hotsteamynights | YEAR OF THE TIGERDRAGON

YEAR OF THE TIGERDRAGON

No matter what language you speak, no matter what country or universe you reside in, a mysterious letter has found its way to you. Those who can read it will recognize it as an ornately scripted Japanese new year's invitation; those who don't might not even know these elaborate squiggles mean anything at all. Either way, when you look up from the neatly folded paper, you're probably nowhere near home anymore.

Where is this?! When is this?! Welcome to Japan as it was ~~kinda, sorta,~~ just shy of the year 1600, esteemed guests! If it somehow feels like it isn't even the right month anymore, that's because local time and date is still on the lunar system. It's fine. New Year's parties are New Year's parties.

And those parties mean alcohol! Music! Dancing! Feasting! Don't be shy! There are a number of attendants in colourful livery nearby, eagerly expecting an influx of new guests. They're all friendly enough, but they don't seem to bear the crest of any particular clan and sharp-eyed visitors may catch the briefest glimpse of a striped fluffy tail or a foxy grin... or is it a trick of the light? If you want nothing to do with any of this, they might pout a little but will send you home without any problem. But if you choose to follow them beyond the gates, get ready for one hell of a night. The only kind of explanation you get for what's going on is that the Takeda and Date clans have set aside their rivalries for a night of PEACE AND PARTY and everyone's invited. What does that mean? Go find out for yourself.

Of course folks from all over have been invited to this thing, but outnumbering the other guests by far are a bunch of rowdy samurai types, some in their armour, many in more formal robes, several proudly bearing banners of red or blue. Nobody appears to have any weapons on them, but if any guest takes that as an opportunity to start some shit they're going to be swarmed in like two seconds, so... maybe don't do that. However! There is plenty of space outside to spar in, if that's your thing! Or you can stay inside and drink, eat, enjoy the music, exchange raunchy stories, be an awkward wallflower, drink some more, witness some weird and kind of horrific family bonding, watch the unique display of gun- and canonfire alongside the fireworks, explore the scenic countryside outside of the compound, listen to some smug asshole in an eyepatch and some kid in red scream really loud at eachother, get playfully bullied into taking part in a ceremony you know nothing about, drain a bottle or two, flirt with famous historical figures, or... whatever you want!

All fandoms, all mediums, AUs, doubles, OCs, etc are all fair play here! Invite your friends! Invite your dog! Go nuts! Just slap a warning up if any threads take a particularly violent or sexy turn. Or both. I ain't judging.

LET'S PARTY!

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[ As much as Yukimura wanted to chide his friend and embolden him to lighten up, already soothed by words spoken to him earlier than day by Shingen followed by Masamune hours later... he couldn't exactly fault Sasuke for his answer either. Considering the times they were living in, a war-stricken era when pandemonium could spread throughout the land within a blink of an eye, sometimes it served more beneficial to become more cautious than unaware. Even in blithesome events like these, that seemed so far away but still kindled that flame of his to keep pushing on. ]

Oh, but Sasuke you're missing out on the best part of the evening!

[ One of them, anyway. If that wasn't enough incentive to get Sasuke to look things his way, this certainly would grab his attention. In no less than a few seconds, Yukimura would cant his head slightly to the side and pull Sasuke's head down to recline on his shoulder; grabbing a fistful of his hair and forcing his ~~poor~~ dear friend to look up at the saturated night sky. He was going to make him see the beauty of it all, damn it!

Whether it came down to Sasuke struggling or giving in, Yukimura was relentlessly stubborn and wanted at least share another memory with him that wasn't shrouded with subterfuge or steel clashing against another. Even though, asking Suffersuke might have yielded him easier, less painful results. ]

Come, look at them with me. It is not like the sight is going to kill you.

[ A part of him had hoped that younger boy that looked so much like himself, was able to witness this sight in its entirety as well. Wherever he was. Meanwhile, a recently awakened Benmaru would finally be reunited with his Sasuke and found talking his ear off about his entire day accompanied with hand-drawn pictures. ]

[ Earlier, he might have been confused about that, but as he's met different versions of the "same" person, it would be less of a shock. Besides, they hadn't actually met. ]

Next time, they need to give out armor during orientation, or maybe hard hats and construction tools would be more appropriate now.

[ Basara Academy is (was?) their school. If anyone was to help it rise from the rubble, it'd be the student body... speaking of which. The school year is still early if they were just finally electing the student body president. Damn, they may have to repeat a year if they don't get things up and running again. ]

I am afraid I cannot accept such an unbalanced victory!

[ Not when he clearly owned your ass in front of everyone to see, but whatever. He's gonna hold out his hand, in the rare chance, Masamune does decide to take it though he's honestly expecting him to slap it away. ]

[ YEAH OKAY. IT'S NOT LIKE HE WANTED TO GET PETTY EVEN WITH MASAMUNE FOR ONCE OR ANYTHING!!!

