Tsubasa's eyes were closed even as her fingers expertly played the shamisen in her hand. The familiar yet utterly beautiful singing voices of Maria and Serena washed over her ears pleasantly. Tsubasa caught herself concentrating too much on Maria's voice in particular that she would sometimes almost stop playing, enraptured as she was. Actually, Kanade had elbowed her a lot during the past two days of teaching Maria and Serena a traditional Japanese song that would please her grandfather to hear. She sometimes ended up staring a little longer than usual whenever Maria would start to sing.
And speaking of Kanade, Tsubasa opened an eye to peek at her, and there was a stern look on her face as she watched Maria and Serena like a hawk. It was an expression that most people would find unusual on the usually cheerful and playful Kanade, but this was a circumstance that warranted such sternness. Fudou would be expecting nothing short of perfection, it was a hard lesson that Tsubasa had learned at such a young age. So that Fudou would not be able to say anything, they had to be strict with Maria and Serena.
"Again!" Kanade's voice resounded like a whip as soon as the current song ended. Tsubasa opened her eyes to look at Maria and Serena, who both winced a little at the command. However, they were quick to recover and both nodded in determination. Tsubasa gave both of them a half-smile of encouragement before starting the song again.
This time, when it ended, Kanade no longer had a stern look on her face. "That's it! Perfect!" Kanade exclaimed, smiling widely for seemingly the first time since they started teaching the song two days ago. The relief on Maria and Serena's faces was almost palpable, and despite the fact that Tsubasa's fingers were hurting from how many time she played the shamisen, she smiled too.
"You both did well." Tsubasa praised softly, looking into Maria's eyes warmly. Tsubasa didn't notice the creeping flush on Maria's cheeks as she looked away.
"Thank you!" Serena beamed.
"I'm actually impressed. You two managed to master the song pretty fast." Kanade continued with a hum.
"You both were excellent teachers." Maria said humbly.
"Haha, I know I was a bit harsh but the old men are sticklers for perfection." Kanade said, knowing perfectly well that her stern instruction had pushed the two princesses to be as good as they could be immediately. "Sorry if I said something that offended the two of you."
"We understand, there's no need for you to apologize." Serena said with her patented kind smile. "We're grateful for your instruction."
"But damn, you both have such beautiful voices! You're both going to impress everyone and their mother when you perform at the party." Kanade whistled, looking very impressed. Tsubasa nodded silently to that. She had heard the sisters sing a lot but she didn't think she would ever get tired of hearing them sing.
Both sisters looked pleased this time, even Maria was smiling at the blunt praise. "The two of you have beautiful voices too! We don't even compare! Right, Maria-neesan?" Serena said enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling.
"That is quite true. Your singing is marvelous." Maria praised, looking right at Tsubasa as she said those words. Tsubasa flushed at the sincere praise, her smile becoming even wider as she ducked her head. She had always heard praises about her singing, and their audience was always quick to show their appreciation, but she hadn't felt this glow of pleasure when Maria praised her for a long time now.
"Would you be teaching us another song?" Serena then asked.
"Why don't we take a break for now? We'll teach you a new song tomorrow. Besides, you both need to recover cause tomorrow's going to be intense again." Kanade informed them cheerfully.
"We'll try our best." Maria said with a frail smile.
"Oh come on, it's not that bad." Kanade scoffed, while Maria and Serena only glanced at each other and shrugged. Tsubasa couldn't help but laugh softly when Kanade looked indignant.
"Since we'll teach you a new song tomorrow, we'll teach you more about the history and current events of our lands a bit later." Tsubasa said. "Feel free to ask questions." Both Maria and Serena nodded in acquiescence to that.
"So, how about some lunch for now? I'm starving!" Kanade exclaimed.
"Be patient, Kanade. Kohinata will call us since we'll be eating with the others as well." Tsubasa said lightly.
"Oh right, we'll all be able to eat together today since Hibiki and Chris already took care of the incidents lately." Kanade grinned, looking pleased as she stretched. "The two of them have been working hard even without us."
