focus, do not look flustered-- AHEM. ]

Why?

[arbitrament]

Because you are people who are important to me. This sword exists to protect those people.

[....well that flows off his tongue so easily.]

[socolognely]

[ GOOD THING SHE'S TOO COOL TO BLUSH and also there's a point to make here-- ]

If it's a sword meant for protection, can you truly call it empty?

[arbitrament]

[GOOD THING INDEED though that throws him off-guard.

He pauses.

That's...]

No... it cannot. [Another pause. He has Yuri, he always has Yuri, but--] Shiro... may yet be dead, however.

[socolognely]

... You won't know for certain, not if you keep searching. If he's your King, I doubt he'll be gone from you so easily.

[arbitrament]

...Yes, naturally that is the case.

[As hard as it is and as shaken as he was from that conflict, Yuri's right.]

I will continue searching for him, even so. But... do you not believe-- [...hm, how to put this.]

... I was not able to secure victory under my own power. [oh, that's blunt enough.]

[socolognely]

There is nothing wrong with drawing strength from others, when you need it. I know that now.

[arbitrament]

... Drawing strength from others.

[there's a pause as he considers that deeply.]

It has been so time since... I have truly thought of such a thing. [But he does do that with Yuri, doesn't he?]

[socolognely]

Would you consider that a weakness, Kuroh? It's still a way to fight.

[arbitrament]

...No. It is not a weakness.

[There is a pause, as he inspects her sheathed sword, still clenched in his hand. He hasn't let go of it since.]

My sword is...currently empty. But I am not without purpose, nor am I without a way to fight. [A pause, and--]

In this case, I am only asking even more of you. Is that alright?

[socolognely]

You've helped me more than enough. If I can return the favor, I'm happy to.

[ She means this; it's why she's gazing at him directly. ]

[arbitrament]

[He meets her eyes for a long moment--and then he bows his head in acquiescence.

When she sounds that certain, he can't do anything but agree.]

I see. In that case...I humbly request that you allow me to use my sword for this purpose--to protect you and what you care for, as I search for my king.