It's pretty late by the time I make it back to my room. Late enough to be early, going by the lightening of the sky. Though not so late that the sun has yet started to rise, so I should be able to have at least an hour or two to nap.
I'm still feeling all that Evil Saké I had. I could really do with a nap.
Granted, I could almost certainly just use Reverse Cursed Technique to put myself back into peak condition, but why would I want to do that? I am a human, I do not want to become something else, and living like that would divorce me of the human experience.
However, when I reach my futon, I am somewhat surprise to see it occupied by a sleeping Tamamo.
The sight leaves me rooted in place. A wonderfully new feeling welling up within me.
I'm not really sure how to describe it, but it's just.. nice.
It's nice. To come home and have someone you love just there, instead of simply being alone.
It's really nice.
A fond sigh leaves my lips as I quietly approach the futon and slip my kimono off, leaving me in just my pants as I slither my way under the covers behind Tamamo, careful not to wake her.
An adorable grumbling sound leaves her in the brief moment the covers aren't covering her, but Tamamo quickly settles back into a comfortable sleep as I press myself against her warm body and drape an arm over her stomach.
This is nice.
My eyes droop almost immediately after getting comfortable and I soon fall into a blissful sleep.
Almost immediately, at least that's how it feels anyway, I find myself being dragged out of unconsciousness metaphorically kicking and screaming.
Owwww my headddd.
"Narauko~," a soft cooing voice I immediately recognise as Tamamo's has me cracking my eyes open to see her kneeling down in front of me.
Even through the headache gnawing at the back of my mind, I'm still struck for a moment by just how beautiful she is. With her hair down and casual and wearing one of my own kimonos that I guess I'm not going to be getting back any time soon. I don't mind though. There's something so right about seeing her wearing it.
"Mguhf?"
She chitters at my mumbled reply before I feel her drag me up to a seated position and then there is a steaming cup of tea in my hands and a wonderful Tamamo leaning against my side.
"You have had a fun night I see?" She asks, a smile in her voice that is kept mercifully low, and I take a moment to sip the tea before responding, feeling my mind clear up some as I do.
"Yeah," I take another sip at the raw feeling to my throat, finding bliss in the sensation of properly hydrating myself. Despite the amount of saké I consumed, I still manage to recall most of the previous night, and I find myself smiling softly at the memories. "Yeah, I had fun. Made a new friend."
Tamamo hums pleasantly, and I feel the vibrations spread through me from where our shoulders touch. We stay in a comfortable silence as I finish my tea, feeling my mind rapidly clear of fog and back into alacrity, if with a sticking headache.
Tamamo gets up for a moment before coming back with a tray of steamed rice and fish, and I smile as I accept it from her.
"Thank you very much," I hold the tray in one hand while to other returns to her waist once she regains her seat by my side, and I peck a kiss on her cheek, just because I can. "Have you already eaten?"
"I have," she replies with a warm smile, and there's just something so domestic about all of this that I can't help but love.
The breakfast is good too, and I make sure she knows that, which she seems pretty pleased about. It's something I can understand if she is feeling anything like the pride I felt seeing her enjoy my crumpets. I mean— Krümpetsu..
It is only after I have finished my breakfast and made my appreciation clear that she takes the tray back and disappears it—because magic—and breaks our silence.
"A servant has invited you to morning tea on behalf of Sugawara no Takasue." As I process her words, I get an uneasy feeling when she smirks mischievously before continuing, "I should probably add that as you were still resting, I answered the door as Fujiwara no Nariko, so I am sure there will be quite some gossip. My apologies~."
I huff an amused breath at her tone. "You do not sound apologetic at all."
"Oh dear~." Her playful reply has us both sharing a small, brief laugh. It's nothing grand or boisterous, yet for some reason such a simple thing has me feeling truly at peace in ways that I want to share with her but cannot find the words to do so. So I simply lean forward and plant another kiss on her lips, soft and chaste and full of unspoken words.
