Chapter Twelve: December - Shiwasu (師走): Stories of Hanamaru days... End.

Drops of rain falling endlessly from the dark sky of this night, innumerable, blurring his vision as well as his steps. Finally stopping in front of the old temporal device of the estate, he stared at it vaguely, his wet clothes clinging to his skin and his hair half-veiling his golden eyes filled with anxiety. Reflecting at full speed, he remembered what had led him to this place in the beginning.

"The holographic screen abruptly appeared on the wall, forcing him to raise his head off his papers as several red dots indicating the position of his Toudan on the excursion were displayed over a map, various zooms specifying a little more their movements.

Eyes widening, he gripped his chest forcefully, a wave of anguish suddenly seizing him. Getting up at once, he went to the door of his office in haste, opening it with a sharp blow, only to fall on his attendant about to knock on it, Konnosuke on his shoulder.

"What happened? " asked bluntly the sword, frowning, immediately understanding the situation.

"Hasebe… " the boy whispered, confuse.

"Did something went wrong with the others? " questioned in his turn the kitsune, serious.

Sighing, the Sage closed his eyes one second to gather his thoughts and reopened them again on his Toudan, his voice although calm still filled with worry.

"It seems that they're in a bad position right now. "

"What?! How? " exclaimed the light-brown-haired sword, concerned.

"Actually, I'm not sure myself. But their forces have suddenly considerably weakened. They've been there for a moment, so that shouldn't be surprising, but the Retrogrades own forces have become stronger as well… "

"Should we bring them back? For their safety? " enquired the little fox.

Shaking his head from right to left as a sign of negation, the Saniwa sighed once again, resigned.

"I'm afraid we can't do such a thing, Konnosuke… "

"Why not?! " hurriedly interjected Heshikiri.

"Because if we bring them back now, then history will be definitively changed for sure. At this moment, they're fighting the enemy whilst protecting Date Munemura from any harm… We… I-I… can't… " explained with difficulty the boy, his voice shattering with despair.

"So is our fate as Swords Warriors… " declared softly his attendant, saddened.

"For now, and until I find a solution… Please, warn everyone. " he replied as he went out into the hallway to head for his room, the Uchigatana quickly walking away after a nod.

It was only when Konnosuke had joined him to ask permission to use the old temporal clock that he understood that his Touken Danshi had the same idea as him, their impatience to test it despite the risks only reinforcing him a little more in the fact of accepting.

"Is that what he said…? " asked the Saniwa, a small smile adorning his lips as he was facing the wall, his back turned to his Toudan and the kitsune.

"That's were his exact words, Aruji. I want to save our friends from this citadel. And he's not the only one. "

"Of course he isn't… That's our wish to all, including me… "

Then, turning around, the Sage nodded to both his attendant and the fox, silently giving his consent.

"Unfortunately, the number of people that will leave will be strictly restricted. This is way too much dangerous, I can't risk sending more than three persons. "

"Who will it be? " questioned Hasebe as he moved forward when he caught sight of the paper his master was holding between his fingers.

Taking it quickly, he browsed the names and, seeming satisfied, nodded in turn whilst relating:

"You couldn't have chosen better. "

"Well… He's also the only one I trust enough to be the captain in such a situation… " revealed the cherry-haired boy, smiling with confidence.

Once Heshikiri has disappeared to order the three chosen blades to suit up, he had immediately headed to the second device of the citadel, inspecting it from every angle one last time."

And there he was now, the wind biting his face and the rain dripping from his fingertips. Looking up at the sacred cherry tree, he narrowed his eyes as a thought crossed his mind at the last minute.

If I chose to send more via the device, I would take too many risks... but I still miss one more member, so maybe...

Sighing, he closed his eyes for a minute, and hearing the steps of his swords getting closer despite the deafening noise of the rain, he walked towards the tree with bare branches, determined.

.

Dear Master,

I was scolded by Okita-kun. "What are you doing? " he said.

Of course, it's not because he had any idea who I was. But, he was aware that I was visiting his sickbed despite being in the middle of an important duty. "Don't make me the reason for you not fulfilling your duty. It's a nuisance. " is what he said.

...That's right.

If I keep looking backwards, it will be of no benefit to anyone. That's why... I will forget about Okita-kun. Because that's what he wants.

When I forget him and become a sword that only belongs to you, I'll come back. Definitely.

Xxxxxxxxxx

To manage in making his spiritual powers echoed with the forces within the ten thousand leaf cherry tree was not an easy task. Many times, he had failed in doing so. Thus, when he'd finally succeeded, he suddenly chose to send his Toudan to a time well away from where Shokudaikiri, Kashuu and all the others were. A precise destination to put an end to his trip that had lasted almost a year.

When the thoughts of the Uchigatana had reached him from that time, he finally sends him to join his comrades, clearly satisfied.

Falling to the ground, breathless and exhausted, he leaned against the rough trunk of the tree and finally let a smile bloom on his lips. His body was shaking with spasms, his numb legs would probably not allow him to return to the citadel before a good quarter of an hour, and he would certainly catch a cold from staying under this torrential downpour, but despite all that, he smiled, almost laughing as the raindrops rushed down his closed eyelids.

Of course, the return of Yasusada four months later had not been part of his plans, but he had kept confidence in the fact that the sword would eventually find his way back.

April had thus announced itself, pale pink cherry blossoms floating in the spring wind under a hot and dazzling sun. Days and days had passed by, new precious memories had been created, and new battles had appeared on the horizon. He had counted each of them carefully, making a point of stopping the count only when his citadel would finally be complete. In any case, these so priceless moments spent alongside his Touken Danshi were well worth it.

