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There’s the sound of battle ringing in his ears as he gains consciousness for the first time in ages.
Izuminokami Kanesada frowns. The echoing slowly fades away, giving place to a soft, careful voice calling his name over and over again.
“Come on, open your eyes. It’s alright, you’re safe here.”
Following the command, he does so, unfamiliar brightness entering his field of view.
It’s a room. A small, open-sided room, mostly empty of furniture - except the small podium where a sword lies. Izuminokami looks at the sword before he looks down at his own hands, confusion sitting upon his features.
“Wha-”
The tiny human in front of him smiles, bowing her head ever so slightly.
“Welcome, Izuminokami Kanesada. I think you might be having some questions now. Allow me to answer them for you.”
Aruji, as the little girl introduces herself soon enough, starts to guide him around the building; it’s an impressive one, truly. The main pavillon is situated in the middle of a clearing, there’s a corridor reaching across, that connects it to the sleeping quarters, as Aruji names the place. There’s then the Quiet Room - Aruji’s own place to be, her study and library at once. The whole property is surrounded by forests and waterfalls, embraced by tall peaks of mountains, passerby clouds disturbing the shining sun.
When he asks about that, Aruji just chuckles, reassuring him. Yes, the citadel is really situated above the clouds.
The citadel doesn’t have many inhabitants, as of yet. There are six of them only - Kashuu Kiyomitsu is the first sword to grace the grounds of the place, followed by Heshikiri Hasebe, Nikkari Aoe, two kid-like ones with the names of Imanotsurugi and Maeda Toushirou, and lastly Hachisuka Kotetsu.
It’s peaceful enough with only the seven of them. Izuminokami even comes to like his new life there, although all he ever does is making Hasebe angry with not following the orders he gives. It’s annoying, really, how Hasebe doesn’t notice he won’t accept anything he says. As long as it’s not a request from Aruji, Izuminokami decides, he won’t move an inch.
But all that good has to end too soon.
The weeks following Izuminokami’s arrival to the citadel pass by fast. More and more swords manifest, all due to Aruji’s neverending work and efforts. The place fills up with life, the chattering soon becoming increasingly more annoying. He doesn’t even bother himself to remember names at first, content with knowing only Aruji’s name.
Nobody expects more from him, anyway.
Right until the first attacks against the flow of history begin.
Aruji’s sudden announcement makes everyone gather around in front of her Quiet Room, excited talking coming to a halt as soon as she appears with a letter in her hand.
She explains the situation, asking everyone to behave according to what the future unit leaders say… And jumps into announcing the members of the very first unit.
Izuminokami’s eyes widen upon hearing his own name. His eyes widen even more, once he hears the leader isn’t him, but someone else.
Of course, prideful as he is, Izuminokami doesn’t just bow his head and accept commands from anyone. It teaches him a lesson or two, actually, right off the bat, refusing to listen to the leader of his unit at his first ever expedition.
Somewhere in his subconscious, the little voice of reason keeps chiming in from time to time, reminding him to the fact that he still has to adapt to his surroundings – especially the sword-people matter of that. Yet, he deliberately chooses to ignore both that and the careful warning of his leader, running headfirst into battle against a bunch of enemy uchigatana and tachi.
It most definitely does not go as planned, though.
Good thing, that Shokudaikiri Mitsutada has the patience of a saint.
Later on, back in the infirmary, under the watchful eyes of Yagen Toushirou and Aruji, judgmental stares coming from the side – courtesy of Heshikiri Hasebe, but what does he think who he is anyway -, Shokudaikiri gives a report about the mission. It’s a success, a great one at that, despite a few hiccups here and there; Aruji is pleased with the results, as far as Izuminokami can tell, but it still does not stop her nor Shokudaikiri from giving him an earful. Mostly advice, of course, meant as reassurance of some kind, along the lines of knowing and understanding how hard it must be to get used to all of this.
But it’s time to stop being a brat.
Izuminokami huffs at that. He’s not a brat.
The second mission goes just a tad better than the first went; an improvement on its own.
