Chapter Six: June - Minazuki (水無月): This citadel is truly blessed.

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!

You wouldn't get anything from them, Hakata. They're never listening...

Xxxxxxxxxx

"Aa-aa... achoo! "

"Aaah... it doesn't look better. "

"You think… ? "

Darting a glower at the animal standing near the half-opened window, the Saniwa turned for the umpteenth time in his futon, shivering cold despite the thick kimono and haori he was wearing under his two blankets.

"I warned you, however. "

"Eisuke... "

"A month ago, when you informed me that even your nightmares didn't prevent you from deeply sleeping, I told you that it was tiredness and that if you did not rest, you would get sick. "

"I'm sorry, okay?! "

"I said, you'll catch a cold! But are people just listening to me here?! No, not once! "

"I'm pretty sure I had less headache when you were saying nothing, kitsune! "

"What…! "

Surprised by the Sage's disapproving tone, the little fox with glasses immediately stopped speaking, dumbstruck. Sighing in noticing finally the silence, the latter closed his eyes, trying to sleep despite the infernal and imaginary noise that was piercing his eardrums, the horrible vice that seemed to clasp his brain, and his stuffy nose that prevented him from breathing correctly.

"It's a losing battle... "

Advancing cautiously to the bunk, as if afraid of being infected in his turn, the kitsune came closer under the suspicious look of the boy, gently placing a paw on his forehead before quickly withdrawing it, panicked.

"You have a fever! I'll warn right now Hasebe-san! "

Unable to answer, the room strangely spinning around him, the Saniwa grunted something that vaguely looked like "don't do that", before suddenly sinking into unconsciousness, thousands of images scrolling in his mind.

Xxxxxxxxxx

One. Two. Three petals of cherry trees gently falling on the water, creating an oscillation that resonated like an echo. A blue and white haori struck by the Perseverance symbol floating slightly on the surface, uninhabited by any presence. One life extinguished itself for another to be reborn. And the price of blood... each time shed, each time lost... to forgive a bigger sin than the one to kill.

A journey through the centuries, in a future resembling the past. A universe where the old and the new meet, intertwine, and never part of each other. Like a promise, which, with time, always seems harder to keep, harder to achieve.

One being. Two beings. Connected by an endless red thread. Meeting, losing, and meeting again and again. Two souls, that everything separates if it's for one thing. A code of honour. A name, pronounced with a sigh, painful to say, painful to remember. And memories, which never dry up, as being infinite.

One petal. Two petals. Three petals of cherry blossoms flying in the wind, flying over the plain, over an estate. A citadel. Blessed by the Gods. And as the dark night spread in the sky, covering the clouds, making the sun flee, and welcoming the moon with joy. White, like hope which reborn from its ashes. A promise, always easier to make, always easier to keep.

"Aruji? Aruji! Aruji?! "

"Hmm... "

He opened his eyes with difficulty, reality blending into his dreams. Finally, becoming aware of what was around him, he blinked several times and tried hard to get up, a hand, welcomed with pleasure, landing on his back to help him to support himself.

"Ishikirimaru? " he breathed after a few seconds watching at the Ootachi, finally putting a name on that face he recognised without understanding how he had been able to forget it.

"Hello. " replied the latter with a smile, pressing a soaked towel on his forehead before wiping the sweat all over his face and neck.

"I... " gasped the boy with a sigh of well-being, the cold of the fabric opposing his burning body, like flames fading under a stream of water.

"Do not talk. You're always feverish. But I promise you, it'll be better in a few hours. "

"The expedition... " still murmured the Saniwa, the floor seeming to be getting farther and farther away from him unless it was just dizziness.

"Aruji! " exclaimed his Toudan with fear, catching him quickly in his arms as he leaned dangerously forward.

"Aaah, my head. "

"Please, stay calm. The expedition left a few minutes ago. Everyone is doing their best not to disappoint you, so please, do your best to get better. "

"Hmm... "

Feeling to be put delicately back to his futon, the Sage closed his eyes anew, and lulled by the repetitive words of his Touken Danshi, fell asleep again, a sunset revealing itself in place of darkness.

