[Fic] Scattered Petals Part 1
“Na, Satoru,” the young lord, Takarai Hideto, drawled as he glanced at his one and only servant. His five other siblings had about three or four but he preferred only one. He’d rather have none at all actually, but he liked Satoru’s company. Hideto knew that the servant wouldn’t have a place in the mansion if he was of no use. That was the only reason why Satoru was still kept around as a servant, even though he didn’t really do much at all. He would cook meals and tidy up the place when it was messy, but that was about it. He wasn’t put to tasks like the other servants were. No, the lord he served didn’t want servants doing much for him. So, most of the time, Satoru would just sit in the room with Hideto and he’d read poetry or he would just talk with the other man. Or he would be out in the backyard garden, where the trees shaded him from the sun and the soft sounds of water running from the fountain in the pond would soothe him. It was the only time he ever actually ‘went out’ in the day and got some fresh air. Usually, Hideto would join him. In fact, his lord was with him most of the time if he wasn’t away at battles. Satoru enjoyed his company too, which was why he didn’t mind being pegged as a servant, even though he was anything but. “What’s on your mind today?”
Satoru smiled at the question. Hideto always asked this question, at any time of the day. But it was the fact that Satoru knew he was genuinely interested, and wasn’t just asking out of boredom, that really made him smile. It was nice to be cared for and, as if he was repaying the other man, he never lied. He saw no reason to anyway. And today, as they both lounged on the platform in the backyard garden, he still thought the same. “I’m just thinking of how nice it would be to go swimming, with the warm sunshine over me.”
Hideto just snorted quietly and turned to lie on his side so he was looking out at the garden instead of the shelter over his head. Satoru was next to him, sitting down with his legs dangling over the edge of the platform, looking out at the garden with a contented look on his face. Both of them were dressed in comfortable yukata, which Hideto wore with the top slightly parted. It was summer and it was a particularly hot day today, even with the shade the trees provided. With his yukata parted like that, most of his chest was revealed but he didn’t mind exposing that much skin. They were both men after all and there was nothing to be ashamed of and it made things just a bit more comfortable. “A swim does sound good.”
“It’s a shame my condition doesn’t allow me to be out in the sun for long,” Satoru said with a soft, regretful sigh. His own yukata was rather loose, which allowed more air to travel in, so the heat wasn’t that unbearable for him. Then, smiling, he turned to his lord, noting the contemplative look on his face. His smile immediately fell from his face as he stared at Hideto with concern. “And what is on your mind, Hideto?
While the lack of a suffix was considered rather rude, Hideto didn’t mind so much. He had been the one who had requested for his friend to stop referring to him as ‘Hideto-sama’. Because, even though his position was of a servant’s, Hideto treated more like a equal than anything else. He was comfortable with Satoru and was always at peace with him. In his life, which was usually filled with battles, blood and swords, peace was always welcomed. And Satoru seemed to be the only one to provide it. Not his siblings or his parents or any of his vassals, whom he had spent so many years together with, fighting battles with. No, Satoru was the only one he truly felt at home with. And trying to get more of that comfort, he inched himself up a little bit to place his head in Satoru’s lap, still looking out at the garden. He immediately smiled when he felt a hand in his hair, petting him.
“I was just thinking about the first time we met.”
Satoru raised a thin eyebrow at this and then let out a soft, amused breath. He remembered that day, seven years ago, quite well. He had only been thirteen and his lord was seventeen. He had been trying to sneak into the pantry at night to get some food and he had been caught. He was supposed to have been beheaded but, just as he was forced to his knees so the foot soldiers who had caught him could finish the job, Hideto had arrived and stopped them, claiming that they had been playing a game. A game to see who could get into the pantry first. Satoru still remembered the flabbergasted looks on those soldier’s faces as they realised they had almost beheaded a ‘friend’ of the young lord. Yes, Satoru remembered the details well. Hideto had then helped him and gave him food and they had talked a little. Satoru had returned to his little shack in the city area but the two of them continued to meet up every now and then. And after Hideto had seen how rundown the place Satoru lived in, after a year from meeting each other, he had offered Satoru a place in the mansion instead, living there as a servant.
“I sometimes still wonder why you saved me that day, Hideto,” Satoru whispered, playing with his lord’s dark locks.
Hideto shrugged casually and closed his eyes. “To be honest, I don’t know myself, Satoru. There was something about you that captured my attention.” He chuckled softly and curled his hand into the soft fabric of Satoru’s yukata, backing up until the back of his head was resting against Satoru’s abdomen comfortably. He opened his eyes again, smiling. “But I’m glad I did what I did. I’ve actually got a reason to come back from each battle alive because of you.”
Satoru couldn’t hold back the blush that stained his cheeks. But he forced it down when Hideto began to sit up, swinging his legs over the edge of the platform as well. Satoru hoped the older man hadn’t seen the red staining his cheeks. And if Hideto had, he didn’t say a thing at all. Instead, he just ran one hand through his hair while the other curled its fingers around the edge of the platform they were sitting on. The hand, that had been running through his hair, soon settled down in his lap comfortably. He took in a deep breath and then let it out slowly before he turned to his companion, a wide smile gracing his handsome features. “Let’s go out tonight, Satoru.”
“Okay,” the younger man immediately agreed, a twinkle of happiness in his eyes. It was turned to a fond exasperation the next second when his lord’s hand went to his hair, starting to undo the band that held his hair together. He merely rolled his eyes, still smiling, as his own hair began to fall down over his shoulders and back, matching the style of Hideto’s own hair as well. Satoru always tied his hair up, mostly out of habit. It had sort of become his style now and anything else would sometimes be a little disconcerting. “I really don’t see why you like my hair to be down, Hideto. It’s messy and untidy.”
“No, it’s beautiful and smooth,” Hideto retorted with a snort. He continued to run his hand through his friend’s hair, marvelling at how smooth and straight it was. His eyes met Satoru’s a second later and his smile turned into a grin. “Ne, we can go swimming if you want, you know. I found a nice spot in the forest where the trees shade the river from the sun.”
Satoru’s eyes immediately lit up and he nodded quickly. It was a hot day and he would like nothing more than to cool off. A swim in a river in the forest sounded nice. And while it still didn’t fulfil his wish of ‘having the sunshine over him’, it was better than nothing. That’s how the both of them found themselves walking through the farms, on the path that lead them half-way out of the province, right into the forests. Hideto was holding an umbrella over Satoru’s head, knowing what the sun could do to his ill friend. Satoru had felt a little weird, having the person he was supposed to serve do these things for him, but he comforted himself with the fact that Hideto had said he wanted to do it and it would be a complete insult if Satoru didn’t let him.
That’s why so many people envied Okabe Satoru. Because he was the only servant around who had a lord serving him.
