[Kisei Takatō]

Saito had been staying at Taka’s apartment more and more as of late. A long-term sleepover, Taka had called it, but he would figure out that something more was going on soon enough, if he hadn’t already. He needed round-the-clock supervision, and Taka had argued that it was better for him to be someplace comfortable and familiar and under his care than whatever terrifying environment they usually shoved the jinchuuriki in after the ritual. Hard to believe, still, but top secret paperwork didn’t lie. The host of the Rokubi was living under Taka’s roof, and it had led to more sleepless nights than not. In the cold early morning hours when he had given up on the effort of sleeping entirely, Taka often found himself sat on the floor at Saito’s bedside, listening to the soft sounds of his breathing and watching his chest rise and fall beneath the blankets. Reassuring himself, in some way, that the boy was still there, in spite of the monster that now lived inside him. It was nearly three in the morning, and Taka had assumed this position, his head resting against the wall as troubled thoughts sped through the annals of his mind. It was unseasonably warm, the air heavy with humidity, and Taka’s long, lanky hair was plastered to his forehead and the back of his neck with sweat. Something about it was lulling him into complacency, though, and his eyes slid closed as he sat at Saito’s bedside, drifting in that liminal space between sleep and wakefulness.

Futago Saito -- 256

LAIKA OF THQ

[Futago Saito]

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SWALLOW TAIL

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[attr="class","snikki101"]OF ALL OF YOU THAT BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE, ARE YOU YOU?

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[attr="class","snikki102"]OR ARE YOU ME?

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[attr="class","snikki109"]Things had been difficult since his hospital say. Not physically though he had quite a few nightmares happening more often, it was more mental than anything else. Ever since his recovery, he had felt like there was always this presence that he didn't recognize watching him. Yet it didn't feel like a shinobi or something, but something more monstrous in nature. It didn't help that the voices in his head were a lot more active than usual. Normally it was just a ghost of his parents speaking to him words of encouragement and praising his shows and ideas, but lately, another voice kinda taunted him. It wasn't an aggressive taunt, but rather one of someone trying to boast Saito into being better than what he currently was. A voice that pushed his limits further than what Saito might have done on his own. [break][break]

Because of these nightmares, he had found himself spending the night at Uncle Taka's house quite often and sometimes even without Kaito. This always saddened him to be separated from his brother, but Taka always assured him it was for a good reason though he never got an answer for what that reason was. Mostly because Saito would ultimately get distracted by that voice in his head laughing in those moments when Saito asked. The voice knew something, but wasn't letting Saito know as it was just enjoying the entertainment of Saito's confusion. So here he was once again sleeping over at Uncle Taka's house not knowing full well his uncle was watching him in his sleep.[break][break]

His dreams started as normal with visions of the twins on a stage giving the most valiant play ever organized with special effects and tales of grandeur. The audience is mainly their close friends and family in awe of their brilliance and sitting in anticipation for each plot twist and dramatic turn the two boys would perform for them. Then when it came to the curtain call each boy would be given a single spotlight while they bowed to celebrate their amazing performance. As usual, Kaito would go first since his name came first alphabetically, but when it was Saito's turn things changed. [break][break]

The spotlight above him would simply not turn on and instead, pan out to the audience. The figures of their family and friends dissipated as if smoke in the stands and a broken smile would appear in the shadows. Turning to the wings of the stage Saito would look to his brother would simply smile and also fade from existence much like the audience had. "What's going on?" Saito would ask in uncertainty as the broken smile would laugh. "About time you noticed me," the voice would say keeping itself hidden in the darkness its broken smile almost moving in different places. "What are you?" Saito would ask in confusion getting a little terrified before grabbing up some of his natural courage and continuing with, "What do you want?" The voice would simply chuckle and begin inching further and further into Saito. [break][break]

Stepping back Saito found he somehow was against the backdrop of the stage already which didn't make sense he should have been upstage not closer to the back of the stage. "Nowhere to run now child," the voice would say its voice high-pitched and eerie sounding. "I'm not afraid of you," Saito would say his voice faltering slightly giving off his real emotions to the beast. "You should be," the voice would respond as it got so close to Saito he was able to make out a kinda a bulbous form before suddenly waking up in a drenched sweat. "Ahhhh," Saito would slightly yell out his forehead drenched in sweat and his breathing quite heavily. Looking around the room he would try and find Uncle Taka. Saito would crawl out of his bed and practically run into the dark-haired man's arms with some tears on his face.