Tamamo is smiling once more as we part, and I can't help but return it. Neither of us speak of how we feel, for there is no need. I can simply tell, and I am sure she can as well.
Alas, no moment lasts forever, and a reluctant sigh leaves me. "I suppose I shouldn't leave them waiting then."
However, as I move to get up Tamamo halts me—and damn that seventh tail makes a difference, her arm is like a steel beam. Scary~.
Funnily enough though, her newfound strength as an Ultimate being doesn't make me want to fight her at all. Not because I doubt my victory of course, I'd naturally still win.
It's just that to beat her, I would have to become a stronger version of myself until I reach her level. But if I do that, then I'll be too strong too quick.
I want to take my time playing around with my fellow man before I start slugging it with the monsters.
"No need to rush~," she chitters again, and I do find it so interesting how her laughter is subtly inhuman. "You really do not understand your own worth, do you?"
I tilt my head at that, an action that has her smile widening briefly for some reason before she sighs fondly and leans farther against me.
"If you were a noble, you would be among the most important humans within this realm," she explains softly. "You are a Special Grade Sorcerer. That title gives you the political weight of a noble. So even without a Clan to your name, you are still significant enough of a person that only a major noble could summon you at their convenience. The Sugawara are not a major family and are on a severe decline right now, so their summons of you is at your convenience, not theirs. So there is no need to rush."
Bleh, politics.
"I'm not going to make people wait for me for no reason, just because they cannot complain about it."
"I know. That is just the kind of man you are." She sounds oddly proud to say that, which honestly makes me feel kind of shy, just a bit. So sue me, it feels nice for someone to have faith in your character. "However, it is not for no reason that you would make the Sugawara wait. We are together, after all, and they won't mind a short delay, considering both the time and the nature of their greeting."
"What does that mean?"
"They want to thank you for saving two of their Sorcerers from Michizane."
"Oh. I kind of forgot about that honestly."
"Of course you did," she huffs a fond laugh.
Instead of responding verbally to that, I just flop down onto my back, pulling her with me until she is lying half on me so that I can hug her properly.
"There was a lot going on at the time," I defend, smiling, and she kisses me again before snuggling against my neck.
"You are comfortable," Tamamo informs me, her voice barely a murmur, and it feels like she is talking about more than just my use as a pillow. I give her a squeeze in response, hoping the motion can express my feelings better than words.
Any thoughts of leaving the Sugawara waiting completely flee my mind as I simply enjoy our closeness and the comfort it brings. I've been running around like a jackrabbit for the past few months, exploring everything new and interesting. It's nice to take a moment of actual peace. Not a single thought to assuaging my Curiosity, or to rushing out to find something new to experience or explore.
Just.. peace. Comfort... and Tamamo.
I fear that I have truly lost the fight against bachelorship. Honestly, I'm starting to wonder why I was ever hesitant about this in the first place. I certainly don't want to go back.
I guess I can just be an idiot sometimes. Because it feels so right to love like this. Like some part of my Soul is finally complete.
Am I reaching enlightenment?
Tamamo's eventual movement distracts me from the silly thought and she gains my full attention as she pushes herself up until she is straddling over me. Her hair falls over my head in a curtain that cuts the outside world away, leaving only her.
"You had another visitor last night," she begins, casual. "A Lady Kiyohara?"
Ah.
Tamamo snorts a laugh. "I thought you would make a face like that~. You are truly strange you know~?" To my confusion, she then leans down and we share another soft kiss, one that lingers. When she does pull back, she does so wearing a teasing grin. "Kiyohara-san and I had a pleasant talk. I only bring it up because of our previous talk, where you mentioned the strange culture of monogamy you experienced in your previous life, and I have thought of some mistaken assumptions one could make in your position."
Tamamo takes a breath before continuing, "So I will speak plainly so that there are no misunderstandings. Kiyohara and I are both aware of one another, and I believe we get along well enough. We will not be engaging in any foolish 'competing' over you, nor will we be fighting or manoeuvring against one another like an emperor's consorts. Neither of us feel jealous over the other's existence, though Kiyohara was naturally disappointed to have not been first."