*****
Satoru just smiled gently as he continued stirring the stew he was making for Hideto and for himself. The swim earlier in the afternoon had cooled him off but it was evening now and the atmosphere was cool, making the effects of the swim not last that long in the end. It wasn’t too cold and neither was it too hot now, though. It was just right.
Satoru raised his eyes to the fusuma[2] when he saw a shadow outside. Satoru’s smile widened when he realised who it was from the shape of the shadow. Besides the fact that almost no one visited Hideto in his quarters, the shape of the shadow was too distinctive and the person it belonged to was pretty much the only person who would come around at this time. Hideto’s parents didn’t really visit him all that much and if they wanted to speak with him, they would’ve summoned him to their own quarters or, if it was related to battles, to the meeting room with the advisers, strategists and other chiefs of forces. Hideto’s siblings didn’t see him much, unless they were training together outside. It was unlikely that any of them would come around now, especially during dinner time. Satoru then idly wondered if he had made enough stew for three people before the fusuma began to slowly slide open. “Ne, Hide-oh, hey, Satoru.”
“Ken-dono[3],” Satoru said, bowing a little, still kneeling before the pot of stew, and the strands of hair that were too short to be tied up fell over his face. He sat up again and then raised a hand to tuck those strands behind his ears. The soldier before him walked further into the room, having discarded his footwear outside, and closed the fusuma behind him. Smiling, he sat down opposite Satoru, with the pot of stew between them. Satoru then gestured to behind himself, to the backyard garden where there was a small bath area by the back. “Hideto is taking a bath right now. But he should be coming out in a few minutes.”
Ken didn’t comment on the lack of a suffix. He knew Satoru and Hideto were more than just servant and lord. They were actually friends. Those titles actually meant nothing to them.
“Want to join us for dinner?” Satoru offered, gesturing to the stew but Ken merely shook his head and smiled.
“Nah, I just came here to inform Hideto of some stuff. I won’t be staying long. My own force is having a celebratory dinner from having won the battle yesterday,” Ken said with a slight shrug. Then he took a whiff of the stew and began to have second thoughts. The stew reminded Ken of his own home, before he had been employed as a vassal of one of Hideto’s siblings. It gave him a warm, homey feeling which reminded him of the days he would spend at home with his parents as they ate and talked together. A meal with love and care. “...although, I’m sure this tastes better than the food they’re preparing for us...” Chuckling lightly, he raised his eyes to meet Satoru’s. Noting the light blush on his cheeks, his grin widened. “Hideto sure is lucky to have you around...”
Satoru shrugged and continued stirring it, looking away from Ken’s eyes. “Hideto’s a big boy. He can take care of himself without me.”
“Aw, come on,” Ken suddenly said, laughing loudly as he leaned back on his arms, staring at Satoru incredulously. “Do you seriously believe that? You’re the only thing keeping him sane nowadays.”
“Ken-dono,” Satoru began with soft laugh of his own and a wide smile. He reached a hand out to grab a bowl, grabbing a ladle to start a generous amount of stew into it. He knew how much his lord could eat. “Hideto is one of the most feared men from our country. He’s lived out in the wilderness for months at a time for battles and I’m sure there’ve been times when he’s run out of provisions, having to make do with what nature provides. He’s a strong man. He doesn’t really need me around. He just wants me around, is all.” Once he was done with pouring the stew into the bowl, he left it on the small try lying next to him before he took another bowl and started pouring in his own share, sighing a little sadly at what he thought to be true, “Hideto would still be fine without me.”
“What’re you talking about?” came a voice from behind him.
Ken looked up at the fusuma leading to the backyard garden, finding a shadow, that undoubtedly belonged to Hideto, there. Satoru slowly began to look over his shoulder as the fusuma slid open to reveal his lord, drying his hair with a cloth. He was dressed in a simple, black jinbei[4] and his hair was still rather wet. On his face was a rather annoyed looked and it didn’t disappear as he walked further into the room, leaving the fusuma open, and took a seat next to Satoru. It was obvious that he didn’t like what he had heard Satoru say. He had heard Satoru say that countless times and he was sick of hearing it. The younger man meant so much more to him that it had evolved from just ‘wanting’ him around to ‘needing’ him. He wished Satoru would see that. He left a small kiss on the younger man’s cheek, pouting. “I need you, okay, Sa-chan[5]? Heck, I can’t even cook. I’d burn the entire place down trying to.”
“You would,” Ken said with a snort which turned into a shout of protest when Hideto threw his towel at him. He could hear the other two laughing at him and he began to chuckle as well before he chucked the cloth back at its owner who caught it on reflex and then placed it down next to him. Ken smiled when Satoru passed Hideto his bowl of stew and Hideto just thanked him softly with a smile. It was always nice to see Hideto and Satoru together like this. Or more specifically, just Hideto. He always seemed to be at peace here, so calm and happy. Completely unlike how he was out on the battlefield when he would just kill any enemy in sight. Yes, Ken was from another force but his force had teamed up with Hideto’s one before and then, he had seen the young lord kill. It was a horrifying thing. Ken could hardly believe that that man was his friend, Hideto. The one he was now talking to.
“Sure you don’t wanna join us, Ken-chan?” Hideto asked as he reached a hand out, over Satoru’s lap, to get a spoon from the small drawers by the side. He got one and then was sitting back properly as he and Satoru began to eat. “Satoru’s a good cook, you know.”
“Nah, I have to be there at the dinner,” Ken rejected politely with a shrug. Then he sighed a little sadly, remembering what it was that he was here for. He hated thinking about it. Just thinking about it made his body ache already. He had just gotten home, too. He met Hideto’s curious eyes and Ken shrugged again, trying to make it seem as if the situation didn’t bother him as much as it did. “I’m just here to inform you that we’re going to battle again. Maybe in a week. Your force and mine.”
“For?” Hideto asked, not at all fazed. He was used to having to go to battles every now and then. His force was the strongest one, thus being the one sent out for battles most often. The thought of going to battle didn’t really bother Hideto all that much. To him, it was just another time-killer. Or maybe a chore. His father had been trying to conquer more and more lands as of late, thinking it was better to just take over the countries like this. Hideto had told him that the people would start to hate him for this. His father didn’t care about the villagers and farmers. Didn’t think about how this would be more difficult for them. Some of them would have to be employed as a vassal, sent to these battles as well. The people weren’t pleased but had Kenichi, Hideto’s father, listened? Of course not. Kenichi had just brushed his oldest son off, laughing and telling him to focus on the battles instead of the reasons for them.
“The Kuwabara castle at the outskirts of Suwa,” Ken replied and he perked up an eyebrow when he saw Satoru tense up a little. He ignored it and looked back at Hideto who was looking annoyed again. “Your father’s aiming that one next.”
