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tampered2006-12-29 01:21 am
elegantorchid.livejournal.com) wrote in tampered2006-12-29 01:21 am
[ Complete - Backdated ] Reunions
When; A day before Christmas.
Rating; G
Characters; Sakurazuka Subaru [![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ikigainashi], Mori Ranmaru [elegantorchid], Akechi Mitsuhide [promisedly]
Summary; During a summoning of Ranmaru's lord's spirit, something happens and Subaru loses contact.. only to discover that the city had something else in mind, much to Ranmaru's surprise..
Log;
Ranmaru had certainly been hopeful. After the events of the days prior, he hadn't seen much of Subaru and it hurt him. more than he was willing to express, rather. So when the onmyoujin returned to talk to him yet again (He hadn't wanted to mention what he had seen, those nights ago and Subaru's disappearance after that had certainly had him worried).. he acted normally as best as he could. Even though his heart was telling him something entirely else.
Perhaps that was why this summon didn't work. For a while, Ranmaru thought that it would, but.. once it was done, he found hiself sinking back on his knees from where he was kneeling.. and looked down at the floor. His fault.. that it didn't, perhaps. So distracted was he with his suspicion about what happened at the tree that..
"It.. did not work..?"
It was true that it was rather hard to concentrate considering his current issues with Ranmaru, but Subaru had spent nearly two days preparing and purifying for just this occasion. He hadn't touched a cigarette, he hadn't had anything except for water, and he had done everything else necessary, and yet... Why?
Sweat beaded at his brow from the stress of attempting for so long now and failing, and he sighed and began to sat back. "I don't--"
There. He felt it. Strange. Why did he feel like it had worked? He couldn't see any spirit, or hear it. But there was that unmistakable presence, so familiar to the times he had communicated with them when he was younger. Even...stronger than normal.
Utterly confused, Subaru looked at Ranmaru just to make sure the spirit hadn't made an attempt to possess him. That was the only explanation he could think of.
Ranmaru was getting up and getting a clean cloth (he'd been told to set aside small clean towels as well as purified water for the spell-caster in cases such as these and he had done so without question so Subaru wouldn't have trouble) and kneeling next to him to touch the material to Subaru's forehead when he suddenly paused as he touched it to his forehead. His expression changed to one of absolute confusion and he moved a hand to the side of his head, looking down and around him, then moving his hand to his chest.
While not being a medium of any sort, Ranmaru was still pretty sensitive to the spirit world due to the intense battle training he received. And with someone as close to him as this one was..
He felt his breath catch in his throat as images flashed through his mind. Images of the castle of Gifu, of that same presence coming in, up the stairs, him, running to the door, kneeling obediently as the door slid open and..
The vision vanished, and Ranmaru found he was shivering. His eyes were wide in shock. "He's here..." he whispered, clutching the sides of his head. "He's.. He's ALIVE."
Ranmaru's reaction was one that definitely alarmed him. Before the boy had even spoken, Subaru already suspected the other possibility. And then he voiced his claim, and Subaru was quickly standing.
It was very much possible for Mitsuhide to have been summoned to the City... But Subaru couldn't possibly believe he had any involvement! It was just a strange, unnerving coincidence.
"Can you tell from which direction?"
Ranmaru was still kneeling and had his hands holding his head.. it was.. impossible and yet.. and yet. It was as certain as the air he was breathing, he could not miss that presence. It was like a mother's expectant wait of a child.. he -knew- his Lord was here. His head was practically bursting with images until he groaned and got to his feet, almost not hearing Subaru as he turned, nearly missing putting on his sandals and calling, "Outside!" over his shoulder, before heading out. He had to keep a slow pace, otherwise Ranmaru was such a swift runner that he could have been where he sensed Mitsuhide within seconds.
He stopped as soon as he stepped outside, looking around them, and then in an almost excited voice, he turned his head towards the direction of the carousel. The snow was falling, but it didn't stop the boy's movement.. he was swift and yet, making sure Subaru was following, he made a run for it.
"By Bishamonten.. " he prayed to himself. Pausing, he turned to look at Subaru and urged him forward. "Subaru-san! Hayaku!"
Ranmaru was fast. It was a good thing that Subaru wasn't out of shape, or he might have had trouble following him. He could feel the snow crunch beneath his boots as he followed behind him, and his throat felt cold as he breathed. His heart was racing. Why? This had nothing to do with him.
