ITCOW 41
The chase is here. Was a bit tricky to write as I am more use to having Sekido be the main amusement when he goes bonkers in these chases.
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You yourself couldn’t actually tell what you were, exactly. You couldn’t remember anything from the moment you were born, except one thing. Your name.
Everything else was blurred to you, your original sex and race. All you could remember was your name, and even if it could have belonged to any creature or sex.
But Mitsuri? She only wanted your good, she never wanted to mold you into something you were not… And you loved her for it.
You wanted to please her, be whatever she wanted you to be, but she just smiled and told you that it was enough if you gave yourself to her, dedicated your life to her, and she would take care of everything.
With her, you wouldn’t have to worry about anything anymore, because she would take care of you and love you.
And she loved you. It didn’t matter to her what you were, a man, a woman, something between them, or nothing at all. Mitsuri was taught to find a suitable husband for her community, and you were the most potential one she had laid her gorgeous eyes on.
…But it was exactly why she had fallen in love with you that she couldn’t bring you to her village. She wanted you, yes, but she wasn’t willing to share you with other Lamias from her village.
So when she asked you to become hers, she made it clear to you that you wouldn’t be shared with her people. That you belonged to her and her only, that she would give her life making sure you were happy if it meant you wouldn’t leave her side, ever.
And you happily agreed, tears of joy in your eyes as you promised yourself to her and her only.
Answer
Definitely agree about Obanai never being able to control herself around Mitsu lmao
Answer
The scent of iron and ozone hung heavy in the air, a familiar perfume to Clementine. She stood amidst the broken bodies of a bandit camp, a bored smile playing on her lips, her twin daggers still dripping. “Hardly a challenge,” she muttered, kicking a severed head like a pebble. She craved more.
Suddenly, a shimmering ripple tore through the very fabric of the forest air a few yards away. Clementine’s eyes, usually half-lidded with ennui, snapped wide. This wasn’t magic she recognized. From the distortion stepped a figure that made her blood hum in a way it hadn’t since her days in the Slane Theocracy.
He was… large. Not obese, but powerfully built, with broad shoulders and a chest that strained the seams of his peculiar uniform. A vibrant haori, striped in lime green and white, billowed around him. His hair, a striking mix of dark green fading to bright pink at the tips, was tied back in a thick braid. But it was his eyes that truly captivated her – wide, emerald orbs, sparkling with a disarming innocence, rimmed by impossibly long lashes. And his smile… oh, his smile was like a burst of sunshine after a long, dark winter.
“Oh my, where did that come from?” the man exclaimed, his voice a rich, melodic baritone, utterly devoid of fear, despite the carnage surrounding Clementine. He blinked, taking in the scene. “Oh dear! Were these people… being mean?”
Clementine felt a strange, unfamiliar flutter in her chest. This was not the thrill of battle, nor the pleasure of torture. This was… different. Her usual sneer softened, almost imperceptibly.
“Who are you?” she purred, her voice a low, dangerous rumble, but with an underlying tremor she couldn’t control.
The man turned his full attention to her, his smile widening further. “Oh! I’m Mitsuru Kanroji! And you're… very strong, aren’t you?” He gestured vaguely at the mangled bandits. “You handled them so quickly! My stomach is rumbling just thinking about how much energy that must have taken!”
Clementine’s breath hitched. Strong. He saw her strength, and he appreciated it. Not in fear, not in challenge, but with genuine admiration. Her heart, a cold, shriveled thing for so long, felt a sudden, violent throb. The way his muscles flexed under his uniform, the sheer, unadulterated joy radiating from him, the innocent beauty of his face…
“Mitsuru,” she repeated, tasting the name. It felt… right. “Yes, I am strong. And you… you’re quite something yourself, aren’t you?” Her gaze raked over his powerful physique, a possessive glint entering her eyes.
Mitsuru blushed, a faint pink dusting his cheeks. “Oh! Well, I do try my best! My Love Breathing requires a lot of flexibility and power, you know!” He then noticed her daggers. “Are those… for fighting? They look very sharp!”
