Threading their fingers repeatedly though the soft and silky array of orange and white, (Y/N) sat still as they sniffled quietly, the only motion being their hand repeatedly moving as they stared forward blankly. Occasionally, the item would twitch stiffly or wag back and forth lowly, though the action would be quickly suppressed every time by the owner of the appendage.
Ears pressed flat against his head and eyes narrowed in irritation, Gorou glared down his two soldiers who looked as if they were being accused of murder. One had his hands pressed stiffly against his sides as he stood tall and anxious, while the other looked everywhere but the display in front of him— which consisted of his higher up being coddled by the stranger he regretfully brought into their encampment.
Gorou's eyebrow twitched in irritation as he felt another gentle stroke move along his tail, forcing him to break the tense silence that had befell the four in the tent.
"Would someone like to explain to me, and make it quick, why this person is here?" He asked while shutting his eyes gently and crossing his arms over his chest in a composed stance, doing his best to ignore the person who never once stopped petting his tail even when he spoke up about them.
Stepping forward, the more anxious soldier lightly dipped his head downwards to form an apologetic bow in the presence of his superior.
"General Gorou, I'm so sorry I swear I only looked away for a second!" He defended, which was exactly what happened. How was he supposed to know that while he left to use the restroom for a moment that (Y/N) would decide to explore the place and attach themself to his general's side? He at least expected them to communicate with fellow soldiers, or wait for his return, but it seems they made themself a little too comfortable here.
Before anyone could respond, a cute almost condescending sounding giggle erupted from Gorou's side, making him peer his eyes open while the two soldiers fearfully looked in their direction with robotic movements.
Patting Gorou's tail twice before pushing off shedded hair onto the floor of the tent, (Y/N) smiled cheekily as they looked from his tail to his ears before landing their attention on his face, noticing he was side eyeing them with furrowed eyebrows and creased eyes filled with irritation.
"You're so silly. What's a cute little fox like you leading an army for?" They asked before looking down and returning to grooming his tail— which is something he never requested of them and it was what they immediately went to doing without saying a word when they trespassed into the tent.
Lips parting slightly so that there was room for his ghost to fly out of his body and ascend to the next life, Teppei mumbled towards the sky as he questioned what he did wrong for it all to come to this. Now there was no way that he would get recognition or a promotion, perhaps he would even be kicked out of the resistance and seen as a threat on par to the Shogun herself.
"C-cute?" Teppei whispered under his breath as he felt his stomach churn to do summersaults.
Popping his head in from outside while holding a bundle of arrows, a passing soldier who was eavesdropping added on to the near-dead man's mumbling as his face contorted into shock and horror.
"Little?"
With a tensed face of humiliation that was hidden away with a calm facade, Gorou grit his teeth as he frowned and mumbled,
"Fox?"
Sighed heavily and shaking his head back and forth, his patience was being maintained by only a thread and he could feel his face heat up as he gave his full attention back to his soldiers, the one that was eavesdropping quick to make an exit since he didn't want to be on the end of his superior's wrath if it were applicable.
"Again, why are they here?" He questioned, raising his eyebrow as he inquisitively waited for a response from anyone at this point. He didn't even know their name, and yet they were comfortably treating him like some spoiled house pet that is constantly praised and groomed.
The soldier who was initially avoiding looking in the two's general direction, after repeatedly drawing on his hand with his index fingers and made a motion to swallow whatever he was drawing, stepped forward beside his equally anxious partner.
Similarly dipping his head downwards lightly in a respectful greeting, he then lifted it back up and stared at the scene fully before him for only the second time since he's walked in.
"This is the person who escaped from the jail in the city by taking out all of the guards, sir!"
'That wasn't me but I should probably keep that to myself.' (Y/N) thought while pursing their lips and looking away, the reminder of how Heizou put the blame on them a sour one. They would definitely have to get back at him one way or another and they refused to leave Inazuma before then.
Eyes briefly widening before returning to its neutral position, Gorou nodded his head in understanding and suddenly felt his mood change all at once. He let a small smile upturn his lips as he turned to his side in order to properly greet them.
"I see. Well then, it's my pleasure to meet you—"
Cutting himself off from talking as a jolt went up his spine, Gorou blinked repeatedly as he felt them once again thread their fingers through his tail to feel the soft fur against their skin.
'THEY'RE STILL PETTING HIS TAIL!' Both soldiers shouted in their minds in unison as they stared fearfully at the newcomer and their brave actions. This made them have no doubt they would outright defy the Sakoku and Vision hunt Decrees, it seemed as if no one had authority over them in their mind— since a literal general of a defiant and merciless resistance was seen as just an adorable stray animal to them.
Gorou coughed into a closed fist before subtly attempting to swat them away so his fellow resistance members couldn't see the shameful display, though (Y/N) didn't lessen their grip in the slightest as they stayed just beside him and continued to play with his tail.
Turning his attention back over towards the two men in front of him, he ignored (Y/N) once again, which he found was an effective use of diverting the tense atmosphere. He nodded his head and dismissed what he was going to say earlier while letting his smile drop to its neutral position.
'Is he not going to say anything?!' The two wondered, looking back and forth between Gorou and (Y/N) and wondering why he didn't bother to force them to stop or anything.
"Well, we have work to do. Apologies we couldn't greet you under better circumstances but the next battle is nearing and I need everyone to be in their top condition." He said, addressing (Y/N) without looking over at them as he nodded his head to himself and went back to his professional exterior.
"That being said, get back to work." Gorou commanded, the order clearly meant for the two soldiers that were in much need of training after the last battle that barely held together their defense. He needed to be strict, after all, this was a matter of life or death for each and every one of the members here.
"YES GENERAL GOROU!" The two answered in sync before glancing over at (Y/N) and back at each other, realizing he didn't order for them to leave and only the pair. The two sweat dropped before silently deciding they would discuss it outside, walking out of the tent and letting the entrance close behind them while hoping for the best.
Once he knew the soldiers were away and heading to where they were stationed by the sound of their footsteps receding, he felt his ears perk up instead of being pressed down against his head as he turned and looked over at the strange foreign 'criminal', one he would have more respect for if they hadn't put themself in this situation. It made him question if this were truly the same person who took out all the elite guards in the prison, eliminating all the soldiers of the Tenryou without a vision when even a small squadron of some of his own people would struggle against the amount.
"You, I assume you arrived to combine forces if the rumors are true. We greatly appreciate that. If you would be so willing, could you assist my soldiers in their training?"
"Nah, I like it here."
"..."
Attached like a leech, (Y/N) never once left Gorou's side the whole day. No matter how much he tried to shoo them off or even bribe them in order to maintain his reputation and dignity, they remained by his side with a blank stare while petting his tail or hugging it. He even had to add an extra chair beside his table while he wrote notes and looked over strategies since they simply refused to make distance between the two.
And at one point, they were abruptly startled as a soldier stomped into the tent unannounced while worriedly shouting his report, causing them to harshly jolt as they held onto Gorou's tail, making them do something they would come to regret.