Chapter Seven: July - Fumizuki (文月): Now, the decisive match!

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!

Oh! They have grown very well indeed. Thanks, Sayo.

Xxxxxxxxxx

"Huh? A mission? "

Turning his head back at the Saniwa, Kashuu let go of his observation of the outside and focused on the conversion with more seriousness.

"Yes. Not that I'm truly worried, but since this is Monoyoshi-san's first one, it would be better if he had some good support. " explained the cherry-haired boy without giving a single look to his Toudan, too focused on his paperwork.

"No problem, I'll deal with it! " said Kiyomitsu with a large smile, truthfully delighted.

Raising his head, the Sage share the smile of his first sword and declared, amused:

"Does going back on missions is what makes you so enthusiastic? "

"You noticed, huh? " said the Uchigatana, a bit embarrassed, carelessly twiddling a lock of his hair.

"Without any hesitation. " replied the Saniwa, resting his head in one of his hands.

Sighing, Kiyomitsu swept a hand in the air to change the subject and frowned suddenly after having thought for a moment.

"Wait, you said you wouldn't mind seeing him go on a mission alone even though it's his first. Why that? "

"Well… Let's just say that he has a lucky star watching over him. " claimed mysteriously the Sage as he got up to grab other scrolls on his desk before sitting back on the sofa of his office.

"Huh? I'm not sure to know what that even means… " answered Kashuu, completely lost.

"Don't ask and go suit up. Don't slack off! " teased childishly the boy, pushing his Touken Danshi towards the door.

"Like I ever did that! " exclaimed the Uchigatana, slightly offended before closing behind him.

Leaning against the wooden door, his hand still on the handle in his back, the Saniwa took a deep breath before putting his eyes on the kitsune settled at the window sill, a warm smile adorning his lips.

"He's indeed more cheerful recently. " confirmed the little fox as his master was rejoining him.

"Yes, I suppose that Yasusada's absence weighs less on him. " related the Sage, stroking the animal's head.

"And you're more available now that we finally have moved. " added the hairball with a purr of pleasure, the boy continuing his strokes whilst saying:

"Yeah, the situation has definitively improved. "

"So much the better. "

"That's a relief, Konnosuke, really. "

Xxxxxxxxxx

Slowly, the darkness was making its appearance as the evening waned, the sun setting, leaving behind the clouds became grey invade the infinite sky, its dazzling blue radiance darkening to let the moonlight alone reign over the night.

Sitting at one of the dining room tables, surrounded by all his Touken Danshi as well as the kitsune, the Saniwa was enjoying his meal whilst listening attentively to each of his swords telling how they had spent their day.

Monoyoshi facing him around his table, and the discussions regularly mentioning his name, he naturally turned toward him, calling him out with a soft smile.

"So, how was your first day in the citadel? It's sometimes more difficult to adapt to everyday life than to go on any mission that I could assign to you. "

"It was great! I got to help everyone a bit, so I'm glad. " replied the blond Wakizashi, smiling in his turn.

"I'm glad to hear this as well. "

"Everybody got so lucky around him today, that was quite impressive. " suddenly interjected Kiyomitsu, a questioning look on his face.

"Hahaha… You really think this is thanks to me? " asked Monoyoshi, sincerely surprised.

"It could be just it's a good day, but you were there each time, so… " declared the Uchigatana, shrugging.

"It was always like that in the past, no? " related suddenly Taikogane, getting closer to his brother whilst chopsticking one tempura.

"You're right. " answered the Wakizashi, narrowing his eyes. "I guess good things often happen around me. "

"Hmm… I wonder why…? " pondered Kashuu aloud, his head resting in his hand.

"Well, your presence at today's mission was definitively a good thing! " exclaimed Urashima too, delighted.

"I agree. " added the Sage, eyes closed, bringing an onigiri to his mouth.

Xxxxxxxxxx

A warm breeze was blowing all over the estate, making the air heavier as July temperatures increased more and more, a slight rustle being heard as the leaves of the trees quivered slowly.

The whistling of the wind barely penetrated the turned off forge, only its regular gusts coming to refresh the room whose dim light left only with difficulty glimpse the interior.

Standing in the middle of it, large bags of charcoal and steel facing him, coolants and whetstones filling the workbench on his left side, he was taking inventory, pondering conscientiously over what he was lacking.

"So he's feeling a bit depressed, huh? " he asked without looking at his sword, still making calculations in his head.

"Yes, since he couldn't achieve his goal. "

Finally raising his eyes, the Saniwa nodded with comprehension and grabbed a notebook on which he wrote what he needed. Then he went to the exit, his Toudan following him closely.

