Chapter Three: Aruji no Inochi - (主の命): Master's Orders.
Thousands of water-drops were falling from the greyish skies covered with infinite clouds, a monochromatic landscape like an old black and white photograph. A rainy day reflecting the mournful events that his Second Unit was facing.
Over time, there has not been a single period in history that has not been stained with the blood of war. Living on for centuries, evolving with times, like second nature to which mankind clings, a survival instinct mainly guided by fear.
Whether motivated by political or territorial interest, or by a desire for revenge for any affront, war sowed death wherever it was going and left in its wake only pain and desolation. Many times humans beings have witnessed its destructive power, and many times have they vowed never to use it again, only to take up arms once the crime has been committed.
War was a goddess. And as soon as the bodies were piling up on the battlefields, it walked among them and got drunk on their scent. Because this was how war lived; by feeding on everyone's hatred and anger. This was how people idolised it. By committing always more atrocities...
And forever mankind was condemned to love it. Because war was within everyone's reach. It was born out of just authority, just cause, right intentions, or as a last resort. War was not started with the intention of killing, but rather to repair, to amend. And what did it matter if every time one answered its call, they were losing a part of themselves.
He was a Saniwa, a priest born of the will of the gods, and as such, he too had to venerate war, to know everything about it, to become its main tactician. Even if his soul would end up suffering from it; broken, wrecked and mutilated to the point of being nothing but ashes flying away in the freezing breeze of stormy nights.
But there was, however, a difference between letting blood flow as history had decided and made it flow far more than it was written. As long as there were innocents to protect, lives to save from a cruel fate that was not originally theirs, then he would continue to fight. Because that too was the will of the gods.
"Is there anything else? "
"No. Konnosuke said that, for now, all members of the Second Unit have the situation in hand. "
"Right. "
Getting up from his seat, he approached his office window and watched the rain pour through the entire citadel before finally turning round to face again his interlocutor, leaning against the ledge.
"Thanks for this information, Yūsuke. Stay alert, please. "
"Sure! " answered the little hairball enthusiastically.
Smiling back, the cherry-haired boy was about to add something when he got interrupted by three knocks on the door, the latter opening on a hooded-blond in a tracksuit entering the room in silence and offering a simple nod as a greeting.
"Sorry for the disruption. " he said though upon seeing the white fox on the desk.
"No, it's all right Yamanbagiri. I did call you, after all. " replied the Sage, shaking his head.
"Shall I leave you…? "
"You may stay, Yūsuke. I don't mind. "
Reaching out to one of the sofas to invite the sword to sit down, the Saniwa couldn't help but join him with an amused smile on his lips, the scene appearing more than familiar to him as it was so similar to the night he summoned another of the Kunihiro brothers to send him on his first expedition.
"So? How is it? " he asked calmly, his smile still stretching the corners of his mouth.
"How is what? " asked as well his Toudan, questioning.
"I heard you've been practising dancing with Kogarasumaru, but I may have heard that wrong. " he stated with assertiveness, laughing up his sleeve.
"Ha! We did not—! " stammered the poor Uchigatana with a reddened face before exclaiming, embarrassed: "I-I'm not here to talk about that! "
Letting out a frank laugh at the reaction of his Toudan, the cherry-haired boy preferred to raise his hands in the air in a sign of surrender, and grabbing between his arms the kitsune having approached the master and his blade, he ended up humbly apologising.
"Sorry, sorry. I just couldn't help it. "
"Who told you that anyway…? " mumbled Yamanbagiri with his head turned to the side, still ashamed.
"Who, I wonder… " he declared mysteriously, pretending to think about it seriously. "Although, if I'm really the first to mention it, then maybe you should avoid the others for the next few days because what was supposed to be a secret isn't anymore. I can assure you. "
Offering a comforting smile to his Touken Danshi as he seemed to be mentally preparing to flee, the Sage observed the downpour once again and revealed more soberly:
"But that's not the reason for your presence here. "
Yamanbagiri abruptly straightened up at these words, quickly realising that the time for jokes was now over. Facing his master, he narrowed his eyes with concern, ready to hear what he had to say.
