jyoshu | ✿ ー night two.

✿ ー night two.

[It's late, and technically speaking, a responsible sword should be sleeping by now in order to care for his newly human body. Unfortunately, he's not.

This day was scarier; less so the murder, though that was sad in it's own way. Instead it's the trial that had really worried him. It was too close for comfort, and someone that he's too close to for comfort, (though compared to some of the swords in the citadel, Souza isn't exactly Horikawa's closest companion,) for Horikawa to even think of sleeping soundly for now. Even if they could be more reasonable, sleeping in shifts or something similar, Horikawa is far too restless to even attempt as much, and for some reason or another neither is his companion. Rather than that, he busies his hands with something small and menial to pass the time as he thinks. Running a small comb that he'd borrowed from the mansion through Yamato's hair, he gives a short hum of thought.]

Mm. You still haven't told me what you were going to say earlier, you know.

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[ Yamato doesn't mind allowing Horikawa to keep his mind at ease with the use of a comb, he sits comfortably between the wakizashi's leg as he does this. His hands resting in his own lap as he gives up on trying to see what's before him considering the fact well -- his hair is blocking his vision. He's been silent for quite awhile during the duration of being kicked out of the mansion after another slaughter, he pulls at the red scarg around his neck to keep himself attentive and he's a little late in response as one can tell from the "oh!" that escapes from his lips. There's been so much that has been going on, Yamato needs to keep track of himself better.

He perks up just a bit, messing up the others combing with the raise of his head. ]

Huh? Oh, right.. It's not that important, what I thought. We have more important things than my concerns to worry about.

Be careful, Yasusada-kun! It's going to tangle even worse if you move too much.

[He gives a short huff of a sigh at Yamato's actions, but it doesn't bother him too deeply. In fact, it only takes a few moments longer for Horikawa to set the comb aside, seemingly content with his work. It may be impossible to get Yamato's hair to something described as 'tame', but at least now it isn't full of tangles and catches.]

That's true, but even soー[He wants to know??]

Huh? How long does this take? I don't know how you were able to tell if you could get a comb through it or not!

[ Horikawa has a talented gift but Yamato complains only a little bit as he stays in place, leans back just a bit so that it might be easier for him? He waits silently as he feels the comb graze against his head, it's a really nice feeling since it scratches away the itchy areas. He is saddened by the fact that when it's over, he has to raise his own arm in order to scratch at the center. ]

Hm? Even so what? [ He tilts his head up so that he can see the other above him. ]

[He asked for this doxx himself.]

Speaking of other important things, have you been taking care of yourself? I didn't see you eating anything at breakfast, or our meal at dinner. You have to make sure you don't neglect this body, Yasusada-kun, even if we aren't used to it!

[Because now they've got a whole lot more riding on how well they can take care of themselves, and it's a point that strikes Horikawa particularly hard now that he doesn't exactly have his vessel safe and intact to care for this carefully. Or to protect himself with, but that's another matter entirely. As it is, it wouldn't be any good if any of them overlooked something this simple and collapsed at a crucial time. (Or any time!)]

[And the popcorn doesn't count Yamato!!!!]

[ There's a look of shock upon Yanato's features, everyone seems to be worried about his eating habits. Can it really be called that he isn't taking care of himself? He thinks he's doing something kf a good job but.. all that matters is that he stays alive.

He chuckles to himself as he bites the bottom of his lip before leveling his gaze back forward. ]

I don't feel comfortable eating the food that I don't deserve.. nor have I really been that hungry? That's an understandable reason for not eating, right?

[ Asking this, he leans back to lay hs head against the other's body. Closing his eyes as if he's content with the situation. ]

What's important is that I protect you and everyone else -- I can't do that if I'm sitting around, eating.

[The sentiment is nice and all, it really is, but hearing this just makes Horikawa worried. As he'd thought, Yamato isn't taking proper care of himself at all, but he doesn't even seem bothered by the fact? At this rate the possibility of consequences coming back for him is very real, and in a situation like what they're in, it's scary if Yamato is overlooking something so simple.]

You can't protect anyone if you don't eat, Yasusada-kun! [The rise in his voice is more from surprise and worry than anything else though, and it quickly drops back down to a more appropriate tone when he gives a sigh.] You didn't even take one of Kiyomitsu-kun's dinner rolls, did you?

[His shoulders slacken slightly as he speaks, relaxing just a bit, but his concern is still evident.]

Besides, what do you mean you don't deserve it? I don't understand at all.

