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[Tenka really doesn't want to talk about everything else, okay. You're going to have to pull those out of him, Sousei.

But for now he's just laughing. Of course Sousei already knows that Tenka's inevitably going to pick up more strays and will need more room. What a good partner.]

Yeah, tell me about it! And now we can actually buy ingredients for Soramaru to cook fresh instead of just ordering pre-prepared food.

[It's pretty obvious, Tenka, taking in strays is a Kumou thing.

Sousei should know better than anyone.]

That will be a relief. [Thank god they can have real food now thank god.]

[And he pauses for a moment, before his expression smooths out.]

... Tenka, you met up with him again. [...of course he did. Of course he was going to.] What happened?

[ . . . . what does it say about their relationship now that Tenka understands exactly who Sousei means by 'him'? He's quiet for a moment, because not too long ago, Tenka meeting up with Shirasu wouldn't be anything interesting at all. In fact, it'd just be another normal day in the shrine.

Though another question soon follows after: How much can he say without hurting Sousei?]

Well, obviously I'm unharmed.

[He even brings up both his hands at that and wiggles his fingers. See? All present and accounted for. Then when he drops them he just shrugs faintly.]

We talked?

He agreed not to hurt you and that he won't let any harm come to pass on my brothers.

[And Tenka trusted him.

He still don't know if it's the right thing to do.

But he's doing it.]

[There is a part of him that's surprised that Tenka bothered to get Shirasu to agree to not hurt him. Is that why the kunai was a warning instead of an attack? He wonders. But...

He sips his tea quietly, buying himself some time to think, and by the time he gently sets it down, he has his thoughts in order again. Honestly... this man makes his life so hard. But then, he accepted that when he accepted all of the responsibilities inherent in being his partner and right-hand man. If this is Tenka's decision, that's all there is to it.]

Very well then. I understand the situation.

[Sousei doesn't trust Shirasu, no. And he'll work tirelessly to make sure that Tenka and Soramaru and Chuutarou are safe. But he's not going to try to change Tenka's mind either. He laid out his facts and his thoughts already once before, and Tenka knows them--and he decided to trust Shirasu even knowing what Sousei thinks. So he has to respect that.]

Good, because I still don't.

[There's a part of this that Tenka's still missing and so he frowns rather deeply now. Sousei had mentioned in their texts something that bothered him and is still bothering him.]

Did he attack you despite what I said?

[He's almost afraid of the answer because he'd already told himself that if Shirasu broke his promise again, then something would have to change. Tenka would have to adjust his methodology or just choose to stop trusting the other man. But at the same time, he still needs to know this answer.

He can't just neglect his responsibilities as a big brother and as a partner for Shirasu's sake.]

[Ah...yes, that bit that he totally threw out there to get Tenka to talk to him about this without shame. Sousei calmly picks up his tea again, tilting his head slightly. It's true that he certainly got under Shirasu's skin, but--]

He was not aiming to hurt me. I suppose it was intended as a warning.

[...Still being vague, Sousei. He pauses, realizing he never explained, and--]

He threw one of his kunai at my head. [so frankly.] But he was not on target. If you demanded he avoid hurting me, that would explain it. [They're really bad at this, they're forever so nonchalant about danger they themselves could have been in.]

[ . . . . ]

Hey!

[No, he totally gets it. So Sousei was never actually in danger? And if it's a kunai then he doesn't doubt that his partner would've been able to dodge it since even Tenka's senses are honed enough that he can tell when Shirasu is around, back home from a task that he sent him out on. Gah, he feels totally played!!

It makes him huff and cross his arms then, sighing.]

Jeeze.... I don't even know why he's so mad at you. What did you do to him? Steal one of his sweets?

[That almost always earned Tenka a smack from Shirasu....]

[Yep, no danger at all. Sousei can also be a little shit, just less flashier than Tenka. He pauses at that, considering for a moment the information that he's been given over the course of the day. Honestly, it's not a large leap--]

Presuming the Yamainu assisted in taking down the Orochi, I would have helped to directly thwart his plans.

[Why wouldn't he be pissed, really.

and why would sousei steal shirasu's candy, like. really.]

[ . . . . oh right. That would be part of it, huh. Which gets Tenka to blink because honestly-]

Ah. I didn't think about that.

[Well, that's.... suddenly new reason to be cautious. Tenka hadn't even considered for a moment that Shirasu might have an actual personal grudge against Sousei. It's enough to make Tenka's gaze fall to his teacup, giving him pause before he shakes his head faintly.]

Well... He agreed to it. As a favor to me.

[Though honestly - it gets him to snort faintly, now that he thinks about it. Will Shirasu uphold this favor?]

