Chapter Text
₊˚✩⊹
❝For you, I'd steal the stars.❞
Someone grasped their hands onto yours, covering yours with theirs. Their hands were roughly the same size as yours, just ever so slightly bigger. They felt warm and had a rough texture, while you just stared at your two pairs of hands enveloped in one another.
❝Really? Just how would you do that?.❞
You chuckled, your smile peeking through as the two of you sat in the flower field. It was nighttime, and the stars were as bright as ever. The soft wind going through your hair, and the smell of rain was pungent. You two would have to find shelter soon.
❝I um...❞
The person rubbed their thumb onto one of your knuckles, smiling to themselves as they tried to think. They had red markings on each ring of their finger, except their thumb. Wait— Were they wearing… spiked bracelets? What an interesting fashion choice.
❝Hmm..?❞
A quiet retort from your mouth came out, your teeth showing for once. That rice of yours was on your lap, but it wasn't where your attention was focused on. For a few seconds, there was a peaceful silence between you two. Then you spoke, with a light weight to your words.
❝The stars are beautiful to look at but are impossible to catch.❞
You looked at the blurry night, marveling the constellations.
❝It's something you and the stars have in common.❞
The person spoke softly, without even looking at their face you could tell they were admiring you. Their hands got clammy all of a sudden, but they weren't trembling.
❝It doesn't mean I can't try!❞
The person abruptly held onto your hands tighter, almost making you look up at their face. Their clawed hands poked into yours, you could see their nails were painted black.
❝Wait, try what?!❞
❝Catch a star for you, duh!❞
Before you look up and could clearly see their face, thunder struck. A loud ‘boom’ interrupted the conversation, pulling you out of consciousness.
It was a dream.
It's been a minute since you've dreamt of something like that, hasn't it? Usually, your dreams were mostly nonsensical, to say the least… Only because lately you've been dreaming about your cat becoming life-size and you being able to ride her like a horse. Is your subconscious trying to tell you something? This was out of the norm of your ‘usual’ dreams.
Who was that person anyway?
You're woken up by a sudden weight on your chest, a fluffy one too. The rays of the sun were shining brightly through the shoji doors, your eyes squinting from the pure brightness. Your back was met with the fluffy futon you had laid out the night before, your body enveloped with the Sashiko patterned blanket. That skull of yours was met with… the futon? Seems that you were a little restless in your sleep. There was also a suspiciously shaped cat imprint on your pillow.
“Mreow..?”
Ah, it's your cat that woke you up.
Your cat pawed at your face, sitting on your chest as she tried to wake you up properly. Somehow, she managed to put all of her weight into her little paws onto your chest. This was a common occurrence, and a rather uncomfortable one at that. She was a calico named Naku, since you found her in a box of imported Naku Weed on a rainy day in the city.
“Good to see you too, Naku.”
You slowly sat up, Naku jumping to your lap instead. After that, you immediately heard four cracks in your back. At your ripe age, you already have back pain… Maybe it's all that sword swinging.
“Maybe I should stay in today…”
You flopped back down on your bed, after hearing those cracks they weren't very motivating to go out.
“Mreow.”
Of course, Naku approved of that idea. She likes nothing more than to laze around all day with you. However, she also likes food more that you. She got off your lap to escort you out of your room to go feed her. Might as well get up now, you'd have to change. No one would take you seriously in pajamas.
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
A navy blue kimono with a black hakama, your kimono was adorned with a light blue obi. While it was barely visible, it still looked neat. You were lucky enough to get the ‘y’ part of your kimono embroidered with stars and a moon, a pattern of waves on your back. It's a shame they get covered by your straw cape. After years of being in Inazuma, you finally learned how to properly put on the clothing.
As an experienced samurai in Inazuma, it's only natural for you to get several commissions and many mini-quests a day. Specifically today, the Yashiro Commission requested you. Unknown to you of course…
They’ve kept an eye on you for a while now. You've taken down several enemies in Inazuma, from the Maguu Kenki to the Geo Wolflord itself. Of course, these victories would only end up with exaggerated rumors of the mysterious samurai none other than yourself. Most of these consist of rumors such as your strength and agility, but there were some here and there about your face behind the mask.
