Hey Hi! It's been a while, huh?! It's because right now I'm focusing on my original novel. The thing is I was contaminated by a virus! The virus, Touken Ranbu, which makes me, gets crazy! XD
And thus, I started writing on it… So, I hope that you will enjoy!
NOTICE TO ALL READERS: READ THE DESCRIPTIVE NOTE, PLEASE. IT IS IMPORTANT!
Note: My Fanfic focuses on the Saniwa and the events before the Touken Ranbu animes. Moreover, I was inspired by it a lot, and many references will be made to Katsugeki/Hanamaru. So, if you haven't watched it, you may not understand. Let's say my fic is a prequel that explains the reasons for the war with the Historical Revisionists, and the deployment of the Saniwa to protect the History. :) It happens at the Government of the Time, which I also decided to call Citadel of Time (or Castle), and which includes the Government/Imperial Palace inside. Moreover, this fiction is really a way to understand how we got there today (war, time travel, Touken Danshi ... etc.)
The story focuses on the Saniwa, I was inspired by the one of Katsugeki. A young boy, sorry for those who have always seen a girl instead, but clearly it never crossed my mind that they could be that kind. I was so happy when Katsugeki put us a guy that I screamed. (The fact that the Saniwa is often portrayed as a woman is due to the impressive number of women players registered on the game.) Mine is never named, however. Why? Because I could not find him a super cool name that would stick with his adorable and angelic face of bishonen! XD
I would be delighted to explain some of the Japanese terms I use, at the end of the chapter. If, however, there is something I have not talked about and you don't understand, tell me about it.
Legend: Italics - Thoughts
Middle Text - Dreams/Visions
"Italics" - Flashbacks
Here, if you still have other questions of all kinds, ask them in the comments! Good reading! :)
Disclaimers: Touken Ranbu is the property of DMM and Nitroplus. Hanamaru and Katsugeki, the one of Doga Kobo and Ufotable respectively. Nothing belongs to me except the other Saniwa and member of the Time Government named in the fiction.
The glow around him evaporated as his feet reached the cold stone ground. He opened his eyes slowly, still slightly stunned by the trip he had just made. Raising his head, he observed the outlines of the sanctuary, as if to make sure he was back in the right place. Finally reassured, he sighed wearily. He still had not found it. Maybe it was lost forever. Something caught his attention, and he smiled softly at the sight of the creature shaking himself at his feet.
"Thank you for your help, Konnosuke."
" It's nothing. I'm sorry we still did not find anything this time Saniwa-sama..."
"We'll be able to, one day, don't worry."
The little kitsune softly dropped his ears on his head, a terribly sad look flying over his eyes. Laughing lightly, the Sage squatted and extended his arms to the fox who jumped on them without waiting. He stroked his head as if to comfort him, and began to descend towards the castle. Leaving the darkness of the sanctuary, he closed his eyes as he approached the bright sunlight and paused for a minute near the staircase to savour its warmth. To be back in the present was not a displeasure for him, although he was used to it, he did not like to find himself at the middle of the bloody battles and wars of the past. Especially the one he had just left. The Battle of Sekigahara was one of the most terrible he had attended. Not as a soldier in one of the two opposing armies, but as a watcher. A simple Sage came to gather information on the past, or to find swords that had a spirit and willpower. Future Touken Danshi... Although, his recent escapade had nothing to do with one of these two missions.
"Saniwa-sama, Asahi-sama is here."
"Hmmm?"
He opened his eyes and let his gaze slide down the steps, where, in a radiant blue and black hakama, waited for him a young man with blue-night mid-length hair. He let a wide smile split his lips and began to go down quickly the long staircase that separated them. Once arrived, he released the fox who calmly sat down at the feet of the Saniwa, not offering even a look at the other person. Unlike him, who by his small size, strongly look like a child of just fourteen, Asahi had all that it needed to be an adult, except that he showed a clear lack of maturity. Noticing the fleeing look of the kitsune, the young man's grey eyes narrowed slightly and he began to growl.
"It's disrespectful not to greet me, Konnosuke!" he shouted, clearly irritated.
"I do not greet thieves!" replied the little animal, raising his muzzle in an annoyed manner.
"Huh?"
"What is this story, again?" the Saniwa calmly asked, seeming accustomed to such bickers between the two.
