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~

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Being a Godless Shinki, he really had no responsibilities to protect anyone other than himself. Even more so that he was able to avoid being without a God for too long. He's pretty certain this was against some kind of code that neither the Gods or whatever punished him for yet.

He had considered and played with the thought of getting a God for himself, but there was no one that particularly piqued his interest-- except one. He's been mulling on that thought since the first day they met. Even now, he still couldn't really forget that strange tug he had towards the other. Despite not knowing much even now, he was able to at least piece small things together.

Except-- Zero had forgotten everything prior to his return and Ichiru made no efforts to bring up anything other than creating lies to indulge the other in-- or perhaps to play with his brother to his heart's content. Some part of him had already accepted that there was some sort of familial bond that transcends even his amnesia.

Unlike Zero, he was in his own thoughts without being in the hot spring. Instead he eyed the injury on the other's shoulder. Careless.... Then again it wasn't like Ichiru didn't gain his own injuries from what had happened. He was much better at hiding them. ]

[ It's only a moment, a careless moment, but he somehow misses another's presence. His eyes snap open and when he catches sight of his brother, the words that he wanted to say suddenly left him. He stares back instead, not wanting to intrude on the moment. ]

.....

[ Ichiru glances sideways towards Zero when he felt the other's eyes on him. Unlike Zero, he made no attempts to dip into the spring for whatever his reasons are. It was quiet right now so he didn't seem to mind it too much.

However, he was quite troubled by the whole conversation they had prior. Not that he could blame someone for losing their memories. ]

You should say what's on your mind, rather than staring at me as if you have seen a ghost.

[ That's exactly the problem. He is seeing a ghost. A ghost he'd just visited only minutes before being brought under the guise of duty. ]

Why... did you stay?

[ Only Ichiru really doesn't get why he's behaving like he's seen him for the first time but asking about it won't do either of them good, so he just goes along with it as if it doesn't matter. ]

You're going to have to be less cryptic about your words if you want me to answer your questions.

[ At the temple of Hades. Why did you stay?!

It's what he wants to say, but he bites back those words knowing he could trigger something if he went that route, instead he changed that line of conversation. ]

You and Itachi.

You got along while I was asleep.

[ At least, that's what he's assuming. He's grasping at straws here, trying to shift the conversation away from a potentially damaging line. ]

[ Did he really have to ask that kind of question? It's not like Ichiru will admit to it if he was caught. Even so, he doesn't brush it off at the very least. However, this round about way of talking was starting to annoy him. ]

You haven't changed at all. What do you really want to ask? I'm certain it has little to do with Itachi-san.

[ Which Zero is right. He got along with Itachi for the most part however, he's not going to let Zero get away with this attempt to advert from the actual topic. Stop treating him like he's made of glass! ]

........

[ He stares back at him. ]

I can't. You're a shinki.

I'm already aware of the type of information you will withhold from me. You simply need to word in a way that won't affect me ne?

[ You're smart. Figure it out. ]

Shinki or not, I don't let such fates rule me. Of course, you of all people would know that better than anyone else.

Edited 2017-08-04 07:11 (UTC)

I'm not putting you in that kind of risk.

[ So, don't ask. ]

You're as difficult as ever. Even the hit on the head hasn't changed how stubborn you are.

[ Somehow his response came off both as a compliment and an insult. ]

In any case, I hate it when you beat around the bush. Whatever happens to me is my responsibility is it not?

~~I'm your brother~~ I'm a god. It's my responsibility to protect you.

~~Sup Bro~~ We have no contract. You are not responsible for what happens to me on that regard.

[ Because he knows there's other reasons why you do this. ]

I don't need to own you to protect you.

[ shut up, ichiru. there's no reasons. just take his explanation and leave it be. ]

Then why?

[ Something he's repeated several times already. Though, Zero doesn't have any memories of the past, it was the first or second time he's heard Ichiru firmly ask that question. ]

Why are you interested in someone who doesn't even recall who you are and who has not once treated you kindly? In fact, you do not even have any memories of what had happened prior to you waking up. Answers such as "Because we are related" or "Because it's my duty," are not relevant. I also won't take the excuses of turning into a Ayakashi or it's for my own good.

[ Because he's heard those lines so many damn times. He's so tired of them. He's tired of being treated like he was made of glass, that he'd break knowing certain things. He hated feeling like he can't take a risk for his own identity. ]

Edited 2017-08-05 19:23 (UTC)

You know why I can't tell you. No god can without reparations.

[ He steps forward then, his few inches in height forcing him to look down at his twin. ]

Keep asking and I'll be forced to keep you away, Ichiru.

[ He sighs shrugging. ]

I figured as much. You'll never give me the answers I want.

[ Ichiru looked back at Zero who was only but a few inches taller than him hovering over him. It was worth a try. He's not going to press it-- memory or no. It seems like he's the same as ever. ]

Can I trust you?

[ Fine, he'll drop it for now. Because he's terribly insecure to this point and still was quite jaded in regards to how people viewed him. It was much easier pushing people away then accepting them. ]

[ A strong unwavering gaze. ]

I won't betray you.

[ That was the only truth he knew how to give at this point with Ichiru's revival still playing a tune wit his heart. ]

[ That's all he really needs to know as he turns around. ]

Alright.

[ He spoke after a long moment of silence. ]

I hope you will uphold such convictions.

[ Perhaps, it was the closest thing he could say on how much he trusted Zero's. Memory or no, his answer would suffice. ]

I don't break my promises.

[ Even if he forgot them. ]

We'll have to see with due time ne?

[ He replied offering the other a brief look over his shoulder. ]

In any case, you should try not to be so careless.

[ Since they're moving on and he no longer wants to talk about this topic. Never mind that he had his own injuries to attend to. ]

Careful Ichiru.

[ Zero cups his hand and draws some holy water up, letting it run down his blighted shoulder. ]

You almost sound like you care.

[ What part of what he said was -- caring?!

Ichiru had stopped for a moment, caught by what he had just said. Of course, he didn't show that expression to Zero since he was looking directly at him. ]

You're reading into it too much.

[ He replied after that pause. ]

You'd be of no use to me if you were indisposed of.

[ It's almost the complete truth. He wouldn't admit he's become...partially attached and the last month without Zero had been more than proof of his own uneasiness. ]

[ He's reading exactly what he means. You forget, he held you at the last, he knows you don't hate him and this, all of it, is an act. An act he's perfectly willing to let you keep for the time being. ]

Then I better not let that happen.

after party; have tl'dr :D

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1/2 : Zero shut it you are delusional

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He remembers your confession. Zero I don't hate you means Zero I love you in Tsun talk.