Time passes slowly after that, as if it has bars of irons tied around its legs. Nature changes day by day around the citadel; summery greens turning into reds and yellows, the smell of drying leaves mixing with the very essence of the forest. Rusty brown hues inviting for a stroll around early in the morning, sunlight and warmth carried by the back of cold breeze.
It’s really hard to resist, Izuminokami finds out that.
The streams have an easy path to follow. The citadel resides in a beautiful place, surrounded by mountains, right above the clouds. There’s always a mysterious fog floating around, making the scenery even more magical.
There’s a long stretch of stairs carved out of stone, divided by a waterfall halfway through. The sight is beyond breathtaking, even if Izuminokami doesn’t want to do anything with those steps ever again.
Aruji has her own method of punishments.
He strolls around lazily, finding his way towards the stone walls acting as the fence of the property, strong and tall vine-embraced monuments protecting the habitants. For a second, Izuminokami wonders if he should just try his luck and continue his way out there, quickly deciding against it.
Better not to wake Aruji’s anger, after all.
He turns back, choosing a different path this time.
The ground is covered in leaves and twigs, bushes reaching out, tugging and poking into the sleeves of Izuminokami’s robe. Trees reaching towards the sky, obscuring the blues of it with their golden-red crowns, it feels like those ancient fairytale he once heard the Toushirou-kids talking about.
If anything, Izuminokami considers his days being peaceful enough that he could even say he’s content with having this whole new life as a flesh-and-blood warrior this time.
Until that day.
The day he - even years later, probably forever, if not longer -will claim as The Day When Aruji Made The Biggest Mistake Of Mankind .
The day when Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki gets successfully summoned into life.
Aruji probably had seen this coming, yet she did not do a single thing to avoid the clash of the two. Probably because it wasn’t anything serious, both of them having enough awareness to not wreck a single thing. But there are times when they just cannot hold back and jab at the other, words flying between them like malicious spears on the war ground.
Autumn passes just like that. Between the occasional battles against the Time Retrograde Army and his personal warzone against Mutsunokami, Izuminokami finds himself walking around like an old man would, appreciating the scenery, basking in it as much as he can.
Winter is approaching fast.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The world around the citadel is different than the rest; a few shades mistier, blue-tinted quietness carries around with the silent song of the wind that brings snowfall and frost upon its wake. Hidden above the clouds, it’s so much different than the scenery outside, a magical wonderland on its own.
When the sun rises, the colors come alive. Nature awakens slowly – the soft sounds of a nearby waterfall break through the stillness and the faint sunlight warms the surroundings. The muted greens of the evergreens scattered around the mountainsides brighten, dull grey snow turns into brilliant white, glinting as if millions of diamonds were laid around on the ground, upon the roofs akin a big, warm blanket engulfing everything within its reach.
Izuminokami takes a deep breath. The air coats his lungs with chill, senses refreshing in a distant daze.
The floor is cold under his feet. The corridor connecting the main hall with the sleeping quarters is long, reaching across a field, embraced by mountains from all sides; a fog-filled dreamscape. Along the way, he sees fellow inhabitants already working away – Tonbokiri clearing the walkways while Chiyoganemaru sweeps the snow-dusted, long stretching stone stairs. Daihannya Nagamitsu, grumpy as ever - Izuminokami had witnessed the sight many times, especially during the mornings when the cold makes its presence known -, halfheartedly assisting Shokudaikiri with preparations in the kitchen. Later on, in the distance there’s the form of Yagen and Nankaitarou doing whatever smart people like them tend to do.
He deliberately chooses to ignore Hasebe already running around in the main building, so early in the morning, way too ready to tend for whatever Aruji has on her mind.
Soon enough, the citadel fully awakens. This time, Izuminokami’s exhale is almost akin to a mournful one, bitter goodbye uttered to the joyful stillness of the young hour. The chatter that fills the space grows louder as the smallest of Toushirou brothers stir to their conscious, following each other like little ducklings – it makes Izuminokami to vaguely wonder: what would it be like, if their so-called Ichi-nii would finally find his way into existence; would they follow him around like true ducklings follow their mother? -, the ever-so-gentle Taroutachi keeping an eye on them. On his other side, however, Jiroutachi is sprawled out, an ungraceful lump upon the low table, clearly out of it. A familiar sight, really.
