Chapter Text
This wasn't how you expected your morning to go at all. The look on your face easily conveyed that to the man lying in your backyard. Not a single word left your lips as you stared at each other for what seemed like hours. Your eyes raked over his form curiously, an action that seemed to make the man bristle under your attention. His state of dress was.. interesting to say the least, with a billowing flame-tipped cape draped on his shoulders and what seemed to be a katana strapped securely around his waist.
"...Your eyebrows are really thick, I don't think I've seen anyone with eyebrows quite like yours."
The words leave your lips automatically before you can stop them. Mentally you berated yourself as you resisted the urge to scream and fall to your knees in despair, though a tad bit dramatic, but you were never one to take anything seriously. Out of everything you could have said about this whole ordeal, you mention his eyebrows? The thought would have been funny had the situation not been utterly confusing and mildly horrifying considering he was..armed? A small snort leaves his lips but before he can say anything you retreat back into the comfort of your home, slamming the door shut as you rub at your temples.
"...Hey, wait!"
Maybe if you ignore him he'll go away? Or perhaps you were still delirious from waking up just meer mintues before? You weren't sure and you let out a deep sigh before turning back towards the door and swinging it open to see the man in question now standing on his feet. He smiles warmly, his hand waving enthusiastically as you slam the door closed once more.
"Okay, definitely not dreaming." You rub your eyes and open the door once more. After all, third times a charm right? You take a deep breath and pull the door open before you scream and stumble back at his sudden closeness. Christ, was he trying to give you a heart attack?! Your heart pounds against your chest as he stands before you. The smile on his face unwavering as he chuckles and holds out his hand towards you, an apologetic expression present on his face.
"Apologies for scaring you, that was not my intention at all! I merely wished to show you that I meant no harm!" His voice was loud, not unpleasant by any means, though you highly doubt your neighbors would share the sentiment. "My name is Rengoku Kyojuro, though you can call me just Kyojuro! May I ask what your name is and where I happen to be?" His voice is confident and his eyes are bright, the fire in them is enough to set your heart ablaze. It was like suddenly you found yourself motivated to do anything, like you could tackle the world head on. Your lack of response seems to worry Kyojuro, as he calls himself, as he looks you over before waving a calloused hand in your face.
"Are you alright miss? I sincerely hope I didn't frighten you that badly!" You shake your head and accept his outstretched hand, your eyes widen as he tugs you up quicker than you expected. Kyojuro looks at you expectantly, taking the moment to admire your features and state of dress. He had to admit, he's never seen clothes quite like yours, it both intrigued him and had a pit forming in his stomach. Tentatively, he runs his hand along the expanse of his torso, recalling the events leading up to waking up in such an unrecognizable location. His eyes slowly train downwards, surprised to find no blood nor injury present in its wake. You quirk a brow at this but decide not to worry about it, everyone had their quirks.
"My name is Aisha (Name), but you can just call me (Name) or whatever you want. As for where you are, you're currently in California..one of the worst places to be this time of year if I'm being honest." Kyojuro's eyebrows furrow, eyes coming back up to look at your face as you hold back a small laugh. "Yeah, I'd make that face if I suddenly found myself in California unexpectedly too!"
He shakes his head and scans the area. No, that can't be right, he's never even heard of anyone or met anyone living in a district called California. Was it a district no one knew about? Perhaps a new town that was established before his mission? Yes, that just had to be it! However, the more he tries to familiarise himself with his surroundings, the more and more confused he becomes. His eyes focusing on anything and everything before he jumps at a loud sound rustling from the bushes. His hands grasp the tsuka of his katana, eyes focused and his stance prepared to strike should he deem it necessary. "Stay behind me Miss (Name), I fear there may be danger lurking in these bushes!"
You raise an eyebrow and glance into the bushes, your eyes lighting up as you begin to walk towards it. A strangled gasp leaves his lips as he beckons you to come back. "Miss (Name)!!" Though his worries are quickly soothed as you pull a fluffy little cat out from the bushes. He loosens his hold on his tsuka with a deep sigh, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't completely on edge. "No danger, just a cat! My cat to be exact!" It's obvious that he's still on high alert, his form tenser than it previously was moments ago.
"Miss (Name)..?" Exactly what year are we in?" The pensive look on his face conveys a thousand words. Acknowledging that this was a serious moment you smile weakly.
"The year is 2024, and please call me (Name)! Miss makes me feel a little weird." The sudden silence and blank stare from Kyojuro has your heart stuttering. Carefully you walk up to him, waving your hand in his unresponsive face. "H-hello..? Are you alri-...Oh. Oh no.." You let out a small hiss as Kyojuro's body topples forward, luckily you rush to catch him by the shoulders before he can faceplant on the ground. Judging by his steady breathing you come to conclude he's passed out. How dramatic...it's not that bad!
"You REALLY don't like California, huh? I didn't think it was that devastating.." You know it's something else but it's funny to imagine he collapsed from pure shock of finding himself in California in 2024. Not that you could blame him, you struggled to make ends meet occasionally and god did you dread the days of only eating buttered toast and milk. But enough about that, you shake your head and grunt as his body begins to slip from the lack of support and awkward position.
"God...please don't let me regret this!" You gently lower his body to fix his position into one that would make it easier to carry him. If there was ever a moment you thanked your inhuman strength, it was definitely now as you managed to lift him up in a princess carry. Now...time to get him inside before someone spots you carrying an unconscious man into your home. You highly doubt any of your neighbors would let that fly without questions.
---
"Phew, that should not have been that hard!" Unfortunately for you, luck did not seem to be on your side. Just as soon as you began carrying...what was his name again? Rengoku? Kyojuro? He did say you could refer to him as Kyojuro before he suddenly collapsed. You'll make sure to ask him again once he wakes up, whenever that will be.
Anyways! Just before you could manage to close the door, you just had to spot one of the Smith's kids watching you from the fence line. His eyes were wide and his mouth was agape as you began to sweat profusely, a pleading look on your face while he continued to stare in shock before a multitude of questions began to pour out from his lips.
"WHO IS THAT?! ARE YOU KIDNAPPING HIM?! WHY IS HE SLEEPING?! WHY'S HIS HAIR LOOK LIKE THAT?! CAN I TOUCH IT?! PLEEEEEASE?!"
God, you hated how inquisitive and loud those kids were! But no matter, you still managed to get him into the house without any more hitches.
"..."
Or well, you tried your best.
"..."
Yeeeah, maybe you take that back entirely. Your eyes trailing up to the newly forming bump on his forehead. You may or may not have accidentally rammed his head into the doorknob. Accidentally, of course! It's not like you got careless for a few moments and forgot to watch your step or anything! Definitely not! You were totally not responsible for that at all, and you were definitely NOT heading into the kitchen to fetch some ice for a bump you definitely didn't have any part in causing!
"...It'll probably fine, nothing a little ice can't fix!" Surely he'd understand, right? You didn't do it on purpose and besides, he would have wound up more scuffed had you let him fall on his face earlier! Your mind swirls with thoughts as you pad back into the living room and set the ice on his forehead. The sight looked a little comical considering how his legs and arms were sprawled about funnily on the couch. Briefly you wonder if you should move him into one of the guest bedrooms, though judging by his earlier reaction you doubt that would go over well. It seems now all you could do was wait for when he would wake up.
Afterall, what could have caused such a reaction?