" thank you. for helping me. " only if you dont have too many already, calis 😭
“Reminds me of old times, y’know--back when we were kids.”
As Sara finished binding a minor gash that would likely be entirely healed by the end of the day, he couldn’t resist reluctantly meeting her eyes, an old and uncharacteristic sadness present that seemed so unusual on a face normally split apart by wide grins. How had things gotten so fucked up between them? When they were young, it was them against the world, likely the only half-Yokai the other one knew. Despite how tense their rivalry often made them, Itto had treasured those times and they truly had been out to watch each other’s backs in a way no one else had until he’d met his aunt and the people he’d cherish as beloved members of his gang.
But, then that Takayuki bastard had made her into a weapon, and even his boys had informed him of the heartbreaking treatment she’d received, of how Sara had been treated more like a weapon than a person. If Takayuki had treated her like a daughter, Itto wouldn’t have minded so much, but that hadn’t been the case. Instead, he’d made her feel ashamed of what she was, molded her into a role that was powerful but unallowed to have the freedom to be herself. A weapon, a freak, a tool. He was just happy she’d found fulfillment in serving the Shogun instead of Takayuki’s whims, to live outside of that tyrant’s iron grip.
A gulf had widened between them, though. One he wasn’t sure could be crossed, no matter what he did.
With a hurting expression and pursed lips did Itto gingerly lift a yearning hand to touch Sara’s cheek, heart climbing into his throat until it was hard to breathe.
“...What happened to us, Ten-chan? You’re right there, but... I feel like we’re far apart and I can’t reach you,” Itto admitted brokenly, smiling sadly. “It feels like, no matter what I do, there’s a divide I can’t cross. Even though I--”
Huffing shakily, he shook his head. He stood, and began to stride away. “Probably better if you got goin’. People will talk, y’know?”
...Even though I love you.
