Freak o' Friday night, know I'm the main attraction. Basket acrobat, they wanna see some action. Tinkering with my design, twist and turn my feral mind. Play with me 'til you've found another toy.
— Chapter 4: Dark Humor
Not revised, may contain errors, English is not my native language. It's a bit short, I'm going through some personal problems, and it's difficult to write sometimes.
Night reigned over the tracks once more, and you found yourself sitting on the worn wooden floor of that train car again. Gyutaro's presence, after that day, had begun to feel lighter for you, but on days like this, when you had to deal with him and the other demons there, Douma, Akaza and Rui, it was a little more difficult, especially after Akaza made you that offer.
At first, you simply sat there, scribbling some dialogue ideas in your notebook. You thought they would simply ignore you, which was good, until you heard.
_And this one? Is she like your babysitter or something? - Douma asked, looking at you and then at Gyutaro, making the thinner demon clench his fists.
_Shut up - Gyutaro growled, his voice irritated and a deadly glare directed at the other two.
_Is she your little friend then ? With all due respect, but I think she's terrified of you - Akaza said this time, raising an eyebrow and alternating his gaze between the two of you.
_I-I'm not afraid of him, I trust him! - A crooked smile spread across the pink-haired oni's face, and he leaned against the bars.
_You really trust him, huh?... Then go ahead, open the cage and go in with him - Akaza's bold and irritated proposal made your eyes widen, and you turned your head, looking at the same surprised expression on Gyutaro's face through the bars. His words even caught the attention of Douma, and Rui, who was playing with a spider in the corner of his cage.
His colorful pupils turned to you, and it was almost imperceptible, but you saw the faint glimmer of hope as you awaited his reaction. But you couldn't. You trusted him, didn't you? What if Sanemi found out? The rule was reinforced: you couldn't leave the cage open. Or was it that fear was still ingrained in your bones, preventing you from acting, and you were making excuses?
_...I knew you didn't have the courage— Akaza's sharp voice cuts through your thoughts, and before you could argue, the door suddenly opens, revealing Sanemi's irritated figure.
Sanemi uses a wisteria branch to weaken the three oni, opening the cages one by one and placing a collar on each. Amidst their movements, you avoid looking to the side and seeing Gyutaro, and as soon as the sound of the wooden door pulls you from your thoughts, you realize you're alone with him again. You remain silent for a few seconds, until the oni breaks the silence with a sigh.
_Forget what that idiot told you... I don't blame you for being afraid of me...—He scratches the back of his neck, letting out a sigh. His words make you bite your lower lip and move closer to the bars that separate you.
_I... I might be a little afraid of you, but... I don't want to be! And that's why I want to get to know you better, Gyutaro... Because I'll be able to change this image I have of you because of others— Your words escape before you can properly organize your thoughts, and he stares at you with surprised eyes.
You look at him with a certain courage, expecting a reaction from the oni in front of you, who only stares at you with an indecipherable expression. Slowly, he moves within the small perimeter of the cage, the faint smell of decay approaching, and stands before you, with only the bars separating you. You clench your hands tightly in front of your chest and look at him with a trembling but determined gaze. Hesitantly, Gyutaro extends his arm, and your brain sends an alert signal that you choose to ignore, while his cold, rough hand touches your cheek, making you blush with surprise.
_... You're too good for me... I'm a monster, darling... - His voice was deep and slightly soft, and your lower lip trembles as you feel his thumb circling your soft skin. Instinctively, your smaller hands rise to wrap around his thick, bony wrist, and you nestle your face in his palm, looking at him with shining pupils.
_You're not a monster! I... I see you as someone, as a person... I-I don't care if others see you that way - He chuckles nervously, and you could swear you felt your heart pounding again at that.
_I don't know what you saw in me, but... thank you... - The atmosphere between you flows like a calm river, and your gazes locked on each other are the current.
_You are so beautiful.. - He murmurs, a small smile appearing on his chapped lips.
_I think you're handsome too, even if you don't believe me - With your speech, he laughs in a melancholic way, his eyes drifting down to your lips for a few moments.
In that moment you felt peace, and the fact that Gyutaro had brought it surprised you in a good way. The temporary calm is interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps, and you both separate, your faces flushing.
