Touken Ranbu: Pair of Flower
Disclaimer: Touken Ranbu is owned by DMM and Nitroplus, Touken Ranbu Hanamaru is made by Doga Kobo. Some translation is from Touken Ranbu Wikia
Summary: Something strange is going on with Yamatonokami Yasusada, therefore Kashuu Kiyomitsu must keep an eye on him before it's all too late.
Note: Thanks for reading also please support my own manga at tapas comics named 'paradox mansion' anyhow! as said... This is base on a dream I had after watching Hanamaru and the stage play heart to heart duet song of Okitagumi my goodness. Don't ask why the hell I had such dream, all I know I enjoyed the movie inside my dreams and I want you guys to enjoy it too! :3
**New Timeline**
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"Ow!" Yasusada just made a cut to his index finger by the shovel.
'Ahh it's red.' Recalling something to compare it. 'Just like Kiyomitsu's beautiful red eyes...'
Meanwhile the other exclaimed by the sight of small blood. "Idiot! What do you think you're doing?!" Approached by Kiyomitsu with a straw hat who obviously hates the sunlight.
Today they were signed up for the field work and it happens that Yasusada pick the shovel up wrongfully and made himself bleed from it's sharp edges.
"Ah, blood is coming out." He says with interest and showed it to Kiyomitsu. "Look." Kiyomitsu whose disgusted just said it himself. "Keep that away from me you freak!" Then he look at his pockets to find a cute band aid. The latter is actually thinking of something crazy. 'I wonder how it taste...' and proceeds to suck it.
"Give me your hand-"
Kiyomitsu freaks out when Yasusada sips his own blood from his index finger. "W-what the hell Yasusada? That is so disgusting!" Roughly pulling it away from the other's mouth, traced saliva lingers and Kiyomitsu face palm about it. "Do you not know the word infection or you are just going to disregard human body logic?"
What a headache to take care of someone like him, truly hard to use.
Yasusada who looks satisfied after tasting his own blood. "It is surprisingly rusty." He commented, "Maybe because we used to be steel of swords...is that right Kiyomitsu? Have you taste your own blood before?"
Unbelivable, "hhaahh? Why would I do that! Yasusada you crazy or something!?" Immediately he sealed the cut by the cute band aid with flower patterns on it. Yasusada pouts, "Does that mean am the only one whose curious how blood taste?" Kiyomitsu made the face of 'Is-that-even-really-a-question'.
Yasusada gave him an innocent look.
'Seriously?' Kiyomitsu is nearly running out of comeback to response to the ridiculous questions of Okita Souji's favorite sword.
'That reminds me, back then Yasusada did mention he likes the color of blood.' Feeling nervous from that memory, Kiyomitsu allowed Yasusada to continue on telling him his opinion. "I mean back when we were sword, we cut through flesh and get soak with blood but we never know how it taste even it was just in the tip of our mouths." Somehow Yasusada looks passionate about it and it disturbs Kiyomitsu to the core.
"Now is the opportunity to know how it taste, blood sure is enchanting on its own especially if they are the blood of your fallen enemies!"
That just sound twisted but his partner look so innocent on it. Kiyomitsu said nothing, except scream inside his head. 'How can he say that with a gentle smile...?!'
Yamatonokami Yasusada is still bound to his birth maybe.
"Oiii Kashuu-san!" Their attention were taken by Ishikirimaru whose waving a paper list. "You are chosen to dispatch on a sortie with us. Hurry and get ready!"
Kiyomitsu jumps in delight. "Sure!" Then scolds Yasusada. "You better have that cut dis infect with Yagen alright?!"
Presistency, Yasusada laughs nervously.
"O-ok then. Good luck on your mission Kiyomitsu."
...Kiyomitsu and Sanjo sword went to dispatch, while Yasusada ask help from Yagen to dis infect his petty cut.
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***During the Alternative Timeline***
"...Kiyomitsu, do not worry I will prevent this future. Because I love you and Okita-kun, we won't be separated again."
He pulls away from the hug and cups Kashuu's cheeks so dearly, so loving he smiled for him. "Goodbye for now."
Kashuu didn't like that, he yearns love but not this...Not twisted like this!
'No...please don't.'
That is why when Kashuu saw how Yasusada was enveloped by blue flames, he knew he got to do something even if he is dying already. Without hesitation, he jumps to cuddle around his body.
To stop him going more crazier than ever.
"I won't let you go Yasusada!"
"Let go! Kiyomitsu...!"
Kashuu didn't want to be separated again.
'When you finally arrive at citadel, how I waited so damn long...We are finally together...yet you are just going to discard it for that person?!'
Angry.
"Not this time...!"
Kashuu didn't take off his eyes to Yasusada when both of them had been absorb by the time travel light.
"Aaaah!"
During that time, Kashuu's eyes went drop dead. Yasusada cried and then a black hole absorbed him separating the two in process.
Kashuu Kiyomitsu is dead to him, so Yasusada thought to revise the time. However a 2nd miracle happen. It was just 10 minutes had passed that Kiyomitsu's soul had been in a dream state.
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'I can feel it...the Saniwa...the Saniwa is trying to summon me back...'
Not knowing his sword body is being repaired at that moment. Kashuu opened his eyes and found himself in a dark place where his boots stepping on ripples of water.
'Where am...?' Looking down at the ripples of water, it reflected his past reflection.
The version of him that he hate the most, It is the old Kashuu Kiyomitsu in shinsengumi looks. 'This is...could it be...am dead?'
Suddenly a pink petal had drop to his reflection making him remember what has transpired in a whole story. 'Wait...that is right am...!' Kashuu panics as he did not see the guy he was trying to save.