A sigh leaves her, one that is both fond and exasperated. Maybe slightly playfully annoyed as she glares lightly down at me. "This is such a strange thing you know? You are so considerate that it is annoying, forcing me to go into so much detail just to ensure that you know you will not be hurting anyone just for being a little bit selfish. This would be easier if you were a lecher you know~?"
An amused huff leaves me before she leans down and once more reclaims my lips. This time, as we separate, she does not rise and instead falls with her head landing beside mine, allowing her to whisper right into my ear.
"That was a joke by the way. You do not need to change at all. Even the minor annoyance of having to have this conversation is something that I love about you."
Her words fill me with all sorts of fuzzy emotions, and I couldn't keep the smile off of my face if I tried. And since she is saying such nice things, I decide to be nice in turn and not tease her for how she is purposefully saying them from a position where I can not see her face.
She disguises it well, but I could hear some embarrassment there at the end~!
It's cute though, so I just hug her tighter.
Also, blunt, clear communication is hot too, never mind the literal fantasy-esque contents of her words.
Man, my life is so fucking awesome. I truly am the most Blessed man in the world.
///
Fujiwara no Sumitomo
///
"Idiots!"
The roar of rage is punctuated by the sound of ceramics shattering as Sumitomo hurls his cup of expensively imported wine at the wall.
Sumitomo seethes as he stares at the wine dripping down the wall of his office within the Iyo no kuni no kokufu—the provincial capital of the Iyo Province. A hand brushes through his long dark hair in a poor attempt to calm his wrath, to little success.
The Black Butterfly had just come in from Minamoto no Yoriyoshi. The damn fool wants to delay the plan they have spent so long building towards by a further two years! Right as it was supposed to go into motion! And for such a foolish reason as well!
He cannot believe the audacity of that man.
Everything was in place. Pieces moved where they needed to be. He'd even had to coordinate with that damn Nurarihyon and his 'associate'.
It was all in place. A perfect plan, largely designed by Sumitomo himself. All set to kick off mere days from now. Beginning with Nurarihyon's bigger, scarier associate making a scene at the capital.
But now what? Is he supposed to abandon his plan, leave it to rust and fall apart for years. Years where that conniving fuck Michinaga will continue to enjoy power over the realm that should be his.
No.
Sumitomo refuses such a future. He put too much into this. All of his favours called in, his influence spent. All for this one moment. The beginning of something greater. A future where he can take his rightful place at the top, standing forever higher than Michinaga.
He certainly won't let Yoriyoshi deny him his destiny.
No. Too much has been put into his preparations for this exact moment, and he refuses to allow anything or anyone to stop him now.
The original schematic for their reprisal against Michinaga would have had them all launching simultaneous revolts across all of their respective shōen. It would have begun in the coming days, with that damnable Yōkai bringing its associate in to dramatically reduce the Imperial Family's well of talented Sorcerers from the get-go.
From there, the revolts would have been too many and too soon for Michinaga to have been able to control. Land and people would have fallen in a matter of weeks, and optimistically, by month's end, Sumitomo would have Michinaga's head on a pike.
The most important aspect of this plan was naturally the element of surprise. Dishonourable though it may be, it is only through overwhelming and instant victory that success could be guaranteed against the damnable Michinaga.
So if Yoriyoshi does not wish to continue as planned, then Sumitomo will simply force his hand.
He refuses to give up on the opportunity he has worked so hard to create. He had to burn many favours in order to achieve this much, so he won't be able to be as prepared two years down the line. It is now or never.
Sumitomo will launch his revolt on the originally agreed upon time, whether Yoriyoshi wants him to or not. It is not as if he is beholden to the man after all. Sumitomo is also close with Masakado, so he does not think he will struggle to trick the man into launching the attack they all agreed on.
He knows Masakado well. While they are certainly not friends, and the soulless animal would certainly not act merely because Sumitomo asked, the man is too dull to be anything but a blunt tool moving as Sumitomo pleases.
