War kept her busy. With the war preparations going all around her, with all the planning and strategizing while being constantly on the front lines, Sara finds herself away from Narukami Island these days.
And with Kujou Sara away on the front lines, Itto found himself at Ritou once again. He crossed his arms, frowning at the vast ocean around him. Without his sole target of annoyance and without his vision, there was nothing much he could do these days.
The war caused by the Vision Hunt Decree had affected the citizen of Inazuma with unease. What would seem like a normal, joyous day was now packed with tension in the air. The atmosphere had been affecting everyone, even the Arataki Gang couldn't afford to fool around. Taking on serious request from villagers, people who would normally not bother asking for his gang's help, bit their approach had clearly shown how dire the situation was.
With the Tengu Warrior leading on the battlefield against the Resistance, Inazuma City were left vulnerable with the lack of troops stationed in Inazuma. Itto and his gang took it upon themselves to take care of the bandits that dared to attack the city while they were at war, just like what he promised to Kujou Sara.
But now that Kujou Tengu were always away from Narakumi Island, he was left with nothing to do. He still wanted a rematch from the General, he absolutely wouldn't go down easily without getting his rematch, and with her being away all the time he couldn't think up of something to get her attention, because there was no way he wasn't going to pester her even if she was at the battlefield.
He sighed as the sun settled down over the horizon, turning his back from the docks he walked away. Itto had been visiting Ritou everyday, taking a moment out of his day to come at the port. Waiting for a certain Tengu to come back home so he could demand his anticipated rematch.
Crimson eyes set upon the billboard were other people were stopping to check, any news throughout Inazuma was plastered there.
An extremely mischievous grin settled upon his features as he just thought of the most brilliant, wickedest, idea ever.She set foot on the docks, it was a long day of traveling from Kannazuka and Narukami Island. The battlefield was merciless, both sides were fighting with all their strength, and Sara had made sure she was at the center of it, leading her troops into battle. It had been four days since she last came back to Narukami Island, Sara and her troops had been staying at Kujou Encampment, but alas, their war provisions had run out, and Sara had to personally report to the Shogun about the state of the battlefield, alas, her return to Inazuma.
On her way, she caught sight of a soldier furiously stamping a piece of paper at the bulletin board. Sara stopped on her tracks, checking on the soldier.
"You there! What's going on?"
The soldier flinched, he quickly turned around to face her. "M–Ma'am... you're back! Uh...This is nothing ma'am, that Arataki Itto causing up troubles again, vandalizing the board."
She raised her brow, surprised at the news. Sara had not expected to come back with news of the oni causing disturbance in the city once again. "Move aside, let me check."
The soldier quickly shuffled away.
Golden eyes widened in surprised, reading the message left by the Crimson Oni. The message wrote: Arataki 'The First' Itto; "Kujou Tengu! I am here again! Where are you? I will never forget that you took my vision away. As long as I still breathe, I will keep coming for you! Don't you ever forget that either!"
There was a note stuck underneath, Sara recognized that it was what the soldier was putting up earlier. The note says: "Everyone, no need to worry! The Tenryou Commission will handle this vandal soon."
Sara let out an exasperated sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose as she addressed the soldier once again. "Tell them that I promise that I have nothing to do with this person and that they do not need to worry."
The soldier nodded his head, saluting at the General's retreating back as she made her way towards the bustling city.
Sara mentally took note to make it her point to avoid a certain oni roaming around Hanamizaka.She was almost successful in her attempt to avoid a certain oni. Key word: Almost. How he had gotten wind of the news that she was back in the city was beyond her. The oni was quick on her trail once again.
Purposely causing disturbance in the city, demanding a rematch from her. He even went as far as getting arrested all the while refusing to move unless it was the Kujou Tengu that went to arrest him.
All of this, of course, were quickly swept under the rug by Kujou Sara herself. She didn't have time to play around with the oni, when Sara herself didn't even have a private life on her own. She was too caught up in war to even bother about senseless things, as well as a rematch.
Her attempts were quickly proven futile when Sara had set out for Kannazuka once again, and while in the middle of the vast waters, did the surprising trouble made itself known.
