Chapter Two: February - Kisaragi (如月): I have nothing I want to say...
The year is 2205 A.D.
To annihilate the History Retrograde Army who schemes to alter history
Them, who were born from swords,
Engage in mortal combat as well!
Tsurumaru-san, I'm sorry they're not paying much attention…
Xxxxxxxxxx
A slightly muffled sound echoed in the dark night, two elements clashing repeatedly, metal against stone. The noise stopped for a minute, then resumed at a frantic pace for a few seconds before stopping again. The forge's door opened slowly, letting in a brown-haired young man, dressed in a thin red kimono on which rested a haori in the colours of the Shinsengumi.
"Aruji..."
"Kiyomitsu? "
The Sage turned at this voice, not having heard the Uchigatana enters. The latter advanced a little, turning his gaze to the scorching furnace before turning it back to the golden-eyed boy who, himself, was watching him, his head tilted to the side in a questioning way.
"Apart from the fact that no one is ever going to sleep well if you continue like this, you're going to wear yourself out with work. Why don't you leave that and go back to bed? " let out Kashuu, narrowing his eyes, concern marking the features of his face.
"I can't stop working whilst the metal is hot, you know it. And then, I'm almost done. " replied the Saniwa, smiling slightly, handling gently the half-forged sabre in his hands.
"Hmm... "
The Sage shrugged at the reaction of his first sword and returned to the oven to rest in it the blade which was looking more and more like a Tachi. A white kitsune, with an orange tail, replenished it in charcoal, before standing close to monitor the temperature.
"And about that... " asked Kiyomitsu, pointing out with his chin an Uchigatana resting on a workbench in the distance.
"Ah, Doudanuki-san? As soon as I'm done here, I'll take care of him. " said the Saniwa without letting go of the molten metal of the eyes.
"Doudanuki? This is anything but cute. "
"Doudanuki Masakuni. And you shouldn't bother him much about it. He's the kind to cut into the flesh (* ¹), if you know what I mean... "
"Hmm, all right. "
"Saniwa-sama, the water tub is ready. "
"Thank you, Yūsuke. "
The Sage seized the piping hot sabre with pliers and pulled it out of the fire, plunging it directly into an icy water basin nearby. The steam dispersed rapidly throughout the forge, enveloping in a white cloud the people present. Putting the finally cooled sword on the anvil behind him, he removed the clay paste from the non-cutting edge of the latter and began to polish it carefully. (* ²)
"Go back to sleep, Kiyomitsu. It'll be fine. " he declared, half turning to the Uchigatana to comfort him with a smile.
"But...! " objected Kashuu, taking a step forward before moving back, head down to the floor. "Do you intend to summon Doudanuki right away? "
"Yes. I will show him his room directly, and tomorrow he will discover the estate with him. " revealed the boy as he lifted the Tachi to indicate who he was talking about.
"That one too?! " exclaimed Kiyomitsu, widening his eyes.
"What? This isn't the first time that two Touken Danshi are invoked at the same time in this citadel. " was surprised the Saniwa, stopping abruptly to face his Toudan.
"But... you already worked all night... " whispered Kiyomitsu so weakly that the Sage almost did not hear him.
"Well, I'll rest tomorrow morning. It's nothing. " added the latter, smiling, amused to see the Uchigatana inspecting his nails to pretend he wasn't worried. "Kiyomitsu...? "
"Yes…? "
"You don't have to stay just because I stay myself, you know? "
"This isn't the case! "
Mumbling these words in an incensed voice, though embarrassed, Kashuu immediately took the way out, firmly closing the door behind him. The Saniwa sighed and, for a moment, watched the Tachi he held in his hands, murmuring tiredly:
"Don't make his task easier tomorrow, okay? "
Xxxxxxxxxx
His footsteps were making a dull sound in hitting the stairs. Climbing hastily, he didn't preoccupy about the cry of his comrades-in-arms who was calling him from the entrance. All he wanted was to reach the second floor, reach the place where he...
His vision became blurred, an enemy coming out of nowhere to strike him a blow, which he barely avoided, leaving a few hairs by the way. Losing balance, he stumbled, running down the steps as fast as he had ascended them.
"Yasusada! Are you okay?! "
He didn't answer, dizzy. His eyelids closed for a second, the time to get a grip on himself. He felt a shock on his back as he stubbed against a wall but still didn't react. Who could have...? The sound of a sword that was dislodged from its scabbard reached him, and the next minute he could see the Uchigatana with red-stained nails looking at him disappointedly.