And further on ahead, the very man Ranmaru was so eagerly chasing was at the very point he had sensed him out to be. Standing at a short distance from the carousel, Mitsuhide remained standing-- dressed in the warm winter clothing he wore in Mino and Gifu, he looked nothing short of a Lord and warrior. His armor was as elaborate as the kind Ranmaru wore when he had first arrived here, the long cape draped over his shoulders and front for him to huddle under. His long, black hair floated gently as he turned, suddenly tense from the feeling he was having...
Arriving here had been confusing enough but to have felt his page's presence.. his heart fluttered and he looked around him, suddenly aware that through all these people, through the chill of the final month's snow, there was warmth...
And then, his heartbeat picked up as violet eyes opened in surprise at a familiar form in the snow. A form he had gotten so used to seeing when he was much younger. Running towards him.. his precious one, who would drop everything to attend to him, racing there, throwing his arms around his neck and--
"MITSUHIDE-SAMA!!!"
The voice made him snap out of his thoughts and before he knew it, a pair of arms had flung themselves around his neck and the warmth of a familiar body and fragrance enveloped him.
Without even looking, he knew. And then, his own arms came, and protectively wrapped around the smaller form, his head dipping to bury itself in the side of the boy's neck..
These senses had never failed him. He was glad they served him well, even now. And gently, he embraced the boy so close to him that he could feel every contour of his form pressed against him, one name, the only name that had been on his lips since coming here.
"Ranmaru."
It was miraculous. Having seen him standing there, amidst the snow, it was suddenly like being back home. Where in the snow-covered season of their mountaintop castle, his Lord would return like a fox spirit of the moon from his campaigns, and Ranmaru, no matter how occupied he was, would be there as soon as he set foot off his horse onto the ground..
He couldn't control himself. Forgotten was the city around him, and the people in it. His father, his guardian.. his..
He was here. Oh cursed be this city for being unforgiving even to the dead.
And then, he was held in an embrace. An embrace that triggered everything he had held in for months while being here. An embrace that had him shivering in pain for everything that had happened to him.. and before he knew it, Ranmaru was crying. He didn't care that he was in public, he was crying, moving his face into Mitsuhide's chest and holding him tightly.
"Mitsu... hide..sama.. " he sobbed, clutching tightly to him. "I... I finally... found... you..."
Subaru had slowed to a stop as soon as he had seen the tall figure standing before the carousel, and merely watched as Ranmaru kept on running. The sudden display was so heartfelt that it felt like a crime just to even be witnessing it. His cheeks were warm in slight embarrassment, but the rest of him felt shockingly... cold.
Exhaling softly, he looked away and lifted his arms to lightly hug himself. There was no way his powers could have summoned Mitsuhide into this place. His powers had brought him here, yes, but bringing someone else...? Impossible.
Just a coincidence.
Part of him wanted to step forward and comfort Ranmaru. It broke his heart to hear him weeping like that. But he knew, now, that it wasn't his place. Shifting awkwardly, he considered leaving them alone. He was sure they would like the privacy.
"Hush.. Ranmaru." in all honesty, Mitsuhide was shocked. Mitsuhide's initial urge was torn between taking Ranmaru in his arms and never letting go, and wishing that the boy hadn't lose his composure. He had taught Ranmaru to keep himself in check, to remain calm and collected in almost any situation that could possibly be given, and it pained him to see Ranmaru unravel as he did. Pained him to see not the smile he was so accustomed to upon Ranmaru's face, but those tears instead, to hear that sobbing voice instead of the soft tone he had known for so long. Pained him because he was the cause of the slip, because Ranmaru had lost himself due to the fact that Mitsuhide was standing before him.
There was that initial sense of being torn, but none would have been able to recognise it, not unless they had known him for an incredibly long time, not unless they knew him as well as he himself did... or as well as Ranmaru did... No, it was unrecognisable else wise because the moment Ranmaru moved forward, clutching at him, Mitsuhide's hands came up, wrapping around the other's back, soothingly, then once the boy had calmed somewhat, he allowed his hand to travel up the back of the boy's head and make him face him, touching his hands to his cheeks and taking away his tears.
