Note: Hello everyone! Welcome back! You all waited impatiently for it! Here it comes! Season 2 of Hanamaru!
But first, there a few things I wanted to make clear. I should have done it sooner, and I apologie for that, but I hope that through the chapters of season 1, you've understood.
In the game, there two specific zones of combat. Expedition and Front Lines.
Expeditions correspond to Hanamaru's sendings while Front Lines correspond to Katsugeki's missions.
But in my fiction, things are a little different, and probably a bit confusing for those familiar with the game. But… I did it on purpose!
In my fiction, Hanamaru's missions correspond to the term excursion, while expeditions refer to Katsugeki's missions.
I know, it's tricky. But the fact is that in French, the term front lines is quite difficult to use in a sentence, the syntax of the sentence must be very specific. So, to make my writing easier, I use another term. I really hope you understand and are fine with things as they are.
So, without further explanations…
As usual, all Japanese words used there will be fully explained at the end of the chapter. The seven Kitsune that you can see on Katsugeki will make an appearance too again.
Legend: Italics - Thoughts
Middle Text - Dreams/Visions
"Italics" - Flashbacks
Disclaimers: Touken Ranbu belongs to Nitro+. Hanamaru is the property of DMM.
Good Reading!
Chapter One: January - Mutsuki (睦月): I Must Get Stronger.
"Sighing one last time after the disappearance of his partner, Kiyomitsu continued to watch the temporal clock in front of him for a long time. Then, perceiving from the corner of his eye the Saniwa walking slowly towards him, he exclaimed, falsely disappointed:
"Oh no, it looks like he hates you now... But don't worry, I'll be sure to love you. "
Offering a dubious look to his first blade as he approached him, the Sage raised his eyebrows slightly before facing the machine, smiling maliciously while answering:
"I see. But if he hates me, he may never come back. What a pity for you... "
"Hey! That's not fair, you don't even pay attention to what I tell you! "
Chuckling, the boy turned his head to the side and said in an amused voice:
"Aaah, yes, you'll love me, right? But... isn't it already the case? "
Kashuu's eyes widened for a moment before he blew, complaining excessively.
"Aaah, I can't believe I'll have to wait for him again. What am I supposed to do now? "
"Until the sadness becomes no more than a bad dream and that all the tears of your body have finished streaming, you have only to immerse yourself fully in the work that awaits you. " announced the Saniwa in a calm voice, face to face with his Toudan.
"Huh? What work? " was surprised Kiyomitsu, not understanding.
"Hmm, I have planned to give you an important task during a while. " revealed the boy as he retraced his steps, followed closely by the Uchigatana dressed in red.
"Hey, is it me or I always have to do twice more than the others! " exclaimed the latter with a pout of displeasure, being immediately reprimanded by the Sage who declared:
"If you want my opinion, you always do twice less... "
"Nonsense! If I don't work in the fields, it's only not to get dirty. And if I don't do the laundry, it's not to damage my nails with the household products. And I really don't know how to cook, so why leave this task to me, I would only constantly disturb Shokudaikiri. " assured at length Kashuu, counting on his fingers at each lament.
"You always have a good excuse, haven't you? " related the Saniwa, raising an eyebrow, pausing on the threshold of his office door under the obstinate silence of his sword.
Plunging his golden look into the carmine one of his Touken Danshi, the Sage sighed slowly before affirming with confidence, a soft smile stretching his lips:
"You shouldn't be too worried about Yasusada. He'll come back, I'm sure. "
"How? " asked the Uchigatana, looking away, doubt already taking possession of him.
Laying a comforting hand on the top of the head of his sword, the boy smiled a little more and pronounced softly:
"Never forget, Kiyomitsu, that the shadow which standing behind you is the one of your master wielding you firmly against him; This same master who will never let you get broken as long as he has a breath of life in him. "
"Aruji... " murmured Kashuu, a thin smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"And even if I had to wait a hundred of years, and that the world around me would have collapsed, I will continue to stand here, waiting for your return to all with hope. Because that's what a master is supposed to do, right? " "
Xxxxxxxxxx
Several days later...
December 31st.
It was a new year that would begin. With its joys, its disappointments, its dangers too, but more importantly, its days full of surprises and twists.
Letting a little laugh escape from his lips, the Saniwa turned to Yūsuke who was dozing on his chabudai, all over his paperwork.
This year too, let's do our best.
The sliding doors opened after a few knocks against the doorframe and he turned suddenly towards them, expecting to see one of the Toushirou brothers who were doing the housework just at the entrance, before realizing that it was actually a certain Uchigatana wearing a half-torn cloth whose whiteness leave a lot to be desired.
"What can I do for you? " he asked smiling cheerfully. The eve of the New Year really had a really a strange effect on him.
"Yesterday, you said that I would be the new secretary from today on... " Yamanbagiri said in a monotone voice.
"Yes, it's true. I have, besides, two or three tasks to entrust to you right now. "
Crossing the room from one end to the other, the Sage settled at his office, making sure not to wake up the little white kitsune, and grabbed a sheet of paper whose he began to recite the content.