However, in spite of this turn of events, Yukimura isn't the first nor last to notice the communicable sense of camaraderie going on the site grounds. It's certainly something to marvel at. Especially for someone like them who spent either most of their time in the fields fighting or submerged in some political power play plot. It's Keiji's dream come to light, and even though it was short-term, to see it finally in motion kindled something inside him and seared inside his stomach in a oddly soothing way. ]

It is. I never thought I would see this day become possible.

[ Which is – for the most part, true and saying a lot. For many different reasons. One of them pertaining to his role as general and accepting the likelihood of dying mid-combat one day. His fate left unknown when the his life thread would be snipped, or whether he'd live long enough to see this country reach that stretch where a new era didn't divide regions with war-stricken tragedies or poverty. While a small part of him admits to another holding his breath when Oyakata-sama mentioned inviting the young upstart from Oshu and was approaching talks of temporary alliances, he had expected Masamune to flat out refuse out of ~~dumb dragon~~ pride alone.

But lo and behold, here he is and it seemed as if the party flourished even more so by his presence being here. His natural charisma is instantly put to work and it's one of the few attributes Yukimura silently wishes he could one day embodied for himself, but that's just wishful thinking. Despite his hurdles, he still had to acknowledge he had a long way to go before he truly felt at peace to call himself Masamune's rival. At least outwardly because he all but felt it on the inside. ]

As it were, had it not been for overseeing our earlier obstacles and exceeding past them, I would have contended this point with you with no resolution. [ His attention seems more heavily fixated on the crowds conversing beyond them. ] But now that I have been able to witness you grow more confident and steadfast from our first encounter, I would be thrilled to see that day come if this is what you promise.

[ Shortly after, he gestures towards the crowds with his chin before taking another bite out his zundamochi. While he's not entirely sold on seeing this chaotic dragon as the face of their country, for this though... he can happily manage into playing with semi-rhetoric. ]

And I would become even more thrilled to face you for one last time, before retiring my spears once and for all.

[ Yes, he thinks, this would be a suitable way to conclude things once and for all in this scenario. ]

Edited 2019-01-11 11:53 (UTC)

[Kojuro does indeed shut his mouth, though it stays in a warm smirk all the same; yeah, maybe he does want to be best at everything if only so he can feel like he's lead Masamune to everything but...He'll cope. Somehow. Look, he long ago dealt with the fact that Masamune's more talented and full of potential than he'll ever want, deep down. This is NOTHING.

Anyway, it's not like he can say much when he's intently listening to Masamune's poetic waxing. It's not a poem proper, sure, but it's still lovely to listen to, and Kojuro's eyelids start lowering a little before he realises.

Ah.

Hm.] I am sure that Tsukiyomi is aware of your attentions, my lord, and is grateful. Perhaps she will remember your words and fondness in her weaker moments, and stand strong against her enemies with your confidence bolstering her.

But I can say with certainty that the moonlight never wished to, and never will, leave you in shadow. You have always glowed with or without her love, and will continue even when you cannot see her. [It's hard, getting progressively more drunk off your ass and trying to keep both your composure and your words in check. He's doing his best, though.] Perhaps it is Tsukiyomi's light that has always been chasing after you as you race ahead, trying to swallow your shadow and replace it.

Not overly long; it should be cool still, though you'll want to take it before I warm it up too much and make it go too soft.

[He brandishes the nurimono with a knowing smirk, before getting comfortable proper. It's been a while, okay. Let him enjoy the view and relative quiet for a minute.]

...Sarutobi, have I ever told you about the youth I once was? [Oh no. Oh no. He's gonna try to continue bonding. Oh no.]

Sar-- Sasuke! [Kojuro stops dead in his patrol and trots over, posture instantly more relaxed and-- yeah, that's a smile. Gakuensuke is a miracle worker. He readily takes the hot memes, assuming that they're going to be pictures taken during the exchange trip, but--

Well yeah, what the hell's a cinnamon roll. But these are pictures of...Sasuke and Masamune's world, which is nice. Kind of. And they're memes, too. He knows memes! The faint smile of concentration turns into open delight, which is...Unsettling on his face, but there all the same.]

Memes! Right? These are memes! I like these, though I don't understand the...Cinnamon roll one, I'm afraid. But I like it very much, still! And the other one's true. I can't imagine Sanada doing anything wilfully bad in his life, even if there were no consequences. [Carefully, he reaches out his free hand to-- smooth Sasuke's hair down a little first, before resting there. So it's not uncomfortable, of course.]

Thank you. I appreciate these very much, Sasuke. Can you explain what a cinnamon roll is?