[ He's silent during this small and simple scold, it's understandable that he can't protect everyone — but anyone? Now that's just taking away the aspect of what he was used for. There's a shake of his head, his hair moves from left to right since it has yet to make him in that dirty white ribbon that he owns. The frown that's evident on his features. ]

I protected you, didn't I? Souza Samonji too, even if I am starving. As long as I'm capable to do what's needed, I'll continue. I've yet to collapse because of not eating so.. So! [ As he's ready to make a retort — his stomach growls at that exact moment and Yamato is baffled by the sound that's given him away. A hand rests against his body, patting it to calm himself down from being hungry. There is some guilt from how the other raised his voice, there's more guilt from how much other's had gotten onto him because of not eating. ]

.. Kiyomitsu gave me one? I just haven't ate it. [ Removing the roll that's hidden within a napkin from behind his chest plate, it's a little hard and smashed even — but it's still edible. He holds it out to Horikawa in a tired manner. ] I have one so it's not like I can't get food to eat.. Anyway. The thing is that, I haven't done anything to be rewarded food and I don't want to eat the food from someone who'll one day say I have to be killed or that I'm dead.

That's true... but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't take care of yourself for the future, as well. If you wait until things reach the worst possible point before you decide to take action, then that's no good at all Yasusada-kun.

[He can't help sounding the way he does when he speaks, frowning softly. He's just worried? The thought that something as simple as human hunger could pose problems for a sword as capable as Yamato causes Horikawa's own stomach to churn with unease. So, he shakes his head at those words, and especially when Yamato's stomach interrupts his own argument.]

Food isn't a reward, you know. It's something that we're going to need now, so you don't have to earn it. And since that's how it is now you should definitely eat what you have! [Even if it's a little squashed, peering over Yamato's shoulder.] If you don't want to accept her food, can't we find something else? There must be something else so there's no excuse for doing this and trying to keep it to yourself.

Edited 2015-08-15 20:54 (UTC)

Do you think there's a future? From what I see, if we don't find out who's behind this.. [ He's not all opposed to it for himself, if he's to die? That gives him a chance to see Okita-kun, right? It's understandable that he should be ready for when that time comes, healthy and happy? Then again, he's pretty sure things are at the worst possible point and if hunger doesn't kill him — he's starting to think it'll be his time soon. ]

I'm already starting to think that we're going to suffer here, I don't think the pain in my stomach amounts to everyone else around us who's seen worse? [ Placing the piece of bread back into his chest plate key item department, he yawns softly and stays in place. Where his head rests and crossing his arms before his chest so that he can close his eyes. ]

I'll eat it when it's something that I've done with my own hard work. I don't feel right, if it's not because I did something. Hm.. We could find something else but I'd rather just not have anything at all, I have something I have to do? People to look after? There's more important things than eating? [ Yes, like protecting these two tonight? Honestly! ] I don't want to be forcing food down my throat when I have something important to do now. I'm fine, alright?

We'll find them.

[And as for hesitation, his voice doesn't even hold an ounce of it. They may be fighting against the odds, and he wouldn't dare make promises under this circumstance, but it's pointless to say that their battle is lost when it's hardly begun. It's been happening quickly, but it's better to do what they can. He won't let flat and pointless pessimism bring him down. Though speaking of pointless things, Yamato seems to be concerning himself with a lot of them.]

That still isn't an excuse to suffer pain from something so easy to fix. [Resting his chin on the top of the other's head, Horikawa leans forward just a bit, enough to reach around Yamato and pull the squashed roll back out from where it was stashed. He breaks it in two and leans back, bringing only one half back up for himself. The other is Yamato's.]

Then you're working hard right now, Yasusada-kun, that's why. You're taking responsibility for breaking meーisn't that why we've been staying together? [Though it pains Horikawa to admit that he's probably someone that the other feels he has to look after.] If there are important things to do, you'll need this energy to do them. You don't have to eat the whole thing, but at least have this much to last until morning. I'll have the rest so that it doesn't go to waste.

[This human body thing was a little more demanding than Horikawa had expected over his dinner anyway.]

[ At this moment, what he's concerned with is the other's words. That and the sounds of nature playing it's music as the fireflies flutter by to dance in the moonlight's glow. Like this, it's alittle more peaceful is what he thinks. He feels that being right here may be enough for him to rest easy just for the night. There's been nothing but worry as the uchigatana bends his knees so that he can place his arms to rest upon them.

His brow raises at the action of the other resting his chin in fluffy but wild hair, making a home for himself which he invites without pushing away. Perhaps, he's trapped in what Horikawa is saying about the situation and that alone is enough to cause Yamato to hold his breath. He allows it to finally leave from his lips -- that breath of air as a hand lightly wraps around the arm that digs behind his chestplate. It's not anything painful at all but he speaks just for a moment. ]

Are you sure it isn't an excuse, it seems even when we aren't at the citadel, you still wish to look after us and others. Even after I.. [ His words fall into silence as he can't bring himself to admit the action he's done to him. Even now, he releases the other's arm and watches as the bread is broken into two and Horikawa can speak the words that Yamato was unable. ]

I broke you.. and you have no reason to do this for me. [ He leans back a little more into the warmth of the other, he should feel silly for this but.. ] And yet, here you are; doing this. I am taking responsibility for what I've done but even so.. even if you weren't broken, I'd protect you like this anyway. I won't allow any harm to come to you as long as I'm here. I can't protect everyone.. though my kouhai was brave enough to give me the title to do so.. I feel good about.. if I'm able just to protect you without fail.

