A/N: Hello!

Mayblade is back, and I've decided to make a series having all my Mayblade stories for this year. However, I won't get to write for all the days, and it will be a share with fanarts and GIF edits.

MAYBLADE 2023: DAY 5 - CRANE

Title: Young Lord's Legacy
Rating: K+
Summary: The bond between Young Lord and his friend will prosper the land. This is the ideology of the crane.
Setting: Taisho Era Japan
Characters: Crane, Kane Yamashita, Salima, Kanemi Yamashita (OC), Kazuya Yamashita (OC), Aria Yamashita (OC)
Pairings: Kane/Salima (major), Kazuya/Aria (minor)

Young Lord's Legacy ~

The Lord of Edo passed by the handful of chambers in his residence. His daughter Kanemi was stitching her scarf with a bloom on her face.

Kazuya was worried about her. In a few years, she will leave her home. He felt no man would fit her. She is a precious person to him. She isn't influenced by melancholy. She can't feel fear. She is a big bloodthirst for thrill and danger, which brings down her foes. She knew no anger. If someone mocks her, she talks back without ensuing a fight. Overall, she is charismatic and upbeat. She is a dangerous person who can gather the attention of everyone around her but remains to be an angel for her father.

Meanwhile, his younger son Kane doesn't express many things. He is stoic, expressionless, and calm during stressful situations. However, he has a soft spot for his loved ones.

Kane is more attached to his mother, unlike Kanemi. He breaks his reserved shell before her, but not anybody else. He was cheerful as a young child, but he grew colder later.

Kane ventured out to the forest to gather some herbs. Mild soil patches were found on his sash and Hakama. Scratches and dirt were on his skin. Finding the required herbs is hard. Being the son of the Lord, he needs to be trained in these.

"Yamashita-sama, what are you doing here?" He heard a familiar scarlet behind.

"Sarima, what brings you here?" he mildly frowned.

"Well, I just thought of being with you since you went to Australia for further education. I missed you during these four years."

Sarima was just an ordinary girl living in their village. She had a crush on him for ages. Her feelings developed when he was distant.

"You sure have changed. You've turned so quiet and reserved."

"Nobody asked you," he replied coldly. Sarima was hurt a bit.

"I am not judging you. Well, I apologize. I know I'm not royalty. Hence, I understand we can't be too personal."

Kane felt a pang of guilt but kept to himself. Sarima bowed down and walked to her home. He isn't the Kane she knew. He acknowledged her presence every time they met. That was before he went to Australia. They were great friends and would always spend their time across the river. They knew no difference in positions.

'Maybe, I shouldn't have shown my authority like that.'

He thought of approaching her later. He continued searching for the herbs. He reached the banks of the river where his guards were searching too. He saw a crane confined to a corner with one of its legs hurt. He was alarmed and ran to it.

"Young lord, where are you going?" One of the guards followed him.

"The crane is wounded!" He gently kneaded the crane's wound. He tore a small piece of his sleeves and wrapped it around the wound.

"Young lord, we would've done that."

"None of you noticed this poor creature."

Kane lifted the crane in his arms and placed it on the chariot.

"Let's take him to our dojo!" Kane exclaimed.

"But, young master, you haven't finished collecting the herbs. You have to abide by Kazuya-sama!"

"The crane is wounded. Life matters more than an order! How can you be so insensitive?"

The guards had no choice. Kane was beside the crane, seated on the chariot. One of the guards rode it straight to the medic's house, and the other followed them by horse.

~x~

It was evening, and the sky got darker. So, they decided to manage with the herbs they'd collected. The medic kept the crane to stay with him till it could walk. Kane was ready to accept the punishment for not completing his task.

"Well, why haven't you collected the other herbs?" his father asked sternly. His Australian mother was trying to convince her husband. Then, the guards interfered.

"Sir, young Lord-"

Kane restrained them.

"Father, on the river banks, I saw a wounded crane. We took the bird to the medics, and it will stay with them till its wounds heal. I apologize. I am ready to accept any punishment for my deeds," he bent down to his father. He saw some small feathers of the white crane on his dress. He tenderly smiled at his son and helped him get up.

"It's okay, my son. You've collected the most effective yet rare herbs today. I couldn't find them when I was your age. This says you went to a great extent today. The remaining is easier to find. I will assign people to get them tomorrow. You strained yourself too much. But I appreciate your efforts and hard work. Just take a bath and relax. Aria, take him with you!"

Kane's mother gently held him after he collapsed.

"Kane?"

"Thank you, Mother," he smiled weakly.

~x~

The Young Lord was about to fall into a slumber. He was thinking about that day, and suddenly Sarima crossed his mind. She is a good girl to him. She has a sweet and pure heart. He hasn't met any girl who is likable like her. How can he hurt her like that?

"You aren't asleep yet," his sister entered his chamber. She was gleaming.

"Ni-san?"

"You seem to be upset; what bothers you?"

"I fear I can't tell."

"Tell me."

Kane sighed and explained shortly, "I met Sarima. I was rude to her. I didn't understand my rudeness when I was speaking to her."

"You sure have changed," she smiled.

"Why are you mocking me? I am serious!"

She chuckled.

"I didn't mean that way. You haven't seen her for a few years. You've matured and become reserved. But you are calmer and more composed now. Probably you don't like getting people's attention now. That's the result. I think that's fine. As time goes by, it will heal. Be patient. It's good you are guilty of it. Talk to her tomorrow. Now, sleep peacefully."

