Archive of Our Own

Something about the kabaneri feeling and looking broken, facing his back to the samurai with the support of a shipwrecked ship tingled a certain curiosity or an annoying buzz in the samurai’s pit of his stomach.

He couldn't help but continue to keep faith in the young adult, even though the green haired boy had crumpled to the ground in lifelessness, he still couldn't help but think that there was something for ikoma to continue to look forward to in life.

This could not be it for the kabaneri, not so late in the game. Not when he had already lost so much and will continue to at this rate.

Get up Ikoma.

After the battle, Kurusu found Mumei beside the kabaneri’s lifeless body.

Maybe it was seeing Mumei, the little warrior who could annihilate thousands of kabane without so much as a thought, or it could be that somehow seeing the kabaneri’s body on the cold ground looked almost lithe and not nearly as muscular as when Ikoma had decided to take the black blood.

But he could feel his own skin grow cold along with the unconscious kabaneri's.

His stomach turned, not out of hunger or rage. But out of fright.

Out of fright because even though he had expected the kabaneri to be dead after the black blood takes him and with his encounter against Biba. However even when he considered this, he was frightened that he was dead.

His thoughts unknowingly travelled to the moments in which he tried to kill the kabaneri by throwing him out of the Koutetsujou, the time when he mimicked his special move and then equally as easily put the kabaneri back into his place.
He also remembered the moments of him breaking down like he had never seen from the usual tenacious Ikoma.

He guffawed whilst looking at the scene before him.

Out of all his thoughts that were muddled within him, one sounded clearly almost into his ears.

He is only allowed to die by my own hands.

It replayed within his mind, countless of times. He could not accept the fact that he could be dead.

Finally he snapped out of his thoughts and tried to regulate his breathing and heartbeat.

He then went towards Mumei and Ikoma and carefully lugged him around his shoulder.

It's time to go home.

Seeing his unconscious form unsettled the samurai as soon as he boarded the Koutetsujou.

He watched on in anxious anticipation whilst Mumei shook the seemingly lifeless body of the kabaneri with a glaze in the girl’s eyes.

Everyone aboard started to surround in dead quietness and the only thing that could be heard was Mumei’s voice trying to wake him up from the slumber of death.

In the midst of this, the samurai’s anxiety increased in greater amounts with every second that passed when the other continued to remain motionless. His skin was growing cold once again and he felt his body perspire a little.

In his mind, he was trying not to drown in the thought that he was indeed dead, his doubts and what his mind knew was the sea of reality tried to drown him in his doubts, however there was a willpower in him that forced him to keep afloat in the crashing water of doubt that tried in every possible way to drown him.

His body remained rigid and his fists clenched while he tried to keep himself from being washed away with hopelessness until his knuckles turned white.

He breathed heavily in which Lady Ayame had also noticed as she looked onto him with worry.

She had never seen him this way except when it came to her own safety and wellbeing. While she studied his reaction, she had realised that the unconscious kabaneri must mean something far more greater to the samurai than he himself let on previously.

She gently wrapped her hand around his left white knuckled hand to calm him.
The warmth of her hand that was graceful in comforting his hand brought him back to reality and ended the battle from his mind and somehow, from the warmth and the gentleness of Lady Ayame’s spirit, Kurusu somehow just knew that it would be okay. Somehow.

Finally, after a few excruciating minutes the kabaneri slowly opened his eyes. His heart slowly gleaming a calming blue.

Everyone that circled the kabaneri were cheering, a victory cheer that steered the samurai’s eyes to dart towards the direction of the kabaneri with hope and tears welling up in him.

There it was.

Those fiery globes were open and alive. His eyes were tired but held life in them. It held everything Kurusu had sorely missed and almost had written off as something he will never be able to see in the world again.

But there he was, the kabaneri was alive and smiling weakly at that.

He felt his jaw clench to not give in to the overwhelming feelings that welled up in his chest and stomach.

Lady Ayame was almost relieved and close to tears but in all the midst of the commotion, she remembered Kurusu and his previous reactions, she looked onto his side profile and saw his rigid body not taking even one step while he reclenched his knuckles trying to fight back that one tear that trickled down to his jaw.

After a week, their next stop was the most nearby station to stock up on living necessities and food since the rest of Biba’s followers had sworn loyalty towards the protection of Koutetsujou and its people.
However it is not to say that they are completely trusted as of yet. Considering all the destruction they had ensued under the leadership of their Lord Biba.

