tampered | LOG - [Incomplete]

Current Mood: happy
Current Music: Samurai Champloo OSTi - mystline

LOG - [Incomplete]

When; Nov 27th (aka, when Ranmaru was made alive again)
Rating; I don't know, okay?! *cries* Don't read it if you don't like sex, violence, and fluffiness, I suppose, because that is all that these two are made of.
Characters; Kurogane

black_ginryuu & Ranmaru

elegantorchid
Summary; Kurogane has a hard time expressing joy. Gotta preserve your image, yanno? But Ranmaru is always challenging people to smile. ^^
Log;

Only pausing a moment to scribble a note on a scrap of paper to put on the kitchen table before leaving, Kurogane dashed out the door and up the stairs to the roof. There were a few advantages to being a ninja, after all, one of them being: you can use the rooftops as your own personal highway with no traffic whatsoever.

It took him only moments once his legs got stretched out for him to drop onto Ranmaru's roof and find his way inside. He felt as though he could already feel the man's changed presence, but he was probably just fooling himself. He was almost giddy and it was embarressing to be this attached to someone, damnit. Especially when he was just going to have to leave them behind when he left for home anyways.

Shoving that thought into a corner of his brain, he slowed to a walk in front of Ranmaru's door and let his heart rate slow. A perceptive warrior like Ranmaru would notice details like that. When his impatience overwhelmed his desire to appear calm (despite the fact that Ranmaru would see through the act in a moment) he knocked on the door. Loudly. Perhaps a few more times than was strictly necessary.

[ooc: Er. I forgot to ask, but I do assume we're at Ran's old apartment. ^^;]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

It was.. somewhat adorable to see Kurogane this ecstatic. Ranmaru wasn't sure if he should point it out to him, or keep it to himself, but what he knew for certain was this. The fact that Kurogane was sharing as much joy as he was.. it warmed him. And he was also glad that the city wasn't affecting him as much as it had others.

So when the knock came on the door, the swift runner was there before a second time was necessary, and pulled the door open. And before anything, he launched at Kurogane, throwing his arms around the larger man's shoulders and embracing him tightly, smiling somewhat as he did so. There were no words, and this gesture probably said it all.

He was happy beyond what words could express. And he could go home, when the time came.

"You took your time." he stated teasingly, as he pulled back from the hug with a smile. His cheeks were filled with warmth and color, and there was light in his eyes.

Motioning for Kurogane to enter, he nodded to him.

"Subaru-san is out for a bit, make yourself at home." he invited him. His house, as built as it was, was reminicent of a traditional palace, much more modified as it had been than when he first came here.

He hoped Kurogane liked the decor now.

Kurogane would probably chop his own sword hand off before admitting that this city was getting to him, but he would probably have to kill himself before admitting to being happy.

Stumbling back a step with Ranmaru's surprising weight latched onto him, Kurogane let the attempt at gruffness fade and let an honest smile grace his face. He held Ranmaru in the tight embrace for a moment, one hand on his head and the other on his back, before letting him go.

The joy was somewhat marred by the sound of the hated vampire's name as his hackles rose in an instinctive protectiveness that probably contributed to his nickname of "Big Doggie". However, knowledge of Ranmaru's feelings made him attempt to smooth down his agitation once again.

"It's nice," he agreed, some of the tension seeping out of his feet as he stepped into the familiar, home-like atmosphere. Pausing to remove his sandals respectfully, he cast an eye around the room and smirked once more to realize how well Ranmaru fit into this environment.

A smile lighting his face, once Kurogane had removed his shoes, Ranmaru took him by the hand and drew him in, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Glad it has your approval." he responded, in a lightly teasing voice. "This person spent much time making it look as presentable and homelike as possible."

Drawing Kurogane towards the living room, where they could sit more comfortably (He did have seats, but he prefered the floor cushions, and he had tea and things ready in case guests arrived), Ranmaru chuckled a bit, then looked up into Kurogane's eyes.

".. Ranmaru can finally go home.." he stated after what seemed like a while. Raising his hand to touch the back of Kurogane's, the page smiled forlornly.

"I wont leave yet, of course, but.." there was a bit of nostalgia in his voice as he spoke. "I do miss my people." gancing up at Kurogane, Ranmaru smiled gently.

"You and Fai-san should come sometime."

After kneeling down at the low table, Kurogane took a firm but gentle hold on Ranmaru's hand in an attempt to be as reassuring as possible. He had seen Ranmaru at his worst and at his best, and he wanted this best to last as long as possible. A familiar face in this strange world was something to be valued highly.

