Chapter Three: March - Yayoi (弥生): I heard it was one ten-thousandths.

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!

Uguisumaru, this is how the story is supposed to be told...

Xxxxxxxxxx

"You know, since they usually have only three leaves, the probability of finding a four-leaf white clover is one on ten thousand. "

"Really?! "

"Absolutely. And since they are so rare, to pick up one means that good things might happen. It's very valuable. "

"Waw... This is the first time I hear that. "

The Saniwa laughed as he watched his Tantou, starry-eyed. He turned his head toward the half-open shōji of the main hall, and smiling softly, declared whilst facing the sword again:

"Perhaps you should try to find one there over the plains? With a little perseverance, you will end up finding some. "

"I'm going to ask Maeda to help me! "

Saying these words, his Toudan stood up, coming out of the room hurriedly as the Sage took back a sip of his tea. Peaceful days like this were rare, better to enjoyed them as much as possible. Finishing his drink, he got up, passing the sliding door as the soft warbling of a nightingale resounded in the courtyard. Unfortunately for him, the lack of attack from the Revisionists did not mean that he could have a good time like the others. Slowly walking back to his office, he didn't stop even when a shout sounded from the single rooms.

Well, what's going to happen again today...? he sighed mentally, disillusioned.

Xxxxxxxxxx

"Aaaah... I'm so tired..."

The door of his office opened on these words, letting Kashuu enter, a small wooden box in his hands.

"Good work. How was sparring? "

The Uchigatana came to sit on one of the sofas facing the desk after closing behind him, putting his equipment on the coffee table whilst unlocking it, and unveiling a manicure kit where several brushes pens of different sizes were aligned, as well as several nail varnish spaces of different colours.

"Stimulating. Sparring with Yasusada reminded me of the former techniques of that guy. It'd been a long time... " he declared, taking out a white grain paper and starting to scratch the thin layer of varnish still on his nails. (* ¹) Then he added, after a slight silence, and perhaps more for himself: "They really fight the same way... "

The Saniwa lifted his head from his scrolls, looking at his Toudan, an intrigued look stuck on his face.

"Does that bother you? " he asked, a thin smile stretching his lips as the sword half turned to face him.

"Hmm... I don't know. " whispered Kiyomitsu, closing his eyelids, seeming to think for a second before pouting in answering: "I guess it's mostly a nostalgic feeling. "

"But you're not very nostalgic usually. " replied the cherry-haired boy as he resumed his researches.

"What's the use? Now that I'm here with master, I don't see the point. " revealed his first blade, grabbing another paper to move to the second hand.

The Sage suddenly stopped working, raising his head again to look at the Uchigatana, frowning.

"There is nothing wrong in remembering the past, Kiyomitsu. The trick is knowing how not to drown in it completely. "

"May as well to not think about it at all. It will avoid the risks. "

"In the end, Yamatonokami isn't the only one who needs to face his past... " mumbled the boy as he returned to his paperwork, getting a confused and curious look from his Toudan who hadn't heard the last reply of his master.

Shrugging his shoulders, as accustomed to not always understand what the Saniwa had in mind, he finally opened his mouth of pique, looking totally distraught

"Aruuuujiiiii... What do I choose? "

"Huh? "

Sighing in understanding the situation, Kashuu hesitating on several colours, a brush pen stuck between the lips, he smiled nevertheless, amused, and stated not without a touch of weariness in his voice:

"Isn't red the one that suits you best? "

"Hmm..."

"You only have to use a lighter shade than the one you usually use. " continued the Sage, knowing full well that he wouldn't need to say more to convince the Uchigatana.

"Ah! The poppy red will be perfect! " exclaimed Kiyomitsu, quickly dipping his brush into the mixture to carry it to his left forefinger.

"The one we bought a small fortune, two weeks ago? You still haven't used it?! " responded the surprised Saniwa, blowing of discontenting whilst adding: "I never thought that a varnish could cost that much. "

"I was waiting for a special occasion! " said Kashuu, rolling his eyes, as if it were a trifle.

