***Warnings: Lude language, mention of suicide, spooky stuff
Chapter Text
'Six feet deep is the incision
In my heart, that barless prison
Discolors all with tunnel vision-'
-Nymphetamine (Cradle of Filth)
Chapter 2: Shadows in the Hall
The tour of the manor is cut short by the sudden appearance of the Dark Spirit. Shoji has another servant bring Todoroki to the bedchamber while he escorts Tokoyami to his.
"I gave you the room next to mine," Shoji says, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Tokoyami is still there. The man has the footfalls of a cat. "In case you need anything."
"Thank you," Tokoyami says, looking all around at the walls, paintings, and ceilings. He is searching for signs of dark forces and ghosts. There are more ghosts, though they are ancient, harmless, and most likely forgotten. Tokoyami does not mention the sight of the spirits he sees- he never does. They appear to him wherever he goes if they are present, but there is no reason to alert everyone to their presence.
"This is your room," Shoji opens the door to a small but comfortable room with a double bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a fireplace. "I know it doesn't have your taste of decor, but it has what you need. Your trunk is at the foot of the bed. Is there anything else I can get you?"
Tokoyami steps into the room, going over to the bed. "I'm all set for now," He says, turning to Shoji. "Go and check on your master. I need some time to analyze this situation and the recent event."
"Why don't you save that for tomorrow," Shoji offers. "Get some rest. It's been a long day. The Dark Spirit doesn't show up all the time."
"I'll be fine. Thank you, Shoji."
"If you need anything in the night...don't hesitate to come and get me. I'm right next door."
"I'll keep that in mind. Goodnight, Shoji."
"Goodnight."
Tokoyami watches the door close behind Shoji and lets out a quick chuckle. Usually, Shoji is the one who is very open about his feelings and is not afraid to ask for what he wants. His former lover doesn't know how to act around him now, not that it's any easier for Tokoyami. Communication with the living is not one of his strengths, and when he was with Shoji, the other would help to coax communication from him. Shoji was the only person he allowed himself to get close to, and when they split up, Tokoyami fell into a depression that lasted for more than a month until he left for the university. At that time, he was grateful for the workload as it kept his mind off of Shoji and the war.
Tokoyami did not believe in the war, but Shoji did. Their disagreement that day turned into an argument, and it was Tokoyami who ended the relationship, which Shoji had been quick to accept. It hurt, but Tokoyami thought it would be easier to forget about Shoji fighting in the war instead of waiting around to hear if he lived or died. Living his life like that, waiting with constant worry over Shoji's safety, is a fear he cannot live with every day. And he learned to cope with it as the years went on, though not a day went by that he did not think about Shoji. When he heard of Shoji's safe return, he was relieved and waited for a telegram that never came. He shouldn't have accepted this job as a favor to Shoji, seeing as the man did not deserve it after staying away for so long. Yes, they had a rough breakup, but they were very close emotionally and physically. But seeing Shoji again, knowing the man needs his help and apologized for the past, Tokoyami found himself agreeing to it. Those previous emotions returned to him, and Tokoyami couldn't say no. He should stay focus on the job at hand, not thinking about Shoji and the past.
He goes over to the window to close the curtains but stops when he sees the cliff. It must have taken a great deal of energy on Izuku's part to come to Todoroki rather than wander the cliff side, or pass on to the next world. Izuku is here for a reason, and he'll find out what it is. Tomorrow, he will make a talisman of protection for Todoroki, which will help to keep the Dark Spirit away from the young master. At least for a time. Hopefully, Tokoyami can figure out the mystery before the protection spell wears off. After, he'll tour the manor.
Shoji knows he's putting too much effort into getting dressed, but he wants to impress Tokoyami, or at least catch the man's attention. When he returned from war and started working for Todoroki, he did think about starting up a relationship. Of course, Shoji wanted Tokoyami yet assumed the man had moved on and wouldn't want him. Shoji had a few failed attempts of finding someone, and it was stressful to see the relationship between Todoroki and Izuku, remembering when he had that passion. Now that Tokoyami is back in his life, Shoji wants to make amends. However, Tokoyami can be stubborn, and Shoji knows the man will not come back to him if he asks. Shoji will have to win Tokoyami's affections, and doubts that will be an easy conquest. Getting Tokoyami to open up to him in the first place four years ago was a different kind of war, yet he succeeded. If he did it before, he could do it again!
