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I'm not drinking with you again.

[That's a pretty immediate response...though a moment later, he sets his tea down, considering, fingers still wrapped around the glass that isn't really very familiar at all, despite their best efforts.

But he's always been rather bad at discussing this sort of thing. Tight-lipped, not particularly emotional, and the captain--these weren't things he was supposed to talk about. But this is Tenka, and... that's different. His partner, the person who would likely understand the most. The person who has the same stake in the Yamainu, even if he's no longer a part of it.

He drops his gaze to that tea.]

... I won't say it has been easy. [Keeping the Yamainu together after they were rocked that badly by that tragedy, and then Tenka's leaving... and this nonsense with the government.

But he really doesn't have any interest in making Tenka feel any guiltier than he already does by things they've already discussed.] But I accepted that when I took on the task. [So whatever followed was just...something he had to accept.]

Edited 2014-12-06 01:05 (UTC)

It's fun to drink with me!

[Nah, it just got really gay.

Though honestly Tenka just listens to that, taking a moment of actual quiet to really considering it. No, it hasn't been easy but... well, from what he saw, everyone seems to be doing fine. They tell him that the Yamainu has changed, but he's seen them now. Kiiko's all grown and goes on bodyguard missions where she's suited to enjoy a higher class lifestyle. Inukai and Shi haven't been deterred and there has to be some reason why Soramaru chose to run after Sousei for instruction.

As for Sousei himself... well, Tenka's mostly only seen a change for the better. He's so much more driven now and even though Tenka does feel bad for putting unnecessary weight on his partner... he also thinks that the Yamainu are so solid together that he's proud just watching them.

So he just chuckles quietly after a moment.]

Doesn't mean much from me, but I think the Yamainu's in good hands with you, Sousei.

[He doesn't think Tenka entirely understands the situation even now--but then, he doesn't exactly expect him to either. It wouldn't be fair, when Sousei hasn't said a word about it. About the times Iwakura threw a book at his head, or threw him out of his office. About the times the Yamainu was nearly disbanded because of a wrong word or move. About hearing of Takamine being nearly killed, or leaving the Yamainu to face a massive force there's no way they could handle--all because they believed him best to face the Orochi.

He knows it's not fair to keep that to himself when Tenka has finally opened up to him.

But he wouldn't even know where to start.

So instead, for now, he takes Tenka's words for what they are, inclining his head in response and taking a deep breath. Because now, the Yamainu are his as much as they are Tenka's and Taiko's. And surely...the means something.]

...Thank you.

Nobody here has given up. That is what allows us to continue forward with our heads held high.

[It's enough to get him to laugh. Because stuff like that - it makes him really happy. The world has thrown so much at all of them, not just Tenka himself, but undoubtedly the Yamainu too. But the spirit of not giving up that runs through the veins of his father's squad... It's really something that brings Tenka a lot of happiness.]

Of course. The entire squad's stubborn. Probably picked it up from their captain-

[Just saying.

But then he's tilting his head and... well, this is Tenka. So he doesn't really hesitate to keep pressing-]

What else?

[Ten years, Sousei. You can tell him it hasn't been easy and that you'll keep moving forward even though it's difficult, but he's not going to be satisfied with that answer. It's just a little bit really vague.]

[The stubborn part of him that Tenka is just now referring to makes Sousei want to ask "which captain"--but that's him being unnecessarily obtuse, he knows. Tenka is handing over the Yamainu, despite the two Kumou captains before. He should accept that as the way it is.

As something he has accepted and earned.

But honestly, Tenka... Sousei still doesn't know where to start or what to say. "What else?" He's drawing a blank. Sure, there are all of those things that Tenka doesn't understand about how the squad has changed, but...bringing them up out of the blue feels either like complaining or trying to heap more guilt onto Tenka's shoulders.

Neither of which is something Sousei is interested in.

So for a moment, he's silent and still, lifting his tea cup but not taking a sip, trying to consider how to respond to that with something solid and real.]

[ . . . and it's enough to get Tenka to tilt his head because that's... a pause. It's been ten years and Tenka can probably fill up another hour with stupid anecdotes about things that happen around the shrine, not even getting close to mentioning what happens in the entire village. There's so much that he can share and yammer on about.

He doesn't know how to feel that it's taking Sousei so long to answer. Does that mean he didn't have a life outside of the Yamainu? What about their meals - who cooked anyway? Does Sousei still collect stamps? How loud do dinners get? They have a dormitory right, so how does that work out? Do they ever bicker amongst themselves and wrestle it out?

. . . of course these are all stupid things that only Tenka would care about anyway.

Still though, he snorts. Because honestly-]

Throw a dog a bone here, Sousei. Preferably before I think that I get talked into sharing my life story too easily.