“Gah, the old fool,” Hideto groaned before placing his bowl and spoon back down on the tray. He gripped his knees, glaring at nothing in particular, even though his gaze was directed at the fire beneath the pot of stew, keeping it hot. He shook his head, sighing in aggravation. “I keep telling him, the people are going to revolt one day if he keeps this up. No one wants to keep going to battles. There’s famine in the village and he’s not doing anything about it.” Hideto then laid back down on the tatami mat, staring up at the ceiling, clearly displeased. “He should be focusing on trying to get provisions from the other countries for the people instead of trying to take down their castles and win their land.”
“You shouldn’t call your father a fool, Hideto,” Satoru reprimanded softly, leaning over his lord’s body to get a clear view of his face. “He’s just doing what he thinks is best. It’s not his fault his thoughts and yours differ.”
Ken looked at the two of them before he slowly got to his feet. He walked over to Hideto, into his view and then shrugged again. He didn’t like the situation either, but for different reasons. Ken didn’t really care about the people in the village. His parents had died shortly after he had been employed as a vassal and all his friends were also vassals, anyway. He just didn’t like the fact that he’d have to leave the comfort of home so soon again. “There’s not much we can do, shorty. Let’s just prepare for battle, alright?”
“Don’t call me shorty, fatty,” Hideto snapped, glaring up at his other friend. “You know I could very well kick your ass.”
“I’m not fat. And being able to kick my ass doesn’t make you any taller,” Ken shot back childishly. Then he smiled when Hideto chuckled a little at that. “I’m gonna take my leave first. See ya around, Hideto.” Then his eyes went to the other man in the room and he nodded at him. “Satoru.”
Satoru nodded back and Hideto just drawled out a farewell before Ken left. Once he did, Satoru turned back to look at the older man who just continued staring up at the ceiling. He sighed and then placed his own bowl and spoon back on the tray before leaning over Hideto’s body a bit more. One arm was supporting him and the hand connected to the other one was raised to Hideto’s face, brushing away the fringe covering his eyes. He knew the other man was troubled by his father’s actions and Satoru wanted nothing more than to make him feel better. Truth be told, Satoru didn’t want Hideto to go out for battle either. But he knew it’d be selfish to ask him to stay home with him instead, when he had been ordered to go out and fight for his country. Furthermore, he’d always be worried. Worried about Hideto and wondering whether or not he was alright and whether or not he would be coming back alive. Even though Hideto always did, Satoru still couldn’t help but worry each time he was sent out to the battlefield. Hideto had called it a silly worry. He wasn’t known as ‘The Demon’[6] of the Takarai clan for nothing.
“Come on,” Satoru whispered, voice deep and smooth. He leaned down to press a friendly kiss to his lord’s forehead before quickly pulling away, smiling gently and using his thumb to brush the spot he had kissed. “Eat your dinner and we can go out, Hideto. Don’t think so much about this.”
Hideto looked away from the ceiling and to his friend, blinking once. He sighed again and nodded before sitting up straight and taking his bowl and spoon into his hands again. The two of them ate, mostly in silence, with Hideto only murmuring now and then about the stupid battle, about how good the stew was, and talking about what they could do after dinner. Satoru didn’t say much and merely smiled and listened. And when they were done with their dinner(mostly the entire pot of stew having been consumed by Hideto), they cleared up and changed into some proper clothing before they left together, walking about town casually.
Some of the villagers had recognised him-who wouldn’t? He was the oldest son of Takarai Kenichi and was to take over their country in the future and had won many battles for them in the past-and had bowed, out of respect and such, bidding him good evening. Hideto had just politely replied, smiling. He liked coming out into the outskirts of town the most, where the farms and farmers were. They were the ones who were affected by the famine the most and Hideto did try to make things easier for them. He sometimes bought them food from the town area and sat down to speak with them. It was during those times that he didn’t feel like the young lord-or rather, prince-living back at the mansion. He wasn’t The Demon of the Takarai clan or anything. Just Takarai Hideto, a human. He didn’t feel as if he was speaking with the people he would govern in the future. Just people. Other humans, just like himself.
“Hideto-dono!” a young boy, who looked to be about seven, called out with a wide smile as Hideto and Satoru were walking down through the streets of the town. Hideto looked away from the stalls and at the young voice that had called him. He immediately broke out into a wide smile and knelt down as the young boy ran towards him, pure joy on his face. He laughed and hugged the boy as he jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly. A young, adorable boy whose entire being just screamed out ‘innocence’. Quite much like how everyone was when they were young. It was a shame he would be exposed to the real world of battles, deaths and blood soon enough. Sure, even though he would most likely just grow up to be another farmer, there was no doubt that he’d witness someone die. Maybe in a randori or something. It was a sad thought so hopefully, he’d have a happy childhood.
“Noboru!” Hideto laughed as he hugged the boy back tightly before he quickly pulled back and raised his hands to grab onto that small, dirty face, grinning. He gave the boy a once-over and then grabbed him by the shoulders gently, still kneeling down before him. Another son of another farmer near the outskirts of town. Hideto had met him when Noboru had been fishing in a river in the forest a few weeks ago. The seven year old boy hadn’t had much luck in catching any fish until Hideto had helped him out. But even though, they hadn’t caught much and Hideto had chosen to buy some food from town for Noboru and his family instead. “How’ve you been doing? And what are you doing here?”
“Mom and I are here to get some stuff,” Noboru said, gesturing over to one of the stalls. “She’s over there.”
Satoru just stood by the side, watching the lord and the young boy with a smile. He knew Hideto loved playing with children, acting like one himself sometimes. His smile widened when Hideto began to gently prod the young boy, making him laugh and giggle. Hideto then asked how things were like at home and Noboru replied cheerfully, even though the famine was affecting him and his family rather badly. Satoru figured that that was true strength. Being able to smile even through the bad times. Hideto’s eyes went to Satoru’s as he stood up before he grabbed on to Noboru’s hand, knocking his chin up gently so he was looking up at Satoru. “Noboru, this is Satoru. He’s a friend of mine. Say hi.”
“Hi, Satoru-dono!” Noboru chirped, a wide smile on his face, a sign of happiness from meeting someone new. The more the merrier after all. “Are you a soldier like Hideto-same?”
“Hello, Noboru-kun,” Satoru replied, smiling. Then he shook his head and reached a hand out to ruffle up the boy’s hair. He replied, no remorse or shame at all in his answer. “No, I’m just another servant serving at where Hideto lives.”
“You’re not a servant, Sa-chan,” Hideto pointed out with a roll of his eyes, smirking when Noboru looked up at him again, curious eyes with a question in them. Hideto remembered being like Noboru once, when he had been so young and oblivious to everything in the world, just happy to be playing with his wooden horse[7]. He had always been a curious child, wondering why the sky was blue or why people said it was blue when it could turn red and purple at times. But then he had been taught to ignore such questions when he had been introduced to fencing and the art of warfare when he was ten. Now, those same curious, confused eyes were staring at him and Hideto shrugged, replying to the question in them, “he’s a friend of mine, okay, Noboru? He’s not a servant so don’t listen to him.”