"In addition to what Hasebe had ordered you to do, the barn should be taken care of, the horses need to be feed, and what's in the reserve need to be sorted. "
"It will be done. "
Smiling tenderly at the nod of his sword, the boy patted his cheek distractedly, as if trying to remember something important, before finally exclaiming:
"Oh! And I would like you to ask Kiyomitsu to do something special. "
"What is it about? " enquired the Uchigatana, curious.
"New Touken Danshi will soon make their appearances in the citadel and I'm afraid they will have to get accustomed to this new lifestyle a little faster than the rest of you. For that, I need someone trustworthy who can guide them at best. "
"Kashuu is the first one summoned to the citadel, there is no better than him. "
"Exactly! "
Quickly getting up, the Sage gently grabbed the animal with the white fur between his arms and, heading towards the exit, his Toudan by his side, opened the shōji while offering a conniving wink to him.
"Are you coming to greet the newcomers with me?! "
Xxxxxxxxxx
Slowly closing the rice paper window, he sighed tiredly, leaning against one of the settees in his office, looking around him with a satisfied air. It had taken him almost three days to tidy everything from floor to ceiling, but he did not regret it. More in order than ever before, the library behind him no longer looked like a huge junk room that would have given him a lot of trouble if he had to continue working in this way.
Closing his eyes for a second to try to empty his mind, he suddenly jumped in hearing the alarm resounding around him forcefully, a map decked with a red dot abruptly appearing on the opposite wall. Frowning, the Saniwa walked to his desk, glancing at the data as a kitsune on his chair came over.
"Again Sunomata... " he stated, patting the screen with his paw to zoom.
"And yet, every time they return, they are more and more powerful. " the Sage specified as he sat down in his chair, grabbing a sheet of paper to begin writing the members of the team who will go on the excursion.
"If the Retrograde Force still decides to attack Houjou Yoshitoki, then we already know their plan of action. " the animal revealed, thoughtful. "But it is still better to be careful and send swords with a lot of experience. "
Suddenly stopping to write, the boy let his gaze go back to the map, seeming to think for a moment, before drifting it to the animal focused on his task, suggesting innocently:
"Konnosuke, don't you think we should give the new ones a chance too? "
"Huh? You want to send the two brothers? " the kitsune exclaimed, surprised. "Of course they have great potential, but to the point of sending them the very first day... "
"Hadn't I done this already with Mikazuki? " the Sage announced, tilting his head to the side.
"And remind me how did it end...? " Konnosuke said, raising a paw in the air, perplexed.
"Don't get on your high horse either, he hasn't come back that hurt... " the boy replied, shaking a hand before himself as he stared at his sheet of paper, clearly embarrassed.
"I would have warned you... " answered the fox, sighing, preferring to let it go.
Folding the orders of the excursion in three, the Saniwa had just enough time to stamp his mark on it, that knocks at the door of his office resonated, the latter opening nonchalantly while he was standing up, two of his Touken Danshi entering in the room.
"Yamanbagiri, Shokudaikiri... good timing. " he said, handing the sheet of paper with two small blue bags.
"The Retrogrades have just appeared? " the blond-haired Uchigatana asked, turning to the map on the wall.
"Yes, can you go and tell Kiyomitsu? Shokudaikiri, you and Hasebe, can you handle the transfer? "
"Alright. "
"Of course! " Mitsutada exclaimed with a slight smile, catching the orders as Yamanbagiri moved away towards the exit.
"I hope everything will be fine... " Konnosuke said as he climbed onto his master's shoulders, a dubious pout hanging on his face.
"What do you mean? " enquired the former sword of Date Masamune.
"Our new members are going to win their spurs today. " the boy declared, also walking toward the door.
"I see. I'm sure they won't disappoint us. They have already been very involved in the citadel, helping us with the preparations for the new year. "
"Really? " was surprised the Sage, delighted. "In this case, I'm not worried, everything will be fine! "
Xxxxxxxxxx
White. Only white. For as far as the eyes can see. Covering the sky, the trees, and the ground of its shining whiteness, the snow that hadn't stop falling this month had invaded the whole citadel in just a few nights, bringing with it an icy breeze that made him shudder from head to toe as the wind suddenly blew between the branches, and the shōji of the great hall had remained open. A ton of work had suddenly piled up here and there, pushing the Saniwa to roll up his sleeves even more.
With the new idea, not so absurd, that Tsurumaru had proposed to celebrate the New Year's Eve and the various comings and goings due to the household, an unrivalled agitation had seized the domain. And due to the team who has recently gone on the excursion, they were largely lacking manpower.
"To think that these fools have started drinking before we even celebrate anything! "
"Well, they stay true to themselves. "
Laying a cardboard on a stack, the cherry-haired boy put his hands on his hips as he turned to his attendant, a mocking smile stretching the corners of his mouth.
