#ibashi

[iba-hime]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Updated Chapter 8!!! This one was quite the ride....

[spider-moon-princess]

Bliss

His soft green eyes couldn’t get enough of looking at her face, at the curve of her face, her nose, her lashes, her cheeks, her forehead. He couldn’t close his eyes for fear that she would just vanish from his arms like she had when he woke up. His long, slender fingers lightly caressed her cheek as his lips softly peppered kisses along her forehead, cheeks, jaw and shoulders. He kissed the new bullet wound scars on her shoulder. Those scars were the only thing that kept him believing that this wasn’t a dream. She didn’t have those before. Iba nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck, lightly taking in her scent…she still smelled of morning glories.

He never stopped mourning her, but he had been able to return to some kind of normalcy many months after he’d come to terms with her death. He had always kept morning glories in his apartment to have a small piece of her with him. He thought he’d have to let go of her completely someday, but he didn’t know if he could’ve.

Shiori’s eyes fluttered open when she felt her neck grow wet. “Babe,”

“Call my name, Shiori.” Iba murmured softly.

“Hachirō,” She called softly, weaving her fingers in his brown hair. “Are you crying again? Did you even sleep?”

He lightly shook his head, continuing to bury his face into her neck. “I couldn’t. What if this is a dream…and I wake up to an empty bed again? What if I wake up and you’re not here?”

“I’m so…sorry, Hachirō, for all this shit I put you through.” She kissed his cheek and pressed herself closer, but she still felt it wasn’t enough. She could never make up for all the pain she put him through, all the grief, the mourning…everything he faced alone while she went with Okita to kill off the Dragons to finally be able to show her face to him again.

“No…It’s okay, you’re here…I think…” He lifted his head, his eyes still full of tears. “I love you so much, Darling.”  

Shiori crushed her lips to his and rolled on top of him, softly kissing along his jaw. “I’ll do anything to make it up to you, ‘Ro. Just tell me what you want.” She could feel his hot breaths against her skin, making her shiver in pleasure.

“...Don’t ever leave me again, Darling. That’s all I could ever ask of you.” His hand cupped her cheek as he looked up at her as his eyes softened. “I love you, Shiori. I love you.” He murmured against her lips.

“I love you too.” Shiori’s heart fluttered. She’d never be able to get enough of him and his love. Sighing, she sat up, still straddling him.“I won’t ever leave you, Hachirō. I’m done with all that shit. I took care of it.”

Iba’s brows furrowed, and as he sat up the sheets slid off of them. “What do you mean, Shiori?”

She shut her eyes. “I know. I know what your job is. I know, I know what I did was wrong, but I didn’t have any other choice if I wanted to come back to you. They caught me when we were trying to get away the first time, and I knew they’d never stop until they saw me dead, ‘Ro. You and and me. We’d never be able to be together.”

“Are…did you…kill them?”

“I know you don’t agree with it, what I used to do, but I swear to you, Hachirō,” Shiori’s cyan blue eyes finally met his. “I’m never going back to that. I helped the Shinsengumi take over the city. They’re running things now, the Dragons are history.”

Iba’s eyes flickered away before he closed them for a moment. He couldn’t care anymore. It had been those same people that had ripped her away from him, and she’d gotten rid of them now. They wouldn’t be coming back for her, for them. “Shiori, dearest, I…don’t care. I sound like a terrible person, but whatever you had to do, it’s in the past now. I want us,” He brushed their noses together. “to think and face only our bright future.”

She brushed her lips against his. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted. A future with you.” She rolled off of him and snuggled into his arms. “Now, get some sleep. Your eyes are all red.”

Iba chuckled and buried his face into her soft violet locks. “Very well. You’ve convinced me.”

Shiori watched him slip into a peaceful sleep, and she stared at his face this time. How she’d missed his soft green eyes, his handsome face, the way he made her feel loved. There was no way she was going to let anyone or anything get in their way ever again. She stared at him for a little while before she closed her own eyes and fell asleep.

--

Shiori buried her face into his back and he chuckled lightly as he washed their dishes. “I’m not leaving your side, ‘Ro.”