“Okay!”
Satoru almost felt a little annoyed at Noboru choosing to believe Hideto over him. But then again, there had been some truth in what Hideto had said and he couldn’t help the smile on his face as Hideto started leading him to one of the stalls selling food. Food that was more expensive than usual because of the famine. Expensive, yes, but nothing a person of Hideto’s status couldn’t afford. “Come on, let’s go get you a little snack. You look thin, Noboru. The famine is really bad this year, huh?” Then Hideto chuckled sadly when Noboru nodded. “I’ll make things better soon, okay?”
Satoru felt something fill him up as he watched that. With Hideto promising a better life to his villagers. The nice, kind, caring young man who Satoru knew Hideto was. Not the smug, teasing man who everyone saw him to be. Not the cruel, brutal warrior taking lives. No, just Hideto who cared and loved people, wanting to make things better for them. The sweet young man who not a lot of people got to see, which made his appearance all that much more rare and precious to Satoru. His smile widened when he saw Noboru start pointing to some of the snacks up for sale, glad that at least someone appreciated this side of Hideto just as much as he did.
But before they could even reach that stall, Noboru’s mother had turned around, seen them together and a look of horror immediately took over her features. Satoru tilted his head to one side, confused and rather shocked when she came over, rather alarmed. “Noboru!” Immediately, both Hideto and Noboru looked at the source of the voice as Satoru walked forward to stand next to them. The lady immediately grabbed her son’s hand and started guiding him away gently, bowing repeatedly and stammering as she spoke. She was truly afraid and Hideto was beginning to become rather nervous. He was used to seeing fear in the eyes and faces of his enemies just before he killed them but he wasn’t even doing anything. Just standing there and the woman was already a nervous, shaking wreck. Then again, she always was when he was around and he still hadn’t figured out why. “I-I-I’m so sorry, Hideto-sama! Noboru won’t bring you anymore trouble!”
“He’s no trouble at all, Nomi-san,” Hideto replied, raising a careful eyebrow at her as he recalled her name. He had met Noboru’s family once when Noboru had invited him back to his house one night. “We were just talking.”
“Yeah, mom, we were just talking,” Noboru spoke up, smiling. Then he let go of his mother’s hand and approached Hideto again, hugging him. Hideto smiled down at the small head of black hair, petting him. “Hideto-sama’s my friend!”
Nomi gaped at the both of them. Then she bowed again, grabbing Noboru’s hand. “R-Right. Sorry b-but we have to leave now. Good night, Hideto-sama,” she stammered before she quickly began to walk away, dragging Noboru along with her. Noboru had only managed to get his farewell halfway out of his mouth before being pulled away so he settled for waving bye. Both Satoru and Hideto stood there, confused. The confusion turned to shock and hurt, respectively, when they heard Nomi whisper, quite loudly, to Noboru, “he’s The Demon of the Takarai clan, Noboru! Do you want to be killed?!”
Satoru stared at their backs with wide eyes, shocked at how she could be so ungrateful. Hideto had killed all those people for the villager’s safety and she didn’t even trust him to not harm the people? Hideto, on the other hand, was hurt and angry. And it showed on his face.
He had done so much for the people of his country. Been to battles, gotten wounded, sometimes to the extent to the brink of death. Had to go through hard times with all of his vassals and forces, had to kill, had to take people away from their families and did Nomi even understand what doing that could do to a person? The emotional and mental stress from having destroyed families and lives. It could break a person down and drive them insane and Hideto had to go through all of it for his people. He loved the villagers and he cared about them. How could anyone think he would use his power and strength and turn on them instead? He was doing what he was for them and they didn’t even appreciate it. Couldn’t even let him spend some time with the little boy who had considered him a friend. Didn’t they trust him? Angrily, Hideto began to yell out at her, “you know, I didn’t ask for that title!”
Satoru saw Nomi flinch and then start walking away faster. He turned to Hideto who was breathing harder, hands clenched into fists. Instantly, Satoru was no longer shocked or angry or hurt. No, he was sad. Satoru was so sad to see Hideto so affected by it and so obviously upset. All caused by the people he was trying to protect, risking his life each time he went out there. Cautiously, Satoru reached a hand out to touch Hideto on the shoulder, ignoring the profanities and curses he was muttering under his breath. “Stupid, fucking bitch. I’m out there fighting for them and they don’t even-can’t even-just and that kid and his mom and-”
“Hideto,” Satoru called softly, shaking his lord. He was starting to get worried.
“-like, what the fuck is up with her? People are risking their lives so she can fucking sleep at night and she doesn’t give a damn,” Hideto muttered, still standing there, looking down at the ground. “Heck, I don’t even like that nickname and she talks as if I do and am proud of it. She thinks I like killing people, stupid bitch. Let her do it and see-”
“Hideto,” Satoru said again, a bit more firmly. Hideto trailed off with a growl and turned to face Satoru swiftly, anger clear in his eyes. But Satoru didn’t flinch. He wasn’t afraid. He had heard tales of what Hideto could do to a person but he wasn’t afraid. This was his friend, Hideto. The one who had saved him so many years ago. The one that clung onto him like a little boy in his sleep. Hideto who wouldn’t hurt him. Hideto who cared for him and needed him. Just because he was angry, and was cussing as if he wouldn’t get the chance to do so ever again, didn’t make him any less of the man that Satoru knew he was. Even with the cold, undisguised anger in Hideto’s eyes, Satoru wasn’t afraid of him acting on it because he knew Hideto wouldn’t. He trusted him.
“What?” the older of the two spat.
Satoru’s expression immediately softened and he squeezed Hideto’s shoulder before he stepped forward closer, moving that hand to Hideto’s back, rubbing it gently. There was a plea in his eyes as he spoke to his lord. “Forgive Nomi-san. She doesn’t understand.”
For a few seconds, they just stood there in the middle of the streets, not caring that there were people all around them. Satoru let his hand remain where it was on Hideto’s back, wanting to let his lord know that he understood at least. Wanting to let his lord know that he’d be here, no matter what. And after a while, Hideto raised his own arm to grip onto Satoru’s shoulder, sighing tiredly as he looked down at the ground. He closed his eyes and stepped just a bit closer to his friend. A warm comfort that made everything better. The only one who could make things better. He then rested his forehead on Satoru’s chest, sighing and nodding again. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to.
They stepped apart and Hideto opened his eyes again, smiling at his younger friend who just smiled back. A smile that told Hideto what he needed to know.
I understand. And I’ll be here, come what may.
Hideto’s smile widened.
Thank you.
Notes: Thoughts on the fic and theme? I would really like to know what you think. :3 (keysmashes don’t count, silveryxdark~)
[1] Learned from watching Fuurin Kazan that randoris are when samurais will just raid the village, take women, provisions, etc.