"You can at least concede them that. "
Grumbling incomprehensible words, Hasebe returned to his task, not without complaining loudly, to make sure his thoughts were heard. Laughing quietly so as not to annoy the Uchigatana even more, the Sage stooped to grab a second cardboard, only realizing his mistake until too late as a tearing sound reached his ears and the contents of the latter spread suddenly on the floor under his widened eyes.
"Aruji, you didn't hurt yourself?! " Heshikiri exclaimed worriedly as he already began to gather things around him.
"No, no... " the boy sighed in squatting, memories of the days spent with his Toudan this year coming back to him as the objects around him were all related to them.
Papers with pink fronts to make the cherry tree blossom, clovers with four leaves, huge bottles of pure sake, the stuffed fish, sunglasses with more than original shapes, the container that was used to harvest sanshuu for his healing, the many seashells found during the exit to the beach...
They had already experienced so much, that it was strange to think that only one year had passed. And at the same time, experiencing so much in just a single year and having survived to it without damages was literally a miracle.
Yet, I have the impression that this year is going to be even worse...
"Ah! Hasebe, how do I look? "
Turning a surprised look towards the corridor, the Saniwa smiled sympathetically as Nikkari and Ishikirimaru made their way into the room, both holding an ōnusa in their hands.
"Nikkari... Are you and Ishikirimaru going to pray together? " he asked, amused.
"Yes, everyone insisted that I do it... " Aoe indicated with a shy smile, his face half-hidden by his bangs.
"Why not? It's not such a bad thing when there is more than one person. " the Sage related, spreading his arms, to which the Ootachi added without hesitation:
"That's exactly what I was saying right now. "
"Huh? Isn't it Yamatonokami's kimono? " Hasebe suddenly announced as he approached to examine the garment a little closer.
"Kashuu-san said we could borrow it. "
"It suits you very well. " the boy declared, smiling all the more as the light-brown-haired Uchigatana lifted a thumbs-up to the other two swords, saying with encouragement:
"Give your best for this new year! "
"Yes! "
Xxxxxxxxxx
"Say, how much did all that cost us again? "
"Ahahaha! The more important is that we can create many other memories with it! "
"If you say so... But you know, videos take up as much space as photos... In terms of practicality, it's the same thing. "
"Moving pictures are even more fun to watch! "
"Yes, I can imagine… "
Sighing softly, the boy shook his head with pique, observing Mutsunokami for a second before chuckling with embarrassment, knowing full well that the discussion would go round in circles no matter what he might say. And then anyway, the video camera had been bought now, he could not do much about it anymore...
Catching a kite to his right, he grabbed a spool of thread and cut out a length that he connected to the kite with an expert hand, fixing it with a tight knot.
"What's left to do? "
"Hmm... Tsurumaru said that Kasen and the others were taking care of the meal... "
"And Iwatooshi and Imanotsurugi are preparing the mochi. "
"So, I guess everything is ready! "
Narrowing his eyes in a cheerful smile, the Sage rose up from the engawa on which he was sitting and, seeing Izuminokami and Horikawa approaching slowly, he took the kites into his arms, walking to meet them while uttering to the Uchigatana from Tosa in a malicious voice:
"I advise you not to be there when Hasebe finds out what you did! "
"Ahahaha! Count on me! "
Xxxxxxxxxx
Tapping with agility on the control screen in front of him, the Saniwa looked up at his Toudan, doubtful, and closed his eyes while sermonizing, though in a worried voice:
"Even though you have just arrived... "
"Sorry... "
"It's not a reproach, really. Just try to be more careful in the future. I have no pleasure in seeing you coming back hurt on every mission. "
"Or to rule in favour of Konnosuke. "
"Kiyomitsu! "
Glancing at his first sword, the Sage sighed with exasperation, and focus on the care he dispensed on his two Touken Danshi, continuing to stare at the screen.
"It must be said that they really got us! " Higekiri related, looking around curiously, certainly trying to understand how the machine was working.
"That's not always the case, fortunately. " Kashuu said with a shrug, sitting in the seat nearby to check if his clothes had not been damaged.
"But it's becoming rarer. " added the golden-eyed boy, finally turning off the care device. "They are more and more daring, too. "
"Well, what if we just enjoy the party!? " declared the blonde-platinum-haired Tachi, flippant, not seeming to see the urgency of such a situation.
"Anija! " exclaimed Hizamaru, disillusioned.
"No, he's right... " the Saniwa interjected with a soft smile. "It would be a shame to spoil the New Year's Eve while everyone has worked so hard for it to be successful. "
"So, what are we waiting for? " exclaimed Kiyomitsu, getting up hurriedly to head for the door.
"Forward! "
"Anija! "
It was a new year that was about to start and he was not sure it was going to run in the best way. But as long as all his swords were still around him, he did not care about what could happen.
Together, they could face everything...
Hehe... So happy to be back for this second season. Touken Ranbu had missed me so much! Fortunately, YuGiOh knew how to keep me busy. Moreover, if you're a fan of the franchise, don't hesitate to take a look at my new fiction, just to tell me what you think of it.
Alright, see you next week!
Xxxxxxxxxx
To be continued...
