Twelve Kingdoms - Sugimoto

[lirillith]

Sugimoto on Nakajima; two drabbles, one challenge. The challenge phrase was "a kind word."

Title: Frustration
Fandom: Twelve Kingdoms
Character: Sugimoto
Length: 100 words


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She's so careless, so... soft. She won't do what we need to do to survive. I knew Takki was trouble, but a kind word and some clean clothes and Nakajima was eating out of her hand. It's pathetic. She nearly got us sold into slavery because she was too trusting.

And the worst part is that we need her. She's the only one who speaks the language, the only one who can fight. It should be me - I could lead. I don't know why Keiki gave her the sword, why she has these abilities, but it must have been a mistake.

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Title: Friendship
Fandom: Twelve Kingdoms
Characters: Sugimoto, Youko, Keiki
Length: 100 words


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She introduced me to Keiki as her good friend. I looked away, confused, sure he knew better.

I'm her good friend. The good friend who tried to kill her, who thought she was the villain in a fantasy novel. I never thought I'd be so grateful for a kind word from her, for forgiveness. For friendship.

After the victory - her victory - she broke down in my arms. I'd thought this was my story, that I was the hero. But it was her all along. I should have seen.

I wish I had been a good friend, earlier. She deserved one.