"Ranmaru... there is no reason to cry, I am here..." Words spoken quietly, lowly, to calm Ranmaru. As much as he might have wanted to just let the other continue to cry, to get everything out in the open so that they could perhaps move on from what plagued them in the last life, now was not the time nor the place. No, these things would have to be dealt with later, after Mitsuhide had secured Ranmaru's freedom, after they had moved to a place where they would not be disturbed or watched. Which they were being, and Mitsuhide raised his gaze to look to a side where out of the snow -kissed crowd, that lone figure in black stood out.
Strange.. that something in him.. felt very close to Ranmaru. And then, he turned to look at his page, touching his face, before draping his cape around his shoulders and then drawing him away, towards where the other stood.
The other, who he looked up at, the familiarity finally clicking into place.
"You are the one.. who called me."
If only Mitsuhide knew. How no one, perhaps not even his own shadow had seen his tears- an impossibility, but a comparison as to how composed and settled he had made himself appear to be to everyone. And perhaps, he even had been, but somewhere settled in his subconscious, there was always that dwelling guilt, that pain that he may not have the promise fulfilled, that he would lose Mitsuhide forever, that he would never see him again except in his dreams and he had almost allowed himself to start believing that. Almost. He'd never expected him to come into the city, never thought he'd be forgiven, never..
And right now, he knew, he understood his Lord's thoughts- or would have that in their lifetime, Ranmaru would have acted with more composure but was this not the man who had seen every bit of Ranmaru's self and thoughts?. While he knew and comprehended this was not the place to behave as such, he could not help it. His heart cried with joy and regret, joy at being reunited, regret at this not having happened sooner. And in the end, was he still not a boy?
The way the words were spoken, the way they sought to soothe him was not missed. Every undertone was read and heard and Ranmaru continued to sob until he could compose himself to speak clearly enough. ".. It is my sin as much, Mitsuhide-sama. In the name of honor, even when you begged not to.. "his voice was soft, shaking, but he was trying. Trying to calm down. But the tears would not stop.
Neither did he make any effort to move away when Mitsuhide's arms came around him. He only held him closer, as if afraid he might vanish if he let him go. But he understood what his Lord wanted. He didn't want him to show his tears in public, so he allowed himself to be led away, looking rather startled when he took him towards Subaru. For a moment, he found his heart skip a beat.. did the dead know the work of the living? However, it wasn't too long until he realised.. that Subaru's summoning hadn't been an entire failure. And he found himself smiling despite everything, and before he could help himself, he moved forward to hug Subaru as well, looking between both men. "It worked. Subaru-san, it did work!!" He paused, then blushed slightly, wiping his eyes with the back of his gloved hands as he pulled away. "Ah.. " he sniffed. "Subaru-san.." he motioned to his Lord. "Akechi Mitsuhide.. my Lord.." the look in Ranmaru's eyes was of such gratefulness and love towards Subaru for doing this that it could have melted the snow around them. Lucky for him, Mitsuhide didn't catch it.
Mitsuhide moving closer made him so tense that when Ranmaru suddenly hugged him, he nearly slipped on the patch of ice he'd been standing on. Fortunately, he remained steady, and instead just rested his hand against Ranmaru's arm in response before dropping it again to once more stand straight.
Then, after looking back to Ranmaru's lord, he looked down to the snow and stepped back to bow. "My name is Saku-- ...Sumeragi Subaru. I was attempting to summon you, for Ranmaru-san, but... I can't claim to have done this." Subaru glanced back up, somewhat sheepishly.
"Such a power could not belong to me. I think it is merely a coincidence, but a good one, if it makes you two happy."
Returning the bow with grace, Mitsuhide then replied, "An honor, Sumeragi-san. This person was called by a power found in an earthly spirit that called to this place. It was when this person sought to follow it that your name and face, were shown." He spoke clearly, and stated a simple thing; Subaru had indeed just summoned him, but done only that. "There was.. however.. something strange that occurred when this person chose to do so.." he looked at Ranmaru. "Not only did my spirit begin to be weighed down by a body, but this person is breathing again. How is this possible when this person is certain that he is.." Dead..?
Ranmaru looked back at his Lord, feeling slightly melancholy about what he had to tell them. So Subaru's summoning -had- been successful, but as usual, the city had to play it's dirty tricks. He looked a his lover quietly, then shook his head and looked back at Mitsuhide. "That must have been the City's interference. Subaru-san cannot awaken the dead. It must have been Subaru-san's summoning that alerted the city to your presence.."
