A snap of wood snared my attention before I hastily gathered everything I needed, a frown tugging at my lips as I berated myself for wasting time worrying. I wanted to fix my mistake and that meant all of the crafted brushes would be used for them.

My fingers trembled as I spread all of the branches, knives, hairs, and rope out into their organized piles on the floor, my back turned towards the small fire keeping the warehouse warm. I barely paid attention to Jyushimatsu as he both watched me work while keeping his attention fixated on the main doors.

I took out the journal from my destroyed bag, gently pulling it from the torn fabric and spreading its pages wide so I could read without interference, positioning it on my lap while I settled into a moderately comfortable position.

My fingers worked the stallion hair and wood until they bled, my nails chipping and breaking as they acted as impromptu needles for cinching the ropes into place. Slowly yet surely, the six fude brushes began to form as the raw materials were weaved into them. My body hungered while I worked, never taking a rest until I was forced to by Jyushimatsu, the yokai taking on hunting duties to ensure that there was enough food for both of us.

The last brush dropped from my weary fingertips, rolling on the floor to join the other five as I took in a shuddering breath, the bandaged appendages dropping to my lap as old bloodstains began to turn bright red once more.

"Master," Jyushimatsu's calm tone finally broke me from my fascination, drawing my attention to the inugami kneeling next to me with a blanket in his arms, "Please rest."

"Not...just yet," A smile rested on my lips, "I need to put them away."

His hand intercepted mine as I tried to reach out for the brushes, pulling me towards him as my form was wrapped within the fur blanket he previously offered, "No, master. You've not rested for two weeks."

"It'll only take me another five minutes," I tried to laugh. The serious expression on Jyushimatsu's face, however, made me rethink my course of action, "Then again...I guess I can take a short nap."

"Rest, master."

The comfortable darkness was pulled away from me too quickly, my eyes barely open enough to see someone towering over me while their ice-blue hues glared down at my prone form.

Fear snapped my mind into motion, throwing the blanket at the person while I sprinted towards the loose bundle of newly created brushes, shoving it into my sash and facing the intruder.

Their gloved hands gently pulled the fur from their face to reveal Jyushimatsu, his eyes following my movement, "Apologies for the rude awakening, master...someone's here."

I opened my mouth to ask what he was talking about before we both turned to face the sound of the warehouse door sliding open, the inugami shifting to position himself between myself and the guest.

A grunt was heard as something hit the floorboards hard, the shifting of cloth rustling like they were changing positions, a deep sigh that seemed familiar.

"I know--" They started speaking before Jyushimatsu cut them off.

"Then leave."

"Just give me a moment to rest!" The pleading voice was familiar, the gruff tone pulling at my heart while the following whine drew my curiosity, "Only a moment."

"Ichimatsu?" His name jumped from my lips, cutting off whatever rebuttal Jyushimatsu had on his tongue.

The old bloodstained kimonos barely held onto his frame, the scars from the fight between himself and the oni marring the once-beautiful fabric. White succumbed to red and brown as the blood had dried and aged within the silks, revealing skin and more damaged fabric underneath.

The kitsune didn't move from his hunched position, sitting just within the doorframe of the warehouse with a hand on the edge of the sliding door. His kitsune features were on full display despite their ghostly afterimage, his pointed ears perking up at my appearance before drooping down as the nine tails swept behind him, "You're here."

I couldn't tell if it was relief or disappointment that filled his voice, "Why are you? You were supposed to recover."

"I have," Ichimatsu didn't move from where he sat, his hand falling just a little along the door, "I've recovered from the fight I had, picked up your scent and followed it here."

I narrowed my gaze a little, the timing fitting too well for one of the brothers to steal the finished brushes, "I don't believe you."

His ghostly fox ears dropped further, his icy gaze lowering from mine as he nodded in understanding, "I know."

"Why not test him to see if he's who he says he is," Jyushimatsu offered as he stepped next to me, not turning his gaze from the kitsune.

My hands tucked into my waist sash, feeling out the brush bundle before my fingertip brushed against a rough texture, quickly pulling out a single piece of fried tofu skin. Ichimatsu himself would love the treat, but anyone masquerading as the kitsune would balk at the snack since they would retain their preferred meat choices. I had bought it weeks ago as a trap for Todomatsu.

"Here," I tossed the tofu skin towards the kitsune, his ears flicking up before catching the offered treat, "Sorry that it's all I have on me."

His fangs bit into the crunchy snack, quickly yet gently devouring the fried tofu skin in a few bites. The kitsune let out a small sigh of satisfaction before leaning against the warehouse wall again, "I...haven't had that in a while."

"Boar hide?" I questioned with false information, watching him intently.

"No, the tofu skin," Ichimatsu smiled, licking off his fingertips before resting his head against the wall, "Boiled in water before being sundried. It's a nice snack in the winter."

I stopped myself from jumping up in excitement, looking up at Jyushimatsu who only confirmed my suspicions with a nod and small smile.

"Ichimatsu," His name fell from my lips as I moved towards him, wrapping his shoulders in a hug that he seemed fully surprised by, "It's really you..."

His arms folded over me as Ichimatsu returned the hug, moving further into the warehouse and sliding the door closed to keep the winter chill outside. I felt his lips press on my cheeks and forehead as wet drops fell onto my shoulders, "I'm home, my beloved."