#thunderdevotee

“Reminds me of old times, y’know--back when we were kids.”

As Sara finished binding a minor gash that would likely be entirely healed by the end of the day, he couldn’t resist reluctantly meeting her eyes, an old and uncharacteristic sadness present that seemed so unusual on a face normally split apart by wide grins. How had things gotten so fucked up between them? When they were young, it was them against the world, likely the only half-Yokai the other one knew. Despite how tense their rivalry often made them, Itto had treasured those times and they truly had been out to watch each other’s backs in a way no one else had until he’d met his aunt and the people he’d cherish as beloved members of his gang. 

But, then that Takayuki bastard had made her into a weapon, and even his boys had informed him of the heartbreaking treatment she’d received, of how Sara had been treated more like a weapon than a person. If Takayuki had treated her like a daughter, Itto wouldn’t have minded so much, but that hadn’t been the case. Instead, he’d made her feel ashamed of what she was, molded her into a role that was powerful but unallowed to have the freedom to be herself. A weapon, a freak, a tool. He was just happy she’d found fulfillment in serving the Shogun instead of Takayuki’s whims, to live outside of that tyrant’s iron grip. 

A gulf had widened between them, though. One he wasn’t sure could be crossed, no matter what he did.

With a hurting expression and pursed lips did Itto gingerly lift a yearning hand to touch Sara’s cheek, heart climbing into his throat until it was hard to breathe. 

“...What happened to us, Ten-chan? You’re right there, but... I feel like we’re far apart and I can’t reach you,” Itto admitted brokenly, smiling sadly. “It feels like, no matter what I do, there’s a divide I can’t cross. Even though I--”

Huffing shakily, he shook his head. He stood, and began to stride away. “Probably better if you got goin’. People will talk, y’know?”

itto, first of all, i would like to apologize as i meant to deliver this package personally. alas, the kujou clan is still recovering and my help is more needed than ever right now. on this special day though, i happened to stumble again upon that old bakery we often used to raid after intense afternoons spent exploring the byakko plains together and saw it as a sign. i immediately recalled your immense love for anything sweet, thus i bought you five of their dorayaki to celebrate your birthday (hopefully, i remembered the right filling, too). i also am willing to wager you plan to throw a party with your companions this evening? while i would usually be against chaos & ruckus, just today, for this occasion, i will turn a blind eye to it. as long as no irreparable damage is done to any restaurant or structures within inazuma city you decide to visit, the tenryou commission won’t bother you. i know it’s not much, but i would still like to wish you a happy birthday again. maybe you could approach me tomorrow to tell me how it went? i wouldn’t mind hearing some details. the tamest ones, of course. best wishes, your (this part, for some reasons, has been scribbled on.) kujou sara.

( i can't be very active in these days but!! it's still his bday so i wanted to leave an ask 🥺 )

H-Hang on, Sara actually got him something? It took Itto several moments to process this unexpected occurrence, the Oni blinking dopily while the soldier bored a pleading look for the male to just hurry up and take it already. Surely, it had to stem from the fact that this was yet another facet to their rivalry, probably to get back at him for the cute little trinkets he’d gotten her from Yoimiya not too long ago. Oh, well--two could play at that game! Yet, as Itto politely thanked the soldier for his time (that he probably hadn’t expected from the rambunctious Oni that flaunted authority at every waking moment), the fires of their eternal rivalry smoldered into something warmer, tamer and mellow. 

Delicately removing the packaging, Itto’s cheeks heated pleasantly at the sight of the sweet treats, the line in Sara’s letter particularly touching. Maybe she wasn’t even aware of it, but long before either of them had been found by their future families (by blood or no), Sara and the friendship they’d shared had been one of the best highlights of his formative years, their contrasting personalities and rivalry they’d gotten into one of his brightest lights. So, how couldn’t he be anything except tremendously grateful that life hadn’t separated them, that they’d found each other after so many years when he thought they might never?

Those memories were immensely precious to him, and he was just happy knowing they were both still around to make even more. 

