Title: Between You And Me
By: akinosora01
Category: Samurai Sentai Shinkenger
Status: Incomplete
Chapters: 1
Author's Note:
A collection of disconnected one-shots/vignettes/drabbles at various times in Takeru and Kotoha's relationship. Not always necessarily focusing on Takeru and Kotoha, but Takeru/Kotoha all the same.
Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai Sentai Shinkenger.
#1 – Paper Crane
All in the Shiba mansion is quiet, so Takeru meanders around the halls until he hears the sharp sounds of folding paper behind a pair of shoji doors.
Curious, as he knows that the other Shinkengers had taken this rare opportunity of freedom to go out and see the city, he slides the door open.
Kotoha pauses to look over her shoulder. "Tono-sama!"
"What're you doing?" he asks, his eyes spying on the pile of colorful folded paper cranes.
"Making paper cranes," Kotoha cheerfully answers.
"Why?" he asks.
"Well…" she fidgets, as if hesitating to tell him. When he stays silent, waiting for her answers, she replies, "It's for Nee-san."
It takes a moment for him to realize that it's for Kotoha's biological sister, the one who originally was supposed to have held the Shinken Yellow title, and asks, "Is she feeling unwell lately?"
"I just had a letter from mother," Kotoha confesses, her eyes dimming, "and Nee-san had to be admitted to the hospital."
"I see." Takeru looks thoughtful for a few minutes, then murmurs, "You could take some time off to see her."
Kotoha looks alarmed at his words. "Oh, no, Tono-sama! How could I abandon my duties as a Shinkenger?"
Takeru has to admit to himself that what Kotoha said is true—Shinkengers should always think of duty first. Even so, seeing her so worried but unable to visit her sister, he feels somehow responsible.
Kotoha smiles up at him. "Would you like to fold some cranes, Tono-sama?"
He looks down at the pieces of brightly colored paper; it has been a long time since he's folded a crane. He enters the room to sit on a cushion adjacent from her, and starts to fold.