Maybe the winter this time is a cold, unforgiving one out there. But inside the citadel, Izuminokami thinks, it’s warm enough to fight off the restless blows of icy winds.
But as warm as it is…
It’s boring.
There’s nothing to do, really, besides the chores Aruji sets off daily. The expeditions halt for the time being, Aruji not wanting to put them against the harsh weather.
(When Aruji called everyone around to the Main Pavilion to announce her decision, a snowstorm raged outside. She said she wanted their safety first and foremost, that including their health as well. Catching colds and running high on fever sessions were definitely not on her list, so, for the next period of time, looking for resources would be suspended and anyone thinking about going against the decision were to be punished. Izuminokami flinched at that.
“Is she actually aware we… Dun’ really get affected by the cold?”
“Dunno, man.”
- was probably the first time Izuminokami and Mutsunokami had a conversation that did not end with the two going after each other’s throats, since the latter manifested into life. They shrugged, in nearly perfect sync, and that day went smoothly afterwards. Truly a miracle.)
Sparring is one way to pass the time, however being good as an exercise, it’s repetitive, annoyingly monotonous. Izuminokami enjoys going against the Okita-duo gremlins, nevertheless, the two of them being creative enough that it keeps his adrenaline high above the clouds, the mock-fighting growing serious enough that they even gain an audience. The cheers fly around, left and right, curious eyes watching every movement the three fighters make, gasping and yelling at each successful attack.
Yet, it doesn’t last long, they all wear out eventually. One of the more responsible habitants call it quits for them, hushing away the rest of the crowd with the promise of lunch coming up – Izuminokami is left alone, laying on the porch right in front of the sparring area. Cold puffs of air leave his lips in a mellow way; he can’t help but ponder:
even the Time Retrograde Army entered into a suspiciously quiet state.
A unique move on its own, raising more questions than it answers, really. But the change is welcome by most of the sword warriors, them being not too troubled over the sudden turn of events. The others, closer to Aruji, seem to be more alert, more on the edge each day.
Izuminokami tries to not let it affect him. Not too much.
He notices the noises picking up again, fellow residents of the citadel coming back around. Mostly the tantous; with their stomachs full, the kids decide to play around in the great whiteness, forming shapes, sculpting snowmen, throwing the soft substance at each other. They waddle around a lot, much to Izuminokami’s contentment, he finds himself sitting up to have a better view of the kids gliding around, the snow cushioning their fall.
If only their Ichi-nii could see it, huh.
The thought leaves a somewhat bitter aftertaste on the tip of his tongue, a wistful glint in his eyes.
Don’t worry, he’s going to be here soo-
Cold runs through his body almost immediately, trapped inhale burning his lungs for the moment being, the impact sudden and strong enough to make him sprawl out on his back. He blinks once, twice, multiple times, zoning out enough that the noise around him becomes static for a moment, slowly clearing out, turning into that way too familiar, way too annoying laughter of a certain gun-freak.
Izuminokami swipes the snow off of his face, cheeks tinted pink from an emotion he can’t even name; Mutsunokami is there, doubled over, clutching onto his sides in his laughter that converts into silent wheezing as the otherwise awkward silence stretches out between them. Izuminokami sits up, still in a somewhat furious daze, snow dropping onto his lap, soaking his robe with its coldness.
He pretends to not hear Mikazuki’s similarly irritating hahaha echoing around the corner of the building.
“You shoulda’,” a sputter of giggling, “you shoulda’ seen yo’ face,” Mutsunokami tries to find his words, success failing him greatly.
“Is that so?”
As if feeling the danger in the unusually calm response, Mutsunokami tries to collect himself. Doing a very poor job at that, Izuminokami concludes, watching the other with a frown deepening with each passing second.
“Yea’ ahahaha,” the laughter spills from Mutsunokami’s lips again.