Sara watched with mouth agape as the crimson oni strolled around confidently on the deck, not bothered one bit by the threatening spears pointed his way as he bounced towards the stupefied Tengu Warrior with the most shit eating grin on his face that for once—in a moment of weakness on her part—wanted to punch. Sara shouldn't have put it past the oni to pull such a stupid stunt like this.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She hissed, eyes narrowing on the crimson oni. "How did you manage to stowaway on our ship?"
He shrugged, "Well, if your soldiers were paying attention they would very much notice an innocent looking civilian sleeping away on one of the crates."
Her eyes widened, exasperated, "How could they miss someone like you?!"
Arataki Itto, was by no means, a small guy. He was humongous and pumping with muscles that he even rivals those of her soldiers. So to hear that he managed to stowaway on a warship, unnoticed by her soldiers while he was unconscious was a ridiculous notion by itself.
"Well my," His grin widened, "I missed you too, General Kujou."
Golden eyes flashed sharply, "Shut it."
Sara moved her attention to her soldiers around her, "You can very much expect to warrant a punishment from this." She threatened, annoyed by their incompetence especially when they were at the middle of war.
She closed her eyes, willing herself to calm down. One of the soldiers cautiously approached her, "Excuse me, ma'am...but what are we gonna do about him?" He pointed at Itto. "We are far too close to Kannazuka to take a u turn, and our expected return to Narakumi is not until five days later."
Sara let out a sigh, "We have no choice but to continue on ahead. As soon as we land on Kannazuka, I will order for him to be returned to Narukami Island at once. I cannot afford to involve innocent civilians in the front lines."
She rounded up on the unexpected oni, who backed a few steps away from the fuming tengu. "Do not worry, idiotic oni. I will be keeping my eyes on you, and I will make sure you get punished for this stunt you did, unless it escaped your notice, we're in the middle of war." She pointed her finger at him, her self control snapping all at once at the sight of the oni.
Itto grabbed her finger, wiggling it away from his face. "I know we're at war, Kujou Tengu, you took my vision for that reason, remember?" He rolled his eyes, "And I bet I'll be more useful on the front lines than your soldiers here. You might've taken my vision away, but I am very much capable of fighting, thank you very much."
Sara narrowed her eyes, "Who says you'll be fighting? I'll send you right back to Narakumi once we landed."
Itto let out a snort, "No you won't."
Sara remained absolutely still, eyes unwavering. Itto let out a nervous laugh. "You won't...right?"It seemed like the world was against her. The very moment they stepped foot at Kannazuka, a furious storm had come their way, causing them to take shelter at the Kujou Encampment. Much to Sara's horror, a much detailed report about the storm had been sent to her private quarters. The storm would last for days, causing them to be unavailable at traveling. Setting out on the raging ocean was like setting out for a suicidal conquest.
Sara let out an annoyed huff, realizing the dilemma she was in. The storm had rendered them stuck at Kannazuka. If that wasn't bad enough, they were at the middle of war and she was stuck with a civilian under her roof.
A very much annoying Oni at that.
She moved out from her quarters, searching for a certain oni in mind. There she saw, at the barracks all buddied up with her troops. They seemed to have taken a liking for the oni as they swarmed around him, he was loud as ever, laughing with her soldiers at a certain joke he made.
Leave it to him to become friends immediately with her soldiers. Sara thought bitterly.
"Arataki Itto." She addressed him.
Itto turned from whatever he was doing, his grin widening at the sight of her. "Kujou Tengu! Looks like I'll be staying a lot longer, huh?"
Sara gritted her teeth, the Oni was getting under her skin like a passive skill. "Looks like it. We can't have you stay here and share our portions without working, so from today on till the storm ends, you'll be helping around the encampment."
His smile widened, flashing her a bright grin despite the gloomy weather around them. "Ya bet!"
"I'll be keeping my eyes on you." She warned, her gaze then settled on the soldiers who didn't bother hiding listening in. "And you all! Don't think I've forgotten have you easily let a stowaway in our ship! We'll start by having a heavy drill tomorrow and make sure Arataki Itto don't wander off and potentially cross paths with the enemy!" She barked at them.
"Yes ma'am!" They all responded quickly, nervously eyeing their General as she made her way across the encampment, handling other matters.
Itto simply snickered to himself, his plan to sneak in at the ship Kujou Sara was boarding at was a complete success.