Kurusu was no different, if not one of the most untrusting people in the Koutetsujou of Biba’s ex followers.

Though the ex-followers had sworn loyalty to Lady Ayame and to protect the Koutetsujou and its people, only a handful of its soldiers were useful in disposing of the kabane along the Koutetsujou’s journey.

The responsibility had weighed heavily on the kabaneri, that is; Mumei or Hozumi as she would like everyone to call her and Ikoma who was still training to fight as an equal to Hozumi. Pushed himself always to the edge, missing fatal blows and situations only by a hair with the help of Kurusu, Mumei and company.

However, though they were only but a day from the next stop, with dangerously low supply of necessities – a horde of kabane ambushed the Koutetsujou, though this time, Hozumi had not reserved enough energy and tolerance to be able to fight.

As soon as they felt the impact of the hordes of aggressive kabane latch onto the Koutetsujou. With their primary goal to rip the pieces of metal from the train off starting from the mid sections where the civilians were to the front, Ikoma instinctively grabbed his gun before leaving and quickly rushing from the Lady Ayame, Kurusu and company to where Hozumi was residing.

“Wait, Ikoma!!” Kurusu resounded in urgency before the Kabaneri forced his way out in a swoop.

At this point, he rushed towards Hozumi trying to think about how to protect everyone on the Koutetsujou without the help of Hozumi.

He could hear the sound of metal screaming from the outside which prompted the civilians to hurry in moving away from the noise as quickly as possible while pushing the green haired Kabaneri and almost washing him away from the direction of where Hozumi was resting.

A frenzy of thoughts flurried in his mind, such as everyone being in such a hurry and in a high panic mental state that they would forget that Hozumi who would still be resting and recharging herself from the tireless fights she was put through these couple of days.

His only thought was to get her out of any place of danger and to transport her somewhere safe where she would not be vulnerable.

He powered through the crowd while shouting to move out of his way but his yells were drowned out by the shrieks and cries of panic by everyone and realised that he couldn't possibly push through without hurting them.

He could hear the metal screaming louder and louder, and knew that whatever these kabane were, they were smart and well practiced in piercing through the train’s unit defences.

It forced Ikoma to think that this wasn't the first time that this particular group of kabane has used this certain tactic, and how far they can work together to create the degree of damage that they are causing to the Koutetsujou made Ikoma believe that they have been successful before.

From how things were going, if he didn't reach her and her carriage on time, then she may possibly be their first victim along with those who were too slow.

The green haired Kabaneri started to feel the pressure and frustration, trying hard to suppress his own sense of panic with increased difficulty and attempted to hold himself back not to bulldoze his way through the crowd and not caring who he hurts in the process.

Before he could think of what to do while trying to push through with not much success, a big blare of a voice at the end of the carriage behind Ikoma’s back resounded in an alarming and commanding tone.

“Everyone move aside and give way for Ikoma!!”

The Kabaneri was alerted by the voice and looked back to see the source of the voice and saw Kurusu’s stern and tight lipped expression looking straight at the Kabaneri.

“Ikoma, I will accompany you in battle.” Kurusu said in a serious tone.

“Before you do that, you have to safely secure everyone on the Koutetsujou first!” Ikoma quickly screamed out

“Of course I will do that, idiot. Don't die out there, you understand?” Kurusu said almost in annoyance.

Ikoma looked at him with surprise, and with a pause he gave the samurai a determined side nod before the surprised and panic frozen crowd finally slowly noticed the presence of the Kabaneri and slowly, like a ripple effect – gave him passage in the middle of the crowd.

He quickly rushed past the crowds passing four carriages before being stopped by a surprised female voice

‘Ikoma-Kun?’ He quickly looked towards the owner of the voice to be greeted by Kajika, and to his relief he found Hozumi slinged on Kajika’s back while she had the baby slinged in the front with each child holding each hand.

Ikoma sighed in relief and relaxed his shoulders for a second, before being brought to reality by the screams of everyone running past him and the increased volume of the metal screeching being peeled back outside.

“What should we do? Hozumi-Chan hasn't woken up and I don't think she’ll be waking up anytime soon.” Kajika said looking down with fear and uncertainty etched into her skin.

Ikoma noticing this, had to do something, “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. You guys still have me!” Ikoma said in confidence, ready to battle and determined to win.