"Because this day is? " questioned the Saniwa in raising an eyebrow, puzzled.

"Of course, I'm with master! "

He closed his eyes laughing at this answer, plunging back into his work without further ado, leaving the silence as the only distraction forming the pattern of the short company that would be the sword.

Xxxxxxxxxx

The morning had passed, then part of the afternoon had elapsed, and calm reigned again in the little-flowered citadel. Strangely, nothing very strange had happened yet, apart from Hirano's incomprehensible lightning trips armed with several objects, all more harebrained than the others, that he had been able to see from the window of his office. According to Tsurumaru (* ²), who had suddenly run into his office to 'surprise' him, Doudanuki's woes seemed to have stopped, Yamanbagiri had finally recovered from his fever, and the field chore on which Hachisuka complained was finally accomplished. And as a bonus, Mutsunokami was able to taste an excellent Western cake that had delighted him.

The Saniwa laughed. Since he was here, no day had seemed the same. Of course, certain things remained diametrically the same, like Kashuu's nonchalance, which was explained by his seniority in the estate, the somewhat maniac side of Hasebe, who drew his will from a loyalty like no other has, the whimsical of Tsurumaru, who sought to make each day more surprising than the previous one, or the rather easy-going personality of Uguisumaru, who preferred to move forward in the future rather than to remember the past.

Each of his swords, in his own way, made his daily life unique, whilst dotting it with reassuring little routines.

"Aruji? "

A few knocks at the door followed the call before a small brown head made its entrance, walking with a timid step to his writing desk, a picture stretched in front of him with both his hands.

"Look! Look! "

"Show me that… "

The Sage got up from his chair, skirting the desk to face his Toudan, delicately taking the picture between his fingers.

"Oh, it's a photograph of you and Uguisumaru, Hirano? It's... Who whitened your face? "

"Mutsunokami-san said that the faces show up better like this. "

I definitely need to buy another device, it becomes ridiculous...

The Saniwa kindly smiled at this remark, walking down to the sofas to sit on one of them, dragging the Tantou along with him, making him sit by his side.

"I also found a four-leaf white clover, as you said! " finally exclaimed the little blade, taking back the photograph in his hands.

"You have it on you? " he asked then, pleased with the news.

"No, no. I wanted to give it to Uguisumaru-sama to start the conversation, but Doudanuki-san seemed to need it more, so I gave it to him. " declared Hirano, smiling, his head tilted to one side.

"It's very kind of you. " he whispered, advancing his hand to stroke the hair of his Toudan, who giggled with happiness.

"To thank me, he offered me a dumbbell to train, but it was too heavy for me so I gave it to Kasen-san so he could calligraphy without being bothered by the wind. "

"A... a dumbbell...? " gasped the Sage, surprised, as a shiver ran down his spine.

What's this story, again... he began to think, certain that some astonishing things had to have happened to the child.

"And then, I received a book on the human body in compensation, but it seemed to more interested Yagen-nii-san, so he took it to me in exchange for a drug that served to heal Yamanbagiri-san's fever. Moreover, he met the death God of the Sanzu River. " continued the Tantou, always more happy to tell his story.

"Haha... really...? " said the Saniwa, the smile which isn't leaving his lips becoming tenser as the story was told.

"And then, there was the cloth that was used to warm Nikkari-san, the dakimakura that wanted so much Sayo-san, oh, and the old friend of Souza-san which has helped Hachisuka-san for the chore of the field. " narrated Hirano, broadly speaking at the golden-eyed boy.

Old friend...? Is he talking about the four-furrow plough? he wondered, however grateful that the little blade didn't go into details.