"Ah, since you've been spending most of your time with us, both of you haven't had time to do your duties as Sentinels…" Maria realized, a slightly guilty look on her face.
"Please, do not be concerned." Tsubasa immediately noticed the look on Maria's face and spoke to assuage her worries. "There haven't been any dire incidents that need our attention. Yukine and Tachibana are also trustworthy and could handle themselves. If there are any emergencies, then we would be informed immediately."
"Besides, Fudou himself gave the order for us to tutor you so it would also be part of our duties to help the two of you out." Kanade pointed out. That seemed to assure Maria as she nodded and relaxed.
There was then a soft knock that came from the sliding doors. Even before any of them could react, the door slid open.
"Excuse us!" Hibiki chirped, a broad grin on her face.
"Oh geez, stop being rude, idiot. They didn't even let us in yet." Chris scolded as she appeared right behind Hibiki.
"Maria! Serena!" Kirika chirped from behind the two. Shirabe and Miku were also behind them, slightly blocked from view.
"It's alright, you're all always welcome here." Serena said, standing up. "Please come in!"
At the invitation, Chris and Hibiki entered, followed by Kirika, Shirabe, and Miku who were all carrying trays balanced on top of each other.
"We thought that we'd just bring our lunches here." Miku explained with a smile.
"A wonderful idea!" Serena sounded thrilled, and even Maria smiled in approval.
Tsubasa carefully put away her shamisen to the side as everyone else crowded around the low table in maria's room. They couldn't all fit but no one seemed to care as Kanade and Chris opted to place their trays on the floor. Tsubasa took a tray to join them.
There was much talking and laughing, as it usually was inevitably when all of them were together. Tsubasa surveyed everyone fondly. She had not at all suspected that the Sentinels would get along so well with Maria and her companions. She watched as Maria laughed at something that Kirika and Shirabe said and it relieved Tsubasa to see her look much more relaxed. There was always a stiffness to Maria which became a lot more noticeable when they arrived in Japan. Tsubasa noticed that Maria would be most relaxed when everyone was together.
Unusually enough, Tsubasa was always fretting at how Maria and the others were adjusting to a foreign land. It's true that they were already familiar with Japan and its customs, and were clearly comfortable enough in conversing in Japanese. However, it still made Tsubasa worry to think that they were all exiled from their home. Being forced to live in a foreign country would not be the most pleasant of things but they all seemed to be adjusting well. Or at least, Tsubasa hoped so. All four of them didn't talk much about their home, and mostly it was about Nastassja and the occasional antics of Kirika and Shirabe. Maria's outburst during the party on the ship had been the only time that Tsubasa heard more of their circumstances.
"So, how have your lessons been?" Hibiki inquired as they were all finishing up their meals.
"Pretty alright." Kanade answered casually, though there was a bright and proud grin on her face betraying just how pleased she was. "They already nailed a song, and I guarantee they would knock the socks off anyone listening."
"Of course, it's Maria and Serena after all!" Kirika chirped, puffing her chest in pride.
"I wanna hear." Shirabe said softly, though her eyes were shining quite earnestly.
"Me too, me too!" Hibiki was practically bouncing in her seat, and Miku automatically placed a hand on Hibiki's thigh to keep her still.
"We'd love to hear it." Miku said sincerely.
"Even Chris-chan would want to hear!" Hibiki exclaimed, dragging the silent Chris into it.
"H-hey!" Chris protested, looking a bit offended.
"You don't want to?" Hibiki asked, tilting her head and her shoulders slumping a little.
"...I didn't say that." Chris huffed, crossing her arms.
"Well, up for another round you two?" Kanade asked with a slight laugh, looking at Maria and Serena.
"If everyone is demanding so…" Maria trailed off, looking at Serena who met her gaze with a wide smile.
"It would be our pleasure to sing for all of you." Serena finished warmly.
"Well, you heard them Tsubasa! They'll need your help!" Kanade grinned.
"Of course." Tsubasa smiled back a little, taking her shamisen back into her hands.
