Chapter Four: Mamori takatta mono - (守りたかったもの): What I Wanted to Protect.

"Checkmate. "

"Ha?! Aaaah... What was I thinking, playing with a military strategist like you... "

"Don't be too hard on yourself, I really didn't think you would last that long. It's truly impressive. "

"Because you underestimated me?! "

Narrowing his eyes in an embarrassed smile, the Saniwa remained silent as he looked back at the shōgiban, mentally reviewing the game as a whole. Half of the pawns on each side had been taken and re-played by the two players, the Gold Generals and the Silver Generals facing each other in a side opposite to that of theirs at the start, the Lances and the Knights resting on the side of the gameboard, unused, and the Jeweled General of the adversary struggling with his King, undoubtedly defeated.

It had taken him barely a hundred moves to end the game. Only a hundred moves for his King to overthrow his opponent. And somehow, it was almost disappointing.

If he was as good at a simple pawn game, why couldn't he be as good with real soldiers on a real battlefield? Why couldn't he and his kind overthrow the Historical Revisionists as easily as he could win a stupid board game? But life was nowhere near as easy as a game. Life was hardly a game. Real people were fighting, putting their lives at risk, and real consequences were revealing themselves at the slightest mistake.

"Well... serve me right. But now, at least, I have a specific goal in mind. "

"And what exactly is it, Nagasone? "

"To get better at this so I can defeat you next time, of course! "

"Hahaha! Challenge accepted. "

Offering a knowing wink to his Toudan, the Sage then began to pick up the pawns one by one to put them to their original place, only stopping when the sword suddenly questioned him:

"Any news from Izuminokami and the others, by the way? "

"You can't help it, can you? " the Saniwa asked in return, amused.

"We have fought for so long all together back in the days, not being on a mission with them to have their backs feel strange, even after such a long time spent in the citadel. " declared the Kotetsu whilst scratching the back of his head, unsettled.

"I can understand. But for now, they're managing pretty well, it seems. " the cherry-haired boy indicated calmly.

"Even with that moron of Mutsunokami?" enquired the Uchigatana in a hoarse voice, barely holding back a swear.

"Especially with him. " replied the Sage, chuckling. "You wouldn't guess it at first sight, but these two are more alike than they are willing to admit. "

"Oh, I noticed. That's why I'm worried. "

"I'm sure everything will be just fine. They may be too stubborn to realise it, but they are looking for the same thing. In the end, every life counts. "

"Yes. "

Xxxxxxxxxx

The cool breeze that was blowing today on the estate suggested a fairly calm afternoon. At least he hoped... For once he had managed to get rid of the mountain of paperwork that reigned continuously on his desk, and he sincerely wished that none of the many disruptive elements he had in his citadel would be up to their mischief again.

Stopping in the middle of the small bridge, he suddenly crouched on the ground whilst gripping with his thin fingers the ruddy red handrail, and slightly dipped his other hand in the liquid quietly resting under his feet.

The water was lukewarm, barely warmer than usual at this time of year. Finally raising his arm, he then let it hang in the air for a few seconds and watched; almost hypnotised, as the drops escaping from his fingers were crashing onto the surface in a series of circular waves.

An echo. A redundancy. Like a metaphor for time being just a series of events repeating endlessly. What used to be. What is now. What will be. Three cycles within which history was forever trapped, at the mercy of mankind who itself was condemned to the same fate.

Birth. Life. Death.

Everything had a beginning. Everything had an end. And even the sun so powerful would eventually go out. Even the brightest moon would eventually fall. The seasons declined and returned. People' sins were fading. The world was rebuilding. Again and again, and again...

Foundation. Destruction. Restoration.

He left the bridge abruptly and approached the edge of the pond carefully, glancing at the delicate water lily flowers floating across the surface.

It was of an unspeakable irony to protect something that was doomed to disappear. All the efforts it required and all the sacrifices that were asked of them to protect a bygone time. But without the past how could the future be built? Without experience, how can one achieve excellence? And indeed that was what it was all about. To learn from one's mistakes, face failures, and build something better, greater.

Even if the universe itself was destined to be annihilated, then it was also with the intention of being reborn.

Three cycles. A circle. A perfect loop.