Shoji chooses a blue top and black pants. He realizes that he doesn't have anything fancy to wear for every day other than the one suit for formal gatherings. When it came to dressing, Shoji has to consider his work and what would be more practical wear. All of his work revolves around hard labor, working with his hands to build, mold, and fix. Almost every day, he ends up covered in wood shavings, black soot, or dirt. Back in the day, before going to see Tokoyami, he would clean himself up. It was Tokoyami who taught him to clean up after a hard day's work, and the lesson stuck.
But some of that work can wait. Todoroki and Tokoyami need his help.
As he came out of his room, Tokoyami steps out of his. Their door knobs almost touch. Shoji looks down and Tokoyami looks up. Tokoyami tailors his clothes, at least, that's what Shoji remembers. The man is wearing a purple vest over a long-sleeve black shirt tucked into his black slacks. Shoji recalls the one time he got Tokoyami to wear yellow, choosing the brightest color he could think of after Tokoyami lost a game of cards. Tokoyami only wears black and purples with the occasional red. If Shoji is honest, he prefers Tokoyami to wear nothing. He recalls saying that one time to Tokoyami and the embarrassed male threatened to put a curse on him that would shrink his-
"Good morning, Shoji," Tokoyami greets.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, I slept well. Yourself?"
"I slept well," Shoji clears his throat. The conversation became awkward. He has to change the subject. "Did you see anything last night? In your dreams or visions?"
"No, unfortunately," Tokoyami answers. "This place is alive with the spirits of those long passed, yet they are eerily quiet."
Shoji smiles under his mask. "Aren't ghosts always eerie?"
Tokoyami lets out a little snort. "To those who don't understand them, then yes, you can call them eerie. But that's not what I meant," He folds his finger under his beak in thought. "All these spirits, they are present, but they are hiding. They are not hiding from the residents who live here. Whatever that Dark Spirit is, I believe that is what has them all too terrified to come out."
"Ghosts afraid of another ghost?" Shoji's eyes shift in thought. "That doesn't make sense."
"It does if this Dark Spirit is as strong as I think it is," Tokoyami answers. "This spirit is angry- no, it's enraged. A creature of force this strong has unfinished business of its own. It is violent. It seeks revenge. I need to know more. I have questions for Master Todoroki."
"We're taking our breakfast with him in private," Shoji says. "I was coming to get you. Follow me."
Tokoyami keeps a few steps behind Shoji, watching the man's back and shoulder muscles as they moved with each sway of six arms. Shoji's muscles only grew while away at war, and Tokoyami's still attracted to the man's larger form. Shoji's personality and gentle nature are not what first drew Tokoyami to him; it was those muscles flexing with each swing of a hammer.
'Is it challenging to hold four hammers at a time?' Tokoyami asks him.
Shoji looks up from the framework of the sofa, white hair sweaty and sticking to his face. 'No, not at all. I can use all my hands equally the same. It's only a matter of finding the coordination.'
'Oh.'
'You seem curious,'
'It's the scholar in me, I suppose,'
Shoji wipes at his brow with the back of one of his wrists. 'I'm helping the blacksmith later today. Would you like to…accompany me? I can show you how I wield six hammers to forge iron.'
'I have work I should do,'
'Oh, alright,'
'But I guess I could stay for a little while. I like to learn new things.'
A little while turned into the whole day. Tokoyami watches as Shoji's muscles bend and flex with the crafting of iron until the job's finished. Shoji offers Tokoyami to accompany him to the local tavern. It's a place Tokoyami did not frequent due to the type of clients in the establishment, but he wanted to get closer to Shoji, so he goes. They sit at a small round table by the bar and beside the piano, which has seen better days. No one is playing it. Shoji buys them the first round, and Tokoyami buys the next two. By the third glass of (cheap) wine, Tokoyami feels his face warm beneath the black feathers as he listens to Shoji talk about work. Something hits Tokoyami in the temple, and it lands on the table. It's a nut. They both turn to the direction in which it came and at the table closest to them are three rugged looking men.
'Fly the coop, little birdie,' Mocked the largest and hairiest of the three. 'We don't like your kind here.'
'Witches get stitches,' Said the second.
'Whores of the dark have no place among good-hearted holy lads like us!' Boasts the third man.