"I see. And you planned to organise a festival to cheer him up? " he continued as he walked through the citadel.

"I know it's a lot, but we thought that since it's the season... it's the perfect occasion. " Hasebe declared, embarrassed.

"Tanabata isn't far away either… " added the Saniwa, lost in his thoughts.

"That's what I was thinking too. So, what do you say? "

Stopping abruptly at the entrance of the estate, the Sage thought for a moment before putting his hands on his hips, watching his second blade with a dubious look, a soft smile on his lips.

"Well, did you really think I would refuse such a request? "

"But the stalls? And the float? " asked in return the Uchigatana, surprised.

"I've never seen a Gion Yamakasa before, I'm actually pretty excited myself, so there is no way I'm against the idea. " stated the boy, amused.

"Aruji! " exclaimed Heshikiri, delighted. "Thank you! "

"Don't thank me. My motives are purely selfish. " retorted the Saniwa, running a hand through his hair, a mischievous smile adorning his mouth.

"Nonetheless… I'm sure Hakata is going to love it. "

"I hope so. We're doing all of this for him after all. "

"Does master has planned to do something too? " demanded Hasebe, curious.

"Hmm… Let me think… if it's a matsuri that we're organising, then I think I could make good use of a new sewing kit.… " the cherry-haired boy said, writing down the said material on his notebook.

"Sewing kit…? " repeated the Uchigatana, his head tilted in questioning.

"I'll need Horikawa's help, and you, will be my new secretary for the day! " claimed the Sage, enthusiastic.

"Your what?! "

Xxxxxxxxxx

A purple wagasa with patterns of beige plum blossoms above his head, in accordance with his amethyst hakama with black stripes, the raindrops sliding down the hessian to fall on the ground, he was advancing towards his Toudan settled near the stalls, the two of them gloomily watching the weather.

"You should already have started the preparations, what are you waiting for? " he asked, surprised.

"But, the weather…? " interjected Mutsunokami, bothered.

"This? It's just a storm. It will soon stop. " declared the Saniwa with a warm smile before adding: "Especially when Kiyomitsu and Monoyoshi-san will be back. "

"Huh? " Sohayanotsurugi gasped, curious. "Their return? What's the link? "

"What I mean is, I guess it was a way to force us to wait for everyone to be back at the citadel before we could start the festival. " explained the Sage mysteriously, raising his head toward the sky.

"You really think so? " questioned Yoshiyuki, doubtful.

"Yes. " the cherry-haired boy simply said, walking to the back of a stall to open one of the cardboards. "Now, let's get back to work! "

"Roger! " exclaimed the two swords, their motivation back.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Little red paper lanterns hanging in the soft breeze around the stalls and other festivities, a soft traditional festival music resonating in the air, almost making the stars dance as they were shining so brightly in the midnight-blue sky.

Grabbing a branch of bamboo, the boy hung his wish for Tanabata, the latter being half hidden by the small greenish leaves, an absent look adorning his face as if lost in his thoughts.

Watching his master from a certain distance, Shishiou pouted a second before moving forward, placing a hand on the Saniwa's shoulder as he eagerly asked:

"Hey, Aruji! What did you write on yours? "

"Hmm? " whispered the Sage whilst facing his sword, replying a small smile: Oh, look. "

"I want everyone to continue to be happy? " the Uchigatana recited in a questioning voice. "That isn't something to improve on. "

"No, just a personal, very selfish wish… " declared the Saniwa, slightly embarrassed.

"No one is going to fulfil that wish for you. " abruptly interjected the kitsune settled on his right shoulder, cutting.

"Shinnosuke, that's mean. " retorted the boy, offering a half-sad, half-angry look to the little fox.

"But he's right you know. " announced calmly Shishiou although amused. "I mean, the only thing that really makes all of us happy it's… you. "

"… ".

Thinking for a moment, the Sage finally raised his head to face his Touken Danshi, asking one last time, somewhat uncertain:

"You're sure about that? "

"You're asking a kudagitsune and a Touken Danshi, of course, we're sure! " answered Shinnosuke in a bored voice.

"Well, I won't contradict you then. "

He barely had finished speaking these words that a blue-haired, golden-eyed Toudan suddenly appeared in front of him, a broad smile stretching his mouth from side to side. Grabbing the hand of the blond Uchigatana and the Saniwa at the same time, he began to move quickly toward the stall held by Shokudaikiri and Hasebe, exclaiming in a cheerful voice:

"Aruji! Come taste our udon! "

Smiling softly, the Sage nodded to his other blade, replying with the same cheerful voice:

"Let's go! "

"I want fried tofu in mine! "