That explanation made the most sense, and he nodded as he slipped a hand into his pocket to reach for a cigarette. Then, he stopped himself. Smoking as soon as you met someone wasn't the most polite gesture.
But he was feeling incredibly stressed now, for some reason.
"Yes... I do apologize for that, since I'm sure your soul was at peace. This wasn't supposed to be a permanent thing... But if the City has brought you here, and you're...no longer alive...then I doubt you'll be leaving again."
That made Ranmaru's heart break a little. So he had returned to life, only to be trapped in a place of extreme madness. It was painful to imagine that the world without war Mitsuhide had finally reawoken to was this cursed city. And he, himself, who was alive.. while his Lord, his dear Lord, was dead.
He didn't know what to think at that moment.
Noting the confusion on his page's face and the tension on the other young man's, Mitsuhide suddenly felt as though his presence was imposing on them both. Unaware of the nature of their relationship, he regarded them both closely, then shook his head slightly.
"Whatever the case may be.." he began softly. "It does not change the fact that Subaru-san has reunited this person with his most precious one." there was warmth in his eyes even looking upon Subaru, and he bowed his head in gratitude again. "I will not trouble you more, you have my word."
"Nonsense. You are Ranmaru-san's lord. It was an honor to be able to help, and to meet you. At the...very least, you two can live together again." He glanced off to the side and pulled his hands out of his pockets.
"I'm sure you... have enough to catch up on." At least on Ranmaru's side, he was certain. "I have errands to tend to, so I'll leave you both be."
Surprised by the sudden action, Ranmaru wondered what was up with Subaru-- he had seemed somewhat uncomfortable he'd noticed, having lived with him for so long, and raising an eyebrow, he glanced between both Lord and lover and hit upon a decision. Taking Mitsuhide by the hand and Subaru by the arm, Ranmaru smiled up at him, is tears at rest as he gave the omyoujin a warm look.
"Errands can wait. Ranmaru wont have you doing anything in this weather." turning to look at Mitsuhide, Ranmaru smiled. "Let's go home." and leaving no room for questions, he led both men away from the city, making sure to keep communication alive as he did so.
And above them, the snow began to fall in a welcoming flow.
Rating; G
Characters; Sakurazuka Subaru [
ikigainashi], Mori Ranmaru [elegantorchid], Akechi Mitsuhide [promisedly]Summary; During a summoning of Ranmaru's lord's spirit, something happens and Subaru loses contact.. only to discover that the city had something else in mind, much to Ranmaru's surprise..
Log;
Ranmaru had certainly been hopeful. After the events of the days prior, he hadn't seen much of Subaru and it hurt him. more than he was willing to express, rather. So when the onmyoujin returned to talk to him yet again (He hadn't wanted to mention what he had seen, those nights ago and Subaru's disappearance after that had certainly had him worried).. he acted normally as best as he could. Even though his heart was telling him something entirely else.
Perhaps that was why this summon didn't work. For a while, Ranmaru thought that it would, but.. once it was done, he found hiself sinking back on his knees from where he was kneeling.. and looked down at the floor. His fault.. that it didn't, perhaps. So distracted was he with his suspicion about what happened at the tree that..
"It.. did not work..?"
It was true that it was rather hard to concentrate considering his current issues with Ranmaru, but Subaru had spent nearly two days preparing and purifying for just this occasion. He hadn't touched a cigarette, he hadn't had anything except for water, and he had done everything else necessary, and yet... Why?
Sweat beaded at his brow from the stress of attempting for so long now and failing, and he sighed and began to sat back. "I don't--"
There. He felt it. Strange. Why did he feel like it had worked? He couldn't see any spirit, or hear it. But there was that unmistakable presence, so familiar to the times he had communicated with them when he was younger. Even...stronger than normal.
Utterly confused, Subaru looked at Ranmaru just to make sure the spirit hadn't made an attempt to possess him. That was the only explanation he could think of.
Ranmaru was getting up and getting a clean cloth (he'd been told to set aside small clean towels as well as purified water for the spell-caster in cases such as these and he had done so without question so Subaru wouldn't have trouble) and kneeling next to him to touch the material to Subaru's forehead when he suddenly paused as he touched it to his forehead. His expression changed to one of absolute confusion and he moved a hand to the side of his head, looking down and around him, then moving his hand to his chest.
