[ How was Japan going to grow effectively without him there to supply it with his contribution of water? The water of reformists that flooded through the underground; places like Yoshiwara. They were the life of changing Japan back to the way that it used to be, gathering more and more followers as the days went on.
His faction might have been split up and missing their leader, but... Sakamoto was right. He wanted to see Japan's future, regardless of the outcome. This is the second time a friend of his has encouraged him to live on and it probably won't be the last.
I didn't want to live in a world without you, Zura. This was more impacting than Sakamoto might have thought it would be.
There's a slight whimper and Katsura turns over, sitting up just enough to wrap his arms around Sakamoto's neck, embracing him without any fear of what seeing eyes might think. ]
[It isn't a kiss, but it feels just like one. Sakamoto's arms curve around his friend's torso instinctively, and though he's staring right in the direction of his onlookers, the many faces of the friends who have come to be family, he doesn't see a thing.
What an unnecessary reaction this is, unnecessary but wonderful. Some would say that about Sakamoto's happiness- He finds joy in such little things, it almost seems ridiculous.]
You'll be alright, Zura.
The people on this ship are good.
[You included.]
I know ya don't like space, but home-
[He blinks, as if he's carefully considering is words.]
I guess it's different for everybody! Ah, home... For me, it's more of a feeling than a place.
[The Kairinmaru is not Japan, but it has a heart of its own. A heart that rivals that of an entire country, but to be fair, these people are born from it.]
[ Will he be alright? Sakamoto says it like it's nothing— like he always does. What else do you expect from somebody who outwardly bursts optimism? Katsura was never one to think like that— he was more of a realistic thinker most of the time than anything else.
He's not happy with this situation. He isn't willing to admit that he is thankful for Sakamoto's aid and his sacrifice— not this instant. It's to much of a sudden change and his emotions were too much right now. Sakamoto may be able to find home everywhere, but Katsura didn't. His home was Japan and he had poured so much care and loyalty into it.. it felt terrible to have it taken away from him.
He can see where Sakamoto is coming from, though, and he can feel a sense of joy in the fact that Sakamoto cared so much to bail him our and bring him here.. but he still cannot say outwardly that he is thankful.
More tears pour out of his eyes, his fingers curl into Sakamoto's coat. He does this for a moment, as long as he needs to, before he goes completely quiet— hardly even breathing. ]
—I need to be alone. [ Which was odd, coming from him. ]
[Sakamoto has been called brave many times in his life, but stupid! Stupid is a better word.
How can he be brave, especially now, when he can hardly look an old friend in the face?]
Okay.
[He swallows hard, tone neutral, voice oddly soft.]
I'll give ya some space. But lemme tell ya, if there's one thing you've gotta know about sailin' around the universe with this loony bunch o' merchants-
[And this is said with a look of kindness that bore its way into even the cruelest of hearts, with a smile that carries the warmth of a man who has forgotten how to hate.]
It's that once you've stepped foot on any one of our ships, you'll never be alone again, no matter where ya are.
[ He pulls away and bows his head, not looking Sakamoto in the face, either. Apparently they're both cowards when it comes to stuff like this. His hands raise, scrubbing at his eyes, still keeping his sore eye closed tight. A warmth floods through his chest.
He feels.. so accepted. Especially with a statement like that. He was slightly worried about what the others on this ship might think of him, but at least Sakamoto's reassurance is making him relax more on that front. It wasn't always obvious, but Katsura was genuinely concerned with how others perceived him which was a little silly considering his political views were so opinionated and different from the average citizen. It was a fear of his to not be accepted when it came to making friends or "family" and what Sakamoto is describing now makes perfect sense.
Tatsuma would go with a crew that is like this, wouldn't he?
His eyes keep on the ground, but he nods before bringing both of his palms to his face. ]
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no subject
His faction might have been split up and missing their leader, but...
Sakamoto was right. He wanted to see Japan's future, regardless of the outcome. This is the second time a friend of his has encouraged him to live on and it probably won't be the last.
I didn't want to live in a world without you, Zura. This was more impacting than Sakamoto might have thought it would be.
There's a slight whimper and Katsura turns over, sitting up just enough to wrap his arms around Sakamoto's neck, embracing him without any fear of what seeing eyes might think. ]
no subject
What an unnecessary reaction this is, unnecessary but wonderful. Some would say that about Sakamoto's happiness- He finds joy in such little things, it almost seems ridiculous.]
You'll be alright, Zura.
The people on this ship are good.
[You included.]
I know ya don't like space, but home-
[He blinks, as if he's carefully considering is words.]
I guess it's different for everybody! Ah, home... For me, it's more of a feeling than a place.
[The Kairinmaru is not Japan, but it has a heart of its own. A heart that rivals that of an entire country, but to be fair, these people are born from it.]
I'll do my best to make you feel comfortable.
no subject
He's not happy with this situation. He isn't willing to admit that he is thankful for Sakamoto's aid and his sacrifice— not this instant. It's to much of a sudden change and his emotions were too much right now. Sakamoto may be able to find home everywhere, but Katsura didn't. His home was Japan and he had poured so much care and loyalty into it.. it felt terrible to have it taken away from him.
He can see where Sakamoto is coming from, though, and he can feel a sense of joy in the fact that Sakamoto cared so much to bail him our and bring him here.. but he still cannot say outwardly that he is thankful.
More tears pour out of his eyes, his fingers curl into Sakamoto's coat. He does this for a moment, as long as he needs to, before he goes completely quiet— hardly even breathing. ]
—I need to be alone.
[ Which was odd, coming from him. ]
Don't disturb me.
1/2
How can he be brave, especially now, when he can hardly look an old friend in the face?]
Okay.
[He swallows hard, tone neutral, voice oddly soft.]
I'll give ya some space. But lemme tell ya, if there's one thing you've gotta know about sailin' around the universe with this loony bunch o' merchants-
no subject
It's that once you've stepped foot on any one of our ships, you'll never be alone again, no matter where ya are.
We'll always find ya. You got that?
no subject
His hands raise, scrubbing at his eyes, still keeping his sore eye closed tight. A warmth floods through his chest.
He feels.. so accepted. Especially with a statement like that. He was slightly worried about what the others on this ship might think of him, but at least Sakamoto's reassurance is making him relax more on that front. It wasn't always obvious, but Katsura was genuinely concerned with how others perceived him which was a little silly considering his political views were so opinionated and different from the average citizen. It was a fear of his to not be accepted when it came to making friends or "family" and what Sakamoto is describing now makes perfect sense.
Tatsuma would go with a crew that is like this, wouldn't he?
His eyes keep on the ground, but he nods before bringing both of his palms to his face. ]