Clementine found herself laughing, a genuine, unforced sound that surprised even herself. “They are. Do you… fight, Mitsuru?”
“Oh yes!” he declared, puffing out his chest. “I’m a Hashira! It’s my duty to protect people from demons!” He looked around, suddenly confused. “Though I don’t see any here… just these rather unfortunate looking… humans.”
Demons? Hashira? Clementine didn’t understand the words, but she understood the intent. He was a warrior. A powerful, beautiful, kind, and utterly captivating warrior.
A new, terrifyingly sweet obsession bloomed in Clementine’s heart. Her usual sadism twisted, not into a desire to hurt him, but a fervent need to possess him, to protect him, to bask in his warmth and strength. She would show him her strength. She would make him see only her.
“Mitsuru,” she said again, stepping closer, her hand reaching out, not for a dagger, but for his arm. Her fingers, usually so quick to inflict pain, were surprisingly gentle as they brushed his bicep. “Tell me more about yourself. Tell me everything. And then… you can stay with me. Forever.”
Mitsuru, oblivious to the dangerous undertones in her voice, just beamed. “Oh, really? You’re so kind! I’m a little lost, to be honest. And I’m always looking for strong, kind people to spend time with!”
Clementine’s smile widened, a predatory, yet utterly smitten, grin. She had found her greatest treasure. And she would never, ever let him go.
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Mitsuri: All that matter is that you feel comfortable in your body!
Giyu: (Walks in)
Mitsuri: Nevermind
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Un fanart que subiré en instagram aunque algo editado. Aqui esta la versión en crudo.
Era para el dia de san valentin pero, ups.
♥️+:;;;:+♥️+:;;;:+♥️+:;;;:+♥️+:;;;:+♥️+:;;;:+♥️
Answer
You never really believed in soulmates… While your friends and companions had a mark appear on the back of their hands, a mark they shared with their soulmate, you had no mark.
You waited and waited, but no matter what you did, the mark never appeared on your hand… So you came to the conclusion that you didn’t have a soulmate, that you’d be alone or with someone who didn’t share your heart and soul.
You applied for the exchange program in hopes of starting a new life out there, a fresh start as one would call it.
But on your way to your new home, a miracle happened, and you watched in awe as the back of your hand shone like a star and a mark appeared on it.
It looked kinda like it was a heart made of ink drops or such. As happy as you were, you were also confused. Why did the mark appear now, of all times? What did it mean?
Was your soulmate perhaps close by? You got your answer quicker than you thought when you met your host family.
“Hello there!” This pink-haired young woman cheered as she ran to meet you, “My name is Mitsuri Kanroji, and I’ll be your host!”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you-!” You nodded as you offered your hand to her, and your eyes widened as you saw the mark on the back of her hand. It was exactly like yours!
“Your hand…?”
“Hm?” Mitsuri looked down, and her eyes widened as she saw that you had the same mark as she had.
“Oh my!” She gasped, and you swallowed nervously, “So… You’re my…?”
“Let’s get your stuff inside quickly!” The young woman said, and you nodded as you moved to grab your suitcase, but she was quicker and way stronger, easily picking the huge suitcase like it weighed nothing.
You slithered after her into your new home. The house was clean, and there was a sweet smell inside, as if you were in a bakery. You looked at Mitsuri, your soulmate, and your heart beat a little harder in your chest.
She was very pretty, and you were pretty sure that she was super kind also.
“Your hand…?” You were asking when Mitsuri turned to smile at you, “I’m so excited about this!”
“You are?”
“Yes! Just wait until my boyfriend gets here!”
Boyfriend? So… She had gotten together with someone who didn’t share her soulmate mark? You grew nervous. Were you going to break them up?
Misturi seemed like she could read your mind and tell that you weren’t feeling that well. So she gently took your hand and led you to a kitchen area.
“Would you like something to eat or drink? Tea perhaps?”
“Ah, thank you.” You nodded humbly, and she prepared you and herself some sweet wild berry tea and sat opposite you at the table.
“Your hair is super pretty!” She said suddenly, and you blinked slightly as you registered her words.