She left his chamber.

Kane blew the lamp and stared at the ceiling. He closed his eyes gently. He couldn't fall asleep.

Suddenly, something flashed. He could sense it with his eyelids. He immediately opened his eyes and got up. The gaudy sight disturbed his eyes. Soon, a divine creature appeared. She looked like a goddess, well garnished with flowy layers of Kimono and jewels. Kane kneeled. Her black hair fluttered slowly.

"Dear son, you don't have to kneel. You are a man of culture. You are very generous and kind-hearted. You approach people when they need help. And, when you hurt them… you care to realize. You are different from the crowd. Your personality doesn't determine your golden heart. If you can't recognize me, I am the crane you saved me beside the river."

Kane was shocked, meanwhile glad to hear. He can't believe that a crane can have its human form. His eyes were glittering with tears.

"My turn to return the favor. Convey your three wishes; I will make them a reality."

Kane thought for a while and answered, "First, I don't want Edo or any estates in Japan to undergo any famines. Second, I wish for the well-being of my people. And… Send this letter to my friend, Sarima."

The human form received the Young Lord's letter.

"Sure, my son."

The figure disappeared in a flash.

~x~

The next day the scarlet held the letter and wondered who wrote it.

Come to the river bank.

But, the handwriting seems familiar to her. They were beautifully written in a Katakana accent.

"You came here as I expected." She turned back to see the same blunette. He could see her toiled hands and tired face even from a distance. He walked towards her. She could sense the sadness emitted from his face. It turned to utter despair when a teardrop flowed out of his eye.

"Young Lord, what happened?" she held her hands on his shoulders. Then, the thought of her being an outcast stroke her mind. She gently removed her hands.

"I am sorry, Sarima. I was rude to you yesterday. I failed to consider our friendship. I didn't acknowledge your presence, right?"

Sarima said, "You needn't be too sensitive about it. I never thought you were like this. But…" she blushed and looked down, gently fidgeting her fingers, "I knew you would understand this, and our relationship would be better ever after. These things happen after being separated for a few years. You left when you were turning into an adult. The change is understandable and natural."

Kane gently smiled after wiping off the tear. He nodded his head.

"Look up, Sarima."

Sarima raised her head and looked deep into his eyes. He held her hands and confessed, "You can come to the dojo as and when you please. You never need any prior permission. Sometimes, you used to come like that."

Sarima couldn't restrain her happiness. Her face turned redder.

"But I am also okay with meeting you here every day."

"After all, we spent most of our time here. Also, remember you saved me from a wolf when we were just twelve."

Kane mused on it.

"Kane, I have a question. Have you ever thought of me when you were in Australia?"

Kane held his hand to his chin and recollected his memories, "During the initial years, I thought so much of you. But, later, I was engrossed in my studies. I never was able to think of anybody. But I feel very attached to you all. The distance made me value all of my bonds. That includes you as well."

Sarima quickly hugged him and clung to his chest.

"Kane, I love you! Love you so much!" her confession short-circuited him. Her hands were moving sensually on his fabric. Kane remained frozen for a handful of minutes. Slowly, he looked down and returned the hug.

"Kane, did I ruin this friendship with a love confession? I am sorry."

"This was destined to happen. We are mature enough to love. But we can remain good friends. This love will pursue us to wonders we can never think of." He pressed his nose against her hair.

She could feel him breathing as she nuzzled his chest further and heard his slow heartbeats. She could stay like this forever.

"Kane, can I be like this for some more time? I feel warm and comfortable."

"Sure, you can. But, let's sit under the greenwood tree."

They sat under the tree, and Kane slightly loosened his sash. Sarima felt more comfortable now, and they could feel the intimacy. She could feel the moving of his chest more evident than before. His heartbeats and breaths were more audible. She felt protected.

"Well, what if somebody sees us like this?" she asked.

"Young Lord is in an affair. What else would they say?"

Salima laughed.

"We'll stay like this as long as we can. Nobody cares."

"Yes, that's true."

The human form of the crane secretly sneaked into their conversation.

"Their marriage is essential for this estate. They will eradicate all forms of differences in society. Their pure love is wholesome, and I know they will take this further. Their child will be the best to succeed the Young Lord Yamashita. I am waiting to see their future."

~x~

Epilogue

They never failed to meet each other every day. Their bond strengthened as the years went by. They sat under the tree, hugged, played, and helped the villagers around.

A few years later, they got married but faced some hardships to be with each other finally. Kane succeeded his father, and people were proud of him.

She held her newborn son in her arms and gently cradled it. He was the ultimate proof of their love. She was exhausted after the delivery.

Kane entered their chamber after visiting the shrine. He went to his wife and pecked her temple. He gently caressed his son's head.

"Just like you, Anata," she remarked in her feeble voice. The baby grasped its mothers' index finger.

"He needs you, Tsuma."

"He needs you too, Anata." The baby innocently smiled when Kane massaged the child's trunk.

"See? Just as you said, the love pursued us somewhere. We have to thank the crane for it."

"Indeed."

A/N: Hope it didn't suck xD

And well, summer vacation will start in a week! I'm glad because the second year of dental school is so hectic *sobs*

And, a handful of them have requested me some fics. I'm writing them, but since MayBlade is happening around, I haven't finished as of yet. I'll try to complete them as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading!

-Nika.