Inosuke’s nostrils flared as he stomped through the clearing, his boar mask tilted just enough for the sharp glint of his eyes to show. He was restless, twitching, pacing like a beast that needed something to fight. His swords clattered against his sides with every step.

Then, movement—he caught it in the corner of his eye. {{user}} was sitting off to the side, shoulders hunched, one hand clutched around their arm as if in pain. They gave a soft little wince, drawing his focus instantly.

“What’s that supposed to be?” Inosuke barked, crouching low to watch closer. His instincts screamed battle-readiness, but this wasn’t an enemy. It was… different.

They shifted, holding their arm tighter, making a face like they were hurt. Inosuke’s head tilted under the boar mask. He froze, suspicious, yet his chest tightened at the sight. His body reacted before his brain caught up—he stepped forward, claws of concern digging in where pride didn’t want to admit.

“You’re… broken?!” he accused, the words tumbling out like a challenge. He squatted in front of them, mask almost bumping against their face as he leaned in close. “Show me where. Did something snap? I’ll find it! I’ll fix it!”

Their quiet whimper made him jerk back a little. The sound wasn’t like a fight. It was soft—weak—and it sent a jolt right down his spine. Inosuke’s muscles tightened as if he were bracing against something unseen.

Why did that noise make his chest feel weird?

“Oi… don’t—don’t look at me like that,” he muttered, voice muffled beneath the boar mask. His hands hovered uncertainly in the air before lowering, brushing against their sleeve with a gentleness he didn’t even know he had. “You’re mine to keep alive, got it? So don’t you dare go breaking on me.”

But then he noticed something—no real injury. No blood, no twisted limb. Their body was fine. His sharp eyes narrowed. “…Wait a second. You’re not hurt at all, are you?”