"You're not without knowing that the Second Unit has been appointed and that Horikawa is now part of it. I am quite delighted with this team by the way. And I can tell you that I see your brother as one of its most precious members. "
"Thank you. "
"However… We're all well aware of how easy it is to pretend to be satisfied with what we have as long as we remain within the citadel. The sense of an expedition is far different from that of an excursion. At the heart of the battle, your mind is monopolised only by the enemy, but once on the frontlines, where the battles have less their place and where you're more often led to become part of history to better protect it, doubt can quickly take hold of you. " indicated the Saniwa before correcting himself. "Don't get me wrong, I have great confidence in your brother, but I also have the duty to ask your opinion on the matter. "
"I understand. " acquiesced the Uchigatana as he closed his eyes, knowing perfectly that the boy didn't mean any harm. "I don't think he would cross the line, at least not for himself. " he continued without hesitation.
"So if one of you were to be tempted... would he help him out? "
"Obviously, he's prompt to respond to somebody's pain, and the concept of not altering the course of history, although not new to him, becomes quite complicated to accept once you've witnessed at length what it can cost to people. Whether the Retrogrades are responsible or not. "
"Then I should be more understanding with him. " finally announced the Sage after a long moment of reflection, a soft smile on his lips.
"Eh?! " exclaimed the blond Kunihiro, eyes wide open in shock.
"Why, of course. " simply expressed the cherry-haired boy as if it was evident. "Or do you believe me capable to punish Horikawa just for the reason of being loyal and a little too empathic? "
"N-No! That's not— "
Then, sighing, Yamanbagiri stood up slowly and bowed with deference in front of his master, his head still lowered as he related:
"Thank you very much. "
Xxxxxxxxxx
"It isn't near to stop, is it? "
"During those moments, I'm even less able to stop myself from thinking. All I have in mind is the next attack or the ongoing missions. "
"Is there nothing I can do to allay your concerns? "
"I don't think that's even possible, Ichigo. "
Smiling softly, the Saniwa leaned back against the doorframe of the great hall and continued to watch the downpour fall over the whole citadel. Joining him in his contemplation, the Tachi settled near him and remained silent as his master seemed to reflect, giving him time to put his thoughts in order.
"How does it feel? When you cling desperately to the past? "
"I'm afraid you're asking the wrong person. My memory being nonexistent, I can only leave the past to what it is... After all, I am doomed to never be able to remember. " declared Hitofuri, a sad smile on his lips.
"Yagen is in a very confuse time period right now. " indicated the Sage, looking vacant. "Surrounded by people who only see the future through the past. Their eyes are veiled with fear and uncertainty. "
"I'm sure it won't affect him. " revealed the sword, a new smile filled with brotherly pride and tenderness stretching the corners of his mouth.
"Yes, you're right. " replied the boy as he turned his head towards his Toudan, temporarily sharing his smile before finding himself lost in thought again. "Tell me though, what makes you follow my orders so obediently? "
"You are our master and we are your Touken Danshi. There is no need to ask such a question. "
The aforesaid master let out a sneer and looked down at his hands for a second at these words before raising his eyes to the sky, trying to discern the drops through the curtain of water.
"Is that so simple? I refuse to believe it. For hundreds and hundreds of centuries, thousands of different men followed their master's orders without the slightest hesitation and this, until their last breath. They were all in debt to them in some way, and they all swore allegiance to them. But as easily as they could respect their vows, as easily they were able to change sides, lead a rebellion or find another master. It's in the very nature of mankind to never be completely faithful to one's own people, and even less to oneself... "
"But we are spirits of swords. "
"And in that, your mentality is different. But if you still had all your memory and the choice to decide between me and your former master; to whom would you be loyal? " asked the Saniwa, looking into the eyes of the blade and patiently waiting.
"I... " Ichigo hesitated, unsure.
