[Kyojuro's own gaze is unflinching. There is no anger at the question, no arrogance at his outlook being questioned. If anything, pride continues to swell within his chest. Senjuro may trust him, but he maintains his own ideals and thoughts. He does not blindly follow.
And what an easy question it is to answer, even if he hates that it's true.]
He already has. [He tucks his hand a little closer to himself, toying idly with the bandages there. This is one secret he will continue to keep. It was, after all, a one time only occurrence. Akaza had said as much.] Before I found you, I was targeted by another group of slayers. I could not bring myself to lift my blade, considering who they were to me. He prevented me from being killed by their blows, was impaled twice through in his effort to do so.
[Almost unconsciously, Kyojuro finds himself casting his senses outward, searching for Akaza once more. Nothing comes back, much to his dismay.]
His healing is much slower here. We almost were unsure if he would survive. [For... more reasons than one. And though Kyojuro has resolved to not bring up the more sordid details of what came after, he does add:] The shopkeeper of this place is able to source... food for him. He has not consumed living flesh since arriving here.
[senjuro assumes that the movement of kyojuro's hand is intentional, an angle to help him secure the final bandage; he thinks nothing more of it.
once he's satisfied with his work, he kneels back on his feet and takes to burying his fingers in puck's "hair." the mimikyu continues rubbing against his side and sneaks one "hand" out from under its disguise to lay it over his. a good little ghostie.
as hard as it is to swallow, the fact of the matter is that senjuro trusts kyojuro above all else. he understands the gravity of his brother's convictions and knows he would never tell senjuro a lie. if kyojuro says he can forgive his murderer, he means it.]
I trust you, brother. So long as you wish, I won't cause a fuss for either of you about it.
[Kyojuro doesn't think he'll ever be able to put into words, the he feels watching another creature dote upon Senjuro. It's never been a secret, that the boy is the single most important person in his world. He's always deserved far more than the world has given him.
Finally seeing something, anything give that back is such a relief.]
Thank you, Senjuro. I promise it is not misplaced.
[He leans forward to bump their foreheads together once again.]
[puck squirms a bit underneath senjuro's hand, so that he can get a good look at his trainer. seems he's curious about the answer, as well.
senjuro strokes that mop hair once more and glances toward the barricaded door, then down to the old floorboards.]
I... I admit, Johto wasn't as dangerous a place as our home. Really, it felt -- safe, like nothing too terrible could even happen there. [yet again, his eyes trail along the exterior wall of the house. his lip trembles once.]
The... creatures here are like what I always imagined the Corps members facing, night after night.
[Kyojuro glances sidelong at the little creature, watching it fuss. Truly a sweet little thing, wasn't he?]
I do not know if I should be glad that you experienced such peace, or disheartened to know you were ripped away from it. [He sighs at the thought.] What I do know is that this is not the sort of depravity that anyone should have to witness. It is... almost worse than the corps, I think.
[At least most demons were not fond of toying with their prey. Some did seem to savor fear, creatures like Lower Rank One being a prime example of that. But generally, the average demon would make things relatively quick.
This place, however, seemed hell bent on dragging out the agony. It made Kyojuro feel ill.]
I know you do not need my protection as much anymore, but I promise I will do all I can to keep you safe all the same.
[despite the very real fear he feels in this place, senjuro is realizing something.]
I'm glad I got to be there, for the friends I made and the things I experienced. But -- in a way, I'm glad I'm here, too. I get to see you again, and know you're not alone.
[Kyojuro finds himself surprised, as the words lodge in his throat. He lays a hand against his chest, palm in the center of that haunting mark. He's meant what he's said before — he does not regret dying. He has forgiven his killer. But more than anything, he lamented what was left behind.
Having that very thing here is enough to choke him up. He draws in a steadying breath, but perhaps Senjuro might catch the shimmer in his eyes as he gazes fondly upon him.]
I cannot say I am glad you are here. But I did miss you terribly, Senjuro.
[unfortunately for kyojuro, there's no chance in hell that senjuro sees that face and doesn't threaten to weep in response. he's emotional on a good day, but to see his brother moved nearly to tears is not something he can just brush off.
mindful of the wounds, now that he knows where they all are, senjuro scoots closer to embrace him. it's everything he can do not to dig his fingers in and cling like he's afraid to lose kyojuro all over again in an instant.]
