KINTSUGI ⊳jin sakai x yuna

にじゅうきゅう (twenty nine)

WARNING: This chapter will contain mentions of rape/non-con towards the end. Nothing too heavy, but it's still there!

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Yuna regains herself, and by the time they leave the slave camp, she looks unsettlingly composed. As if nothing had even happened to begin with.

They reach the former slaves, and almost all agree with Jin's plan to take them to Kushi temple. The ones that don't are set on their way with a sack of rice or more, depending on the size of their small group.

Both Jin and Yuna come to the agreement that she should ride ahead to their small refuge with Benjiro's brother to take care of his injury while he escorts the ones that wish to follow him to Kushi temple. Benjiro also insists on joining him on the trip.

So, after a successful negotiation with the monks at Kushi temple, Jin is back on his way to his and Yuna's hideout, Benjiro behind him on Kage's back. The stallion trots with more of a jump in his step than usual, he looks happy to have escaped pulling a cart. Nothing out of the ordinary considering his horse's personality, really.

The rising sun makes Jin's eyes hurt every time he looks east. The night is almost over, and he cannot wait to get to sleep.

"Will Yuna teach me how to use my bow?" Benjiro speaks up, sounding energized in spite of being up all night. Jin can't remember what that must have felt like, but he's sure it's a few years ago that he had felt refreshed in spite of staying up all night. There's no other way to interpret this other that a clear indicator that he's getting old. Not a pleasant reminder.

He had also made the mistake of revealing to the boy that the bow he found in the mongols' shack was going to be his, but he'd figured a morale boost could be welcome. Unbeknownst to him, it boosted Benjiro's morale a little too much.

"If she wishes," Jin says. "Otherwise, you will have to figure it out on your own."

"You have a bow," He interjects. "You could teach me, too. If Yuna doesn't want to."

Jin would be lying if he said that the boy's enthusiasm isn't heartwarming in the slightest. His whole life had been a little too somber as of late, and maybe having Benjiro around could bring a bit of a change of pace. At least for a short while.

"So, I'm your second choice." Jin concludes his sentence on a serious tone, but in all truth, he's finding it entertaining to poke fun at the boy. Just a little. He couldn't dream of being harsh on the kid, not after everything he's just gone through.

"Not if you were the one to teach me to wield a sword!" Benjiro rushes to clarify. "Sorry, I...You just don't...seem like much of a teacher. And I've also never seen you use your bow, either, while Yuna has—"

Jin waves his hand dismissively, and that is enough to silence Benjiro.

"I was only joking," He clarifies. "I'm sure Yuna would be willing to show you how to defend yourself. You and your brother will need it."

"There's no point in teaching Michio," Benjiro states plainly. Jin raises a brow. "I do all the fighting."

"Do you, now?" He asks on a tone that suggests anything but seriousness. Somehow, he finds that hard to believe. Out of two brothers, the older one can't fight?

"My brother hates blood. Well, not seeing it as much as being the cause of it. And he likes to think that he can talk his way through everything."

Ironic given the meanings of their names, Jin thinks, but decides not to mention it. He'd much rather listen to what Benjiro has to say, at least for now. Not that he minds talking to Yuna, but it feels nice to get to know someone that's practically a stranger. Even though socializing has never been his strong suit, nor a hobby, there are certain things he does miss about interacting with others.