“You’ll hear no complaints from me, Dearest.” He hummed as he scrubbed the plates clean.

“Even if you had them, I wouldn’t let go.” Shiori stuck her tongue out at him and sighed when the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.” She hesitantly peeled herself away from him to answer the door. “Nagakura?!”

“Yo, love birds? Mind lettin’ me in for a moment?” He waved to Iba when he came to the door as Nagakura stepped inside.

“What’re you doing here?” Shiori raised an eyebrow and looked back at Iba.

Nagakura handed her a manila folder and motioned for her to open it. She spilled the contents onto the counter nearby and she looked back at him. A passport, an ID, a birth certificate and even a marriage certificate with her new name, Iba Shiori.

“Nagakura-san! I didn’t have a chance to propose to her properly!” Iba sighed and cracked a small smile, seeing Shiori’s face light up while she continued looking at the falsified documents.

“’Ro, my name…it looks better with your last name.” Iba’s cheeks flushed at her comment, and he nodded, he couldn’t agree with it more. She looked back at Nagakura. “But why…?”

“We wanted to give you a small thank you, since now we’re in charge of this turf. We’re gonna clean things up, get rid of the remaining Dragons on our own. You’re free, Kaneko.”

---

Six years later.

“Shiori~,” Iba mumbled sleepily as he pulled her into his arms, and she sighed contently, her lashes fluttering open as her nose brushed against his.

“Yeah, Babe?” She rolled on top of him and kissed him.

“You’re off today, right? Or does the magazine need you?” He kissed her forehead and slipped a hand under her shirt.

“Fuck ‘em, I did my part. What about you? Lots of cases? Are you going into the office today?” Shiori slipped her own hands under his his shirt.

After the couple had moved away and gotten married, Iba went back to school to become a lawyer, and Shiori went on to become a magazine editor. They had formed new lives together just as they had envisioned. “Nothing pressing, Dearest. They can wait until Monday.” Iba let out a small gasp as he felt her hands go lower.

“Mama! Papa!”

Shiori immediately rolled off of him before their door opened and their four-year old son jumped into their bed. “Haruto, isn’t it a bit early for you to be awake on a Saturday?”

Iba chuckled and pulled their son underneath the sheets with them and tickled his tummy. “He’s just excited about the picnic we’re going on today, right, Haruto?”

“A picnic?!” His cyan blue eyes widened as he sat up excitedly. “Really!?” The young boy resembled his father more and more with each day that passed.

Shiori ruffled his brown hair and kissed his cheek. “Guess we’re goin’ on a picnic then. Go get your toys ready. Papa and I will pack the bento.”

“Yes, Mama!” He kissed her cheek and bounced off the bed, running out of their room.

“I think Haruto needs a sister, Dearest.” Iba nudged her and chuckled when she rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, I think so too, Babe. It’d be nice to have a girl too.”

“She’d be beautiful as her mother.”

“Nah, beautiful like her father.” Shiori laughed when Iba pulled her into his arms. “Hachirō, I couldn’t be happier.” She’d forgotten her old life, left it all behind, and she couldn’t have been happier with the decision. The struggles they’d faced were forgotten, and were replaced by happy and blissful memories of their family. Every day, she was wrapped up in so much love, she didn’t know what to do with it. Her son and her husband were her whole world now, her future.

Iba brushed his lips against hers. “I love you, Darling.”

“I love you more, ‘Ro.” 

[iba-hime]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Two nights in a row updated...that’s a record! I love this slow burn Casino AU, it’s so much fun to write! 

(Thanks for the inspiration, Gotham). 

[iba-hime]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapter three, more insight on what Shiori does (and feelings??), appearances made by Ito and ToshiSami!

[iba-hime]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Casino Mafia AU!  Shiori's a mafia leader with the entire city under her thumb, he's a poor medical student that found a job to pay for school. The Dragon Princess takes a liking to the little bunny working in her casino, this could mean more trouble for Iba.

Chapter One: The First Night of Work

[iba-hime]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Shiori attempts to seduce Iba...but it doesn’t go as planned...but are they getting unexpectedly closer? 

[iba-hime]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Update!!! Chapter two of Mafia Casino AU! The focus is on Iba and his daily life! LOL Shiori, please don’t eat up Iba...