And within it, light and darkness eternally intertwined together; Each reigning over a part of the world. Good and evil. Night and day. Happiness and sadness…

And nothing would change except for the smallest details. Mankind would no longer be the same. Eras would modernise. What was new yesterday would become obsolete today. Always more. Much more…

It seemed no one really was in control. People contented themselves to endure the passage of time, to hang on to the present until forgetting... forgetting what had made them what they were. And history no longer had its place, was no longer understood, had no longer any meaning...

And yet, tirelessly, it was it that had shaped them. And it was with it that they would perish... perhaps recognised, perhaps unsung, but nonetheless they would perish by having been part of what it represented.

An echo. A redundancy… evermore

"Aruji? "

"Ah, Sohayanotsurugi, I hadn't seen you. "

"Is everything alright? "

"Hmm-hmm, I was observing flowering. Summer should not be long to come. "

"Yes. "

"Was there anything else? "

"Lunch is ready. "

"I'm coming right away. "

Xxxxxxxxxx

"So, how is it going? "

"Pretty good enough I'd say. "

"that's nice. "

"You two realise that my office is far from being the place to do this kind of things, right? "

"Yes, yes. We know. "

"Hmm, it was just to be sure. "

Bringing the Western-style cup to his mouth, the cherry-haired boy took a sip of its contents not without a resigned smile.

In front of him, kneeled before a coffee table that now looked like a real beauty salon, Kiyomitsu and Taroutachi had gone into an intense manicure session. Nail file, remover, and varnish of explosive colours such as that of a firework, it seemed to him that they were taking a perverse pleasure in making the cares last; debating for hours on the number of brushstrokes for perfect shine, the ideal length of each nail or the distribution of colours.

An obvious game for them. A fairly welcome distraction for him.

Shaking his head as he held back a sigh, the Saniwa rose from his seat, his tea still in hand, and approached his swords slightly before passing a head over Kashuu's shoulder to appreciate the result. Under his amazed eyes, the nails of the Ootachi now sported two golden swans with few anthracite feathers embracing each other tenderly.

"Hehe, gold really suits you best Taroutachi. " stated the red-dressed Uchigatana.

"I think compliments can only go to the artist. " argued the blade, modest.

"I agree. " declared the Saniwa with another smile, sincerely impressed.

"You'll let me make yours afterward, then?! " exclaimed Kiyomitsu whilst turning round abruptly, starry-eyed and impatient.

"Pay attention, would you! " scolded the Sage as he barely caught the palette about to land on the floor, the latter balancing on the edge of the table after having been knocked down in the momentum of his first sword. "Besides, I already told you that I didn't have time for that today… "

"Huuuuh? So unfair! "

"Come on, don't act like a child. "

"Once the Second Unit returns, the master will probably have more free time. "

"I had free time this morning, Taroutachi. " explained the cherry-haired boy, settling on the sofa. "But someone preferred to spend his morning lounging in bed. "

"Who sent me on an excursion last night?! " replied outraged the Uchigatana, sulking childishly as he was putting away palettes and care accessories.

Perching on one another the different boxes arranged on the coffee table all the while being careful not to skin his varnish still fresh before grabbing them, the Ootachi stood up and discreetly stifling a laugh, announced with amusement:

"In that case, it's time for us to take our leave and let you go back to work. "

The Saniwa nodded slightly at these words and standing up in turn, assisted his Touken Danshi to the door. Grabbing the last boxes his master was holding out to him, Kashuu froze for a second in the doorway, a pout as only he had the talent for displayed on his disappointed face.

"I had prepared a colour mixture especially for the occasion... "

"So keep it to hand for later. I promise next time will come faster than you think. "

Offering him a wink, the Sage shared a last knowing smile with his now delighted Toudan and let him leave with his companion, quickly returning to his office without even closing the door to grab his beverage.

A lost lane in the middle of Edo. On a bridge connecting the city to the bay are two sword-warriors right in the middle of a fight. The first is tall, has short and purple hair, and has a Yari that he handles with strength and agility. The second is small, young, with jet-black hair and blue eyes. Seeming slightly inexperienced, he is nonetheless competent, knowing how to attack at the right moment and analysing perfectly the movements of the enemy. The battle is tough and exhausting. He can feel to his bones the wounds that the Retrograde causes to his Touken Danshi. He does not see him, he is not physically present with them, but yet, he knows. Like linked to them psychically, he knows that his Toudan are in trouble. Not only on this bridge but also there, in the distance. He does not know exactly where this 'there' is, but he knows that the Tantou who is there is wounded. The burn he feels in his leg is not his... He has to... send help... reinforcements... he has to act... before... before...