"Kiyo...mitsu... "
"What were you doing? " said the latter, inspecting him with his eyes.
"I'm sorry. " he replied, ashamed.
"Sheesh, you got my clothes dirty. " exclaimed Kashuu both annoyed and laughing.
"Aruji! Wake up, it's morning! "
The sliding window opened abruptly, letting a bright light enter the room that made him grunt and turn around in his futon.
"Aruji! "
He huffed, not satisfied with the short night he had just passed. But who could he lash out at, except at himself? He half-raised in his bunk, and rubbing his eyes, looked haggard at Hasebe who was starting to tidy up around him.
Touken Danshi or manservant? It's hard to tell the difference...
"But at what time did you go to bed, huh? " the sword-warrior exclaimed, picking up clothes that were lying around here and there.
"Hmm... I don't know anymore. "
"Aaaah... every time it's the same thing! You fall asleep in the middle of the night, and so, you put a real jumble! " shouted Hasebe, more bothered than really angry.
"Sorry...? " whispered the Sage sceptically, certain that even though the room was immaculately clean, the Uchigatana would still find a way to complain.
In doing so, he got up and, bypassing a screen, opened the door of a second room, in the background, leading to a bathroom. Washing his face after having changing himself, he saw from the corner of his eye several kitsune enter the room, settling around a large coffee table.
"Breakfast is served. Shokudaikiri said that it was a new recipe and that if you like it, he will do it again with pleasure. " let out Hasebe as he grabbed the futon to fold it up and store it in a closet.
"Okay. " the Saniwa replied as he joined the seven kitsune to stroke each one in a greeting way as they devoured a dish of agedashi dofu.
He settled down at his chabudai and smiled when he saw a kaiseki consisting of a bowl of miso soup, a plate of onigiri and another of dashimaki with roast mackerel and a small teapot of green tea.
"You'll thank him for me, it looks delicious. "
Hasebe laughs softly at the announcement. He sat down at the little table, and facing the Saniwa, began to write on a slate, asking:
"For the distribution of tasks, today? "
"Hmm, yes. " the boy interrupted himself as he rested his cup of tea.
"Who will take care of the stables? "
"Leave it to Ishikirimaru. He knows how to do it with horses. And I'm sure Akita will be happy to participate as well. " he indicated, grabbing his chopsticks, and putting a piece of omelette in his mouth, articulated slowly: "Aizen and Nakigitsune to the crops. "
"Very good. Sparring room? Yamatonokami is there for now, but I think it's more meditation than anything else... "
The Sage interrupted himself in his tasting at the mention of the former sword of Okita Souji, the dream of the day before, coming back in his mind. He closed his eyes, the cool morning air slipping delicately over his face, and plunging him into his thoughts.
"What were you doing? "
"I'm sorry. "
"Aruji? "
He abruptly opened his eyes at the call, and remembering all of sudden where he was, stammered, still befuddled in his memories:
"Sorry. Er, yes, sparring... Well, Maeda and Gokotai aren't often on the field, so... "
Hasebe's gaze made him stop in his dubious explanations and he sighed, certain that his Toudan would, now, ask himself some questions.
"They need to train to become stronger, right? "
"Yes... " asserted the Uchigatana without really caring, more worried about the state of his master than anything else. "Everything is fine? "
"Yes, I'm fine. It's just that... the Retrograding Force no longer hesitates to attack major events in history. That troubles me a little... " the Sage pretended to admit, observing the kitsune who, themselves, had stopped eating, worried.
"We are here to prevent them from acting as they please! I, Hasebe, will be the loyal servant of my master, and will kill a thousand enemies if you ask me! " Heshikiri said, putting a hand to the right of his chest, proudly straightening himself.
"To you all alone ?! No, thanks... " chuckled the boy, laughing shamelessly in front of the Touken Danshi who scowled immediately. Then, he added to comfort him: "Even if I know how powerful you are, I doubt that you can stand alone in front of an army of a thousand Retrogrades soldiers! And I do not want you to get back to me in pieces, or worse... "
"Aruji... " Hasebe whispered, blushing. Then, clearing his throat, he continued more seriously: "Laundry? "
"Kasen, obviously. And Yamanbagiri. " replied the Saniwa, resuming his breakfast.
"They're going to argue again about Yamanbagiri's cloth..."