"Purify and cleanse. Purify and cleanse. Purify and cleanse. "

Xxxxxxxxxx

A cliff no higher than a hill. A soft, orange light covering the sky. And two samurai standing in front of a dangerous appearance's bear. However, all swords sheathed, they advance to meet it, trying to fight their way through without shedding any drop of blood. Mutual respect inhabiting the three living creatures that coexist in this place and hour.

A dull concern echoes in their hearts, like a wish, a desire that will only come true if their mission is successful. An objective, to reach at any price, for the success of a goal from which will depend on their survival.

And the clock which turns desperately. The hours scrolling faster and faster without that, however, their determinations weakened. And a being, among them, who gets to a revelation that he hadn't understand until now.

Red. Blood-red. Cherry-red. Strawberry-red, like the colour of these fruits, a reward for their hard work. A hope. A relief, which hugs their chests, erases the heartbreak they felt since their first steps in that era from whose they will leave, full memories in mind.

Again this sound. A tiny bell. A reminder. And this one, like a rustling of leaves. A demand. Coming back. From the dead, the living, from this between-world where he is at this moment. A border, spiritual, mortal. Him, who is at the same time, a man and a God. Protecting the firsts, serving the seconds.

Coming back. Again and always. Why? For what reasons? Them, who pray unceasingly for his return. A recovery. And an invisible tear. Unique. Escaping his eye, sliding along his cheek, running through his lips before falling to the ground like a splash, sullying the ground of his sadness.

"Hmm... you're sure it's not better to wake him up?"

"Of course, idiot! He must rest! "

"But it looks like he's having a nightmare... "

"It doesn't matter! "

"Shhh! "

"Too late… "

Opening his eyelids, a mocking grin stretching his mouth slightly, the Saniwa half-raised in his bunk, offering an amused glance at the kitsune gathered around him, lying in a ball against him.

"Ah! Saniwa-sama! "

"You're definitely too noisy for me to sleep in peace. " he chuckled as he ran a hand through the fur of a random fox.

"Sorry... " exclaimed the latter, all together, head down.

"You feel better? " asked Ryonosuke, coming closer.

"Not really, to be quite honest. But at least my ears don't ring anymore. "

"It's good. " declared Konnosuke, squinting with joy.

"Everybody out. The master needs calm and serenity. "

Turning as slowly as possible to avoid a second dizziness, he set his eyes on the Tantou that had sprung up in the room, pushing the kitsune out quickly as he pulled the covers over his face after forcing him to lengthen.

"Thank you Yagen. "

"Thanked me when you will be up and about. Now, sleep. "

Xxxxxxxxxx

"I was wondering. How could I escape the chore of the field? "

"What do you mean escaping the chore?! "

"No, because it's really dirty, and I don't like jobs that make me dirty... "

"Sorry. It's impossible. "

"Really…? Hmm, I guess I don't have a choice, so... "

"Indeed. "

"Once I finish this thankless task, my nails...won't you paint them? "

"I'll do it if it can please you. "

"Perfect. At work! At work! "

.

"Did you know? Horses have sparkly eyes. "

"Yes, it's pretty funny. "

"I noticed that Tsurumaru-san too, exactly the same! "

"Really? Strangely, it doesn't surprise me that much. "

"Isn't it?! It's almost natural with them! "

"I guess there's a little bit of that. "

"Hahaha! It's not very nice to say that! "

.

"You really don't have anything to do, right? "

"Huh?! Aruji, you're really mean! I am currently doing something! "

"What? Changing outfit for the thousandth time of the day, I don't call that doing something. At least, not something useful! "

"With that, I think I've become a bit cuter! "

"Kiyomitsu! "

"All right, decorate me! "

"Kiyomitsu... "

.

"Am I that odd? "

"I'm not sure to understand. "

"You never get tired of patting me, do you? "

"Yasusada? "

"Will you... love me? "

"Yasusada? "

"Ah! I'm sorry, I was thinking out loud... "

.