If he couldn't find her in Inazuma, then he would simply follow her to war.Sara drew back her arm, eyes set forward at her target as she released her grip. Golden eyes watching as she hit the bullseye. She took another arrow, repeating the process while she practiced her archery deep into the night.
Night had fallen and her soldiers were already resting, they were bound to start early tomorrow and they needed their rest. But Sara was not one to take it easy on herself, choosing to train even past midnight.
"Shouldn't you be resting, General Kujou?" A voice interrupted from behind her.
This time, Sara didn't resist the urge to roll her eyes, she let go of the string, the arrow shooting off like a bullet, hitting the center mark right away. "Shouldn't you be minding your own business, idiotic oni?"
She glanced over her shoulder, watching him approach, ignoring her question. "Training all by yourself is boring, how about we spar, General Kujou? I'm sure ya wouldn't think I lack capability."
"I don't need to fight you to know you do lack the prowess to defeat me."
"Why don't we test it out then? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're actually afraid of losing to me." He crossed his arms, a taunting smirk on his face.
Sara let out a snort, "Who are you kidding?"
"Then, come on, let's spar. It's the least you can give me while still prolonging our much awaited rematch. Even my gang's been betting on it."
She raised her eyebrow at that, she shouldn't have been too surprised, it was in their nature after all. "Does the Arataki Gang even know you're here?"
Itto shifted on his feet, an uncomfortable grimace stretching over his features. "Uh... no. I bet they'd start kicking up a fuse after a few days of disappearance."
Sara shot him an unimpressive look, "Which meant more work for the Tenryou Commission."
Itto laughed nervously, "No need to worry! I'm sure Shinobu will get it all figured it out in no time!"
Annoyed by his easy going approach with the matter, Sara barked at him. "Well, then? What are you waiting for? Prepare yourself!"
And with that, loud clashing sounds of weapons could be heard deep into the night as the Oni and Tengu sparred.
Sara wouldn't have normally accepted such challenges, but with all the stress piling up on her shoulder and with the oni volunteering for a fight, Sara simply let go and used the opportunity to release some of her anxiety. Arataki Itto had proven himself a capable man countless of times, despite losing on their fight, Sara would admit that he had put up quite a fight, making it memorable. It was safe to say that he didn't go down without trying, and she prided in her victory against the Oni.
Sara could've easily decided to train with some of her soldiers instead, but with them, she always found herself holding back, because admit it or not, she was far stronger than the average General. If she wasn't careful she would end up injuring her own troops, and with Arataki Itto purposely volunteering, she didn't hesitate to hold back against him. Knowing that he deserved a serious fight without holding back.
They fought far into the night, both exhausted by the end of it, but very much thrilled, the adrenaline still pumping in their vines.
Itto couldn't shake off the grin on his face even after their spar, they had ended up in a tie after all. It was by no means, a serious fight nor anything close to his much demanded rematch, but Itto prided in the fact that he managed to be on par with her despite not having his vision.
Let's just ignore the fact that Sara hadn't even thought of using her own vision on their spar. Matching his blows fairly by weapons alone.
Nevertheless, it didn't shake off his giddiness at finally having the opportunity to fight her again, and true to his expectations, she did not disappoint.
This caused Itto to pursue their rematch once again with a more determined approach.
He doubt he'd be getting his rematch soon when she was busy with war. A spar was the closest thing he'll have with his rematch. Itto was getting annoyed by this whole ordeal, he found it so unnecessary to be fighting against each other. He was one for challenges and fights, but war was on another level. It was serious and it brought nothing but death.
On his second day at the Kujou Encampment, it was when he experienced what being in the front lines of a war really was.
It was horrifying, gruesome, and dangerous.
Itto was busy carrying out crates all around the camp, Kujou Tengu had barked her orders at him earlier to make himself useful while she drilled her soldiers with absolutely merciless training. All the while planning war strategies while keeping her eye on every single one of them.
Itto couldn't help but find her admirable.
No wonder she was the pride and joy of the Shogunate Army, the Tengu Warrior simply shined in the battlefield, truly in her element while at war.
It was at that moment when news of the Resistance launching a frontal attack at Nazuchi Beach was reported. In an instant, everyone was alert, Sara barking orders left and right as she personally made her way towards the battlefield, briefly pausing in front of the oni with a threatening sneer to her words. "You stay here or else I'll personally make sure you're locked up on the duration of your stay."