"Asahi-sama has come to the kitsune's quarters to steal our delicious fried tofu!"
"What?!" the young man said, bewildered.
"Asahi!" shouted the Sage, crouching down to pass his hand through the fox's red coat.
"But don't rebuke me, I did not do anything!"
"And a liar on top of that!" the kitsune hissed, turning to point an accusing paw at the so-called culprit.
"Dirty stuffed animal! Treat me a liar, me a Saniwa!"
He was going to throw himself on the poor creature when a hand held him by the neck, strangling him in the passage while the fox was going to take refuge in the legs of his saviour.
"That's enough, I don't want to hear anything more." said the Sage, pinching his lips. "Konnosuke, I'll make sure you get a full plate for you and the others tonight. As for you, Asahi, whether you're guilty or not, blaming him will not help to fix matters."
That said, he released his grip on the second Saniwa, and while the latter was catching his breath, he signals to the fox to clear off as soon as possible. The Sage did not wait any longer and began to walk on the stone path leading to the Castle of the Government of Time. Asahi, still annoyed, caught up quickly and preferred to change the subject of conversation as they reached the engawa.
"So, can I know where you went?" he asked a smirk on his face.
"Sekigahara, Sengoku." the Sage replied half-heartedly, obviously wanting to put an end to this discussion.
"You were looking for something specific, maybe?" Asahi revived, decided to get the truth from his friend.
"Why do you seem so upset, suddenly?"
The Saniwa stopped walking in the middle of the lane, turned to his left, and tilted his head to the side while looking into the young man's eyes. The latter sighed before reaching for the boy's cheek, caressing it distractedly as he opened his mouth to answer him.
"Because it's a dangerous era, and I do not feel that you're aware of the risks you take. Not to mention the fact that you usually stay until the time pressure forces you to return, which is all the more imprudent."
The Sage freed himself from the affectionate gesture of the second Saniwa with an angry slap and started walking again, deeply irritated. He stopped in front of a wide wooden door, opened the doors at once and rushed into the hallway hastily.
"I'm not aware of the risks I take?! What is it supposed to mean?! From both of us, Asahi, I am the most reasonable and the most serious. So do not come and lecture me as if I were only a child!"
"It was not my attention! But, damn it, wait!"
Asahi, running after the young Sage, grabbed his kimono sleeve and yanked it over to make him turn. His face, distorted by the wrath, hurt him greatly. He sighed again, and then looked around for indiscreet ears. The great white corridor in which they stood was filled on both walls with replicas of famous Tantou, Uchigatana, Naginata and other Katana of all kinds, carefully locked in glass boxes. Asahi let his eyes linger for a moment on an almost perfect replica of Jiganemaru, one of the swords of the royal family of the Ryukyu Kingdom, dating back to the fifteenth century, before turning to his friend.
"I'm worried about you. I care about you, and I don't want anything to happen to you. You understand?"
The Sage inhaled deeply and then exhaled slowly, the anger finally leaving the fine features of his face. He offered him a slightly contrite smile, realizing that he had an exaggerated reaction to the young man's words.
"I know. It's just that... I don't need protection. I'm largely able to cope with the difficult situations that will arise for me in the future."
"As one of the most powerful Saniwa in the Government, if not the most powerful of all, I have no doubt about it." replied Asahi, laughing. "I just want to know that you're fine."
"It isn't... I'm not..."
The Saniwa blushed, unable to hide his embarrassment, then went back to his destination, with a rapid step. The young man could not help laughing at this, and while standing at a safe distance, continued to tease his friend all the way.
Xxxxxxxxxx
The refectory filled up little by little, Saniwa, members of the Council, or simple Administrators of the Government of Time, all met in the same room for lunchtime. And even though it was impossible to say who was who, it was obvious that groups were forming. No one was where he did not belong. Although they were part of the same camp, fighting the same enemy, that didn't mean that they got along with each other. The Sage looked around the room with interest. The Saniwa hated the Administrators because they had no idea what it was to be a human with divine powers or even what a Touken Danshi represented, while the Administrators hated the Saniwa because they were doing exactly as they please themselves. As for the Council, made up of veteran Saniwa, senior Administrators and members of the Imperial Palace, it was a miracle that they all agree to impose the laws and enforce the rules.