"Everyone wants to go home. No one can blame you for that," he agreed, toying with Ranmaru's fingers in his grip. "If I knew a way how, of course I would visit you."

Blunt honestly never seemed to fail as far as he was concerned.

He felt somewhat warm at the way Kurogane was holding his hand, and didn't protest it. They'd been through some pretty rough times together, hadn't they? Taking a seat beside Kurogane, Ranmaru glanced down at their joined hands. There was a certain sense of camraderie he felt with the other, and they had always been there for each other regardless of everything. It was worth it, just being here, and being able to comfortably enjoy their closeness.

"This person knows it's wishful thinking, but Ranmaru knows you would like it. Heh. Something.. to perhaps appreciate your roots, from another world." he had enough of being called a historical figure to be able to say that.

Raising his gaze, Ranmaru met Kurogane's again, and held it. His hands were covered by fingercut gloves, so the pentagram that was scalded into his skin wasn't visible, but.. now that he was alive.. it was more of a danger than anything.

"But now.. that this person is alive.. there is more risk to be faced." he murmured. Instinctively, he touched the back of his own gloved hand, looking solemnly at them for a while.

It had been a long time since Kurogane had been this comfortable with someone. Being yanked out of his world with no forewarning had left him too irritable to get close to anyone other than the people he was travelling with, and their connection to him was a much more difficult one to classify. This, with Ranmaru, was much simpler. They were both warriors and knew where to take comfort when they could get it.

Lifting his arm without releasing Ranmaru's hand made a loop that made wrapping Kurogane's arm around Ran's shoulder quite easy. His nose pressed into the hair on the side of his friend's head as he pulled him into a sideways hug.

"You won't face the risk alone," he murmured into an ear reassuringly, his free hand touching the one with the demonic aura. He had hated the vampires from the moment he had seen them, recognizing their presence as something dangerously similar to the one he had faced in his childhood and seemed fated to keep facing for the rest of his life. Facing, and destroying. That Ranmaru stood between his blade and this target was no end of frustration for him, not to mention said target's seeming willingness to accept his own weakness. But, he would honor the other man's decision.

Ranmaru blinked when he was pulled into the hug, but never once did he protest. While coming here had indeed troubled him, the fact that he had his friends, especially as close as Kurogane was to him, made it all worthwhile. He felt a little self-conscious as hs hand was touched, but as the warrior he was, he didn't move his hand away. Both his hands, covered to protect any lure towards the mark of the prey, felt rather restrained under these gloves, but Ranmaru never once complained. He couldn't. And he didn't want to.

Now that he was alive, he could think about leaving. Surely, surely, there was something that could help him, as it was, Subaru nor Seishirou belonged in his world. Wouldn't it just null the agreement?

As Kurogane whispered in his ear, Ranmaru snapped out of his trance-like state and smiled softly, turning his gaze up to look at Kurogane and resting his head against his shoulder.

"Tell me.." he began, holding up his hand so the gloved back of it could be visible to them, and his revealed fingers facing the room. "How does one break another out of despair they never want to escape?"

He referred to Fai in this statement as well, including Subaru, but for the most part, kept it a general question. There was still the matter of telling Kurogane about what he had learned, so..

"How do you free them?"

"Smash at the cage until they give in to truth?"

That was Kurogane's personal theory, at least. He has a little feeling that it wasn't really possible for a kind-hearted soul like Ranmaru.

The worst possible situation he could see here was Ranmaru reaching the point of despair, stuck in a relationship that was impossible to fix. He was not going to let that happen to someone dear to him.

[ooc: The Ranmaru/Subaru relationship is getting a little close to heart, so forgive me if I get a little succinct in this fictional discussion. I'm aware I'm doing it, but... mmyeah. D: Sorry.]

He knew it was like beating his head against a stone wall, but being as he was, Ranmaru didn't mind. After all this time, there was no sign of his Lords, and he'd given up hope of ever seeing them again. It was a painful thought, but Ranmaru, while being a believer of fate, certainly knew his ran differently. It was his penance, though he would never let that affect his daily working life.

Sighing softly, Ranmaru lowered his hand and rest it on his knee, going quiet for a bit, then he shook his head and smiled.

"I couldn't dare force it.." he murmured, raising a hand to stroke back his hair, looking thoughtful for while. Then, he chuckled and shook his head again, before looking up at Kurogane.