"Yasusada!? Where are you...!?" Running in the darkness, he hears nothing but the splash of water every time he moves.
Splash, splash, splash!
"Dammit! Did you disappear already...?" Tearing up and cursed inside his mind.
'In the end I was not love...?' Only to spot a version of him in his casual red clothes. "T-that guy!"
He forced him to face him by pulling the other Kiyomitsu whose shock and frighten upon meeting eye to eye with him.
"W-wha-"
"Stop Yasusada! Save him from his wrong decisions! I beg you! Me!" Kashuu was desperate. It does not matter if he sound pathetic or if he looks un-cute.
Even though he has no idea what is this realm of darkness called...if it is not a memory, if his hunch was right that this is some sort of time purgatory space...
Then perhaps the other him can do something.
Kiyomitsu of the others self trembled with doubts. "Huh? Me? A bloodied me...?!"
The connection snaps.
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**New Timeline**
A bright sky.
"Kashuu-dono!" Iwatoshii shakes him.
Kiyomitsu slowly clutch his head, he notices he was on the grass.
Technically lying on the ground.
'Wha...t...?'
Above him a clear image of the Sanjo swords worried about him.
"Hey? You okay?" Kogitsunemaru asks. Kiyomitsu echoed in his mind. 'A dream...?' Iwatoshii is panicking though. "You fainted! You okay?" However Kiyomitsu hasn't regain himself to the reality and blurts out. "...just now, what was that?"
Everyone had a question mark in their heads. "The what?"
Realizing that he is no longer dreaming and that he was out on a sortie today with Sanjo swords, Kiyomitsu brushed it off. "N-nothing." And slowly he stood up while Iwatoshii is making sure he can stand back.
Mikadzuki didn't say anything but his eyes looks so serious that Kiyomitsu had to look away and see the other's reaction instead. "Kashuu-san! Are you feeling ill?" Imanotsurugi asks too and is totally scared for his health.
Ishikirimaru suggested a move. "You are our captain on this scouting. If you are unwell, we must go back to the citadel. I'm sure Aruji would understand."
So many questions going on in his head, Kashuu gave it up for now and give a weak nod as agreement to go home.
Everyone smiled.
"Alright let us get back and have Kashuu rest." Mikadzuki says happily.
Kiyomitsu ignored him and focus to his own thoughts. 'What the hell is going on?'
When they returned to the citadel he was greeted by Izuminokami and Horikawa who heard the news about him suddenly falling off his knees and lay on the grass weakly.
"Hey Kiyomitsu, I heard you are sick. How was your repair?" Kanesada says frankly. He was been checked by the Saniwa and found nothing wrong but he was advice to rest.
Even though it should upset him, Kiyomitsu felt relief that he can have space for now. "Hmm..."Kiyomitsu whose still in cloud nine just laughs and lied.
"I guess I need more love to be stronger~" Kanesada made a face. "What is this? Aren't you just slacking then?"
Horikawa giggles and pats Kanesada's back to save them from arguing. "Now, now Kane-san. By the looks of it Kiyomitsu-san is ready to go back to his room to change back to his clothes and rest." Kanesada complains but Horikawa gave Kiyomitsu the signal to go run away.
Smiling to Horikawa, indeed he needs rest which is why Kiyomitsu went back to the room.
The room was empty.
It is still morning, he can guess Yasusada is still working at the field.
Getting dressed, Kiyomitsu retraced his scar on his neck and talks to his reflection. "...save Yasusada, a version of me whose beaten and un cute...bleeding and crying...is he a dream or someone from a different time...?" It was just a hunch.
For whatever reason his head isn't on the game for the rest of the day and the other day.
1 week later.
"Kiyomitsu you are wide open~!" Yasusada grins as he took the food from his sword partner. Awakened, "Ah! My dango!" It was too late. Yasusada eats the dango that he stole and proudly warned him. "Stop dozing off or I will eat them all next time!" Yasusada giggles, It is then he noticed that Yamatonokami is wearing the familiar pink flower hairpin he gave him.
It was pinned to his bangs like how he placed it before.
"Eh? That hairpin...you still have it?" Not believing what he sees how Yasusada willingly wore it, "Well yeah? You gave it to me, so of course I will keep it." He casually says. Kiyomitsu chuckles nervously. "I thought you didn't like it because it was too flashy..."
Yasusada is always straight forward, he did not try to sweet talk on him with lies or anything. He just admits what and why he is wearing them for no reason. "Well yeah but it is a gift from you. There is no way I can throw it do I...? I wear it to remind of myself not to be cocky as you said." He tilt his head. Good thing a small smile appeared to Kiyomitsu's lips.
"I see...thanks."
But then it fainted to another gloomy face.
Not understanding the mood of Kiyomitsu whose acting like he had period or what.
Yasusada cannot ignore it anymore and opens his concern for him. "Uhh, are you bothered about something? It has been one week since your scouting with the Sanjo swords. You had been...sad on something. Did you have an argument with them?"
"No, it's not that."
"Then what is it? Come on, you can tell me."
"O-ok, I guess you won't. I will respect that as long as you promise to eat properly..."
"Hmm.."
"...Hehe."
"Hey...About our past before we gain bodies. Do you want to talk about it?" Yasusada gave him a look of 'where on earth did that came from' topic moment. So he retorts a question too. "Do you want to?" Kiyomitsu pressed his lips together and claws the pillow mat he has been sitting for a while with Yasusada on their room table. "I-I don't mind today...about him too."