[Every single secret he has kept for 10 years was given out to Sousei because Tenka's soft-hearted enough to think that being partners means that Tenka can trust Sousei with his entire life. Maybe he shouldn't be expecting for the favor to be returned but waiting for something and getting nothing in return still kinda hurts.]

[He can sense that hurt, and that more than anything is enough to spur him into answering. He still doesn't know what to say or how to say it. He's kept all of this to himself for all of this time, because to tell the Yamainu would be to hurt them with how little they are cared for or trusted by their superiors, and there was nobody else he could trust enough.

He doesn't know if this is right, but Tenka wants him to share what things were like over the past 10 years, and so he says it, blurts it out really, if in the same quiet tone as he always uses.]

Iwakura-sama had taken to referring to the Yamainu as little more than useless dogs. [For the record. For what it's worth.] He grew a temper with his worsening health, and would often throw things when what he wanted did not go his way.

[Namely at Sousei's head--or threw Sousei out in general.

...And only just now is it striking Sousei that this is probably not what Tenka was asking for, but it's too late to stop now.]

I am aware of the fact that the Yamainu have been placed on the watch list of the other factions of the government. [Either to take out if they made a move that was too radical, or to follow to find dirt on either them or Iwakura.]

That...is what we have come to.

[It's a little bit like the calm before the storm.

None of that was what Tenka expected. Yeah, Iwakura changed and Tenka was able to sense that much. He wanted to serve that man so badly before and be a hero but then meeting up again at the party, he didn't feel the need to give any respect toward the person he saw. Instead, he got mouthy to the Minister of the Right.

But "useless dogs"?

Throwing things?

And to be on the watch list - that has a lot of extra implications that Sousei definitely knows better than Tenka but he understands just enough to get that much more riled up about it.

It's enough to get him to utter out one sentence (if it can be called that) in warning:]

That dirty bastard.

[Oh.]

[Tenka, being the king of wearing his heart on his sleeve that he is, is not going to take this sitting down. Literally. He's standing up, not really caring for if he rattles the table as he does so and isn't really holding anything back.]

Who the hell does he think he's calling useless?! Not like he's doing anything but sitting on his cushy chair all goddamn day while you're all doing the actual apprehending of criminals and ground work! See how far he gets without a squad to boss around - he'd be scrambling to get anything done! Minister of the Right, more like Minister of the Up Yours, Asshole!!

[He's never really been the type to be delicate. It's enough to get him to scoff now and even if Sousei's the type to not show his emotions or express much outrage about this, then Tenka's more than ready to do it on his behalf.]

Tch! If I knew when I saw him at the party - man I would've said a lot more to him than I did!! Man doesn't know how good he's got it! Just because you're body's decaying doesn't mean your heart and mind have got to go too - does he even have a brain anymore?!

[Apparently that's enough to get Tenka to come to a conclusion as he sets his hands on his hips.]

Sousei! I've decided! Next time I'm in Kyoto, tell me where this guy's office is...!

[he seems to have forgotten the world is in danger and he might not be able to walk.

ok.]

[Now, admittedly, Sousei wasn't expecting Tenka to be happy about it. Part of the reason he was keeping it to himself was because he was aware it would rile Tenka up. But he wasn't expecting Tenka to get quite so angry about it either. He jumps to his feet, and Sousei is startled, but not so much that he can't grab Tenka's cup of tea before it tips, a startled, automatic movement.

And then, hands still holding both cups steady, he blinks at Tenka, utterly stunned. Sure...it's not a good thing in the least. Being treated that way, having things thrown at him, that sort of disrespect...he'd accepted it, but he wasn't happy about it. What hurt far more than the physical was the implications that they were useless, that they were not the proud Yamainu they were--all of the things he'd tried to take from them, bit by bit.

Sousei takes a slow, deep breath.]

Tenka, sit down.

[Calm down...it gives Sousei a moment to collect himself as well. Because no matter how he looks at it...well, he's a little...content, that Tenka would be so angry on their behalf as the Yamainu. He knew it would infuriate the others, of course, but...hearing Tenka get just so angry on their behalf is good, in a way, too. Of course--the Yamainu are still important to him too.

This proves it.]

I don't want to sit down, I want to punch something!!

[GOD, SOUSEI, WHY DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND. Tenka's hands are clenching and unclenching themselves as he glances around, as if there's something in their house that he might actually be allowed to break.

But finding nothing, he just sighs loudly and with all of his being before he collapses back onto the floor, frowning and still looking not at all content. He props his elbow up on the table and rests his cheek on it, mouth still twisted into a frown before he looks over at Sousei and makes another decision.]

When you finish your tea, let's go back to play another round of ViViD! [You've created a monster.

But for now Tenka's still grumbling to himself, head turned to the side and muttering angrily.]