“You…” You frowned slightly, “You aren’t put off by my snakes?”
“Not at all!” Mitsuri shook her head, “My boyfriend loves snakes! He carries his snake friend everywhere he goes!”
“I see…” You nodded, trying not to let your disappointed feelings show.
“Is it true that you can turn people into stone with your gaze?” She asked, and you couldn’t help but smile a little, amused, “No, it’s just a rumor.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Can you tell me more about yourself?” She asked as she tilted her head cutely, “I’d like to know more about you!”
Your heart almost skipped a beat, and you started to tell her about Lamias and Medusae or Gorgons such as yourself. She happily listened to you, nodding and occasionally asking a question or two, which you happily replied to.
Suddenly, there was a click, and you heard the front door open and close.
“Mitsuri, I’m home.”
“That’s my boyfriend!” The peppy young woman jumped up so fast she almost knocked her chair over, and before you could react, she pulled you with her to the front door.
“Obanai, Obanai! Our new friend arrived!”
“They did?”
You blinked as you saw your soulmate’s boyfriend. He was rather petite, but his eyes were like gorgeous gemstones, his hair dark as night, and his voice?
“She has the same soulmate mark as we do!” Mitsuri said, and you and Obanai both blinked and said in unison, “What?”
“Look!” The young woman showed your and her hands, and Obanai raised his own for you to see. Your eyes widened as you saw that the three of you actually did have the same inky hearts on the back of your hands.
“How-?”
“So, we are all soulmates…” Obanai nodded, and you looked at him, stunned, “We are?”
“Yes.”
“How exciting!” Mitsuri squealed, but you were still very confused, “Can this really be?”
“These types of things aren’t common, but they have happened in the past,” Obanai said, and you frowned lightly…
“How…?” You swallowed as you raised your marked hand for them to see, “How do you two feel about this?”
The young soulmates shared quick glances and then nodded or smiled at you.
“I think I speak for both of us when I say that we would love to get to know you better!” Mitsuri said, and Obanai nodded, “Things like these take time… But we are willing to try and give you a chance.”
You were a little unsure… But they were your host family, and you really wanted to learn more about them and grow closer, also.
“I’m actually pretty new to this…?” You said, but the young pink-haired woman smiled as she grabbed your hand and squeezed it in an assuring manner.
“It’s okay!” Mitsuri said, “As long as we are open-minded, then anything is possible!”
She really took you by surprise… But you felt happy again. Then you noticed movement from the corner of your eye. You turned to look, thinking it was Obanai, but there was something on his neck… A snake?
“Oh, and who is this?” You smiled at the white snake around Obanai’s neck, and the man replied, “His name is Kaburamaru. He is my oldest friend.”
“He is gorgeous.” You smiled, and Obanai nodded as his eyes took in your very… Lively hair.
“I see you have a couple of snakes also.”
You blinked, slightly confused, before you understood that he was referring to your hair.
“Oh, my hair might look like the snakes are alive, but fear not, as they are not. They don’t have bones, organs, or brains, and they don’t feel pain, so I can cut them if I want to.”
“It doesn’t hurt?” Mitsuri looked at you in worry, and you smiled as you shook your head, “Not at all. They are actually closer to tentacles than real snakes.”
“We didn’t know that,” The young man said, and the young woman nodded, “See? We are already learning so much from each other!”
You nodded, but as you were about to reply, your stomach let out a loud grumble, and you blushed as you quickly covered your stomach with your hands as a sad attempt to silence it, but your new friends heard you loud and clear.
“Are you hungry perhaps?” Mitsuri asked, and you blushed as you nodded, “A little…”
“Then you can leave cooking to us!” She said, “Obanai and I are actually pretty good cooks!”
The same man nodded as he looked at you, “Medusae are carnivores, right?”
You nodded, and he copied you, “Then you have nothing to worry about. We have plenty of food and meat for all three of us.”
“Thank you,” You were so thankful that they were so understanding towards your diet.
“Mitsuri,” Obanai glanced at his girlfriend, “You could show our new friend her room while I get the meal started?”