"I don't like being sad. I also don't like being useless.. but it seems that's all I've been being these days." he moved a hand to Kurogane's chest.

"I'm glad I have you, Kurogane. You keep me from breaking."

[ooc; It's alright. *fluffs* :3]

Kurogane may have blushed a little and he also may have leant a little into that touch. Nothing to be convicted under, though.

"You should remind yourself of your own importance instead of complimenting me," he replied, loosening his grip around Ranmaru's shoulders so that his arm wrapped gently around his waist instead. "You always make everyone happier, idiot."

He paused for a moment, glaring down into Ranmaru's eyes emphatically. "You're just too damn nice for your own good."

He didn't mind being called an idiot.. goodness knows, he'd acted like one enough! Once Kurogane's arm came around his waist, he shifted so he could sit properly.. though from his position it pretty much appeared to look as though he was being embraced, not that he minded. Kurogane was the one companion he had here who was pretty much allowed everything and anything..

He didn't know why it was, but it just made him comfortable to have him.

Blushing visibly though, he rest his head under Kurogane's chin, draping an arm around his waist. It was strange, he just suddenly had the desire to be close to him and need the embrace.. goodness only knew, they'd been through enough to deserve this.

"You probably wouldn't like Ranmaru if Ranmaru was cruel.." he whispered.

"There's a balance," Kurogane replied steadfastly, quite aware that he had not yet reached that balance himself in his relationship with Fai. "Somewhere in there."

He breathed the last comment into Ranmaru's hair and cradled him gently. He could be just as gentle with Fai, if the stupid, stupid creature didn't insist upon being masochistic even when he so obviously wasn't. Then again, he probably wouldn't be so attracted to the blond if he wasn't so infuriating.

Fate. He had never believed in it, until recently, and even now he wouldn't admit to it fully. He was going to make his life work out the way he wants it to, and he hated it when people simply gave up. He would do anything to make sure neither Fai nor Ranmaru gave up on changing their lives.

"Kurogane.." Ranmaru felt the name escape his lips in a relaxed sort of sigh, and he slowly drew back, moving a hand to comb his hair back and give him a small smile.

"What's the matter?" he then asked, feeling as though something was on his friend's mind. He'd noticed the protectiveness that Kurogane showed towards him in the form of anger towards Subaru, and he really wanted to know why.. did they know each other in some way? Something?

Moving a hand to touch the side of Kurgane's face, Ranmaru made him face him.

"Is there something about Ranmaru.. that displeases you?" he tilted his head to a side. "You can tell me.."

He clenched his jaw under Ranmaru's fingers in the way he did whenever he didn't want to say something but couldn't bear to lie, but quickly let out the tension in a sigh, closing his eyes. Who was he to tell Ranmaru that his choice in love was wrong? Look at him!

Smirking a little at himself, he opened his eyes again.

"There's nothing wrong with you, Ranmaru. And that vampire of yours better know that."

Vampire..? Confusion lined Ranmaru's brow as he looked at his friend. Now that he thought of it, Kurogane had used that word a lot to mean Subaru-san, hadn't he? He wondered if..

He paused. Was it possible that there was a vampire of Subaru-san in Kurogane's world? He'd heard of many people here having conflicting alternate forms of each other.. it was.. strange, in a way, to think about it.

He used to think it was just a story.

Looking at Kurogane closely, Ranmaru then spoke, "But.. Subaru-san is not a vam..pa..ia?" he moved a hand under his chin. "Those are the ones that suck blood of virgins in the night like in the movies Zack-nii watched, right?" he was certain they were. Then, he smiled, laughing lightly. "Silly Kurogane! Subaru-san is onmyoujin! A spirit magician! He isn't a blood-thief.." he chuckled then, and moved his hands back, taking Kurogane's in his own and touching the back of his fingers again.

"You don't like him though, do you..?"

Kurogane was honestly surprised to find out that Subaru was not, in fact, a vampire. He had made the assumption based on the man's aura, but also on some sort of... instinct. And then there had been that feeling, when he had first met the man, that he had seen him before, somewhere...

"I don't know," he growled irritably. "I just don't trust him. He gave you that mark, didn't he?"

The fact that he didn't have any proof made him falter, but only slightly. He knew that his conviction was 90% over-protectiveness towards Ranmaru, but where was that other 10% coming from? He didn't even have an answer for himself, let alone Ranmaru.

He didn't want to irritate Kurogane, but it seemed the more he asked, the more irritable his friend became. Sighing, Ranmaru touched the backs of his hands, and sighed. Both his hands, scarred with the sign of the prey of the Sakurazukamori.

