Disclaimer: Nope, still not CLAMP. Sure do miss this manga, though.
Pronouns: Ne/nem/nirs for Hana, barely. I mostly wrote this while still in the habit of avoiding pronouns for Hana, so i think neopronouns only show up a couple times toward the end.
In the early morning, Hana dreams of some things that are nice to remember and other things that Hana would rather not think about.
Chikahito's breakfast call is welcome, and not just because he always makes a point of making noodles for Hana. Before he came to live with them, it was Tachibana's job to make breakfast on the mornings Sakura wasn't there. Hana loves Tachibana, but cooking isn't one of his best skills. Even though Chikahito's just learning Japanese-style cooking, he's already better at it than Tachibana.
That's not to say Tachibana's cooking is bad; it's not. It's not bad, but that's all that can be said about it.
Oh, but he's even more of a pushover about Hana's noodles than Chikahito. And Hana loves him, no matter what his cooking tastes like.
So it's Chikahito's breakfast call that really gets Hana moving in the mornings. It makes Hana happy to see everybody, Chikahito and Tachibana and the tiger-spirit and sometimes Sakura, all eating together and getting ready for the day.
Family is important.
Tachibana is grumpy in the mornings, and Chikahito is still a bit clueless about how to talk to him, but Sakura and Hana can smooth things over. They talk about plans for the day, and the future, and what they all like to eat. Hana helps set the table, and Sakura helps clean up after. The tiger-spirit likes to run after Chikahito, whatever he's doing.
It's nice to be together when they aren't fighting.
But fighting together is better than fighting alone.
After breakfast everyone has to get ready to go. Everyone but Hana and the tiger-spirit.
It's boring for the two of them to be alone at the house all day. Chikahito and Tachibana are at school. Sakura is at work. Masamune goes to school too, so Hana can't go to visit him.
It gets lonely sometimes. Lonely like the time when Hana was waiting alone, before Tachibana and Sakura came. Lonely like it was when Hana was the only one who was 'not.'
It's better now than it used to be. Chikahito is here, and Masamune and Yukimura have both moved to Kyoto too, so Hana can go play with them anytime.
So Hana does. Hana likes helping out at Yukimura's kindergarten, and it's fun to play with the kids. Friends are important too.
Sometimes the tiger-spirit comes with Hana to Yukimura's place, and sometimes the two of them stay home to play with the other cats in the kami-shichiken. It depends.
Hana does like to walk out with Chikahito. It's not always convenient, because their schedules don't match, but Hana likes spending time with him, and wants to be there to protect him if anything happens. Chikahito can't fight like Hana or the others.
So they head out together. Hana watches out for Chikahito, but he doesn't even notice – he's distracted by all the wonders of Kyoto. It's really easy to make Chikahito happy.
It's nice to be reminded of the good things about the city. It can be easy to forget, when you live there. Sakura has said so too.
Hana and the tiger-spirit peel off when they pass Yukimura's kindergarten, and Chikahito goes on to school. Hana hopes he has fun, and wishes him a good day.
There might not be many good days left.
That's why it's important to enjoy today. The tiger-spirit jumps down from Hana's shoulder to run the length of the play yard, and Hana goes in to see what Yukimura has planned.
Yukimura is gathering the children together for morning exercises, and he waves when he catches sight of Hana. Hana waves back.
"Good news, everyone!" Yukimura announces. "Hana-san is here to help!"
The children cheer. They like Hana, and Hana likes them. There was some confusion at first – the kids weren't sure how to address Hana, since Hana isn't really a nii-chan or a nee-chan. Some of the bolder ones call Hana 'Hana-chan', and the others follow Yukimura's example and say 'Hana-san'. Hana doesn't mind either way.
The Miyoshi brothers are the only members of the Ten Braves who work with Yukimura at the daycare center. Seikai is helping Yukimura with the kids, so Hana goes into the back room to see if Isa needs help back there.
He does. Today's craft needs some more prep, so Hana sits down and cuts yarn into carefully measured lengths. When that's done, Hana joins Isa in cutting out leaf patterns from large sheets of construction paper.
They need a lot of leaves.
So Hana cuts, and Isa cuts, and when they have lots of leaves the two of them gather them all up and take them out with the yarn and the markers to the main room. It's not craft time yet, but they'll be ready when it is.
Hana and Isa were working through the early lessons, so now it's time for morning play out in the yard. The kids want to play tag, which is fun.
The tiger-spirit came in sometime while Hana was in the back, and is now stretched out on a windowsill in the morning sunlight. It raises its head now, as the kids all gather round the door, and jumps down to bound across the floor to Hana and Yukimura.
"Yes, you want to play too, is that right?" Yukimura asks, as Seikai opens the door to escort the kids outside. To Hana, he says, "It's fun for the children as well, to have you and Torako-san play with them."
Hana blinks up at him.
Yukimura takes a moment to realize what he said. "I'm sorry!" he exclaims. "I should not have assumed. It's just that i never heard the tiger-spirit's name."