[2] Japanese sliding door.
[3] ‘dono’ was used to refer to those officers in the past. So ‘Ken-dono’ is basically Sir Ken. :P
[4] Top and shorts. This is what it looks like. :)
[5] Got this cute nickname from larkir~
[6] This title was stolen from Fuurin Kazan where one of the guys was known as The Demon(Oni), Moni. So... Oni, Moni. XD
[7] Like a rocking horse. It’s just a wooden horse on a platform. Children would sit on it and then the adults would pull that platform around.
Satoru smiled at the question. Hideto always asked this question, at any time of the day. But it was the fact that Satoru knew he was genuinely interested, and wasn’t just asking out of boredom, that really made him smile. It was nice to be cared for and, as if he was repaying the other man, he never lied. He saw no reason to anyway. And today, as they both lounged on the platform in the backyard garden, he still thought the same. “I’m just thinking of how nice it would be to go swimming, with the warm sunshine over me.”
Hideto just snorted quietly and turned to lie on his side so he was looking out at the garden instead of the shelter over his head. Satoru was next to him, sitting down with his legs dangling over the edge of the platform, looking out at the garden with a contented look on his face. Both of them were dressed in comfortable yukata, which Hideto wore with the top slightly parted. It was summer and it was a particularly hot day today, even with the shade the trees provided. With his yukata parted like that, most of his chest was revealed but he didn’t mind exposing that much skin. They were both men after all and there was nothing to be ashamed of and it made things just a bit more comfortable. “A swim does sound good.”
“It’s a shame my condition doesn’t allow me to be out in the sun for long,” Satoru said with a soft, regretful sigh. His own yukata was rather loose, which allowed more air to travel in, so the heat wasn’t that unbearable for him. Then, smiling, he turned to his lord, noting the contemplative look on his face. His smile immediately fell from his face as he stared at Hideto with concern. “And what is on your mind, Hideto?
While the lack of a suffix was considered rather rude, Hideto didn’t mind so much. He had been the one who had requested for his friend to stop referring to him as ‘Hideto-sama’. Because, even though his position was of a servant’s, Hideto treated more like a equal than anything else. He was comfortable with Satoru and was always at peace with him. In his life, which was usually filled with battles, blood and swords, peace was always welcomed. And Satoru seemed to be the only one to provide it. Not his siblings or his parents or any of his vassals, whom he had spent so many years together with, fighting battles with. No, Satoru was the only one he truly felt at home with. And trying to get more of that comfort, he inched himself up a little bit to place his head in Satoru’s lap, still looking out at the garden. He immediately smiled when he felt a hand in his hair, petting him.
“I was just thinking about the first time we met.”
Satoru raised a thin eyebrow at this and then let out a soft, amused breath. He remembered that day, seven years ago, quite well. He had only been thirteen and his lord was seventeen. He had been trying to sneak into the pantry at night to get some food and he had been caught. He was supposed to have been beheaded but, just as he was forced to his knees so the foot soldiers who had caught him could finish the job, Hideto had arrived and stopped them, claiming that they had been playing a game. A game to see who could get into the pantry first. Satoru still remembered the flabbergasted looks on those soldier’s faces as they realised they had almost beheaded a ‘friend’ of the young lord. Yes, Satoru remembered the details well. Hideto had then helped him and gave him food and they had talked a little. Satoru had returned to his little shack in the city area but the two of them continued to meet up every now and then. And after Hideto had seen how rundown the place Satoru lived in, after a year from meeting each other, he had offered Satoru a place in the mansion instead, living there as a servant.
“I sometimes still wonder why you saved me that day, Hideto,” Satoru whispered, playing with his lord’s dark locks.
Hideto shrugged casually and closed his eyes. “To be honest, I don’t know myself, Satoru. There was something about you that captured my attention.” He chuckled softly and curled his hand into the soft fabric of Satoru’s yukata, backing up until the back of his head was resting against Satoru’s abdomen comfortably. He opened his eyes again, smiling. “But I’m glad I did what I did. I’ve actually got a reason to come back from each battle alive because of you.”
Satoru couldn’t hold back the blush that stained his cheeks. But he forced it down when Hideto began to sit up, swinging his legs over the edge of the platform as well. Satoru hoped the older man hadn’t seen the red staining his cheeks. And if Hideto had, he didn’t say a thing at all. Instead, he just ran one hand through his hair while the other curled its fingers around the edge of the platform they were sitting on. The hand, that had been running through his hair, soon settled down in his lap comfortably. He took in a deep breath and then let it out slowly before he turned to his companion, a wide smile gracing his handsome features. “Let’s go out tonight, Satoru.”
“Okay,” the younger man immediately agreed, a twinkle of happiness in his eyes. It was turned to a fond exasperation the next second when his lord’s hand went to his hair, starting to undo the band that held his hair together. He merely rolled his eyes, still smiling, as his own hair began to fall down over his shoulders and back, matching the style of Hideto’s own hair as well. Satoru always tied his hair up, mostly out of habit. It had sort of become his style now and anything else would sometimes be a little disconcerting. “I really don’t see why you like my hair to be down, Hideto. It’s messy and untidy.”
“No, it’s beautiful and smooth,” Hideto retorted with a snort. He continued to run his hand through his friend’s hair, marvelling at how smooth and straight it was. His eyes met Satoru’s a second later and his smile turned into a grin. “Ne, we can go swimming if you want, you know. I found a nice spot in the forest where the trees shade the river from the sun.”
Satoru’s eyes immediately lit up and he nodded quickly. It was a hot day and he would like nothing more than to cool off. A swim in a river in the forest sounded nice. And while it still didn’t fulfil his wish of ‘having the sunshine over him’, it was better than nothing. That’s how the both of them found themselves walking through the farms, on the path that lead them half-way out of the province, right into the forests. Hideto was holding an umbrella over Satoru’s head, knowing what the sun could do to his ill friend. Satoru had felt a little weird, having the person he was supposed to serve do these things for him, but he comforted himself with the fact that Hideto had said he wanted to do it and it would be a complete insult if Satoru didn’t let him.
That’s why so many people envied Okabe Satoru. Because he was the only servant around who had a lord serving him.
*****
Satoru just smiled gently as he continued stirring the stew he was making for Hideto and for himself. The swim earlier in the afternoon had cooled him off but it was evening now and the atmosphere was cool, making the effects of the swim not last that long in the end. It wasn’t too cold and neither was it too hot now, though. It was just right.
