After The Storm
Two Weeks Later
The research project came to a sudden stop during Katagiri's illness. However, one afternoon Matsumoto and Yamano were both surprised by a visitor to their office: the old Doctor herself, only this time she was occupied by a younger woman that looked like she could be one of the researchers senpai. This was Haruna, Katagiri's daughter.
"I hope this is all right", Katagiri ambled in , holding a cane. "We were in the neighborhood. Haruna-chan came here too."
The younger woman introduced herself. "I'm sorry about Okasan not meeting you last week."
"Are you all right now, Sakura-san?" Yamano asked.
"She'll be okay when she realizes that she's no longer a young woman." The younger woman kissed her and told her she'd be back to pick her up whenever.
"Now then", the old lady sat down, "I should probably get a move on and finish my story before I'm finished myself." After the customary offers of tea, she began by asking. "You've read some of what is in the journal, I assume?"
"You ran into Ishida-san and got hurt." Matsumoto began. "Your left arm was cut badly."
"It still bothers me a little to this day...but", the octogenarian smiled sheepishly, "that's how I know there's rain coming! I couldn't move it right for the remainder of my time there. So, I just reverted everything to my right hand. I could write a little bit but I self taught myself to write with my right hand as well."
Changing the course, Yamano then asked, "What did you do after you found Ishida-san?"
"There wasn't anything that could be done." Sadness kept across the doctor's face. "When I saw her up close, I realized she was dead. Not sure what they did to her, but...she became corrupted. If a saniwa becomes corrupted, then the corruption could spread like a virus among their group.
"That, I decided, was not going to happen to me."
####
A Week After The Confrontation
When she woke up, Sakura usually took some time to bandage her arm and fix it in a sling before she went about her duties. This morning though, she took a look. Yagen had sewn it up, but it was yellow, green and was going to leave a nasty scar. Worst of all, she could only use it a little; her fingers could move slightly but she could only move her left arm slightly.
{I'm going to need surgery.}
"Good morning, General", the teen doctor had been up as well. She could smell something delicious cooking as well. {I guess Shokudaikiri-kun is making something} "How's the arm?" He helped her with her sling.
"It hurts a little bit. But I'm okay." She smiled. Her first stop she had wanted to make was to check in on any injured. As for the events with Yui, she had tried to think of a way to save her, but then she grew angry over how Yui was responsible for killing the young woman before her.
{I have to keep focus on the mission.}
"General", her companion tugged at her good arm. "Please don't blame yourself for what happened to Midare. He's just happy he fought for you."
"I keep forgetting that Midare-chan is a boy." Then, "Hey, how's Ichigo-kun with this? I feel bad they got injured due to me..."
"He's fine as well. Really, General" the teen took her hand, "we are swords made to protect you with our lives, even if it means death. There is no need to feel guilty."
She ruffled his hair playfully. He winced a little but then laughed. "I know you guys are meant to protect me", she hugged him, "I'm truly, TRULY honored and eternally grateful for your protection. I know all swords fall, but it doesn't mean I can't worry about you guys."
Her nice moment with her sword son was cut off when "ooohooooooo? Sakura-chan's into younger men?"
"Tsurumaru", Yagen began.
"Good morning. Aren't you supposed to be on an expedition?"
The white haired man held up his hand which was bloody, shocking both. "I got injured. I'm surprised that those tigers young Gokotai owns have rather sharp teeth!"
The thought of his young brother possibly crying made Yagen want to run off. "Go check on Go-chan", Sakura read his mind. "I'll deal with him."
Tsurumaru was thrilled, but another person in the kitchen saw the crane bounce off happily with his master.
###
Mikazuki was eating with Kashuu, Mitsutada and Jirotachi, who ambled in yawning, "Oh man, that last battle was rooouggghh...I need some sake!"
"It's eight in the morning. You're hopeless." (Kashuu)
The drunk just laughed.