This is precisely why you've caught the eye of the Yashrio Commission.
A samurai who can clear the most powerful bosses in Inazuma with ease? You were the real deal. They can only wonder what power you could wield, which made some skeptical of your work. Some thought it was the power of your blade, others thought you had affiliations with yoūkai.
Could it be the work of kitsunes? Or rather the work of tanuki? No one really knew nor did they have the time to look for themselves.
Truth is, you used certain potions for extra boosts.
You were one to work alone, not only did you not have to share the bounty money but it also caused less trouble for you.
“—Mreow!”
You were in your kitchen making some quick rice balls, and Naku was meowing at you for her breakfast. She was standing on her hind legs while her upper paws were on your hakama, wanting your attention. You gave her a share of some leftover fish in your ice box, which was starting to look rather barren.
Mental note: gotta go grocery shopping soon.
You already put the rice to cook when you woke up, so it was ready by the time you changed. Three rice balls is a filing breakfast, and lunch too. You went ahead and stored the lunch in a wooden container, containing other snacks as well. Then wrapped it up in a green cloth that had a cat embroidered on it, secure as ever.
You finished packing your items for the day by the time you were by the door, lacing up some old and beat-up combat boots. They were imported from Snezhnaya and were proven to be better than sandals. You didn't get wet feet on rainy days nor did they make much noise, so win-win.
Once again, Naku was meowing at your feet, curling up against your boot. Her face practically just said, “Don't leave me.”
It pains you to leave her everyday, but you needed money to feed her all those treats she liked. You pet her one too many times on the head before you left, taking a few last things:
A scarf and a rice hat. The scarf might seem weird but it's only to keep anonymity, Inazumans don't take too kindly to outsiders like you. Rice hats are common for samurai to wear, even the nobushi wear them. The scarf, however, not so much. You just like how it covers enough of your features to not give away that you're an outlander.
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
You walk up to the Adventures’ Guild, your eyes landing on Katheryne. She was behind he usual desk, the black wood was slowly losing its color due to sun damage. Your boots hardly make any noise but the noise it does emit is the soft clacks from the stone streets.
“Ad astra abyssosque! Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild.” Katheryne spoke in her usual automated voice, her volume was almost deafening though. She's the Receptionist for the Adventurers' Guild, of course, never seeming to change her appearance or tone whatsoever.
“Katheryne… It's 7 in the morning how do you have this much energy?” You said in a drowsy voice, still tired from waking up.
“Mr. Kamisato Ayato requests your presence at the Kamisato Estate.”
“Wha—?”
“Mr. Kamisato requests your presence at the kamisato Estate, I have some details,” Katheryne shuffled her hands behind the desk, looking for something. She then slipped a cream-colored letter into her hands, offering it to you.
It was stamped in the Kamisato crest in blue wax, addressed to you in black ink.
You took the letter, carefully opening it as you quickly tried to read what you could. This guy's handwriting was barely legible, not that it was bad handwriting necessarily but it was so cursive to the point you could barely read it.
“… so what does it say?”
“Unfortunately I am unable to tell you. The information is too classified to verify in public. Please ask for more information at the Kamisato residence.”
Katheryne kept smiling, somehow. She still had her hands folded on top of her stomach.
“…So no commissions or quests for today—?”
This was persistent, even for Katheryne. Usually she’d update you on recent intel, accidents, and bounties around Inazuma, but this was new.
Just what did this Kamisato guy bribe her with?!
“I was told you’d be compensated handsomely—.” There was a slight smirk on her face, grinning as she spoke.
“—Oh you don't say? Where's this Kamisato residence anyway?”
Even though you may be easy to swindle, this still made you think. Either way, one commission sounds better than the usual four.
“Aren't you easily swayed… You should be able to find him here.”
Katheryne pointed to a certain place on the map, which also happened to be where you'd ask for your reputation status. It was right before the coast of a small beach, though you'd have to go through Chunju forest. A little youkai never hurt anybody, right?