Izuminokami decides to be merciful for once, waiting until the fit of giggles subdue, before standing up, gathering the snow from his lap, forming a ball of it as he steps closer.
“You. Have two seconds. To run for your life.”
Mutsunokami only moves into action when Izuminokami shoves the snow into his face, taking off with a smile nearly splitting his face in half, Izuminokami hot in his heel, snowball following after one another.
It’s purely just a coincidence, that Hasebe receives a mouthful of them, too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Things start to get back on track when the first, truly warm sunshine breaks through the lapel of clouds that blankets the citadel. Expeditions and missions scattered around, filling up the days with excitement once again. The Time Retrograde Army doesn’t hold back, each fight ending up with difficult results, barely-won fights and injuries out of carelessness marking the beginning of a new season.
New swords come, the family , as Aruji likes to call it, grows once again. Along with Iwatooshi, Azuki Nagamitsu and Urashima Kotetsu, Ichigo Hitofuri also arrives, after much waiting and even more hard work on Aruji’s side. It’s heartwarming to witness, Izuminokami has to admit; the Toushirou brothers truly follow him around like little ducklings, always blabbering about the memories they experienced so far.
Truly an adorable – albeit annoyingly noisy – sight.
Izuminokami, when time allows, finds himself spending his days lazing around, watching the surroundings of the citadel coming alive once again. Spring arrives slowly upon the mountain; the hills down there are already painted green, buds of colors splattered around on the vivid canvas.
The clouds break harder.
The fog insists to stay until late into the day, sunlight having a hard time to melt the snow, to warm the ground. As the days pass, however, Izuminokami notices the trees growing their crowns out again, bushes seeking for more of the faint rays of warmth that graces upon them. Critters make the forests noisy again, some of them daring enough to approach the habitants of the citadel.
The bunnies are much braver this time, more than ever, learning to trust the sword-humans, little balls of fur hopping around on the porch, under the budding magnolia tree. There’s a waterfall nearby, yet still far enough that its sounds are muffled into a pleasant buzz, lulling Izuminokami into a content daze, allowing his thoughts to run free as he basks in the sunlight.
So much has happened through winter.
After the incident involving him and Mutsunokami, Aruji figured it would be a great idea to put them into the very same unit, ultimately rendering them to coming to their senses and learn about the other, instead of whatever that was going on between them.
A road paved with good intentions, from Aruji’s side. A road full of holes and problems that need to be solved. Manageable, even, Izuminokami realizes after some weeks of the forced partnership.
Mutsunokami… is a good guy.
A loud and sometimes unreasonable one, but a good guy, nevertheless. He has his heart right, doesn’t run face first into fighting without thinking – unlike a certain individual did, Izuminokami mutters to himself under his breath. He’s surprisingly easy to talk to, as well, the two sharing stories besides the campfire during the longer missions, learning about each other’s past step by step.
Mutsunokami understands him more than anyone.
It sounded terrifying the first time it ran through Izuminokami’s mind. Now, it’s terrifying to think that he used to look down on him.
For no real reason, actually.
The shuffling of feet shakes him awake from his lull. Opening an eye, Izuminokami sees the exact shade of blue he would rather not see, if he could; there’s a plate on the floor between them, cups of tea steaming lazily into the gradually warming spring air.
Izuminokami sits up once Mikazuki finds himself a comfortable position, eyeing the man, questions unsaid.
He hates the serene quiet that Mikazuki Munechika seems to carry around, he decides.
“Spit it out,” Izuminokami groans eventually.
Mikazuki doesn’t say a word, of course , why would he make Izuminokami’s life easier. Instead, he offers a cup of tea. Izuminokami gingerly accepts it, eyes following how Mikazuki takes the other cup in his own hands, staring off towards the forest, as if all is right in the world.
Maybe all really is right, a little voice whispers in Izuminokami’s head. He watches a bunny hopping on Mikazuki’s lap, gleeful smile spreading on the older man’s lips.
“Adorable, isn’t it?”
The little bunny leaps away, finding its partner soon enough. Looking at the balls of fur rolling around in the grass he can’t help but appreciate the scene, the awkward silence turning into a comfortable one.