"Tell me you found it!?"
He jumped, dropping his chopsticks into his bowl of udon. Raising his head, his mood softened with the contact of the young woman with amethyst hair that faced him. She watched him with her hawthorn eyes filled with hope, her chest rising quickly to the rhythm of her panting breath, probably stifled under her too tight pink-raspberry kimono. Her hands flattened on the table, on either side of her meal tray, she waited for an answer that he would refuse to give her, lest she'll be rushed back into despair.
"But hello to you too, Katsumi. Gee, are you having lunch with us today?"
He turned suddenly to the young man who had launched this reply, stunned. Asahi just shrugged and started eating again without worrying about the young woman in front of them seething with rage. The Sage shook his head while smiling and just raised a hand to tell their guest to sit down.
"It's not yours that I was addressing, Asahi!" she said, separating her chopsticks with a quick gesture to plant them unceremoniously in her rice.
"This, I'm well aware of that. Apparently, you grew up without being taught good manners in your Buddhist temple in Hōryū-ji!"
"Asahi!" exclaimed the Saniwa, though without much conviction, the relationship between these two being as happy as the one that the young man had with Konnosuke.
"What a kind of…!" Katsumi closed her eyes forcefully, vainly attempting to remove any trace of anger. Taking a deep breath, she finally opened her eyes, a sort of grin on her face. "No matter... So?" she said, turning to the Sage.
He sighed, just moving his head from right to left to answer in the negative. For a brief moment, she displayed a veil of obvious sadness before recovering and smiling knowingly. He bit his lip, seeming to hate being the one who had to bring her such bad news.
"I understand. You did your best, and I thank you for the lost time you spent on it."
"Katsumi-san..." the Sage rested his chopsticks on their stand before reaching his hands to the young woman in hope that she would catch them. "I'm not giving up. I'll keep looking, you do not have to worry."
"You... Thank you. Thank you so much!" she replied, clutching his hands tightly, her face glowing with happiness.
Asahi watched their exchanges with a conspicuous glower. He finally grabbed the Sage's right wrist and tugged it violently to break the contact between the two. The Saniwa stared at the young man's hand, who still holding his wrist firmly under the table, almost shaking with fury.
"Asahi?"
"Can I know what's wrong with you, moron?" the woman said, annoyed again by the behaviour of her colleague.
"And you? What's this story?! Do you send him to make your commissions now?" he yelled, then, turning to the Sage, he exclaimed, "That's why you went there?! For her? You send him to a war zone only because you can't do things on your own, Katsumi! "
"I do not allow you, you little..."
Katsumi suddenly stopped talking as she felt a hand resting on her shoulder to try to calm her down. She turned slowly and got up from her seat abruptly when she saw the little girl with white hair and black-coal eyes, who was standing in front of her. Having barely looked like she was ten years old, she wore a long kimono, just as white as her hair, her sleeves starting from her elbows to end well after her hands, her waist wrapped in a tight blood-red obi.
"Ka... Kagura-sama!"
"Oï, we hear you guys from the other end of the room, it's not soon finished your puerile childishness."
"Seimei-san."
The Sage lowered his eyes under the table, feeling the grip on his arm, gently undoing. Asahi sighed and went back to eating quietly, greeting the man with long raven hair and red-purple eyes with a nod of his head. The two newcomers settled at the table in their turn, and the meal resumed in a leaden silence.
It was only after about ten minutes that the tall dark man began to speak again, in a hoarse voice that would admit no rejection.
"So, what is it?"
"Nothing, except that a certain Saniwa decides to take the others for his slaves!" Asahi hissed, looking askance at the young woman facing him.
"You!" she said as she hit the table, but softened when Kagura put her fingers on her arm, frowning.
"Asahi, that's enough!" the Sage interceded, exchanging a silent consent with the man dressed in a simple naked yellow haori on his hakama.
"Hey, kid! I do not think you're more familiar with the story than me, so shut up and listen to the main stakeholders. Would you?"
"Ye... Yes, Seimei-sama." Asahi replied, giving the young woman with raspberry kimono a reproachful look.
Katsumi just looked away, an air of contempt on her face. The Sage sighed, already exhausted, before speaking.