With a blank expression Yasusada tried to comfort his roommate whose obviously not comfortable. "Kiyomitsu you don't need to do this, I know I still have those dreams that I mention but am okay." But Kiyomitsu is being stubborn and pushed the conversation to continue. "Yasusada...I-I love Okita. I wanted to fight with him without getting broken and yet...I snapped in the tip and my head felled off." He touches his scarf specifically touching where his scar is hidden but Yasusada does not know about it.
"It was the scariest thing I had felt and seen."
Yasusada is silent for a while before he had a solemn expression. "Me too, I love Okita-kun that I cannot swear my loyalty yet to our new Aruji. I'm sorry if I cannot see the miracle you image since you were reborn. For me, am still stuck in the past...but I want to get stronger." In the end he gave him an assuring smile that he won't lost his way if the time comes to raid Ikedaya Inn again.
"Look into my eyes."
Feeling a sense of relief, they stared at each others eyes with kindness and passion to keep it together.
"Yasusada..."
"Kiyomitsu..."
But then,
"Excuse me are you guys busy?" Tsurumaru pop out his head to their sliding door that was not even closed.
"WAAH?!"
Both startled and scared, Tsurumaru laughs his ass.
"Hahaha! That is a surprise! I did not even mean to surprise you two but you got surprised~! Amusing!" Kiyomitsu and Yasusada glares at him, Kiyomitsu is the one who changes the topic first though. "A-anyway! Tsurumaru what is it?" Tsurumaru lift the paper with list of sword arrangement for the mission today. "We got order from Aruji, Kashuu you are on it. You are back in track~!" Kiyomitsu who immediately sparkles. "Oh, am so loved I see. Ok I'll get ready!" And proceeds to open the closet.
Noting Yamatonokami just sitting still, Tsurumaru smirks. "And as for Yamatonokami~" he gave him a paper. "Eh?" It was a list of whose job is here and then at citadel. "You are signed for sweeping today while am onto the horses!" Accepting the order, Yasusada chuckles. "I see, roger that." And went ahead to get the broomstick to sweep the fallen leaves in the whole citadel.
...
After Kashuu's connection broke with the other him, he found himself teleported back to the era of 2205.
Gaining control of himself, he was standing at the yard, a familiar scent of air he began to walk. 'Where is this...? Am back to the citadel-' to spot Yasusada in his casual clothes sweeping the yard with a broomstick, he stop at his tracks. 'Wait, Yasusada is normal? Then this isn't the right timeline! How do I get back?'
Unfortunately he forgot to hide that Yasusada of this timeline noticed him without any suspicion. "Hm? Kiyomitsu what are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be going now?"
Panic gain its ability to Kashuu's body but he tries to play it cool by not running away. He just frozen in spot. 'No! I've been spotted!' Thinking how to escape this he came up with a plan. 'Ugh I have choice...instead of running I can just...'
So he walks forward to greet the Yasusada with the pink flower hairpin attached to his bangs. Kashuu was anxious. "Ya...susada..."
Noticing Kashuu is awkwardly walking towards him. "Kiyomitsu...?" He stared at him.
Kashuu smiles and observe the other silently. 'By the looks of it, he isn't surprised am wearing my armor. So maybe...the me in this timeline is currently...'
Waving his hand to bring a topic of his own. "I-It's nothing. I see, am pick to depart today...? Yikes." He guessed. Yasusada raised an eyebrow, "What is wrong with you? Aren't you happy? You were happy earlier." Yasusada narrowed his eyes but nothing threatening.
"Hnn, you acting weird."
Meanwhile the other thinks, 'I see! Thank goodness I guessed it right! Now I got to stay away before the real Kashuu Kiyomitsu makes his entrance!' Fearing to destroy the history more than it did, Kashuu retreats "I'll get going then! Take care of yourself ok?"
Yasusada who did not take that advice as anything special. "Of course." Kashuu is pissed and shakes him. "I mean it Yasusada! Promise me you will take care of yourself...with that hairpin..." noticing the red eyes behavior is strange to drop at his hairpin like it was so big deal, Yasusada gaining sweat drops on his head because of the intent stare.
'Why is he so worked up?' Wanting to get out of the stare of the red eyes of his, he nods. "Y-yes I promise." Making a half ass promise.
Kashuu lets go of him. "Ok! I'm off to work!" Quickly he run to the opposite direction leaving Yasusada dumbfounded.
"What's up with him...?" Scratching his cheeks, before he even turn his back the voice of Kashuu echoed again.
"Yasusada! Can I have your minute!"
To his other side of his sight Kashuu Kiyomitsu in armor as well is running towards him, even though just a bit second the Kashuu he was talking with went to the other direction.
Something is not right with his eyes!
"Eeeeehhh!?"
Panicking in fear, Yasusada tightly grips his broom stick while shaking in denial of what just happened to him.
Kiyomitsu who raised an eyebrow.
"Why you screaming and scared of me?" Feeling offended, "Am not some ugly monster!" Still with shaky fingers Yasusada points at him and phasing some distance with his footing. "K-Kiyomitsu?! H-how...J-just not long I t-talk to you!? Who was that Kiyomitsu I spoke with?!"
Not understanding a bit, Kiyomitsu took a deep sigh. "What are you saying? Are you half asleep? Get a grip! I obviously just got here. Anyway I took my time here to tell you to leave some dango for me. We will be late."
"Uhhh...oookay."
"Alright! I'm off to work!"
That's it, Kiyomitsu or whoever it is left him.
The wind blows, his spine shivers and he gulps down. "Is it perhaps a ghost...?"
Done with chores, Yasusada carefully walks through the hallway but lock in deep thoughts.
Tap,tap,tap.
'The Kiyomitsu I talked early in the morning...that was definitely a solid figure. It wasn't a ghost. If s-so...how come he left then the Kiyomitsu I know appeared?'
Whoosh~
"Wah!?"