“Young love,” a sigh.
Izuminokami raises an eyebrow.
“You have something going on in your mind. Would you mind sharing?”
Izuminokami’s raised eyebrow joins his hairline. Damn this old man and his… Whatever trouble radar he has.
He’s not wrong, though, Izuminokami has to admit.
“How… did you know,” he finds himself trying the words. It feels foreign, to put his thoughts together and voicing them out, just like everything did for the first time he gained his new body. “How did you know your partner was the right one?”
Mikazuki doesn’t answer for a long time.
Stillness stretches out between the two again. Izuminokami stares down into the cup of tea; his reflection upon its surface showing the confused expression he wears, and what he thinks doesn’t really give off the garbled daze he truly feels.
Then, Mikazuki starts to talk.
His words are quiet, consciously chosen ones. It’s a tale on his own, Izuminokami realizes early on, sometimes more bitter than sweet. It spans across years, snail-slow lifetimes, through losses, through battles for the unknown. Izuminokami listens carefully, allowing himself to get lost in his thoughts again.
The tea in his hands gets cold by the time Mikazuki finishes his tale. There’s a smile in his eyes despite the solemn expression he wears on his face. Izuminokami follows him as he stands up, dusting off his robes unhurriedly. By the time Mikazuki is done, the smile reaches his lips too, an easy one, that reassures Izuminokami.
He did not ask the wrong question.
“If all else fails,” he begins after turning around, ready to leave. Izuminokami turns his head towards the older man. “Just listen to what your heart says. Your heart will never lie.”
With that, he sets off, leaving Izuminokami under the magnolia tree.
Sunlight soon grows strong enough to shine through the clouds, for hours on end, and by that, Izuminokami makes up his mind.
Even if it takes years, then be it. He’s going to make up for the time they wasted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Hey,” golden eyes peek inside from the doorway, fuzzy brown hair falling upon them. “‘Zumin, Aruji’s been lookin’ for ya.”
The vague hand gesture makes Izuminokami lower his wooden sword. There’s a frown between his eyebrows as he looks at his opponent - Hizen is just as clueless as he is; they both shrug it off, putting the weapons away. Izuminokami joins Mutsunokami after that, the walk towards Aruji’s Quiet Room is filled with quiet chatter between the two, mostly wondering about why she was looking for Izuminokami specifically.
They part, eventually, Mutsunokami going off to take care of his own share of the chores. Izuminokami stares at his leaving form, a fond smile finding its way upon his lips.
They certainly grew close to one another through the past years.
Aruji doesn’t like to beat around the bush. This is something Izuminokami has learned rather quickly. She’s always quick to present his requests, to offer chances.
Chances that one cannot possibly reject so easily.
“Izuminokami Kanesada,” she begins. “I would like to send you on a journey.”
It’s not the time and place to think, he realizes. He just accepts the proposal, asking Aruji about the details, about the time, about the place. There’s a rush of excitement dashing through his veins, the idea of getting stronger, getting better is intoxicating enough that he goes through the day with a mist upon his mind.
Only when Mutsunokami plops down right next to him after dinner, tugging on the loose ends of Izuminokami’s hair, is when he comes back to reality. He looks back at Mutsunokami, thinking about how the other looks like an excited puppy - the begging and poking is persistent, going far enough that Mutsunokami even starts to shake his arm, just to get an answer out of him.
“Oh,” he finds his voice again. “Aruji offered to send me on a journey.”
Mutsunokami’s golden eyes brighten up even more - if that’s possible -. “That’s awesome! Man, do ya’ think we can go back to that one place again? With that deli-”
“Alone. She wants to send me alone.”
The cheerfulness in the air drops once he utters out those words. Mutsunokami blinks at him, his silence hurting Izuminokami in a way he didn’t think was possible. He ends up explaining the whole talk he had with Aruji, all the possible outcomes that can happen.
Yet, he feels Mutsunokami’s happiness isn’t as genuine as the other says so.
They part shortly afterwards; Izuminokami’s mouth tastes bitter for a reason he cannot understand.
