A/N: Felt like putting a smidge more of this up; trying not to put up too many spoilers ATM, though. Given a lot of people haven’t yet seen the anime.
“He’s right, you know.” Kibito kept his voice low as Kurusu moved away from Ikoma’s bunk. The younger bushi’s ears were good, and sometimes he thought the Kabaneri could hear a bat whisper. “You do need sleep.”
“Later.”
“Now,” Kibito said firmly, catching his friend’s shoulder before a stray track-jostle could take Kurusu off his stance. “Or don’t you trust us to look after him? He’s trusting us to look after you.”
From the blink he got back, more felt than seen in the lantern-light, Kurusu hadn’t even considered that.
Steamsmith, samurai – they’re more alike than they ever want to admit, Kibito thought, amused. “You need to set an example for the men. Everyone knows steamsmiths live on burnt tea and gear grease, but bushi are supposed to be a little more refined. You know, not passing out right on top of your lord’s heir just because you fought your way through two hordes of Kabane, an army of vengeance-mad soldiers, and a Nue in the last two days.” He paused. “Though I think Lady Ayame just wishes she could have caught you all by herself.”
Oho, there went the glowing blush. Those two were so much fun to watch.
Well. Sometimes fun. Sometimes a little sad and worrisome. Sixteen, noble, her uncle Dogen Makino one of the Elders of Kongokaku itself – Ayame should have had swarms of offers for her hand by now. But the lone surviving heir of Aragane Station… no lord’s son had wanted to marry into the Yomogawa family as a yoshi for a station so close to the front lines against the Kabane.
Now Aragane Station was fallen, and Yashiro, and they were all ronin, borne up on the steel wave of the Koutetsujou. So far the Yomogawa name and the crew’s fierce determination to keep their Hayajiro running had buffered them from being cast out as penniless refugees, but….
Keep everyone alive first. Then we’ll worry about how to evade lordly proprieties.
Crossover Queen's Creative Chaos 
Fluffy!
I may not know what’s going on, but I can see the steel-laden traps from here. Traps formed b y family obligations are so tricky to avoid. Thanks for the fluff both this evening and this morning!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Think the class structure of late Tokugawa Japan, with steampunk trains and killer fast zombies. Kurusu’s a samurai, Ikoma’s a steamsmith – under normal circumstances they’d barely talk to each other. Only they’re all on one train escaping the monsters, they’ve fought together, and the pair now trust each other to an impressive degree.
Kibito is amused. In part because both of them are so prickly about it.
…And Kurusu does blush around Ayame. When stressed too much to keep his usual stoic calm. It’s cute.
LikeLike
I have gotten 3 episodes in and havent gotten to the blushing yet. I will keep an eye out 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
*G* There’s a bit more in ep 12. D’awww.
LikeLike
Found it! Only 1 thing he is wishing for. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep. *Snrk* The guy has good taste.
LikeLike
2 episodes in and it’s a fun ride already. I’m looking forward to more…just after finals.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would say after finals is an excellent time for bloody action/adventure!
Ep 7 is a mostly nice, quiet slice-of-life ep, though. “Terrible form!” still cracks my bunnies up….
(And my headcanon is that the story’s made the rounds of Shitori Station by the time any other Hayajiro gets there; “Watch out for those steamsmiths!”)
LikeLike