Tokoyami says nothing, knowing it's better to ignore than to fight back. He is a Spiritualist, a member of the occult and user of the Dark Arts. While the government and king tolerate Spiritualists, it doesn't mean all people do. Their table wobbles under Shoji's weight as the man pushes up, approaching the three drunks. Tokoyami wants to call him back, but he cannot find his speech. Instead, he watches and listens.
'I would like for you three to apologize to my friend,' Shoji says in a calm, even tone. 'Your insults were rude and uncalled for.'
'Step down, boy,' Says the first, waving his mug at Shoji. 'You have the stench of abnormality too, just like your witch-friend there!'
'I asked you kindly to apologize to my friend,' Shoji reiterates. 'I will not ask you again.'
'Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do about it, brat?' Mocks the third man.
Shoji rips the mug from the first man's hand and with two of his, breaks the wood into chunks of splinters. The three men stumble and leap from their chairs to get away, staring at Shoji with fear and disbelief.
'I can do the same to bones,' Shoji warns. 'Either apologize to my friend or leave this tavern with bone dust for legs. It is your choice.'
The men shout 'sorry' one after the other as they dart out of the tavern with onlookers gawking at their departure. Shoji returns to the table and sits down, calmly. He lifts a finger to signal for the bartender to bring him another ale.
Tokoyami stares at Shoji.
'What?' Shoji takes the mug from the bartender. 'I don't like it when people are insulted or harassed.'
'I thank you for standing up to them,' Tokoyami says. 'Would you really have…?'
'Crushed their bones?' Shoji finishes the question for Tokoyami. 'No, I wouldn't. Could I? Yes, I could,' he lowers his mask to chug the ale. 'It would be like snapping wood for kindling. But I would never hurt another like that,' he pulls his mask back up. 'Do I want to hurt rude people like those guys sometimes? Yes. Who doesn't? Especially if they are rotten people. There's a good reason to hurt everyone…you just don't do it.'
Tokoyami pauses for a moment, taking in Shoji's words, then laughs when he sees the other smile beneath the mask. Tokoyami finds it humorous, and he's laughed more than he ever has in his life.
Shoji stood up for him that day when many would turn away from the verbal abuse. Such behavior towards him is typical because of the career path he chose. Shoji accepts Tokoyami as he is and was never afraid to show that he is close with one belonging to the occult. Those hands that crushed wood and can even crush bone know how to be gentle. Tokoyami's been in Shoji's arms many times. Even during passion, Shoji's hands always worshipped and cradled his smaller form as if it would break. Those six hands can do dozens of exciting things including-
"Hey!"
Shoji's voice cuts through Tokoyami's thoughts, and good thing too. Tokoyami's mind was wandering into the 'pleasure zone.'
"Hm?"
"Tokoyami, are you alright? You almost walked over the railing!"
Tokoyami realizes that and takes a step back. It was a long fall down. "I was lost in thought…"
"I'll say. It was thought, right? Not…possession?"
Tokoyami turns to him. "You speak of Dark Shadow,"
Shoji never liked the appearance of Dark Shadow when Tokoyami calls upon the creature. It takes the form of Tokoyami's shadow and acts on its own. A 'living shadow.' Dark Shadow belongs to the Spirit World, and that is where the entity resides until Tokoyami calls on him to help with contacting the other world. Tokoyami only ever summons Dark Shadow during the day, for he told Shoji that Dark Shadow could take over his body and wreak havoc if it is the night. Shoji hopes that never happens.
"I only call on Dark Shadow when he is needed," Tokoyami reminds him. "Right now, I have no use for him. This matter at hand will require his assistance in time, however."
Shoji nods. "That's fine, so long as it's during the day."
"Always."
Shoji and Tokoyami arrive at breakfast first, sitting in silence until Todoroki enters. Both stand to greet him as Todoroki takes his seat at the head of the table. Servants come in with special breakfasts for them along with an assortment of bread. Todoroki is still wearing all black, and Tokoyami notice dark circles under the man's eyes.
Towards the window, Tokoyami catches a glimpse of something gliding pass. It is Izuku's ghost, floating around the room, looking about, as if searching for something. Or someone. Tokoyami says nothing.
"I hope you found yourself comfortable last night?" Todoroki asks Tokoyami.
"I have only positive things to say," Tokoyami responds. "If I may mention, Master Todoroki, those bags under your eyes state that you have not been sleeping. Is it the Dark Spirit or nightmares?"
Todoroki pushes his scrambled eggs around on the plate. "I don't have nightmares very often," he says. "Yes, the Dark Spirit attacks me, but not every night. These dark circles you see…" he lifts tired eyes in Tokoyami's direction. "Do you know what they're called?"