"How's Master?" Kashuu changed the subject, as Mitsutada put what he was making on their plates. "Her arm got messed up real bad huh".
"The person who did that to her was only protecting his mistress" (Mikazuki)
"If I had been there...I Would've killed them all!" Kashuu slammed his fist down.
"Kashuu-kun, please don't slam the table. I'm angry that we couldn't protect her properly as well...but we won't allow it to happen again." (Mitsutada) Then he saw Sakura with Tsurumaru.
"You're right. I'll make sure we accompany her everywhere...I know Yasuda will too!" Kashuu calmed down, "Where is she at anyway? She said I can paint her nails so they look nice!"
The oldest of them stood up with his plate and cup and walked over to where the tachi was. Kashuu looked at them curiously. Mikazuki leaned over and said in the one-eyed tachi's ear, "You should confess your feelings to her before it's too late."
Mitsutada blushed, "It's that obvious?"
"The way you look at her reminds me of how I used to look at someone I had as a master years ago."
"She must think I'm so uncool..." The tachi sighed, "I really like her company...it's fun when we go to the market in the village and to be honest? I like hearing about her world. Sounds rather lame right?"
"I don't think it's that", Mikazuki smiled. "It's a good thing to be curious." He was about to say more until both men heard a laugh from behind.
"I...heard everything", behind them Jiroutachi was grinning like the devil.
"Jiroutachi-kun", Mikazuki's face grew serious, "This is a private manner."
"Oh please", the taller man shrugged, "Like Shoku-chan isn't the first? Hasebe and Kuri-chan like her too..."
"Jirou..." (Mikazuki)
"Jiroutachi-kun, it's a bit early to be drinking, isn't it? And I do believe you're on call". (Mitsutada)
"Oh and definitely Izuminokami. I think Sakura-chan's a lot of fun too!" The oodachi was on a roll, "you know, just because I dress the way I do doesn't mean I don't have the same feelings you guys do".
"I think I'm going for a walk." Mitsutada, annoyed and finished with cleaning decided to check on the garden where a group was already tending to things.
####
"ACHOO!"
Sakura sneezed while she fixed Tsurumaru's hand. "I think someone is talking about me."
"Heehee."
"You are hopeless." She finished bandaging his hand. "There. Next time, don't go taking the tiger by the tail!"
"I like that one!" The crane laughed. "I'm going to use that for the future!"
"Please don't." She grinned. Suddenly she found herself trapped against the wall. "Okay,what are you doing?"
"I still like you", he stared into her eyes and Sakura would later admit that even her resident joker had his attractive side.
"I like you too. I like you a lot actually." She looked at him back. "You're very dear to me. But...I don't think we're on the same path here."
{How do I talk to a tsukomogami about this...}
He paused to mull this over for a second. Then he kissed her again.
"Okay, you need to stop". She gently pushed him away.
"I still like you anyway." The crane was obviously not affected. Or didn't particularly care. "I'm glad you're my master, Sakura-chan. And I promise I won't let anyone get to you."
{Does he not get it?} she nodded. Then he took her damaged arm. "You haven't used this arm much."
"I'm right-handed."
"You're still in some pain".
She rubbed her arm nervously. "It hurts some. I can't use it too much because I might damage it more."
"Your friend", Tsurumaru sat down on the table she used. "Are you sad that she's corrupted?"
"I am sad." This much was true. "But if we defeat these enemies, I think I might be able to still save her. For now, I want you guys to remain focused. We remain on course."
"I can keep trying to look like a crane?"
"Sure." The master playfully rustled his hair, "but...you're injured. I put you on horse duty with Ookurikara."
"I'm surprised you got him to do so."
"Here's another surprise. I gave him permission to make you do what he wants". She smirked. "I already decided on this anyway but since you're injured, this just makes it easier." She began to walk away. "Consider it punishment for annoying Gokotai and the other kids."
"Well-played, Sakura-chan. Well-played."