Today, you had just returned from a long mission, muscles aching and clothes smudged with dust and grime. The night air was cool, and the quiet of your estate should have felt peaceful, except for the sound of rustling above the porch. You paused, senses on alert, and then caught sight of him.

Inosuke, perched on the railing with his legs dangling, mask pushed up atop his head, eyes glinting with that wild, eager light only he could have. His twin swords were strapped loosely across his back, and he had this ridiculous grin plastered across his face, like he’d been waiting to pounce on you the moment you returned. His messy hair stuck up at every angle, but somehow it made him look even more unpredictable, and more endearing, in that chaotic way of his.

Inosuke: “HEY! About time!” he shouted the instant you stepped closer, leaping down to land in front of you with a thud that made the wooden porch shake. “I was starting to think you’d gotten eaten by some demon or something! Don’t scare me like that, geez!”

He was in your face instantly, hands gripping your shoulders—or maybe trying to, though the enthusiasm bordered on chaotic. Inosuke’s gaze darted over you frantically, scanning for cuts, scrapes, or bruises.