With that, at least two prongs of the attack will commence as agreed.
From there, Minamoto no Yoriyoshi and Taira no Tadatsune will have a choice before them.
They could either follow Sumitomo's lead and join the attack, or they could sit back and watch him burn.
He knows what they will decide. For to do nothing would give up their greatest advantage. Surprise.
By launching his revolt, Sumitomo will be cluing Michinaga in on the rebellion that has been brewing behind his back. The others will know this, and they will know that because of Sumitomo, Michinaga will be prepared for them should they continue to wait.
Thus, following Sumitomo's lead becomes their best opportunity to find success. It would not be as perfect as if they all acted in concert, but their chances of victory now would certainly supersede their chances of succeeding against a prepared Michinaga two years from now.
At least that is certainly true with the information he has available to him.
He may hate his 'allies,' but he will not decry their intelligence too much. They are at least smart enough to see the writing on the wall and know that their only option if they want to dethrone Michinaga is to follow his lead. As is right.
Yes. This is how it should be. He is done playing second fiddle to those self-absorbed assholes.
Michinaga has had his time in the light. It is Sumitomo's will that shall be the architect of this new era.
Sumitomo allows himself a smirk as he leans back into his seat, pleased with the conclusion his thoughts have lead to.
Oh yeah, it's all coming together.
///
Taira no Tadatsune
///
By the time a servant informs Tadatsune of Narauko's approach, afternoon had long since rolled by. So he has a room and meal prepared to greet the boy with, pleased that his ploy with the Sugawara has worked to keep the Himejima envoy from being able to meet with him first.
And so he waits. Seated within a spacious hall with a large spread of food set out on the long table before him. Afternoon sunlight filters through the open shoji of one wall, lighting the room and providing a pleasant view of an artistically tailored garden.
Yoshikane would be waiting with him, should be waiting with him. But the fool of a man is still nursing a debilitating headache and would be of no use. Tadatsune assumes that Narauko will be recovered from their eventful night, as the boy is known for his use of Reverse Cursed Technique.
Around him, against the walls not opened for light and view, the rest of the room is a testament to Tadatsune's character.
Swords of many type and appearance hang from the walls or on stands. Four sets of armour stand, one in each corner while a number of Cursed Tools decorate the spaces in-between. There is no space for paintings or murals, as the only decorations he values are those of violent utility. Projections of strength and power. For he is a warrior born of warrior blood, not some courtier pretending to know war.
As he waits, Tadatsune mentally goes over what he hopes to accomplish with this meeting.
Yoriyoshi's message is still on his mind, the delay in their plan a thing he does not enjoy hearing. However, he can understand the rationale. He has seen first-hand with Michizane the difference that a single man can make when they hold the title of The Strongest.
He still does not truly believe that this brat Narauko is comparable to Michizane. The only ones that witnessed the battle that felled that legend were the two that claimed credit in the first place. He assumes that Michizane having become a Vengeful Spirit would have weakened him, and even then it took both of those brats to take him down.
Naturally, making assumptions from poor information is generally not advisable, so he is prepared to be proven wrong, if reluctant to accept such an idea. Hence why he does not protest Yoriyoshi's decision.
However, if he could get Narauko tied to his Taira clan through a marriage with Takiyasha, then the need to wait could be mitigated. Having Narauko on their side would change the calculus entirely.
It is only a shame that all signs point to Narauko siding with the Imperial Family should a conflict break out, as it inevitably will. Tadatsune intends to confirm those assumptions in this meeting by gaining a better understanding of the boy's character. He highly doubts the boy will be canny enough to disguise anything from Tadatsune.
He is not a noble and knows nothing of politics. Getting a read on the boy will prove no challenge.
Having two Special Grade Sorcerers to the Taira name would certainly be a pleasant boon. Enough so that he could easily come out ahead of his co-conspirators Yoriyoshi and Sumitomo.
The time of the Fujiwara is over. It is time for the Taira to take the lead in this new era.