His heart jumped when someone on the pillar revealed his presence. "Yamatonokami is something the matter?" Thankfully it was just someone he knows.
"Nikkari...Aoe." With visible pale face, smiling Nikkari approached him with safety measures of distance basing on how Yasusada looks cautious. "Why do you have a face that look like had seen a ghost~?" He teased. Yasusada did not bother to hide it though. "Perhaps I did." Perking some interest. "Oh?" Yasusada tells him the story.
"The truth is..."
...
A few moments later after explaining that he greet Kashuu who left for mission then not even long a second there is another Kiyomitsu ...like deja vu greets him and ditches him.
Nodding in understanding Nikkari says, "I see, that is definitely scary." Yasusada still terrified of what happened he wants to know the truth.
"S-so is it a ghost or is it possible I was day dreaming?" Nikkari massage his temple to think of possibility until he did. "There is a chance its a doppelganger."
Never heard the word Yasusada repeats after him. "Doppel?" Nikkari began to tell him the story of Doppel and how it works.
"It's a type of Ayakashi that can copy someone then pretend they are that person. This Ayakashi has monstrous face of shapeless ehm... kinda like Retrograde army a bit and it is envious of others appearance. So basically they copy them for that sole reason." It made Yasusada gasp.
"E-ehh! You serious? Then why copy Kiyomitsu? More like...why approach me?" More sweat drops, Nikkari touch his own chin to contemplate.
"That is I do not have the slightest idea. But there is a rumor that if the person is hiding some sadness the Doppel may manifest through it. However if Kashuu was copied...it is not good."
Not liking where this is going, Yasusada pushed to know more information. "Why? Is something else going to happen aside from it pranking me?" Having a serious look, Nikkari warns. "Usually, when the person got doppelgang the person will either become very ill or they might die."
Badump...))
Yasusada fears such thing as those combination, it reminds him of his beloved master and how Kashuu Kiyomitsu broke his tip. "Illness...death..." thinking the history may repeat himself, Yasusada charge to run. "Kiyomitsu, it cannot be...!" However Nikkari pulls him back. "Calm down Yamatonokami!" He can guess Yamatonokami Yasusada will do something out of their master order since he acted so concern of Kiyomitsu's well being,noting how everyone knows that he recently collapsed in one of their sortie that they need to return back and have Hachisuka replace him for that scouting mission.
It is just not the right timing.
Glaring at Nikkari, Yasusada's gentle eyes looks deadly now. "I need to go to where he is, if this is the case!"
Putting more force, Nikkari shouts with a commanding voice.
"I said hold it!" Causing Yasusada to violently struggle to be released. "Let me go! I will ask Aruji later but this is important-"
"I'm not yet done okay! There is a way to dispel its omen!" It made Yasusada click his tongue. "Then hurry and say it!"
Nikkari Aoe propose a plan.
"Tell me the spot he appeared, I will slay him for you. Am specialized with that after all~"
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"This is the spot." They are back to the place where Yasusada last sweep.
"Hmm..."
Yasusada whose in a hurry has impatiently asks. "So how was it?" Nikkari glance at him then back to scan the surrounding with his eyes. "That is weird, you sure it was here?"
Nodding. "Yes."
Nikkari crouches to touch the earth and felt nothing suspicious or ghostly. "I don't feel any Ayakashi presence or smell at all." Not liking the answer, Yasusada got so worked up again but he was atleast polite to excuse himself now. "Then am sorry Nikkari, I will have to go to the Saniwa and get the permission to protect Kiyomitsu. This is my fault, if only I noticed it was not the real Kiyomitsu..."
Nikkari scratches the back of his head and gave up. "Well now..."
Tap, tap, tap.
Running at the hallway to the staircase, Yasusada yells for attention. "Aruji!" Behind him is Hasebe already fuming with irritation. "Hey! I order you to stop right now Yamatonokami! Aruji is busy and your selfish request can wait-" Yasusada who got blocked, it was useless he push Hasebe to make his way to the room of the Saniwa. "Shut up! It has to be now! I need to talk to Aruji about important thing!"
Slamming the door open. "Aruji!"
The Saniwa is chilling at her room with lots of paper work. "Yamatonokami?"
Wondering what's up, Yasusada did not delay anything. Quickly he said in a formal way of speaking but with urgency. "I request to deploy to where Kashuu Kiyomitsu is right now!" Hasebe cannot believe his ears from this bold and rude approach.
"H-how dare you Yamatonokami!" But the Saniwa laughs and says. "Perfect timing. I actually thought to add you on the sortie as back up deploy Yamatonokami." Yasusada who calm down when he was told that its ok, he did have small doubts that this is too convenient.
"Really Aruji?" The Saniwa chuckles and handed him a map for the location.
"Yes. Please do wear your armor and join Tsurumaru as both of you are back up swords."
Happy about it, Yasusada bows and poise himself to accept the mission.
"My turn? Understood."
He left the room without closing it, making Hasebe so angry and confuse. "W-what? Aruji please answer me why did you allow Yamatonokami like that? Only six Touken Danshi should be there or else the toll of summoning power is-" The Saniwa turned serious."It's fine Hasebe." Making him silent, "More like...with this we should be able to fix history." Feeling uneasy,Hasebe dared to ask for more. "What do you mean Aruji?"
The Saniwa showed him a hologram map where the whole citadel had cracks due to timeline morphing but it is not yet visible outside. "Just between you and me Hasebe,bthe truth is the history had some plot hole that we need to fix. I receive a telegram from other Saniwa of different timeline." Shock, "Is that even possible?!" The Saniwa looks out of the window and continued.
