Sandals padded the floor quickly and with exertion - he had not expected Kiragi to come home in time. Of course, he had prepared something for him nonetheless. He had spent an entire year trying to figure out how he was supposed to give Kiragi a better gift than last year - something useful, something good. He had considered a spear - but that was Hatsuyuki’s place to give him, not Hisame’s. And Kiragi adored his own hunting bow - trusty and warn correctly for the prince’s hands alone, that was out of the picture to.
Footsteps slowed down as he heard the other’s cheerful voice. Perhaps he was out of bounds. Perhaps he had misread the nature of their relationship - Kiragi had returned and had yet to come and see him. The samurai’s face burned with shame. Shame and–..
Embarrassment. At his own loneliness.
They had all left, one by one. Off on their own adventures. Kiragi had not asked him to come, and though he offered his services, the prince had never wanted him as a retainer anyway. Regardless of the personal standing Kiragi held him in, the truth became apparent when he heard the voice of the other. With others. And not him.
And it was selfish, of course, he had avoided Kiragi as well. If he was able to avoid confirmation of his own paranoia, then he could at the very least pretend he was fine. That he had not been left behind to continue living his life as quiet and listless as possible, missing the prince with every fiber of his being but staying in line, in his place. Knowing that this was not what his prince had wanted and yet all Hisame could be.
He continued forward, slower now, wanting to prolong the moments that remained of his ignorance.
When he approached the prince, so much shorter than he, he bowed - straight locks framing his face as he presented his gift.
“It was difficult to imagine what else I could possibly do for you, and as I was thinking, I realized that a katana would not necessarily be best for you to travel with. You would need something conducive to your hunting skills.:
“While I did forge the kodachi - you can see the amber in it, I thought it would compliment your eyes…B-but that is not the point–” He cleared his throat, standing. “I forged the kodachi - well, I suppose kodachi is not the correct term. It can be used for throwing, but it is mostly meant for close quarters self-defense. If you already have a bow, a full katana would be unwieldy. I researched in order to find metal to forge a lightweight but sturdy blade. The sheath is leather - tanned t match your quiver. A-and see, it clasps here, so if you put it on your quiver with the handle down, you could easily pull it out and–”
He realized he was babbling, a flush falling on his features. “And…Happy birthday, my prince. I have….I have missed you dearly.”
IT WAS, IN COMPLETE AND TOTAL HONESTY, none of kiragi’s intent to leave his friends, cousins, &. LOVER behind when he had decided to temporarily pursue his own faith. his own desires. his own WANTS. this, completely, was out of his own selfish desire — HE was the one that wanted to escape the absolute sadness he felt being at camp. it was even proven to him that his presence as a fighter did not matter, &. he could take all the moments he wanted off &. out into the woods — where kiragi could be the person he had been longing to be for so long.
it was completely out of his knowledge if he would return to the lifestyle of living off on his own in the woods again, or if he would be staying around for a little while longer. after all, the reason he left were because of dead memories — for some reason, everything was just dripped with SADNESS. his cousins, gone. his friends, gone. his own lover ... gone. kiragi was sure each &. every one had valid reasons, but regardless, he still felt EMPTY.
the self-discovery in the journey also made him feel more hollow in some aspects. like how his cousins were doing now, how hisame &. hatsuyuki were. if they cared. hatsuyuki, divulging deep in studies in efforts trying — hisame, seeming to be AVOIDING kiragi more than anything. it worried him, but he could never ask —— he wanted hisame to be as comfortable as possible, &. yet, he still felt the desire to ask.
kiragi never did. &. that was his mistake.
but now he was back, greeting people, having fun — it was a heartwarming event that he couldn’t help but smile at. yeah, it felt like those old times again — the old times when everyone was around &. he felt as if the sun shone into his spine everyday. that’s what it felt like. &. when hisame finally appeared ( probably trying to get over his shyness. kiragi respected that, &. was equally amused. ) he patiently waited for his rambling to be over.
a quick peck on the cheek followed ( he couldn’t help himself ) as he accepted his retainer’s present.
❛ Ooh, I think this is great, actually !! ❜ acting as if they were never apart. masking any momentum &. crumble &. urge to bolt at him to the ground. he had to stay calm, just as hisame always was ... that’s probably what he wanted at that point. ❛ I’ll make sure to use it whenever I can. ❜
aaaand that flustered face. nah, he can’t resist. kiragi pulls hisame into a deep embrace, squealing, ❛ Aww, I’ve missed you so much too, Hisame !! Thanks for the birthday wishes, ahaha !! ❜
