Arrogance. That was the first word that came to Tatsuo's mind as this senile old man proclaimed himself to be the very heavens itself, something that only a few particularly delusional rulers in history had done just be proven wrong just a short while later. But...it was kinda hard to ignore the facts. This man had awakened a long dormant bloodline and opened a portal in his ancestor's backyard! If there was truly someone who could back up their claims, it was this old monster before him.
And honestly, a spike of envy welled up from the very pits of his soul. If he had received even mere scraps of protection or guidance that his ancestor had benefited from, then would his life really be as awful as it was now? Just knowing there was someone out there willing to fight the world itself on his behalf was a new feeling, the fact it had a time limit attached was more than enough for him to feel that loss.
What...what if he gave up whatever was in the inheritance to be ushered under the tutelage of Yamato Iori? Sure, he must be interested if he was here now instead of...what did ancient monsters like him do in their free time? Contemplate the secrets of reality? Play decade spanning games to corner opponents? Or maybe wandering around like a mortal to return to their origins?
"….Is there anyway you could take me on as a disciple?" The, frankly pathetic sounding, request was out of his lips before he could even think it over. The allure was just too great to pass up on. Seeing that serene face not even flicker, he pressed on with a desperation that would've made the him from just last night sneer. "I know you said I'm not talented enough to be your disciple….but maybe we could make a deal? I can give you what's in the inheritance if you would accept me as a student?"
"…"
Iori's silence was near deafening, not even the leaves above dared to rustle. Like they themselves were sneering down at the mortal who dared to reach too high. But unlike in those novels shouting about defying fate or over turning the heavens, simple farmers stretching to grasp the fruit of transcendent, Tatsuo was not the protagonist. If anything, his ancestor sounded more like one than he could ever dream of being.
"Besides!" It was closing in, like he could hear those grains of sand slipping away as time went on. His mind spun for any reason he could use to cling to this figures leg, even if some of them were less than savory. But if it meant somehow convincing him to change his mind, then pride wasn't much of a factor."You owe me a chance! You got me involved in all this, so you have to take responsibility! I...I know you've opened up this inheritance because of my ancestor but what about me? What about what you owe me? I didn't ask for you to awaken my bloodline! I didn't ask for you open this pocket dimension-thing in my backyard! With all that, you must at least give me a shot! An opportunity to prove myself!"
It probably would've been more fruitful to scream at a mountain, at least there would've been an echo to show for it. Instead, the old man looked on with a blank expression. Like he wasn't being emotionally blackmailed or strong armed. If anything, he looked more aloof than he originally did. No matter how impossible that might be.
"Fuji was a proud man even as that blind and scared boy." Iori's voice was soft but each word hammered against the drunkards jelly like spine, weight of his own making pulling down on his shoulders as the old man continued. "He only ever begged me once...and he was eight at the time. He begged me not to hunt and kill the bandits responsible for raiding his families farm and leaving him an orphaned child. Begged me not to take away his revenge….for he wished to do it himself. I can excuse your ignorance and your lacking spine but I will never covet anything my disciples possess. You insinuating that I would be willing to rip the inheritance out of junior's hands, is insulting beyond belief. For this lost of face, I will protect this entrance for one month. And after that, you will be on your own."
It was final. A slow but sudden gut punch, frigid sweat pouring in streams down his back. Heart thumping loud enough to reverberate his entire being. Tatsuo knew this was going to happen….okay, maybe not his protection being cut down to a single month but knew that the man wouldn't hold any other desire than fulling a long lost disciple's final request. He couldn't even muster up a strand of anger or vitriol, he wasn't that foolish nor thick skinned enough.
If anything...just looking into the old man's eyes was enough for shame to wash everything else away. Making him feel as though the only way to escape was to hope straight into that portal and face whatever fresh hell was on the other side….but that would be foolish. Just knowing that by the end of the month, he would be on his own put a lot of things into perspective.
But most of all, it meant that Iori expected this inheritance to take more than a day to complete. If that was the case then there was no way he was going to walk in their without at least a small backpack full of supplies. Water, food, tools, clothes and weapons.
If he had known ahead of time, maybe it would be prudent to go into deeper detail but life wasn't ever going to wait to throw you a fast ball. It would come no matter how unprepared you were.
So, the basics.
Turning, the man took off to the back door. Throwing open the old door and flying inside. His years of etiquette forgotten as he slammed shoe'd feet into the hardwood floor, tracking mud and grass all across a mostly barren home. Finding a bag, he threw multiple bottles of water together, a few of instant food packs and a single kitchen knife, that didn't look as dull as the others, wrapped in a dishrag for his own protection. He took off once more, heart hammering in his chest all the while, passing a bathroom before freezing in place and backtracking. There was something he could get from here.
Rummaging his hand through the medicine cabinet, he pulled out some pain medicine and a first aid kit. Dusty as it might be, he was sure that none of the components could expire….right? Sliding past that worrying thought, the man clutched them in his arms and sprinted back out to the hallway, down past the living room and completely glossing over the large stacks of opened bills on the table, passed a small room that reeked of vomit and sweat, to his destination.
He yanked the clothes off the drying rack, not caring in the slightest at what he grabbed as long as underwear were involved, then everything was a-okay.
With everything in a large ball, Tatsuo made his way back. Before forcing the orb of survival into the bag, he made his way out of the house with sweat dripping down his forehead. Fear gripping him at the idea of the temporary guardian grow impatient and leaving him to fend for himself, but once he saw that same old man sitting on a makeshift thrown of branches, a relief so profound filled him.
But, something seized his very heart. Lungs constricting in place as he laid his gaze on the two other people he knew for certain shouldn't be there.
"Oba-chan?" An elderly women, that went by the name of Ando Kiyoko, who once fed him so many candies as a child with a large grandmotherly smile on her face, now looked on gravely. Harsh lines etched into flesh, lips pursed into a thin line. Gray hair tied up into a bun, that faded white shirt replaced by a pristine, green kimono that spoke of such wealth that it boggled the mind. Twisting ancient kanji were written into the very seems and under his 'other' vision, it pulsed with an azure mist. Seeing her here alone was enough for his mouth to dry but the other person...they caused his heart to nearly stop. "Aoki Himari?"
She looked even more stunning than the last time he'd seen her. With long black hair trailing down her slender back, large brown eyes that once look up at him with admiration and longing. Her skin, once tanned like everyone else was now pale as snow, like he hadn't witnessed her working all day under the sun multiple times. The woman, once a childhood friend, wore a form fitting business suit. Dark navy skirt hanging well below the knees. A pair of simple glasses clung to her nose.
"Go back inside Tatuso-chan." Kiyoko commanded, her voice sharp and brooking no argument. A tone that was reserved strictly for the few times he'd dared to be too mischievous in her presence, and if his confusion wasn't so strong then maybe he wouldn't followed the order just based on pure muscle memory. "I will explain everything to you but first, go back inside and do not come out until I come get you."