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backpack n shit
~~TM: drain punch~~ used on puckjuro

one [1] puckward :3

Edited 2026-01-26 15:03 (UTC)

[ He's come by the dojo today with... less of a plan than usual. Considering what Kyojuro said about Senjuro he's not expecting to be spurned outright but there's a wariness that comes with repeated rejection that he can't fully shake.

But he comes inside, and he taps Senjuro's door, not wanting to scare him. The older boy has a bento in his hands and a bag of supplies hanging from one shoulder. ]

Hello Senjuro-kun~

[it isn't unusual to hear someone approach, but a new voice is certainly strange. senjuro can be heard scrambling to his feet and fussing with his clothes before he manages to slide the door open. his own expression is nervous, but gentle.]

Oh! Hello! You must be one of my brother's friends. It's nice to meet you. [he bows a little, ever quick to dole out respect to anyone and everyone.] I would introduce myself, but... [the older boy seems to already know him!]

[ The urge to ruffle his hair is instant, but he resists. That would be weird. The kid doesn't really know him outside of maybe "that guy Akaza dragged up the mountain" embarrassng. ]

Mm! I'm Shiratori Aira. You could say your brother is my friend...

[ He's not going to mention it if Kyojuro hasn't!!! Now he's scared he looked into it too far. ]

Anyway, he's mentioned you a lot so I wanted to say hi and bring you this~

[ adorable bento for you. ]

[cool, they have just met and he's already embarrassing himself getting all red.]

He has? Oh, goodness, I'm nothing special... [his fussing is quickly replaced with gratitude and adoration, though, as he accepts the bento.]

It's... a little bear! Adorable... Did you make it yourself? For me? Thank you, Mr. Shiratori! Please, allow me to make you some tea as thanks!

You don't need to call me mister, I'm not all that much older than you...

[ More like he's only used to "Shiratori-kun" at most in a formal setting. This is someone who ??? Might be family. He doesn't need to be formal with him. He's not saying anything about the tea, partly just to be polite. Why is he surrounded by tea drinkers.... ]

But yes, I made it for you! Sorry I'm not sure what you like...

[ but he shakes his head a little ]

With how your brother talks about you I'd say you're pretty special to him, and that means something.

I'm -- sorry if I offended you, I only felt it polite...! And this looks wonderful! I appreciate it very much!

[yeah, still flushed. like, he knows kyojuro adores him, but it's a whole different beast to know he rambles about him to others... oh, he doesn't want to disappoint shiratori with how average he is, after being hyped up so much...]

Although, I would feel very rude eating in front of you without offering you something in return. We have more than enough sweet potatoes for tempura...!

[Whether Senjuro has heard any of the commotion going on — be it outside the house or within its walls — the elder Kyojuro is unsure. Maybe that's why he hesitates as he approaches the shoji leading into Senjuro's room. He worries his fingers together for a moment, steeling himself for what lies beyond those doors.

It isn't like he hasn't seen his brother since that day. They've met and shared their own apologies in the afterlife. Seeing him so young and alive, however? That's something he isn't sure he's ready for.

But he's wasting valuable time, this much Kyojuro knows. He knocks against the wood, but doesn't yet enter. He'll wait until he has full permission, thank you.]

[senjuro tends to stay out of any business between kyojuro and akaza, although hearing raised voices does have him on edge. his book is set aside as he strains to listen, then tries to stop because it feels like eavesdropping.

it's impossible to ignore the footsteps leading up to his door, though, especially since he recognizes kyojuro's gait. and he knocks, so senjuro quickly gets up to greet him. the door slides open, he looks up and -- freezes for a moment. kyojuro is... older, and in tact. there's a confused crack in senjuro's voice when he finally speaks.]

Ani-ue?

[It turns out, Kyojuro was indeed not ready for this. Seeing Senjuro as he is — young and alive, but also so full of doubt and hesitation — cracks at him in a way he could not have prepared for. He cannot even force himself to be angry. Even if the father he knew would never sink so low, Kyojuro knew how deep the man's love ran. After all, he can still recall the way the man nearly crumbled when having to ready a blade against his son.

But that didn't excuse what was done to Senjuro.