Hibiki and Kirika cheered as they all scrambled to clear the trays and the table so that they would be unbothered while watching the impromptu performance. There was a certain degree of excited anticipation in the room as Tsubasa began playing the first notes of the song. Maria and Serena's voices then rang through the room, beautiful and melodic. Everyone else was utterly silent, fascinated and enraptured by the traditional song.
So it was a bit of a surprise when Kanade's powerful and crooning voice joined in on the second stanza of the song, and Tsubasa looked at her. Kanade only winked at her as she easily kept up with the sisters who didn't falter at the surprise. Unable to help herself, Tsubasa opened her mouth and started singing as well, happily joining in. As if not wanting to be outdone, Hibiki also joined in, a huge grin on her face. It was almost automatic that Miku also started singing, followed by Kirika and Shirabe. Chris looked almost begrudging but she had a small blush on her cheeks before she finally joined in as well.
The song they were singing was a famous and traditional song known by everyone and so it was no surprise that the others could sing it. Kirika and Shirabe could sing it most likely because they would often listen in on the lessons when they had free time. Even Tsubasa had lost count on how many times they repeated the song and the other two were able to pick it up.
Everyone was smiling as they sang happily together. Tsubasa found herself having fun, not anyone of them minding a wrong note or a mistake in the lyrics. Tsubasa's playing became faster to suit the mood, and everyone else followed her lead. Snorts of laughter and giggles weren't uncommon now as Kanade became more playful and dramatic with her singing, making faces and exaggerated movements. Kirika even burst out laughing when Kanade adopted what could only be Genjuuro's usual mannerisms, lowering her voice and using her fingers to imitate his thick eyebrows.
Not to be outdone, Hibiki imitated what could only be Chris' cutely embarrassed expression whenever she was caught off-guard, the shy movements not at all suiting her. Of course, Chris outright growled and tackled Hibiki while everyone else burst into laughter, the song coming to a stop.
Instinctively, Tsubasa looked over at Maria as she heard her clear and melodious laughter above the others. Tsubasa was instantly mesmerized. Maria looked utterly radiant as she laughed without a care in the world. She had only seen it once before, when Maria had consumed too much mead on that party in the ship seemingly so long ago. Just like then, Tsubasa was fascinated and she ended up staring in wonder.
"Okay, break it up you two." Kanade scolded, easily pulling the two apart by the collar.
"I do not look like that!" Chris growled, still trying her best to get out of Kanade's grip.
"That's what you say but everyone knows it was you." Hibiki teased with a grin.
"Hibiki! Even if that's true you shouldn't tease Chris so!" Miku scolded.
"And you're insulting me too." Chris scowled at Miku, who at least had the grace to look sheepish at the accusation.
"What manner of racket is happening here?" An outraged voice exclaimed just as the doors slid open. Everyone instantly quieted down when the strict Masada Akiko, the one in charge of all the servants in the castle, appeared.
"Tachibana-san!" She immediately caught sight of Hibiki who winced. "Kohinata-san! Even Akatsuki-san and Tsukuyomi-san!" Miku, Kirika, and Shirabe all winced as well. "What is the meaning of this?! Being so rowdy with Tsubasa-sama and even the Princesses..!" Akiko looked very angry indeed. In fact, she looked like she was starting to become purple as she glared at the mentioned people.
"Overreacting much?" Tsubasa heard Kanade mutter under her breath. Tsubasa then stood up to diffuse the tension, knowing that Hibiki and the others would be scolded for such a mundane reason as this.
"Masada-san," Tsubasa called out to her right before she was about to launch into a tirade. "There's no need to scold them. We invited them here."
"But Tsubasa-sama..! Such blatant disrespect and rowdiness..!" Akiko tried to reason.
"It is not their fault." Tsubasa cut through her before she could argue. "And I do not mind at all. We are all comrades here. If you were complaining about the noise, then tell me directly for it was I who started it."
"A-ah… My apologies, Tsubasa-sama! I did not mean to…" Akiko paled at that.