"Crescents of Grief," Tokoyami answers.
Todoroki nods. "And don't be so polite around me when the three of us are alone, Tokoyami. Speak plainly to me."
"I will do so from now on," Tokoyami says nothing while Izuku's ghost looms over Todoroki. "I do have my medical supplies with me. I can make you a tonic to go with the protection talisman I plan to make you."
"A protection talisman?"
"It will keep the Dark Spirit from hurting you," Tokoyami says. "But only for a little while. I hope that I, that we, can figure out what this Dark Spirit is that's haunting you," Tokoyami watches as Izuku tries desperately to touch Todoroki, wanting to stroke his face and take his hand. "Izuku is protecting you, but he can only do so much. He does not have the strength to withstand a ghostly form for long."
Todoroki rests his cheek on his hand. "I'd give anything to see him again,"
Shoji pours himself more coffee. "Tokoyami, is there any way you can help Master Todoroki see Izuku?"
"No. Only those born with a sixth sense can see the spirits. It is possible for him to speak to Izuku, but that depends on the level of power Izuku has. Some spirits are not able to speak or touch or interact with our world. The Dark Spirit, they have power strong enough to break through the barrier of this world and make contact with the living. That type of hatred and anger can manifest into another being entirely. And I fear you have one of that type lurking in the walls of this house."
"How do we get rid of it?" Shoji asks.
"I cannot banish it myself. You can try for the church, but I doubt they will be able to help with a force this powerful, and it wouldn't look good for you in the public eye."
Todoroki takes a lazy bite of his eggs. "I've quit running for political office," he says. "I can't focus with all that is happening. If Izuku's ghost were not here, then I would have left Endeavor Manor after it happened. I would have left all this behind, but here I am. I won't leave him."
Tokoyami sees Izuku fade away. "Master Todoroki, this may be bold of me to say, but I urge you not to let your grief affect of your will to live. If you were to take your own life, you would not join with Izuku. That will keep you both further apart. To die in an unnatural way, full of regret, grief, frustration, and depression is what leads to hauntings and evil spirits. It takes a natural death for one to pass over to eternity, and that person can lead a wayward soul to that eternity."
Shoji, feeling awkward and left out of the conversation due to lack of knowledge in this field, loudly sips his coffee.
"Izuku would kill me again in ghost form if he knew I killed myself," Todoroki says.
"It's clear there is a strong connection between you two," Tokoyami says softly. "May I ask, what kind of person was Izuku?"
Shoji lets Todoroki answer first.
"He was the type of person who accepted everyone despite their title or rank. He would seek to find the good in everyone," Todoroki smiles fondly. "And he could be stubborn, too. Once he set his mind to something, Izuku would see it through."
Shoji adds, "Even if odds were against him, he would still do all that he could to get the results he wanted."
"Izuku would fight for what he believed in," Todoroki says. "And if he knows he is right, he'd never give up."
Tokoyami finished his last piece of bacon as he listened to the others. "Then I feel it is safe to say that Izuku discovered something he shouldn't have. He did not slip; he was pushed. I have no doubts about how his death occurred. Master Todoroki, do you have any enemies? As much as you're comfortable sharing, does your family have anything of extreme value that may be sought after by others? Money, power, deeds, jewels?"
"Not that I'm aware of," Todoroki says. "I do have political rivals, but I haven't encountered them since Izuku's death, and I don't think any of them would go so far as to murder someone. Our relationship was a well-kept secret. No one would have known the deep love and devotion I have for Izuku to do away with him. I suppose it's possible but unlikely."
"Hm. What about during the war? At your camp. Did any soldiers possibly see you together? Other than Shoji?"
Todoroki suddenly puts his utensils down and stands up from the chair. "I'm sorry, but I can't talk about this anymore. It's...it's just too much!"
"I hope I haven't offended you?" Tokoyami stands as well. "If so, I apologize."
"No, you've done nothing," Todoroki says, holding his head.
"Headaches again?" Shoji asks Todoroki.
"Too much wine last night, I think," Todoroki answers.
"Did you mix wine with your head medicine again?" Shoji asks him. "You know the doctors said you couldn't do that."
"Good day to you both," Todoroki says, ignoring Shoji. "I'll be in the garden. I think some fresh autumn air will do nicely."
