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▱▰▱Akaran was soothed as Akihiko stroked the hair at the back of his head. When Akihiko looked into his eyes and reassured him he began breathing to pull himself back together. He needed to avoid wallowing in toxic thoughts as a result of the guilt he was conditioned into. The images of his father's severed head began to haunt him as he wheezed and forced himself to focus. He wiped away his tears with his sleeve and managed to calm himself down by grounding his thoughts against the bedrock of the present. When Akihiko encouraged him to step back into the world and prove himself he felt his broken heart mend. Confidence overwhelmed him knowing that there was someone who he admired who believed in him too. He grabbed Akihiko's face in his hands before pulling him close and kissing him deeply. After several moments of gentle passion, he allowed their locked lips to separate. "I love you." Red had now colored his cheeks before his eyes flickered with new resolve after expressing his sweetly sincere feelings. No matter what, he had to claim what he had worked for with the knowledge that Akihiko had his back. Akaran stepped back before confidently and quickly stepping out of the garden and back toward the house. Once he re-entered his childhood home his determined face showed a renewed vigor as he stepped back into the dojo. "I seek to prove myself for the samurai initiation!" His relatives quietly nodded, still clearly shaken by the recent events, but knew better than to defy him after Akihiko's veiled threat. Akaran stood at the ready and lived through what he had been preparing for his entire life. He knew the tradition as well as anybody as he put the samurai armor on his body. He confidently threw the katana aside before taking his kyotoryuu stance with extended knife hands. The other Kaguya gathered around and spectated while furrowing their brows at Akaran's unorthodox form. Another samurai in the clan stood opposite him before drawing his katana. As was customary, Akaran took the initiative as the challenger and samurai candidate. He swung his arm down with unbelievable speed before it clashed with his opponent's blade. To the surprise of the audience, the taijutsu master's hand caused sparks to fly as if the sword was striking metal. A flurry of sword strikes from the samurai were expertly met by Akaran's hands before the Oni's superior speed allowed him to slice through the armor and defeat his opponent with ease. The samurai took a knee and surrendered before the match was called. It was then that a clan elder stepped between them and Akaran was directed to recite the tenets of bushido before bowing. With that, the ceremony began to officiate Akaran's initiation as a samurai before his registration documents were sent by courier to the shogunate. Akaran allowed his stoic expression to break once he confidently stepped out of the home with a bright smile before taking Akihiko's hand and walking back onto the road. "I can't believe it, I'm finally a samurai." He smiled again with pride as he looked down at his glistening new ceremonial armor with the official insignia of his clan on his breastplate. He continued walking with Akihiko but still felt a dark cloud over him as there was still more to discuss but for now he was content to just enjoy the moment with his beloved.

▱▰▱Akaran felt his cheeks flush when Akihiko praised him before throwing his arm around him. The Oni did the same as they walked down the road and watched the Sun begin to set on the snowy Land of Iron. He was inspired by the sight of the lavender sky and how the shadows of the lower light took shape on Akihiko's face. He pulled Akihiko closer to him in return as they continued their walk. "There's a tavern we can stay at tonight on this road. Tomorrow, we're going to the Fire Mountain to find my mother." The samurai expressed the fresh resolve of a new goal. He needed more answers on his mother's family, who he assumed were a part of the fire mountain clan oni. When they arrived at the tavern he slammed his own money on the counter to pay for their room and a large tab for drinks of course. Akaran looked over at Akihiko with confidence in his ability to pay and be in charge this time. The moment they walked into their room in the tavern Akaran slammed the door shut and cupped Akihiko's face with his hands before passionately kissing him. Akaran felt rejuvenated from the day's events with his years-long identity crisis as a swordless samurai finally coming to a close. Akihiko saving him also stirred a profound sense of lust that brewed in him for hours. Akaran bit Akihiko's lower lip as he wrestled him onto the bed in his own rough way of expressing affection. His breathing became heavier as he released his lover's lip and moved his mouth to bite his ear and whisper. "I owe ya one after you saved me." Once he whispered this grateful sentiment he moved up again so that their faces were in parallel. Akaran's amorous eyes conveyed his admiration and gratitude to Akihiko far more sincerely than he could possibly articulate with language. The oni then leaned up before grabbing lil Aki (the belly) firmly. "I'm yours, A-ki-hi-ko. I'll do whatever you want." He allowed his loyalty to shine through once again as he laid over Akihiko.

▱▰▱When Akihiko rolled over him, the Kaguya smirked before becoming fussy and restless at Akihiko's touch. His face tensed up during Akihiko's affections which caused him to softly pound his balled fists into Akihiko's thin chest a few times while begging. "You're torturing me, A-ki!" The oni whined at Akihiko's teasings as he felt his adrenaline pumping through him with such agonizing gradual intensity. Despite being flustered he had to admit to feeling exhilarated at the same time.

Between labored breaths, Akaran held Akihiko close and listened to his request regarding how they were to proceed. "What's hungover mean?" The oni asked with legitimate curiosity as he never had to experience it given his endlessly resilient tolerance. When Akihiko touched his horn he smiled cluelessly before sweetly kissing Akihiko's shoulder in return. He then began poking Akihiko's nose over and over mindlessly before speaking in a cutesy voice. "You're so cute, Aki-kun." Akran then laughed loudly in an attempt to embarrass his partner with his teasing. This was in direct reference to him pretending to be a girl with a crush on younger Akihiko earlier.

Akaran then considered the "plan" further and found that he was coming up short on ideas. "Moves? We don't have any moves besides...go to Fire Mountain. I don't even know if my mother's still alive. But I guess she'd be in the big oni clan up there." Uncertainty began permeating through Akaran's tone as he still had yet to fully internalize his half oni identity after his lifetime of ignorance on the matter. Immediately after speaking Akaran would abruptly fall asleep and begin snoring loudly. The exhaustion and alcohol made him feel heavy and drowsy as he drifted off to sleep. Upon waking, Akaran would get dressed for the day and walk out of the inn to outside with Akihiko and begin their pilgrimage to the Fire Mountain bright and early.