"It'll be fine. I think Hachisuka will not complain about doing some cleaning, either. "
"Midare said yesterday that he wanted to help. "
"Then, he'll give him a hand... "
"Cooking? Shokudaikiri, as usual. Who will help him? "
"Hmm... Why not Nikkari? He's good at it too, right? "
He put his chopsticks on their stand saying this and finished his tea in one go. And as Hasebe piled the meal trays over each other after finishing to write the names, he suddenly remembered something, and retorted whilst turning to the latter:
"By the way! I almost forgot... "
He stood up, heading in a slow step towards his desk to open a small box from which he took out a paper-man marked with his symbol that he extended to the Uchigatana, all smiles.
"The sword is already stored in the summoning room. "
"It's... " he gasped, taking the sheet between his fingers, looking up at the cherry-haired boy.
"Tsurumaru Kuninaga. Doudanuki was called yesterday, but it was too late for him to discover the citadel. " he replied as he approached the window to close it, frowning at the frozen ponds.
"I'll deal with- " Heshikiri began to say before being interrupted.
"No, I prefer that Kiyomitsu take care of this, okay? "
"At your command. "
"And, do not forget to tell the others to pay attention in the courtyard, especially if you all want to have fun in the snow like last time. " advised the Saniwa, looking anxiously at his Toudan, who nodded before leaving the room.
"Good. " he said, turning to the kitsune. "What if we talked about your owns tasks?! "
Xxxxxxxxxx
"Aruji! Tsurumaru has arrived! "
His secretary's voice rang out from the main courtyard and he sighed as he sat down on the floor. Now that the Tachi was there, a certain number of swords belonging to the warlord Nobunaga were in the citadel, and he wondered how things would go... If Hasebe, Souza or even Yagen had carefully avoided talking about it until now, each of them for their own reasons, Tsurumaru's short stay at the daimyo risked to change the game (* ³). And yet, the resentment hidden in the heart of his Toudan was in truth, he knew, the sign of deep sadness, and perhaps even greatest regrets.
I guess I'll have to do something about it.
The sliding doors opened without him even realising it, the Uchigatana, to which he was just thinking, entering the room. The latter began to tidy up the last vestiges of this morning's mess, raising his tone a little more each time something was catching his eye.
"How is the integration of the new swords? " he questioned, attempting an approach to distract the, a tiny bit manic, attendant.
"Kashuu and Yamatonokami give them the tour around. " announced the latter, continuing to sort out the papers on his chabudai. Then, stopping, he added, "You didn't tell me that Tsurumaru would be so... "
"Yes? " encouraged the Saniwa, raising his head, a book on his knees, his hand about to turn a page.
"Enthusiasts... " retorted Heshikiri in a small voice as he resumed his work.
"It's a problem? " argued the boy as he returned to his reading, a slight grin on his lips.
"No... well... maybe it's a little too much. " expressed the Uchigatana, facing his master.
The Sage gently closed the book, squeezing it in his arms, and anchored his gaze in the one of his Toudan. He watched him for a moment without saying anything, as if he was looking for words, before finally closing his eyes, affirming:
"And maybe that's his way of seeing the world. You know, the perceptions of others are based on how they want to approach the experience of their past. If some people prefer not to think about it, at the risk of having regrets, others simply want to see only the positive that comes out of it. "
"I see. I guess that, seen from that angle... " declared Hasebe in a breath, a little confused.
"It's rather refreshing if you want my opinion. " related the Saniwa as he laid the book on his side to catch a second one on the shelf of the small bookcase he was sitting next to.
He suddenly turned to the shōji, feeling a presence he would recognise anywhere.
Kiyomitsu.
But already his attendant went again on complaining without stopping, diverting him from his thoughts as he sighed unceremoniously.
"Aruji! Why don't you put the books you've read back on the shelf? Jeez, without me, Hasebe, you can't do a thing. "
"You exaggerate, there is only one book on the floor. " he retorted, rolling his eyes.
"Let's organise the things on your desk! You don't know where anything is this way, do you? " continued to exclaim the Uchigatana, not noticing what was being said to him.
What's the point..? reeled off mentally the Sage, resuming his reading without worrying about the Touken Danshi.
"Ah, jeez! Aruji! "
Xxxxxxxxxx
Calm had finally resumed its place in the citadel, lunch largely contributing to it. The Saniwa fell back against the wall behind him, abandoning any idea of work. He ran a hand over his face, still tired by the short night he had spent, and glanced at the kitsune in excess weight who was sleeping on the half-open window sill.