_I-I need to go back... see you tomorrow! - You quickly move away, embarrassment taking over as you speak shyly, and leave the carriage in a hurry, closing the door behind you.
Gyutaro stares intently at the door you exited through, then looks at his own hands, still feeling the warmth of your face on his fingers, and he sighs with a grunt.
_What is she doing to me? - he murmurs, running a hand through his messy hair.
You throw yourself onto the firm mattress of your bed and stare at the ceiling, your cheeks flushing red every time the scene replays in your mind.
Lost in thought, you don't even notice Shinobu and Mitsuri entering the shared quarters; they exchange a glance, seeing how flustered you look.
_Is everything okay, [Name]? - Mitsuri’s sweet question startles you, and you quickly turn toward them.
_O-oh... yeah, I'm fine... just a little... dizzy, I guess - You reply, hoping to convince them.
_If something is going on, you can tell us... we know about the new task Sanemi gave you - Shinobu says as she sits on her bed across the room.
_That's true, you looked scared that day - Mitsuri adds, both of them watching you closely.
_Everything really is fine; you don't need to worry - Your assurance seems to work, and they stop asking questions.
The hours of the night drag on slowly; your feelings are jumbled and confused—like a tangled ball of yarn—constantly pulling you back to mentally stumble over that earlier scene.
You were starting to feel something for him, and it wasn't fear.
_______________________________________
General question: do you guys want a chapter with smut? I was unsure whether to do it or not, so I decided to ask you guys
@pookiei-bookie
@gyuuarchive
@simbaratama
Thank you for reading 🫶🏼 It makes me happy to know that you enjoy what I write <3
Hello everyone! I wanted to share my Noragami KNY AU with yall. I had this written out for an RP server, but decided why not share it here as well.
For those who don't know Noragami, there is no reason to worry, I have the concepts within the show that are used explained in here as well.
This is going to be a longer post so buckle up! Also SOILERS AHEAD.
After the defeat of Muzan, many of the slayers have vanished and the organisation was dissolved. Peace ran supposedly rampant. Until, reports of ghosts and odd monsters began to appear.
Slayers of old, now mostly aged, knew well what these could entail. However, non of their investigations yielded any results.
That was until a special few humans began to see the world of phantoms. Creatures that feed on human emotions and push them to their extremes. Ones that murder and destroy beyond the average human eye.
These special few honed their skills into the ability to traverse this world by leaving their bodies behind. Once they accomplished that, they were able to learn to contract spirits to help them.
These spirits are lost souls unable to move on to the afterlife. They lose themselves and their names, no longer able to recall anything. Slowly, they get picked on, eaten by phantoms. But, when slayers contract them, they may give them two names, one for their human form and the other for their weapon form. As spirits can shapeshift into various objects or forms to best aid their colleague.
Amongst these spirits there are those who are seen as almost divine. The Hashira of previous eras, who are not only strong in their weapon forms and will, but in their spiritual prowess. Those who contract a Hashira are looked on to as the cream of the crop.
Some even say that Hashira become weapons of gods. But... in truth, while they are capable of feats greater then man today, they are still lost souls who are capable of being corrupted. Souls who are forgotten by those who see them in the mortal world. Some even appear as worn down as they were at the moment of their death.
Then there are those who contract demons. Demons who as punishment, are kept on earth to atone for their sins by becoming a Slayers weapon. Those who refuse, become powerful phantoms who's abilities can destroy lives in an instant. Slayers who contract demons are seen as vile. And amongst them, non are hated more then those who contract demons from the upper moons.
In this AU Muzan is a monster who has not only ruined the world of the living, but fundamentally corrupted the afterlife. His hands stained with the essence of the souls he has devoured, and he is very much still around to witness it.
The first slayer who was able to learn how to disconnect from their body was The Master's grandson. Being a long descendent from a line of priests and priestesses, he was able to take in everything he learned and reach a stage where he can walk between worlds.
Lord Ubuyashki was the first slayer to contract a spirit as well later on. The Spirit he contracted was Gyomei. Ever since then, Gyomei has only ever been contracted to the Ubuyashki family, most likely, the leader of the core.