I missed you, Kyojuro. [his voice is hushed, small, as if he's unworthy to even say his name out loud but selfishly wants to.]
[Senjuro is not the only one. He's always been wary of his strength, but in this second that control threatens to crumble. As he returns the embrace, his fingers tighten against the back of his brother's shirt, knuckles surely showing white from the force. He keeps Senjuro close, a tight squeeze just one step shy of uncomfortable.]
I know you have only just scolded me for apologizing for things out of control, so I hope you will forgive me for this. [He inhales, breath quavering at the very end.] But I am so very sorry for leaving you alone in this world. If I had one regret, it was that I would not get to see you after that day.
[His laugh sounds faintly wet when it breaks through his lips.]
[really, the near vice grip kyojuro has on him is nothing short of comforting to senjuro. the embrace he never thought he'd get to feel again threatens to but would never smother him. where kyojuro's emotions are restrained, senjuro openly trembles in both body and breath.]
I forgive you. [like before, he doesn't believe there's anything to forgive, but he knows hearing that will be a comfort to kyojuro.] You saved so many people -- people who get to live the rest of their lives, now, when they wouldn't have otherwise. I -- as much as it hurts, I am so proud to be your brother.
[he sniffles in a half-hearted attempt to slow his crying. it isn't successful, but that's okay.]
But I'm not alone. Mr. Tanjiro writes to me often, and makes me feel like I'm part of his life. Even father -- your words reached him, ani-ue. He drinks less and less, and he lets me look after him. I think he doesn't know what to say, but I know he's trying.
[In the end, Senjuro's words prove to be what breaks him. In those last moments, Kyojuro did not know if his words would ever matter, not to those who needed to hear them most. He had done his part, but it was up to those that heard what he had to say to heed them. Sure, some part of him was certain that Senjuro himself would cherish what he had to say.
But to know that his father did as well...?
That grip grows just the slightest bit tighter, while Kyojuro all but chokes on a sob. After over a decade, so many years spent trying and failing to find a way to pull his father through, he'd finally taken that step. No more fearing that his organs might just give out in the dead of night, or that he might choke on his vomit while too inebriated to save himself.
To say nothing of the fact that Tanjiro had opened his heart to Senjuro when he surely needed it most.
There were so many possible outcomes that could have resulted from his death. In his final seconds, before the visage of his mother had come to comfort him, he had found himself troubling over all of them. To know that none had come to pass was all he could have asked for.]
I am - so glad to hear that. All of it.
[He makes no attempt to hide his tears, wetting Senjuro's hair as he buries his face within it. The weight of any regret he'd ever had ebbs from his shoulders, and he swears that the smell of alcohol in the air grows lighter, if only for a moment.
Everything would be alright. He knew that now.]
Thank you for telling me. [And to no one in particular:] Thank you so much.
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sticksandbones2025-10-03 12:37 pm
no subject
And what an easy question it is to answer, even if he hates that it's true.]
He already has. [He tucks his hand a little closer to himself, toying idly with the bandages there. This is one secret he will continue to keep. It was, after all, a one time only occurrence. Akaza had said as much.] Before I found you, I was targeted by another group of slayers. I could not bring myself to lift my blade, considering who they were to me. He prevented me from being killed by their blows, was impaled twice through in his effort to do so.
[Almost unconsciously, Kyojuro finds himself casting his senses outward, searching for Akaza once more. Nothing comes back, much to his dismay.]
His healing is much slower here. We almost were unsure if he would survive. [For... more reasons than one. And though Kyojuro has resolved to not bring up the more sordid details of what came after, he does add:] The shopkeeper of this place is able to source... food for him. He has not consumed living flesh since arriving here.
no subject
once he's satisfied with his work, he kneels back on his feet and takes to burying his fingers in puck's "hair." the mimikyu continues rubbing against his side and sneaks one "hand" out from under its disguise to lay it over his. a good little ghostie.
as hard as it is to swallow, the fact of the matter is that senjuro trusts kyojuro above all else. he understands the gravity of his brother's convictions and knows he would never tell senjuro a lie. if kyojuro says he can forgive his murderer, he means it.]
I trust you, brother. So long as you wish, I won't cause a fuss for either of you about it.
no subject
Finally seeing something, anything give that back is such a relief.]
Thank you, Senjuro. I promise it is not misplaced.