Hana's head shakes. "It's okay. The tiger-spirit didn't have a name yet. It's happy now." The tiger-spirit rubs against Yukimura's shins in gratitude.
"Is that right?" Yukimura crouches to scratch the tiger-spirit's ears. The newly named Torako purrs like a bumblebee.
Hana nods. "Torako is a good name." Outside, the kids call for Hana, and Hana gives a little wave. "I'll go now. Come on, Torako!"
Torako and Hana scamper outside after the kids, and they all have a great time chasing each other around the schoolyard. After playtime is lunch – Hana shares around the bento Chikahito made – and then naptime – Torako curls up against one student's ribs while Hana helps Yukimura and the others set up for the craft in the afternoon.
When the kids wake up, Yukimura explains what the craft is going to be, while Isa and Seikai help the kids get started and Hana passes out supplies. Some of the kids show Hana what they made. Hana likes seeing how they're all different, even though it was the same craft.
It's not long after that that parents start coming to get their children. That's when school lets out, and Hana doesn't need to be there to help with this. Hana has someone else to meet.
One day when running an errand for Yukimura, Hana discovered Masamune's route home. Now Hana lies in wait, waiting for the perfect chance to spring.
When the chance comes, Hana takes it, leaping out into the street. "Hello, Masamune!"
"Hana!" the boy cries out. He takes Hana's hands and whirls them both around in a circle. "It's so good to see you!"
Hana smiles back at him, glad Masamune is so glad. Hana doesn't know whether his feelings are genuine, or if it's because of Hana's true identity. Hana hopes it's the former – does Masamune even know who Hana really is? Either way, for now it's enough just to spend time with him.
"You look different," Hana tells him. It's true; Masamune in a school uniform is much less flashy than how he normally dresses around Hana.
"I know!" he exclaims. "I hate this uniform. It just doesn't have any style. I look like a clod in it." He brushes angrily at his jacket.
Hana shakes nir head. "No, it doesn't look bad."
Masamune's eyes swim with tears. "Really?"
Hana nods authoritatively. "You look good."
"Oh, Hana!" Masamune bursts into loud sobs and throws his arms around Hana. Hana reaches up to pet his head in comfort. Masamune gets worried about that kind of thing. That's why he tries so hard. But he always looks good.
Sweethearts are also important.
Masamune is warm, and he grips Hana tightly. It reminds Hana that they are here, right now, not in the past or the future or floating some place outside time, waiting. And being here, right now, with Masamune makes Hana happy. It doesn't matter so much when now is, or where here is, so long as it's real and happening.
Masamune lets go and steps back, a radiant smile on his face. "So how are you? Whatcha up to?"
"Looking for you," Hana replies, and Masamune's eyes well up. Hana forestalls the inevitable cascade of tears by asking, "Do you have anything you need to do today?"
"No!" Masamune declares vehemently. "And even if i did, Hana, spending time with you is more important! There's nothing i couldn't put off if you asked me to, Hana."
"Okay," Hana says, and shoves Masamune's shoulder. "You're it." And Hana is off before Masamune has a chance to react, darting through the crowded sidewalk. The tiger-spirit scampers alongside.
"You – hey – get back here!" Masamune chases after them, as Hana knew he would. Masamune can't ever resist a challenge. Hana didn't know him in the old days, but has heard it was true then, too.
Hana runs down the sidewalk, dodging other pedestrians, always careful not to go so fast that Masamune would lose nem. He catches up just as Hana slows to turn into a park, and tackles Hana to the ground. "Ha! You can't get away from me that easy!"
Hana laughs out loud in delight, and tries to roll away. Masamune's grip is too tight, and he exclaims, "There's no escaping from the conqueror of the north! If you surrender, i'll treat you fairly!"
"Never," Hana gasps, and nips at his arm. Masamune lets go with a startled yelp, and Hana seizes the advantage. Ne pins him to the ground easily, flustered as he is with the unexpected mouth-to-skin contact. "Surrender," Hana tells him.
"I surrender," Masamune says promptly, still flushed red. "You're the only one i'll ever surrender to, Hana."
It's an uncomfortable confession for Hana, because it reminds nem that someday Masamune might become an enemy. Hana pushes that thought firmly down, and gets up, deliberately leaving a wide opening, but Masamune is as good as his word.
The two of them play in the park until Kojyuuroh comes looking for them, and then Hana sends a text to the others at the ura-shichiken. Is it okay to invite Masamune and Kojyuuroh over for dinner?
The answers come back one at a time. Yes, they all say, with varying levels of enthusiasm. It's obvious Tachibana only agreed because Hana was the one who asked. It's okay. They may not like each other, but Hana knows they understand each other.
Hana brings Masamune and Kojyuuroh back to the ura-shichiken, where Chikahito and Sakura have been hard at work preparing dinner enough for the six of them. The tiger-spirit bounds ahead of them to climb Chikahito like a tree, while Masamune laughs. Hana bounds ahead to sneak a peek at the noodles.
