Ink Stained With Blood (Yokai!Ichimatsu x Reader)

Chapter 8

"So, we're heading to Nagoya?" Choromatsu asked as I looked through the sling bag once more, double-checking to make sure that I had everything I needed for the remaining trip.

"I was able to find something there that could help (y/n) with what she wants to do," Ichimatsu confirmed as he looked around the growing morning crowd, watching the fishermen and boat owners start to prepare to ship off for the day.

"Why not just fly her straight over?"

"I can't carry her for that long of a trip," The younger of the two snipped back, "What about you?"

"The strength of my wings isn't for sharing."

With a huff, both brothers leaned back a little as I settled my bag into place.

"Were either of you able to find someone to hire as a ferryman?" I shifted my gaze between the two of them, only seeing Choromatsu look back towards me.

"I found one person that was willing to make the journey to Wakayama, but he stated that the trip may not be worth it since there's rumors of some kind of monster lurking in the waters," The daitengu adjusted his straw hat a little, "I assured him that Ichimatsu and I would be able to handle the beast should the rumors be true."

"You know they are..." Ichimatsu scoffed, his fingers playing with the seam holding the veil to his own hat while letting his dark hair get some sun, "I didn't want to volunteer for it."

"And risk losing (y/n) to it?" The chiding tone in Choromatsu's voice seemed to upset Ichimatsu, both brothers now glaring at each other.

"So, we have passage to Wakayama," I stepped between the two, using my body as a deterrent from another fight, "We should be able to travel a little further using the remaining sunlight should the crossing go well."

"And if it doesn't?" Ichimatsu rested his veiled hat on his head, making small adjustments.

"We'll just have to figure something out when the time comes," I gave him a wide smile as he looked away, his lips turning downwards into a frown.

----

The ferry boat that was willing to take us was larger than I thought it would be, a vessel able to hold multiple families and travelers that wanted to cross the channel. The captain and small crew had made sure that the boat launched safely, the prow cutting through the water as the wind gathered in the sails. Ichimatsu had stayed in his male form, staying within arms reach of me as Choromatsu calmly sat near the bow, his body assuming a meditative position.

The wind was strong enough to push the ferry swiftly across the channel, leaving the port swiftly in our wake as the open waters of the channel became more and more inviting. I gripped the side railing of the ferry, looking out over the water as it stretched out towards the large ocean to the east. It seemed like the water went on forever from my point of view.

"Don't fall in," Ichimatsu warned next to me, his back leaning against the same railing.

"I won't," I gave a small smile as I responded, glancing over to him. When Ichimatsu was human, he wasn't a big fan of being around water, so I guess becoming a yokai didn't change that very much, "I haven't seen this much water before..."

"There's nothing special about it," His voice was more agitated than usual, "Parts of it are deeper than others, most of the creatures that live in it only care for themselves and the monsters that call the water home are worse than some humans."

Ichimatsu tucked his arms into the kimono sleeves, walking away from the railing before some light wake spray hit the deck.

"If taking a ferry was this bothersome to you, we could've taken the land bridge," I looked back at him over my shoulder, not minding the water that misted over the railing. His tongue clicked against his cheek, shifting his gaze towards Choromatsu who remained unmoving near the front of the boat.