"Yes, possible through dreams. Spiritual connection." Hasebe felt like a failure for not realizing something has been going on lately. But sinking his hurt pride, "What kind of plot hole is it then...?" The Saniwa confesses the truth.
"It surrounds the Ikedaya Inn, about Yamatonokami Yasusada and Kashuu Kiyomitsu. Those two had some flowers pluck out of them."
...
Time travelling, Tsurumaru Kuninaga and Yamatonokami Yasusada arrives to where Kiyomitsu is.
"Alright were here!"
Tsurumaru says happily. Yasusada on the other hand looked stressed and runs away. "Kiyomitsu!" Surprised, Tsurumaru blocks his way to find out the source of his urgency. "Hold it Yamatonokami why are you so in hurry?" Yasusada has those fierce glare but not directed to Tsurumaru.
He was so worried thats all. "No time to explain! But in short Kiyomitsu is in danger and I must protect him." He says.
Tsurumaru scratch his cheeks, "Um Kashuu is actually strong since he is the longest exposed in battles with Retrograde army. He can handle himself so relax." He chuckles.
However Yasusada shakes his head to let him know how serious this is for him. "No, you do not understand. I do not want him to break again." Surprised how Yasusada can switch personalities time to time, Tsurumaru pars his shoulders for comfort and approval. "Alright, then let's split to find them faster ok?"
Happy to hear that, they agreed to split. "Ok!"
Yasusada went deeper to the forest until he found himself to an open field but surrounded by rocks. 'I think I got to the wrong spot.' About to turn his back, his eye caught something like a mirror reflection. "Eh?"
*BADUMP*
For some reason his heart trembles upon a sigh of an exact duplicate of him. You know, wearing the shinsegumi haori,his armor, his sword...then his hairstyle.
He then remembered Nikkari's words.
Eyes gasping in realization that he has been duplicated. 'A doppel of me? Ayakashi? This is bad, Nikkari is not here with me! Am able to kill it?' Standing in a guard pose, the other Yamatonokami approaches him until there is at least 1 meter of distance between them.
Yamatonokami smiles, but his eyes looks blank that Yasusada is having uneasy feelings.
'What is this blood lust...?'
He can sense it, his doppel wants to take his life and it confirms his suspicion when it talked to him.
The original Yamatinokami Yasusada smirks at him with confidence.
A short and sweet giggle.
"Hehe."
Gulping, Yasusada now knows what is this he felt. It was a threat.
'This is the moment I realize what they meant of me switching personalities must stop'
The evil him spokes, "From now on, your timeline is mine." Then charges forward to slice him off.
SLASH!
"Uwah!" Good thing Yasusada crouches down and roll over to the other side.
He gasp in pain when he felt his cheek had a cut and it bleed. "W-What the hell!" Before he can even compose himself his duplicate lands another attack.
Yamatonokami maniaclly laughs and he is blood thirsty.
"Kyahaha! Disappear!"
CLANG!
Defending himself by his sword. "Ghh...!" Yasusada's arms shakes and tried its best to keep it together. 'H-he's strong...!'
Angry, "Stop attacking me! Why are you copying me!? What do you want!" He still thought it was an Ayakashi to be exact.
For a moment the crazy Yamatonokami drops his sadistic face and placed them with a stoic expression. "It is because am you." Yasusada's brain is trying to register that confession. "You...are me...?" Yamatonokami lets out an evil smile and pushes further with his blade.
"Yes, and am going to kill you to be with Kiyomitsu...off with your head and die!" However of course, Yasusada doesn't plan to loose and declares.
"In that case I will kill you as well kitten!"
Both of them yells their war cry.
"Ora! Ora!"
Meanwhile...
Someone tap his shoulders and screamed in his ears.
"Kashuu!"
"AAAHH!"
Yagen, Honebami, Namazuo, Yamanbagiri and Souza looks at their captain's spot.
"Hmm?"
Kiyomitsu decided to face the culprit, it was Tsurumaru laughing at him. "HAHAHA!"
Surprised and confused, instead of getting angry he asks him immediately for clarifications. "T-Tsurumaru?! Why are you here?" Tsurumaru stops laughing then greets everyone with an answer. "Surprised? Well Aruji order us to back you up."
Honebami Toushiro tilt his head. "Back up?"
Namazuo Toushiro whose just beside him joins the conversation. "Why so? Me...Namazuo Toushiro,Yagen Toushiro, Honebami, Yamanbagiri Kunihiro, Souza Samonji and Kashuu Kiyomitsu is already pretty strong choice for today's sortie. Nothing special is here right?"
Everyone looks at each other. Souza yawns a little as he ask, "Is there a sudden new enemy or something?" Tsurumaru shrugs and put his hands to his waist with all honesty. "Well...I don't really know. Aruji just dispatch me and Yamatonokami." Kashuu whistles and perks curiosity. "Hehh~ Yasusada is here, I see."
Speaking of his sword partner is not here. "Wait, where is he?"
When pointed out, Tsurumaru jerks away and blamed himself. "Oh! Right! Forgot our meet up time!" Then he chuckles and takes the lead. "Follow me guys~!"
To go where he and Yasusada would meet up.
However when they arrive there, they were surprised by two Okita Souji looking engaging a fierce battle.
"Ora! Ora! I'm going to kill you demon!" An agitated Yasusada says to his mirror. His mirror, Yamatonokami sarcastically mocks him with laughter. "Kyahaha! You think you can win? Take this! I inherit to Okita Souji's ultimate strike!"
WHOOSH!
Stabbing Yasusada to his left shoulders.
STAB.
The sound of flesh.
"Argh!"
But Yasusada bared the pain and stabs back his evil self and threatens with a confident smirk. "The killing spree just begun!"