Even though I'm not sure how much it might actually mean in the end.

[Shirasu didn't even uphold Tenka's last request. What would a measly favor bind him to?]

[And...again, Sousei really fails to see how this changes the situation at all. Shirasu is the same ninja regardless of whether or not he has a personal grudge against Sousei. Regardless of how the Orochi kicked the bucket, Sousei knows it was an inevitability that his sword was used to do it. Honestly, with what he knows, he can piece together a pretty good picture of how this all went down.

Of course he has a grudge.

And of course that doesn't change a single thing.]

It doesn't matter. [Well, that's said bluntly enough. He sets down his tea, blinking at Tenka. It doesn't really matter to him at all if he breaks that particular promise or not. Well. Not entirely--]

Unless his breaking of that favor reflects on his other assurances. [Because if he goes for the kids that's just a deal breaker.]

It matters.

[Because you didn't expect that comment to just slide by Tenka, did you? That much is something that he keeps his voice steady on, absolute and not really leaving a lot of room for argument. Of course it matters if Shirasu breaks a promise to Tenka - especially one about Sousei. Regardless of anything that happened before, Sousei matters to Tenka now.]

If he breaks his promise - [if he lays an offending hand on Sousei] - there will be consequences.

[ . . . as for his other assurances, Tenka just sighs in response to that. At least his brothers have ten years of memories on their side as well as the fact that they're honestly just really likable kids. Tenka's still not sure what happened between them and Shirasu but that just cements the idea further that-]

I'll let Soramaru decide if he wants to keep talking to Shirasu. That's his choice to make, not mine.

[A breath.]

I told Shirasu that if he lets any more harm come to them.... that's it.

[It's vague but it's the most that Tenka can say regarding the subject - because somewhere in his heart, it's still unreal to him that he could be talking about breaking off ties with Shirasu of all people.

But that's what he'd do if something happened to Soramaru or Chuutarou again.]

[It's easier to grasp if he just considers it Shirasu breaking a promise to Tenka, honestly.The thought of Tenka being overprotective in return is just....somehow a little hard to grasp. It feels just a little bit...strange.

Regardless, of course, Shirasu breaking a promise is a problem. It means he definitely can't be trusted.

And as for Tenka's decision regarding the kids...it's not like Sousei's going to undermine that in any way. Besides, he agrees.]

No harm will come to them. [Even if Shirasu tries, honestly. They've got Sousei and Tenka both protecting them. That much he can be confident in.]

But I see. Very well then. [Tenka's choices regarding Shirasu are...pretty well-understood now.] It doesn't seem as though he means you harm either, but continue to be careful.

[Or. You know. Start being careful, if you haven't been.]

Ah well, he knocked me around a little to be honest. [But he's clearly uninjured, so it just warrants a shrug from him and he admits with only a little bit of hesitation:] But... it was just like the old days.

[When they were friends and could joke around and Tenka could attack Shirasu playfully and get a good fight in return.

Obviously no harm will come to Tenka's brothers, he's not worried about that. Not when he's still not entirely trusting of Shirasu when it comes to them and Sousei's also on his guard. That's nothing that Tenka will worry too much about.

But there's another thing that's been weighing on his mind more than that - that's made this entire thing far too difficult for him. Tentatively, he offers the slightest peek inside his emotional state.]

It's like... he's two different people in one body. I just can't tell which one is real.

[He's quiet at that, considering, before he sets down his cup quietly, trying to think of what to say and how much of it to say. He's an outsider here. He wasn't there for those ten years, and this relationship that clearly pains Tenka so much. But at the same time, he's an outsider, and he can see quite clearly what they're missing for being too close to the problem.

It's obvious that Shirasu is of two minds about the whole thing.

But ultimately...Sousei decides to not hold anything back, as always. It never helped anyone to hide things, right?]

Both are real. [He frowns slightly despite himself.] If it was all fake, you would know.

[He thinks Shirasu does still care--that's why Sousei can get under his skin so easily, that's why he won't harm Tenka. But--]

He is uncertain himself, and is not happy about that fact. That makes him even more dangerous. [That's what got under his skin the first time, when Sousei was talking to him.

...And he picks up his tea again.]

...Those are my impressions.

Your impressions, huh....

[ . . . . it's enough to get Tenka to sigh, running a hand through his own hair as he ponders that over a bit longer still.

To a degree, it almost doesn't feel real. How can he be talking about Shirasu like this? How can someone who he trusted and relied on for ten years already be so willing to discard him? How can he be sitting here at a table drinking tea that wasn't made by Shirasu because Shirasu specifically doesn't want to see him again?