“That’s a wonderful idea!” Mitsuri nodded as she grabbed your earlier heavy suitcase, and you followed behind her to your room. It was pretty plain, but at least the bed was huge!
“I’m sorry it’s not much, but we wanted to give you a chance to decorate it as you would like to!” She said, and you nodded, understanding their choice.
“I love it,” You said, and Mitsuri absolutely beamed in joy, “I’m glad! Please get comfortable while Obanai and I start cooking! We will call you when the food is done!”
“Thank you,” You nodded, and the young woman left you alone with your stuff and thoughts. You moving and getting your soulmate mark and actually meeting your soulmates in one day? It was a lot.
… But they didn’t appear to be bad people, which was a good start. You even smiled a little, already waiting to learn more about them and vice versa.
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i will hunt you down in every universe °.*ೃ✧˚.
🦋 category: angst, modern!au
🦋 characters: obanai, mitsuri, shinobu, kanae, sanemi, rengoku, giyu, gyomei, muichiro and yuichiro
🦋 summary: in which obanai and mitsuri get married, but mitsuri dies and obanai has to learn how to cope with it… it is not healthy
chapter 3
🦋 warnings: cancer lol
🦋 notes: obanai has gone insane
Obanai stared at the banner which read “Shinobu’s sweet 27!”
There the sisters stood, smiling and talking to all of their friends. Sanemi was beside him, keeping him company in a place that did not seem to fit Obanai’s emotions. Kanao, the Kocho’s cousin, was with a mysterious boy, one Obanai assumed to be her boyfriend. He had heard from Sanemi that his name was Kamado Tanjiro.
Mitsuri would’ve loved this party. He could envision her, standing right beside Shinobu, smiling and making the young woman look amazing for her birthday.
God he could hear her…
“Obanai,” a soft voice pulled him away from his thoughts. It was Kanae. “How have you been?” She asked gently.
Obanai offered a small smile. “As great as one can be,” he said, glancing over at the radiant Shinobu greeting everyone. It would’ve been Mitsuri by her side if she was still alive.
Kanae nodded. “I’m glad you made it.”
Obanai nodded on behalf of Mitsuri. He knew she’d love it here.
That’s why… he did what he had to do. Mitsuri will love him even more for it. He was going to bring back the missing piece.
Giyu snapped him out of his thoughts, offering a cup of sake to the lovestruck man. Obanai silently accepted it. The two men drank together side by side in silence, neither of which really knew what to say. They never really talked that much, even while Mitsuri was still alive.
A rough pat on the back broke the silence with a loud slap. Obanai looked behind to see the smiling Rengoku Kyojuro. “I haven’t seen you in ages!” He proclaimed before taking a sip of his alcohol. “Delicious! Amaz-”
His little brother, Senjuro, dragged him away. Kyojuro was getting a little drunk. “Sorry for him! He had too much to drink! He’s out of control.”
Obanai had almost forgotten about how the atmosphere was with everyone around. Everyone enjoying each other’s presence… like how he used to do it with her.
If only she was here. She’d love it so much. The way Shinobu was smiling at everyone, how Sanemi was helping Kanae out with the guests and keeping everything in check, how the Tokito twins were making fun of a drunk Kyojuro with Senjuro, how Gyomei was limiting the alcohol intake for the younger ones. Mitsuri would genuinely love it here. Shinobu would love to have her here as well. The two were so close…“Obanai!” Shinobu shouted.
He looked over and saw the young woman standing behind her cake, motioning for him to move over for a photo. He walked over and offered the smallest smile he could. It was just a photo of him and Shinobu. Mitsuri would’ve been there if she was still alive. His smile would have been bigger if she was here.
Everyone knew what Mitsuri would be doing if she was here. Everyone could feel her absence.
The happy birthday song sounded empty without her. Obanai looked around as Kyojuro sang at the top of his drunken lungs, the three young boys egging him on as Kanae and Shinobu laughed. Tengen was the only one who sang in tune, everyone else was having fun. Kanae had wiped some whipped cream on Shinobu’s face after she cut her cake and they all had a good laugh from it. Obanai found himself in a sea of happiness and for once, he could embrace it, just not as much as he would’ve enjoyed with Mitsuri.