"And I would appreciate it if you do not barge into our rooms without invitation, Masada-san." Maria's cool voice joined in as she too stood up, looking quite regal and authoritative. "I understand that you are an important figure in this household, but please consider not being rude to your guests." Tsubasa tried not to glance at Maria, faintly impressed at how intimidating yet beautiful Maria looked. It reminded her of the time that they first met just a few months ago.
Akiko looked very chastised at that. "My apologies, Princess Maria, Tsubasa-sama." She then said before leaving to avoid further embarrassment.
"Well, that was awkward." Kanade commented as soon as the door closed back again.
"Thanks, Tsubasa-san! You saved us!" Hibiki said gratefully.
"And Maria too." Shirabe added, smiling faintly at Maria.
"It wasn't a problem." Tsubasa said, running a hand through her hair.
"Man, that Masada always has a stick up her butt. We weren't even being that rowdy." Kanade complained.
"We should've done this at home instead of here. You know how the old men around here don't like noise." Chris pointed out.
"Is it really forbidden to make so much noise here?" Serena asked, her eyebrows creased slightly.
"Well, it's not really expressly forbidden but I guess it's just what everyone expects around here." Chris shrugged.
"We can have some fun again at our place, when we all have some free time again." Kanade suggested.
"That sounds great!" Kirika looked pretty excited.
"Would we be allowed..?" Maria asked with a bit of a worried frown. It was a fair question, as neither of the princesses had ventured out of the castle yet.
"If you want, I shall ask my father. But I think it would be alright, it's still within the castle grounds, and I would be accompanying you." Tsubasa said thoughtfully. Maria shot her a grateful look and nodded.
"We should go though, we still have our other duties to attend to. Masada-sama might become angry again." Miku said apologetically as she stood up.
"We'll see you all later!" Hibiki said as the arrivals earlier stood up and took the empty trays with them. Kanade and Serena waved goodbye at them while Tsubasa and Maria nodded in acknowledgement.
The happy energy that the others brought left along with them. Tsubasa was a little disappointed to see them go. Singing was a lot more fun with all of them together.
"It's almost sad, huh?" Kanade commented, seemingly reading the look on Tsubasa's face fairly easily. Tsubasa nodded a little and Kanade patted her briefly on the shoulder.
"More fun times soon." Kanade promised before turning back to Maria and Serena. "So, who's ready for the history lesson?"
Tsubasa felt maybe just a tiny bit nervous as she and Kanade led Maria, Serena, Kirika and Shirabe to their home. It had been almost a week since they promised to show them to the Sentinel's headquarters, the place where Tsubasa truly felt at home. She wanted of course for Maria to like it. She wasn't exactly sure why but it felt that it was very important.
"...it's a pretty cozy place! And no one is breathing down your neck like in the castle." Tsubasa heard Kirika recount cheerfully to Maria and Serena. Of course, Kirika and Shirabe had already been there quite a few times to help out, but they haven't been to the area where their private quarters were.
Ryoko, Genjuuro, Chris and Hibiki were waiting to greet them at the entrance of their home. After some brief greetings, they all were about to go inside when Ogawa appeared, looking alarmed and serious. It was a look that Tsubasa was familiar with and she paused.
"Commander! There's an emergency!" Ogawa said urgently. "Bandits have taken five people hostages, right outside the city!"
Immediately, Tsubasa and the other Sentinels looked at each other in alarm.
"Alright, all Sentinels to my office, now!" Genjuuro quickly commanded.
"Yes!" The Sentinels all chorused.
"Miku-kun, Ryoko-kun, keep the Princesses here for now." Genjuuro said and the two nodded, ushering the others into the house.
Tsubasa saw Maria look at her in worry, and she smiled briefly to assure her. The Sentinels were needed right now. Tsubasa was then surprised when Maria mouthed something to her, and being trained to read lips, Tsubasa easily discerned what she wanted to say.
'Stay safe.' Maria mouthed before she was ushered inside. Tsubasa blinked for a moment, surprised before a warm feeling seemingly engulfed her heart before she followed everyone else to Genjuuro's office.
A bit of a cliffhanger this time. There's going to be some exciting times in the next chapter so look forward to that!
Thanks to sacredwhitefire for beta-ing this chapter!