But of course, he wasn't Arataki Itto for nothing. Completely ignoring her warning he followed after the troops that was headed for Nazuchi Beach, trailing behind. Sara who was too preoccupied with the state of battle, was unable to notice the oni on her trails.
The fighting started in an instant with Kujou Sara at the lead, drawing back her arrow she shot it across the beach, lurching with lightning, a young man equally parried her blows.
The young man with fair skin, light orange-brown hair with white streaks, and teal blue eyes. He has erect pointy ears and a bushy tail of the same color with white highlights on the front of his hair, ears, and tail. He wears a small golden eternity symbol-shaped hairclip on the left side of his head, with a black thread hanging down from the clip.
He also wears an igote with shinobi shōzoku trousers, showing the bottom half of his torso while still covering up his legs and arms. There are two cut-out holes, exposing his front chest and his back. Bandages can be seen on his waist, wrists, and feet.
The upper armor goes around his neck, in a collar-like formation. At the front of it is a small gold paw print symbol, which has a bow hanging below it. He also wears black decorated armor that hangs over the front of his hips and right shoulder, and a minimal shoulder guard on the left shoulder, assumably the one he uses to pull a bowstring. His Inazuman Geo Vision is seen on the upper-middle back of his armor.
On his right pectoral is a white puff ball decorated with a red ribbon. He has a dark red and white braided belt with a white puff placed where the knot should be. The two ends of the belt hang down, one affixed with a golden crescent-moon shaped accessory. He wears two black gloves, the left covering his entire hand, and the right being fingerless. He wears black jikatabi shoes that have the heel and toes cut out.
The young man growled at Kujou Sara, shooting his own arrows at her. Itto watched them for a moment, entranced by the scene before him. It was nothing like his usual street fights or brawl he and his gang get themselves into. War was different from nobushis and treasure hoarder attacks. Here, in the battlefield, there were no mercy despite being citizen of their nation.
From the corner of his eye, one of his best pals that he acquainted with in the Shogunate Army, was having a hard time fending off the Resistance soldiers who were using their own visions against those who didn't have visions.
It was an unspoken rule to vision wielders to not use their powers against those who weren't acknowledged by the Gods, their gifts weren't there for them to abuse.
Even a child knew not to use a vision against those who didn't have visions.
Itto quickly snapped into action, using his claymore and his brute force as an oni, fighting without his vision on him was a piece of cake. He fought along with the soldiers, going on a rampage, totally uncaring that he wasn't holding back like he should. But Itto reasoned that this was a battlefield, there were no win or lose without death, and therefore should give it his all.
"You want some of this?!"
All around him, resistance soldier faltered, having a hard time fighting against the strong oni. After a while of fighting with scratches here and there, the young man with dog ears called upon his soldiers to retreat.
The Shogunate Army retreated as well, secluding themselves back at Kujou Encampment, both sides suffering from the casualties of war.
Itto helped around as much as he could, his body still pumping with energy. He helped carried wounded soldiers back into the encampment, everyone giving him grateful smiles. For once, they were relieved that for some miraculous turn of fate, the oni was able to stowaway on their ship. His presence alone in the battlefield earlier had helped turn favors of war on the Shogun's side.
Itto caught sight of the Tengu Warrior, going back and forth across the camp, carrying soldiers herself, treating the wounded herself when the Tengu Warrior looked worst that any of them.
Her outfit were in tatters, scratches all over her body, a concerning wound on her shoulder that she pointedly ignored in favor of helping her fellow soldiers instead of treating her own self. Itto stomped towards them, grabbing her arm, "What do you think you're doing?!"
Sara blinked her golden eyes at him, confused on what he was on about. She shrugged her hold on her arm, "I'm treating my soldiers, what else?"
"Shouldn't you check that out too?" He pointedly gestured at the wound on her shoulder, which what seemed like a suspicious hit of an arrow.
Sara avoided his gaze, turning her attention back on the wounded soldier that she was treating. "I'm fine."
"And pigs can fly." Itto let out a snort, "Look, Kujou Tengu, you need to get yourself treated. Who's gonna lead the army if you go down?"
"My state is of no importance. What matters is that the Almighty Shogun's will are carried on, even if I'm not able to see it till the end."
At this, both Itto and the soldier frowned at her words. "I think you should listen to him, General...you need to get your wound healed..."