[iba-hime]

A Pirate’s Life for Shi Ch 4

CH 3

She rather enjoyed the flustered look on his handsome features. That rosy blush, those pretty soft green eyes shifting from her to the floor. She couldn’t help but want to fluster him further. She grabbed the chain of his shackles and pinned them above his head.

“A-Ah, wait!” He leaned his head back, but she used her other hand to keep his chin in place.

“What is it, my Treasure?”

“Tr-treasure?” Iba leaned away from her as her lips hovered over his jaw, feeling her hot breath. He felt his back press against the wall of the ship as she entered the cell with him. His breath hitched as she pressed herself against him. “M-Miss-”He could smell the rum on her breath.

“Captain.” She said sternly. “It’s Captain, my Treasure.” She brought her lips closer to his. She smelled of rum and wine.

“C-Captain!” Iba flushed, gently trying to pull away from her, but there was nowhere to run to. “Th-this is so indecent!”

Shiori leaned in more, her lips barely hovering above his. As he let out a surprised gasp when one of her hands trailed down his chest, she leaned in and slipped her tongue through his parted lips. “Don’t get too excited now,” She chuckled in hearing a little moan from him. “Merely a little hello, Dear Prince.” She hummed in amusement when he bowed his head in embarrassment. “I’ve taken a liking to your face, my Treasure.” Shiori laughed and let her fingers trail down his cheek before she pulled away from him. “How docile.”

“Captain! We’ve looted everything! Should we get ready to depart?!” A voice called from above deck.

“Aye! I’ll be there in a few moments!” Her hand grabbed the chain of his shackles that were on his wrists and tugged him forward. Iba helplessly stumbled forward and quietly followed her above deck.

“All right, crew! Grab the last of the loot and leave them be!” She announced as she walked the board that connected their ships.

Loud cheering ensued as her crew gathered up the last bit of their things and headed back to The Kelpie.

Shiori held her hand out, and a member of her crew placed a ring of keys in it. She unlocked his shackles, letting them clank on the wooden deck, and he blinked in surprise as he rubbed his sore wrists. “Th-thank you…” Iba wasn’t sure if being taken by another band of pirates was any better.

“Glory-san, we have more rum!” A woman from her crew called and Shiori walked over to one of the barrels. She grabbed a mug that another one of her crew members held out and dunked it in. “This shit’s good! We celebrate with this rum tonight!”

Iba stood where he was, unsure of what to do. He couldn’t help but feel out of place.

Shiori came back to him and dusted herself off. “Well then, feel free to make yourself at home, Prince, but if you’re staying here, you’ll be expected to do your part too. Though, it doesn’t seem like your dainty hands have known hard work.”

“I will do my part, Captain,” Iba crossed his arms and looked straight into her cyan blue eyes. “But what do expect to gain from me being here? I assume you don’t have any plans to return me to the Kingdom anytime soon.”

Shiori took out her pistol and started cleaning it with a rag she pulled out of her pocket. “In that, Treasure, you’re right. I heard that pirate we came across had you for immunity and ransom purposes.” She twirled her gun before putting it back in its holster. “And I also plan on doing that. The Navy’s got a hell of a bounty on my head and you,” She patted his cheek. “are gonna be my ticket out of that.”

Iba furrowed his brows. Here was yet another person that was using him for his status and title. “Captain, I respectfully request you take me back to my kingdom.”

Shiori grabbed his shirt and pulled him closely. “This is my ship. I rule the seas. I make the decisions here. This ain’t your high court, Prince, keep that in mind.” She snarled lowly. “So although you ‘respectfully request’ things, I decide what happens.”

“My life is in your hands then, is that what I hear?” Iba pulled himself away and balled up his fists.

“Now you’re learning, Treasure.” Shiori clapped her hands in a mocking manner.

They both looked behind him as they heard a clatter of plates. The short girl with dark brown hair bowed her head as she picked up the plates she’d dropped. “G-Glory-san, I, um, didn’t mean to interrupt, but I wouldn’t mind showing,” She paused as she looked at the new man with soft green eyes.