[He leans forward to bump their foreheads together once again.]
no subject
How are your wounds? We can stay sheltered for as long as you need, but will they hold if we need to flee?
no subject
I should be fine. [A small smile is flashed to the boy.] You did excellent work. I suspect even Lady Kocho would be impressed.
no subject
Ah, I'm just glad if it's adequate. You and father taught me, after all, so I hope I'm competent...
no subject
How are you feeling? You are not too rattled by what you've seen?
no subject
senjuro strokes that mop hair once more and glances toward the barricaded door, then down to the old floorboards.]
I... I admit, Johto wasn't as dangerous a place as our home. Really, it felt -- safe, like nothing too terrible could even happen there. [yet again, his eyes trail along the exterior wall of the house. his lip trembles once.]
The... creatures here are like what I always imagined the Corps members facing, night after night.
no subject
I do not know if I should be glad that you experienced such peace, or disheartened to know you were ripped away from it. [He sighs at the thought.] What I do know is that this is not the sort of depravity that anyone should have to witness. It is... almost worse than the corps, I think.
[At least most demons were not fond of toying with their prey. Some did seem to savor fear, creatures like Lower Rank One being a prime example of that. But generally, the average demon would make things relatively quick.
This place, however, seemed hell bent on dragging out the agony. It made Kyojuro feel ill.]
I know you do not need my protection as much anymore, but I promise I will do all I can to keep you safe all the same.
no subject
I'm glad I got to be there, for the friends I made and the things I experienced. But -- in a way, I'm glad I'm here, too. I get to see you again, and know you're not alone.
We'll do what we can to protect you, too.
no subject
[Kyojuro finds himself surprised, as the words lodge in his throat. He lays a hand against his chest, palm in the center of that haunting mark. He's meant what he's said before — he does not regret dying. He has forgiven his killer. But more than anything, he lamented what was left behind.
Having that very thing here is enough to choke him up. He draws in a steadying breath, but perhaps Senjuro might catch the shimmer in his eyes as he gazes fondly upon him.]
I cannot say I am glad you are here. But I did miss you terribly, Senjuro.
no subject
mindful of the wounds, now that he knows where they all are, senjuro scoots closer to embrace him. it's everything he can do not to dig his fingers in and cling like he's afraid to lose kyojuro all over again in an instant.]
I missed you, Kyojuro. [his voice is hushed, small, as if he's unworthy to even say his name out loud but selfishly wants to.]
no subject
I know you have only just scolded me for apologizing for things out of control, so I hope you will forgive me for this. [He inhales, breath quavering at the very end.] But I am so very sorry for leaving you alone in this world. If I had one regret, it was that I would not get to see you after that day.
[His laugh sounds faintly wet when it breaks through his lips.]
I have never been so glad to be wrong.
no subject
I forgive you. [like before, he doesn't believe there's anything to forgive, but he knows hearing that will be a comfort to kyojuro.] You saved so many people -- people who get to live the rest of their lives, now, when they wouldn't have otherwise. I -- as much as it hurts, I am so proud to be your brother.
[he sniffles in a half-hearted attempt to slow his crying. it isn't successful, but that's okay.]
But I'm not alone. Mr. Tanjiro writes to me often, and makes me feel like I'm part of his life. Even father -- your words reached him, ani-ue. He drinks less and less, and he lets me look after him. I think he doesn't know what to say, but I know he's trying.
cw: emetophobia, alcoholism
But to know that his father did as well...?
That grip grows just the slightest bit tighter, while Kyojuro all but chokes on a sob. After over a decade, so many years spent trying and failing to find a way to pull his father through, he'd finally taken that step. No more fearing that his organs might just give out in the dead of night, or that he might choke on his vomit while too inebriated to save himself.
To say nothing of the fact that Tanjiro had opened his heart to Senjuro when he surely needed it most.
There were so many possible outcomes that could have resulted from his death. In his final seconds, before the visage of his mother had come to comfort him, he had found himself troubling over all of them. To know that none had come to pass was all he could have asked for.]
I am - so glad to hear that. All of it.
[He makes no attempt to hide his tears, wetting Senjuro's hair as he buries his face within it. The weight of any regret he'd ever had ebbs from his shoulders, and he swears that the smell of alcohol in the air grows lighter, if only for a moment.
Everything would be alright. He knew that now.]
Thank you for telling me. [And to no one in particular:] Thank you so much.