Chapter Ten: October - Kannazuki (神無月): Hey, it's okay, right?
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!
Of course, Ichigo! Let's make some place so that everyone can eat comfortably.
Xxxxxxxxxx
Summer has become Fall. And even if the temperatures were still pretty warm, the weather still quite soft, slowly the colours were fading, trees taking some greyish shades, their bright green leaves changing for a more rusty hue, red and orange all at once; the soil turning yellow as the days went by, the flowers strewing it withering without anyone noticing.
Under the cherry tree that was, too, losing its colouring, the good mood continued to spread, laughs and chants resonating in unison into the air. Settled on the ground on a tablecloth as pink as the cherry blossoms had been during summer, several Touken Danshi were taking advantage of the very last days of sunshine to enjoy a sake tasting in the open air, almost like a goodbye to the summer season.
Resting his cup as Jiroutachi burst into a tinkling laugh just a few meters away from him, the Sage frowned slightly as he looked up at the Tachi in front of him, indicating hesitantly:
"Well, Houchou gets pretty well accustomed to the area around the citadel by now, I'm sure he's fine. "
"I told Ichigo that he just needs to cool off a bit, but he takes his role as a big brother very seriously. " revealed the white-haired sword, a worried look twisting the fine features of his face.
"I know. I remember the time before his arrival… " declared the Saniwa, a nostalgic smile adorning his lips. "I also remember how Mikazuki and you jealously watched over the Awataguchi. Of course, Yagen and Honebami were doing much of the work, but you two have done your fair share as well. "
"Haha! Yeah, well… We both had a good relationship with Ichigo in our own different way. So, to take care of his dear little brothers for him seemed natural… " explained Tsurumaru whilst looking away, swallowing his sake in one draught. (*)
"I guess it is. " replied the boy, amused by his Touken Danshi's embarrassment.
A thin breeze blew on the branches of the sacred tree, causing them to move so imperceptibly that one could have believed they were still motionless. Watching for a moment the time thus changing, the Saniwa lose himself in the contemplation of his sake cup, the transparent liquid reflecting his golden pupils, his mind completely empty.
Narrowing his eyes suddenly, he looked up at his Toudan, who was already at his fourth glass, closely following his comrades as Jiroutachi and Fudou reached their seventh with already significant consequences on their minds, and that Taroutachi and Kogarasumaru deliberately idled on their sixth, appearing still calm.
"Any idea on what they'd argued? " he asked, abruptly curious.
"Hmm? I'm not sure… Something about snacking and dinner I think. "
"I see. "
"Why? Does it change anything? "
"No, no. Houchou might be stubborn, but he's not stupid. He won't worry everyone by not coming back. "
"Yeah… I think so too… "
And time passed. The afternoon turning into an evening, the sun setting slowly as the sky was taking the usual colours of long autumn twilights, then night appeared, as black as coal and as bleak as winter, and what was only a hint of worry turned into a torrent of anxiety punctuated by the incessant back and forth of his swords between the citadel and the outside, and the vain searches no longer of a single isolated Tantou, but of a whole group of Touken Danshi disappeared at sea.
Standing in front of the time clock, himself returning empty-handed after searching the beach for the hundredth time, he watched with exasperation as yet another search party returned to the estate, looking distraught.
Sighing, he crossed his arms over his chest, letting himself be distracted by the bell overhanging the entrance and on which all those of his swords were hung.
What if…
"What you're thinking about?"
Jumping slightly, he turned to the voice that had just interrupted his thoughts, Hasebe standing beside him, as exhausted and worried as he was.
"A way to locate them more efficiently. That said, I would still prefer to wait until tomorrow morning. If I came to use this means and the Retrogrades were to attack, we would be in a delicate position. "
"I see. Then, we should continue the searches. "
"Tell Hachisuka to come back to rest, please. He's the one who's been searching for the longest time. Tell him I'm sending Nagasone to his place and that that's an order. "
"Very well. "
Tomorrow morning… At the crack of dawn…
Xxxxxxxxxx
Swallowing slowly, Kiyomitsu observed around him with apprehension. Never ever had he entered this place before, neither than any other Touken Danshi by the way.
It was a special room. Where the only thing that was authorised there was to pray, praying and worshipping the Gods.
The personal sanctuary of the Saniwa. (1)
Light-brown wooden walls, empty of any decoration to the exception of the long shimenawa that was covering them all around; a granite altar arranged right in the middle, at the bottom of the room.
And the Sage, kneeled in front of it, hands joined, face lowered, eyes closed, deeply focused on his task.
Kashuu avoided a sigh to cross his lips in fear of disturbing the high spiritual force that was reigning all over the place.