In seeing this, Kajika looked in surprise and quickly reverted to one of confidence ‘Be careful, don't make Hozumi-chan cry okay?’ She said trying to put all she had to believe in Ikoma.

He simply nodded with determination and ran towards the opposite direction of the crowd.

Finally getting towards the middle of the carriage in the Koutetsujou, Ikoma decided that the best way to get outside was to get to the last carriage of the Koutetsujou to sneak towards the kabane from behind while they busy themselves in the mid section of the train.

He ran in full speed and calculated that he had about 6 minutes to stop them from peeling the metal until they penetrate through into the carriage, luckily there were even 6 minutes thanks to Sukari’s repairs and fortifications of the Koutetsujou’s defences. Arming it with double the metal that were melded together and layers of thicker metals the more they peel off.

Ikoma quickly opened the door and closed it stealthily making sure that there were no kabane that were in sight before sneaking to the top of the train towards the horde on each side of the Koutetsujou with small groups mostly populated in the middle of the train formulating some kind of formation that helped them work together to efficiently peel off the metal.

It was a sight Ikoma had never seen before, though he had somewhat experienced the full capabilities of the powers of a kabane from the black blood, he still didn't fully comprehend the various degrees of the intelligence and self awareness of the kabane.

He had encountered a kabane who could wield samurai swords however he never saw such – albeit, a brute technique of peeling metal so efficiently, however from what he can analyse, this tactic had served well for these group of kabane and gave results well within these kabane’s interests.

There had be at least 55 and probably more kabane stretching out into groups of 5 to 7 within each carriage from where his eyes could see.

Though it may had seemed like no big deal, Ikoma could not ignore the possibility that they were familiar with group tactics in battle as well. He can take about 15 kabane at once however he begins to slow down at around 45, by that time there are still around 10 or more left that would make use of his increased weariness.

However, with his gun it may somehow compensate his lack of movements. But at this moment, 2 minutes have gone by and he has 4 minutes to clear out all the way up to the carriages closest to the front before they start gnawing at the civilians. He would just have to trust that Kurusu and company can turn up by that time to compensate for his vulnerabilities at that point.

Ikoma quickly ran towards the hordes with a battle cry to gain their attention, hopefully as a group they will all gather and go towards him. This was a gamble however, he had to do what he could to attract the most he could away from their work of peeled off shrapnel of metal that was the iron defences of the Koutetsujou.

He ran towards them in full speed, grabbing the attention of the kabane closer to him making them stop what they wer doing. And as what Ikoma expected, they formed a group battle formation that was centred in making sure he could not go any further to disrupt the other kabane from tearing off the train’s capsule.

He swung his gun, swinging 2 and 3 kabane out of the way, and then another two from the other side.

The kabane blocked his way as if there was a wall in front of him. As he approached them, their hands were shaped as claws ready to claw at him, Ikoma sprinted towards them and slid onto his back taking the wall of kabane with him, causing them to topple onto him and causing them to bunch up all over him.

He bucked his elbow hitting the metal encapsulate hard and aiming straight for the kabane heart that was a raring red waiting to be pierced with a high pressure bullet, he hit the trigger hard with his finger feeling the recoil on his elbow with the metal exterior piercing two kabane on top of him and quickly getting up before hitting the trigger to the kabane flat on the train and quickly twirling to swing the gun of the incoming group of kabane from the next carriage.

By around the 45th kabane he was starting to feel the burn within his limbs as expected, his motions started to get more reckless from the lack of control and his movements began to slow down at an exponential rate.

These kabane were relentless and kept coming as soon as he defeated another group or even just joined in while he was fighting the previous group. It felt never ending, and the worst part was, was that the last 10-15 kabane left was dangerously close to finally piercing the Koutetsujou. He had absolutely no more time.

By that time, he heard a yell.

“Ikoma!!!” the weary boy twirled his head towards the sound and heard Kurusu and the other going towards the other kabane that were up to the last layer of metal nearer to the front carriage.

The other gouged the group's of kabane and tried their best to surround and best the group of kabane with numbers and using the most of the tactic of surprise as best as they can to overwhelm the group of kabane while Kurusu who was running towards him and was looking straight at the battered Kabaneri that was trying to force himself upwards.