He was glad he came.
It made him even more grounded in what he had planned.
Mitsuri was the missing piece, and he knew how to get her back. He did not see any other solution.
That night when he finally got home, thanks to a free ride by Sanemi, he got to work. His machine, in his shared room with Mitsuri. It was a rotating hole held on by two stands by it’s sides. Obanai spent a long time on the interface, where it was on the right because Mitsuri was always right.
He just had to make sure it all worked, before embarking.
Perhaps he should say his goodbye first?
To everyone in this universe, and he will see them in the next one.
His machine.. He could feel it… It’s almost ready.
Soon, he will see Mitsuri again. He could not wait, he was so excited. He could feel his heart almost exploding.
He just has to tie up all the loose ends first… His eatery… All the food made from there, none of which he ate because he could never be on Mitsuri’s level…
He had messaged Sanemi, telling him to gather everyone at the eatery because he had something to say. It was going to be on a Sunday evening. That shall be the last time he sees everyone. He had to be ready by then.
He cleaned up the eatery, letting his workers know that it was going to be transferred to someone else. He had it all planned out. His workers seem to think that he’s going on vacation. That was the lie he fed to them. Sanemi and the others were all clueless, Obanai hadn’t said a single thing.
He was planning on feeding the same lie to Sanemi and the others as well. He knew they would all tell him to move on, rather than encourage him with this universe hopping crap.
The day before the final goodbye, he drove to Mitsuri’s final resting area. He hasn’t visited her in ages. He could never bring himself to, it was like forcing him to admit that she was gone and he did not want to face that reality. It was not real to him. It never was real. It was a test to see if he really loved Mitsuri. He knew he passed that test. His dedication, nobody could match up to him.
He stood before her gravestone, placing down a bouquet of yellow daffodils.
“My dear Mitsuri…” He muttered.” Soon, we will reunite soon.”
He left soon after that.
That night, he arrived at the eatery. It was going to be closed the next day. Obanai had to get everything ready. The goodbye decorations, food that he was going to cook. Everything. It had to be perfect. The vacation lie, he was sure Sanemi would be the happiest for him. Everything would be going his way now.
Obanai had worked on this for years. Finally, everything fell into place. Soon… soon…
The goodbye balloons were all blown and hung by Obanai himself. He carefully seasoned and prepped every single thing that he was going to make. He was going to spend his night at the eatery. One last night cooking. He was going to stay overnight. A part of him could not bear his life that he would be leaving behind.
But no life was complete without Mitsuri. He can rebuild everything once he finds her again. He can have everything again. Everything will be perfect again, once he finds her.
If they were soulmates in this universe, they were soulmates everywhere else. He was sure of it.
He fell asleep on one of the seats at his eatery, clutching a photo of Mitsuri. He was so close. The sun rose, lighting up the eatery. It was like rays of hope telling him that everything, genuinely everything was coming up right. He couldn’t be happier.
He immediately washed up and got to work, first with the desserts. Mitsuri always loved the sweet stuff he made. She used to eat them all with Kyojuro. The good old days…
He was going to bring it all back. He knew he could. He had done the impossible. He stared at the pudding mold in his hands, it was like Mitsuri… so sweet and soft… It was a sign, they would reunite soon. So very soon.
Placing the puddings in the fridge to set, marinating the meat, heating up the oven… He had a lot of work to do to ensure the perfect day remains perfect. Everything had to be at the right temperature, right amount…
The Rengokus were the first to arrive, alongside Gyomei. The blind man had decided to help Obanai with his cooking. The little ones ran about, giggling about the game they recently played. Kyojuro helped to prevent anything from breaking.
The next to arrive was the Kochos, with Sanemi and Giyu. After them was Tengen, late as usual.
Everyone gathered and began the feast. It had been long since anyone had tasted Obanai’s cooking. It was such a pity, because everyone loved it.