Instead of wolfing them down as he usually did, the Oni had a bit of skip in his step as he took the first dorayaki and bit into it, careful enough to savor the taste... although, knowing himself all too well, he’d probably be finished with the entire batch by the time he strode to the end of the street. Ah, well... It was a beautiful day to make some memories with his gang, and he knew he’d have to save something for Sara for later.

How he’d deliver it, he didn’t know, but he had to show his gratitude somehow!

itto, i am well aware i’m not the person handing this present over to you, which undoubtedly might sour its reception. as much as i wished to be present, the kujou clan still hasn’t fully recovered after the decrees have been dispelled so my help is more needed than ever. it is hard to believe a year has already passed but, as soon as i noticed the 1st june was approaching, i recalled the conversation we had the other day. surprisingly enough, i found myself thinking about what you said as it has been a while since the last time someone encouraged me not to be afraid to express myself more openly and reassured me that there is no shame in doing so. i simply wanted to let you know that the gesture was much appreciated. also, i figured i could repay the kindness while wishing you a happy birthday. i might not be an expert on your “onikabuto matches”, but i hope this little trinket shall grant you luck and a long strike of victories against your foes. have a good day and do not cause too much trouble, kujou sara.

                at first, he's hesitant to take the letter when presented to him. he's heard of legal tuff from shinobu, how unsuspecting people would get served papers for stuff they were trying to avoid. what had he done this time, he wonders? something bad if kujo sara was writing a letter to him herself. but the soldier won't leave until itto takes it so he does, noting quickly it's not just a letter, but a satchel along with it.

               it's soft in his hands, undoing the little tie at the top to dump out the charm into his palm. it's small compared to the size of his hand, but shiny and polished and even the oni can tell the item is well-made.

               this was...unexpected. did she lose a bet? itto reads the letter attached while his other hand rolls the charm around in his fingers, feeling the smoothness of its metal.

                it's no surprise she knew his birthday itto made a point to tell anyone who would listen his birthday (in reality he's not exactly sure when he was born he just knew it was around this time so he picked a day but it counted.) what is surprising is the sentiment. she wasn't usually very...well, warm. this felt warm. this felt...nice. the fact she took anything he said to heart makes him feel good. 

               he thinks about the stuck-up general in her office crafting him this letter. she probably stopped and started a few times, wanting it to be perfect. not a t crossed or an i dotted looks out of place. he thinks about how many drafts she might have gone through before deeming this one the best.

"Hahah, guess I won--! Oh."

The moments ticked by and Itto had a startling, rather galvanizing revelations: no longer were the pair of them children wrestling on the Byakko Plains, two outcasts who had found solace in one another but were too proud to admit it. Now? Oh boy, was this a lot different. Back then, just being children, something like this would've never arisen. But now, with Sara's arm pinned against her back while slightly smothered into the turf, the Oni was almost immediately shaken by how pretty she looked.

Yes, it was an airheaded observation to make, but it was true!

The heat between their bodies, the obvious tension, the stunning gold of her eyes-- Okay, yeah, he had to calm down before he lost it! It was bad enough she smelled kinda good...

"Whoa-HO, guess it looks we're finally turning those tables, eh, Sara Tengu?" Itto crowed after jolting from her prone form and crouching on the ground, hoping the brief pivot would calm the slamming beat of his heart. Smirking, he stood and knelt over to offer the woman his hand.

"Ooooooow, what is that thing even made of? Beans?" Itto whined insipidly as he nursed his gashed bicep that had been grazed by one of her arrows, not thinking she was actually going to follow through with it. Although the Oni admittedly enjoyed these instances of provocation, what really anchored him to the earth was their closure, blinking in surprise at their close proximity. Itto couldn't help but be mesmerized by the way the light played in her golden irises, how serene and pretty her face looked as it wasn't pulled into a scowl, at her scent that wafted over him--

Jerked by the Tengu rising from her squat to announce he was fine, Itto gawked at the band gently wrapped around his massive bicep before he leapt to his feet in a fluster.