Some extra zundamochi then, with a helping of dango before Sanada eats them all. Imoni would be harder to transport, at any rate; it's simpler for everyone, as well as just what they'd like. I'll have enough packed to keep them fed for a week at least. [So that'll be enough to require horses to cart it home, naturally. But he doesn't think of that; it's a given that he'll set her up with enough food for a small party at the very least, right? That's the Katakura way.

Besides, he couldn't give her a pittance when she's perhaps the only one who gets the #struggle, friendship aside.] I understand completely, Yukizome. You're only one person, so it's...Hard, sometimes, to manage your resources. But you wouldn't have it any other way, because they're all their own person that you can't help but love all the same. You give because they're the same but not, and that's all that matters...And maybe, if they find another you, they'll take care of them too.

But what matters now is you and them, of course. [Going by the increase of both humidity in the air and the delicious smells, the bustle of people ahead would likely be the kitchen staff they're looking for. Then again, with how they all turn to wave or bow, even holding bowls or knives, that's...Probably obvious.] It's...I am no poet, like my lord. Nor can I get my feelings across quite so well as you do. But it's wonderful all the same, and I'm glad that you know the joys that I do. ...As well as the exhaustion, ha.

[She fully turned to him, looked him dead in the eye.]

So. If I were to believe your crazy stories about your hellhole of a high school, that would mean you'd even get to beat Lawndale High. But I need to hear your submission first.

[Look dude, now that you got this introverted person interested...she's willing to hear you out. Her sanity for yours.]

It's okay for him, I guess. I did expect you to be more impressed, though . . . maybe you're smart, for a human.

[Or it could be the opposite. It's so hard to say with humans. But also, she's making crepes now, and Ibaraki's attention is instantly on that pan; she leans forward to get a good look.]

Not really. You were more concerned with a different youth.

[ He opens the box and starts to nibble at the zundamochi. It's sweeter than he'd prefer, and honestly, if it wasn't so sweet, he wouldn't have as much of an issue with it. He eats mochi occasionally. He eats edamame, but there's just something about them together that's unappetizing. (It has more to do with Masamune than the actual dish.)

However, Sasuke gives Kojuro the benefit of not voicing any of these thoughts and will humor him with listening to story time ]

[ One of the reasons why Sasuke bloodies his hands is to let Yukimura have those carefree thoughts, so he could see the world's beauty, so he could experience more of life. Sasuke's not going to wax poetry about how fleeting they all are. He's not going to pine for what he can't have. (At least, he's not consciously doing so.) Samurai can speak those flowery words. Shinobi do not have that luxury.

His thoughts are interrupted as pain flares on his scalp. That was completely uncalled for! ]

Ow! You could have asked!

[ But despite the grimace, Sasuke looks up. He sees the dark expanse stretch out above them. He feels small. It'd be easy for him to be swallowed up into that darkness. He notices the different shades blurring together in cosmic swirls, so Sasuke opts to focus on the pinpoints of light. The stars are bright, and they number the millions. (No light pollution from cities is a wonderful thing.) ]

[ ~~What are you? Some kind of shadowmancer~~ Whatever!! This Motochika refuses to be phased! ]

Are you sure it was me and not your over-theatric monologue that tipped him off?

[ How many times must he go over this with you? You have this scary effect, Tsuruhime. Need he say any more? ]

Because lesbehonest... I'd run from you if y'were screamin' at me like that too.

[ With the things he's being exposed to recently, he might take it better than one might think. Sure, it'll sound strange, but he's also seen himself as an adult badass ninja.

However, he's not that badass ninja, so he misses the slight falter in her smile. Her secret is safe from the eyes of a stranger. ]

Sure, let me grab us some tea.

[ It's the least he can do if she's going to be talking. He'll find her wherever she sits down. ]

[ Sasuke laughs at the reaction he gets from Kojuro. Who knows if the samurai will ever visit their modern world (Pelican Town being the exception), but Sasuke will also make memes of this Kojuro. He just needs some good material first. Don't you worry, Kojuro. You will get your own meme soon.

The teen also wonders why Kojuro likes patting his head so much. Is his hair that messy? Kojuro (this older Kojuro) is the only one who does this. ]

A cinnamon roll is a type of sweet baked good that's usually eaten for breakfast. What it actually is doesn't matter. The meme came from a fake article that had a picture of a cinnamon roll. It was the epitome of what the best cinnamon roll could be. It was too good to exist in this world. So, a cinnamon roll came to mean someone who is sweet, pure, adorable, someone who should be protected.

And then from that came another meme that was sort of a ranking based on if they looked and acted like a cinnamon roll. You have your pure cinnamon roll like Boss at the top, someone who both looks like he'd be a cinnamon roll and is one. Then there's the variations of appearance and actual cinnamon roll status.