“So,” Kyojuro began, choking on his food. His mouth was full. Tengen nudged him to swallow his food before speaking. He barely swallowed everything before he spoke. “What’s the occasion?”
Obanai smiled, as he poured himself a cup of sake, he then slowly stood up and raised the cup.
“I am going on a… long vacation,” He announced. “It might be a year, or a few. I needed it.”
Silence.
Everyone glanced at each other after the announcement, knowing what it implied. Sanemi was the first to stand up, with sake in his cup as well. “About damn time you do something,” He said, raising his cup and taking a sip.
Obanai nodded, taking a sip as well. “About time.”
Kyojuro and Gyomei stood up as well, raising their cups of beer and cheering on Obanai.
“Where to?” Giyu asked.
Obanai paused, and shrugged. “South Korea maybe? Or backpack through Europe. I will always have a photo of Mitsuri with me.”
Shinobu nodded, “She was lucky to have you.”
Indeed she was, and she will be lucky again.
“Mitsuri always wanted to go to Italy,” Obanai continued, “maybe that’s where I will go first.”
“Have a safe journey,” said Tengen. “Come back in one piece, I don’t wanna see an armless Obanai.”
Kyojuro laughed, “Check in with us from time to time.”
It was the kids’ turn to ask now. Muichiro looked up from his pudding and looked straight into Obanai’s eyes. “Will you bring us souvenirs?”
Yuichiro smacked Muichiro’s shoulder, “Idiot! Uncle Obanai is leaving and you want presents?”
“Ow! But the Eiffel Tower would be so cool!” Muichiro pouted.
Obanai let out a small laugh and nodded. He wasn’t even sure if he would return. But maybe he will, now that he made a promise. It was really hard to leave this life behind, as he realised. As much as he loved Mitsuri, he also loved these people. The community he found himself in…
He was lucky beyond just romance.
But he had to leave them all behind. He had no choice. He was apologetic but his hands were tied. He was sure they would understand his intentions someday. They were his friends, surely they knew what kind of person he was.
“Don’t forget to send us pictures!” Kanae smiled. “I will miss you.”
Obanai nodded, “I will miss… all of this.”
Gyomei and Kyojuro stayed behind to help with the dishes, while Kanae was in charge of driving the drunk ones home. Shinobu could not bring herself to leave, crying as she embraced her friend, urging him to return and stay safe. Everyone acted as though he was never coming back… he had left his return plans ambiguous on purpose.
Hearing the crowded laughter and smiles of everyone… No. He can’t have second thoughts now. It was wrong. What he had planned was right, he can’t give up.
Before leaving, Kyojuro pulled the small man into an embrace. “Don’t forget about us.”
“Namu Amida Butsu,” prayed Gyomei. “It can be dangerous out there.”
“Thanks,” Obanai hugged back, before pulling away. “I will see you soon.”
It wasn’t a lie, just in a different place. He was so close now. The moment he closed the eatery for the last time, he rushed back home. His machine. Everything he worked towards, right there.
He walked into their room for the last time, everything was perfectly in place. The machine looked at him, yearning for his action…
He could not wait anymore.
He pressed on the activate button.
He keyed in the necessary stuff to bring him to the right place.
He held the photo of Mitsuri close to his heart.
The machine started up and the donut hole began rolling.
Whirling sounds filled the room.
A strong wave of wind blew into the room next.
Everything was starting to fly all over the place.
But Obanai knew it was going the right way.
The donut started to slowly stablise, providing Obanai with a portal.
He took a deep breath. There was no going back after this. He put something in his pocket, a device, like a remote, that would allow him to return.
He took his first step, and he was sucked in.
It felt like he was spinning for hours, speeding towards a landing that seemed almost impossible to land in. Had he calculated something wrong? He knew the idea was a gamble, yet he still took it.
A loud thud on the grass was what made him realise, he was really at someplace else. Obanai slowly stood up, his legs wobbly. His eyes scanned the foreign area. It looked like Tokyo, but the city looked different. Everything felt different…
That was how he knew…
He was in another universe.
Kanroji Mitsuri was waiting for him to find her.