A slow breath.]

I just don't want trusting him to mean putting my brothers in danger.

[If it was Tenka's own well-being, that's not an issue. That's never been an issue. But right now, being lenient on Shirasu means putting everyone attached to him in danger. Sousei, Nishiki, and most importantly, Soramaru all over again.

His brother went through so much. Tenka's not about to sign him up for a repeat.]

[He's really not surprised that this is the turn the conversation took, either. Tenka's brothers have always been his most important people. And Shirasu put them into danger solely by ignoring the danger they were in (and in Soramaru's case, actively).

But still, all Sousei can do is answer honestly.]

It may put them into danger again.

[It's impossible to say it won't, when there is precedence otherwise, and when this place likes to use false promises like "i'll send you home if you murder each other".]

But I will also be keeping a careful eye on them. [Soramaru, here and at home. Chuutarou, at home as well. Tenka trusting Shirasu may be unwise, but he's going to do it anyway, that much they've established.

All Sousei can do now is try to reassure Tenka that at least he won't be alone in protecting them.]

[In truth, that should be enough. If both Sousei and Tenka are determined to keep an eye on the younger Kumous, then there's no way for them to possibly be in danger. "If it's us, we can do it," something in the back of Tenka's mind echoes. He could do a lot of things as long as he has Sousei's support.

So why can't he just cut off ties with Shirasu? It'd be easier and he knows that, he really does. Yet... he frowns vaguely in response, his mind a jumbled mess.

He nods.]

I'm just getting tired of my choices being a hardship on other people.

[Taking the medicine to save his life but having to leave the Yamainu because of it. Agreeing to further experiments but having to leave his brothers behind as they watched him die.

Now trusting Shirasu and putting everyone close to him in danger if he lets his guard down again.

Yet he can't bring himself to make any other decision - because Shirasu is even more lost than the rest of them, having the freedom he never wanted. Tenka just can't ignore it.]

Your choices will cause hardship for others no matter what they are.

[Sorry, Tenka. That's just how it is. You make decisions, and they affect the people around you. In this case....the decision may well have far-reaching consequences. They have no idea. Sousei accepted that when he accepted Tenka's decision.]

We will deal with what comes, and that will be enough.

[It's the best vote of confidence he can offer. He trusts Tenka to make the right choices (or at least, the choices he thinks are right...) and from there, he'll support him and deal with the consequences. He's too much of a realist to say anything else, but...it's still quite a bit coming from him.]

You're relentless as ever, Sousei.

[And Tenka's not really afraid to call him out on it. His partner has never been very good with words of platitude or even of reassurance at times but... well, he knows that the fact that it's even being extend that it's 'we' and not just Tenka.... it's definitely important.

He's still not quite used to this feeling of not being the only one who has to bear the burden of his decisions. And while it's still annoying to him that Sousei has to take on more weight as well... he also acknowledges it as something that partners just do.

If it's Sousei, then it'll be alright.]

I just can't help but think that if I just let him go.... [which would be easier on them all, possibly even including Shirasu and Tenka knows it] I'll regret it.

[He appreciates that Tenka seems to want to explain his decision, though it also isn't entirely necessary. Sousei agreed to abide by his decisions here, even without knowing why he's making them.

Though he does have a pretty good idea.

Regardless, Sousei just tilts his head at that, nodding simply. The last thing Tenka needs is more regrets at this point--even if this may not be the wisest decision, Sousei's still confident enough that they can handle whatever may come of it.]

I see. Then I will wait and see what comes of it.

[And watch the kiddos. And try to hope Tenka doesn't get his fool self killed.]

[Relentless as ever but also as patient as ever, it seems - ignoring the fact that Tenka has a habit of bringing out Sousei's shortest fuse all the time.

But for something like this... he's patient and understanding and Tenka just tilts his head faintly at it. It still kills him a bit on the inside, thinking that the same words could've come out of Shirasu's mouth back home. In truth, there are a lot of similarities between the two of them in how they deal with Tenka... but they're also vastly different people aside from that. It just makes him smile a bit, rueful as it is.

It's strange, he thinks. He's gotten lucky twice with the people that he's chosen as his confidants - it just so happened that with one of them, he also got unlucky at the same time.]

Sorry to put more weight on your shoulders, partner.

[Sousei just snorts vaguely at that, a soft noise, unimpressed by the apology. Honestly?]

That has always been what I am here for.

[Even if it's more than strictly a duty at this point (and honestly always has been), he was not appointed as Tenka's right hand man to let Tenka take on all of the burdens.

He's here to help shoulder them. He took a ten year break, but--

But he's still here.]

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