thenearshore | 19 | Peaceful Departure

19 | Peaceful Departure

Who: Everyone!
What: Celebrating Obon
When: Evening August 10
Where: The Near Shore
Summary: Mortals may be partying, but there's lots of work for the denizens of the Far Shore to do.

It's the final day of Obon and spirits are being sent back to their homes -- both the ancestral spirits that have been welcomed home for the duration of the festival and the mischievous spirits that have been plaguing the Heavens. But some of them might not go easy, so Amaterasu has requested that gods and shinki old and new alike help ensure the spirits' peaceful departure.

Mukae-bi

Fires have been lit on hillsides and near cemeteries to lead the spirits back to their resting places and to protect them on their way, but angry ghosts and ayakashi are trying to quench the fires so they can attack weaker spirits. Keep the firewood stocked and the fires blazing high while you fight off the attacks.

Heavenly Exorcisms

Guarding the Gates

Hidden pathways into the underworld in caves throughout Japan are open from sunset to moonset on this night to allow the spirits who have temporarily left to return. Gods and shinki must watch over these pathways and ensure that no dangerous ayakashi take the opportunity to escape from the underworld before the moon sets.

After-party

After the moon sets, the denizens of the Heavens can finally kick back. Everyone is invited to a private hot spring on the Far Shore, where a midnight banquet spread is waiting in thanks for their hard work. Wash off any blight in the hot springs and enjoy the banquet before heading back home for a good night's sleep.

In Summary:

Keep the fires burning
Exorcise those annoying spirits
Fight powerful ayakashi
Enjoy a banquet
Have fun~

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[ He... feels off. He's not sure what to feel at the moment, but... upon hearing Ichiru's voice, he looked back over to the other Kiryuu. ]

Ichiru-kun. [ He nodded his head towards him politely. ] ...Trying to enjoy the evening?

[ Ichiru probably understood how Itachi was feeling, seeing he had imposed on the conversation between him and Zero. Not that he'd really tell Itachi yet. ]

I think you know better than anyone else that it isn't the case.

[ He replied to Itachi as he tried to maybe lighten the situation. ]

You seemed troubled.

Trouble is a nice way of putting it...

[ He crossed his arms. ]

...This place is run by gods... but it is hardly stable. The gods that are here are doing a terrible job.

What would you call it then?

[ He cocks his head as Itachi said otherwise. ]

There is nothing stable about a world who labels people as Gods and Shinkis. Even more so that they can tamper with memories to their leisure. Such things can be quite-- annoying, don't you agree?

[ He replied giving the other a glance. ]

I don't know what to call it. certainly not favorable. [ He looked towards Ichiru. ] Do you... feel anything for Zero? You two are related, obviously... but being a shinki you don't remember anything about him, yes? So...

Is there any sort of bond that you still feel there?

That is one way to put it.

[ He crosses his arms as Itachi responded to his question. He obviously didn't want to talk about these things with anyone. Whether he felt some sort of thing towards Zero or not was no one's business but his own.

Itachi isn't wrong to to mention it though. He had always felt strangely nostalgic but there was no actual substance to back up why he felt it. The fact that he stuck around while Zero was gone was also another point that Itachi would have probably notice. He's not very vocal about what he had to say but his actions always reflected how he truly felt. ]

I don't recall anything about him-- his name, his identity and what his relation to me is. I am quite aware of the possibilities but he refuses to speak of it no matter what method I try.

[ He continues to stare at Itachi for a moment longer. ]

Why are you asking?

[ He paused in thought. ]

I was going to inquire something of Zero... but now that he no longer remembers me... I am now even more unsure of what the answer will be, or... if it is even worth asking.

But... if there is even a small chance of him still feeling any for of familiarity with me, even if he's forgotten, then...

...Perhaps...

...But...