"Katsumi-san tries to find a particular regalia. According to her research, it was lost during the Sengoku period, during one of the wars that took place at that time. However, she could not find any more information, and being the one who knows this era better than anyone, she asked me if I could help her. "
"And so, to put you unnecessarily in danger!"
"For pity's sake, Asahi..."
"You know, by overprotecting him that way, you might end up losing him."
"Kagura-sama?"
The girl preferred to close her eyes while savouring her curry, simply ignoring the mute question that was forming in the minds of those seated around her. The Sage laughed slightly, appreciating the calmness and discretion that the tiny Saniwa was constantly showing, her repartees still as enigmatic as they were rare. If both Asahi et Katsumi were hot-blooded, the respect being a characteristic a little bit more present at the one rather than at the other, and that Seimei was the type to be as devastating as an angry god of thunder in his way of behaving as much as in that of speaking, he saw in Kagura the second part of himself. They had a similar approach, but with a clear difference, the one he had to open to others when the girl was unable to do so.
"What she means is that I don't need you to constantly watch over me. It was my choice to help Katsumi and you do not have to decide whether it's right or wrong."
"I was just looking for..."
"I know... I know."
Xxxxxxxxxx
He let himself fall back on his futon, completely exhausted. Between the quarrels with Asahi and the temporal sorties which, it must be said, drained him of much of his spiritual energy, he could no longer follow. He didn't have much time left. The History Retrograding Force began slowly, but surely to go back in the past to try to change the History, and he should soon go to his citadel like many other Saniwa, in order to create and manage his Touken Danshi armada loaded to protect the temporal flow. He felt his eyes close under fatigue when the sound of a sliding door opening made him get up hastily.
He walked to the central room facing his bedroom and gasped at the sight of the person in front of him.
"Heika..."
The person so named turned to the sound of the Sage's voice and let a radiant smile adorn his lips. Clad in a big imperial turquoise and gold kimono, he rapidly approached the Saniwa to seal his hands to his.
"I had so much trouble leaving the Council, I thought I would not be able to see you until tonight." he finally said, continuing to smile cheerfully.
The Sage smiled back, closing the hold on his hands, and let his gaze wander to the rectangular box that rested on the coffee table. The Emperor turned to this gesture, and while continuing to hold his hand, guided the Saniwa to the latter, sitting there face to face.
"I really wanted to give you something before you left. To thank you for everything you did for me."
"It was useless, really." replied the Sage, plunging his golden eyes into the blue-sky ones of his interlocutor. He slowly undid the fasteners and opened the box with some impatience. He stopped half-way when he recognized almost immediately the object, turning violently towards the Emperor as if to confirm that what he saw was not just a vulgar copy.
"I know how much you cherish this sword. And although broken, it is precious to you. I am sure that once repaired, it will be your most loyal ally and will love you very much for your kindness and the goodness of your heart."
The Saniwa ran his fingers carefully over the thin blade. So precious, so unique. Hard to handle, but so beautiful and so powerful. A Katana like we do not meet much. By the gods, how could this man have taken so little care of it...?
"Kashuu Kiyomitsu... Heika... How can I thank you?" he hastened to ask, turning to the young king.
The latter laughed. He watched through the window as the Imperial Palace appeared behind the Government of Time building, and winced inwardly at the thought of having to return there quickly. Then, remembering the presence of the Sage, he says:
"I'm the one who wants to thank you, with this present. While we all hide a part of ourselves, you discovered my darkest secret and accepted me anyway. You have been my confidant and my ally for all these years. My feelings towards you are the mark of trust that binds us. And this link will never break, doesn't it?" asked the Emperor, a slight hint of panic in the voice.
"No, never..." whispered the Saniwa with a smile. Raising his hand, he let it slip on the cobalt blue hair of the young king, lifting his bangs and revealing an eye patch covering the upper left of his face, leaving, scarcely, glimpsing a scar running along the latter.
With his right hand, the Emperor stopped all movement of the part of the Sage and with his other hand, he touched the lips of the boy who jumped at this contact. His majesty laughs a little in front of this reaction before letting his hands fall to the ground.
"Be assured that, whatever may be accomplished by your swords, and which is against the rules of the Government of Time, I will protect you from the Council."
"Against the rules?" inquired the Sage, bending his head.