Such thoughts, though, are pushed from Kyojuro's mind as he offers a wobbling smile to Senjuro. It takes everything in his power to not reach out, to pull the young lad to him and never let go.]

It is good to see you, dear brother. [His voice is hushed, weighed down by every emotion running through his head. He cannot help himself as he leans down, but does not dare reach out.] Smart as you are, I am sure you have noticed that I look a little different. There are strange things happening in this place yet again, but you are not in danger. No one is.

[between his appearance and his choice of words, kyojuro feels almost alien to senjuro. something isn't quite right, but... still, he believes his brother when he says it isn't exactly wrong.

even if kyojuro hesitates to touch him, senjuro has grown bold enough to at least reach out and take one of his hands in both of his. in fact, he may stare at his own hands around kyojuro's for just a moment too long, as if waiting to watch himself age rapidly.]

What's happened? You're healed...

[As those two hands wrap around his own, Kyojuro feels the tension in his shoulders release. Knowing his younger brother as he did, he doubted there would be an outright rejection. What he didn't know was how terribly fear might hold him back.

Well, no complaints here.]

I suppose it may look like that. It is a bit more complicated, though. [Since he has both permission and a free hand, Kyojuro lays a hand atop Senjuro's head.] I do not know how familiar you are with what all has happened in this place, but you and I both existed here once before, in another life. I am sure you have seen as much with the portrait in the sitting room.

[A little ruffle of that hair.]

I look unharmed because I never was!

[even though his own big brother is back, at least in this world, senjuro could still never get enough hair ruffles. even with all the confusion, he can't hold back the broad smile it coaxes out of him.]

Ah... yes, I've seen it. [he pauses, ears growing hot as he debates how honest he wants to be.] I -- haven't really looked closely at anyone but -- our mother...

[it seems he can't really keep secrets from kyojuro, regardless of which one it is. senjuro looks up at him with newfound awe.]

You're really from the past...?

[The way Kyojuro's heart melts at the sight. Oh, how he's missed when they both lived peacefully in this place, and the smiles came so easily.]

It must be nice to see her, even as she is. I am sorry she could not be here this evening.

[Even he barely understands whatever magic has allowed them to step foot into this realm. And really, it's better if he doesn't question it. He's not the brains of the operation.]

But yes, I am. It was a past where you grew into a fine medic, and were always at my side to patch up my wounds.

[sweet, noble kyojuro is not the brains of any operation, lbr --

can he see the sparkle in senjuro's big wet bug eyes? he doesn't dwell on their mother, because that will just make them both sad, and... if there's even a chance they only have an evening, senjuro doesn't want to waste it on crying over spilled milk.]

Wh -- really? Did I travel with you?

You did!

[Kyojuro's voice is warm with the memories. Even if there were rough times faced out on the road, they all came through. Much of that was thanks to the efforts of their mother and, as they grew older, Senjuro's own work, too.]

While father and I honed our skills in combat, you worked with mother to learn all she had to teach when it came to patching the two of us up. The four of us were an excellent team. You even taught H- [His brows draw together. Even if that name was proper in this case, it felt like a closely kept secret between his younger counterpart and Akaza.] The man who would become Akaza a few things.

Perhaps the Grove would not have come the home and haven that it did if not for you!

It's alright, I ate before coming over. I'm fine with just tea.

[ And really, he probably wouldn't bother him with that much either, but Senjuro gives him the vibe that he'd be more bothered if he didn't get him tea. ]

I'm not offended though. Some of my younger fans called me Shiratori-san. It just kinda seems overly formal given the situation...

[ Realistically, Muichiro should know better. He knows his brother rarely means his words as harsh as they vome off, even sometimes the exact opposite. But no matter the kind of words he said, he'd never leave. Yuichiro always stood his ground stubbornly and they might stop talking... but he'd never just up and leave him. More than the words he said, it was the fact he'd turned and left that burned the most. That he kept walking away despite his shouts and pleas, despite how he pushed and scraped against the brambles holding him back.

It was only once he was well and truly alone again that he let himself slump against the twisted thorns, crying as he mourned all over again. He was hurt, and he knew between the physical wounds and the emotional ones that he didn't want to go back to the clinic and deal with a bunch of strangers. He stumbled southward. He doesn't especially want Akaza to see him like this, but in his mind the only one he could go to right now without this somehow impacting the reputation of the hashiras was Rengoku.