"Yes.. he did.." Ranmaru agreed in a soft tone. "But.. he was not in his right mind.. and things have.. changed now. At least, I hope they have." Ramaru murmured. Then, he turned his head to look up at Kurogane again, and held his hand gently.

"Ranmaru isn't going to allow himself to be harmed, Kurogane.. don't worry.." he told him. Then, with a small smile, he added, "Ranmaru just got his life back. Ranmaru isn't going to waste it.." he chuckled. "Maybe.. Ranmaru can see your world too, someday!"

"You're too kind," Kurogane grumbled ruefully, drawing Ranmaru's hand up to his lips for a chaste kiss. The unfinished half of that sentence echoed in his mind: Like my father...

He could only hope that Ranmaru wouldn't end like his father had, however honorable the death may have been.

"But I know you can take care of yourself. Don't do anything I wouldn't do, hunh?"

Smirking, he let that weight fall off his heart for now, and made a somewhat irritable resolve to at least be civil to the person whom Ranmaru had chosen to love.

Blushing a little at the kiss against his hand, Ranmaru smiled and when he moved his hand, he touched the backs of his fingers against Kurogane's cheek affectionately.

"And what would you not do, Kurogane?" he asked, a hint of playfulness in his voice. Sometimes, getting Kurogane out of a grumpy mood required an interesting combination of being teasing and playful.

And for the one person in this entire city who he could certainly love and not be fearful for, Ranmaru would always appreciate Kurogane. That was one thing he would keep to himself, though. He didn't want feelings to be misinterpreted and cause any problems.

[ooc; And somehow.. I was reminded of this.

:D]

Kurogane had nothing against being drawn out of his grumpy mood now that he had resolved himself in his own mind.

"Something stupid liking giving your life away again," he teased, making sure Ranmaru knew he wasn't being chastising by the good-natured smirk on his face. "Or maybe I would do that."

At least Ranmaru and Fai got along, and Kurogane knew that Ranmaru would be a good influence on the blond mage who so enjoyed making his life miserable.

[ooc: Somehow? I have seen that icon so many times, and it never fails at getting me to stare at it for inordinate lengths of time. ♥]

"Oh Kurogane, if anything happened to you, Ranmaru would do it willingly you know. So that just means Kurogane will have to keep himself safe, ne?" he added, the playful smirk never leaving his face. As for Fai, there was still lot Ranmaru didn't know about him and didn't want to impose on, but as long as he kept Kurogane happy, then there were no complaints, were there?

[ooc; I adore it so. Especially waiting for 'little Kuro' :D ]

"I won't die," he replied confidently, pouring himself another glass of tea. The ritual was reassuring in his hands.

"And you shouldn't offer up your life like that so easily. Better to live on."

As if he hadn't pounded this into the head of Fai a million times before. Hopefully he didn't have to tell Ranmaru this in all seriousness. Kurogane had always lived with the knowledge that he could die any day.

Ranmaru chuckled softly at that. Perhaps Kurogane was right, but it didn't mean the thought wasn't there. As he put down his own teacup, Ranmaru leaned over and took Kurgane's arm in both hands, and wrapping his arms around the larger man's, he moved his cheek against his shoulder and smiled relaxedly, snuggling close to him.

"Ranmaru -is- living on." he told him. However, something struck him, and he turned to look up at Kurogane then, realising he'd almost forgotten.

"Ranmaru needs your help, a little.. if it's alright." he murmured. "Not everyone.. is as considerate about people's choies as you are, Kurogane.." he began, wondering how to break the next part to him.

Oh, gods, that was never a good sign. Like the "I think we need to have a talk".

"You're pregnant?" he hazarded a guess, glancing to the side to catch Ranmaru's eye before gulping a bit of his tea.

He knew how likely that was to happen, knowing Ranmaru's determination to be considered a man despite his almost womanly good looks. Worse things had happened with "choices".

"Not funny, Kurogane." Ranmaru chided, his voice somewhat serious before settling down into a soft tone.

"There's a boy who lives here.. by the name of Shiro Kamui." he whispered, keeping his vice deliberately low so no eavesdropper would hear. "He's one of Subaru-san's.. friends from his world, and.." he paused. "That curse day, when you took me back home.. Tatsumi-san, who had taken the personality of Subaru-san's old love, Seishirou-san.. told Ranmaru something that Ranmaru has been suspicious of."

He stopped for a while, looking down at his hands when he moved them back.