"Daisuke! "
The little fox did not react to the call of his name, merely moving his tail in a pendulum movement that annoyed a little more the boy who stood up to lift the animal in his hands, positioning him in front of himself.
"Tell me. " he said as the creature finally agreed to open his eyes. "Weren't you supposed to get news from the government, and send the latest reports? "
Daisuke slightly grumbled about the fact of exchanging his place before being interrupted, the characteristic sound of the Revisionists attack resonating through the walls of the room.
He turned around sharply, letting go of the kitsune who fell gently on the ground, and consulting the map of the country that appeared on the wall, let a broad smile adorned his lips. If altering history was an integral part of the Retrograde Army's task, they sometimes did not put as much effort and hope on certain missions, a chance for the Saniwa who, although aware of the danger, amused himself to be able to use thus the enemy to execute his plans.
The Sage headed toward the entrance, ready to get down to look for Heshikiri to warn him and miraculously fell on Kasen by opening the shōji.
"Aruji? " surprised the Uchigatana, a pile of clothes in the hands.
"Kasen. Perfect. Can you do me a favour? " he asked as he stepped forward to relieve the sword of his weight.
"O-Of course! "
"Can you find Hasebe for me, a troop will soon go on an excursion. "
"Right away! Uh... and the laundry? " added Nosada (* ³ bis) with a puzzled look.
"I'll take care of it. " indicated the Saniwa with a small smile, his head tilted slightly to one side.
"Thank you. " answered Kasen, nodding before walking down the stairs quickly.
Fortunately, it's mine... whispered the boy mentally in closing his eyes, returning to his apartments, closing the doors behind him.
Heshikiri crossed the shōji from his room again just a few minutes later, his face concerned. The Saniwa frowned at seeing him, and without losing a moment, informed him of the situation.
"The Revisionists are attacking again a major event in history. "
"What?! " exclaimed Hasebe, almost choking.
"Akechi Mitsuhide's attack is about to be interrupted and the end of Oda Nobunaga to be avoided. " continued the sage, pointing to the map of his finger.
"This time it's Honnouji? " questioned the sword without really needing a confirmation, the event being enrolled in his memory.
"You must go in 1582 to stop the Retrogrades before any less ounce of history is changed. "
"Right, let's make the assignments. Now then, what will the line-up be this time? "
"Yagen Toushirou, Tsurumaru Kuninaga, Souza Samonji, Kashuu Kiyomitsu, Yamatonokami Yasusada, and last member and captain, Heshikiri Hasebe. " declared the golden-eyed boy, his look piercing.
"These six swords? I... "
"By the way, Hasebe. " he added as the shōji opened anew to let the Uchigatana out. "Take your time over there. "
His Toudan didn't answer, but he knew his advice would be followed. The force the enemy had sent was minimal, and he didn't doubt that his swords would have no trouble getting rid of it. The real challenge in sending this particular troop was especially to give a chance to the former companions of Nobunaga to face a past too long ignored.
He sighed, turning his head to his window, slightly worried.
"Let's hope that Yamatonokami learns a lesson, too... "
Xxxxxxxxxx
The twilight coloured the sky with its warm hues of oranges, and the night that would follow would surely be cool, but the weather lent itself to the occasion. Going down the stairs that separated his room from the rest of the estate, he walked slowly to the main room, and opening it, found exactly the people he was looking for inside.
"Aruji-sama? " spoke Ishikirimaru in a surprised voice as he Shokudaikiri quickly stood up to join him in front of the entrance.
"Do you need anything? " asked the latter, solicitous.
"More or less. " replied the Sage with a mysterious smile. "Would someone be available to go shopping with me? "
"What kind of purchases? " Hachisuka asked, interested.
"Well... Tsurumaru is out for now, but on his return, I thought we could organise a nabe. With all that has happened lately, we haven't even been able to celebrate the welcoming of the new swords, including yours, Ishikirimaru... "
"Ah, no, it's not worth it, really... " uttered the Ootachi, embarrassed.
"It matters to me. It's a good way to get to know each other, right? " insisted the Saniwa, still smiling.
"It's a very good idea. I'm coming with you. " said Hachisuka, getting up immediately.
"I'm going to see what ingredients we miss, but I think we already have the most. " replicated Mitsutada, coming out on the engawa and starting to walk toward the kitchens.
