#tsukikagc

While she had accounted for the presence of enemy spies in Standard, she was technically not in the condition to fight, and she was painfully aware that unless she could outsmart her remaining five pursuers or force them to duel her like the ones who’d already fallen, it was only a matter of time until she'd be dragged back to the cage her brother had risked his life to free her from.

The arrival of the ninja, who'd introduced himself as Fuuma Tsukikage, was a blessing in disguise even if it stung to be disarmed so easily. „Indeed,“ she agreed, holding his gaze with her own. „And I intend to see to it as soon as possible.”

Having been locked away for months, her physical combat skills had become rusty from disuse, though Ruri wouldn't allow herself to accept this fact as an excuse to soothe her bruised pride. No, as her brother had taught her by example, she would step over her failures and evolve, turning each and every sliver of knowledge to be gained from them into additional strength.

Ray was still floating in her spirit form, violet eyes showed the strange endless sadness. “I don’t mean to say about you, but about myself.”

Her voice was softly and solitary as if it echoed from the afterlife. “I want to have my Dad back, only my Dad…”

Intentions he hadn't bothered concealing in the slightest for once, making Fuuma Tsukikage taking his sarcastic remark seriously further add to the absurdity permeating everything about the current moment certain... circumstances... had been leading to- a feat Shun initially hadn't deemed possible.

“I hear you've been getting all friendly with my little sister. Got anything to say regarding that?”

Send “slurred words” to hear my muse describe yours whilst ridiculously drunk. @tsukikagc  

A tender touch to make her heart skip a beat, then flutter in her chest twice as rapidly. 

Despite being covered by Tsukikage's trademark scarf, she could feel the exact shape of his lips, every curve, their softness... hissing in a sharp breath, she was almost disappointed when he released her  again, wanting him to further quell the insecurities she experienced around him alone.

Another issue, however, and she stepped closer to him, hesitantly taking his hands between her own, a makeshift attempt to conceal them from his somber gaze.

“What's on your mind, Tsukikage-san? Please, talk to me.” 

Meeting his gaze was difficult. Was she overstepping his boundaries by prying? Was she to give him space, so he could collect his thoughts?

But... oh, she had been selfish, initially assuming his distant behavior to be related to her, when he was clearly tormented by an inner conflict.

Tsukikage's discomfort was too obvious, and Ruri couldn't suppress a giggle, opting to conceal it with her hand instead.

Looking at him like this, she could not help but think of her brother, someone even worse at handling social gatherings with grace and, in his own words, 'playing civilians', and Ruri almost sympathized.

It had been Akaba Himika's suggestion to have Ruri attend a dinner hosted by the second largest sponsor of Standard's war effort on behalf of Leo Corporation, and wanting to be of use, she'd immediately agreed, making it Tsukikage's task to act as her company and bodyguard.

“You're supposed to charm them into being generous, not dissect them with your gaze.” In contrast to her words, her tone was humorous, not scolding. Tonight was supposed to be nothing but a chore, one step in Reiji and Shun's elaborate plan, but Ruri was enjoying herself immensely.

The soft silk of the of her custom-tailored dress, the expensive food, the string orchestra playing Mozart in the background... It felt as though she'd become part of a fairytale, and the only part still missing was....

“Will you indulge me with a dance?” The words were already out before she could contain herself.

She'd been wracking her mind over whether this was the right and appropriate course of action to take, but she found herself standing in front of the man she'd all but dehumanized a couple of weeks ago regardless, a box of handmade chocolates in her right hand, neatly wrapped with a navy blue ribbon.

“Please accept my apology, Fuuma Tsukikage-san.” She held the box out to him, a soft blush coloring her cheeks, as though Ruri herself had to be convinced that it was nothing more than that. “I shouldn't have lashed out at you that day, and I shall do whatever it takes to make up for the vile things I said to you.” 

Right. Ruri was not deserving to voice any wishes of her own, no matter how much she'd grown to.... appreciate.... him, how much just being in his presence caused her heartbeat to accelerate... She had lost her right to.

pls do go into detail ;u;