Chapter Five: May - Satsuki (皐月): What I can do because I'm me.

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!

Higekiri, Hizamaru, welcome back! A souvenir? How sweet, thank you.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Sunny morning, rocked by the warbling of birds and the sweet chirruping of the first cicadas. The star of the day had just risen, dazzling with its golden rays the almost white sky.

He was sitting at his chabudai, surrounded by few papers with coordinates and dates written on them, studying them with precision when three knocks resonated against the wooden doorframe of the shōji, forcing him to interrupt his job.

"Excuse me! Hey, Taishō… I have a request... "

"Atsushi? Come in. What is it? "

Settling on the floor, face to the Saniwa, the brown-haired Tantou watched around a bit hesitantly before asking in a small voice:

"You're up early. Do I bother you during your work? "

"Not at all. This is nothing very important. Do you want to talk to me about something? "

"Actually, yes. "

"Tell me! "

"Well… I've been thinking a lot lately… " started to explain Atsushi, not looking directly at his master, even though the latter was still listening to him carefully. "I think I should go to training somewhere else! "

"What an idea… " the Sage replied with a warm smile. "Where does that even come from? "

"Yamatonokami-san has left a few months ago, and I thought… It's a chance to learn new things directly on the field! " exclaimed the Awataguchi, his eyes sparkling with different emotions: fear, joy, curiosity, impatience…

"You do know he didn't leave for that, right? " enquired the boy, pouting a little.

"Yeah, but… I want to improve! " declared the Toushirou before correcting himself quickly: "I don't say I can't here! But, probably that I will learn even more things by leaving. I want to be of better assistance for master! "

Tilting his head, the Saniwa slightly smiled a second and, crossing his arms over his chest, finally frowned, answering with some hesitation:

"I can't say I'm not flattered, and I'm not against the idea… But, are you truly ready for this? You have to be sure of yourself. Did you already warn your brothers? "

"Not yet… But I'm sure of my decision, Taishō! " retorted Atsushi with confidence, forcing the Sage to sighed with amusement as he was standing up, soon imitated by the short sword.

"Alright then… I humbly accept your request. Make sure to pack everything you need for your journey. Take all the precautions necessary, and come back to us safe and sound. " stated the cherry-haired boy with another smile, this time more sincere. Then, he added in a low voice like it was some kind of secret: "This is the more important to me. The rest is futility. "

"Yes, Taishō! I will come back stronger, you'll see! "

"I'm looking forward to seeing that. "

Xxxxxxxxxx

Several days later…

Time has been passing by without much difference or big event of any kind. The cool breeze of May was now gently caressing the flowers which were blooming under the high temperatures, making the season as perfect as ever.

Kept in the forge since morning, smithing endlessly new swords, the Saniwa allowed himself to stop for a moment as half of the afternoon had already passed.

Wiping the sweat that was running down his brow with his wrist, he huffed with fatigue, gazing quickly at the two blades that were resting on the workbench, still unfinished.

Time to go back to work I guess…

And as that thought was crossing his mind, a hooded Uchigatana entered through the half-open door, nodding to the boy who silently greeted him.

"Mikazuki said you were looking for me? " asked calmly Yamanbagiri, looking around him with interest.

"Yeah, he did pay a little visit here sooner, since I told him yesterday who I was going to forge. " replied the Sage, raising a hand in the air and grabbing a towel to dry his face.

"An acquaintance? " enquired the blond Kunihiro, letting his pupils drifted toward the two unfinished swords that seemed to share many similar features.

"We could say that indeed. " answered the boy with a mysterious smile before adding with embarrassment: "Anyway, I have to send two teams on excursions today, one already en route, so do you mind taking care of the summoning? I haven't asked you this in a while but... "

"It's fine, I know you have a lot to do recently. " interrupted Yamanbagiri with a nod, his eyes clearly saying to the Saniwa that he understood and that it wasn't bothering him.

"Thank you. " sighed the latter with another smile, grateful.

"Should I come back later? "

"In my office, I would have finished at that time. "

"Alright. "

"Ah! Yamanbagiri! " the Sage exclaimed suddenly, stopping the Uchigatana as he was heading toward the exit.

"Didn't you hear a strange noise earlier? Like some kind of explosion… " he asked, hesitantly. "I thought maybe it was Mutsunokami again, but it didn't really look like a gunshot… "

"I think it came from the kitchens, Hachisuka and Nagasone are there… " simply stated his blade, making him frown as he retorted, sceptical:

"What are you talking about? They can't possibly be there, both of them together?! "

"I don't know exactly why… But they were cooking… " explained the Uchigatana, glancing at the said kitchens.

"C-Cooking? " stammered the boy, his face slowly losing its colours as anxiousness was seizing him.

"Or so it seemed… "

He can't be serious… that's a joke, right…?! thought the Saniwa, bewildered.

And as he was going to ask his Touken Danshi again, a new explosion echoed through the estate, forcing him to step outside only to watched, dumbstruck, as flames were rising from the kitchen's window.