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[attr="class","snikki103"]WORDS

[attr="class","snikki103"]@pharaohleap

[attr="class","snikki103"]MUSIC

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NOTES

notes here, i guess?

PHARAOH LEAP CREATES

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[Kisei Takatō]

Saito cried out and Taka woke up with a jolt, cursing himself for his carelessness in the same moment that he lunged to Saito’s bedside. The boy crawled into his arms, breathing hard and drenched in sweat; Taka held him, carefully stroking back sweat-slick strands of soft blond hair from his sticky forehead. For a mercy, nothing was visibly wrong: none of the warning signs he’d been taught to look out for. No chakra shroud, no sign of the slug in sight. But Saito was terrified, and it seemed to be something beyond the night terrors that both twins had been victim to since their parents died. "It’s okay,” Taka said, rough and gravelly with sleep. "You’re okay, Saito. You’re safe. Match my breathing.” A routine they had been through dozens of times before. Taka breathed in deep, and exhaled for twice as long, coaxing Saito into matching him until he was calmed enough to be able to speak. "What happened?” he asked. "Another nightmare?” He dreaded the answer, but he kept his expression carefully neutral—should it be the worst-case scenario that he expected, then he had already written out six contingency plans for what to do, and how to handle it. Critically, there was no room for him to panic: he needed to be the stable one, and support his nephew.

Futago Saito -- 222

LAIKA OF THQ

[Futago Saito]

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SWALLOW TAIL

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[attr="class","snikki100"]

[attr="class","snikki101"]OF ALL OF YOU THAT BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE, ARE YOU YOU?

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[attr="class","snikki102"]OR ARE YOU ME?

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[attr="class","snikki109"]There was safety and warmth in Uncle Taka's arms. Saito couldn't explain why it was like so long as this haired man whom the twins practically saw as a replacement father figure could calm them down with just a single word. His voice was soothing to Saito and his instructions to match his breathing helped tremendously. His heavy breathing slowed down as he closed his eyes trying to block out any images that tried to flash in his mind. [break][break]

When he asked what happened Saito wasn't sure how to answer truthfully. It was a nightmare for sure, but it was different. Most of his dreams even the bad ones he felt like he had some control over even just the slightest, but this time he felt like he was being controlled this time. Like some sort of being was pulling the strings on the puppet show of a performance he was playing in his dreams. How was he supposed to describe this to his uncle? It was just so strange, different, and frightening! [break][break]

After some time would pass in silence so Saito could calm himself and collect his thoughts he would take another breath and look at Uncle Taka. With his eyes full of concern he would say, "I remember Kaito and I both performing for everyone with things going on as normal." Saito would pause for a second trying to reconstruct the nightmare as it slowly tried to dissipate from his mind, "But when the curtain call came things changed. Everyone would disappear in wisps of smoke when a giant smile would appear in the darkness. It would then speak in this high-pitched voice that sounded so unnatural and slowly closed in on me. I backed away, but the backdrop somehow moved closer to me pining me in place. I would wake up just before a bulbous figure would begin taking shape." Saito would look up at Uncle Taka with pleading eyes, "What was that?" Uncle Taka generally always had a good answer for the boys and Saito trusted the man faithfully so he had to have an answer for this nightmare. It was a nightmare, right?

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[attr="class","snikki103"]WORDS

[attr="class","snikki103"]@pharaohleap

[attr="class","snikki103"]MUSIC

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NOTES

notes here, i guess?

PHARAOH LEAP CREATES

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