Contracting spirits is not more difficult or easier for Hashira or Upper moons. All spirits are equal in their state of loss, therefore, the hard part is not contracting one as the ritual is the same. The hard part, is maintaining a contract with ones Regalia (the name of the contracted spirits), as their emotions, will, dreams, personality, etc will all effect the wielder. A wrong wielder with a Hashira can lead to a lot of issues, mainly becoming overwhelmed with their emotions and needs. Worst case scenario, a blight, in the extreme cases, corruption on both ends.
Demons as Regalia are extremely difficult to handle. Mostly, their will can corrupt the wielder if they are not able to establish boundaries, have a strong will, or fail to connect correctly with the demon. Most demon blights and corruptions lead to death.
Blight refers to the negative thaughts or negative energy that attaches to someone or something. A blight is almost like a disease, the more negativity between a Regalia and it's master or the more negativity a Regalia spreads, the more a blight will spread. Being blighted will cause severe pain, fever, and dizziness. Left alone, a blighted person will become corrupt and die or become a phantom. Blights can only be removed by sacred water and fixing the issues with the Regalia.
Because most things in this AU is caused by human thaughts and feelings as well as souls, people or spaces people find to be divine or sacred will gain a "higher" title. Hashira are almost like deities, each having a blessing that comes with them. Tengen's wielders have all been blessed with wealth and 'flashyness' as he calls it. Kyojuro's wielders have been blessed with good meals and a charm that brings people to them. Likewise, sacred spaces bring their own blessings, mostly to be able to slow blights and produce sacred water.
Those who have Hashira as Regalia are not rare. Though, they do not usually stay that way for long. The Hashira are demanding as Regalia, their pain, will, and strength will easily overwhelme Slayers. As such, while it is not uncommon, it is not common either. Usually, they find themselves with knew wielders a lot.
Sanemi specifically found himself to be with no wielder for many years. No one was able to handle his personality much less the blights and emotions that come with them. Because of this, he found himself under The Ubuyashki family's care until he found his wielder. His wielder also contracts Genya.
Slayers who have demon Regalia are called 'Nora,' meaning a stray. While they are still considered to be part of the core and are treated equal by the Ubuyashki family, they are not liked by the general core nor many of the spirits. Within their mind, they have strayed from their path and chosen darkness.
Breathing techniques are still present in this AU. They are learned and continued physically and enhanced by the Regalia. A water breather with a water breathing Regalia will be able to use the effects we often see to their full capacity. With the magic system, these can be viewed as elemental bonuses as well that can add the effects into spells which can make or break a fight.
There is a current magic system that utilises someone's energy. Though, this "magic" is rituals and hand signs that pull from a person's focus and will and displays it in a physical way. This magic has limited uses, first, it imbues attacks of a Slayer with their element, second it can be used to make barriers to protect against phantoms, third it can use a Regalia's name and bind them in place. Not many have the time nor energy to wield more then imbueing their breathing technique with their element.
There are current Hashira, they are the most skilled both physically and in the world between. A person who becomes a Hashira can be wielded after death as a Hashira Regalia given they do not die of blight or become corruption and don't move on. However, once they achieve their spirit status they will lose their memories and no longer remember their name, therefore there is no guarantee that a loved one will be their wielder.
There is a tradition when naming Hashira Regalia. Their human form will be given their first name, and their weapon form will take their last name. In case of dual blades as is usually the case with siblings such as Sanemi and Genya, both may get the last name as it takes intent to summon a Regalia's weapon form. However, if they are not related by blood or marriage or adoption, the Hashira will get the last name and the second will get a new name.
Genya is a special Regalia that has three distinct forms. These Regalia are rare, and what makes him more rare is that he can consume phantoms to gain more power. However, this will always blight his Slayer. Used effectively, he is one of the strongest Regalia. Genya can transform into a Kodachi, A Gun, and his human form.
I like to imagine in the modern au that Jigoro had this whole “No Pets” rule and when Zenitsu got Chuntaro he tried to hide it from Jigoro until either Kaigaku ratted him out or Jigoro found out on his own and tried to get rid of Chuntaro multiple times before just giving up and learned to like, or at least tolerate Chuntaro.
I actually love this??? This is so cute.
Also Chuntaro definitely grew on Jigoro.
It's basically this:
Also, Kaigaku absolutely ratted Zenitsu out, and got annoyed when Jigoro started liking Chuntaro.
(That said, Kaigaku eventually warmed up to Chuntaro...not that he'd ever admit that.)
