Archive of Our Own ^beta

It felt unreal to the general that the war was finally over.

The traveller faced off against the Shogunate and soon after that the surrender was given. The traveller seemed to forgive the Shogun but Gorou doesn’t believe he ever could, not for what she’s done, not for how many men her order killed.

His time in the army is not over, he doesn’t think he could retire in good conscience while there were any threats to Watatsumi island, whether that would be an archon and her army or a couple of pirates. But, at the end of such a big event like the war, the Watatsumi army has a time old tradition of tapping soldiers out, where a person's family shows up to the victory celebration and finds them in formation, touching them to free them from their duties.

The only problem for Gorou is that he has no family.

It’s not unheard of for a soldier to have no one to tap them out, in a case like that they would ask a friend to do the honours, but Gorou feels… ashamed to ask one of his men to do something like that for him. It’s a weird logic, he knows, but none of his soldiers know that much about his past, he’d always quiet down if anyone asked and nobody wanted to prod the esteemed general any further. Before this, when the camp had heard the good news he sat and listened to how everyone was so happy to see their family again, to go home. Gorou felt weak for thinking of asking one of them to delay their return, to take away their special moment to free a stray dog.

So now he stood at the front of the formation, traditional for higher ranked officers, his head dipped and preparing himself for happy faces filtering past him until enough of his men were gone that he could go home. That was until he heard her.

“I know you all must want to see your family again, so I’ll keep this speech brief,” Gorou found it hard to hide his admiration of Her Excellency, commanding his tail to hold still before any of his men could see, his ears perking up to better listen to her voice.

“Today marks the day that the war is officially over, the shogun’s army has surrendered and a treaty is set to be drafted between our forces. At this moment, let us remember our fallen comrades, who have sacrificed their lives so that we may enjoy our returned freedom. Remember them with proud sorrow and heartfelt thanks, for what they’ve given us.” Her Excellency stood in front of Gorou, facing out towards the residents of Watatsumi island, her hair flowing behind her like water, looking as soft as her heart. He squeezed his eyes closed, you’ve got to stay professional Gorou, this is no way for a general to act.

“But today, we celebrate everyone, not only the soldiers who fought on the front lines but those who worked behind the scenes. The men and women who delivered supplies, helped organise war efforts and volunteered themselves for the greater good of our cause.” She paused, sitting in thought for a few comfortable seconds before continuing, the polite grin legible in her voice, even if he couldn’t watch her lips, “Now, let me not hold you any longer, please, go see your loved ones.”

With that, she spun around, looking at the group with the pride of a mother, her delicate fingers holding each other in front of her torso, her milky eyes unlike no other, her smile, her- Archons Gorou get it together. As if fate heard his thoughts Her Excellency disappeared from view, shrouded by the crowd of mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children and grandparents, all with the same expression of joy and relief. Gorou ducked his head so he didn’t have to look at them.

A trail of dirt followed him as he ran inside. “Oh, Gorou, you’re filthy,” A pair of hands scooped him up, calloused fingers checking in his ears for grub. “Your tail! Someone would be fair mistaking you for a Hilichurl rather than a boy!” Her voice was filled not with grief but amusement, tickling under his ribs until he squealed. “You come home with your fur knotted and dirty every day, what will you do when I’m not around to clean up anymore?” Gorou felt petrified at the thought, turning to face her with the wide eyes only a child could achieve. “I don’t want you to go,” Instead of feeding into his childish fears she simply grabbed him gently by the cheek and squeezed the fat. “It’s okay Puppy, don’t be sad. I’ll clean your tail until I go grey and senile, then you can clean mine.” Gorou giggled and stuck his tongue out, he’d never ever ever be caught brushing anyone’s tail. “Alright, let’s get you cleaned up my little soldier.”

His tail hung limply against his legs, the soft fur would be soothing if his mind wasn’t so troubled. By now most of the people around him were clearing out, a few of his men glanced his way concernedly but he didn't return the gaze. When he could hear but a few murmurs he raised his head, intending to leave when he locked eyes with Her Excellency, standing a little over a metre away. How long had she been standing there waiting for him to acknowledge her? He almost spewed out an apology when she raised her hand and glided over to him.

Gorou snapped back into formation, his hands behind his back and face quickly returning from shocked to flat. She paused for a moment, looking up at him with an unreadable expression.

“Gorou,” she began, informally, “If not for your courage, skill and determination as a… as my general,” she corrected, “this war could have never been won.” It was flattering praise but wholly untrue, Her Excellency was the—

“I know if you could, you’d object and insist it wasn’t the case, but I couldn’t have felt confident that my army would be in safe hands if it was anyone out there but you, Gorou.” His eyes were watering, oh Archons his eyes were watering in front of the most important person in his world. Seeing his suffering Her Excellency just gave a small smile and reached out, wrapping her arms around his body in a hug.

Any semblance of professionalism Gorou was clinging onto got swept away as he grabbed her back, digging his head into her neck and letting the tears fall. His tail battered his legs like a relentless storm and she just held him with the dignified patience only a priestess could achieve until he pulled himself back, wiping his wet eyes, sniffling. “I’m so sorry Your Excellency—“

“Gorou, it’s alright, please call me Kokomi, I think you’ve earned the right.” He lowered his hand, finally looking at Kokomi and seeing— admiration, the same look that Gorou had always given her.

“Thank you, Kokomi.” She began to turn around, facing in the direction of the beaches, highlighted by the reddened sun that was kissing the sea.

“Walk with me, my general.”