At this point, Ikoma felt a sense of relief and quickly grabbed onto a kabane that was ferociously gnawing at his arm and grabbed it's head and flung the kabane with so much power that he flung his whole body off its feet and off the train with one fell swoop.

Another kabane latched it's teeth onto Ikoma’s neck and teethed deep into his flesh earning a sharp and strained scream from Ikoma in pain. Kurusu widened his eyes trying his best to sprint faster towards Ikoma, if he didn't get there in a few seconds, the Kabaneri may fall past the train and fall deep into the forest far below or into a small river.

But at this height, it would be impossible to be able to find the Kabaneri again, especially since the train was going at high velocity and it had to be considered that because they're going at high velocity, their fuel resources were being used up at an increased amount and there would be no time to go back or stop from the already lack of resources they had.

Kurusu knew that there was absolutely no way that Ikoma can lose consciousness and fall from this height and be able to be alive. Kabaneri or not, and there was no way to retrieve him and let alone the Kabaneri being able to access the next train stop if not from these high terrain train tracks.

He watched in devastation as Ikoma grabbed onto the kabane that was holding dangerously steadfast on his neck being forcefully pulled off with all of Ikoma’s might, resulting in flesh and other components ripping out along with the kabane’s teeth before he flung his body off the train with all his might.

But then another, and another kabane would latch their teeth, trying to grab as much flesh as they can with the intention of causing as much suffering and damage as possible until the young Kabaneri would eventually collapse.

“Ikomaaaaaaa!!” Kurusu’s eyesight began to blare as he can see a faint, an almost silhouette tilting and faltering. His voice became more urgent and devastating.

He bolted harder and harder, with more and more resentment and rage bursting from his chest, jeering him to run faster and slicing each kabane within his path faster and more cleanly, more precise.

Until he was finally within fighting range of the kabane surrounding Ikoma who at this point was trying his best to shoot and get them away but faltering on his feet with every second and every subtle push he encountered.

Kurusu instantly body slammed a kabane from the side off the train and sliced 1 and 2 kabane, he twirled while slicing another kabane then quickly twirled back around to shield himself from the next kabane with a hard and sharp gleam within his eyes. Which spoke volumes of resentment and no mercy.

The kabane faltered for a second, maybe it felt a tinge of fear for a second. Until Kurusu quickly sliced upwards and then the kabane fell and rolled away from the blow.

That was the last of the kabane that was attacking Ikoma, Ikoma was barely standing almost as if he was a corpse who had died standing up, blood was splattering out carried by the wind with only the sound of the background sounds of the other samurai fighting the last of the kabane in the background.

Kurusu panted loudly, while approaching Ikoma quickly. Before Ikoma’s gave out and his head lowered. Kurusu could not see his face and whether he was okay.

His heart beat like crazy and blared in his ears. Even he couldn't hear himself when he was holding only Ikoma’s tattered body while he continued calling his name.

“Ikoma!! Ikoma!!! Ikomaaa!!”

If not the cold air that was assaulting their bodies, he felt that the Kabaneri’s body was eerily cold.

Lady Ayame came out of the boiler room that Hozumi and Ikoma were kept in that was right at the back of the Koutetsujou where the unconscious Ikoma was staying.

Kurusu had requested Lady Ayame for a private room for Ikoma in order for him to rest and recover without any of the civilians disturbing the Kabaneri and his recovery.

Even though he knew that Kabaneri have an incredible recovery rate, Ikoma was heavily injured and at first, he had not recovered until a few hours later.

But really, maybe it was because the samurai did not want people to see how much Kurusu was worried about the Kabaneri where he only allowed a select few to see the injured Kabaneri, such as Lady Ayame, Hozumi, Kajika and Sukari.

“You can't die yet, Ikoma. Im sorry, this is all my fault. I should've been there fighting with you even if I were close to my limit. I shouldn't have let you go out there alone.” Hozumi squeezed out through tears and straining not to break down in sobs at that point.

When she had finally woken up, all she saw was Kurusu holding onto the battered and unconscious body of Ikoma’s. Before she knew it, she was crying and almost breaking down at every passing minute that Ikoma wasn't recovering from the grievous wounds. It happened for several hours. Before long, she was tired out and had to be carried out by Kajika before she herself passed out from exhaustion from mental strain.

“Alright now, Hozumi-chan. I’ve given Kurusu-San the new dressings for Ikoma-kun’s wounds. We have to go now. We’ll be back soon okay?” Kajika lulled Hozumi in taking her out the door.