"What...! "

Xxxxxxxxxx

It was as if a fire and a tornado had hit the kitchen. Devastated, upside down, there was nothing left to the room except the ovens, which became black under the smoke, to really define its functions.

"What on earth happened here?! " the Sage shouted, stunned.

"Aruji! " the two Uchigatana exclaimed together, surprise filling their eyes along with fright.

Avoiding taking a step further into the room for fear of getting dirty, the Saniwa looked around him, completely taken aback.

"W-Well… I-I… " finally try to answer Hachisuka before being abruptly cut off by his 'fake' brother:

"It's our fault. We were trying to do some dishes for Urashima. As a reward for his great results during today's mission. " Nagasone declared, embarrassed, surprising in the meantime the pink-haired sword as he also seemed to take responsibility for this disaster. Something that the Sage didn't miss to notice either.

"Is that right? " he retorted, eyebrows raised.

"Y-Yes… But it went wrong since we're so poor chefs… " confessed the 'true' Kotetsu, ashamed.

"Well, I see that… " sighed the Saniwa before suddenly noticing the presence of Urashima, hidden nearby. "Have you achieve anything, at least? " he then asked with a slight smile.

"Yes, we finally succeed in doing a Chawanmushi. " announced the former member of the Shinsengumi with relief. (*)

Couldn't you have done that since the beginning…?! the boy thought with exasperation.

"Is it cooking right now? "

"Still on the burner, indeed. "

Offering a discreet wink to the Wakizashi, the Saniwa sighed again, then smiled kindly at the other two blades, calmly stating:

"Well, no matter how it tastes, although I'm sure it will be good, Urashima will certainly be pleased by all your efforts. You're, truthfully, very kind brothers. "

"Thanks. " the two Kotetsu said with one voice, reassured.

"We're sorry for all the troubles… " then indicated Hachisuka with embarrassment. "Of course, we will clean up. "

"I hope so! " claimed the Sage, crossing his arms over his chest with a frown, more serious than ever. "For that matter, I won't leave this place until you have cleaned everything up from the floor to ceiling, is that clear?! "

"Y-Yes, Aruji… "

And so the day ended, the way Shokudaikiri managed to make dinner with only the leftovers remaining a total mystery. Although, the real miracle was that apart from the Sage and the Kotetsu brothers, no one ever heard of the disaster that had hit the kitchens that day... Yes, it was, indeed, a real miracle...

Xxxxxxxxxx

The next day…

Splendid clouds floating here and there on the magnificent sky of the beginning of this afternoon, time was slowly passing, seconds becoming minutes and minutes becoming hours until the day would finally be over, ready to move to a new one.

Knocks resounded in the office, and he closed the digital screen switched on, on the wall, agreeing to the still unknown visitor to enter as he put a hand on the sleepy kitsune who was dozing next to him.

"Aruji! I'm back at the citadel! " announced joyfully a brown-haired Tantou as he stepped inside the office, facing his master sitting on the settee.

"Welcome back! " shouted Daisuke, his eyes narrowed on a sweet smile.

"Atsushi, welcome back! " exclaimed the Saniwa, happy to see the sword again. "How was training? "

"Great! I learned many things that I'm sure will help you a lot, like military tactics and the use of retainers! " explained the Awataguchi with enthusiasm.

"My... That seems promising. " declared the Sage with a smile, watching attentively the new form of his Toudan.

"But I'm sure you're happy to be back too! " enquired the little fox, still cheerful.

"Of course! Even though the training was great, I missed the citadel a lot! " Atsushi claimed to the animal before turning back to the cherry-haired boy: "Did you receive my letters?! "

"Naturally. They were all very lovely and sweet. Thanks for letting me know how you were doing. " the Saniwa nodded gently, pouring some tea into a cup.

"I'm gonna show to the others what I'm now capable of! " announced the Toushirou, excited. "Will you come to see me as well? "

"There is no need to ask. Of course, I will join you. Go ahead, I'll be there in a minute. " indicated the boy with another smile, amused by the childish impatience of his Touken Danshi.

"Come quickly, Aruji! I can't wait to show to you too! " retorted Atsushi, heading to the door.

"Don't worry... I'll be there in no time. " the Sage said, drinking a sip of his tea as the door suddenly opened.

"Sorry, I'm coming in. "

Entering in his turn, Yamanbagiri turned slowly in the direction of his master, noticing at the same time the Tantou at his left that he greeted silently.

"Then I'm off. Come soon, Aruji! "

"Sure. "

Putting down his cup, the Saniwa stood up, walking toward his desk where he looked for a red-coloured small box that he opened, taking out two white papermen from it.

"I heard you had finished forging the new swords? " the blond-hooded blade asked as he stepped forward.

"Today is sure a good day! " claimed the kitsune, cheerfully.

"Indeed, Daisuke. " the boy replied, delighted. "Here, take them. " he added to the Uchigatana, a smile blooming on his lips.

"What kind of swords it's going to be this time? The last one was kind of special... " the Toudan questioned, Kogarasumaru's recollection still fresh in his memory.