While not being a medium of any sort, Ranmaru was still pretty sensitive to the spirit world due to the intense battle training he received. And with someone as close to him as this one was..
He felt his breath catch in his throat as images flashed through his mind. Images of the castle of Gifu, of that same presence coming in, up the stairs, him, running to the door, kneeling obediently as the door slid open and..
The vision vanished, and Ranmaru found he was shivering. His eyes were wide in shock. "He's here..." he whispered, clutching the sides of his head. "He's.. He's ALIVE."
Ranmaru's reaction was one that definitely alarmed him. Before the boy had even spoken, Subaru already suspected the other possibility. And then he voiced his claim, and Subaru was quickly standing.
It was very much possible for Mitsuhide to have been summoned to the City... But Subaru couldn't possibly believe he had any involvement! It was just a strange, unnerving coincidence.
"Can you tell from which direction?"
Ranmaru was still kneeling and had his hands holding his head.. it was.. impossible and yet.. and yet. It was as certain as the air he was breathing, he could not miss that presence. It was like a mother's expectant wait of a child.. he -knew- his Lord was here. His head was practically bursting with images until he groaned and got to his feet, almost not hearing Subaru as he turned, nearly missing putting on his sandals and calling, "Outside!" over his shoulder, before heading out. He had to keep a slow pace, otherwise Ranmaru was such a swift runner that he could have been where he sensed Mitsuhide within seconds.
He stopped as soon as he stepped outside, looking around them, and then in an almost excited voice, he turned his head towards the direction of the carousel. The snow was falling, but it didn't stop the boy's movement.. he was swift and yet, making sure Subaru was following, he made a run for it.
"By Bishamonten.. " he prayed to himself. Pausing, he turned to look at Subaru and urged him forward. "Subaru-san! Hayaku!"
Ranmaru was fast. It was a good thing that Subaru wasn't out of shape, or he might have had trouble following him. He could feel the snow crunch beneath his boots as he followed behind him, and his throat felt cold as he breathed. His heart was racing. Why? This had nothing to do with him.
And further on ahead, the very man Ranmaru was so eagerly chasing was at the very point he had sensed him out to be. Standing at a short distance from the carousel, Mitsuhide remained standing-- dressed in the warm winter clothing he wore in Mino and Gifu, he looked nothing short of a Lord and warrior. His armor was as elaborate as the kind Ranmaru wore when he had first arrived here, the long cape draped over his shoulders and front for him to huddle under. His long, black hair floated gently as he turned, suddenly tense from the feeling he was having...
Arriving here had been confusing enough but to have felt his page's presence.. his heart fluttered and he looked around him, suddenly aware that through all these people, through the chill of the final month's snow, there was warmth...
And then, his heartbeat picked up as violet eyes opened in surprise at a familiar form in the snow. A form he had gotten so used to seeing when he was much younger. Running towards him.. his precious one, who would drop everything to attend to him, racing there, throwing his arms around his neck and--
"MITSUHIDE-SAMA!!!"
The voice made him snap out of his thoughts and before he knew it, a pair of arms had flung themselves around his neck and the warmth of a familiar body and fragrance enveloped him.
Without even looking, he knew. And then, his own arms came, and protectively wrapped around the smaller form, his head dipping to bury itself in the side of the boy's neck..
These senses had never failed him. He was glad they served him well, even now. And gently, he embraced the boy so close to him that he could feel every contour of his form pressed against him, one name, the only name that had been on his lips since coming here.
"Ranmaru."
It was miraculous. Having seen him standing there, amidst the snow, it was suddenly like being back home. Where in the snow-covered season of their mountaintop castle, his Lord would return like a fox spirit of the moon from his campaigns, and Ranmaru, no matter how occupied he was, would be there as soon as he set foot off his horse onto the ground..
He couldn't control himself. Forgotten was the city around him, and the people in it. His father, his guardian.. his..
He was here. Oh cursed be this city for being unforgiving even to the dead.
And then, he was held in an embrace. An embrace that triggered everything he had held in for months while being here. An embrace that had him shivering in pain for everything that had happened to him.. and before he knew it, Ranmaru was crying. He didn't care that he was in public, he was crying, moving his face into Mitsuhide's chest and holding him tightly.