Tokoyami and Shoji follow Todoroki with their eyes as the young master leaves, the breakfast barely touched. Tokoyami turns to Shoji. "Was it something I said?"
"No. It's hard for him to talk about Izuku, that's all."
Tokoyami looks back at the vacant entryway. "His grief is enough to fill an ocean. That poor fellow. You said he takes medicines. For what? Just his head?"
Shoji nods. "The doctors believe him to be sick from grief and that, along with lack of sleep, is what makes him hallucinate. You and I both know that is not the case here."
"I would like him to stop whatever medicine the doctors gave him," Tokoyami says. "I will make my own for him, a remedy that will help him sleep made with only natural ingredients and a spell."
"That's why I came to you," Shoji reminds him. "Let me know what you need, and I will get it for you."
"The only item I require is salt. I have everything else I need."
"I'll get that for you, but let's finish breakfast."
Tokoyami agrees, and they eat in awkward silence. It is Shoji who breaks the quiet. "Do you still attend that Blood Moon festival?"
"If you mean do I still dance at the Blood Moon festivals, then the answer is no. Only young virgins of the covens and cabals dance on that night." Tokoyami blushes, and so does Shoji. They both have to turn away from the other. It's not as if they were never intimate, so why do they feel embarrassed? 'We're not a couple anymore,' Tokoyami says to himself.
"You were…stunning that night," Shoji says.
"Outsiders should not have been there. You followed me."
"I did," Shoji turns back to Tokoyami only to see the other will not meet his gaze. "You still only ever danced for me after that, right? No. I'm sorry. That was rude of me to ask." When they were together, and if Tokoyami had enough to drink, the Avian man would dance for him. The same dance he witnessed in the woods that night during the Blood Red Moon. Tokoyami and others like him all gathered in the moonlit glen bathed in red light. Shoji understood then, on that night, why those of the occult and the Dark Arts are considered blood-thirsty and lustful monsters. While the virgins danced in all white, the others engaged in various sexual acts. That night was also when he and Tokoyami coupled together for the first time.
"There has been no other but you, Shoji," Tokoyami tells him. "Nor have I danced for anyone." That wasn't entirely true. After they broke up and Tokoyami learned that Shoji had left war, he spent long hours working as an herbalist for a lord while going to school. He began a budding relationship with the master's son, but nothing intimate happened between them. Tokoyami called it off and left the house after finding an open letter from a lover addressed to the son, who was a soldier in the war. After that betrayal, Tokoyami decided it was best that he remains single. The other man was a savage compared to Shoji, anyway. Tokoyami can't even remember the other man's name.
"Same here," Shoji says. "Between fighting the war and working for Todoroki, I haven't really had the time, nor the want, to find another person. I'm sure your studies kept you focused and busy."
"All the time. If I wasn't studying, I was working. It helped to keep my mind off things,"
"Like me?"
Tokoyami glances away. "You wounded me deeply that day, Shoji."
"Don't start this again," Shoji says with a hint of irritation in his voice. "I left for the war because I chose to. I wanted to make a difference in the world. Todoroki wants that too, which is why I support and stand beside him. He told me when he wins political office; he will work to keep wars from starting and sending young people off to fight. We fought to have that right, Tokoyami. Because of people like me, we rose up and fought for democracy, and we won! In time, people like you will be seen as everyone else, not perceived as evil." 'I had other reasons for going…but I don't think you'd believe me.'
"I never belittled your courage and bravery," Tokoyami points out. "You could have lost your life fighting for something that may not have happened. How many innocent lives had to pass on so that society can create more laws governed by more rulers of higher status? I don't see a mayor from a village or a farmer running for political office, do you? Only people like the Todoroki family."
"I'm not going to argue philosophy with you,"
"Fine. And I debate. I don't argue."
"It's the same thing," Shoji points out, getting up from the chair.
"But with facts," Tokoyami adds. "Anyway, I've finished with my breakfast. Did Izuku have a room? A private room, I mean."
"No. He stayed in the servants' quarters, but there is a secret passage from the conservatory that leads into Todoroki's room. That's how they would meet in secret. Todoroki would play one of his instruments while Izuku sneaked into the passageway and waited. Todoroki would come from the other side to get him."
"I see. Did Izuku share a room in the servant quarters?"
"He had his own. I guess you want to see it?"
"May I?"
"You can't. Todoroki had the room locked up, and he holds the key. No one is allowed in there."
Tokoyami looks confused. "Why not?"