“So, can I take this with me?” You put one of your hands over the map of Narukami Island, brushing over the grainy texture of the paper.
“You're lucky I store extras,” Katheryne tries to brush off your hand from the paper and eventually rolls up the map. She hands it over, also sliding the envelope to you.
“You'll need this to get through the guards.”
“Thanks, Katheryne.” You take the medium-sized map, folding it and tucking in into a pouch with your lunch inside. Holding the envelope in your other hand, you keep admiring the overly cursive handwriting.
“Anything for my favorite commission taker.”
“That’s awefully kind of you, Katheryne.”
Who knew Katheryne had favorites? Or she might be buttering you up to take the commission.
---
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
---
After sneaking by the hilichurls and abyss mages in Chunju forest, you finally made it to the Kamisato residence. It was nothing short of grand, it screamed family wealth. You could see the small zen garden peeking through the gates, a pair of guards monitoring it. Walking over to them, one of them seems drowsy while the other seems attentive. Then, they spot you.
“You there! Mysterious stranger with hat, state your name and business.”
The drowsy one snaps awake, while the more attentive one continues to glare at you.
“Oh, I’m—”
The attentive one looks you up and down, which was when you remembered the letter you were given. You quickly fetch it out of your pouch, which has a variety of small snacks, Mora, maps, and other useful items.
“I’m the samurai that was requested, I was told I was needed here.”
You hand over the letter to the drowsy guard, who was rubbing their eyes and tried to regain consciousness. Just as they were about to reach it, the attentive one snatched it to quickly inspect.
“Oh, so you're that samurai fellow.”
The attentive guard hands the letter back, his tone was oddly demeaning to you.
More importantly, what did he mean by ‘That’? What was with the emphasis on that word for?
“You're clear, for now. You can find Mr. Kamisato inside the mansion, attending to papers and such.”
The guard steps aside with the spear to their left, while the drowsy one was somehow still recollecting himself.
What a strange pair of guards. You wonder what happened to Hirano, he was a relaxed fellow.
Wait, did he just say mansion?
You shrug it off and go inside anyway, and you're met with a cute little zen garden. Then the banners of the Kamisato crest catch your eye, the same exact ones and the one embezzled by the wax on the letter.
So this is the residence of kamisato whatever his face is? Seemed like the type of family to claim that they live “comfortable.” You always forget how big the estate is whenever you come by.
You go towards the steps leading to the inside of the house, right after the small area of sand. It looks like you just go straight from here. You slide the shoji door, and you see three vases perfectly aligned on a table. There was a very nice folding screen, appears to be custom made. Evey small detail in this place looks very—
“Take off your boots please, wouldn't want the grime to get onto the flooring.”
Interesting, how did he know you wear boots?
You started undoing the laces, then unzipped the boots off. You left them right outside the door, neatly next to each other. You weren't one for Inazuman etiquette but since it's the person who commissioned you might as well respect their wishes.
“So, you're the moonlight samurai?”
You quickly made your way over to the voice, and were met with a blue-haired man. The color reminds you of a cryo crystalfly, while his eyes look like the color of wolfhooks. There's a mole under his mouth, with thin eyebrows the color of his hair. Mr. Kamisato was sitting at a small desk while sitting seiza style on the tatami floor. He put his pen to rest on the inkwell, interlocking his fingers together as he looks you up and down. He then looks into your eyes, having a slight smile as he looks up at you.
“Mr. Kamisato I presume..?”
You utter, a little creeped out from his dedicated eye contact. He’s taken aback by the confusion in your voice but doesn't show it, but considers it odd that someone isn't familiar with his presence.
“Kamisato Ayato, the head of the Yashiro commission. Nice to finally meet you—”
“Please, call me whatever you like.”
“Ah, I see. Well samurai, let's get down to business. As you know, I commissioned you, and you know why?”
“…no sir.”
You mumble, sitting down in front of him. He stares at you blankly, his smile disappearing.
“Then how- why did you show up if you are not aware of what you are getting yourself into?”