[ He eyes the bread for just a moment as he watches it hover before his lips, for once does Yamato open his mouth and lean forward. His teeth lightly running against Horikawa's fingers to hook at the bread and his lips brushing ever so softly in order to remove the piece from Horikawa's grasp. The bread isn't the best quality when first given to them but it'll do as he slowly chews and swallows it down. He's glad for the small piece and he feels a little greedy asking for another. ]

Don't you think I have enough energy because when I'm with you -- a fellow Shinsengumi.. I want to protect our cause and everything we have done. You are a comrade. .. So, I'll try to do better for myself so that we and everyone else can stay safe.

[ His stomach growls a bit as he only attempts to get comfy, closing his eyes just for a moment as he takes in this moment. ]

[Yamato is probably being more understanding by avoiding having to say it, at first, but it isn't as if that's a truth that they can avoid after all. By now the wince reflex Horikawa has is entirely internal, and he can manage to keep himself even as Yamato admits to what's been done. He shakes his head as if to dismiss Yamato's words, because there's nothing wrong with wanting to look after the people around him, right? And blaming Yamato for following through with what he had done after seeing the sincerity he seems to have, and knowing how duress can interfere with people, would be akin to pouring water on a cat and being surprised when it tried to scratch him. The broken tip of his blade still flashes in Horikawa's mind when he closes his eyes, though.

He's no longer a useful sword. Not really. It's the least Horikawa can do, just to continue to care for those around him how he can.]

Shouldn't you be saving those words for someone more important, Yasusada-kun? [Kashuu, maybe? Okita? He's not saying as much out of a lack of confidence, so much as a sense of slight disbelief considering who else is here, but he smiles even so as Yamato takes his bite into the bread roll.] I have plenty of reason to do this for you, you just don't see it. I probably couldn't protect anyone in this state, but I still have to do my best somehow, and apparently you need somebody to look after you as well. Ah ー not that Kiyomitsu-kun doesn't do so too.

Mm. What I mean to say is, I don't hold it against you, Yasusada-kun. I don't think you would have done something like that on purpose. And I also don't think it's so strange to worry about someone who I've fought beside for so long, and someone who I can trust. So, I want to worry about you.

[If he doesn't do even that much, he would be a pretty awful ally, wouldn't he? Horikawa leans back slightly by the time he's finished speaking, bringing his now free hand back to shift behind him and shifting his weight to it. Hopefully this will make things more comfortable, because the warmth of Yamato leaning against him is nice after all, but he'll give a thoughtful sigh either way.]

I think it's a good reason. And in that case, I'll continue to do my best for you, and everyone else as well. In whatever way I can. [He pauses, and his tired smile is audible in his voice as he drops the other half of the roll back in Yamato's lap.] So, make sure you have breakfast tomorrow, okay?

Aren't you — important as well?

[ He's a comrade as well, he's meant to be important just like everyone else. He won't let him say anything other, there are people to Yamato that he has to protect and if he needed to give his life or take away one, he would. He'd do anything for them and even if it means he can't take of himself, as long as he can take care of them. He relaxes even more in the shift of movement as he listens to what Horikawa has to say. ]

You can't answer that because it depends on how I feel — and I feel you to be important to me.

[ There's a frown on his features next, he doesn't think he deserves this kindness of being watched after but what can he do about it? Horikawa will just continue to give it is what he guesses. He's a capable sword and he doesn't need anyone to look after him, he could do it himself if he was asked so. Following the footsteps of his previous master, he doesn't want to seem like the weakest one here because of how he acts. He does it for a reason, though, he also doesn't want to slow anyone down. For now, he gives a small little huff as he tries choose his final twist and turn of how he was to lay. He isn't so sure if his hair is finally complete but every so often, his voice slips into silence. ]

. . .
. . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . .

ー!?

That's why you're important to me.. from how long we've been together as a team with everyone else.. I couldn't dare let anything happen to you either.. [ A yawn passes by his lips once.. and then twice as he places his hands over the roll that's given to him. He wonders if he can just throw it to the side and maybe some unfortunate bird would feel lucky for once on it's short life. Yet, his eyes close once again and his words come to a halt — he heard what he had said, he did which gives him reason to smile. He'll do his best, that was enough to place Yamato at ease. He just won't catch that he should have breakfast tomorrow. ]

Zzz.

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✿ ー night two.

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