┊鳴狐の上野国┊

“Huh, I definitely ran into Gokotai some days ago,” Shinano replied, casually latching onto Nakigitsune’s arm in the process and hugging it to his chest. It was nice that his brother didn’t wear any shoulder guards, so it was easy to lean against his arm.

“Ichinii picked me up the first day I came, too! He says there’s a few of us around.”

“But they’re not all Awataguchi, so guess what? More Ichinii for us, heheh…” 

He trailed off with a not-so-subtle cough, and patted the uchi’s sleeve. Then he reached up higher and tried to pet the fox again. He really was very soft…

“W-well! If you’re both okay, want to come home with me? Horikawa-san has a big citadel in this city where a bunch of us live together!”

Shinano’s grip on his arm was both a pleasant surprise && rather uncomfortable for Nakigitsune. He wasn’t quite used to anyone being so touchy-feely, family included, && the uchigatana was certain that wasn’t likely to change.

“I see!! It’s a relief to know that there’s both family && comrades here.” The fox climbed carefully down his arm for better reach, which was pretty easy considering their height difference was rather small. Nakigitsune pondered the idea. Horikawa was nice && living together with everyone... Well, it wouldn’t be unpleasant...

“…They took your body? That’s a little fucked up.”

Honestly, he would have been fucked if they’d decided to take away the Idea Engine and his Azure Grimoire. He’d be without arms and, likely, wouldn’t have the use of his right eye either. “I mean… I guess it’s not… too awful havin’ a body right? It’s better than bein’ a sword. You can move on your own this way.”

“...” If he were honest, having a human body wasn’t really a positive or a negative to Nakigitsune. He had spent close to a millennium (or was it longer...??) without one && didn’t particularly need one. He was a sword, after all, only given human form to wield himself.

Shinano raised his head from Nakigitsune’s chest, safely cushioned against the concrete. 

“Oof,” he shook his head, then grinned again. “I-it only slipped my mind for a minute!”

“I won’t forget it again, okay~? Naki-nii’s fox-san?” His hand reached out, smooshing but not quite pulling on the little creature’s tail. Soft and furry, just like he imagined. Nice.

“Don’t call me cruel when you’re the one talking about his smith! I wouldn’t know if you hadn’t mention it–and even though you did, it doesn’t make a difference.”

Releasing the fox, he crawled off his brother and offered a hand.

“Come on, I’ll help you up! Does it hurt anywhere?”

“Ho ho!! Admiring my lovely fur, are you??” && just like that, the fox’s previous outrage had been forgotten. Yes, please touch his tail, it is therapeutic for all parties involved.

“...” There was a moment of silence before Nakigitsune accepted Shinano’s hand, though it’s mostly unneeded as he gets back onto his feet. The uchigatana brushed the dirt off his pants as his fox once again took its place on his shoulder.