It feels weird entering the house like this, but Kyojuro expressed that he was welcome here. ]

Rengoku? Are you home?

[ His voice is watery, blood is visible from numerous scratches and punctures, some even smeared by his mouth since he'd pushed himself too hard in his struggle. ]

[senjuro is aware that his brother makes friends everywhere he goes, and that there are other slayers in town, regardless. likewise, he can deduce that kyojuro is the rengoku that the voice addresses, but it would be exceedingly rude of him not to respond. he turns a corner, tracking it down to let the visitor know kyojuro is out, but... oh.]

You're hurt! [and visibly upset, to boot. whether or not it's because of the scratches isn't really any of senjuro's business, but he can't just let the poor guy bleed all over the place.] My brother isn't here, but may I please be of help?

[ He's not in his Corps attire right now- a mixture of the damage and the bloodstains meant they sent them off for mending and gave him a spare set of clothes, but he does have his sword on him as a precaution. Not that it had done him any good this time around

He's not anticipating Senjuro to find him, but he regards the boy with a blink. He really is very similar looking to his brother. Something about that aches just a little. ]

Senjuro... sorry to bother you.

[ He wipes at his eyes and... tries to push down his feelings somewhat. ]

I-- that's fine. I might have pushed my injuries too hard.

[ That's obviously not why he came. The clinic was closer if that were what he wanted. His emotions are making it a little hard to maintain his breathing though. ]

I promise, you're not a bother. If you'll come this way, you can sit and I'll clean those wounds.

[he motions for muichiro to follow him to just outside the washroom, where he can access the sink and some first aid items because... he lives with kyojuro, of course there's frequent injuries.

and since the other boy knows his name just from seeing him...]

Um, you're Master Tokito, right? My brother mentioned you'd arrived... I'm sorry I didn't meet you sooner.

You don't need to call me master.

[ It's respectful and all, but Senjuro isn't in the corps. He's just another kid to Senjuro. Albeit one wielding a sword and very injured. ]

You don't need to be sorry either. I'm sure you had plenty of things you were busy with.

[ He'll follow, if a little unsteady. He's favoring one leg thanks to his situation, but at least those were spared most of the damage. He'll settle where Senjuro can have easier access to his... visible wounds. ]

I'm sorry this is the first you're seeing me.

[ He's still a little stuck in the perception he has to keep up a front like he has things together. He is very much not that right now. ]

Ah, my apologies... [this is true, but he was still raised to respect the corpsmembers and will do so until told otherwise.

after gathering some cloth and disinfectant, he kneels before muichiro and reaches to take a hold of whichever arm is to be doctored first.]

I was only going to get an early start preparing dinner, but there's still plenty of time. Please don't worry about it. Actually, if you'd like, you can stay and eat with us.

[when it comes to seeing people hurt, it doesn't matter to senjuro whether they're a civilian or a hashira -- a human being in pain is simply a human being.]

I really should have tried to find you and introduce myself... [don't play the self-blame game with a rengoku, muichiro, you will lose.]

I've known about you for a while. Your brother speaks very highly of you.

[ Regardless of his swordsmanship. And enough that he recognized the name despite his situation. ]

So don't worry about that. My given name is Muichiro. Does that make us even?

[ There's a subtle shake to his arm, but it's hard to tell if its from pain or emotions. He at least tries to smile for Senjuro though.

As far as dinner, that's a bit more complicated... ]

I'd likely have to ask the people monitoring my condition at the clinic. I've been on mostly liquids and soft food due to internal bleeding and other injuries.

[does he, now? kyojuro stop gassing senjuro up to the entire grove challenge. he's just a little guy!!!]

Th-there's nothing to get even about... I can't fathom calling you anything more casual than Mr. Tokito. [it doesn't matter if they're both just kids!

his touch is gentle but firm as he dabs the disinfectant on some of the wounds. he's no kakushi, but the training he received growing up still involved plenty of first aid, and his work is careful but thorough. there's no small amount of shock on his face, though, when he looks up following that revelation. cuts are one thing, but internal bleeding?]

How on earth did you get so torn up? Shouldn't you be at the clinic, now?

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