"And thanks to that, Hachisuka-san gave me the Castella cake that Uguisumaru-sama was able to enjoy with his tea! Then Mutsunokami-san suggested taking a picture! "

"It's... quite an adventure that you've lived, indeed. " related the Saniwa, letting a little laugh escape him. "I never thought this morning that a simple four-leaf white clover could make you live so much. But in the end, it seems that you had what you wanted, and even more. "

"Yes! " nodded the child, satisfied.

"I told you that good thing might happen, right? "

"I hadn't seen things from this point of view... " thought for a moment the Tantou, elsewhere, before finally declared: "But you're right! Even if I did not keep it long, it really has brought me happiness! "

"I'm delighted... " whispered the Sage, passing his hand again in Hirano's hair, sharing a laugh with him.

A unique day in itself...

Xxxxxxxxxx

It was an effervescence of voices and noises of all kinds which made him raise the head off his papers in which he had been immersed for more than two hours now. Rising up, he slowly approached the window of his room, opening it as he looked at the courtyard. The big dead cherry tree seemed to provoke a few emotions at down. Smiling, he shook his head, and leaned on the sill, watching the agitation that provoked the sacred tree. (* ³)

"That's right! We'd like a cherry tree! " exclaimed Namazuo, decided.

The Saniwa laughed a little, touched by the desires of his Touken Danshi who all shared a feeling of sorrow that they couldn't completely conceal. But, there really was no need to want so much a cherry tree. After all, they would soon realise that with some patience, their demands would be granted.

"If we go back in time to when Hanasaka-jii-san lived, couldn't we borrow some ash from him? "

If only all the legends were real. he said to himself, smiling, his eyes closed, his head tilted to one side.

Looking again in the direction of his swords, the latter seeming to ask themselves a thousand questions about the type of tree, and trying, with their mediocre though funny techniques, to definitely make a cherry tree commensurate with their wishes.

"A wish? Hmm, this isn't such a bad idea... "

The Sage tilted his head to the side, his thoughts echoing the sudden suggestion of Yamatonokami. He narrowed his eyes and smiled when the ingenious idea of the Uchigatana unfolded in his mind as he realized that the verso the paper used by his Toudan was pink.

"D-Does that mean it will be like Tanabata? "

Closing the window, the boy made his way to the shōji, deciding to take a closer look at the fuss that Okita Souji's former sword had provoked.

It might be interesting.

Going down the stairs one by one, he walked along the corridor of the entrance, traversing the citadel to the inner courtyard, and leaned back against the wall jamb, making sure that from his position he could not be seen.

"I wish cherry blossoms will bloom. "

"I wish… "

"...cherry blossoms will bloom. "

Time seemed to have stopped this afternoon as if the sun refused to get down despite the late hour that was coming. He smiled at the sight of his Toudan working hard for something that might have seemed completely futile to other people. Each Toushirou having made a duty to see their wishes come true, they worked all the harder, doing their utmost at the task...

"Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms, cherry bloss..."

When others chose the easy way to go faster. But it was still a very pleasant activity, no? Observing without being seen, and thus becoming the secret accomplice of some things that had taken a turn somewhat different from the primary goal.

"Ah, you're writing the wrong thing! "

"Don't look! "

Carried away by their enthusiasms, and guided by the deep desires that their hearts harboured, they all, more or less, ended up moving away from their goal, seeking a truth that the boy couldn't give them at this precise moment.

"Hoping that it will help them..." he whispered in retracing his steps, going back to his apartments.

Xxxxxxxxxx

"It's at full bloom. "

He got up from his chabudai at the hearing of this sentence, approaching again the window of his room, and observing the result of the hard work of his Toudan after hours to write. The sacred tree shone brightly, its thousands of wishes hanging on the branches offering a most impressive spectacle. He smiled, delighted to see such a thing, and lost himself in the contemplation of the blossoming cherry tree.

"Saniwa-sama? "

"It's beautiful, isn't it, Shinnosuke? "

The little kitsune with some tufts on his ears, came forward in his turn, sitting on the sill, eyes wide open, gaping.

