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[It takes some time before he approaches Sousei, waiting for when Tenka might not be around at that very moment. He was off doing something at least and that was good enough for him. Still, he worries that Sousei might want to speak with Tenka about this to begin with but he pushes it back. He didn't want to keep hiding it from either of them.]

Sensei, are you busy?

[He wonders if maybe he should just bug him to go spar with him first and warm himself up for it but really it's too important to delay talking about.]

[Tenka is probably at work at this time of day, which works just fine for catching Sousei alone. He's on the couch, a book in hand; the time after work and before Tenka gets back from his own work are quiet hours, which he tends to spend researching.

Today's topic appears to be cell phones. It's a wealth of informative stuff, honestly.

But he looks up at the words. Right--they're back to having another in the house now, Soramaru having returned, and honestly...he's relieved. None of them knew where Soramaru had gone, after all, not with any certainty.]

No. Did you need something?

[Just say it straight, he's listening.]

I- well... I wanted to ask how much you and aniki were aware of...

[He's already floundering so he pushes forward with what he's getting at, moving to sit on the other end of the couch opposite Sousei.]

Of things back home. I know things I remember are different - like- well... a year went by after the Orochi was destroyed.

[It was closer to what he was getting at but not quite. He knows Sousei will tell him to spit it out but it was incredibly hard to just tell his brother's best friend 'hey by the way your best friend became a cripple after he stopped taking evil demon cells' and he won't even begin to touch on the fact that he's seen paperwork with Sousei's name on it in that lab. That would need to wait for another time. He could only gather courage for so many things at once.]

[...Yeah, this is going to be a Conversation, he can already tell. Sousei shifts to set the book aside, folding his hands together between his knees as he gives Soramaru his full attention.]

You are a year further than we are, in our world's timeline.

[Right? It explains his entire growth, and kind of also is what Soramaru is saying through all of his stammering.]

You were here previously, though you do not remember it, so we are aware of a few details. State plainly what you are getting at.

[Why is it the way Sousei can be so calm and collected at times feels incredibly intimidating? They've known each other for at least a year or so now so it's hardly surprising but it still leaves him questioning himself.]

Yes. It's just- I realized it when I got here. Aniki must still have the Orochi cells in him right? It's just- I'm worried what happens here if they're removed. Back home... he wasn't able to walk anymore after they were.

[Yes, he's stated the bulk of his concerns in a neat little statement, right? It doesn't need to be said how badly Tenka would react to such a thing.]

[what a pleasant conversation this is... Sousei pauses, and then shakes his head simply. He thinks this much needs to be said, and Soramaru needs to hear it, especially with as much as he knows now.]

...This place has given Tenka an alternative medicine that he is able to take.

[for...what it's worth. Whether that is for the better or the worse is hard to tell from Sousei's expression or tone, but--]

But they are merely suppressants, and nothing more.

[So...that's what happens, huh... Tenka has the Orochi cells removed. That'd be for the better, wouldn't it? And then...they just have to come up with a solution for the paralysis that he's left with.]

...For now, that is not an immediate concern.

[but he knows that eventually, it will be.]

I know that it shouldn't be a concern right now. It's just- what do I do? I don't like keeping things from him and he'll figure out I'm hiding things from him eventually. You know how he is.

[And Soramaru also was terrible at keeping important things secret too, given how much he hated having it done to himself.]

And... what if the suppressants stop after a while?

[He pulls his feet up as he speaks, hugging his knees and staring outwards at nothing. Tenka deserved to know what would be happening to him eventually... but Sousei was right that today was not that day.]

I don't know. I guess I just didn't want to keep it to myself, even if I've only been here for a short time. I worry about him.

[...Ah. Yes. This is an interesting problem. Neither brother wants to worry the other, huh...and Sousei has been working on Tenka for all of the months he's been here, trying to convince him that it's not a bad thing to stop keeping secrets, that Soramaru is strong enough to handle it.

Now he has to do the reverse.

Honestly, these Kumou brothers.]

Then do not keep it from him. [whoops.] He deserves to know his own fate as much as anyone, if not more.

You do not have to bear everything on your shoulders, Soramaru. [...and then, wryly--] When I asked if you were willing to take on all of Tenka's being, this is not what I meant.

[stop bearing everything on your shoulders, trust your brother!! it's good that Soramaru came to him, but even so...they're all in this together, trying to save Tenka.]

Ah, well I apologize if I took it too literally, Sensei.

[He definitely feels lighter, having talked to Sousei about it, but he's still not sure how to talk to the person who should be hearing all of this. At times like this, the gap between himself and Tenka feels rather large.]

I'll talk to him.

[Eventually. Which reminds him of another thing he should ask about --]

Also... Aniki and Shirasu...? How much does Aniki know of what happened?

[Because wow if he doesn't know that Shirasu jumped or if that he totally betrayed them then wow... he's got a lot to talk to him about then. He's fine with him hanging out with him but it still is a bit concerning and a bit strange. He wants to just forgive but he's also spent enough time around Sousei to have developed a healthy sense of wariness in these situations.]

...Cheeky. Make sure you do so.

