sketch from chapter 16 of May your past be the sound of your feet upon the ground

“Ready to surrender, Stain?” Shouta says, voice almost teasing as he slings the machete easily across his shoulders.

“Never,” Stain snarls, swaying slightly. At this rate, Shouta could simply drag the fight out a little longer and Stain would bleed himself to exhaustion. But the man doesn’t give up, which Shouta can respect, and they’re back at it again.

They meet each other blow for blow. Stain’s blood drips in black splashes in the night. The Villain favors long overhead slashes, which Shouta counters with short thrusts that sneak under his guard. Adrenaline sings through Shouta’s veins, hot against the cool night air. He ducks a blow, and—

I currently have 3 ongoing long fics I might post about here:

May your past be the sound of your feet upon the ground (Naruto & BNHA)

To thine own self be (mostly) true (Naruto)

violence may not be the answer, but it’s certainly less work (Naruto & BNHA)

…and I just finished Abolish private property (Heated Rivalry)

“…still alive? Hey, Eraserhead, talk to me…”

Shouta tunes back into consciousness gradually, like a radio signal briefly lost then found again. He grunts, spitting the cloth gag out of his mouth. Ash and iron linger in the back of his throat.