He didn’t trust his senses at first.

Not even as the pale dove stood before the Oni. In the flesh and all. Everything had been so strange since she’d arrived to this land with little to no answers — what was to say Nana was simply a wisp of his imagination? Yet all Ruitō needed was for her to speak in the gentle, familiar cadence of her voice for those suspicions to leave him.

Nana, Oh my god. It’s you!- The Oni slunk forward without hesitation, reaching a forearm out to hold the shrine maiden by the back of her head and holding her closer to him. It was not often that he was prone to acts of physical touch that wasn’t sparring or being torn by teeth, but the wave of relief that washed over him just then was so great that the idea had fled him.

His dear friend was here with him again. At last.

He released his hold on her slightly to allow her room to back away if she wished. The Oni had backed somewhat away himself to observe her, as if he still didn’t believe she was in front of him. Are you injured? Hurt? How did you get here?

He’d fussed before he actually greeted, as was his duty to ensure she’d been safe.