"He says there is a traitor amongst us, someone who is close and someone who is out to hurt us.. and Ranmaru has full reason to suspect Kamui-kun with how strangely he's been acting."

He raised his gaze to look at Kurogane. "But he is still a child.. his actions will be impulsive. However.. Ranmaru is only telling you this because.. these men, Shiro Kamui, Sakurazuka Seishirou and.. Seishirou-san's mother, Sakurazuka Setsuka.. you must be careful with them, Kurogane."

He looked down again, feeling tense.

"Ranmaru has a feeling something bad is going to happen and Ranmaru will not be able to stop it when it does."

It was almost a relief to hear about this as opposed to a few other things he had had in mind. This, he could deal with, had dealt with before. The calm of a challenge filled his thoughts and made them clear.

"You don't trust them, but the vam- the onmyoujin does?" he questioned, keeping his voice low, though he didn't sense anyone else's presence in the area.

"He doesn't trust Seishirou-san, no.. but he does trust Kamui-kun. And Ranmaru is afraid Kamui-kun might do something foolish in his envy to cause Subaru-san problems."

Sighing, he moved a hand to brush back his hair. "Sometimes.. Ranmaru feels as though he has made a very bad choice." he stated in a soft voice. While he was happy to be with Subaru, he couldn't help but wonder sometimes.

"Tch. Envious of you two? He must be mad."

Underneath his careless words, Kurogane was already trying to draw a face to the name, to prepare himself for whatever may come up.

"But the good is greater than the bad, hunh?" he asked, eying Ranmaru seriously, setting his cup on the table. If the danger was worth it to Ran than it would have to be worth it to Kurogane as well.

"In a way." Ranmaru tilted his head to a side and gave Kurogane a quiet smile. "But is it strange to say that Ranmaru would find it worth it, even for his friends?" he did sincerely have feelings for Subaru, there was no doubt about it. And there were his feelings for Kurogane that were warm and comforting in the same way. While they would always rank in priority over others, Ranmaru felt as though it didn't matter.. had another friend been in the same situation, he'd feel the same way and act to protect them similarly.

"You're important to me too, Kurogane." he whispered. "If they hurt you because of my choice in protecting Subaru-san.. then I'll destroy them. Uncaring of who they might be to anyone." his voice had a bit of an edge to it, but then, he sighed and looked to a side.

"It's sad.. to be envious when all it causes is harm."

"It's not strange."

Kurogane, after all, had every intention of dying in protection of someone, someday. Tomoyo, Fai, Ranmaru, the kids... But that probably wouldn't happen for a while.

"Well, if you think you need someone to smack the kid upside the head, you know you could always just ask."

In his experience, a little violence solved most problems, after all.

"You just worry about protecting that boy-toy of yours, and I'll worry about protecting you."

Ranmaru couldn't help but chuckle at the choice of words and shaking his head, he lowered the cup he was holding and smiled to himself.

"Maybe Ranmaru will talk to him." he murmured softly. "Maybe.. he doesn't want to do this, ne.."

Looking up at Kurogane, Ranmaru gave him a determined smile.

"Let's do our best. I'm counting on you to keep me from dying." he gave him a wink and touched his shoulder.

"Tell me.. what's on your mind, alright? I'm always here for you."

"You're good at persuading people," Kurogane agreed, smiling back reassuringly.

His smile, however, faltered when he heard the second question. Sometimes he got the smallest of sympathies for Fai after having conversations with Ranmaru; then he knew what it was like to have to talk to someone who could see right through you.

"There's nothing bothering me, stupid. You're alive. That's enough, for now."

Kurogane couldn't hide anything from Ranmaru, and he smiled when the other teased him in response about nothig being wrong. Seeing his smile fade, however, Ranmaru smirked and placing a hand on Kurogane's shoulder, he leaned in and kissed the side of his mouth, just to surprise him, and smiled at him innocently.

"And when it isn't enough, you know where to find this person. Ne?" he chuckled. "Silly Kurogane."

And he'd smack him if he didn't.

Coincidentally enough, Kurogane was surprised by the quick kiss. People hadn't been teasing him lately.

"Yeah, yeah," he replied irreverently, leaning back with a daredevil smirk. He knew, of course, that Ranmaru was the first person he ever thought about when he needed to talk something through. Something about their minds clicked.

He wasn't an idiot who needed smacking to tell him that.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

LOG - [Incomplete]

no subject

no subject

doing the post as comments thinger. :D

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject