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[sunshrouded]

Is this how it works? Ha! Got it!

Hey, this is the equivalent of getting in touch with the mighty Kumou Tenka - yours truly - if I'm otherwise busy. Tell me what you need and I'll get back to you as soon as possible! Talk to you soon.

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[firstcloud]

[ To be fair, there are probably other things he should talk to Tenka about, as well. But he doesn't know how to bring up that and he hasn't even talked to Hirari because the stubborn idiot is avoiding him. But Kagemitsu isn't actively looking for him, either, so that discussion has not happened yet. And Shirasu... He probably should talk to him, too. And Kagemitsu should move, because he feels uncomfortable in that apartment, now.

But Tenka is the important one, Tenka's feelings and well-being. Kagemitsu comes after that, and after Sousei, as well.

Tenka can't see him nod, but he does so anyway. ]

Yes, I do. [ He considers saying something else, but doesn't want to say anything that might upset Tenka. He needs to at least be face to face with him, before he lets him know about the dream. He will keep hoping that it was just a dream, until Tenka confirms otherwise. He settles for just saying ] I'll be there in about ten minutes.

[ He has managed to learn in a decent short-cut to Tenka's and Sousei's apartment, and with Poko on one shoulder, one hand buried in the tanuki's fur, he's at least outwardly calm once he reaches the others home. When he knocks on the door, it's with even and not too hard knocks. ]

[sunshrouded]

[When the phone call ends, Tenka just waits for a few moments, going over his own memories. There are plenty of precious ones, full of laughter and happiness in their small home. Some of them even have Gerokichi - Poko? - in them. Wouldn't it be nice if Kagemitsu got to see those memories and see how the tanuki kept them company over the years.... That'd be wonderful.

.... and yet, Tenka can't help but doubt that he was so fortunate. There's a sinking feeling in his stomach, even based on how calm the other Kumou was. So he's shaking his head and getting up to make tea properly, just so that he has something to do.

When the knocks come, the table is already set and Sousei has gone out. So Tenka opens the door with a smile before stepping aside, welcoming Kagemitsu in easily.]

Hey, Kagemitsu-san.

[firstcloud]

[ While he waits for Tenka to get to the door, Kagemitsu moves Poko from his shoulder to his arms.

Normally, he would grin or smile, at the very least, when faced with his descendant because even though they got off a little on the wrong foot right at the start, he loves the guy, very much. Which is exactly why he faces him with a serious expression, this time around. ]

Good morning, Tenka.

[ When he steps inside the apartment, he notices signs that tells him that Sousei isn't at home, which is bit of a relief, because he can't be sure how much the Abe knows, or how much Tenka would want him to know. Had he been in, he would have asked if he could let them be alone for a while. Even though it would have been very rude, seeing as Sousei lives here, while Kagemitsu doesn't. ]

[sunshrouded]

[Ah, so serious. Tenka understands that much and he glances over at Kagemitsu, a little amused at the other man's clear concern for whether or not Sousei is around. Tenka figures that much can be addressed first before he goes to sit at the table.]

Sousei's out because I asked him - but he knows everything about me, for what it's worth.

[So even as he pours the tea, he has to ask--]

What did you learn, Kagemitsu-san? And am I in trouble?

[A bit playfully - but he has to admit that the other Kumou might be the only one that Tenka would ever truly accept chastisement from at this point.]

[firstcloud]

[ It's not that surprising that Sousei knows - probably about this as well, then - but the feelings in the dream had been so heavy that it might be better that Sousei is out despite that. He's more concerned about Tenka's reaction to finding out what he saw, rather than what Tenka might have seen.

Kagemitsu takes a seat, but waits for Tenka to finish serving the tea before he speaks. ]

You're not the one in trouble.

[ If he meets the people who hurt him, those people will be. No matter what, he will not let people hurt his family. He takes a deep breath, attempting to collect his thoughts into words to express them with. Firmly meets Tenka's gaze. He can't hide his concern any longer, though his voice is at least even. ]

A lot of pain and fear, and love. Tenka, I already knew that you love your brothers, but that showed me how far you are willing to go... You let those people hurt you for your brother's sake, right? That... [ He is silent for a few moments, searching for the right words. ] research... [ It sounds too innocent, to just call it that. ] I wish there had been another way, so you didn't have to suffer so much.

[ And he means it, of course he means it. He would mean it even if it had been a complete stranger, but it's different when it's Tenka, because Tenka is his family. ]

[sunshrouded]

[ . . . . hah. Of course Tenka's luck couldn't be that good. He listens intently as Kagemitsu speaks, even as his own gaze drops to the table once the other is done speaking. A breath in, a breath out - his shoulders rise and fall and he feels.... torn.

On the one hand, he is grateful that Kagemitsu was the one to receive his dream. Otherwise he's not sure if he would've been able to keep hiding it from his ancestor regardless. As is... gratified that he's not in trouble. The other understands that it was done for his brothers and so that he could continue living as a Kumou without having to worry anyone. Yet it was so painful and he was so scared....

Before he came here, he was still scared - almost waiting for the day that he would break. That feeling is gone now as he's looking for different alternatives but.... He sighs and eventually lives his head to face the other.]

I.... accept it. You're right, Kagemitsu-san, it was painful. I....

[-- went through a lot. Tenka knows he did, but he can't quite find the words for it. No, it would almost be too much for him to admit. Instead, he shakes his head.]

I'm looking for new ways now that we're here. This place has a lot of technology and medicine, you know? They gave me different medicine so I don't have to use the Orochi cells anymore, but I don't struggle to move. [ . . . ] I'm doing my best.

[firstcloud]

[ Kagemitsu isn't sure how it exactly works, but he knows he would do anything for his family, including Tenka and his brothers, so he gets it. He wouldn't want anything bad to happen to any of his descendants, but he understands. He is sure he only understands a fragment how painful it must have been to Tenka, from what he saw in his dream, and he's not going to claim to get how it must have felt. But he will give his support, in any way that he possibly can, because Tenka is important. He would have been upset over a treatment like the one that Tenka faced if it had been someone unrelated to him, too, but it makes it much more tangible when it's his family being hurt.

He listens silently and patiently as Tenka talks, not wanting to force him to say anything he doesn't want to, or interrupt him or try to make him hurry up. Tenka can take all the time that he needs, even if he needed hours or more to express himself. Kagemitsu reaches out and takes one of Tenka's hands in his, hoping to be able to reassure him, somehow. He's not sure what he could say that could help him. He wishes he knew. ]

That's great, Tenka. If this place it helping in any way, I'm glad. [ He really is. This place might cause bad things to happen sometimes, but at least Tenka doesn't have to take those Cells any more. ] If you'll let me, I want to help you out in any way, okay? [ He can't do much, but if there's anything, anything at all, that he can do for his dear boy, then he will do it. ]