"You oppose yourself to this rule which says that if a Touken Danshi betrayed his current master by trying to change the History, or by involving the Kebiishi, it should be immediately returned to nothingness, right? "
"Yes, of course." said the Saniwa, looking down at the former Uchigatana of the Shinsengumi corps. Lifting it delicately in his hands, he handed it to the Emperor before adding: "See them as children. We do not blame a baby for not knowing how to act. It's normal, he knows nothing about the world around him. It's the same for the Touken Danshi. They sometimes experience such conflicting feelings that it is difficult for them to know how to act accordingly. "
"They are lost and sensitive."
"We can't make a sword a human being and ask him to continue to act like a sword. I can't punish my Toudan because their old masters miss them, or because they would like to prevent their brothers from suffering a terrible fate. This is unacceptable."
"All the more so, that they never seem to act selfishly in those moments. Rather for the good of a person who is dear to them." the Emperor added, smiling softly.
Noticing the Sage being captivated by his new companion, he got up, running a soft hand through his cherry hair before finally leaving him alone. The Saniwa greeted him one last time and re-focused his attention on the damaged Uchigatana. Not surprisingly, they would point out at him derisively if one came to learn that he wanted to make a broken sword the first Touken Danshi of his citadel, but he didn't care. He knew what Kashuu Kiyomitsu was capable of and knew he would never doubt him.
"Let's get along with each other from now on, Kashuu-san!" he said at the sword, which began to blaze with a bright white light in his hands.
Endnote:
Saniwa: means Sage in Japanese. So clearly when I write Saniwa and then Sage in my fic, I repeat myself, but we don't care! :)
Battle of Sekigahara: Took place from October 20 to 21, 1600, bringing into conflicts the camp of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the supporters of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The Tokugawa won the battle and Ieyasu became the first Shogun of the long Tokugawa dynasty. And if this war marks a big step in the history of Japan (like the WW2), it was, however, one of the most murderous.
Engawa: is a floor, usually made of wood, hanging and standing outside the window or doors of rooms in traditional Japanese houses. (see picture wiki)
Sengoku: No, I'm not referring to Dragon Ball! This is the Japanese name given to this period of time. Later, there is also the name of the era, such as "Heian".
Kitsune: It already is specified in the fic but, means fox in Japanese and are highly spiritual animals in Shintoism (Japanese religion). They are also considered as the gods' messengers.
Tantou; Uchigatana; Naginata: I hope you do not play/watch Touken Ranbu without knowing what it is? But for others, it's the kind of a Katana. Katana is a word for all Japanese swords in general.
Hôryû-ji: This is a Buddhist temple located in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture. I thought that, given their divine powers, the Saniwa had to grow up in highly spiritual places.
Obi; Hakama: Japanese belt retaining the kimono; Traditional clothing/kimono for men. Normally designating only the pants, today we use the word for the entire outfit. But, most people watching anime know about them. :)
Regalia: This is a word for royal treasures. Like the three sacred treasures of the imperial family.
Heika: "Tennô Heika", meaning His Majesty the Emperor... (not literally). So, we can translate by just "Majesty".
Shinsengumi: You know it, right? The "police" which used to protect the interests of the Bakufu/Shogunate. Okita Souji, the former owner of Kashuu Kiyomitsu, was one of its members.
Kebiishi: Er... An army force strangely resembling the History Retrograding Force (but more powerful) and charged to watch and protect the historical flow of any change. Yes, they have the same job as the Saniwa but they still attack the Toudan when they fight the Retrograding Force. Why, will you ask me? Because their little temporal trips are just as much a change in the flow as that of the Retrogrades. But I would specify all of this in the next chapters.
Toudan: is the abbreviation of Touken Danshi in the game. I let you look at this page for more info about the names given in the game. Touken ranbu/wikia/Glossary
Xxxxxxxxxx
To be continued...
Having imagined my fanfic in the form of an OAV, the writing style is a little bit different than the one I handle usually; nevertheless, I found out that it looked like the beginning of a Shonen-Ai with Asahi and the Emperor, no? Aaaah, sorry... I don't even know how I got there... XD
In brief, have you enjoyed? Hated? A critic? (Constructive!) You know what to do. A little commentary for other upcoming chapters! Thank you all and see you next time! :)