Yamatonokami is stab at his right. "Kuhh..!"
They were even, both pulls away some distance to take a little rest before they dash again forward to kill each other.
"ORAAA!"
Kiyomitsu and the rest were dumbfounded.
"Huh?! Two Yasusada!? What is going on!?" Kiyomitsu pulls his hair in confusion.
"I may not wear my glasses but am not seeing things right?" Yagen voices out.
The rest were speechless upon the sight of two Yamatonokami Yasusada.
They were so identical even on how they project emotions.
Like how they are deadly in battlefield, how they can cast a smirk on their lips even the movements and attacks they make. "Now this us an ultimate surprise!"
Tsurumaru says.
"Augh!" When Yasusada coughs blood. Kiyomitsu jumps down. "Wait! Kashuu!" Then they followed. "Y-Yasusada!" When Kiyomitsu is about to reach his sword partner, both Yasusada turn their heads and questioned in union.
"Huh? K-Kiyomitsu!" Kiyomitsu braced himself to approach more. Yamatonokami click his tongue mentally. 'Tsk.'
The Yasusada with blood on his mouth pressed his wound in his left shoulder from earlier and gaze up to his red partner.
"Kiyo-" but Yamatonkami blocks the way and puts an act. "Kiyomitsu stay back! This imposter allow me to finish him!"
Everyone who followed behind Kiyomitsu echoed. "Imposter?" Namazuo's eyes sparks a bit of excitement. "What is this a magic or something?!" Yagen also got interested in the situation. "Amazing they are two of them but they are...killing each other?" Tsurumaru is overwhelmed.
"TOO MUCH SURPRISES I CANNOT HANDLE IT!" Souza rolled his eyes and commented on Tsurumaru's over reacting.
"You pretend overwhelm but you are actually happy aren't you?"
"Hehe."
Honebami the most calm touken danshi pushed an idea to make progress. "Kashuu, who should we believe?"
"E-eh?!"
Well he is the captain so he should decide right?
"Yasusada? Uhh who is the real one shit! Am freaking out...!" Kiyomitsu pulls his own hair with feeling headache. Wounded Yasusada says,"Kiyomitsu he is the imposter don't believe his lies!" While Yamatonokami begin the act of a victim. "Shut up Oni." Making Yasusada more angry.
"H-how dare you call me that you copycat! I really want to kill you kitten!" Attacking again the evil version of him who defends himself with clashing their swords again. "Ghh!" Attempting to stab the other "Take this!" Namazuo whose concerned on a stressing out red sword he puts his hands in the air.
"Stop fighting please! If you are both real then stop!"
Yamatonokami raised an eyebrow. "Stop? Are you blind Namazuo? He is going to kill me!" To turn the tables, Yasusada got more angry.
"That is my line you...Ayakashi or something!" Kiyomitsu jumps in between the two hotheaded killer. "JUST STOP FIGHTING!" Souza raised his hand to propose an idea to everyone.
"If one of them is fake why don't we just interrogate them."
Everyone eyed each other with an agreement.
Kiyomitsu points at the two Yamatonokami Yasusada. "You two come with us, if you struggle that means both of you are fake? Clear?"
Yamatonokami click his tongue before he surrenders. "Fine." But not Yasusada, he almost got killed by this copycat and to just give up like this.
"What! Noway-" protesting is never an option now.
"Ya-su-sa-da!" Its just Kiyomitsu is mad and pretty annoyed. Gritting his teeth and fist loosen its grip. "Hrmm, f-fine..."
Everyone returned to the citadel...
...
The Saniwa checks in them.
"They are both legit Yamatonokami...however the one is fake. By means fake he is from a different citadel you know and different timeline we know."
Yasusada eyes gasp and mumbles to himself.
"So it was not an Ayakashi?" While the Saniwa is talking to Kiyomitsu "Okay it is up to you to determine whose the real Yasusada so we can correct the history?" This time the evil Yamatonokami made a remark of feeling offended. "Aruji.. why are you being mean? Am obviously the real Yamatonokami Yasusada...Okita's favorite sword." Making Yasusada of this timeline panics about his position.
"No! Aruji! Kiyomitsu! Everyone! Believe me he is lying...he tried to kill me to replace me! Am the real Yasusada! Please!"
Tsurumaru rubs his head. "This is hard!"
Everyone expected Kiyomitsu to keep stressing himself but he suddenly smirks.
"Hehh~ the real one..." and slowly approaches the two Yamatonokami Yasusada.
Both were confuse for a second what is Kiyomitsu smirking for, both gulps as theu watched his slender fingers travels to his own neck where his scarf is. His red eyes turned serious. "If you are really Yasusada what is beneath my scarf?"
Both were silent.
And it was the trap Kiyomitsu made when, "A scar."
Yamatonokami answered. Yasusada made an, "Eh?" For not understanding why would there be a scar beneath Kiyomitsu's neck.
"Aha!" Capturing Yamatonokami's shoulder, Kiyomitsu said with conviction. "You are fake!" Making the enemy make a face. "Why you say so?"
Then he glared at him. "It is true I have a scar at my neck...but guess what." Eyeing the innocent Yasusada to their right side. "Yasusada in this timeline has never seen it. Not even saw me naked yet! So it is strange for you to know! Why in earth are you here!"
Their audience gasps in surprise of such secret Kiyomitsu kept about how his body is full of scars, specially his neck. Now everything makes sense why he doesn't like to be seen naked by others.
The cat caught his tongue.
"U-um..." Yasusada who felt hurt that Kiyomitsu had such scar he doesn't know what to do...
The silence broke when Yamatonokami whispered underneath his white scarf.
"Why do you have to defy me Kiyomitsu?"