“Un.” Hozumi could only squeeze out before she was guided out the door by Kajika.

Kurusu looked on quietly and sighed in exasperation, he slowly grabbed a towel and dipped it into the cold water to place onto Ikoma’s forehead, he still hadn’t woken up now, and it was the second night of their encounter with the group of Kabaneri.

The other civilians at this time, were resting or out and about in the city that they stopped at, though Kurusu stayed back along with Kajika, Lady Ayame and Hozumi to tend to Kurusu and Ikoma.

Kurusu wiped the Kabaneri’s body with another towel with hot water, he started with his arms and then under his arms. He then carefully took off his dirtied dressings and carefully dabbed near the wounds which were not as openly wounded as they were before.

At times, earning a flinch here and there. But he didn't ever wake up.

He began to wipe his upper torso, starting with his chest, and down to his abs that was slowly, very slowly and peacefully rising, he felt a little turned on looking at his abs and then to one of the Kabaneri’s nipples.

Quickly, he could feel a surge within himself and then quickly his morals and his self awareness shocked him back to reality and he was left with regret and self loathing as he quickly chucked the towel back into the hot water and shoved his deep red blushing face into his hands.

How could he be feeling even the slightest horny right now? He thought. Better yet, he had a haze of mind boggling questions in his mind.

First of all, why the heck did he feel aroused even the slightest just cleaning a man’s body? The kabaneri’s body???

He couldn't say that he hasn't looked at another man’s body before. But that was normal. It was nothing special, and he never felt anything before either just looking at another man’s body.

He never really noticed the nipples of a naked man’s either, more like, he obviously knew it was there but he really didn’t care that it was there or not.

So how was it that he was just aroused by a man’s nipple just then??

This also led him to other confusing questions such as, why was he dreading the idea of this Kabaneri dying? He sees death everyday. Everyday. It was a common thing in the world, there was nothing but death. It was as long as Lady Ayame wasn’t one of them, then the Koutetsujou will thrive no matter what.

So then why was he so affected when this Kabaneri was close to death? This reminded him of the time when he was close to death when he had battled against Biba with the use of the black blood.

Even thinking about it made his skin cold, and the noise in the room almost nauseating.

Why was he so affected by this man?

This feeling, he found. Was similar to when he thought of Lady Ayame. Yet there was a contrasting difference as well.

It felt, more special.

Something that he could not fully explain, or even comprehend.

He just knew that he wanted to fight next to him. And not just to fight with him. But to make sure that he is okay, he needed to affirm that he was alive and “okay” by fighting alongside him.

He wanted to protect him.

Not out of duty, but because he felt like he would die without him.

There was a hazy line between responsibility of duty in order to protect and responsibility of wanting to protect with Kurusu.

But all he knew was, was that he knew that he didn’t “need” to protect the Kabaneri, but rather, he “wanted” to protect Ikoma.

When this realisation dawned on him, he opened his eyes wide.

He wanted even more, so, badly wanted him to wake up. He wanted him to say something. Have a brilliant idea or a new battle tactic. Anything.

He wanted so badly to see him ALIVE.

Wake up, you stupid, good for nothing Kabaneri. He thought with all his heart. Envisioning his face in his face. Wake up, 1, 2, 3...

There was a pause. But all he could hear was the background sound and nothing else.

He picked himself up and removed his hands from his face and proceeded to wrap the new dressings on the body of the unconscious Ikoma, he grabbed the roll of the gauze and held the back of his head gently and carefully wrapped his neck and the wound. He could see that it was steadfastly recovering and for the first time, thanked the kabane healing ability on wounds.

Not long afterwards, there was a knock on the door.

Kurusu, who barely leaves the unconscious Kabaneri’s side barely waited for a response on who it was.

“Kurusu-Sama… It’s Kajika. Lady Ayame has instructed me to bring you food since you havent eaten anything and it's way past dinner time….” Kajika said while waiting for a response in order for her to open the door.

“….you can come inside.” A muffled voice that came from inside the door had said. Kajika smiled in relief and opened the door.

She had two rolls and put it near where Kurusu sat.

“Thank you…” He said without looking up.

“You're welcome…” As she was about to leave. “…how is he?” She said hesitantly.

