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“You gotta hold still…”
Sara swallowed down a hiss and pressed her lips into a thin, tight line. Her face was pallid, yet her expression remained as still as stone. Sitting in front of her, on a short wooden stool, was Arataki Itto- the last person she wanted to witness her current state.
But she’s the one who showed up at his doorstep on aching feet and trembling legs.
Her breath hitched when he pulled at the threaded needle that drew the parted flesh of the gash on her side together. His movements stilled at the subtle twitch her body gave away.
“Kujou, you gotta-“
“I know, you stupid Oni. If you weren’t going so slow we’d be done already.” She huffed, willing her strained muscles to relax.
Oh Archons, he was close.
So close that his knee had to be slotted between her legs. If she wasn’t injured, he probably would’ve pulled her onto his lap.
“I don’t wanna hurt you,” Itto protested, flicking his ruby gaze up to her. Then he must’ve just realized what he had said because his cheeks bloomed almost as red as his markings.
“Anymore than you already are.” He quickly added in a dismissive tone, then chuckled awkwardly.
“Jeez tengu, how’d you even get these? Miss Tanuki feeding day and they finally decided to revolt?” He asked while gesturing to her cuts and bruises.
She really regretted telling him about that.
Warmth spread over her side, just below the wound and over her hip. Sara didn’t have to look down to know that it was his hand- she did anyway. Itto’s focus was back on the task, carefully piercing her skin with the sewing needle which looked comically small between his thick fingers. She breathed easy as he very gently pulled at the thread. He was good at that, no doubt taught by granny Oni.
The motion tugged at her heart as well. Gentle, he was being oh so gentle.
From the moment she stepped inside he had been gentle with her, without making her out to seem weak. For a moment he looked angry, vengeful even- though none of it was directed at her. He had helped her to his room, offered to help her disrobe, though her answer came in the form of a glare. He even let her borrow one of his hair ties and pulled her hair up onto a little ponytail for her.
All of this had her debating between running off or melting in a puddle of goo.
And yet-
“Ruin guards…” She sighed out, arms trembling slightly from how long she’d been holding herself up on his bed.
His head snapped up at that, unruly brow arched incredulously. That explained her scorched clothing.
“You could take those in your sleep, how many d-“
“Four, there were a pair of Mitachurls on the beach as well.”
“What in Archon’s name were you doing over there?” Itto squawked, then tied off the string before snipping it.
“My job, Itto.” Sara sighed, “ And before you ask, no, I was not alone.”
She must’ve been really tired to use his name like that. Nonetheless, it still had his ears prickling and his stomach swimming giddily.
“I had a few men patrolling with me, not enough it seemed. That area should’ve been cleared…” She murmured, lifting a hand to massage her left temple. He tilted his head to get a look at it, frowning softly at the bruising there.
“I’ll have to have a word with whoever covered that area last week.”
Itto leaned forward and reached around her to grab a roll of bandages that sat on the bed behind her. Their chests pressed together ever so slightly, it still had her face going up in flames. She was shirtless, stripped down to just her black bra and shorts, and he of course hardly wore anything on the daily.
He smelled nice, warm, earthy, and familiar.
Those thoughts were snatched away from her when he finally sat back and unrolled the bandages so he could wrap them around her abdomen and over her wound.
“If you needed help, you could’ve definitely called us. The Arataki gang could definitely take on a few ruin guards.” He boasted, grinning toothily up at her.
Her expression wasn’t sold on that. “They were taken care of. Would’ve been sooner if my men hadn’t been taken out of commission, I wouldn’t be wasting my time here.”
Itto gave her a mock pout, then decided to hell with it when he noticed her struggling to stay upright, and hooked his hands under her knees to pull her onto his lap. She startled at the movement, but it didn’t hurt her. Instead, her face reddened a hundred times over.
“But general, you came to me.” He taunted with a teasing grin, fangs gleaming under the dim light of his bedroom.
“That’s not- I-I’m-“ She stammered, bracing her hands against his shoulders as she attempted to squirm away from him. He stilled her movements by pressing a hand to her lower back, holding her against him firmly.
“You’re lucky you did, or the Arataki Itto wouldn’t have been there to nurse you back to health in time for our fated rematch.” His tone remained teasing, though she knew him well enough to know that this was his way of scolding.
Be careful next time.
Curse her fluttering heart.
“You stupid Oni.” Sara muttered, unable to meet his eyes, then dropped her head onto his shoulder.
Thank you.
“If I find out this was set up because you’re too chicken to face me, then we’re gonna have a problem.” Itto joked with a soft chuckle. His cheeks glowed as red as hers while he gave her head a few gentle pats.
Anytime.