I'll show that guy, treating the Yamainu like a bunch of-- Who the hell does he think he is?! What a shithead. Throwing things too just 'cause he gets mad. Chuutarou's better than that! The nerve.

[Still not over it.]

[....Wow, Tenka. You really are angry, aren't you... Sousei just blinks at that, before slowly lifting up his tea in response, taking a steady sip. He just...doesn't know how to take this much anger on their behalf. Usually, there's none of that, and they really don't need it--they can handle themselves just fine.

But... honestly. He just blinks slowly, considers that it sounds as if Tenka didn't quite piece together the fact that Sousei was hinting that those thrown things tend to be thrown at him. Yeah. Well. Maybe that would help...? It's anger on behalf of the Yamainu, so--]

In general, the others did not have to deal with it. Calm down. It wasn't that much trouble for me. [He has a hard head, remember......]

[No, he didn't piece that together. Though honestly it's slowly being connected now.

The others didn't have to deal with it? So those things that were being thrown were - ]

I'll fight him all by myself if I have to!!

[He's standing up again.]

Bad enough if he was picking a fight with the entire Yamainu, but just you?! [If he sounded defensive about Shirasu, he's probably about three times as confused and upset now. Sure, Sousei's emotionless and boring to hang out with sometimes, but those are basic issues with hanging out with him as a friend. As a Captain, Sousei's undoubtedly doing a better job than Tenka ever thought he could.] And he wanted me to come back - I'll shove that offer right up his!! Can't just abuse my partner and expect everything to be all perfectly fine with me!

If I ever see that guy again, I'm gonna deck him! Or I'll bring my own shit to throw at him - see how he likes it!

[Possibly literal shit. This is Tenka, after all.]

Tenka...!

[That was not the response Sousei was expecting from that, and...well, maybe ten years apart has changed his expectations a bit, but quite frankly, he figured that Tenka was upset on behalf of all of them as the Yamainu, and hearing that Sousei had taken it head on (literally) as captain would resolve that issue. The other Yamainu didn't have to deal with something so degrading. That's what matters.

But no...Tenka's even more upset now, and... well, Sousei can't deny that it must be on his own behalf. (As if Tenka hadn't just said so, just like that). Honestly...he shouldn't be quite as touched as he is by it, but...nonetheless, he is. Tenka standing up for him...honestly.]

...Calm down. [It's said quietly, though, and Sousei closes his eyes, taking a deep breath and aiming for something a bit more serene than the undoubtedly surprised and wondering expression on his face a moment prior.] It's fine.

No, it's not!?

[That might be the most offensive thing that Sousei's said so far and Tenka's not going to be convinced into sitting down again just that easily. Rather, his eyes widen and he frowns so obviously - he's not just angry, he's upset. These conditions are not what the Yamainu deserve and if it's what Sousei in particular gets, then damn right it's also not something that Sousei deserves at all.

The idea that this sort of thing could even be remotely acceptable is confusing to him.]

That's not how you treat people who swear their lives and declare their hopes and dreams on serving you! [It's enough to get Tenka to shake his head vehemently. God knows Shirasu's tried to serve him and Tenka couldn't even begin to imagine treating him this way.] It's just not fair - it's not right!

I'm not gonna calm down. You're too calm about this! [But Sousei's always been a little slow to rile up into emotion, Tenka knows that. He's not gonna force him to get angry - ] So I'm just gonna get mad for you!!

[He doesn't really understand. He can understand why Tenka's upset, in a way--he was equally upset about how Iwakura treated the Yamainu, how he acted as if they were little more than dirt, the squad that had his master's hopes and dreams resting on their shoulders. But the abuse? Physical, verbal, none of it mattered, it was what it was and what it was was simply another part of the job.

He could take it.

So in the end, it really didn't matter.

Tenka wanting to get angry for him...? Ultimately, he just ends up staring up at Tenka, eyes widening slightly, but he frowns a little nonetheless.]

...It's fine. It will not matter soon enough regardless.

[So seriously. Calm down. He takes another sip of his tea, and then sets down the cup gently, taking a deep breath and continuing more quietly--]

...You don't have to concern yourself with it. [With defending him...] He has not dismantled the Yamainu--that is what matters.

[That is what will always matter to Sousei.]

Edited 2014-12-06 05:32 (UTC)

Well it matters right now to me, so you're going to have to deal with it.

[To be honest.

. . . but fine, he'll sit down. He's sitting down again and sighing and still grumbling a bit under his breath before he pins a look on Sousei that's honestly closer to frustrated than anything.]

The only one who can dismantle the Yamainu is you - and I know that everyone's going to stick together as friends anyway. No, he doesn't get to talk about them like that but he's not allowed to treat you that badly either!