“Iba.” Shiori took the stack of plates from her hands.

“I can show him where to clean up, Glory-san, he looks like he’s in need of a good cleaning.” Etsu flushed as Iba continued to stare at her.

“Aa, Miura, that sounds good.” Shiori turned to Iba. “I’d better not hear you get into trouble or we’ll have trouble.”

Iba followed the nervous girl to a another room with fresh water where he scrubbed himself off as Miura went to fetch some fresh clothes for him.

Once dressed, he let out a soft sigh of relief. It was good to be clean again. As he dried his hair with a towel, he turned back to look at the door.

“Iba-sama, I’ve served you some tea and some food in the dining room.” She led to another room to an empty table and sat across from him.

“Thank you, Miura-san.” He sat down, the warm scent of the soup enticing him. He hadn’t had anything warm to eat in forever, or at least months. His eyes widened as he spotted the gold locket hanging from her neck. His hand reached out to capture the it to look at it more closely. “This crest,” It was of a crane holding a bouquet of flowers with arrows in the shape of an ‘x’ behind it. “…Miura?” He looked up into her startled light brown eyes.

“A-ah…” She cast her gaze down, but didn’t dare move.

“The daughter of Duke Miura? The one who has been missing for over two years? Etsu-chan?” He furrowed his eyebrows. “…kidnapped by…pirates?”

Etsu continued to wordlessly look away as she finally looked up, letting out a soft breath. “It was the truth, Prince.” She said quietly, deciding to recount what had happened over two years ago now.

 Her father had been away for over a month, meeting with the parents of possible suitors that wanted her hand in marriage, and she had been waiting at the docks with her nanny, wanting to know what choice he had made for her. She was not thrilled that he was making the decision for her and sought to dispute it the moment he was on land.

She never got the chance since a band of pirates had pulled ashore and began pillaging women, children, and goods. Etsu had been one of the ones taken.

She didn’t know how long they were kept below deck, but she saw such horrifying sights. The only reason she’d been saved from anything was because she’d be worth more to sell because of her title.

After many long months, they were brought to an island where black market deals happened, including the selling of brides.

Another ship, The Kelpie, had made its way ashore as the auction was going on, and Etsu continued to hope and pray that she’d be saved from this horrid fate of being married off to some strange man with money.

Before they would start her auction, swords were drawn in response to a man that charged through, beating down all the men in attendance along with a woman. The two led them to a boat and rescued everyone that had been taken from their homes.

The more she stayed on the boat with Captain Glory and Nagakura, she became more attached to them.

When it came time to go back home, she decided not to and confessed her reason for staying.

 “Etsu-chan, Kotaro and I were worried about you when we heard what happened.” Iba took her hand and squeezed it. “You hadn’t heard had you?”

Etsu furrowed her brows in confusion. “Heard what, Iba-sama?”

“You were betrothed to Kotaro.”

Her eyes widened. “I-what?!” She exclaimed, her jaw practically dropping to the floor. “To Kotaro-sama!?”

Another hand grabbed their clasped hands and ripped Etsu’s out of Iba’s grasp. “Babe, is he giving you any trouble?” Iba winced in pain as his arm was twisted behind his back.

“AH! Honey Bear no! That’s the Prince!” Etsu squealed in horror as she stood up and quickly patted his hand to release Iba’s.

“But-”

Iba rubbed his hand and looked up at the man with bright blue eyes, much taller than Etsu. He sheepishly scratched at his cheek as Etsu scolded him with her hands at her hips. The Prince could instantly tell why Etsu had chosen to leave their life.

“I’m fine, Etsu-chan.” Iba chuckled.

“But, Iba-sama-”

“He calls you “Etsu-chan”?! I thought I was the only one allowed to call you that!” Nagakura pulled her into his arms and hugged her closely.

“Shin!” She squealed and flushed a bright red as his lips peppered light kisses on her cheek. “St-stop that! Besides, Sano-san also calls me that!”

“What!? HE DOES WHAT NOW!?”

Iba finished his meal with an amused smile as Nagakura showered his affection, making it very clear that Etsu was indeed taken. When someone called Nagakura away, Etsu was able to freely show him around the ship.