Revealing marks of a retrograde army.
They trembled upon the sight of Yamatonokami summoning the blue flames, making his body an embodiment of grim oath.
"Y-Yasusada you are a-" Kiyomitsu shaken, however Yamatonokami whose eaten by negative energy just snaps like a whiny kid he would be. "Its not fair!"
The blue flame spreads.
"PROTECT ARUJI!" Hasebe commands.
"Kiyomitsu!" The Yasusada of this timeline covers his Kiyomitsu away from the evil him. "Lets get out of here!"
Even though the retrograde Yamatonokami is not his known Yasusada, he cannot help but feel a sharp pain in his chest the sight of his partner succumbing to darkness of despair.
Hopelessness.
"Why did you become like this...?"
Out of nowhere, Kashuu from Yamatonokami's timeline appeared to protect the two when the blue flames attempt to burn then.
"Watch out!"
The dopple of Kiyomitsu, Yasusada looks above him and everything made sense from how he ask Nikkari's protection against doppleganger...
"YOU ARE...!?"
"Hey."
Apparently its a Kiyomitsu of different timeline. "We met again Yasusada...of this timeline." Kiyomitsu facing up his double, Kashuu smiles at him with sadness. "Thank you for trying to save him." Then he dashes forward the threat. For some reason Kiyomitsu fears his others elf will be in danger. "Wait! You might break!" But his hands were unable to reach Kashuu.
Yasusada taps his shoulders and gently help him stand up as they are in need to escape the place. "Let us go Kiyomitsu, this is their problem." Wincing in pain of his wound, Kiyomitsu finally snaps out. "R-right, we also need to treat you."
"Over here!" Shouted by Izuminokami, the rest evacuated.
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**Second Timeline**
The Saniwa gasps. "This is...! Sword corruption...!"
Kashuu whose not liking this outcome. "What do you mean Aruji? Please explain?!"
The Saniwa carefully took away the body sword of Yasusada away from Horikawa to the sword stand.
"Yamatonokami Yasusada had been tainted. He will become a fallen sword if not cured."
Horikawa covers his mouth in realization.
"Wait...does that mean..."
The Saniwa reveals to this timeline the truth.
"A Kebishii." Afterwards the Saniwa reveals to them the future and past...how the timelines are inbalance and how this happend before with the most beautiful sword of Mikadzuki Munechika. Everyone is terrified of such revelation but the Saniwa is now calm while the rest were anxious.
"We have to dismantle Yamatonokami Yasusada." She decided. Everyone hold their tongue, some mentally agreed but not Kashuu Kiyomitsu. "Aruji you can't-" He was hushed. "We did this before. Mikadzuki is right." Honebami reconfirms. "Is this the one you are saying how I Yamanbagiri Kunihiro saves Mikadzuki Munechika?"
"Yes."
Kashuu Kiyomitsu staring at his almost dead buddy...he has to let him go isn't he?
Yasusada of this timeline is just in a deep sleep before he becomes a full pledge Kebiish.
Almost crying inside, small tears made its way to be visible in his eyelids. "Did I wait so long for you...for nothing? Is that it Yasusada...?"
...
**Future Timeline**
The Sakura tree glows magically.
Kashuu and Yamato were shock but then again...the child of river chuckles.
"I see. Then you know what go back to your timeline! Take care."
Patting the back of Yasusada to go ahead and jump to the light, Yasusada cannot help but to happily grin by that treatment.
"You too."
"Byebye."
So he went back to his original timeline.
'Because I finally realize we love each-other even without Okita-kun tying us together. I should hurry and return to the citadel with everyone is waiting for me.'
...
**Whole Timeline**
But when he opened his eyes what he found himself is...a lot of Yasusada's.
"EH!?"
Here we have the following:
Original timeline the Yasusada who became a retrograde army.
Second timeline the Yasusada in his casual dark blue clothes that went to comma.
Before timeline the Yasusada who recently been summoned in citadel.
Future timeline the Yasusada in Kiwame oufit.
New timeline the Yasusada who has a stab wound when retrograde Yasusada tried to kill him.
Final timeline the Yasusada with the pink flower hairpin.
Everyone said in union except the retrograde Yasusada whose busy glaring game with Kiyomitsu and others.
"Other me?!"
The Yasusada of the final timeline is speechless from the rest. "W-where am now...? Is this a dream?"
The Saniwa from the second timeline had also met her other saniwa versions.
The moment the retrograde Yasusada had snap when his identity was exposed, all of the timeline had collide and is now in a very terrible loops of events.
"We have to make a choice to eliminate the cause of unbalance." Said the Saniwa of the second timeline. The Saniwa of before timeline argues a little bit. "Is there sny other way to stop Yamatonokami without actually erasing his existence?"
As all Saniwa's doing some kind of meeting...The corrupted Yamatonokami is shocked to see his Kiyomitsu is actually repaired.
"Y-you are repaired...?" Almost in doubt. "How...? I killed you myself by accident...I even mourn for your body. So why are you even alive? The fact you have memories of us before I turned into this...it really means...you are my..."
Kashuu snaps. "Enough deciding to shoulder the past along Yasusada!" He cries out. "If you want to look at the past so badly then fine! I will remember them with you!" To see him break in tears, Yamatonokami finally realize what he was doing is wrong.
Especially the other version of him have gathered. Then there is the commatose Yasusada in the arms of the other Kiyomitsu crying to plead that his partner to wake up.
To make his own Kashuu Kiyomitsu cry with an ugly face...
It finally struck him.
"I'm sorry if I neglected your feelings about our past. But from now on I will carry them with us together...to our future!"
Something opened.
It was his blue eyes, a scenery of him with Kiyomitsu and Okita-kun. Under the warm sunlight...