And finally, one night, as the air was soft and filled with a flowery perfume, the cherry tree started to shine with a bright light. Watching it from the window of his office that he was about to leave for his room, he sighed in relief and headed for the repair room, calmly waiting for his two Uchigatana to rejoin him.

"What?! It's been four months since the fight at Edo Castle?! "

"Yeah. "

"But I left right after you did… "

"Your device was broken, so maybe the coordinates didn't match up properly. "

"I see… "

Staying silent as Okita Souji's former swords were trying to understand the past events, he couldn't help a mischievous grin from stretching the corners of his mouth, something Kashuu did not fail to notice, his eyebrows frowning suspiciously as he pointed an accusing finger at the Sage, abruptly exclaiming:

"What's with that face? What are you hiding from us?! "

"Huh? What? " Yasusada said, surprised by the strange words of his partner.

"What are you talking about, Kiyomitsu? " the Saniwa pretended, smiling even more as he kept treating the blued-dressed sword. "There is nothing to hide, neither than to reveal. "

"Ah! Liar! I see right through you! " continued to shout his first blade, agitated.

"Kiyomitsu, you're going to wake everyone up. " sermonised Yamatonokami, hushing the Uchigatana by putting a finger on his lips.

One hand carelessly stroking Kashuu's hair as he signalled to the second Uchigatana that he had finished with him, the boy offered to both of them a knowing look and whispered as he walked towards the shōji:

"Later. "

Xxxxxxxxxx

The night was already well advanced when he realised that the two still awaken swords were advancing inexorably towards the sacred tree he had spent a moment watching, silently thanking it for bringing back his precious Toudan.

Leaning his back against the trunk, and hidden by it in the eyes of the two blades, he closed his own eyes and discreetly listened to their conversation.

"What's with those cherry blossoms? " asked Kashuu, puzzled.

"They're very mysterious, aren't they? " simply replied Yasusada, seeming content with that statement. Then, turning towards his partner, he questioned, now curious: "What did you do whilst I was gone, Kiyomitsu? "

"Well, a lot happened. " declared Kiyomitsu, pensive. "We got a bunch of new Touken Danshi, and… "

Contemplating the cherry blossoms under the midnight-blue sky, he seemed to look for words and suddenly turning his head, observed the kindly smile of his comrade.

"What? "

"You also got stronger like you promised, Kiyomitsu. " indicated the blue-dressed Uchigatana.

"Of course I did! I can't lose to you. " stated nonchalantly Kashuu, mischievous.

"Let's become stronger together from now on, too. "

"What are you talking about? I'll get even stronger than you, Yasusada. "

Laughing together as they shook a hand, the Saniwa smiled softly and finally get out of his hideout.

"I'm looking forward to seeing your progress to both of you." he said, thus noticing his presence to his Toudan.

"Aruji, you were there?" was surprised Yamatonokami, eyes widened.

"Mm-hmm... I had a little thing to do before going to bed." explained the Sage, mysterious.

"Yeah, that's probably time to go... " answered the Uchigatana in red, barely retaining a yawn.

The silence abruptly invaded the area whilst the three refused to move as if paralysed on the spot. A gentle breeze made the branches move and Yasusada finally raised his voice toward his master, somewhat hesitantly.

"I was wondering... "

"Yes? "

"Would you know by any chance how I had travelled in time as I did? "

"Ah, that… That's also a long story, you know? " argued the boy, his look strangely fixed on the cherry tree.

"Huh? " gasped Kashuu, seeming to realise something. "Don't tell me... it was you from the very beginning?! "

"Well, not exactly... but yes, I got my fair share too. " agreed the Saniwa, smiling.

"So, you're the one who..." stammered the former traveller, stunned.

"Send you back to the time where Hasebe and Imanotsurugi had just been summoned? " finished for him his master, amused. "That's right, I thought you could learn one thing or two. Was I wrong? "

"Mm-hmm... Not at all, on the contrary... Thank you, Aruji! "

Sharing the same delighted smile, the master and his Touken Danshi finally retraced together their steps towards the estate, leaving behind the mysterious ten thousand leaf cherry tree that was resplendent even during the darkest nights.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Under a dazzling blue sky, the warmth of the sun warming his face gently, he glanced, intrigued, at the group of Touken Danshi who was standing in front of him, quietly lined up.

"This is a new year that has just started for all of us. I hope you have acclimatised well to the citadel because the times to come will not be restful.

"Hehe, you can count on us, Aruji! " exclaimed Taikogane excitedly, all smiles. On what all the other swords arrived lately agreed with a nod.

Smiling in his turn, the Saniwa did the same, looking pleased.

"I didn't expect less from you. Well, go join the others. "

Dispersing rapidly in a cacophony of different conversations, the Toudan went to the plain to join their comrades, one of them suddenly stopping to turn around, watching the Sage in a perplexed way, a warm smile however on his lips.

"Don't you come with us, Master? "

Looking up at the sky, the cherry-haired boy closed his eyes for a moment and replied kindly:

"I'm coming right away, Monoyoshi. "

Nodding once again, the Wakizashi moved away towards the horizon, leaving the Saniwa alone on the engawa, pensive.

It was a new year that was starting. With its joys, its pains, its surprises and its dangers. A new year filled with laughter and fun, fights and risks, but most importantly, a year among loved ones whose protection was worth every sacrifice.

A new year in the Hanamaru citadel...

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This fiction was about the stories of the Hanamaru days

Of a certain Saniwa surrounded by a certain group of Swords Warriors

In a certain citadel...

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To be continued…

Endnote:

Once again, thank you all for following this fanfiction. I sincerely hope that it has been to your liking.

A special thanks to Moonlight Puppet for taking the time to post a review at almost every chapter, even when sick. They gave me a lot of inspiration. I hope you enjoyed this season 2 and that you'll wait impatiently for Katsugeki! ;)