"Waaaaw! It's a cherry tree! "

"Mm-hmm. It's pretty well done! "

"Ah, Konnosuke saw the wishes that everyone wrote. There were plenty of them saying "I wish cherry blossoms will bloom " or just "please bloom ". "

"It was the goal, yes. "

The fox turned around, lowering his ears on his head, saying in a sad voice:

"There were others too, like "I want to see Kousetsu-nii-sama again " or "I want to play with Ichii-nii ". "

"I know. " answered the Sage gently, running a hand through the fur of the animal, adding, "I hope I could also access their requests one day. "

"Ha, I'm sure it will happen! " exclaimed the creature with a smile, trying to comfort the boy.

"You're adorable… "

"I've heard that if you put your feelings in your writing, your wish will come true. "

Closing his eyes at this memory, the Saniwa smiled, clasping his hands, raising his head, gazing down at the tree with hundreds of pink leaves.

"Let every wish be heard, no matter how long it takes for it... "

"Th-th-they're cherry blossoms! "

"Cherry blossom buds?! "

"Huuuuuuh?! " exclaimed Shinnosuke as he stood up, approaching the sill a little bit more to see better, before being abruptly stopped by the boy who grabbed him in his arms, returning to his desk, indicating a strange smile on his lips. :

"It was obvious, no? "

Xxxxxxxxxx

The paper cherry tree was shining as if it were a real one. He smiled whilst advancing towards the trunk, the setting sun bathing the plain of its rays, harmonising with the latter in almost divine perfection, its different hues of pink being reflected on his Toudan's hundreds wishes. It was strange, as the old sacred tree had quickly acceded to the requests of the inhabitants of the estate, almost as if it had waited far too long for some hidden desires, whatever they may be, to be sent to its. And the Gods had answered present, blessing this home at the same time.

But the apprehension he kept locked up inside him didn't disappear despite this observation. His hands were shaking with emotion and his heart was beating like never before in his chest. He turned his head instinctively, and turning round, watched as the two Uchigatana partners walked quietly along the engawa whilst chatting gaily, not noticing his presence in the distance.

"I will protect Okita-kun."

A wish that can never be fulfilled, no matter the strength of his desire. Grasping one of the branches, he climbed onto the tree, picking up Yamatonokami's wish, watching it for a few seconds before finally hanging it back with a sigh. Even if he took an active part in the conflict that took over the Shinsengumi member's former sword, none of the decisions he would make would be decisive. However, the anxiety he felt only grew as the days come one after another

Something was going to happen. Something serious, important, and that would have non-negligible consequences. Closing his eyes as he leaned against the tree, he put his hand to his throat, the strange sensation of having blood in his mouth coming suddenly to hit him. A nightmare, this night again, would take possession of him. The same as the other times. Again and again... until this story would be given a final point. But he wasn't the one destined for this gesture. He knew it. All he hoped was that it doesn't turn out to be the last one either...

Endnote:

(*¹): You know?! Personally, it's something I discovered in Japan. I'd never heard of it before. It's a small roughcast paper, almost like Canson drawing paper level material, which can scratch the nail polish easily, without leaving a trace. It only scratches the layer of varnish, but not the nail.

(*²): Given his somewhat joking character, I imagine him very much like a kind of boisterous and hyperactive kid who watches everything that happens in the citadel before going to make a precise report to the Saniwa! XD

(*³): Huge trees like the one in the citadel are often very old, usually 100 years old. This type of tree is considered sacred in Japan, and generally, it's said that they are blessed and have received the power of the gods, and then, they become one, themselves.

Tanabata: (七夕, "The seventh night [of the seventh month]") is the Sino-Japanese star festival, Qīxī. The festival usually takes place on July 7 or August 7 and celebrates the meeting of Orihime (織 姫/織女) and Hiko-boshi (彦/星). According to Chinese legend, the Milky Way, a river of stars that crosses the sky, separates the two cursed lovers, and they are allowed to meet once a year. This particular day is the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar.