Work Text:
The Lingering Sound of a Golden Bell
An Onmyoji fanfiction
by Orenji92
Disclaimer: Onmyoji is not mine. None of the characters mentioned are mine. Even this whole story was inspired by Onikiri scroll, which is part of the game, which is clearly not mine, so... I just own this tiny writing and the gayness, but none of things that actually matters ... which saddens me greatly now.
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In the world of youkai, power decided their fate. The weak ones obeyed the strong, and the powerful ones ruled and protected them in return. That was how it went, and no one questioned how the rule worked or why it such rule existed.
Ibaraki Doji was no exception. He wandered and challenged everyone he met, defeated them, gained a follower or two and even more enemies in the process, then repeated from the beginning. He had been doing it for a long time that he was starting to get bored. Everyone was so weak, it was not even a battle. It was bullying. Not that he disliked easy winning, he enjoyed it immensely, but when things got repetitive, it became boring. Yet, he kept challenging youkai here and there, trying to find something, someone worthy out of the battle. So, he kept wandering, feeling a little lost on the way, with his will wavering, but he did not stop.
Then, on a fateful day, Ibaraki Doji met a wild-haired battle-crazed demon called Shuten Doji. Ibaraki Doji challenged him, just like how he had challenged countless other demons. But, unlike the other demons, he was able to defeat Ibaraki Doji.
If Ibaraki Doji as being honest, it was one of the most terrifying moments he could think. He thought he was going to die. Shuten Doji was the first one to be able to defeat him, and it was also the very first time the prideful Ibaraki Doji felt humiliation. And, if Ibaraki Doji was being honest, it was kind of... exciting.
Ibaraki Doji had a lot of faults and virtues, but honesty was not one of them.
So, acting indignant, he refused the idea (the fact) that he had lost and left the scene to bury the memory.
He mostly failed.
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“Coming back so soon?” Shuten Doji was grinning at the sight before him. The white-haired demon was so much fun to tease. At his question, said demon gritted his teeth in annoyance with flaming cheeks, making Shuten Doji grinned wider.
Shuten Doji had lost count on how many times this demon had challenged him (and lost at the end). It was not that this demon was weak, not at all. He was immensely strong, even stronger that Shuten Doji in raw power. However, there was something that stopped this demon from winning, something close to desperation. It was almost like he did not want to win against Shuten Doji. And it piqued Shuten Doji’s interest.
“I’m going to win this time!”
“We’ll see.”
Shuten Doji leaped forward, his hand was reaching out, and Ibaraki Doji moved swiftly to evade it. Not even wasting a second, Ibaraki Doji prepared to strike back, but Shuten Doji kicked his knee in retaliation. Losing his balance, Ibaraki reached his hand out on instinct and accidentally snatched Shuten Doji’s sleeve down, pulling the other demon down with him. So both demons fell down, Ibaraki Doji on the top of Shuten Doji’s strong body, and Shuten Doji’s hands on Ibaraki Doji’s butts. As if to make sure, or to test them out, Shuten Doji gave them a hearty squeeze.
“Hngh!” An embarrassing sound escaped Ibaraki Doji’s throat, causing both demons to stay still.
“Wha-?”
Before Shuten Doji could finish whatever he wanted to ask, Ibaraki Doji whacked his head and ran away with burning cheeks. Strategic retreat was not a loss. Shuten Doji who was left behind was quiet before he broke into laughter.
“What was that?” He muttered between his snickers. “That’s too cute.”
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Another day, another challenge, and another loss. Ibaraki Doji was getting frustrated.
“Why can’t I win!?” He grumbled as he crouched to the ground. Just to be clear, he was not sulking. He was not.
“Stop pouting,” Shuten Doji remarked with a grin, there was a teasing touch in his eyes. It was irritating Ibaraki Doji to no end that it made him blush.
“Who’s pouting!?” Ibaraki Doji stood up with challenging pose.
Shuten Doji just stared at him with his teasing eyes. “You.”
At lost, Ibaraki Doji grunted and turned back to hide his embarrassment. Shuten Doji thought he looked cute like that.
“Come now, here, drink with me.” Shuten Doji offered him a bottle of sake and a small empty cup. There was a filled cup on his own side. “Instead of keep battling, why don’t you visit me and have a drink?”