Hana gets a peek, but then Sakura picks nem up by the armpits. "It'll be ready soon," he says with a smile in his voice. "Give it a minute, and you can have all you want." He shoos Hana back to the main room, and Hana lets him. Someone has to keep the glares and jabs from breaking out into a battle, after all, and Hana is well-suited for it.
Dinner is ready before Masamune and Tachibana decide they should kill each other after all. Hana thinks most of it is posturing. They don't really dislike each other; they just don't want to let on that they trust each other. It's fine.
But the noodles are better than fine, and Hana is ecstatic. Food is meant to be enjoyed, and noodles are meant to be enjoyed before they get soggy. Hana will show full respect to the noodles Chikahito made by enjoying them to the fullest.
Everyone is happy to eat Chikahito's cooking, even Masamune, but he'll never say so. The others all compliment his cooking. Hana, Masamune, and Tachibana show appreciation by slurping. Torako climbs onto Chikahito's thigh to sniff at the meal. He shoves the spirit down. "That's not for you!" The spirit gets back up, but doesn't come as close to the table this time.
Sakura asks Kojyuuroh and Masamune how they've been doing in Kyoto. Kojyuuroh starts telling a story, and Masamune offers Hana a bite of his food. It's the same meal Hana has, but it's different because he's offering it from his own plate.
Hana chomps.
"How about you, Hana? How was your day?" Sakura must think Hana's eaten enough to be ready to talk during the meal. Hana doesn't mind.
"Yukimura named the tiger-spirit," Hana says after swallowing. "It's called Torako now." Torako perks up a bit at the sound of its name.
"Ah, is that right?"
"Kind of obvious for a name, isn't it?" Tachibana asks. "It doesn't really sound like he put a lot of thought into it."
"Well, it's not like any of us gave it a name," Sakura reminds him.
"Torako likes it," Hana points out. The tiger-spirit purrs loudly enough that they can hear it all around the table.
"If Hana says it's a good name, that should be good enough!" Masamune declares.
"It's not really our business, though, Masamune-sama," Kojyuuroh chides gently.
"Mrr," Torako says decisively, and pushes its head against Chikahito's forearm. "Torako!" he exclaims, and sets his chopsticks down to rub the tiger-spirit's ears. "Torako, huh? It is a nice name."
And that settles it. They eat and chat until dinner's gone, and after that they clear up and chat some more. When it gets dark, Hana walks Masamune and Kojyuuroh out to the front gate. Masamune flings his arms around Hana's shoulders. "Oh, Hana, how can i ever say goodnight?"
Hana pets his head. "Hana will see you tomorrow."
Masamune pushes his face into Hana's neck. It reminds Hana of Torako butting against Chikahito. "I hate every minute i can't spend by your side," he tells Hana. "We should just get married now! Then you can live with me!"
Kojyuuroh smacks him, and Hana is glad to be spared an awkward reply. They don't know what'll happen in the future. Hana is still waiting for someone.
"See you later," Hana says, when Kojyuuroh is done telling Masamune off.
"Yeah, see you!" Masamune waves, and keeps waving and looking back while Kojyuuroh guides him down the street with a hand on his shoulder. Hana watches by the gate until the two of them are no longer visible.
Back inside, Chikahito and Sakura are finishing putting away the dinner dishes, while Tachibana goes over his notes for a lecture tomorrow. His free hand idly rubs Torako's shoulders.
Suddenly feeling lonely, Hana goes to give each of them a hug. Sakura gives Hana a return squeeze, Chikahito blushes and stutters, and Tachibana puts his notes aside to wrap his arm around Hana. "Tired?" he asks.
Hana nods. "Yeah."
"It was a good day, huh?" Sakura sets something sweet in front of each of them as he comes to sit at the adjoining side of the table.
"Yeah," Hana says again. The sweets are good – not handmade, but good. So was today; the one Hana is waiting for hasn't appeared – not yet – but no one got hurt, and Hana had fun. It's enough, for now.
But it's late, and Tachibana and Chikahito need to sleep for school tomorrow, and Sakura has work, and Hana has a feeling Hidetsugu is going to call them with a job. Even if he doesn't, there's lots Hana can do tomorrow, too.
So they all go to bed. Tachibana and Sakura peel off into their rooms, and Chikahito lays out his futon in the hallway, and Hana continues up to the attic. Torako sleeps wherever Torako wants. Tonight it follows Hana all the way up.
Hana changes into pajamas and lays out nir own futon. Torako curls up against Hana's side as Hana settles in for the night. Hana strokes it absently.
The one Hana is waiting for still hasn't appeared. Tachibana and Sakura are still waiting too. They haven't found any clues to Tachibana's sister, or to the enemy general Iemitsu. War is still brewing.
But today was a good day.
A/N: I realized while i was working on "Loyalty" that if i wrote only a few more G7 stories, i'd have written fully half the archive. I've always complained about how small and inactive the G& fandom is, but now total domination seems like something to strive for. Luckily i had a lot of unfinished WIPs already waiting in my drafts folder for me to work on.