[ Ichiru didn't say anymore than he needed to in this situation since he would rather not talk about his own feelings on the matter. It simply seemed more convenient to go about this whole thing in a round about way, even if he hated doing that normally with other people. Such a contrasting individual he was. ]

If there is something you must ask-- then why not do it? There's no point in dwelling over it. Whether he remembers or not is irrelevant. The worst he can do is reject your request. That isn't something that will kill you inside will it?

[ He glanced at Itachi as he said his piece. ]

In any case, whatever you choose to do is your choice. Even if he doesn't recall anything about the past, he's not the type to hurt others intentionally.

[ After all-- he's too kind for his own good. ]

[ There was a pause. ]

I know he wouldn't hurt me intentionally. Or anyone. [ It made Zero a good person. He looked to Ichiru. ] ...But one can still be hurt, regardless of intention.

...I'm jealous of your position. If it were you... the answer would be favorable. You are part of his family, undoubtedly... and it is clear in his eyes that he cares for you.

[ Ichiru sighs briefly at the other's words. Really, he didn't understand why people say things like this all the time without understanding the situation. It annoyed him to some extent but it wasn't like he hated Itachi so there was plus there. He kept himself in check from saying something that could potentially destroy their relationship-- whatever that may be honestly. ]

I never did say that no one would get hurt in the process. The choice is yours. Whether you choose to be a coward or say how you really feel. Honestly, I rather take what I want rather than dwelling on how I can't achieve it.

[ He replied giving Itachi a look for his next comments. ]

I didn't choose to be-- nor did I ask for it. You may feel jealous about it but you have no idea what it truly means-- or even what I have to endure, knowing that.

[ He quietly added. ]

In any case, isn't it a bit shameful to be jealous of someone younger than you, Itachi-san?

On the contrary. It's shameful to be jealous of someone older... because one hasn;t reached the age yet, and thing can change. But to be jealous of someone younger makes sense: that time has already passed, and there is no rewriting history.

[ He looked up towards the sky. ]

It's more shameful to think you're the only one going through problems that you have to endure.

As for Zero... [ Itachi crossed his arms a bit, tilting his head. ]

It feels as if I don't have a choice but to say what I want. And if I am denied, then... I suppose I should have been it coming.

I don't want to be godless. [ He shook his head. ] Perhaps it's something from when I was alive, but... I feel as if there is something missing. Another purpose. Myself isn't enough. [ He looked to Ichiru, then smiled. ]

It's too bad you're not a god. I'd follow you to the ends of the earth. [ MAYBE HE WAS SERIOUS OR MAYBE JUST FLIRTING KINDA WHO KNEW. ]

To each their own, I suppose.

[ Ichiru replies with a shrug at Itachi for his words. Either way, he didn't see any of it as shameful. Honestly, maybe he was trying to change the mood of the conversation with Itachi. ]

Why dwell on the past and rewriting it? It doesn't change anything that is happening right now.

[ He's not sure where all of this was coming from but he was saying it regardless. ]

Call me selfish if you want but I have little care about what others feel. I suppose you'll be the few exceptions. I don't particularly dislike you. It's your choice. If that's what you think is best, then do it.

[ He's definitely not a stranger to those feelings but he felt no emptiness from being without a god. In fact, it was more comfortable that way. Ichiru chuckled lightly at Itachi's words. Follow him?! He's a heartless person who disregards the feelings of those around him. ]

Quite a confession-- Itachi-san. I'm hardly fitting the title of a God, much less someone you should follow.

[ There was some laughter. ] And you think Zero is?

My own god... Sasuke... [ And there was a wistful tone to his voice. ] ...He was...

Young. A bit..,. prickly. Matter-of-fact. [ He looked at Ichiru. ] I never inquired it of him, but...

He looked like me. In a way that you and Zero look like each other. He was indifferent to others, but he always showed softness to me. And now... I'll never know. I never got the courage to ask. That was my own failing. But... even so, he took care of me.

Ichiru seems like a person that, if he were to watch over someone, he would take care of them too. [ There was still that smile on his face. ] And you never know. Zero was a shinki. Then he became a god. Perhaps you'd find it in the cards for yourself.