“Why should I do that?” Ibaraki Doji eyed him with contempt.
“To keep me company, of course,” Shuten Doji gave him a winning smile, “and perhaps to be my friend, then we can meet and have sake together while watching the blooming Sakura.”
Ibaraki Doji swept his eyes to their surroundings. The Sakura trees were indeed in their peak of beauty with their soft petals were falling softly following the gentle breeze, truly a sight worthy to be remembered. But how could Ibaraki Doji admit it, when the word honesty never existed in his mind. So he just sneered and sat down with a deep frown between his brows while he snatched the cup and filled it with alcohol. “Who need a friend like you?”
Shuten Doji looked down and muttered, “Not even as a friend, huh?’
“Huh?”
Shuten Doji grinned like the previous bitterness never existed. “Don’t be like that. Here, take this bell.”
The red haired demon presented a round golden bell to his companion.
Ibaraki eyed the object in suspicion and a little curiosity. “What is this for?”
“It’s just something that I made in my free time,” Shuten Doji bragged, “I’ve enhanced it with my power. Ring it whenever you need my presence. I’ll come immediately.”
“Huh?” Doubt laced his tone, but Ibaraki Doji accepted. Then he peeked over at the red haired demon. “No matter what?”
“No matter what,” he replied, assurance and promise were thick on his lips. His eyes were hot and it made Ibaraki Doji’s cheeks warmer.
Could not held back the blush anymore, he turned around to hide the evidence. “Hmph! Then I’ll ring it when I feel like it.”
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In the end, Ibaraki Doji never used the bell.
Shuten Doji kept waiting for his call, yet the sweet sound that he hoped for never reached him. It left a bitterness in his heart, but Shuten Doji kept waiting. It was fascinating, how his curiosity had turned into something else, something much sweeter. Shuten was not brave enough to call it love, but the affection he felt for the silver haired demon was more than a simple friendship.
Perhaps because it had been long to have someone who could stand in front of him without trembling in fear. Or perhaps, because Ibaraki Doji was fierce in his attacks, but still appeared very lovely in Shuten Doji’s eyes. Whatever the reasons were, Shuten Doji wanted to keep Ibaraki Doji close. It was unfortunate that his feeling was not reciprocated.
At least, Ibaraki Doji still came to fight with him. And he was still not giving up even after being beaten black and blue (not that Shuten Doji truly hit him hard).
So days passed peacefully.
Until an unexpected rumor started to spread round.
A vile and stupid rumor that Shuten Doji had died.
So for the very first time Ibaraki rang the bell, waiting for the wild-haired demon to come and proved that it was just a baseless rumor. But, Shuten never did. So, Ibaraki kept ringing the golden bell, denial thick in his heart, waiting for the man who broke his promise, and consequently broke Ibaraki Doji’s heart.
“Liar,” he whispered as he stared at the golden bell on his palm, his eyes moist and empty. Perhaps the fault lied on him, who did not use it until it was too late. It took Ibaraki Doji awhile to find some strength to get up. “If you won’t come, then I’ll come for you.”
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Shuten Doji had died.
He knew that as truth. He had refused it at first, the denial came as easily as the tears. And once the tears has slowed down (it never truly stopped), he accepted it. Shuten Doji had died. But, he had known another truth.
Shuten Doji could be revived.
Ibaraki Doji did not know how much time had passed. He had managed to wound the murderer, the one who betrayed his own kin and bent down to the mortal’s orders like a dog, and took back what did not belong to them in the first place.
The head felt heavy on his hand. However, he would see him again. Soon.
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“Who are you?” Shuten Doji asked with a confused frown. There was a sense of alert that was never present before.
Shuten Doji had forgotten him, had forgotten everything. But that was alright, for as long as Shuten Doji was here, alive and breathing, then it did not matter whether he remembered Ibaraki Doji or not.
Ibaraki Doji took a shallow breath and gave the demon in front of him a shaky smile. “I’m your dearest friend, Ibaraki Doji.” He could try to be his friend, to give (to take?) the chance that had been lost in the past.
His chest throbbed in pain, and the soft sound of a golden bell lingered on the air.