And in turn, Hozumi burst in the room, and kneeled next to Ikoma’s body and the futon that lay underneath.

Kurusu was alerted but allowed it, because how could he not?

Kajika became alarmed for a second, but was relieved that the samurai did not do more than react.

They were all worried about Kurusu, ever since he had lugged Ikoma’s body back into the Koutetsujou. He had barely left his side and was so strict on who was allowed to come see the Kabaneri.

When he wasn't in there, he would ask Lady Ayame or Hozumi and Kajika to watch him. He lost sleep and would only come out when he really needed to for emergencies and emergency meetings.

He didn't say much either, however Lady Ayame had forbid anyone from speaking out of place with him at this moment as he was in somewhat a delicate place himself.

Even though it had also bothered Lady Ayame, however she kept quiet and agreed to what Kurusu wanted to do concerning the Kabaneri.

She and the samurai looked on Hozumi with a faint look. No one knew when he would wake up. But they had hope he would, maybe not today, maybe in a couple of days. They weren't sure. The doctor they asked to come from the city had said that the recovery rate of kabane makes it very difficult for him to tell when he will wake up if ever.

Hozumi had tears in her eyes shaking beating his chest and screaming in his peaceful and unconscious face.

Until Kajika saw a flash of a squirm of pain from the Kabaneri, but no, it probably wasn't possible.

She looked over at the samurai and realised that maybe she wasn't the only one who saw a sign of consciousness because he was frozen in a half sitting and getting up position from the chair with a surprised and incredulous expression.

She felt shocked of his expression, that was the most expression on his face throughout this whole ordeal alone.

She looked back onto Hozumi and Ikoma and there was a twitch and another.

“I’m sorry, hick, I left you alone there. I should be the one that should be wounded in bed not you! You can't leave me! You promised you'd make me eat rice again!!” She sobbed onto his chest while slightly tapping his chest with her fists.

A cough sounded, followed by a forced intake of breath, the bare chest inhaled a large amount of oxygen in his lungs stifling at the pain that was still around his body and neck.

Hozumi looked up with shock, Kurusu’s whole body reacted at the corner of Kajika’s eye.

“You’re…” Hozumi squeezed out dumbfoundedly.

Even more tears trailed and welled up in her eyes when she realised his eyes were open, barely.

“Quickly! Everyone!! Ikoma-kun’s awake!!!!” Kajika screamed in the middle of the night, where some people were still out and about the city and others were back in the Koutetsujou either sleeping or resting leisurely.

Sukari and and Yukina peering out from outside hearing the travel of Kajika’s urgency had heard it loud and clear and quickly ran up the stairs and back onto the Koutetsujou and into the boiler room.

Everyone gathered pushing in and crowding around Ikoma.

He tried hard getting up, propping one elbow and the other holding the back of his head in embarrassment with a smile that they had sorely missed.

Some cried, some could not contain their excitement and were screaming in the green haired’s face, the kids began to jump around him and onto his futon.

Kurusu couldn't help but just to look and watch everyone’s expressions. Especially Ikoma’s.

His heart welled up with relief and thanked the God up in heaven.

Before long, Lady Ayame briskly came in the door out of breath, when she saw Ikoma and his lively face. She couldn't help but put her hand to her mouth to stifle herself from crying, however the tears in her eyes had betrayed her.

She was so touched that he was awake that she was about to cry droplets, and in turn, Kurusu was shocked and freaked out for a second, before gaining his composure and watched on as the others including Kajika tried to comfort the Lady of the Koutetsujou.

He smiled warmly, and quietly walked out the boiler room.

But not without the notice of Kajika, Lady Ayame, Hozumi, Sukari and Yukina, and finally, Ikoma.

Things had calmed down and they had finally gathered up their necessities to brave onto their next destination, as the previous city could not agree to accept anymore people that they had already. And also had questioned Lady Ayame’s judgment and leadership for allowing these so called “Kabaneri’s” in on their ship and to cohabit with the other civilians.

They had very conservative thinking and fear etched within their reasoning. And considered Lady Ayame dangerous especially if she were to hold some kind of influential position within the city.

There were countless complaints that came from civilians and those in her command of the disrespect the city officials had shown her. Which gave in to the conclusion that they will stay with her on the Koutetsujou.

In which she had yielded, because she had the responsibility and love for her people. And everyone that fought and suffered with them were part of her family that she wanted to protect no matter what.