Sara pointedly ignored the two of them.
Itto couldn't reign on his temper any longer, with a growl, he grabbed the Tengu Warrior by her waist, hauling her over his shoulder as he stormed his way towards her private quarters where he had seen her enter numerous times.
Sara let out an exasperated shout over his shoulder at his audacity, she didn't hesitate to deliver a much needed elbow at his back. Itto hissed in pain, his legs buckling at the sheer strength of her blow, almost dropping the two of them on the ground, but he wasn't Arataki "The one and Only" Itto for nothing!
He kicked her door open, dropping her down on the comfortable looking bed without care. Sara winced in pain from the action, her wounded shoulder hitting the mattress.
Itto stood over her, crossing his arms, totally ignoring her glare. "I respect your sacrificing nature and all, but in principle...I'm absolutely against it. No one should have to sacrifice their own kind for the sake of a better tomorrow, period. It's only a better tomorrow if it's a better tomorrow for everyone. We need to work together, not have everyone just focused on themselves, making their own sacrifice, trying to look cool in the process..." He grumbled, moving towards the shelves with medical supplies on it.
Apparently, he was upset that the Tengu Warrior would be so willing to sacrifice herself on the war the Shogun started. Kujou Sara was willing to give her own life for the Raiden Shogun's will. It was an admirable fact indeed, but he thought her better than that. "But from this day forward, no more sacrificing, not on my watch! You go to sacrifice yourself, I'll stand right in your way!" He declared, which Sara ignored, unaware that he took his oath to heart—literally.
Sara let out a defeated sigh at the oni's persistence. After some more annoying and brain wracking nagging on Itto's part, the Tengu Warrior finally agreed to let him treat her.
He worked on her wound clumsily, not really sure how to treat wounds such as serious as her. Shinobu had always done it for him and his gang, taking care of their injuries. From what he observed Shinobu usually do, he applied that small knowledge on the Tengu's wounds.
Half way through the treatment, Itto had complained loudly in her ear while she couldn't just go and ask one of her servants to treat her wound, like any sane person would do. Sara absolutely refuses to call for help, preferring that the servants focus their attention on the wounded soldiers instead of her.
Kujou Tengu was incredibly stubborn to a fault.
After a while of awkward silence where Itto kept muttering proficiencies under his breath—because he clearly didn't know what he was doing—and Sara instructing him what to do while she kept a strict eye on him, she finally spoke. "You...you were fighting at the battlefield earlier."
"Yeah, your army looked like they needed help."
"...Thank you. For looking out for my soldiers."
Itto let out a smirk, "I don't accept thank yous, Kujou Tengu, I want my rematch as payment!"
Sara narrowed her eyes on him, "Don't think I've forgotten how you broke the law by stowing away on a military ship, and ignoring direct orders from a General."
He rolled his eyes, "Oh, please! I saved your ass didn't I?"
A triumphed smirk settled on her features. "Then, we're even."
Itto sputtered for a second before letting out a frustrated growl. Once again, the Tengu Warrior was one step ahead of him, and it completely got on his nerves.
He was also one step away from his rematch.
~~~
(A/N: Special thanks to NaaMaloom for the review, you're the very first person to acknowledge my story and I have Fall of Eternity posted at two sites, here and at Wattpad. Thanks to DesertedPlanet for adding my story to your favorites! You have no idea how these small responses mean a lot to me.
On side note, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought to research about war tactics and I haven't paid enough attention to Kokomi if she ever said anything about her plans at attacking, she's supposed to be a genius at that right? I didn't even have any idea how to approach the topic of the resistance launching an attack. So, what do ya think of Itto following Sara into war? Btw, while researching about the bulletin boards, I noticed how Itto was always at Ritou when he's normally at Hanamizaka. And guess what? I figured the characters don't just teleport their way into other islands, they actually have to use ships, and where does ships docks? That's right, at the port at Ritou, and who's always at Ritou? ITTO! —gosh did I just rhyme? Anyways, it's suddenly popped into my head, well, if it isn't obviously implied already, that Itto goes at Ritou, at the port, because he's seeing Sara off to war. Well, it's just a head canon of mine that he goes there to wait for her, cus honestly though, what other reason is he doing there? And just by his words at bulletin boards, seems like he's waiting for her at the port to come home.)