"Exactly. " murmured the Sage sadly, compassionate. "What an impossible choice, isn't it? I, for one, have no idea what I would do if such a situation was to arise. I can pretend as much as I want that I will follow the instructions of the Government of Time, but my heart is incapable of lying. I could never force you to choose me, even if the course of history was to be changed... Because I know what it feels like to belong to a group, to hold on to someone, and to want to support this person or this group until the end… "
I, no longer, want to be the cause of pain…
Observing the boy for a long time, the turquoise-haired Tachi finally sighed and, placing a hand on his master's head, affectionately slid his fingers between his strands whilst stating:
"I can't really speak for the others, but I can at least say this: We are not serving you simply because you are the one who summoned us and offered us these human bodies. We serve you because we know this is the right thing to do. For such a kind, understanding and loving master like you, how could we think for a minute of betraying you? Please believe in us, but above all, believe in yourself too. "
"I couldn't have said it better. "
Turning around abruptly, the bewildered Saniwa and his Toudan watched as Shishiou, an amused air on his face, was standing behind them among other Touken Danshi such as Yamatonokami, Kashuu, Fudou, Oodenta or Higekiri and Hizamaru.
"What are you all doing here? " questioned the Sage, intrigued.
"We were looking for Ichii-nii! " answered together cheerfully Akita, Atsushi and Midare.
"And I was looking for you. " added Taikogane with the same tone. "To come and taste Micchan and I's new recipe of mochi. "
"That's when they heard your conversation. There were so many people gathered in the aisle that we just all ended up here, eavesdropping. " finished explaining Kiyomitsu whilst shrugging casually, not the least embarrassed by his attitude and that of his comrades.
Sighing in his turn as he shook his head, a delighted but discreet smile blooming on his lips, the cherry-haired boy stood up at once and, pushing along the engawa the group of swords amassed there, ordered firmly:
"Back to work, everyone! Or do you think this citadel can maintain by itself?! "
Xxxxxxxxxx
Night had fallen quickly, the storm disappearing from the skies along with the sun to give way to the stars and the moon shining like white diamonds on a charcoal black background.
Working, as usual late in his office, the Saniwa looked away from the screen a moment as a tired yawn escaped him, his interlocutor narrowing his eyes in a sympathetic smile.
"Sorry, Konnosuke. As soon as we're done here I'll go to bed, I promise. "
"Yes, please do so. The Second Unit is doing great. They're resourceful. "
"Hmm? Aren't you trying to hide from me the many troubles that Izuminokami and Mutsunokami may have caused? " the boy asked mockingly, his head tilted to the side.
"N-Not at all! They're behaving! I swear! " hastened to answer the little hairball, completely panicked.
"I hope so. Do not forget that it is also your duty to manage the team alongside its Commander. " warned the Sage kindly, still amused.
"S-Sure… " sighed the animal, seeming to be slightly discouraged.
"How is the mission going so far? "
"I don't think we have reasons to worry. History is guaranteed not to undergo any alteration. "
"This is good news. But keep a close watch on each of them, all right? "
"Yes, Aruji-sama! "
"Once this is resolved, I'll have new directives for you and your team. "
"Ha?! And to who do you think they'll complain if I tell them that?! " exclaimed the kitsune, annoyed.
"They will have three long days to amply rest before the next mission, don't worry. "
Sighing again, the little fox shook his head resignedly and enquired calmly:
"What is it about? "
"A new breach has opened in five years from the era you're currently in. Given the fragile period where the Revisionists decided to send their troops, I'm worried that this time the outcome will be much more disastrous and count far too many victims. "
"Is there a particular event that we should pay special attention to? "
"A two-day meeting between Katsu Kaishu of the Shogunate Army and Saigou Takamori, representative of the Satcho Alliance is scheduled for March 14th of the year Keiō 4. The latter must at all costs end without incident of any kind, or history will irreversibly be changed. "
"Understood. "
"Besides, it seems that the Retrograde Army should appear sometime between March 13th and 16th, around the coast from Shinagawa to Shiba. I will send you all the information, please give Izuminokami and the others everything they'll need to complete their task. "
"Yes, of course! "
"Thanks. " murmured the Saniwa, quickly adding before the communication was cut off: "Konnosuke? "
"Yes, Aruji-sama? "
"Be careful. "
"Yes… " replied the kitsune, beaming with delight.
Endnotes:
Keiō: was a Japanese-era name after Genji and before Meiji. The period spanned the years from May 1865 to October 1868.