Satoru raised his eyes to the fusuma[2] when he saw a shadow outside. Satoru’s smile widened when he realised who it was from the shape of the shadow. Besides the fact that almost no one visited Hideto in his quarters, the shape of the shadow was too distinctive and the person it belonged to was pretty much the only person who would come around at this time. Hideto’s parents didn’t really visit him all that much and if they wanted to speak with him, they would’ve summoned him to their own quarters or, if it was related to battles, to the meeting room with the advisers, strategists and other chiefs of forces. Hideto’s siblings didn’t see him much, unless they were training together outside. It was unlikely that any of them would come around now, especially during dinner time. Satoru then idly wondered if he had made enough stew for three people before the fusuma began to slowly slide open. “Ne, Hide-oh, hey, Satoru.”
“Ken-dono[3],” Satoru said, bowing a little, still kneeling before the pot of stew, and the strands of hair that were too short to be tied up fell over his face. He sat up again and then raised a hand to tuck those strands behind his ears. The soldier before him walked further into the room, having discarded his footwear outside, and closed the fusuma behind him. Smiling, he sat down opposite Satoru, with the pot of stew between them. Satoru then gestured to behind himself, to the backyard garden where there was a small bath area by the back. “Hideto is taking a bath right now. But he should be coming out in a few minutes.”
Ken didn’t comment on the lack of a suffix. He knew Satoru and Hideto were more than just servant and lord. They were actually friends. Those titles actually meant nothing to them.
“Want to join us for dinner?” Satoru offered, gesturing to the stew but Ken merely shook his head and smiled.
“Nah, I just came here to inform Hideto of some stuff. I won’t be staying long. My own force is having a celebratory dinner from having won the battle yesterday,” Ken said with a slight shrug. Then he took a whiff of the stew and began to have second thoughts. The stew reminded Ken of his own home, before he had been employed as a vassal of one of Hideto’s siblings. It gave him a warm, homey feeling which reminded him of the days he would spend at home with his parents as they ate and talked together. A meal with love and care. “...although, I’m sure this tastes better than the food they’re preparing for us...” Chuckling lightly, he raised his eyes to meet Satoru’s. Noting the light blush on his cheeks, his grin widened. “Hideto sure is lucky to have you around...”
Satoru shrugged and continued stirring it, looking away from Ken’s eyes. “Hideto’s a big boy. He can take care of himself without me.”
“Aw, come on,” Ken suddenly said, laughing loudly as he leaned back on his arms, staring at Satoru incredulously. “Do you seriously believe that? You’re the only thing keeping him sane nowadays.”
“Ken-dono,” Satoru began with soft laugh of his own and a wide smile. He reached a hand out to grab a bowl, grabbing a ladle to start a generous amount of stew into it. He knew how much his lord could eat. “Hideto is one of the most feared men from our country. He’s lived out in the wilderness for months at a time for battles and I’m sure there’ve been times when he’s run out of provisions, having to make do with what nature provides. He’s a strong man. He doesn’t really need me around. He just wants me around, is all.” Once he was done with pouring the stew into the bowl, he left it on the small try lying next to him before he took another bowl and started pouring in his own share, sighing a little sadly at what he thought to be true, “Hideto would still be fine without me.”
“What’re you talking about?” came a voice from behind him.
Ken looked up at the fusuma leading to the backyard garden, finding a shadow, that undoubtedly belonged to Hideto, there. Satoru slowly began to look over his shoulder as the fusuma slid open to reveal his lord, drying his hair with a cloth. He was dressed in a simple, black jinbei[4] and his hair was still rather wet. On his face was a rather annoyed looked and it didn’t disappear as he walked further into the room, leaving the fusuma open, and took a seat next to Satoru. It was obvious that he didn’t like what he had heard Satoru say. He had heard Satoru say that countless times and he was sick of hearing it. The younger man meant so much more to him that it had evolved from just ‘wanting’ him around to ‘needing’ him. He wished Satoru would see that. He left a small kiss on the younger man’s cheek, pouting. “I need you, okay, Sa-chan[5]? Heck, I can’t even cook. I’d burn the entire place down trying to.”
“You would,” Ken said with a snort which turned into a shout of protest when Hideto threw his towel at him. He could hear the other two laughing at him and he began to chuckle as well before he chucked the cloth back at its owner who caught it on reflex and then placed it down next to him. Ken smiled when Satoru passed Hideto his bowl of stew and Hideto just thanked him softly with a smile. It was always nice to see Hideto and Satoru together like this. Or more specifically, just Hideto. He always seemed to be at peace here, so calm and happy. Completely unlike how he was out on the battlefield when he would just kill any enemy in sight. Yes, Ken was from another force but his force had teamed up with Hideto’s one before and then, he had seen the young lord kill. It was a horrifying thing. Ken could hardly believe that that man was his friend, Hideto. The one he was now talking to.
“Sure you don’t wanna join us, Ken-chan?” Hideto asked as he reached a hand out, over Satoru’s lap, to get a spoon from the small drawers by the side. He got one and then was sitting back properly as he and Satoru began to eat. “Satoru’s a good cook, you know.”
“Nah, I have to be there at the dinner,” Ken rejected politely with a shrug. Then he sighed a little sadly, remembering what it was that he was here for. He hated thinking about it. Just thinking about it made his body ache already. He had just gotten home, too. He met Hideto’s curious eyes and Ken shrugged again, trying to make it seem as if the situation didn’t bother him as much as it did. “I’m just here to inform you that we’re going to battle again. Maybe in a week. Your force and mine.”
“For?” Hideto asked, not at all fazed. He was used to having to go to battles every now and then. His force was the strongest one, thus being the one sent out for battles most often. The thought of going to battle didn’t really bother Hideto all that much. To him, it was just another time-killer. Or maybe a chore. His father had been trying to conquer more and more lands as of late, thinking it was better to just take over the countries like this. Hideto had told him that the people would start to hate him for this. His father didn’t care about the villagers and farmers. Didn’t think about how this would be more difficult for them. Some of them would have to be employed as a vassal, sent to these battles as well. The people weren’t pleased but had Kenichi, Hideto’s father, listened? Of course not. Kenichi had just brushed his oldest son off, laughing and telling him to focus on the battles instead of the reasons for them.
“The Kuwabara castle at the outskirts of Suwa,” Ken replied and he perked up an eyebrow when he saw Satoru tense up a little. He ignored it and looked back at Hideto who was looking annoyed again. “Your father’s aiming that one next.”
“Gah, the old fool,” Hideto groaned before placing his bowl and spoon back down on the tray. He gripped his knees, glaring at nothing in particular, even though his gaze was directed at the fire beneath the pot of stew, keeping it hot. He shook his head, sighing in aggravation. “I keep telling him, the people are going to revolt one day if he keeps this up. No one wants to keep going to battles. There’s famine in the village and he’s not doing anything about it.” Hideto then laid back down on the tatami mat, staring up at the ceiling, clearly displeased. “He should be focusing on trying to get provisions from the other countries for the people instead of trying to take down their castles and win their land.”
“You shouldn’t call your father a fool, Hideto,” Satoru reprimanded softly, leaning over his lord’s body to get a clear view of his face. “He’s just doing what he thinks is best. It’s not his fault his thoughts and yours differ.”