"In this case, you just have to make a list. As soon as it will be done, we will leave. "
"All right. "
And so the little-improvised party was organised, each Touken Danshi of the citadel offering his help after being warned. In the end, he took very little part in the festivities, just giving directives here and there. The first division came back as the preparations had just finished. He swept aside from the back of his hand the report Hasebe was about to make to him and preferred to accompany Souza and Yagen to the repair room to check on the state of his Uchigatana. When he was sure everything was fine, he went back to his room, exhausted by his day.
However, the echoes of the discussions of his Toudan reached him from the open window of the room, and he approached, amused. Soon enough, Yamatonokami made his way through all of them, catching his eye, and he focused on his voice, curious.
"Maybe Nobunaga escaped from Honnouji, survived using all his power, obtained the ability to live forever, and is still somewhere, even now! "
The Saniwa retreated, carefully closing the window with a sigh. The others could laugh at this whimsical tale, but the Uchigatana's words were no less revealing of a desire deeply buried in the latter. The one of seeing his former master accomplish the same feat...
"I was wrong... This whole story is much more serious than I thought..."
Endnote:
(*¹): Doudanuki's smith cared more for the strength of the blade than for how it looked - the goal was truly battle swords, mass-produced and consumable. Thus, the blade is often thicker on the back or as a whole and exhibits a little curvature. Doudanuki's blades were once highly prized for their ability to cut through armour.
During the Meiji era, using a high-quality helmet held in front of the emperor, a Doudanuki sword, renowned for piercing through armour, split the helmet in half. (See picture Wikia).
As a result, Doudanuki Masakuni doesn't really understand the interest of other Touken Danshi to have a beautiful appearance. (A bit like Yamanbagiri who can't bear to be told that he is beautiful when he is only a copy of the original.)
Did you understand everything? ;)
(*²): All right, I'm not going to teach you how to make Japanese swords, look at the wiki if you want to know the details, but, basically, here's the trick:
Tempering is the step that follows the smithing of the blade, essential to ensure the cutting edge without affecting the flexibility of the blade.
During the latter, the Japanese invented a technique of their own, partial tempering. The concept is simple: by covering part of the blade with a paste of refractory clay, charcoal powder, silica and other elements kept secret by each blacksmith, we find ourselves isolating the cold back and the flanks of the blade (the parts that we want to maintain flexibility).
Thus, when the blade is soaked in water, only the cutting edge will be cooled quickly enough to form hard steel, which will give the edge of the weapon extreme hardness while maintaining a high impact resistance for the whole.
Agedashi Dofu: Firm tofu cut into cubes and lightly floured with potato starch or cornflour and fried in an oil bath until golden brown. The tofu is then served in a hot broth and then covered with finely chopped negi (a type of spring onion).
Kaiseki: is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner.
Miso Soup : (Not sure I have to explain, but hey.) Fermented and salted soya bean paste with dried wakame seaweed, rehydrated and cut into squares, tofu, sliced thinly boiled beef, spring onions, cooked egg slices and soy sauce.
Dashimaki: is a type of Japanese omelette, prepared in a rectangular pan with fish broth.
(*³): Again, this reference may have escaped you if you do not know anything about Tsurumaru's story.
Indeed, Tsurumaru Kuninaga resided with the Daimyo (Lord) Oda Nobunaga, after the extermination of the Hojo clan to which he belonged, but only for a very short time since the latter offered him to one of his vassals, Mori Yoshinari.
Although Souza, Yagen and Hasebe also stayed with Nobunaga, they were all there in a different era, so that if they had run into each other, it was only briefly.
(*³ bis): And again... Nosada (之定) is the alias of Kasen Kanesada's blacksmith. This is also how his "little brother" Izuminokami Kanesada calls him.
Personally, I use this nickname to make the difference between the two. Thus, Kasen will sometimes be named Nosada, and Izuminokami, Kanesada.
Small anecdote: Kasen was forged by the famous and renowned second generation of Kanesada when Izuminokami was forged by the eleventh/twelfth least recognised, so they don't always understand each other. Kasen claiming an elegance and a strength of which Izuminokami is not endowed.
Nabe: is a variety of Japanese hot pot dishes in winter. This is a dried seaweed fish broth soup, heated on a camping stove and to which several kinds of ingredients are added such as Chinese cabbage, kuzu noodles (transparent), tofu, white vermicelli, mushrooms, fish, oysters and thin slices of meat (beef or pork).
Engawa: is a floor, usually made of wood, hanging and standing outside the window or doors of rooms in traditional Japanese houses. (see picture wiki)