An: It's been a while since I wrote anything, but I can always count on genshin to give me characters that make my writing brain go brrrr. Hope you enjoy!
Spoiler warning for Heizou's hang out!

"Get back here, you brat!" The voice boomed as Heizou briefly turned his face to stick his tongue out at the angry oni.

It was Heizou's own fault that he was in this mess. After promising the oni a prized onikobuto for participating in his little psa to the public, only to reveal that the prize in question was actually a figurine, he expected as much. It was also his fault for further provoking a now vengeful Itto by sticking his tongue out at him as he ran away, knowing that it would only encourage Itto to chase after him faster. But maybe that's what he wanted. He knew he was acting like a brat, and he knew Itto was relentless when it came to enacting revenge on those who have wronged him, so why do it in the first place? Truth was he enjoyed teasing people like this, even when it landed him into trouble. And boy was he in trouble.

Aether and Piamon were stuck wondering what to do with the useless bug replica as they left Heizou and Itto to their own devices. Cruel? Maybe, but Aether had been on the receiving end of Ittos revenge before, and he knew how this was going to play out. If he stayed behind while the chase was on, maybe he would be spared from the revenge that was coming. After all, he was kind of in on Heizou's trick.

Now at the bottom of the stairs from the platform the performance took place on, Heizou ran for the outskirts of the city as fast as he could, giddy from anticipation of being caught. He hadn't known Itto for long, but he knew enough to know that he wasn't one to give up. It was only a matter of time before he would be caught. Having said that, he also knew of Itto's favorite way of enacting revenge without resorting to violence. As rowdy as the Arittaki Gang could be, they weren't the violent type. Sure, they liked to act tough, but everyone knew that despite their transgressions that they were all softies at heart. That's also because everyone had been witness to, at some point or another, the tickle fights that took place among the gang. If you asked Heizou if that's the reason he decided to provoke Itto of all people, he would casually play it off, claiming a detective had no time for such silly, childish activities. But running away from the big bad Oni as he giggled with excitement, it was clear that was exactly the reason he would provoke him.

As anemo energy coursed through him, Heizou gained additional speed while running across the long twisting path out of the city. He hoped that would give him at least some distance between him and his pursuer, but the sound of footsteps behind him proved otherwise. He would never slow his progress by turning to look behind him a second time, so with a strong gust of wind he took to a low roof to avoid the Oni's reach. He knew this would only be a temporary sanctuary however, so he continued his pace towards Byakko Plains, jumping from rooftop to rooftop until the houses finally ended and he was back on the ground.

Somehow he managed to make it all the way past the shrine outside of the city before Itto finally caught up to him, wasting no time tackling him to the ground with a thud. Given how small he was compared to the oni, Itto had no trouble pinning Heizou's hands above his head with just one hand as he quickly straddle him.

"You really thought you could scam The Great Arataki Numero Uno Itto and get away with it?" he said with a hearty laugh.

Though his heart was racing with anticipation, Heizou managed to keep a cool facade.

"Oh? I thought I had already gotten away with it. After all, I got you to give an outstanding performance for everyone." He ended his statement by sticking his tongue out at the oni once again, despite the fact he knew this would make Itto even more determined for what was to come.

A wicked grin flashed upon Itto's face.

"Oh, is that what you think? You are so in for it!"

"Do your worst, oni." he witted with a grin.

"Those are some bold words for someone who's about to be tickled to death." Itto chuckled as he dug his hand into his side.

It was a good thing Itto had him pinned down, because as soon as his hands made contact Heizou started squirming and kicking like mad. He couldn't even try to hold in his laughter as he cackled, thrashing all the more when Itto brought his scribbling fingers up to his armpits.

"Gahahahah, Itto nohohohoh!"

"Geez, you're as bad as the traveler," Itto remarked. "You're way too ticklish to be wearing clothes that give full access to these tickle spots.

"Lohohohook whos tahahahalking!" Heizou screeched as he tried to gesture to Ittos own clothes, which hardly covered any of his upper body. It was true though, Itto suffered from the same problem when his gang decided to tickle him back, but now wasn't the time to think about that. Now was the time to focus on wrecking this smug brat.

"First off, you're in no position to comment on my clothes." Itto retorted with a squeeze to his sides, making him squeal. "Second, I'm not NEARLY as ticklish as you seem to be, little detective." he teased as if he weren't already killing the poor boy with laughter.

"I mean, you're already kicking like crazy, and I'm only using one hand to tickle you. I wonder what'll happen when I use both." At this he let go with his hand pinning his arms up and shot both hands to his underarms. Heizou's laughter grew as he tried his best to pull his arms down, only to trap Itto's wiggling fingers. He thrashed left and right, trying to roll over to escape the sensations, but Itto still had him firmly pinned by straddling his waist. This would be a bit too up close and personal for some, but Itto had no shyness when it comes to tickling someone like this.

As Heizou's face grew more pink by the second, the oni started wondering why he hadn't asked him to let up yet. Normally his victims would be begging to be released by now, especially those seemingly as ticklish as Heizou.

"Still think you're tough, huh?"

Heizou cackled with his head held back as he attempted to answer.

"Ihihihih I nehehehever said thahahahat!"

"Fine then." Itto huffed. "I'll just have to look for a worse spot."

Itto's fingers finally switched to scribbling against his tummy, resulting in the same breathy laughter the detective had when he tickled his sides. That was when he decided to give his hips a squeeze, and Heizou suddenly bucked as hard as he could, briefly surprising his tormentor with his strength, but still not quite enough to get him off.

"NAHAHAHAHT THERE!" He scratched, louder than anything he had given at that point."

"Uh oh! I think I found a good spot!" Itto continued kneading into his waist as Heizou giggled hysterically. "And I don't think I'll stop until I get an apology from you."

"OHOHOHOHOHKAY! YOUOUOUOU WIN! IM SOHOHOHOHRY!"

Itto gave a malicious grin. "Sorry for what exactly?"

"SOHOHOHORY FOHOHOR TRICKING YOHOHOHOHOH!"

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Itto released Heizou from his grasp. He got up and off the detective, now completely spent, as he continued to giggle from the residue tingles coursing through his body. Itto smiled down at him, always kind of proud of himself after tickling someone silly.

"See, Mr. Detective, that wasn't so hard to say." he chuckled as he reached a hand down to help Heizou up.

As tired as he was after laughing himself to near death, Heizou accepted his hand as he got up.

"I hope you learned your lesson: NEVER swindle Arataki Itto, or face the consequences." He grinned triumphantly. Though somewhere deep inside he knew that the consequences were exactly what Heizou wanted. That much was obvious from the quick and sudden blush that crossed his face.

It was only temporary however, as Heizou quickly recovered and returned a smile.

"Lesson learned." He smirked, knowing this probably wouldn't be the last time he was on the receiving end of the oni's revenge.

"Guys! There you are!" Aether shouted, running up to them after having to track them down. "I looked all over for you! Piamon had to go stop by the serenitea pot to drop off that onikabuto replica."

His joy at finding them was short lived however, as he noticed the mischievous grin on Itto's face as he approached.

"Don't celebrate too soon, traveler." He chuckled. "I know you were in on this little trick, now get over here!"

So much for avoiding the oni's wrath, Aether turned his tail and started running as fast as he could, with Itto close behind him.

Heizou only smiled to himself. He supposed the traveler would get his comeuppance in the end as well. He felt it was only fair if he followed to witness the traveler get the same treatment he had, so with a bright grin he ran after them. He had a feeling that this was the start of a great friendship with Itto.