"Aaaruuujiii... Wake up. It's time to take your medicine. "

"Hmm... what? "

"Me-di-cine! It's something that makes you feel better. "

"Do you play the insolent to hide your anxiety? "

"That…! "

Gently standing up, rubbing his eyes to clear the last traces of sleep, the Sage offered a mocking grin to the outraged Uchigatana, who quickly turned his eyes to the side, pouting.

"Be reassured, I feel good, even without me-di-cine! " said the Saniwa with a smile, who couldn't help imitating his Toudan to annoy him.

"Really?! " exclaimed the latter, turning his eyes back toward his master, unable to hide his joy and relief.

"Yes. "

"Take it anyway. Just to be safe. "

"All right. "

Catching the red liquid's vial, he drank a sip, coughing a little because of his dry throat, before finishing the contents of a stroke, the taste not being repulsive.

"Aaah, it wasn't easy to find this sanshuu! " declared Kashuu, raising his head, as proud of him.

"Mm-hmm, I know. " whispered the boy whilst continuing to smile, amused.

"You know…? " gasped Kiyomitsu, his eyes wide, amazed.

"Yes. By the way, how was the investigation in Edo? " he asked, aware of the trap he was setting up at his sword.

"Ah! Well... the investigation... actually... Mutsunokami will tell you about it! " stammered the latter, getting up suddenly, and moving briskly toward the exit. "Take care of yourself! "

Laughing bluntly at the panicked reaction of the Uchigatana, the Sage let some tears escape from his pupils, the fatigue still present despite the endless time he had spent sleeping.

Yawning lengthily, he came out from under his blankets, became too hot, and crawled to his desk, catching the book that was there before returning to his futon to settle comfortably.

A blow was heard on the shōji wood. Then two, before the doors slid opened to let a particular Toudan enter to who he gave a grateful smile.

"Ishikirimaru. "

"I see you're feeling much better. "

"As predicted. Thank you for everything you did for me. "

"It's useless. To heal is my very own nature. Using my skills for my master is all I can hope for. "

"Anyway, thank you. "

He could hear different voices resounding outside the room. Kiyomitsu especially, accompanied by several others like the one of Midare, Akita, or Nikkari. Cheerful, reassured, happy, relieved... he couldn't say how many different feelings his Touken Danshi were now going through, but he felt blessed to be thus surrounded.

"I came to finish the purification ritual. " explained the Ootachi, unfolding his equipment, waving his Ōnusa in front of him whilst saying:

"Let it be purified... let it be cleansed... "

Huffing softly, the Saniwa opened his book and began to read, leaving the silence of the moment to invade him, waltzing in a certain harmony with the religious chants of his sword.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Steeped by the rays of the late afternoon sun, the little room seemed more active than ever, receiving a thousand visits to the second. The boy, happy, didn't hesitate to smile with kindness as he reassured each Toudan who crossed the shōji to offer their help in any way.

Atsushi and Hirano brought him a dozen of four-leaf white clovers that they had spent the day picking up, Izuminokami and Horikawa offered to change his sheets and Maeda brought him a get well soon's letter absolutely adorable.

Narrowing his eyes in a smile, the Sage gently placed the sheet of paper on his chabudai nearby, and let his gaze drifted toward the Ootachi in front of him who was tidying up his things with delicacy.

Really... I'm truly blessed...

"I'm done. " declared his sword as he walked to the window to close it, making the room lose its clarity.

"Thank you, Ishikirimaru. You should go to rest, too. You have done enough. " indicated the Saniwa, touched by all the attention his Touken Danshi showed towards him.

"Don't talk nonsense, I was delighted to make myself useful. " murmured the Ootachi with a smile as he made his way out, barely closing the doors behind him.

Several people had gathered in the hall or near the staircase, and through the thin partition, the boy could hear every conversation, every thread of discussion that revolved around only one subject: himself.

A small laugh escaped from his lips at this thought whilst outside, Hasebe -who had been strangely absent from the all day- finally seemed to show up.

"As Master's attendant, I, Hasebe, made udon for the first time. " said the latter as he entered.

So that's why, huh?

Smiling all the more, the boy thanked the Uchigatana before settling down at the table.