Kamisato’s right eye twitches, then he smiles again. It's a very ‘just for show smile’ to be professional.
“Katheryne told me you would pay me nicely. She also stated the details were too... Confidential. “
You shrug, then scratch your neck as a small silence fills the air. You lower your hat to show respect towards the gentleman. The Yashiro Commissioner pinches the bridge of his nose, sighing.
“It won't take me to long to explain but it would be wonderful if I didn't have to. I completely forgot I had request Katheryne to do so... “
He mumbles something about ‘all this work’ under his breath but meets his gaze with yours.
“Are you familiar with Arataki Itto?”
You say that name a few times, why does it sound familiar…
“Nope.”
You shrug, staring at Kamisato. There's another small silence beginning.
“…Arataki Itto is a rather famous oni around these parts, particularly known for being the head of the Arataki gang.”
He fetches out a small folder from the pile of paperwork before him, opening it to see a number of papers about this ‘Arataki’ guy. One of them is a mug shot while the others looks like a drawing by a child. Kamisato wasn't kidding when he said oni, you assumed he was being mean. The oni had a pair of vermillion horns, along with red markings down his eyes. Is that a spiked collar? This guy had an interesting sense of style…
“Arataki Itto has supposedly been found stealing fireworks from one of our suppliers for our next festival.”
Arataki Itto, that name sounds painfully familiar each time you hear it. Was it—
“A woman by the name of Sango claims she saw him stealing the items. She is from the Bantan Sango Detective Agency. “
Kamisato places the papers back into the folder and then hands them to you, Your hands opening the folder for more info.
“Oh that's the lady with the detective stuff right? I've talked to her a few times.”
You say cheerfully and you look through the Arataki Itto folder. Your eyes land a picture of him with his ‘gang’, the gang in question being four other people. He has a claymore too, is he strong? Admittedly, he's a bit of a looker for a criminal—
“You can recognize a niche detective but not an oni…?”
Kamisato raises a brow.
“How could I not? She has good intel.”
You continue to quietly admire the criminal in the pictures, then quickly snap it shut since you realize you are *admiring* the criminal. Your face goes blank and your eyes to half-lidded due to your own disappointment in yourself.
“Wait, if he's a criminal why are we dealing with him?”
You finally peer up at the Yashiro commissioner.
“When I went to the Tenryou, they claimed it was due to Arataki stealing our items. More importantly, they don't believe it's their problem.”
Kamisato sighs, and crosses his arms.
“So, may I count on you, samurai?”
“Done. We’ll talk about payment tomorrow, does that sound alright?”
“Oh-ho, confident one are you?”
He chuckles, smiling as he picks up his dreaded pen. The gentleman flashes you a compact smile before you leave. He dips in the ink as he continues to write paperwork once again.
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
The Yashiro commissioner mentioned a woman by the name Sango, also better known as the special intel ally to you. For some odd reason her info was better and quicker than most, such as helping you in a pinch. On rare occasions, she would slide you extra info if you coughed up the right money or gossip.
“Oh its you!”
You were pacing around Inazuma City when you heard Sango’s voice. The woman motions you over to her station, today she was outside her office as usual.
“Sango! Just the person I want to see.”
You take a gander at her office from the outside, nothing had changed. You look back at the woman as you start to think of how to question her.
“I heard that you saw a certain oni by the name of Arataki Itto taking some of the Yashiro Commission fireworks, is there anything else you saw?”
“Hmm… well you know how bad my memory is these days.”
She sighs exaggeratedly as she bites into an apple, attempting to ‘gather’ her thoughts.
“Don't lie to me." You spit out, wondering what she wants this time.
“I guess I could think really hard if you... Had something yummy to trade? “
You roll your eyes and scrounge in your bag. You pull out your lunch and undo the delicate knot on the cloth, unboxing the wooden tray. You take a rice ball, hanging it over to Sango. She smiles, gleefully taking the food as she takes a large bite. She chews and swallows while you put your lunch back into your pouch.
