1st Cut String | [Action/Video]

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[The video starts with a little boy sitting by a tree. He turns away from the book as if he doesn't realize it's done anything interesting, withdrawing his arm gingerly wrap it around his knees. He's soaked to the bone and shivering slightly, and there are pinkish bandages wrapped around his right shoulder. Oddly enough, his visible arm and torso

Comments

[screwthegods]

[Homura closes his journal as soon as the new video starts to play. He knows this fellow god, not personally, but by name and reputation. Nataku is a legend among the Heavens, even five-hundred years after his time, and Homura immediately teleports himself into the forest to find him. He's not far from where the other Taishi is resting, but he still gives himself time to recover from the exertion of power before he approaches. A good thing too, since his presence is detected shortly after his arrival.]

I suppose I shouldn't have expected any less from a Toushin Taishi.

[Once discovered, Homura steps into the open, arms folded casually in front of him. He smiles at the boy, but says nothing else, wanting to judge how Nataku reacts.]

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[He frowns a little. He hadn't sensed anyone at all, and he'd certainly tried, so either this man is good at hiding his presence or... it was something else. He's still weak from his injuries, and for some reason his back aches more than his shoulder. Maybe he's done more damage than he realized. It makes him weary.

Still, there's no venom in the words and one of the man's eyes are golden in color. He shrugs minutely, and while he doesn't return the smile, his tone isn't unkind.] You weren't really being sneaky. I'm Nataku. I don't think I've seen you before.

[screwthegods]

Fair enough. And no, you haven't.

[The injury to the shoulder gives Homura knowledge of Nataku's time, which in this case will make the conversation to come easier, to an extent. Getting Nataku to believe what he says will be a more difficult task.]

I am Homura, or rather, Toushin Homura Taishi--the successor to Toushin Nataku Taishi.

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[His eyes widen a fraction. This isn't something anyone would lie about, least of all to him, but there aren't any others who can take his place, as far as he knows. Only Goku. And if Homura succeed him, then Goku must be unable to, or unwilling. Goku becoming the Toushin Taishi isn't something that he wants, ever, but there aren't many ways to say no to the gods, or places to go once you do.

A cold sense of dread settles over him. If this is true, he has to ask what happened to Goku.

He's almost unaware of calling his sword until the weight of it settles in his hand. His face is expressionless now. A burst of speed closes the distance between them, but he's slower than he should be even holding back, and his range of movement is hampered by pain and injury. He aims a slash at Homura's chest, and though he's only testing he'll still cause serious injury if this man is anything less than he says.]

[Video]

[justonename]

[Goku just... Stares at the journal. That's... But he... Nataku had...

He never thought this could happen. Nataku is here. That's Nataku, right? His friend, he's here and... Fine. Is he fine?]

N... Nataku? Nataku!! Nataku!!!

[Goku just calls out the other's name. Trying to get his attention, trying to see if it's really Nataku or not. He never thought that Nataku could come, why had he never thought that?]

Re: [Video]

[stringless_doll]

[It's a while before Nataku answers, but when he does, he's out of breath, his expression a mix of relief, joy, and apprehension.] Goku? Goku!! [His hand obscures the camera briefly, but he can't reach the other boy through the book.] Goku I - [He pauses, faltering, and wraps his fingers around his bandaged shoulder. He wouldn't blame Goku if he stopped talking to him now, considering what he's done to the boy and his friends, but there's something he wants to say first. Quietly, he adds:] I like your name.

[Video]

[justonename]

Nataku...

[It's him. It's really him. And he knows his name and he's here and he's fine -or at least better than the last time he saw him-. Here... Away from Heaven, away from the people who hurt them. He just can't shake the smile from his face.]

I like it too!! Nataku, you're here. You are really here!! This is great! This place is awesome!!

I've missed you.

[He also misses Kenren and Konzen but... Nataku was his first friend of his age and he has yet to meet someone he likes as much as he liked Nataku. Besides, he lost him first.]

[Video]

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[It's just like always. Goku is here, and he's happy to see him, and it's as simple as that. Right now, he doesn't need to know anything else in the world.

Nothing as important, anyway. He grins back.] It is awesome.

[His smile softens a little, but it's no less bright.] I didn't know if I'd see you again. I'm glad you're here.

[He rubs his eyes quickly with the heel of his palm.] I don't know where berries grow around here, so... we should go find them together! The forest is really different.