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It was a fact that patience sometimes was something that eluded people.
Not many could sit down and say they had the patience to wait for mountains to erode and shift over the years. Life felt like it could be too slow to progress and impatience just didn't seem to help move it along. Then there was the fact that patience could be applied to dealing with different things; children, being recognized, family members, something in their life to happen and many other things that some consider frivolous.
Those considered patient above all others tended to be revered and respected, especially those who were the elderly.
In all the years of his life, from an early age when he became more aware of his surroundings and who he shared his company with, Obanai has only ever had the patience for two things; hunting demons and those he held closest to him. Everything else that was not these things he had very little to no patience for. Young bloods and those he considered arrogant or annoying were at the top of the list.
All that stood between him removing the sources of his impatience when he was alive was the fact that killing people was looked down upon and would only add to the tainted blood of his family tree. Aside from that he held no real animosity, only irritation over the uncertain situations these idiots would cause...or when he felt one of them was a threat to his loved ones.
Even now as he sits in his afterlife at the entrance of the bridge of the Sanzu river, sitting calmly carefully braiding grass he had no patience for the souls of children. When they would try to talk to him or ask him questions all it took was one look and they were rushing over the bridge at the speed of light. Other spirits wondered if he was some kind of guardian that was assigned there, until he would tell them he was waiting for someone to come.
He never was specific of who it was but judging by the softness in Obanai Iguro's eyes it must have been someone special.
"How long do you think it will take?"
"How do you know he didn't cross before you?"
"What if he is in the underworld, fighting those demons you killed?"
"Did no one give him a proper funeral so he's stuck in purgatory?"
"You certainly are a patient man, sir!"
"It's so tragic how you died though. Couldn't you wait on the other side for him?"
He sighed at the questions a few new spirits were asking him now, making him pause in braiding the grass while wearing a nice grey yukata with a white obi. It wasn't something he normally did but it was certainly helping to keep him grounded here. It also kept him for attempting to kill the already nosey deceased.
"As much as all your concerns touch me, I assure you he will be coming," he hissed, before he picks up a few new blades of grass next, "It's really no one's business, so if you could please continue on your way that would be much appreciated."
A few spirits huffed as they moved away, looking quite offended as they cross the bridge with noses in the airs. Others looked embarrassed before they bow respectfully and walk across the bridge. The rest just look at each other then move alone like they weren't even really interested in having their questions answered by this one strange soul.
Obanai closed his eyes and sighed as he lied back on the unusually soft and warm grass under him, arms over his head as he stared up at the clear sky of the spirit world. It was strange...in all his life he never thought he'd find himself at the bridge especially after being haunted by the family who saw him as nothing more than a sacrificial lamb. It was rather sad that Kaburamaru wasn't here but he hoped the snake found someone to take care of him in his absence. He closed his eyes and thought about how in the moment of his death he wished the one he loved was lying beside him so he could hold his hand as they both comfort Mitsuri in those last moments. Just to see his face as the sun had been rising above them.
As he feels the air on his still scarred face it's then that a strong breeze whistles over him. It causes him to open his eyes and blink in surprise a moment before he slowly sits up. He doesn't know why but this felt particularly different than any others that have come through here.
He squinted his mismatched eyes a moment into the distance where he can see a figure approaching...then he starts to stand up when he sees a familiar head of wild white hair as the one person he has been waiting for walked forwards.
"Long time no see, beautiful," the compliment followed by a laugh made Obanai blush.
Sanemi looked as handsome as the day they first met; his scars on display and his eyes holding a certain spark to them. Dressed in a green kimono, a mark shaped like a pinwheel on his cheek as he wore his old demon slayer haori. He always was so unbothered by what people thought of him always baring his chest for anyone to see while training the hardest and working to be the best swordsman. It was one of the many qualities Obanai fell in love with.
He didn't bother waiting for Sanemi to close the distance as he runs forwards and wrapped his arms around his waist, closing his eyes with a soft sigh.
"Hmm..." he pressed his face right into the taller man's chest, closing his eyes as calloused hands gently caress through his hair, "...Took you fucking long enough..."
Sanemi snorted softly, "Well jokes on you, it felt like forever before this damned mark curse took effect."
Obanai peaked up at him slowly with a snort. However the joy he felt inside of him far outweighed any annoyance of inconvenience he felt at waiting for this man. With a slow heavy sigh he gently took Sanemi's hand and turned to walk him to the bridge.
"Come on, the others are waiting to see you. I think they were worried you'd take forever to come into the afterlife..."
Sanemi raised a brow but there's a sincere smile on his face as he follows the other, holding his hand firmly as he and Obanai were once again reunited.
It almost felt surreal but the touch alone was enough to tell him it was most certainly real.
He was so happy they were together again.