“I can't guarantee it was Arataki, but there's no other option. Yōukai like those are rare these days, even so I saw a horned figure of some sort.”
Sango takes another bite of the food, thinking some more.
“I saw him around Naganohara Fireworks. There was a deal going on between the owner and a competitor, and that’s when the suspect took the fireworks.”
You think to yourself, why would he take some fireworks for? Then, you glance at the sunset realizing it’s nearly dusk. The day is already over?! Maybe you spent too much time mingling with Mr. Commissioner earlier.
“Thank you for the information as always Sango. I should be off now though, can’t investigate while out rest.” You nod, waving to Sango.
“Anytime! I always look forward to our little deals.”
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
Well that was a bust.
You hardly got time to properly investigate, and didn’t even get to talk about your pay. The only thing now that could cheer you up was a nice bath at Aisa Bathhouse.
You somberly make your way to Aisa Bathhouse, your boots quietly clicking against the stone street. Sliding the door open, you are greeted by the flustered Hyakujitsuhaku Shion and the small Shiba Murasaki**.**
Hyakujitsuhaku Shion is a tall yume-baku, the tallest out of the three. Shion wears a long pink kimono, matching with her pink hair that has a ponytail on her right side. Shion is a shy baku, and tries to do her best in any situation.
Shiba Murasaki is a short baku, actually the shortest of the three. She has pastel purple hair and clothing, her hair in small pigtails along with a cloud clip on each one. Murasaki is blunt, yet does her job decently.
“Oh? Come in for your usual soak?” Shion peers at you, as you are a regular at the Bathhouse. She is familiar with our presence, and mellows when you’re around.
“Yes please, if you would be so kind…”
Murasaki heard you, stopping her cleaning to walk over to the two of you.
“Well, you sound drained. Like, ‘I had a horrible day’ kind.” She remarks, tilting her head while handing a towel to you.
“It wasn’t exactly horrible, just lots of running around.”
“I see. How about a refreshment on the house for you?” Shion grins, holding her hands together as she thinks of a drink to ease your mind.
“Sounds perfect.” You reply, taking off your hat and scarf.
The two workers are accustomed to your face, as they too know how it feels to be an outsider in Inazuma. It’s not easy being different in a country that prides itself in eternal sameness.
You start taking our clothes off in the sectioned cubbies by the bath, each fabric coming off one by one. You fold the clothes neatly into a basket, along with your pouch and weapon. Then, wrapped yourself in the nice towel you were given.
After a quick wash and rinse in the showers, it’s finally time to hit the best part, the bathtub itself. The water is the perfect temperature as you dip your fingers into the warm liquid. Your body sinks into the bath as well, sitting open on the bathtub floor. The tiles on the floor are smooth, your arms touching the upper tiles that support the back. Closing your eyes you think to yourself, “Nothing could be better than a warm soak.”
“Woo-ho!! Wow it’s so cool being in a baths again!”
A boisterous voice fills the whole bathhouse. Your eyes shot open. Who dares interrupt your relaxation time…
You sit up quickly, annoyed with whoever disrupts the peace. Whipping your head towards the stranger, it’s no other than that idiot you were looking for.
Arataki Itto.
While you weren’t good with names or faces, who could forget that vibrant personality and huge build of that oni. He was wearing only a towel similar to you, which wasn’t entirely different from his usual outfit. Yet, that marvelous build was nothing to laugh it. However, it was good eye-candy.
“Ooh, wonder what sweet snacks they have here? Shinobu, mind reminding me again?”
Arataki puffs out his chest, beaming with joy about this whole ordeal. Meanwhile you were silently panicking. Should you fight this guy? Or maybe arrest? Probably not the best thing to do since you’ve got nothing but a towel on.
You know that his little ‘gang’ is made up of four other people, so there’s no way to get out of this while making a scene. Next thing you know, they’re walking over to the bath, where you are.
“Huh? There’s still customers here?” One of the gang members points out, eyeing you down.
You scoot on over to a corner, trying to make as little of interaction as possible. The gang starts to enter the tub, the five of them all landing their eyes on you.
What the hell were you going to do.