Chapter Nine: September - Nagatsuki (長月): Sometimes it's nice...

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!

Sengo-san, do not undress, please… Kikkou-san, try not to get too excited, would you…

Xxxxxxxxxx

"And so that's what happened. "

Tilting his head on one side, the Saniwa offered a compassionate look to his two swords, not really knowing what to say.

"And I've heard Jiroutachi saying that he used to knock himself a lot against lintels lately! " suddenly added Imanotsurugi to the story, as Iwatooshi continued in his turn:

"Fudou-dono also said something about dirtying his sheets and his night kimono, and so he had to lend him his own instead. "

Giggling slightly, the Sage lifted up the sleeve of his hakama against his mouth, hiding a mischievous smile, clearly amused by the avalanche of misfortune that had struck his Toudan.

"Isn't fate sets itself a little too much against him recently? " he claimed, unable to hide a slight laugh in his voice.

Sharing the unseen smile of their master, the Sanjou brothers turned back their eyes toward him, Iwatooshi stating:

"In any case, that seems to bother him a lot. "

"Well, it can't be helped. He's an Ootachi after all. " announced the boy with a sigh, helpless.

"No matter what Taroutachi-san is saying, I, for what it's worth, wish I could be one too! " suddenly exclaimed the Tantou, surprising the Naginata and the Sage at the same time.

"Imanotsurugi? "

"You're so tall! I'm jealous. I bet sometimes you can even see beyond mountains! "

"Hahaha! Hills maybe, but even mountains are too high for us! " declared the red-haired blade, ruffling the head of his younger brother.

"Hmm… that's not a bad idea… " thought aloud the Saniwa, his look vacant.

"Aruji? What do you think? "

"If Imanotsurugi wants so much to be tall, at least for a moment, it is possible to grant that wish. "

"Huh!? " gasped the two swords together, Imanotsurugi intervening a second time.

"Really?! "

"Have any of you ever heard of stilts…? " asked the Sage, a mysterious grin on his lips.

And so they spent the rest of their afternoons, the conception of bamboo stilts, in the absence of real ones to purchase, not really being difficult although standing on them was quite a challenge for someone that never used any before.

Laughs kept echoed around the courtyard as his Touken Danshi were swopping their place on the two pairs of stilts with excitation.

"Me next! Let me try, too! "

"Sayo, you take a turn, too. Come on. "

"U-Um… "

"Let's see. This father will, too. "

"You're good– "

Smiling softly, the boy pulled away from the wall against which he had leaned to observe his Toudan and walked towards the Ootachi, stating in a falsely offended voice:

"To dare to say such things as no one can use you because of your size. I do remember, however, quite a few previous masters who were strong enough to do so. Moreover, I don't think that you gather dust here like a common piece of art, no? Aren't you just coming back from an excursion, right now?! Aren't you wielded by a master right now? "

"Aruji-dono… " expressed the sword with surprise, a bit embarrassed.

"I swear… " the Sage sighed, a smile stretching the corners of his lips as he faced his blade. "No more stupid thoughts like this one, okay? "

"You're right… My apologies. " answered Taroutachi in a whisper, smiling at his turn.

"As long as you've understood… "

Xxxxxxxxxx

Late twilight falling on the ten thousand leaf cherry tree, shades of orange and pink painting it brightly whilst a gentle breeze was blowing between the branches, making its delicate petals dance.

As the moon was already clearly visible in the darkened sky, he was standing in the middle of the engawa facing the entrance and the torii.

The Toudan had quickly disappeared from the courtyard at the call for dinner and he was on his way to rejoin them when he stopped to admire the breathtaking spectacle of the solar star bidding farewells in an explosion of colours like fireworks during summer.

The times to come remained uncertain. Changes would certainly be needed soon and with them, new ways of operating would be expected. More powerful enemies were emerging in the shadows, and it was now time to face this reality and prepare for it. If the opposing side chose to act differently, then it was up to the Saniwa to find the best way to counter them.

Closing his eyes as he took a deep breath, he remained still for a few more minutes before suddenly opening wide his eyes in hearing Kasen calling him from the dining room at the other end of the engawa.

Turning his head one last time to the sacred tree, he watched it at length and then calmly started heading towards the Uchigatana.

He had faith; in this citadel, in his Touken Danshi... Whatever the next challenge that awaits them was, they would be ready for it.

The wind blew again between the branches, like a response to the Sage's thoughts. And asthe sun was setting slowly, surrendering to the night, the stars deploying one by one in the pitch-blackish skies, the cherry tree began to shine with a strange honey-coloured aura, and for a second only, time stopped abruptly... before getting back to normal without anyone noticing anything.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Another pealing resonated inside the great hall, the haiku hung to the fūrin placed above the opened door shaking softly under the thin breeze.

Too thin.

Waving a fan in front of his face with one hand whilst the other was busy writing his usual paperwork, the Saniwa hold a sigh from crossing his lips and closed his eyes for a minute.

If this heat did not subside soon, he was going to faint. Even the table fan that moved from right to left at the bottom of the room was not enough to cool him down. Resting the brush back in his inkpot, he fell back on the tatami whilst huffing, his legs stretching slowly under the chabudai, a hand coming to stick to his forehead as he continued to fan himself with the other.

The mere thought of working exhausts me, so never mind. It will be for another day.