"Mitsu... hide..sama.. " he sobbed, clutching tightly to him. "I... I finally... found... you..."
Subaru had slowed to a stop as soon as he had seen the tall figure standing before the carousel, and merely watched as Ranmaru kept on running. The sudden display was so heartfelt that it felt like a crime just to even be witnessing it. His cheeks were warm in slight embarrassment, but the rest of him felt shockingly... cold.
Exhaling softly, he looked away and lifted his arms to lightly hug himself. There was no way his powers could have summoned Mitsuhide into this place. His powers had brought him here, yes, but bringing someone else...? Impossible.
Just a coincidence.
Part of him wanted to step forward and comfort Ranmaru. It broke his heart to hear him weeping like that. But he knew, now, that it wasn't his place. Shifting awkwardly, he considered leaving them alone. He was sure they would like the privacy.
"Hush.. Ranmaru." in all honesty, Mitsuhide was shocked. Mitsuhide's initial urge was torn between taking Ranmaru in his arms and never letting go, and wishing that the boy hadn't lose his composure. He had taught Ranmaru to keep himself in check, to remain calm and collected in almost any situation that could possibly be given, and it pained him to see Ranmaru unravel as he did. Pained him to see not the smile he was so accustomed to upon Ranmaru's face, but those tears instead, to hear that sobbing voice instead of the soft tone he had known for so long. Pained him because he was the cause of the slip, because Ranmaru had lost himself due to the fact that Mitsuhide was standing before him.
There was that initial sense of being torn, but none would have been able to recognise it, not unless they had known him for an incredibly long time, not unless they knew him as well as he himself did... or as well as Ranmaru did... No, it was unrecognisable else wise because the moment Ranmaru moved forward, clutching at him, Mitsuhide's hands came up, wrapping around the other's back, soothingly, then once the boy had calmed somewhat, he allowed his hand to travel up the back of the boy's head and make him face him, touching his hands to his cheeks and taking away his tears.
"Ranmaru... there is no reason to cry, I am here..." Words spoken quietly, lowly, to calm Ranmaru. As much as he might have wanted to just let the other continue to cry, to get everything out in the open so that they could perhaps move on from what plagued them in the last life, now was not the time nor the place. No, these things would have to be dealt with later, after Mitsuhide had secured Ranmaru's freedom, after they had moved to a place where they would not be disturbed or watched. Which they were being, and Mitsuhide raised his gaze to look to a side where out of the snow -kissed crowd, that lone figure in black stood out.
Strange.. that something in him.. felt very close to Ranmaru. And then, he turned to look at his page, touching his face, before draping his cape around his shoulders and then drawing him away, towards where the other stood.
The other, who he looked up at, the familiarity finally clicking into place.
"You are the one.. who called me."
If only Mitsuhide knew. How no one, perhaps not even his own shadow had seen his tears- an impossibility, but a comparison as to how composed and settled he had made himself appear to be to everyone. And perhaps, he even had been, but somewhere settled in his subconscious, there was always that dwelling guilt, that pain that he may not have the promise fulfilled, that he would lose Mitsuhide forever, that he would never see him again except in his dreams and he had almost allowed himself to start believing that. Almost. He'd never expected him to come into the city, never thought he'd be forgiven, never..
And right now, he knew, he understood his Lord's thoughts- or would have that in their lifetime, Ranmaru would have acted with more composure but was this not the man who had seen every bit of Ranmaru's self and thoughts?. While he knew and comprehended this was not the place to behave as such, he could not help it. His heart cried with joy and regret, joy at being reunited, regret at this not having happened sooner. And in the end, was he still not a boy?
The way the words were spoken, the way they sought to soothe him was not missed. Every undertone was read and heard and Ranmaru continued to sob until he could compose himself to speak clearly enough. ".. It is my sin as much, Mitsuhide-sama. In the name of honor, even when you begged not to.. "his voice was soft, shaking, but he was trying. Trying to calm down. But the tears would not stop.