Ken looked at the two of them before he slowly got to his feet. He walked over to Hideto, into his view and then shrugged again. He didn’t like the situation either, but for different reasons. Ken didn’t really care about the people in the village. His parents had died shortly after he had been employed as a vassal and all his friends were also vassals, anyway. He just didn’t like the fact that he’d have to leave the comfort of home so soon again. “There’s not much we can do, shorty. Let’s just prepare for battle, alright?”
“Don’t call me shorty, fatty,” Hideto snapped, glaring up at his other friend. “You know I could very well kick your ass.”
“I’m not fat. And being able to kick my ass doesn’t make you any taller,” Ken shot back childishly. Then he smiled when Hideto chuckled a little at that. “I’m gonna take my leave first. See ya around, Hideto.” Then his eyes went to the other man in the room and he nodded at him. “Satoru.”
Satoru nodded back and Hideto just drawled out a farewell before Ken left. Once he did, Satoru turned back to look at the older man who just continued staring up at the ceiling. He sighed and then placed his own bowl and spoon back on the tray before leaning over Hideto’s body a bit more. One arm was supporting him and the hand connected to the other one was raised to Hideto’s face, brushing away the fringe covering his eyes. He knew the other man was troubled by his father’s actions and Satoru wanted nothing more than to make him feel better. Truth be told, Satoru didn’t want Hideto to go out for battle either. But he knew it’d be selfish to ask him to stay home with him instead, when he had been ordered to go out and fight for his country. Furthermore, he’d always be worried. Worried about Hideto and wondering whether or not he was alright and whether or not he would be coming back alive. Even though Hideto always did, Satoru still couldn’t help but worry each time he was sent out to the battlefield. Hideto had called it a silly worry. He wasn’t known as ‘The Demon’[6] of the Takarai clan for nothing.
“Come on,” Satoru whispered, voice deep and smooth. He leaned down to press a friendly kiss to his lord’s forehead before quickly pulling away, smiling gently and using his thumb to brush the spot he had kissed. “Eat your dinner and we can go out, Hideto. Don’t think so much about this.”
Hideto looked away from the ceiling and to his friend, blinking once. He sighed again and nodded before sitting up straight and taking his bowl and spoon into his hands again. The two of them ate, mostly in silence, with Hideto only murmuring now and then about the stupid battle, about how good the stew was, and talking about what they could do after dinner. Satoru didn’t say much and merely smiled and listened. And when they were done with their dinner(mostly the entire pot of stew having been consumed by Hideto), they cleared up and changed into some proper clothing before they left together, walking about town casually.
Some of the villagers had recognised him-who wouldn’t? He was the oldest son of Takarai Kenichi and was to take over their country in the future and had won many battles for them in the past-and had bowed, out of respect and such, bidding him good evening. Hideto had just politely replied, smiling. He liked coming out into the outskirts of town the most, where the farms and farmers were. They were the ones who were affected by the famine the most and Hideto did try to make things easier for them. He sometimes bought them food from the town area and sat down to speak with them. It was during those times that he didn’t feel like the young lord-or rather, prince-living back at the mansion. He wasn’t The Demon of the Takarai clan or anything. Just Takarai Hideto, a human. He didn’t feel as if he was speaking with the people he would govern in the future. Just people. Other humans, just like himself.
“Hideto-dono!” a young boy, who looked to be about seven, called out with a wide smile as Hideto and Satoru were walking down through the streets of the town. Hideto looked away from the stalls and at the young voice that had called him. He immediately broke out into a wide smile and knelt down as the young boy ran towards him, pure joy on his face. He laughed and hugged the boy as he jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly. A young, adorable boy whose entire being just screamed out ‘innocence’. Quite much like how everyone was when they were young. It was a shame he would be exposed to the real world of battles, deaths and blood soon enough. Sure, even though he would most likely just grow up to be another farmer, there was no doubt that he’d witness someone die. Maybe in a randori or something. It was a sad thought so hopefully, he’d have a happy childhood.
“Noboru!” Hideto laughed as he hugged the boy back tightly before he quickly pulled back and raised his hands to grab onto that small, dirty face, grinning. He gave the boy a once-over and then grabbed him by the shoulders gently, still kneeling down before him. Another son of another farmer near the outskirts of town. Hideto had met him when Noboru had been fishing in a river in the forest a few weeks ago. The seven year old boy hadn’t had much luck in catching any fish until Hideto had helped him out. But even though, they hadn’t caught much and Hideto had chosen to buy some food from town for Noboru and his family instead. “How’ve you been doing? And what are you doing here?”
“Mom and I are here to get some stuff,” Noboru said, gesturing over to one of the stalls. “She’s over there.”
Satoru just stood by the side, watching the lord and the young boy with a smile. He knew Hideto loved playing with children, acting like one himself sometimes. His smile widened when Hideto began to gently prod the young boy, making him laugh and giggle. Hideto then asked how things were like at home and Noboru replied cheerfully, even though the famine was affecting him and his family rather badly. Satoru figured that that was true strength. Being able to smile even through the bad times. Hideto’s eyes went to Satoru’s as he stood up before he grabbed on to Noboru’s hand, knocking his chin up gently so he was looking up at Satoru. “Noboru, this is Satoru. He’s a friend of mine. Say hi.”
“Hi, Satoru-dono!” Noboru chirped, a wide smile on his face, a sign of happiness from meeting someone new. The more the merrier after all. “Are you a soldier like Hideto-same?”
“Hello, Noboru-kun,” Satoru replied, smiling. Then he shook his head and reached a hand out to ruffle up the boy’s hair. He replied, no remorse or shame at all in his answer. “No, I’m just another servant serving at where Hideto lives.”
“You’re not a servant, Sa-chan,” Hideto pointed out with a roll of his eyes, smirking when Noboru looked up at him again, curious eyes with a question in them. Hideto remembered being like Noboru once, when he had been so young and oblivious to everything in the world, just happy to be playing with his wooden horse[7]. He had always been a curious child, wondering why the sky was blue or why people said it was blue when it could turn red and purple at times. But then he had been taught to ignore such questions when he had been introduced to fencing and the art of warfare when he was ten. Now, those same curious, confused eyes were staring at him and Hideto shrugged, replying to the question in them, “he’s a friend of mine, okay, Noboru? He’s not a servant so don’t listen to him.”
“Okay!”
Satoru almost felt a little annoyed at Noboru choosing to believe Hideto over him. But then again, there had been some truth in what Hideto had said and he couldn’t help the smile on his face as Hideto started leading him to one of the stalls selling food. Food that was more expensive than usual because of the famine. Expensive, yes, but nothing a person of Hideto’s status couldn’t afford. “Come on, let’s go get you a little snack. You look thin, Noboru. The famine is really bad this year, huh?” Then Hideto chuckled sadly when Noboru nodded. “I’ll make things better soon, okay?”