[But it's not in a bad way at all, somehow. Soramaru really has grown up a little--it's interesting to see, and he can see how they got here, even if he wasn't necessarily there (yet) for this development.

Weird timeline things.

...but ah yes, the... Problem that constantly haunts Sousei's everything. His eyes narrow a little, expression growing flatter, though it's not directed at Soramaru at all.]

He and I are aware only of the same facts. Kotarou Fuuma serves the Orochi, organized the plot to spread chaos through Japan, and killed your parents.

[and his parents too, even if they were foster parents--even if he won't say that much here and now.]

He kidnapped you as the vessel--that is the last I recall personally.

[The corners of his lips curve a bit when Sousei calls him cheeky. He didn't mind that at all. However, bringing up Shirasu's past deeds and what Tenka knows makes him a little surprised.]

He knows all of that and still...? [Sighing, he shakes his head. Of course Tenka would want to try and still bridge that gap. He does too, really, but at the same time there's so much wariness that has created a wall between himself and Shirasu.]

Hmm. Well... I'm fine now, so I guess it's over with. The Orochi is gone and... Shirasu jumped from a cliff after his brother was killed during the fighting.

[What a lovely story, isn't it? He certainly doesn't feel happy about anything that's happened. Part of him feels like everything was his fault, just for being the Orochi's vessel.]

I wish I knew what Aniki was thinking.

[Because once again Tenka doesn't exactly tell him these things. The both of them tended to keep things very close to their chest, unlike Chuutaro who just vomited his thoughts out at every turn.]

[Yeah, Soramaru, he knows. Your aniki is ridiculous and someday it's going to give him grey hairs or something and that will also all be Tenka's fault.

...Shirasu jumping from a cliff is news to him though. Wow. Couldn't even own up to his actions in the end, huh... somehow, Sousei's opinion of the other man manages to keep sinking day by day.

As for Tenka...]

... Your aniki will do whatever it takes to protect you and your brother. That much is not in question. [and Sousei as well, perhaps, though Sousei doesn't need that protection.]

However, he is significantly less concerned with his own health and well-being. As for that ninja...

[...a huff, and it's like pulling teeth for him to admit this, but--]

I do not believe he intends Tenka harm. And though I disapprove of continuing contact with him, I will not stop you from doing what you think is best.

Hmm. I don't even know what's best. I'll let you know when I figure that part out.

[Growing pains of an angsty teen...? Or something. Either way he does feel glad he had this talk with Sousei.]

I feel better, knowing that it's not a bad thing to be wary.

[Sousei validating his worries and talking to him like this wasn't out of the norm, even if he was a bit of a hard ass. They had at least that much they could agree on - Shirasu was here and it would have to be dealt with eventually. Or at least he'd need to learn to be comfortable with him again.]

It is never a bad thing to be cautious. ... Just because Tenka leaves his heart open wide does not mean everyone has to--or even that it's wise.

[Sousei shakes his head a moment later, posture relaxing a little. Talking about Shirasu always leaves him stiff and annoyed, but this much is easier.]

Use your judgement. It is worth trusting.

[He trusts Soramaru's judgement, for what it's worth.]

I guess... it just feels wrong, but at the same time it doesn't?

[Shirasu had always been there for him and Tenka and Chuutaro. He felt like he was turning his back on all of that, but at the same time he felt as if he would be betraying all of his own feelings since his parents had died by welcoming him back readily.]

You're right. I guess I needed to hear that.

[Sousei doesn't realize the weight he's lifted from his heart, by saying he should trust himself. For so long he's relied on Tenka and Shirasu, but Sousei was helping him to trust himself first. It felt liberating somehow.]

[Soramaru....what does that mean... "it feels wrong but it doesn't" THAT'S SO VAGUE....

He pauses, and then he shakes his head, ponytail swaying with the movement. Whatever. Shirasu is Shirasu and Sousei still thinks he's a slimy bastard, but Soramaru, like Tenka, will make his own life choices.

Sousei can't do anything about that--and wouldn't want to anyway.]

What is wrong with you? [Did the move to Cerealia really disorient you that much? He knows it's a big change, but step to, protege!!] Get your head on straight.

You shouldn't need me to tell you that. [That you can trust your own judgement. Aka you've done well up until now throughout canon, not that he'll SAY SO..... saying feelings things is hard, you know.]

[IT'S COMPLICATED. Is what he wants to say.]

Nothing-!! Just that- I mean... aniki is trying to talk things out with him for a reason? I think.

[And yet he's not sure if he should accept things and do the same? It's a complicated feeling. See he's talking himself in circles he doesn't know if he should trust himself or trust his brother first or -!! He just really wishes things could go back to how they were.]

[life is complicated, especially when you're from dnw canon]

You will have to ask Tenka about that. As I am sure you can tell, I have no fondness for the Fuuma ninja.

[He...thinks he gets Tenka's reasoning a little, but he honestly has no interest in asking him or wanting to know more so.

You'd be better off talking about Shirasu to Tenka, tiny protege.]

...Your safety is my responsibility, but you are an adult, and you make your own choices. That has never been in question. [from either Tenka or Sousei]

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