"Is it good? " questioned the sword, eyes filled with hope, and he decided that such a work deserved that he was as honest as possible:

"Delicious, but, I think it's a little salty, still. "

"Eh? It's a little salty? I wonder why? "

"There are a lot of ingredients too, it doesn't surprise me. "

"Oh, I guess, yes. "

"But thanks, I was literally starving to death. "

"Ah, Aruji, don't say that, he's going to make himself false ideas, again... "

"Hahaha! I think too. "

Turning suddenly, the Sage watched as Mikazuki and Shokudaikiri came in, a mocking smile on their lips.

"False ideas? " he repeated, lost, his head tilted to the side in a questioning way.

"Hahaha! Hasebe prepared this udon as if it were the last cure that could save you from a deadly disease! "

"Wha-! Mikazuki, don't tell nonsense! "

"I beg your pardon!? "

Stunned by what he heard, the Saniwa looked successively at the Tachi and the Uchigatana as they bickered, the confusion marking the features of his face.

"Shokudaikiri? " he asked, in the hope to understand the situation at a minimum.

"Don't pay attention. I bring these two with me, eat well. " reeled the latter, raising his hands in front of him, a contrite and desolated smile stretching his mouth.

Watching his plate whilst the room emptied, he winced, not knowing whether it was good to eat it or not. Behind the shōji, Hasebe was already making a point of warning everyone that his udon had been appreciated, and he didn't think for a second longer, grabbing his chopsticks to plunge them into the bowl, tasting without wondering more questions.

But the silence that accompanied this announcement didn't last, the servant beginning to exclaim again, annoyed:

"Yamatonokami. Master is eating right now. You can tell him later- "

"It has to be right now! "

"Hey! Listen, Yamatonokami! Master has a fever! Talk to him after he has gotten better! Hey, listen when I'm talking to you! "

The sliding doors opened forcefully, the Uchigatana in a blue hakama being suddenly grabbed by the arm before even stepping into the room.

"Hasebe, let him. " said the Saniwa, a soft smile on his lips as the Shinsengumi's former sword sat in front of him.

"Aruji. " called Yasusada, formal.

"It looks like you've reached a certain conclusion, no? " he stated by way of encouragement to push his Toudan to speak.

"Huh? " was amazed the latter, surprised.

"Am I wrong? " argued the Saniwa, raising his eyebrows uncertainly.

"Ah, no! But I didn't think... " stammered Yamatonokami, taken aback.

"That I would guess it? Let's say it's a stroke of luck. So, what is this conclusion? " replied the Sage, mischievous.

"I've decided to become stronger for master, too! I want to be as strong as Okita-kun to serve master as it should be! " announced the Uchigatana, determined, pushing the Saniwa to squint in asking:

"Really? And what made you think this way? "

"Okita-kun's strength didn't lay only in his sword. He was also able to warm the hearts of others and bring everyone together. Exactly like master! " explained the sword, the name of his former owner slipping on his lips like a litany.

"Mm-hmm... well, in this case, do your best to accomplish your goal. " whispered the boy, a contrite smile stuck to his face.

"Yes! "

It's not quite that yet, but it's getting closer. he thought as he watched his Touken Danshi, a semblance of discouragement inhabiting him a few seconds before he chases it away in an inaudible sigh.

"You're done? The master needs to rest. " finally required Hasebe impatiently as he passed a head between the half-opened shōji.

"Yes. " related Yasusada, getting up, not forgetting to add, "Take care of yourself!"

And as everyone was taking their leave, letting the quiet return to the small room, he wondered if all that commotion wasn't going to miss him, finally. The agitation of his Toudan was certainly a source of deep disarray, but in the end, it seemed that he was rather well used to it. Looking at a strange cardboard box in the background, he nibbled his bottom lip and shook his head as he resumed his meal.

All of this for a common outing to the beach and some swimsuits.

Endnote:

Ōnusa: (also called Gohei) is a bamboo stick embellished with several white sheets of zigzag folded paper and used by Shinto priests for purifying rituals and thus chasing evil. Ishikirimaru waved one in the opening with Nikkari in the background.