'Ahh...where did I got it wrong?' Looking at his own sinful hands. 'Clinging so much to the past when the present is here...' looking up to the mess he made, in between his Kashuu Kiyomitsu is there. 'But its too late for me isn't?'
Mocking himself mentally with a small smile, Kashuu noticed thos behavior and approached the blue flames. "Hey, Yasusada..." giving his hand, "Let us go home to our own citadel okay?"
Instead, Yamatonokami Yasusada kisses his forehead.
Chuu~
"Eh?"
"See you again Kiyomitsu."
Wondering why he can say that, Kashuu finally noticed their surrounding, all the Saniwa's of different timeline is doing a ritual to seal him away.
Away from Kashuu Kiyomitsu's.
"Ouch!"
A sudden strong magic made him stumble back, getting far from Yamatonokami Yasusada.
"Wait a minute Aruji! Yasusada he gain his rational thoughts so don't dismantle him...!"
The Saniwa's closed their eyes with apologetic look, then whispered.
"This is the only way."
Yamatonokami Yasusada chuckles,"Hehe..." until it was a sweet laughter.
"Hahaha...!"
"Why are you laughing...?"
Then there is...tears, his face having cracks.
"Till the right time I get summon again..." Kiyomitsu saw it. Yasusada's human skin is being reduced to a steel...his colored flesh skin is being peeled off by the light that surrounds him.
"Stop!"
To be pulled and locked arms by Mikadzuki.
"Don't Kashuu. You will break again." It was a warning but Kashuu tried to reach out, pulling the white scarf's end. "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! You are going to make me wait again...? How cruel are you to me Yasusada...?"
Yamatonokami smiles and pulls away his scarf.
It departs.
"I'm sorry. Goodbye."
Yamatonokami Yasusada's sword breaks as his human body turned into a transparent soul and it shatters to disappear into nothing.
"YASUSADA...!"
All of the wounded timeloops closed and each of their other version settled in peace.
But Kashuu is never in peace as he wrote a diary.
"Hurry and be forge again...Bakasada."
The cherry tree is about to bloom
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**Original Timeline**
'It was all like a dream.'
One single danggo he has to eat.
It just feels so empty on this room for two people but Kashuu is alone.
'Everything that has transpired went back to normal as if it never happened.'
Eyeing the closet.
'How he made a huge mistake, that he became a kebishii...and how am here back to waiting game.'
Kashuu Kiyomitsu stretches' his arms.
Then he heard bells.
Kring,,,)))
Yagen called out.
"Kashuu! Yamatonokami he is back!"
Unable to believe the summoning back of his partner. Kashuu did not mind to look un pretty and rushed with his feet towards the summoning room.
The petals of cherry blossoms is there.
"Yasusada..." meeting the blue haired with eyes clear like the cold winter. The blue haori of shinsengumi.
"..."
Their eyes met.
Approaching him with caution, his red lips finally speaks up. "Do you remember what happen...?" Yamatonokami Yasusada's blank eyes suddenly went crystal and he broke to tears.
The memories of the previous him merge with the present him.
You can call it a miracle. Probably? Or fate? Who knows...they were a pair of flowers after all.
"Kiyomitsu!" Yasusada leaps his arms onto Kashuu's with pink cheeks. "I'm sorry! I...I'am...!" Kashuu whose trying his best to be mature, still trying not to drop tears so easily like a vulnerable being he is. 'Ahh so he does remember am glad...' however his fingers curled to the others haori into an embrace.
The scent is real.
Its both of them together again and alive.
It feels so good in their noses...
"Huhu...Kiyomitsu...!" Its ok to break down in a while of heart felt.
"Stop it idiotic Yasusada...I'm just glad you are back..." small tears, "Don't ever leave me like that again or make me wait. If you do...I will make you eat a thousand of needle!" On the other hand Yasusada sniffing and wiping his own eyes from streaming tears, "I promise this time, we'll be always together...thank you for always waiting and believing in me Kiyomitsu." Pulling away from the hug, yet his hands remained holding to Kashuu's arms, they look at each others messed up face from crying.
A confession Kashuu always wanted to hear.
"I love you and Okita-kun...and after all the things that happened, I came to realize that I love everyone in the citadel and that am surprisingly thankful to our new master the Saniwa."
Kashuu chuckles and stops the drama by wiping his tears and gave him a warm smile.
"Welcome back."
Yasusada did the same.
"I'm home!"
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Under the sunny spot, sitting at their veranda where their room is just behind their backs.
A pink hairpin
"Kiyomitsu,"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
"Idiot, how can you say that with a straight face?!"
"Hehe. It has to be now or never."
Both glances above the sky before their eyes met again.
"It doesn't matter if the past, present or the future. It always has to be now Kiyomitsu. That is what I learned."
"Figures."
"...Yeah."
"But...I love you too, Yasusada."
The wind blows and two pair of flower petals caught to their hair strands.
The sky and clouds continue to rotate like the earth.
'You are the love that I need the most, more than our new master and everyone else.'
The End.
Thank you for all who have read it till the end by baring this ugly english~!
Notes: well it's just really a dream of mine so it probably did not made sense, especially when Yasusada is dismantle, he should't remember his memories in the citadel since he is the Yasusada re-summon from the past. But oh well! Who cares! Important thing its finally over! I can't believe I can finish it like wew
Also please support my own manga at tapas comics named 'paradox mansion' anyhow! as said... This is base on a dream I had after watching Hanamaru and the stage play heart to heart duet song of Okitagumi my goodness. Don't ask why the hell I had such dream, all I know I enjoyed the movie inside my dreams and I want you guys to enjoy it too! :3
