It Really Does Make Ya Wonder How Tomo Would React To His Heroic Plans Being Ruined - Tumblr Posts

The Difference Between the Hero & the Martyr

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Kazuha eats the divine punishment directly after shielding his partner with his body. It doesn't save Tomo from the shockwave and intense heat, but his injuries are minor compared to Kazuha's: severe burns in lightning patterns, branching from a clean gash running at an angle from his face down through his shoulder. You'd think he'd die on impact or not long after, but he doesn't even fall to his knees. Kaedehara stands firm to show he'll not be cowed by the display of power. Is it adrenaline that holds him up? Probably, but what does it matter? His mind focused solely on the survival of Tomo. When he turns to look at him, though, Kazuha's blood runs cold to see a face of betrayal glaring back at him.

"You idiot," Tomo says as he gets his own feet under him. "This is a duel, a duel with clear rules and honor riding on the opponents. Why- Why did you interfere?!"

"T-Tomo?"

"You dare dishonor me and everyone who stands against the Shogunate?!"

"No! I- I just- I wanted—"

I was being selfish, Kazuha thinks. I wanted to save your from becoming a martyr. He never finishes his sentence as the Raiden Shogun prepares to strike twice and take the life she's owed. Strong arms wrap themselves around him and haul him off to safety. Kazuha doesn't remember what happens after that.

He wakes up to find himself in a Resistance camp, being tended to by their medical team. Tomo is nowhere. General Gorou introduces himself and explains that his friend had dropped him off and left.

Gorou tells him, "He didn't explain very much—only that you survived the Almighty Shogun's wrath. Pretty impressive!" Kazuha, ofc, is only concerned about Tomo's whereabouts and wellbeing, but Gorou can't give him much information. "He never said where he was going next."

It's like the whole world shatters before him, and Kazuha tries desperately to get outta bed to hunt down his lover. "Don't- Don't leave me! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I hadn't meant—" He's silenced by pain and violent coughing. His body is weak, but Gorou still has to put strength into wrestling the hysteric patient back into bed, evidence as to what sorta person Kazuha was to survive the Musou no Hitotachi.

After winning their struggle, Gorou demands he rest, and then they will talk once he's better. "I'll see about sending ppl to find your friend." Kazuha can only slur out pleas for him to do so before succumbing to exhaustion. Whether it's from his condition or a sedative, no one needs to know.

Meanwhile, Tomo does not go back for his punishment at the Tenshukaku. He instead wanders Inazuma alone with the heaviest heart he's ever had and an even more burdened mind. He isn't just abandoning Kazuha; he's running from him. Forget about the duel, forget about the Shogun, the divine punishment, the Vision Hunt Decree! They angered him, boiled his blood, but nothing could compare to his beloved's willingness to forfeit his life for him. For him! You can't call it indignance or fury because the thought of Kazuha's grisly wounds doesn't ignite the urge to beat Shogunate soliders or curse Kazuha himself some more. It's to run.

Thanks to Tomo's reckless heroism, his partner's overwhelming love drove him to throw himself at death in his stead. Call him cruel, but he had to get away from Kazuha. He can't stomach the idea of ever having to see him in such a state again because of a thoughtless man named Tomo.

It's all his fault, and if he must separate himself from Kazuha to preserve him, then it's karma.