Kurusu, of course had no complaints. As he was Lady Ayame’s Right Hand Sword and will always be. His duty was also to the people and he thought they were pretty okay. Not that his opinion really mattered anyway.

So they resumed, and along with Biba’s ex-underlings. They had sworn loyalty and they had also mostly healed their wounds, which was most beneficial for the Koutetsujou as a whole. They also had somewhat found their own place within the camp as well. Some had found common ground with the other soldiers on board, others had found possible love with the women onboard and other such as Uryuu had become trusted enough to work under Lady Ayame’s command.

Kurusu convinced Lady Ayame and Ikoma to stay in the Boiler Room until he was fully healed. As even though he had woken up, his wounds had not fully been recovered. As organs were severely damaged and were bitten off.

It took a bit more time to regenerate huge masses of pieces of organs that were not there.

Ikoma was too exhausted and weak to complain, and Lady Ayame felt the same.

Though, even though Kurusu had walked out that day Ikoma had regained consciousness.

He still made time to go over and take care of Ikoma, such as clean his body and change his dressing.

He knocked on the door, and came in once there was a reply. Ikoma was sitting on the futon topless ready to be cleaned by Kurusu who had brought a bucket of hot water and rolls of dressing.

He sat wordlessly, and Ikoma quietly raised his arm, Kurusu slowly grabbed his arm and dunked the towel in the hot water. And squeezed it, and wiped his arm.

Whenever he starts to clean his upper torso, he blushes hoping that his thoughts do not somehow leak out and hoping that Kabaneri’s don't somehow have an ability where they can sense heightened excitement.

Though he was pretty sure that they could somewhat.

Though whenever Kurusu would coyly look upwards to see Ikoma’s face if he has noticed anything different. He's greeted with Ikoma looking away in disinterest.

Well, of course he wouldn't notice anything, Kurusu supposed. He was relieved.

“Turn around” Kurusu commanded in indifference, in order to clean his back.

Ikoma abided easily and turned around, showing his wide and manly back with old scars.

Kurusu could not help but feel the heat from the Kabaneri's body and sound of his breathing, the trickling of the water when he dunks and wrings the towel.

The steam that emanates from the towel when it is rubbed onto the Kabaneri's body.

The wide muscles that rippled with the feeling of the hot water dripping down his back.

Kurusu’s breath became heavy, something about seeing his neck with water dripping down blew up something in the pit of his stomach.

Finally, Kurusu laid his forehead onto the back of Ikoma, startling him causing him to enquire what was wrong.

“You were an idiot, hurting yourself like this” he said with his eyes closed.

“What were you thinking? Fighting them like that. You should've waited for us.”

“Well.. I didn't really have a choice at that time” the Kabaneri said easily.

“What if we were too late? You would've seriously died. There would've been so many more WORSER outcomes, you might not have made it to the next city.” Kurusu said quietly.

“I knew… You were going to come, at any minute. And then everything would've been okay..” Ikoma said almost hestitantly. Kurusu reacted and looked up with eyes wide open. To see the Kabaneri looking straight ahead, with his muscly back straight and seemingly unaffected.

“You’re an idiot.” Kurusu chuckled. Before laying his head back onto Ikoma’s wide back.

Ikoma, hesitated and quite honestly a little shocked, and turned his head a little, he heard a hint of relief in Kurusu’s voice.

He quickly in a spur of the moment turned his whole body to face Kurusu’s, surprising him and quickly pushing his head to look at the Kabaneri instinctively and was met with the green hair muzzled in the crook of his neck.

The samurai froze for a minute, not knowing what to do. The Kabaneri was hugging him. From what he knew, this was something that absolutely wouldn't happen. Since he was one sidedly thinking of him. Not the other way around. So there's no way the Kabaneri would ever do something so… Intimate.

“Thank you.” A muffled voice came from the crook of his neck.

“F-For what??”

“Because you came. You came to save me.”

“I didn't save you. You were half dead when I got to you.”

“You held onto my arm this whole time didn’t you?”

Kurusu gasped in realisation that his right hand was held by Ikoma’s warm left hand.

“This warmth, it feels so comforting. I remember it while I was sleeping.. Somehow” Ikoma breathed in the scent of Kurusu from his neck and relishing in the moment.

He grabbed his hand harder and guided it to grab onto his green hair, causing Ikoma to breathe deeply against Kurusu’s skin.