"What do you think you're doing, exactly? "

Turning his head toward the entrance, he narrowed his golden eyes at the sight of the Uchigatana that was there, shrugging nonchalantly as he replied with laziness in his voice:

"As you can see, absolutely nothing."

Pouting a moment, the Toudan shook his head with disbelief and walked directly to the table fan, kneeled down right in front of it and sighing with relief.

"Aaaah… So cool… " he whispered, his pupils closed.

"Hey! What about me?! " exclaimed the Sage with annoyance, hastily straightening up to offer a glare to his first sword.

"Yeah, yeah… Why don't you go back to work, huh? " announced Kiyomitsu as a distraction, sweeping a hand behind his back, still facing the fan.

"Even if I wanted to, you're standing in front of the only thing that stops me from collapsing! "

"I wasn't here a minute ago, and you're still weren't working… "

"That's because it's too hot to even think about it! " shouted the cherry-haired boy, bewildered.

"So you don't need it! " stated Kashuu as if it was obvious.

"Not working doesn't mean I'm feeling less hot! " claimed the Sage, stunned.

"Tsk… fine! " declared the Uchigatana with boredom as he stood up, stopping at the doorstep just a second to express with irritation before leaving: "I'll leave… But while you'll be enjoying your day, know that I'll be the one dying of heat! "

Laughing with amusement, the Sage shook his head again, and smiling with gratefulness, got back to his paperwork.

Either you did it on purpose or not, thanks Kiyomitsu. My motivation is back.

Xxxxxxxxxx

This long day of September continued to flow by, the heat only increasing as the hours were passing. Even the wind seemed to have given up all resistance face to the burning rays of the superpowerful sun, the birds flying to cooler regions as well, leaving a dead calm reigning within the estate.

Moving a cardboard aside, the cherry-haired boy sighed heavily whilst leaning over it, already exhausted although he had started to tidy the room only an hour ago, and waved his hand fan back and forth in a quick gesture in front of him.

Really… I hate these strong hot days…

Opening the box to see if there was anything that could be useful or not, he watched from the corner of his eye as his Toudan kept talking and this from the beginning of their tidying session, almost seeming spared from the heat, despite the fact that it affected so much everyone that Kikkou himself had slightly taken off a layer.

"And so, Sakamoto always used to say that… "

The sudden silence that filled the room surprised him and he turned in one go toward the sword, calling him with curiosity.

"Mutsunokami? "

"Wooow! Aruji! " exclaimed the Uchigatana with excitation, starry-eyed.

"W-What…? " stammered the Sage, a bit afraid as he headed to the cardboard his blade held in front of him.

"What's this?! " asked eagerly Yoshiyuki, unable to hide his joy.

"Huh? " simply said the Saniwa, puzzled, putting a look inside the said box. "What are you talking abou-… "

"Oh… this. " he finally declared with a sigh, placing his hands on his hips, his blade already trying one the mysterious objects like a child surrounded by toys who couldn't stop himself from touching them. "These are water pistols. I thought the Awataguchi brothers could play with them during summer. That said, I've completely forgotten about them… "

Looking, a smile stuck on his lips, Mutsunokami pulled the trigger into the void, he couldn't help but question, amused:

"Any idea in mind? "

"Hehe… just a little one to cool off everyone a bit. " stated his Toudan, mischievously.

Huffing, he gave up any idea of forcing his sword to forget all about these pistols, and rolling his eyes, went back unpacking his cartons without any more concern for him.

"What are you waiting for? Just go! " he claimed, taking back his hand-fan to cool himself down.

"Thank you, Aruji! I'll come back later to help you, promise! " announced the Uchigatana as he rushed to the exit.

Sure… thought the Sage, laughing lightly, shaking his head with disillusionment.

Xxxxxxxxxx

He opened the shōji of the baths in a slow gesture, entering only one step before crossing his arms over his chest, half-amused, as his Toudan observed him curiously.

"Drat! The tidying! Aruji, sorry! " exclaimed Mutsunokami regretfully, his hands joined together in front of his lowered face.

"Don't worry, I handled things on my own. "

"We got caught up in the game and… " explained Yoshiyuki, embarrassed.

"Yeah, I could see that. " replied the Sage, pointing with his chin in the direction of Hasebe and the others. "So, who're the winners? "

"Officially, team red, with Kashuu, brother, Nagasone, and I. " declared Horikawa with a broad, victorious smile.

"But unofficially, Kashuu is the big winner! " continued Izuminokami, giving a strong pat on the said Touken Danshi's back.

"Ouch… Hehe, I wished you had seen that, Aruji! " said Kiyomitsu, his cheeks red, secretly hoping to be praised by his master.

"Oh, is that so? " stated the cherry-haired boy, sincerely impressed. "Well, with such an experienced sword, we can't expect less, right?! "

"Hey! Why that doesn't sound like a compliment!? " shouted the garnet-eyed Uchigatana, offended, pushing the others to burst out laughing with amusement.

"Sorry, I still have a lot of work. " simply answered the Saniwa, smiling mischievously as he left the baths.

"Hey! Come back here! You're really mean, Aruji! "

Endnote:

Fūrin: or Japanese wind chimes (wind bell). This wind chime is a traditional object of Japanese decoration. It is most often made up of a small bell hung on the doorframe of a window and which tinkle at the strength of the wind. A small piece of paper (tansatsu) on which is written a haiku is often hung on it.