If only those six hadn't been lost, we wouldn't be here right now…
If only... because being here meant that their master must draw into his spiritual energy, something that was not without efforts. To look for them meant to locate them one by one, each attempt meaning a temporary loss of the Saniwa's powers, and thus, the loss of his vital energy.
A drop of sweet travel through his back as he grimaced, the inevitable fatigue of the boy being perfectly visible through his features twisted by pain.
Stepping forward, the Uchigatana was only stopped by the discreet sound of a golden bell hanging on the Sage's right wrist. Shaking in all directions, it resonated in harmony with those - he could hear them - of the disappeared, which themselves were with those of all the Touken Danshi of this citadel.
Turning his head toward the noise from the main courtyard, Kiyomitsu's eyes widened in surprise before he focused again on his master, suddenly realising that he was now half-unconscious on the stoned floor, the breath short, taking great inhalations at irregular intervals.
"Aruji! " he exclaimed, wanting to rejoin the Sage only to be interrupted by the latter who raised a trembling hand in the air.
"They're close… very close… I don't… know where… exactly… but they're together… safe… and sound… " the Saniwa indicated, supporting his body with one hand, the other landing on his forehead in a vain attempt to silence the buzzing that echoed loudly in his head.
"All together? " repeated Kashuu, amazed. "Houchou too? "
"A-Apparently… "
"All right. I'll warn the others as soon as- "
"Warn them now… " the cherry-haired boy interjected, turning slightly toward his sword.
"But! "
"I'll be fine… We didn't stop looking for them for almost two days in a row… they must be worried… "
"F-Fine. But don't try to move too quickly! I'll be right back! " claimed his Toudan as he left the small sanctuary hurriedly.
Huffing, the Sage rested a hand against the little step that served as a support for the altar and got up, his balance unsure, waddling slightly forward.
At least they are fine. he thought with relief as he tried to walk toward the sliding door, finally leaning on it as he looked up at the sky.
Just a sign. A tiny little sign… he prayed mentally whilst letting himself fall back to the ground, completely exhausted.
Xxxxxxxxxx
He slowly opened his eyes and immediately turned his head to his right, realising through the thin rice paper window that night had already fallen. The last rays of the sun were disappearing behind the hills and mountains, the moon rising high as the sky was turning black, the stars shining more and more intensively.
Straightening up, he grabbed the haori that was resting beside him on the futon, covering quickly his shoulders before standing up to head to the exit. And as he was coming down the stairs, he perceived the voices of his missing Toudan, and sighing with relief again, hurried to the entrance of the estate to get back to them.
"All right! Time for a drink to celebrate returning safely! "
"I will sleep for a very long time now... "
"I'm home! "
"There you are… Welcome back. " he said, facing his Touken Danshi and their welcoming committee with a warm smile on his lips.
"Aruji! " Akita called, rushing into the arms of the Sage who squatted to receive him. "Sorry for worrying you so much! "
"It's all right. I'm glad you're all safe and sound. "
"Do you feel better now? " asked Kashuu, a hand on his left hip, his head tilted on the side.
"Much better, yes. " the boy indicated, nodding before being abruptly surprised when his attendant appeared behind him, his features drawn by annoyance, although there was clearly some relief in seeing his comrades again.
"You know! Master has really worked hard to find you back! You all should apology properly! "
"You're right. " declared Ichigo, saddened. "Everyone. "
Lowering their heads shamefully, the former castaways bowed slightly, stating in a single voice:
"We're sorry!"
"If you would excuse my little brother. Houchou will apology properly tomorrow, of course. " the turquoise-haired Tachi added solemnly.
Smiling anew, the Saniwa got up, his hand gripping the one of his pink-haired Tantou, and advancing towards the other five, he questioned with mischief:
"And so, this fishing trip. I hope you've brought something?! "
Xxxxxxxxxx
At last settling down, the autumn season was finally and clearly making its appearance, the sun fleeing away face to the ash-grey clouds came by a hundred and the foggy sky that was going to remain in this state for what would be days. The freshness of a northern breeze was blowing continuously over the plain, cooling the atmosphere as well as the numerous dishes resting on the tray which he was carrying with him in the outside.
The white smoke that escaped from the various dishes was evaporating visibly and he stopped in front of the sliding door of the storage with an inquisitive look towards them. Grabbing the tray with one hand, he balanced it on his right arm and knocked resolutely against the doorframe so that he would perfectly be heard by the occupant of the place.
The door slid to the side after only a few seconds of waiting, and he was greeted by an Oodenta staring wide in surprise before he pulled himself together, hastening to grab the tray before it could be spilt.