Kurusu’s pit of his stomach was welling up and his chest bursting. All he felt was the sweet allure of comfortability as if his soul was bearing all for this man, and the other way around.

They sat in this way for who knows how long, just breathing in each other’s scent. Until tears squeezed through the corners of the samurai’s eyes.

All of a sudden, he became an energy of overwhelming emotion.

Ikoma felt this and asked what was wrong.

“You never woke up no matter how much I wanted you to. At the end, you didn't wake up for me” He said through trying to keep the tears from falling. But his voice betrayed him, his voice shook and sounded as if he was a little child.

“I’m sorry.” He said in a soothing voice while rubbing his fingers onto Kurusu’s fingers that were still bundling his green locks.

“Maybe it wasn't the right time, or maybe because I wanted to stay holding your hand even for a second more… All I knew was, was that there was someone waiting for me, so I felt that I could take my time. Because I knew they would be right there when I wake up.. And there you were” Ikoma said with a smile, and once he said that last sentence Kurusu broke down a little whimper with his eyes closed threatening to glisten a tear down his cheek.

Ikoma took off Kurusu’s hand that bundled in his hair and pulled apart from Kurusu to see his face. He was met with a deeply creased and saddened face that almost made his heart burst and leap here and there.

A mixture of love and sadness all mixed in together.

He grabbed onto his face which crumpled his bare shoulders and his muscles to lean in to kiss him. Kurusu’s hands fell naturally in holding onto his wrists fully accepting the kiss without even a thought.

Their lips met and fireworks sounded all in their ears and chests. Leaps and bursts and crackles were sounded within them.

They found it irresistible, causing Kurusu to be seduced in more and pushing the bare bodied Kabaneri down onto the futon, deepening the kiss, as the kiss deepened, so did his feelings and was only met with hungry reciprocation sand more.

Each movement and moment being more eager than the other. Each passing second. The kiss continued for what they hoped for eternity. Even forgetting what had happened, and themselves. They were lost together.

All they knew was that they've finally got what they yearned for. Their hearts had become one. For the first time, they felt complete and ‘right’.

Hours later, when everyone had already fallen asleep, Kurusu was in Ikoma’s arms with both of them wrapped in a blanket, passing by hearing the sound of the Koutetsujou passing the rail track in repetition and relishing in each other’s body heat and presence and the sound of each other's breathing.

As Ikoma was holding onto a man that has seen and experienced many things, this brave and prideful samurai was in his arms, each baring each other’s souls to one another. He could never possibly believe that he would experience or get this close to this man when he looked back on when he had just met Kurusu.

It earned a chuckle on his lips, which in turn caused Kurusu to react and showed an irritated expression.

“What??” Kurusu said as he turned to look at the Kabaneri’s face.

“Nothing” Ikoma said as he buries his head in the nook of the prideful man’s neck.

“….hmph” the prideful man finally relented and turned away with a blush.

Extra:

“…So? Is there something you particularly want to tell me?” Lady Ayame had said to her right hand man, Kurusu.

“Lady Ayame, I would die for you in the blink of an eye, and you know that don’t you?” Kurusu said while he was on one knee. Looking downwards with his eyebrows creased.

“…Yes. I do.” Lady Ayame said without an expression. She knew what this was about. It was about time.

“I..”

“You’re in love with Ikoma-San, aren't you?” Lady Ayame said without so much as batting an eye.

“….Yes.” Kurusu reacted with a blush on his face and could not scrunch up his face anymore. The surprise on his face was showed that he was caught off guard.

“I’m sorry…” the samurai continued. Looking downcast and ashamed. For many reasons.

“…Well, it can't be helped. That's what I think.” She relented with a gracious smile on her pretty face as she turned around facing her back to her subordinate.

“I’m sorry…” Kurusu hesitatingly said once more with increased emotion and regret.

“You know that I love you.” Kurusu continued on with his eyes shut, creasing his eyebrows painfully.

“I know you do.” Lady Ayame said quietly.

“But…. Maybe in the next life, where there is no kabane in the world, shall we meet again. And maybe we may fall in love..” She said in an almost neutral yet graceful way trying to hide the swell in her throat, trying her best to speak normally.

Kurusu opened his eyes and looked up at his Lady with a painful and beautiful smile.

“Yes, maybe in the next life. Shall we be together.”