The spring came. He didn't know what month or day it was, but it was a peaceful one. The man sighed softly as he brushed his hair, reminiscing the past that he could never once forgot. He remembered how many people tried to take him away and even dug him out from his owner's grave. Such impudence, though he wouldn't protest because he was as impudent as those people, maybe he should suppress his habit of surprising others. Tsurumaru got a lot of trouble from that yet still never stopped somehow, he wondered why. The breeze embraced the silky white-colored skin of his, slowly drifting him to another daydream.

"Feeling lonely, hm?"

A familiar voice from behind, and the familiar footsteps sounds... Tsurumaru could easily guess it was Mikazuki Munechika, or the old man, they called him. Mikazuki sat beside him on the porch, reeks of horses. Probably he was tasked to take care of the horses.

"... You smell like horse poop."

"Oh please, blame Namazuo for picking and giving them to me."

Both of them laughed softly, it was another day, another casual conversation. The old man stared at the fleeting cherry blossoms petals, slowly and softly falling to the dirty ground. As a person who was surprised by Tsurumaru a lot, he shouldn't have been too comfortable to be on his side. But somehow it didn't even matter, being on his side was somehow calming, and so he leaned to the other man's shoulder. It was... Surprisingly sturdy and strong. Tsurumaru glanced at the black haired man then let out another sigh,

"Aruji and the others are late."

Mikazuki just smiled at it softly, "So you are lonely."

"I am not, you're here, afterall."

That was new.

Raising his head from Tsurumaru's shoulder, he blinked for a moment and took his precious time to process what did the other man just said, in the end he just gave another smile, "I see."

"I want to protect you, Mikazuki..." Tsurumaru smiled gleefully, he always did. Mikazuki was a bit surprised, but his face shows nothing of it. Maybe it wasn't too bad to hope, even a little. Before he could convince himself, the white haired man continued,

"I want to protect everyone, and Ichigo."

There was a silent moment between the two man. The sun sets slowly, sinking into the faraway land, the calm breeze has stopped in that evening.

It was another day, another casual conversation. Mikazuki smiled and replied,

"... I see."