#hangyaku

(Awww my little Riverperson! I didn't expect for Shinigami to be the first prompt recipient but I'm not complaining. hehe)

(update: so this little prompt inspired some lore and got longer than I meant. XD RIP your feed but I hope you enjoy this little piece of lore! RING THE LORE ALARM EVERYONE!)

Wind blew gently over Shinigami's robes. The bright sunshine not penetrating the shadows cast by the lip of their long hood, yet somehow if one to be looking at them at that moment you'd feel the gentle smile on their face as they enjoyed their first taste of Surface air after being trapped for several hundred years in the Underground.

The sound of nearby babbling creek could be heard nearby, the waters sound so different from the ones that house their enchanted wasen boat Underground. But it was not so different from another river a long, long, long time ago. Long before the monsters entrapment.

The sounds of laughter floated over the sounds of the babbling brook luring the shadowy figure from the confines of the cave imbedded into the cliff face it called home. Watchful eyes gazed longingly across the waters as two skeleton monsters came into view. One male and the other female judging by their appearance and the tenor of their voices as the female gave a shriek of laughter as the male picked her up from behind.

The small figure leaned forward yearning to join them but unable to cross the river from the little islet that the cave rested on. With no voice in which to call them, indeed no one ever seemed to notice them at all no matter how they wished otherwise, the little broken shadow contented themselves with merely watching them play.

Imagine their surprise when the female's white eyelights rimmed with varying shades of green eyelights turned and landed on them squarely. She tapped the other skeletons arm and nodded in the direction of the cave. His eyelights that matched hers but with honey hued rimmed colors instead of greens followed hers in confusion seeming to not notice the figure at first. His sockets widened when he saw what his companion had.

"Hello there!" He called over with a wave of his hand. "Sorry if we've disturbed you. We thought we'd have a picnic by the river." he paused "Would you like to join us?"

Shocked the little figure reared back before nodding eagerly. Forgetting themself in their excitement they went to step closer only to recoil from the waters edge as though burned, form wavering. They turned a sad gaze to the duo who were watching their actions carefully. After a brief conversation between the two the female pulled a large cloth from the basket she carried as the one who had called to the figure took it from her and started to wade across the river towards them.

He gave them a warm smile as he approached the small islet "Here. Let me help." As he spoke he held out the cloth in offering pointing back at his companion "Harukaze said this make things easier on you. My name is Hangyaku by the way."

Hangyaku smiled warmly as they timidly eased closer, their form less than half his size. When they were within reach he wrapped the material around them shrouding their form casting their body into shadow like the cave, indeed making it easier to leave the cave. They looked up at him in awe, 'arms' under the makeshift robe starting to flail in their joy. Chucking Hangyaku lifted them onto his shoulders and carried them over.

"Hello there little river person." Harukaze greeted them warmly, her voice as soft as a summer breeze, as Hangyaku set them on the ground again their joy growing as they were freed from their small islet. "I'm glad you could join us."

They bobbed up and down in agreement before looking around frantically patting themself then the skeletons in askance. The two skeletons tilted their heads in confusion trying to figure out what they were trying to convey before understanding brightened Hangyaku's face "Ah! Are you saying thank you? Think nothing of it friend. We were happy to help." he said with a smile.

Harukaze nodded in agreement. They both looked confused when the figure started nodding and shaking their head. "Yes thank you, no... don't worry about it?" she hazarded to guess as they started bobbing enthusiastically again. "Truly you don't have to do anything. Like my husband said we were happy to help."

Hangyaku saw the little robed figure slump in disappointment and spoke up "But if you truly wanted to pay us back, just promise one day if you're able to help someone else in need. One good turn deserves another after all." he winked roguishly making Harukaze bat at his arm, but not displeased as their new friend seemed to be appeased by this suggestion once again nodding happy.

"SHINIGAMI- SAMA? WHERE ARE YOU?" Yurei's loud voice broke them from their reverie making them turn to watch a familiar trio draw near. Unsurprising Seishin and Tamashii seemed to know exactly where the ferryman was but allowed Yurei to lead the way. Gaze drawn to Tamashii with lingering memories of the past. It never failed to warm their soul seeing the child of his dear friends and his 'brothers' smiling happily at them.

Seishin nudged his brother and pointed in Shinigami's direction making the taller gasp and wave merrily "THERE YOU ARE FRIEND! THE DIVINE (almost) YUREI KNEW WE WOULD FIND YOU HERE! NYEHEHEHE!"

"We were heading home and wanted to see if you wanted to come with us." Tamashii added with a smile.

Seishin winked at them lazily "yeah we're gonna grab a bite at kaen's ramen stand then dessert at kagu's. wanna go?"