[ He did not blush a little when talking about Yukimura. It was a trick of the light!

Also to the snake who left a gag tag, JUST WATCH HIM EXPLAIN SINNAMON ROLL! ]

A sinnamon roll is a pun of cinnamon and sin. Basically, the opposite of a cinnamon roll and who is a jerk to you.

[ It might be dangerous to say such things about Masamune to a Kojuro, but Sasuke is betting on Kojuro knowing how much of an ass Masamune can be at times. ]

[ Oh? Has she hit a nerve already? Whether bitty!Sasuke sees it as much, this is her making progress! ]

Master? My my, isn't he a bit too young to have another little one like you in his service?

[ -- which sort of pushes all the more reason for her to reunite the two after being separated in who knows how long. Too bad Bayonetta works and functions on her own set of principles. ]

Hmm, I suppose I could tell you but I can't imagine he'd be at the same exact place I last left him in. He likes to run away from you a lot, doesn't he?

Okay, then we're going with Saru-niisan's love throughout the years.

[ And she decides it as that, no ifs or maybes. It's been clear from the start anyways and she would be lying if she isn't any bit curious as Sasuke himself. Tsuruhime rethinks the question and reshuffles then cuts the deck. ]

And of course because of that, we're going to do the popular but in-depth Celtic cross spread. Are you ready?

[ Not that he has much of a choice as she's done mixing the cards, but still. ]

He's not my husband.

[ She's a good discreet girl; she won't insult her friend's man in his own home. But listen, (not so) secretly, she thinks there's no way he could compete with her "great stars."

But the cooking is the part that's important. In spite of the less-than-ideal tools and setup, she's pretty deft in getting the first crepe out, laid neatly onto a plate so that she can start with the next one. ]

[ The circumstances of her death were kind of awkward and bad in many ways, but who knows how drunk she'll end up getting tonight,

But for now she's found a comfortable spot to sit, adjusting her yukata to be neat and tidy around herself as she waits for him, waving when she catches sight of him in the crowd. ]

Ah~! I realized, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Yukizome! Nice to meet you. ♥

[ Cute... She doesn't really bother to hide her smile, though she does lift her sleeve to her mouth briefly. ]

Ahhhh, I don't know about that. It sounds pretty poetic to me!

[ But also she's a gigantic softy and isn't ashamed of that. She likes listening to a confession that's romantic, which is very different from a romantic confession, okay. A soft laugh follows the comment. ]

It can be tiring, yeah. But it's a good tiring! The sort of thing that's worth it, the best way to spend your energy. [ Even at her worst, she'd always been willing to throw everything she had into her relationship with both Kyousuke and Juzo, after all. ] ...Though, aha. I'm not sure I could be as generous as you are about it! I know any other me out there would take care of them, but I'd also be jealous too.

[ She be more of a western-style dragon, jealously guarding her treasure and reluctant to share unless challenged and defeated. ]

Years?! Isn't that a little overkill?

[ Also he has no idea what she means by a Celtic cross spread for a fortune reading, so it's just as well that he doesn't have a choice. He crawls a little closer to where she shuffles the cards and will be laying them out. Then he sits and tries not to look nervous despite the fact that he hears his heart in his ears. ]

[ He pulls out his phone and starts going through the photos he's taken. ]

Let's start with this bit of evidence. A picture's worth a thousand words, right?

[ He hands her his phone which now shows a multi-story building reduced to rubble with parts of what looked like a wooden warship scattered about. ]

[ There's a lump in her throat and her eyes feel like they're burning, but focuses on nothing but the boiling sensation in her chest. She's not sad, and she's here to prove a point!! ]

I wasn't screaming! And- and he was just shy, which you and your crew scared him off b-by yelling all those stupid things at him. He didn't like the attention, and I wasn't screaming!

[ However, she probably is now though she hasn't realize her volume or the cracks in her voice. ]

[She opens her mouth to pick on that, but then her mouth just keeps opening when she sees and smells the crepes. They look sooooo good! So good! This is terrible!]

Ahhh! Maybe you should just put them right in my mouth! But then I don't get the frosting! Ohhh, what do I do?!

[Of all of the things she expected to see, this was not one. While Daria wasn't calling bluff per say, you don't say that nonsense without some pictures. That's just logical. She wanted to see some damn destruction.

Thankfully also, that she knew of smartphones by this point. Thanks Progress City, there wasn't a lot good about you but that was one.]

Or a few very big ones.

[Which was what she had now. She looked at the rubble...the destruction was...wow. Daria slow blinked.]

Did the medieval festival get a bit too hairy on the mutton chops?

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YEAR OF THE TIGERDRAGON

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pours one out on the ground for Bontenako farm, it was the best

blessed and pure

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Had the best pickles protected by a good boy

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