#exile asks

Considering Usagi is a samurai or guardian (I'm assuming, if I'm wrong I'm sorry), and that he doesn't usually have many ninja allies but a lot of ninja enemies (In Neo Edo at least), will there be any problem with the relationship between Yuichi and One when they have their story in Japan or will everyone be chill about it? (All this assuming that One already considers himself part of the Hamato family and a ninja)

By the way, what do Yuichi's old friends, allies, and family think of One?

(By the way, I've noticed that I've been asking a lot lately, if I'm bothering you, tell me, and I'll try to contain myself a bit)

Good question! I love Usagi questions lolol (and don't worry these questions don't bother us! :D)

There won't be any issues with One and Usagi's relationship among Usagi's friends in terms of him being a ninja, since they've learned to be more trusting of ninja after Chizu's arc in the show's canon. Also, Hana was raised as a ninja before Usagi's aunt adopted her, and Usagi sees her as a sister. While ninja clans are definitely a big antagonist in Usagi Yojimbo, I think that Usagi's main enemy in Exile are people connected to the shogun and military.

I think if anything, they can just tell that One's a bit of a shady guy just cause he's Like That (suspicious, overprotective, a bit of a jerk to everyone else). But they quickly see that One and Usagi have a special bond. They don't really know WHY, but they also figure it's not out of character for Usagi to befriend someone so standoffish, and while theyre a bit wary (they know Usagi can be a bit oblivious sometimes), they overall trust his judgment, and settle for just keeping an eye on One until they get to know him better.

I also think they aren't as put off about One's criminal/evil warring warrior scientist lackey background since their friend group is made up of a thief, a bounty hunter, a ninja, and an (sort of accidental) assassin. But it's for the same reasons that they do have their reservations.

Other than that, I think they warm up to One pretty nicely after a year or two. (They definitely handle One a lot better than Raph did when they first met loll)

As for his family, his aunt will take to One very well. She is grateful that he's there to watch Usagi's back and keep him safe, because when he finally returns to the farm (against his will) it's clear to her that he has no intention of doing it himself. Up until One got to Neo Edo, Usagi was mostly on his own. One will get along with Auntie primarily because they share the same interest of protecting Usagi, but she is also very kind to him. She can see right through him, past his prickly exterior, much like Usagi does, and offers him a home that he then has for several years.

Hana is a little suspicious of One but isn't afraid of or intimidated by him, so it doesn't really show. She'd keep an eye on him until she gets to know him more, but is otherwise very welcoming. Like Usagi's aunt, she sees through his defenses and makes him feel at home.

Miyamoto Usagi pretty much knows everything that Yuichi does about One, which is unfortunate for One. He trusts him and sympathizes with him but doesn't let him get away with much of anything. It's sort of an unstoppable force meets immovable object situation with Miyamoto and One. One will be antagonistic with Miyamoto, who won't bat an eye and will often tease and pester One lightheartedly. He knows EXACTLY what's going on between One and Yuichi and makes it obvious that he knows. He's sort of like their undead uninvited wingman.

There's another character in Exile named Naoko who is sort of the equivalent of Tomoe Ame because i was distraught that she wasn't included in the animated show. Usagi meets her after returning to Neo Edo and before he rescues his friends. She and One do NOT get along very well, but she, at least, tolerates One (he does not return the courtesy). She thinks One is overdramatic and testy and is usually not impressed with him, but she sees that One and Usagi have a special bond that One is VERY obsessive protective of and respects it.

A: Um... A big fat YES to that! Yes, most definitely! Yes! Half of the chapter is one big smut fest. Sorry if that’s a bit much.

It's so funny to me that this is the story people consistently want more of, and that it's the one I regularly have said "no more". But perhaps, just maybe, exile isn't done? And maybe the reason why people keep asking is that I in fact, haven't closed that narrative? And maybe it's all a sign from the universe that I need to spend more time in this lil world?

I also think, not that you asked, but I wrote exile a year ago.... and I'm probably 100x better a writer... I mean, I wrote 2k chapters and that was "a lot", but now I write 5-10k chapters, and am not satisfied if a work isn't novel-length... There's a lot I would change about exile, largely because a year later I have such a better understanding of the characters and narrative I crafted. So many details in my mind.

So, never say never, anon.

I suppose exile isn't ever going to be finished?

Also. Maybe somethings dropping........ soon?

Excerpt From: Exile justasparkwriting

WOW. WHO WRITES THAT?!?! So good wtf.

I truly forgot I wrote that..... but went back, it was exactly where I left it.... The Side Door. Oh I love that chapter sooooo much and absolutely love that that line resonated with you!!!!