Edited 2017-08-31 03:32 (UTC)

I do not believe he is any better than me. I've heard stories of what had happened before he had become a God.

[ Most Gods were jerks anyway. Somehow, that's not very surprising and Ichiru was never one to not admit what he was like. He only pretended he was a pleasant person. In reality, he was much colder and cruel. ]

Perhaps he had felt responsible for whatever may have happened between the two of you-- much as Zero feels responsible for me. However, I am aware there is more beyond the surface.

[ He shrugged his shoulders a little, though raising a brow at Itachi's description of him. He earned a bit of a chuckle on Ichiru's end. This man truly thought he was a person capable of such things? He certainly didn't think it was true or would work. ]

You're flattering me-- honestly, there is nothing good about me. I am not someone who will take care of others unless I have no other choice.

[ There's a pause. ]

Perhaps, but I hardly am interested in becoming a God. I would not follow their rules or do what they want of me. The only positive thing to be a god is the potential thought of possibly having my memories returned. Otherwise, it's troublesome and annoying.

If there was nothing good about you, [ Itachi stated, and with unnaturally quick reflexes, he prodded Ichiru's forehead with two fingers. ] I wouldn't like you. It doesn't have to be big. Just being able to talk to me like this... is enough.

[ His look softened. ]

...Thank you, Ichiru.

Edited 2017-08-31 03:50 (UTC)

[ That act itself threw him off guard for a moment when Itachi's fingers prodded his forehead. Honestly, the scene looked rather silly, seeing how much taller than Itachi he was but it didn't hid the momentary surprise that took over Ichiru's face. ]

[ It takes him a moment to move Itachi's fingers away from his forehead. ]

...

[ He look s at him momentarily as he recovers his expression. ]

You have a rather skewed view of what a good person is don't you Itachi-san?

[ He didn't really do anything worth thanking for. He was only selfishly saying what he thought. ]

Don't thank me. I didn't do anything.

You did a lot. You helped me sort out my thoughts. That is worth something.

[ Goodness it is no fair how tall these boys are. He pulled his hand away, moving to idly slip his fingers through his long black ponytail. But the expression Ichiru made... it was cute. He'd cherish it. ]

You and Zero sound the same. [ He shook his head. ] Is it so hard to accept gratitude?

I only stated my opinions. It wasn't intended to help you.

[ It's of no surprise that he and Zero would share similar traits. They were supposedly related after all. Ichiru didn't like that he was showing someone that side of him. A side of him he never showed others. ]

We are not the same.

[ He replied bluntly. ]

Do wish for me to accept your gratitude that much?

I said sound the same, not are the same. No... I appreciate both you and Zero for different reasons. [ That faint expression was still on his face. ]

The question is more of why do you deny me? [ Deny me, as if he was trying to come onto him, and he glimpsed up at Ichiru. ]

I would like it if you did, yes. Assuming it is not too much of a burden on you, one's thanks.

I don't understand you sometimes.

[ He sighed giving Itachi a look. Why was he still smiling at him? He didn't get it. People here just keep coming back to him even though he worked really hard to push them away. ]

There is no reason.

[ He bluntly replied to Itachi as he countered him. He didn't want to talk about why or how. He simply just wanted to leave it as is. ]

You can be exasperating sometimes, but I suppose just this once.

[ just this time because h sort of understood why Itachi was behaving like this but at the same time he didn't want to acknowledge that someone actually cared about him. Itachi wasn't the first obviously but he was also not the last. ]

Just this once. [ He didn't thank him again. Once was enough. Itachi gestured to the celebrations that were going on at the after-party. ]

We should try the hot springs.

You're a strange person, being satisfied with something as simple as taking your thanks.

[ he paused slightly. ]

I don't understand you.

[ Which is nothing short of the truth. ]

You can if you wish. I don't have much interest.

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19 | Peaceful Departure

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1/2 sgkdsghskghs!!!!!

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