"Thanks. Can I come in? "
"My brother… "
"I told him I'd take care of lunch today, and as you can see, there are only two services, so it will be just you and me, if it suits you of course. "
"Yes. Please. "
Sitting around the little makeshift table, the Sage waited for his Toudan to join him, and distributing their dish to each, they began their meals in soothing silence.
The long-simmered vegetables in the oden melted delicately in the mouth and the nikujaga's beef was tenderly seasoned, the whole warming both body and mind.
Resting his chopsticks, the Saniwa folded his arms on the little table and, looking around curiously, almost as if he was discovering the place for the first time, he innocently asked:
"It's a bit of an austere place to stay all day, no? "
"It fits a sword like me. " the Tachi replied, continuing to eat without paying attention.
"I see. "
Sighing with amusement, the cherry-haired boy shook his head before raising it towards his blade, and with more conviction this time, questioned again:
"I've also heard about the animal café, doesn't that change your point of view on the issue? "
Suddenly stopping his hand halfway between his mouth and the bowl, Oodenta plunged his plum-coloured pupils into the Sage's golden ones as a potato escaped from his chopsticks, falling back into its bouillon in a noise that broke the ambient silence.
"... "
"Maeda was thrilled to see you having lunch with everyone today, you know? "
"I disappointed him... " Mitsuyo murmured, looking away, sinking into his own guilt.
"I'm not gonna lie and tell you otherwise. Many were believing in you... and even if he understands, Sohayanotsurugi, too, trusted you. "
"Sorry. "
"Don't apologise, at least not to me. From my point of view, one can't expect change to happen immediately. It takes centuries of destruction for an abandoned city to be completely erased from history. Otherwise, it remains a vestige of the past from which one will take care to be able to study it at best. You too, in a certain way, you're a vestige of the past. So, step by step, you change, you discover more about yourself, and you follow the path that suits you best. "
Eyes widening again, stunned, Oodenta took a moment to meditate on these words, the latter resounding in him with force.
Smiling softly, the Saniwa turned his head toward the window, watching the branches move at the rhythm of the breeze, and declared, not without a touch of sadness in his voice:
"You know… I never thought it was your spiritual power the real problem. "
"Hmm? What do you mean? " his blade said, not understanding.
"Each deals differently with their own legend. If your past is saying so, you have no way to prove it to be false neither than to believe in other things." explained the Sage calmly. "I've already experienced it before… But you see, sometimes, your past itself is a mistake. How many times have I seen it... Confer to an object or a person a title that doesn't fit them. "
"You're saying that… my spiritual power doesn't actually scare animals? " the Tachi stated, dumbfounded.
"I think that you believe so much in this legend of yours, that you're the one who is in fact scared. And that fear, at its turn, scared the animals around you. It's the principle of cause and consequence. "
Again, the silence fell in the room, and again, the cherry-haired boy smiled, amused by the way his Toudan was lost in his thoughts.
"Upon realising this. " he continued, stretching a hand toward the arm of the sword to get his attention. "I'm sure you will make a lot of progress to overcome that fear… You just need some patience and determination. "
Closing his eyes, Mitsuyo sighed slowly and, opening them anew, nodded to his master.
"I see… I'll try. "
"If you're truly ready, then I'll encourage you with all my heart. "
"Thanks… "
Offering a warm smile to his Touken Danshi, the Saniwa winked at him knowingly before resuming his meal. With a bit of luck, it will also be the last one that Oodenta would probably take in this storage.
Endnote:
(*): Referring to the fact that Ichigo Hitofuri shared the life of both Mikazuki and Tsurumaru. The first is with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the owner of Mikazuki being his wife, Nene/Kodai'in. And the second in the imperial collection as a sacred treasure, alongside Uguisumaru and Hirano Toushirou.
(1): A reference to the online game, where it is strongly suggested that when the Saniwa smiths a sword, they pray to the gods for good smithing within a shrine. Especially for the rarest swords.
Shimenawa: Shimenawa ("enclosing rope") are lengths of laid rice straw or hemp rope used for ritual purification in the Shinto religion.
Oden: Oden (お で ん) is a Japanese pot-au-feu (or stew). It consists of long-simmered vegetables in a fish bouillon (Dashi/seaweed) and soy sauce. The ingredients vary according to the region, but among the most common are white radish (daikon), tofu and fish. Also added is Japanese mustard called karashi.
Nikujaga: Nikujaga (肉 じ ゃ が, literally "meat-potatoes") is a Japanese dish consisting of beef meat, potatoes and onions cooked in a sweet soy bouillon. Vegetables like carrots and Konjac paste (Konnyaku) are sometimes added. This typical winter dish is usually served with a bowl of rice and miso soup.