[Tenka huffs then, crossing his arms. Yeah, talking like he gets to decide what the Minister of the Right gets to do.]

You're my partner. Of course I'm going to 'concern myself with it' when some jerk whose brain has gone with age takes advantage of the fact that you don't fight back! So I'm gonna fight back! No one's gonna get away with treating you like that - I don't care if they're the Minister of the Right or the Emperor or some random guy on the street!

[Sousei has called him a traitor and who knows what else, but Tenka doesn't let things like this slide. No one's allowed to insult his best friend or the squad that his father made. He's not going to just sit around and let it happen and here, there's no one that he needs to play nice with so watching his words and toning down how angry he actually is?

Not a thing.]

[The look Sousei gives in return is a flat one, a little startled, but mostly blank. He's had a long time to come to terms with Iwakura's treatment of him. It no longer surprises him, and he wasn't lying--what matters most is that the Yamainu are able to continue doing their jobs, and are not stopped from that. He doesn't intend to stop until they have fulfilled Taiko's wishes.

Nobody can be allowed to stop him from doing that.

Any abuse he takes in the meantime? It's just a step towards that ultimate goal. He can take a book being thrown at his head, angry words, anything of the like. It's not that troublesome to him, someone who was groomed for most of his young life to believe he really was just a pawn to be sacrificed.

He doesn't believe that anymore, but it does make it rather easy to put aside his pride for moments like these. But Tenka... Of course he doesn't fight back. Fighting back would be worse for the Yamainu. Tenka fighting on his behalf, then...? It seems a little ridiculous. He doesn't need further defending. He doesn't need it.

But it'd be a lie to say that he doesn't appreciate the fact that that was Tenka's first thought--that Tenka is willing to do it.]

Tenka. [He doesn't really know how to respond to it, either. Because he does appreciate it, in his own way, and he doesn't enjoy dealing with it in the least, but in the end...his time of dealing with it is nearly at a close nonetheless.]

I...have decided myself to put up with it for the sake of our ultimate goal. [Because he had to. Because this was what he thought they were supposed to do, at first, and now because he needs that cooperation of the government for just a few moments more.] There are more important things at stake.

[Than his pride and a book to the face, which is honestly not even close to what they endured while training to become Yamainu.]

[ . . . Sousei has decided something and that's very close to being enough to get Tenka to respect it and step back. Because honestly when they were kids it felt like Sousei didn't decide much at all. He was the sensible one and pulled Tenka away from trouble a lot, but it was different from just acting on his own. It was always closer to reacting.

But now it gets Tenka to calm for a moment. Yeah, there... might be more important things at stake. Tenka can only agree to that much because of the Orochi and the Orochi puts his own little brothers in danger and they are the only ones who could be more important than Sousei and the Yamainu.

So he sighs.]

... It's not really my place anyway - not like I can tell you what to do.

[To be honest. But regardless, this is Tenka and he is simple indeed so he's just going to nod to himself and reaffirm:]

I'm still gonna sock him in the face if I ever see him again.

[For degrading his friends and for mistreating his partner - that much is non-negotiable.]

[It's even more gratifying, that Tenka took that answer and accepted it for the decision it was. Sousei did decide for himself here. He made the choice to continue to put up with this for the sake of a proper conclusion. He's fine with that, and he's glad that Tenka is too.

He's glad that Tenka takes his decisions as a partner seriously too. It's true, it took him an awfully long time to learn that he even could make decisions for himself...but here he is now, making decisions not only for himself but for the rest of the Yamainu as well, and doing it well.

So he nods simply, accepting that with a fair bit of relief, even if it's not completely obvious on his face (but Tenka can probably see it anyway).]

...Right. [He'll accept that, honestly. And add, rather frankly (but with some well-hidden amusement--)] He chose to not accept my proposal of the Yamainu as bodyguards. I have no obligation to stop you.

[Tenka sees it and figures that's enough of an inclination that he made the right decision here. Okay, yeah, let Sousei do what he wants and apparently Sousei will also let Tenka do what he wants. That's a fair enough exchange.

So Tenka just nods once again, firmly, and then snorts, regaining a bit of his good humor despite the anger that enveloped his entire being earlier.]

You guys have better and more important things to do than to guard some shithead who doesn't even deserve your time anyway.

[The Yamainu have always been destined for great things.]

[Destined for greatness...? Maybe, maybe not. Destined to take down the Orochi--that's enough greatness for Sousei. That's all he wants. Still, they're both in slightly better humor now, so Sousei removes his hand from that tea, because Tenka probably won't knock it over now.]

We do. Now that it has come time to take on the Orochi, we won't stop until it has been defeated.

[Or until they're dead. Either/or--but Sousei has faith that if anyone, the Yamainu can figure out how to make it the first.]

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