Aren't all of you are...?! the Saniwa interjected mentally, offering a sceptical look at his sword.

"One is a Tenka Goken! A Tenka Goken summoned today, plus Atsushi's return! " indicated Daisuke, jumping from the sofa to the floor and making his way to the exit, waiting for his master to come.

"You're right, it is a good day. " the Sage said in agreement before crossing the door with his Touken Danshi. "Come to think of it, I'm sure you will be truly interested in the other one, Yamanbagiri. Maybe you could even learn something from him? "

"M-Me?! " stammered the Uchigatana, stunned.

"Hmm-Hmm... Yamanbagiri, I've been waiting for this for a very, very long time. "

"I have no idea what you're talking about... " sighed the blond Kunihiro as a final statement, separating from the boy by taking a different corridor. "I'll make the summons now. "

Smiling with amusement, the Sage tilted his head to one side, watching his Toudan until his disappearance at a new junction before heading to the training hall with Daisuke.

"Let's see how much Atsushi-san has progressed! "

"Yes. "

Xxxxxxxxxx

The next day… Evening...

"Kiyomitsu? " called the Sage through the closed shōji, but not receiving any answer, he put a hand on the doorframe, indicated: "I'm coming in. "

Seeing the silhouette of his first blade leaned against the wall, half-hidden in the shadows, he sighed heavily and said with worry in his voice:

"Here you are. Why didn't you answer me? I haven't seen you all day. You usually come to my office after training… "

"Sorry… " whispered the Uchigatana, arms clutching his knees forcefully. "I didn't want you to see me like this. "

Tilting his head, the cherry-haired boy sighed a second time and settled on the tatami, crossing his arms over the little table as he was facing his Toudan.

"Horikawa told me. I went through all the trouble of looking for you everywhere before bumping on Yamanbagiri. Do you even realise how worried I was?! "

"Sorry! " shouted Kashuu, almost crying, his trembling hands wiping away the tears that have appeared in the corners of his eyes.

"Sheesh… How troublesome you can be… I knew something was wrong with you since last month, but since you weren't telling me anything… " the Saniwa declared, his lips pursed. Then, suddenly getting annoyed, he asked: "Would you mind getting out of here, please. "

Straitening up at these words, the sword slowly crawled at his master's side, his pupils lowered to the ground.

"Imbecile! " retorted the boy with a sweet voice, gently flicking the forehead of his Touken Danshi, a warm smile adorning his mouth.

"Ouch! " Kashuu gasped, wincing, putting a hand on his brow.

"How could you believe for a single second that I didn't need you anymore?! "

Speechless and ashamed, the Uchigatana simply lifted his gaze towards the boy, helplessly.

"Yamanbagiri told me everything. Your stupidity is beyond imagination. What about all your speeches stating that since you're the first in this citadel, it means that you're my favourite? "

"… "

"I swear… making all these presumptions… And I thought you were the one knowing me the best… " the Saniwa announced, retaining another sigh from crossing his lips. "I'm going to say it one last time, so hear me out. Never. Ever. Doubt of me again, do you understand? "

"Y-Yes… "

"Kiyomitsu… I've been busy recently, and I know it. All the things that I'm usually doing are done by others. The Retrogrades… and the Government of Time… I wasn't very present for any of you… I even left the responsibility of the newcomers to you. But this is all for the best. You have all my trust. I knew you would do well and I was right. "

Lowering his eyes so he could catch the ones of his first blade, the Sage put a hand on the latter's head, gently ruffling his hair.

"Why aren't you saying anything? You're so mean, even though I'm so worried about you. "

"T-That's because master is so kind! " Kiyomitsu abruptly claimed, tears running down his face. "I said so many awful things about master! I thought worse! And still… You're here, praising me, saying you're worried! I'm so sorry! "

Sadly smiling, the boy continued to stroke his sword as he was crying unrestrainedly, his hands hiding his face.

"There, there. And I thought Yamanbagiri had already comforted you… " the Saniwa expressed with a nervous laugh. "Come on, if you continue like this, you won't be pretty anymore. "

Chuckling shortly, Kashuu nodded and, again, wiped away the tears, looking finally at his master.

"You're right. I'm fine now. "

"Really? Well, that's great. I need my Toudan to be at his best. " the Sage declared with a wink.

Then, standing up, he moved toward the shelving unit, apparently looking for something before pulling out a wooden box that he brings back with him on the floor.

"What do you think? It's been a while since I haven't painted your nails, right? "

"For real?! " Kiyomitsu exclaimed, overwhelmed with joy.

"Yes. And after I'm done with you, you will make mines, deal? "

"Deal! "

And as the sun was setting on the horizon, its last rays dazzling the room with a glowing golden-honey colour like an ironic goodbye to this day, somewhere in the citadel, on a small coffee table separating two imperial-green sofas, a swarm of golden particles suddenly appeared, gathering together to take the strange shape of an envelope stamped with the flowered blue crest of a certain sword...

Endnote:

(*): Real name of the second recipe/dish that Nagasone and Hachisuka had prepared for Urashima.