It is as he is having such thoughts that the expected knock finally arrives, drawing his attention to the shoji door.
"Enter."
The paper door sides open at his command, and immediately Narauko steps through, past the servant who guided him that closes the door once he passes.
Instead of greeting Tadatsune as is proper, Narauko barely even seems to notice him in favour of observing the room around them, letting out an intrigued "Ooooh~," as he takes in the decorations with clear curiosity.
Tadatsune's brow twitches at the blatant disrespect being shown. He was already planning on testing the brat by flexing the weight of his Cursed Energy, but now he would have done so regardless of this test.
It is not that he is so overconfident as to assume his aura as a Grade One Sorcerer would be enough to cow a Special Grade, but there is much that can be gauged about a person from their response to threat.
Most Special Grades would be arrogant, either responding in some manner of mocking or by overwhelming the threat with their own aura. Some might get defensive or aggressive. Perhaps conciliatory or offended. The range of potential responses is vast, each telling a story into the man behind the name.
However, none of that is what happens, and Tadatsune finds his 'act' becoming ever more genuine, his Cursed Energy flaring violently as Narauko's actual response manages to infuriate him beyond any insult he could have imagined. An anger that is only made the worse with the understanding that he has failed to control this interaction ever since the first step Narauko took into this room.
For the brat does not lash out. Does not release his own Cursed Energy, nor move it in any manner of defence.
No. The brat manages to take the most insulting action of them all.
Narauko ignores him. As if he did not even notice Tadatsune's aura, the boy continues studying a Cursed Tool hung on one wall.
It is only a moment later that Narauko seems to notice, blinking and finally turning to face Tadatsune properly. Narauko's face immediately morphs into a sheepish smile as one hand scratches at his cheek awkwardly. But even if it only took a moment, that the boy did not turn immediately is insulting enough. That his Cursed Energy still does not respond to Tadatsune's own is such a shameful insult that he almost orders the boy to leave.
"Sorry," Narauko says, oblivious to Tadatsune's thoughts. "I have never been around so many Cursed Tools before, I got distracted, my apologies. Would you mind if I took some pictures of your collection? It's really impressive."
Tadatsune doesn't respond right away. First having to wait for his anger to calm enough to even speak, and then having to bite back the first few responses before he can speak in a well practiced level tone, betraying no hint of his turbulent emotions.
As the Patriarch of a major Clan, he is used to engaging with those he dislikes for the sake of his family.
"First, sit. Eat if you are hungry." Tadatsune waits for Narauko to nod with a grateful smile and slide into a seat at the table, not hesitating to start picking at the spread of food, before continuing, "What is a 'photo'?"
Narauko quickly finishes chewing and swallowing before responding, a truly glowing smile on his face as he does so.
"It is a painting that perfectly depicts a scene. I was recently gifted a Cursed Tool that functions in a manner that effectively takes a sight that one can see with one's eyes and prints it out on a sheet of paper. So I have started taking photos of all the wonderful things I see, and your collection is impressive as I said."
In demonstration, Narauko pulls out what Tadatsune can only assume is the object in question and waves it in the air before tucking it back away. The pride and joy with which he holds the thing is enough to clue Tadatsune in that whomever offered that gift is someone that Narauko values, which is a titbit he files away in his mind.
"So may I?"
Tadatsune considers his response. He cannot see any harm in allowing the request, though he naturally has a level of paranoia that there could be more to this Cursed Tool than simply printing images. He would be most upset should any harm come to his collection, as some of the arms within this room are more valuable than some minor houses of nobility.
However, he cannot simply agree to every request the boy makes as he makes them. That would make Tadatsune seem weak, as if he is bowing to the boy simply because of his status as a Special Grade.
Such a perception would run incredibly counter intuitive to his goal of ultimately having the boy serve his family, and thus himself by extension. There can be no confusion about who's position is above the other's.
Yet, accepting would go some way into building goodwill, which is naturally something that would be beneficial in tying the brat to his Clan.