Satoru felt something fill him up as he watched that. With Hideto promising a better life to his villagers. The nice, kind, caring young man who Satoru knew Hideto was. Not the smug, teasing man who everyone saw him to be. Not the cruel, brutal warrior taking lives. No, just Hideto who cared and loved people, wanting to make things better for them. The sweet young man who not a lot of people got to see, which made his appearance all that much more rare and precious to Satoru. His smile widened when he saw Noboru start pointing to some of the snacks up for sale, glad that at least someone appreciated this side of Hideto just as much as he did.
But before they could even reach that stall, Noboru’s mother had turned around, seen them together and a look of horror immediately took over her features. Satoru tilted his head to one side, confused and rather shocked when she came over, rather alarmed. “Noboru!” Immediately, both Hideto and Noboru looked at the source of the voice as Satoru walked forward to stand next to them. The lady immediately grabbed her son’s hand and started guiding him away gently, bowing repeatedly and stammering as she spoke. She was truly afraid and Hideto was beginning to become rather nervous. He was used to seeing fear in the eyes and faces of his enemies just before he killed them but he wasn’t even doing anything. Just standing there and the woman was already a nervous, shaking wreck. Then again, she always was when he was around and he still hadn’t figured out why. “I-I-I’m so sorry, Hideto-sama! Noboru won’t bring you anymore trouble!”
“He’s no trouble at all, Nomi-san,” Hideto replied, raising a careful eyebrow at her as he recalled her name. He had met Noboru’s family once when Noboru had invited him back to his house one night. “We were just talking.”
“Yeah, mom, we were just talking,” Noboru spoke up, smiling. Then he let go of his mother’s hand and approached Hideto again, hugging him. Hideto smiled down at the small head of black hair, petting him. “Hideto-sama’s my friend!”
Nomi gaped at the both of them. Then she bowed again, grabbing Noboru’s hand. “R-Right. Sorry b-but we have to leave now. Good night, Hideto-sama,” she stammered before she quickly began to walk away, dragging Noboru along with her. Noboru had only managed to get his farewell halfway out of his mouth before being pulled away so he settled for waving bye. Both Satoru and Hideto stood there, confused. The confusion turned to shock and hurt, respectively, when they heard Nomi whisper, quite loudly, to Noboru, “he’s The Demon of the Takarai clan, Noboru! Do you want to be killed?!”
Satoru stared at their backs with wide eyes, shocked at how she could be so ungrateful. Hideto had killed all those people for the villager’s safety and she didn’t even trust him to not harm the people? Hideto, on the other hand, was hurt and angry. And it showed on his face.
He had done so much for the people of his country. Been to battles, gotten wounded, sometimes to the extent to the brink of death. Had to go through hard times with all of his vassals and forces, had to kill, had to take people away from their families and did Nomi even understand what doing that could do to a person? The emotional and mental stress from having destroyed families and lives. It could break a person down and drive them insane and Hideto had to go through all of it for his people. He loved the villagers and he cared about them. How could anyone think he would use his power and strength and turn on them instead? He was doing what he was for them and they didn’t even appreciate it. Couldn’t even let him spend some time with the little boy who had considered him a friend. Didn’t they trust him? Angrily, Hideto began to yell out at her, “you know, I didn’t ask for that title!”
Satoru saw Nomi flinch and then start walking away faster. He turned to Hideto who was breathing harder, hands clenched into fists. Instantly, Satoru was no longer shocked or angry or hurt. No, he was sad. Satoru was so sad to see Hideto so affected by it and so obviously upset. All caused by the people he was trying to protect, risking his life each time he went out there. Cautiously, Satoru reached a hand out to touch Hideto on the shoulder, ignoring the profanities and curses he was muttering under his breath. “Stupid, fucking bitch. I’m out there fighting for them and they don’t even-can’t even-just and that kid and his mom and-”
“Hideto,” Satoru called softly, shaking his lord. He was starting to get worried.
“-like, what the fuck is up with her? People are risking their lives so she can fucking sleep at night and she doesn’t give a damn,” Hideto muttered, still standing there, looking down at the ground. “Heck, I don’t even like that nickname and she talks as if I do and am proud of it. She thinks I like killing people, stupid bitch. Let her do it and see-”
“Hideto,” Satoru said again, a bit more firmly. Hideto trailed off with a growl and turned to face Satoru swiftly, anger clear in his eyes. But Satoru didn’t flinch. He wasn’t afraid. He had heard tales of what Hideto could do to a person but he wasn’t afraid. This was his friend, Hideto. The one who had saved him so many years ago. The one that clung onto him like a little boy in his sleep. Hideto who wouldn’t hurt him. Hideto who cared for him and needed him. Just because he was angry, and was cussing as if he wouldn’t get the chance to do so ever again, didn’t make him any less of the man that Satoru knew he was. Even with the cold, undisguised anger in Hideto’s eyes, Satoru wasn’t afraid of him acting on it because he knew Hideto wouldn’t. He trusted him.
“What?” the older of the two spat.
Satoru’s expression immediately softened and he squeezed Hideto’s shoulder before he stepped forward closer, moving that hand to Hideto’s back, rubbing it gently. There was a plea in his eyes as he spoke to his lord. “Forgive Nomi-san. She doesn’t understand.”
For a few seconds, they just stood there in the middle of the streets, not caring that there were people all around them. Satoru let his hand remain where it was on Hideto’s back, wanting to let his lord know that he understood at least. Wanting to let his lord know that he’d be here, no matter what. And after a while, Hideto raised his own arm to grip onto Satoru’s shoulder, sighing tiredly as he looked down at the ground. He closed his eyes and stepped just a bit closer to his friend. A warm comfort that made everything better. The only one who could make things better. He then rested his forehead on Satoru’s chest, sighing and nodding again. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to.
They stepped apart and Hideto opened his eyes again, smiling at his younger friend who just smiled back. A smile that told Hideto what he needed to know.
I understand. And I’ll be here, come what may.
Hideto’s smile widened.
Thank you.
Notes: Thoughts on the fic and theme? I would really like to know what you think. :3 (keysmashes don’t count, silveryxdark~)
[1] Learned from watching Fuurin Kazan that randoris are when samurais will just raid the village, take women, provisions, etc.
[2] Japanese sliding door.
[3] ‘dono’ was used to refer to those officers in the past. So ‘Ken-dono’ is basically Sir Ken. :P
[4] Top and shorts. This is what it looks like. :)
[5] Got this cute nickname from larkir~
[6] This title was stolen from Fuurin Kazan where one of the guys was known as The Demon(Oni), Moni. So... Oni, Moni. XD
[7] Like a rocking horse. It’s just a wooden horse on a platform. Children would sit on it and then the adults would pull that platform around.