"I think he wants to keep it just as Izuku left it. Sometimes he goes in there himself, but no one else can step foot there."
'He really loves Izuku,' Tokoyami says to himself. A flame of envy pools in his belly for he wishes that he had that same passion of love with Shoji again. They shared it at one time, but that part might be over.
"Tokoyami?"
Tokoyami faces Shoji at the sound of his name when suddenly, the room changes from colors to shades of deep blue. The image of Shoji fades away. The room is frigid. Tokoyami knows he is having an episode, a vision, but a headache usually comes first. He is not in the present world any longer. It's an in-between world that mirrors the regular but mixed with spirits and mystery.
From behind a large vase, there's a dark shadow peeking at him. 'Just a spirit,' he says. He lets his spirit form wander the house, though his real body is lying dormant at the breakfast table. Shoji has seen this happen to him and will know what to do.
As he walks the halls, some walls twisting and others melting, he takes notice of the ghosts hiding. Even in this in-between world, they are too scared to come out. Tokoyami searches for Izuku in the winding halls, also calling out to him only to receive silence as an answer. The silence doesn't keep for long. Tokoyami feels the floor tremble beneath him. The house itself groans as if it too is frightened of whatever Dark Spirit inhabits it.
Tokoyami braces himself in the hall lined with paintings of past Todorokis. Each picture jerks to the left or the right in a twisted pattern. Tokoyami glances to the side and sees Shouto Todoroki's portrait. It is larger than the others and still stands straight on the wall.
The house moans again. The trembling grows more violent than before. Something is coming up from the end of the hall, from deep in the dark. The jaunted paintings vibrate as the wall beats like the rhythm of a heart. 'No,' Tokoyami says to himself. 'That is not the house. Something is pounding on the walls! Is it coming from inside the wall…or outside?'
With an echoing 'boom,' a large crack creeps along the left wall, knocking the paintings to the floor. Tokoyami holds his breath when he sees holes appearing in the wall as if something is punching it. Instead of cold, the air turns warm. The heat intensifies as the pounding gets closer. With the heat, there is no light of a fire or the sun. It gets too hot for him to stand, so Tokoyami is forced to turn away and shield his face.
A wave of heat passes swiftly through him, burning in his body like he was standing on a pyre. But it was gone as quickly as it came, and once again the area around him is cold. He slowly lowers his arms and sees the portrait of Todoroki scorched.
Tokoyami gasps and awakens on the floor with Shoji kneeling beside him. The trance breaks and he is back in the real world. "S-Shoji?"
"You're back!" Shoji lets out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. I haven't seen you go into one of those trances in a long, long time. They haven't changed," He helps Tokoyami to sit up. "You don't get headaches anymore as a warning of that happening?"
"This is the first time it happened to me like this," He has a headache now.
"What did you see in that mirror world? Did you see the Dark Spirit? Or Izuku?"
Tokoyami shakes his head. "I did not see Izuku…though I did encounter the Dark Spirit," He flings himself into Shoji, wrapping his arms around the larger man's neck. Instantly, six arms are embracing him in a cocoon of warm flesh. "I've never felt anything like it before," He whispers, his body trembling in Shoji's arms. "It was so angry…frustrated…confused and heartbroken. I could feel all of those emotions as it passed through me!"
"It's alright," Shoji tries to soothe the smaller man's trembling body by using two hands to rub Tokoyami's lower back. "It's alright," he repeats. "You're back here now. I've got you," Shoji has never seen Tokoyami so frightened by a vision before. Tokoyami would occasionally have nightmares, or premonitions, of things that might happen. In those instances, Shoji had to wake him up and cradle Tokoyami until he calmed. Holding Tokoyami like this brings back memories of their many nights together in each other's arms. Shoji smiles beneath his mask.
"Carry me to my room, please," Tokoyami whispers to him. "I need to make that protection talisman! Master Todoroki is in genuine danger!"
The house groans again, and this time Shoji can hear it too. Shoji shields Tokoyami's body, holding the other tightly to him. "It's just the wind, right?"
"I wish it were,"
"We need to get to Todoroki!"
"He is safer outside for now,"
"But-" Shoji is startled by the groaning sound again, this time rumbling the house. He watches the chandelier above the table start to sway in a circle. "Tokoyami...what is happening?" He is reluctant to let go of Tokoyami as the other pushes out of his embrace.
"I need to summon Dark Shadow."
TBC