So, a compromise. Agree enough to build goodwill, but not so much as to seem as if a concession is being made. Agree from a position of power.
"Perhaps later," Tadatsune settles on. "We have matters of import to discuss before any such trivialities can be tolerated."
"Eh." Narauko shrugs with a careless smile. "Don't worry about it then, I will just sneak in later."
....This damn brat.
Tadatsune can feel his veins pulsing on his forehead as he struggles to keep his expression stern and unmoving from the anger burning within. It is only through reminding himself that Narauko knows nothing of politics or etiquette like chanting a mantra that prevents him from lashing out.
Forcing a calm, Tadatsune barely manages to speak without pushing the words through gritted teeth.
"It is hardly polite to sneak into another's home, Boy. Let alone speak of doing such things straight to my face."
Narauko nods commiseratingly, growing an apologetic smile. "Sorry, but I have recently been convinced to be a little bit more selfish. I don't know, I think I might be changing as a person? Maybe? I suppose they do say that love changes you, but that hasn't really been obvious until now you know? I feel like I'm getting corrupted or something, because I'm feeling less inclined to conform to how I think I should be acting, you know? I don't think this is really what she meant, but still, the effect she's having on me, changing the way I act like that." Narauko shakes his head mournfully before theatrically shuddering. "Women sure are scary~."
Tadatsune barely understood half of that rambled reply, but he doesn't miss the implication of a 'she' that he loves.
Love is always an inconvenience. Nothing quite makes a man make foolish choices than the illusion of love. He dearly hopes that this 'love' of his is exaggerated, lest Takiyasha be relegated to a second wife instead of growing his trust enough to control him for the benefit of the Clan as Tadatsune has intended of her ever since she was fool enough to let him slay Michizane with hersword.
"Sorry again," Narauko speaks again, remaining sheepish. "You wanted to talk about something?"
The urge to take a deep breath through his nose is there, but Tadatsune is not so indisciplined as to be unable to control himself. So it is only after a calm, controlled breath that he does respond. In large part, he is simply hoping to get to the point quickly so as to bring this interaction to as swift an end as possible.
"Yes." He begins, meeting the boy's with a severity that only Narauko seems fit to not recognise. "In regards to my niece, Takiyasha-chan."
"Ah." Narauko's face is the picture of awkwardness as he interrupts, scratching one cheek. "That."
"Indeed." Tadatsune lets the word hang in the air for a moment before continuing, "You slew Sugawara no Michizane with Takiyasha's blade. A powerful statement. I hear that many courtiers are already under the impression that the two of you have been wed. To be blunt, I would like to make that misconception a truth and have Takiyasha married to you."
Narauko's eyes narrow at the end of his words, the most reaction he has shown so far to anything that was not childish in nature.
"'Married to you', huh?" He mutters in echo, sounding quietly thoughtful and without any of the sheepish awkwardness Tadatsune was honestly beginning to expect. "I am sorry, I know you are simply a product of your time, but I just really do not like the way you said that. Takiyasha-chan is not an object."
Not having expected such a strange response, Tadatsune does not respond right away, leaving a lingering silence between them that is only broken half a minute later by Narauko letting out a soft sigh.
"Thank you for the food," Narauko says as he pushes himself to his feet, despite having not truly partaken much.
Now standing, the boy meets Tadatsune's eyes without a hint of playfulness, only wearing a meaningful smile. "I truly am sorry, I do not mean any disrespect to you personally, but a conversation such as this is one that I simply have no wish to entertain. I do like Takiyasha, would probably even love her with little effort. But she is a person with her own will, and there is nothing I dislike quite like the removal of another's personal autonomy."
Narauko shakes his head at the thought, grimacing slightly, even as Tadatsune sits half baffled by the words coming out of the boy's mouth.
"If Takiyasha wishes to marry me, then we can talk and see if those feelings are both true and mutual. But I will not marry someone that I do not love, and I certainly will not marry someone who has no choice in the matter. I am pretty sure that she fancies me," Narauko's voice briefly tilts into a playfully boasting tone for his next sentence, "I mean, how could she not when I am so amazing~?"