The cup of tea shattered on the floor in a deafening echo, the red liquid escaping from the chunks of porcelain to spread slowly over the floor as he was gripping his chest with trembling fingers, the alarm then suddenly resounding in the office.

No…!

Raising a blank stare towards the holographic screen which had displayed itself on the wall, two large carmine circles taking more and more amplitude flashing continuously on the map, he bit forcefully his lip, and closing his eyes for a second, took a great inspiration before leaving the room with a firm step.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Walking through the aisles of the citadel, the Saniwa was speeding up a little more at each intersection crossed, wincing in pain each time he was making a too brisk movement of the leg. His heart was pounding in his chest, sweat was running from his forehead and he was on the verge of losing his breath.

Time was pressing. He knew what was going to happen. And he was going to have to outdo himself like never before.

Finally stopping in front of a half-open shōji, he opened it without taking the time to knock before, surprising the people present in the room without them, however, expressing any objection as they immediately noticed his face filled with anxiety.

"Tsurumaru. " contented himself to call the Sage grimly.

"I'll suit up. " simply indicated the Tachi as he stood up, leaving his game of Go and his fellow player behind him.

"Good luck. " Mikazuki whispered, offering one last look to the white-haired sword as he was walking through the door, the latter smiling to him softly.

It didn't take more than five minutes for Kuninaga to show up at the sanctuary, face to face with the boy, ready to be deployed. Checking his equipment, he absently asked:

"How is the situation there? "

"Unclear. But the number of Retrogrades having landed on the battlefield is concerning. And the members of the team are all dispersed... " explained the Saniwa whilst moving with his Toudan towards the platform, adding in a trembling voice: "And well, there is also... "

Looking down at his master, Tsurumaru began to scrutinise him with a slight frown before finally huffing, his eyes shut.

"I see. "

"One thing… " expressed the Sage, confident.

"I'm listening. "

"The Retrograde Army's goal is to stop the meeting between Katsu and Saigō. However, there are two methods to do so. One is to create a disturbance near the meeting's place, but the other is far more alarming. They could decide to involve themselves and attack the target directly. The best solution for that would be to burn Edo to the ground… They've been cornered until now, certainly they'll grow impatient and will do everything in their power to accomplish their mission this time. "

"I shall transmit this information to the Commander. "

"Yes, please. I'm going to send you to Yagen's position. He seems to have been completely separated from the others. "

"He's left to his own devices? Very well. " acquiesced the Tachi before enquiring hesitantly: "Will it be all right, though? To rejoin the Second Unit so suddenly? "

"Yes, I'm sure they will be more than glad to have you with them. " the Sage announced with a reassuring smile before wincing abruptly in pain, holding his upper leg tightly.

Narrowing his eyes, any worry or amusement replaced by a rare seriousness on his part, Tsurumaru hastened to place himself in the centre of the sanctuary, his hand against his sword, and declared for the last time, a questioning eyebrow raised as a cloud of golden particles started to surround him:

"I wonder… will he be surprised to see someone like me? "

Endnote:

Shōgiban: is the name given to the game board of the Shōgi, a Japanese variation of traditional chess. The rules of the game being somewhat complex, I redirect you directly to the Wikipedia page to find out more. For my part, I'll just give you a quick explanation.

The objective of the game is to take the opposing king (then named Jeweled General). At the start of the game, each player has 20 pieces: a King (or Jeweled General for the opposing side), a Rook, a Bishop, two Gold Generals (or simply Gold), two Silver Generals (or simply Silver), two Knights, two Lances, and nine Pawns. Unlike the game of chess, the pieces taken are put in reserve. Whoever took them can put them back into play for his benefit later. This technique introduces dynamism into the game since players can drop captured pieces at any time either to threaten the opponent or to strengthen their defence.

Go: is a board game from China. It opposes two opponents who take turns placing stones, respectively black and white, on the intersections of a board called goban (the goban and the shogiban are very similar). The goal is to control the game board by building "territories" on it. The encircled stones become "captured", the winner being the player with the most total territories and captured stones.