Neither did he make any effort to move away when Mitsuhide's arms came around him. He only held him closer, as if afraid he might vanish if he let him go. But he understood what his Lord wanted. He didn't want him to show his tears in public, so he allowed himself to be led away, looking rather startled when he took him towards Subaru. For a moment, he found his heart skip a beat.. did the dead know the work of the living? However, it wasn't too long until he realised.. that Subaru's summoning hadn't been an entire failure. And he found himself smiling despite everything, and before he could help himself, he moved forward to hug Subaru as well, looking between both men. "It worked. Subaru-san, it did work!!" He paused, then blushed slightly, wiping his eyes with the back of his gloved hands as he pulled away. "Ah.. " he sniffed. "Subaru-san.." he motioned to his Lord. "Akechi Mitsuhide.. my Lord.." the look in Ranmaru's eyes was of such gratefulness and love towards Subaru for doing this that it could have melted the snow around them. Lucky for him, Mitsuhide didn't catch it.
Mitsuhide moving closer made him so tense that when Ranmaru suddenly hugged him, he nearly slipped on the patch of ice he'd been standing on. Fortunately, he remained steady, and instead just rested his hand against Ranmaru's arm in response before dropping it again to once more stand straight.
Then, after looking back to Ranmaru's lord, he looked down to the snow and stepped back to bow. "My name is Saku-- ...Sumeragi Subaru. I was attempting to summon you, for Ranmaru-san, but... I can't claim to have done this." Subaru glanced back up, somewhat sheepishly.
"Such a power could not belong to me. I think it is merely a coincidence, but a good one, if it makes you two happy."
Returning the bow with grace, Mitsuhide then replied, "An honor, Sumeragi-san. This person was called by a power found in an earthly spirit that called to this place. It was when this person sought to follow it that your name and face, were shown." He spoke clearly, and stated a simple thing; Subaru had indeed just summoned him, but done only that. "There was.. however.. something strange that occurred when this person chose to do so.." he looked at Ranmaru. "Not only did my spirit begin to be weighed down by a body, but this person is breathing again. How is this possible when this person is certain that he is.." Dead..?
Ranmaru looked back at his Lord, feeling slightly melancholy about what he had to tell them. So Subaru's summoning -had- been successful, but as usual, the city had to play it's dirty tricks. He looked a his lover quietly, then shook his head and looked back at Mitsuhide. "That must have been the City's interference. Subaru-san cannot awaken the dead. It must have been Subaru-san's summoning that alerted the city to your presence.."
That explanation made the most sense, and he nodded as he slipped a hand into his pocket to reach for a cigarette. Then, he stopped himself. Smoking as soon as you met someone wasn't the most polite gesture.
But he was feeling incredibly stressed now, for some reason.
"Yes... I do apologize for that, since I'm sure your soul was at peace. This wasn't supposed to be a permanent thing... But if the City has brought you here, and you're...no longer alive...then I doubt you'll be leaving again."
That made Ranmaru's heart break a little. So he had returned to life, only to be trapped in a place of extreme madness. It was painful to imagine that the world without war Mitsuhide had finally reawoken to was this cursed city. And he, himself, who was alive.. while his Lord, his dear Lord, was dead.
He didn't know what to think at that moment.
Noting the confusion on his page's face and the tension on the other young man's, Mitsuhide suddenly felt as though his presence was imposing on them both. Unaware of the nature of their relationship, he regarded them both closely, then shook his head slightly.
"Whatever the case may be.." he began softly. "It does not change the fact that Subaru-san has reunited this person with his most precious one." there was warmth in his eyes even looking upon Subaru, and he bowed his head in gratitude again. "I will not trouble you more, you have my word."
"Nonsense. You are Ranmaru-san's lord. It was an honor to be able to help, and to meet you. At the...very least, you two can live together again." He glanced off to the side and pulled his hands out of his pockets.
"I'm sure you... have enough to catch up on." At least on Ranmaru's side, he was certain. "I have errands to tend to, so I'll leave you both be."
Surprised by the sudden action, Ranmaru wondered what was up with Subaru-- he had seemed somewhat uncomfortable he'd noticed, having lived with him for so long, and raising an eyebrow, he glanced between both Lord and lover and hit upon a decision. Taking Mitsuhide by the hand and Subaru by the arm, Ranmaru smiled up at him, is tears at rest as he gave the omyoujin a warm look.
"Errands can wait. Ranmaru wont have you doing anything in this weather." turning to look at Mitsuhide, Ranmaru smiled. "Let's go home." and leaving no room for questions, he led both men away from the city, making sure to keep communication alive as he did so.
And above them, the snow began to fall in a welcoming flow.