A brief chuckle leaves him before he coughs and regains his serious bearing. "If she truly wishes to marry me, then we can talk about it and decide between us. I won't entertain a marriage under coercion. So if that was all you wanted to talk about, then I will simply take my leave."
Tadatsune meets Narauko's unflinching gaze with his own but does not say a word, for what else truly is there to say?
Narauko nods his head once when it becomes clear that their conversation is over and then offers an incredibly shallow bow before simply turning to leave.
Tadatsune watches him go, and so he does not miss as Narauko only stops once he reaches the sliding door, pausing for a long moment with his fingers gently pressed against the wood, unmoving.
Narauko, seemingly only after contemplating his actions deeply, twists enough to face Tadatsune once more instead of sliding the door open.
"Right, one last thing. I really did mean what I said about Takiyasha-chan's marriage being her own choice, so.." When Narauko's eyes meet his own, this time they seem as if to be shadowed.
Tadatsune is allowed barely a moment to note this fact before Narauko's Cursed Energy lunges from his shadow like a starved beast, flowing over him and exploding to engulf the entirety of Tadatsune's senses as if a great beast of darkness had emerged, come to claim his soul.
"If you force or pressure Takiyasha to marry me or anyone beyond her own wishes," Narauko's words, spoken softly as a whisper reach the very insides of Tadatsune's skull, feeling as if they are being whispered directly into his ear, all while an imagined blade curls around his throat. "Then I will kill you."
And then it is gone, the overbearing presence removed as quickly as it came while Narauko simply sends him a smile and finally slides the door open, stepping through with only a backwards, "See ya~!"
The moment that the door slides shut, Tadatsune gasps, flinching backwards so hard he almost falls onto his back as he desperately tries to suck in lungfuls of air. He feels sweat perspiring across his skin, down his back and over his face. His heart hammers in his chest as if he is in the fiercest battle of his life and his eyes glaze as they struggle to stay in focus.
It takes a long, long few minutes before he is able to regain control of himself enough to even breathe normally and longer still before his mind is functional enough to think clearly.
For a long while, he simply sits there. Staring at nothing. Contemplating, reliving the experience of what he just felt.
I see, Tadatsune manages to think to himself, half hysterical as he he grips his wrists in an attempt to stop them from shaking. So that is why he did not react.
A shuddering sigh leaves him as he works through all of his assumptions and mentally corrects them. Loathe as he is to admit it, but it appears that Yoriyoshi may have been right.
Any doubt that he may have had as to the validity of Narauko's title of The Strongest no longer exist. Instead, all that remains is the understanding that Yoriyoshi made the correct judgement.
That their plan has no hope of success if Narauko stands against them.
///
A/N: He~llo! Dear readers!
Yatta, giving clan patriarchs PTSD is fun~!
On a real note though, that last conversation didn't go how I thought it would fr. It's kinda wild how often that happens tbh.
Also, Sumitomo should have been stupider. But I honestly have a really hard time writing genuinely stupid characters. Like the kind of person that is so overwhelmed with emotion that there is no amount of facts, logic or reason that could get them to think in any reasonable capacity.
Because people like that are things that I genuinely cannot understand. Like in my mind, that kind of person is purely fictional, even though logically I know that there are plenty of people like that, just your average american for example. (I kid, I'm just thinking about cart narcs and all the many videos there are of americans just yelling and yelling and yelling and not letting anyone else talk or try to deescalate anything.)
The point is, some people are just stupidly uncompromising, and that is a mindset that I really just cannot put myself in enough to write it. So I ended up accidentally making Sumitomo smart, as with the information he has available, his decision actually is quite canny. It's just unfortunate for him that his information is lacking.
Like seriously, look up Sumitomo irl. He launched a stupid ass rebellion that lasted all of 2 years before he was beheaded. So he really should have been written as the kind of idiot that physically cannot comprehend the idea that he might fail. But I really just can't write that lol.