The day of his send-off arrives faster than anyone expected it. The citadel is buzzing with an excitement he can’t place anywhere, everyone seeming to look for him for a word to share, to give him something that reminds him of home while he’s away.
It makes him happy beyond imagination, the thought that he truly belongs to this place.
Mutsunokami is the last to snatch him away. The two of them walking down the very same corridor that saw them fighting in the snow all those years ago, leading towards the ages old magnolia tree. That’s where Mutsunokami stops, spinning around to look Izuminokami in the eye. He seems nervous, uncharacteristically so; Izuminokami doesn’t say anything, just waits for him to reach into the sleeve of his robe, toying with whatever he hid there for a long second, before he pulls it out, grip strong on the fabric.
Izuminokami smiles at that.
“Alright, I have to go soon. What do you want?”
Mutsunokami inhales, as if he’s about to say something. But instead, he just shoves his gift -his headband- against Izuminokami’s chest - and his lips against Izuminokami’s own.
The touch is chaste, a moment-long wonder; the warmth and softness leaves an odd, giddy feeling behind. It’s gone just as fast as it came. By the time Izuminokami comes out of his stupor, Mutsunokami is nowhere to be seen.
He cannot stop the laughter spilling out afterwards.
This is the first time Izuminokami feels nervous about something that Aruji offered to him. As he stands in front of the array, ready to take off, he has to fight off the urge to stare at the ground instead of raising his head high. Everyone seems to be there, gathered around the little clearing in front of the Quiet Room, the Time Machine glowing in an odd shade of golden, ready to take him away.
“Are you ready?”
Aruji’s voice is gentle. Next to Izuminokami, she’s so tiny, so fragile looking, yet so gentle and caring. She’s truly a person worth fighting for. Izuminokami nods as he takes a step towards the glowing ground, only to halt his steps there and shaking his head.
“Give me a moment, will you, please?”
Aruji shakes her head.
“Go.”
Izuminokami sets off, steps quick as he rounds corners and runs through corridors. He finds Mutsunokami in no time; he doesn’t say anything either, approaching the other with quick steps, he yanks him up on his feet, into an embrace strong enough he leaves Mutsunokami struggle for air.
“You’re supposed to be there with everyone.”
“Didn’t wanna see ya’ leave.”
Izuminokami feels a smile tugging on the corner of his lips.
“You know it’s not a farewell? Just a see you soon?”
Mutsunokami doesn’t reply. He doesn’t need to.
“I will be back soon.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Mutsunokami doesn’t miss the way how his headband is now snugly tied around Izuminokami’s wrist.
Dear Yoshiyuki,
Haaa, I’m so tired. There has been so much going on, I have not had the time to even sit down and breathe, let alone to grab a brush and write.
How have you been? Is everything alright at home?
Aruji told me you were out on a mission recently. Was it a success? I do hope it went well. I do hope everyone got back safely, unscratched and well.
For me, however; I happened to run into a festival! I think it was a midsummer one, held a little late due to the weather not allowing it in the past weeks. Traveling in the midst of rain and mud and grossness sucks so, so, so much, I can’t even explain. Please, though, do remind Aruji that we can’t get sick from the cold. Thank you. It was fun, I got to try local sweets, I even participated in some of the games. I’m sure you’ll be delighted to read this, but there was a game where I had to shoot down targets with a wooden, gun-like toy, using pebbles as bullet. It truly was fun. I wish you were here though.
Currently, I’m somewhere in the middle regions of the country. The scenery is beautiful here, reminding me a lot of the forests and mountains of home. It’s not the same, naturally, nowhere near to the beauty that lies above the clouds, the place that awaits my return soon.
I have learned many things since my journey started. I saw people passing away, violent deaths taking them away one by one. It’s something we once witnessed already, being the very weapons dealing such fatal injuries, yet still. It left me wondering, what is our purpose, really?
Haa, I’m getting there again, aren’t I? I can’t help it, though, however much I wish I could. Maybe I’m just growing up, just like Aruji said the last time she passed by.
But do not worry; even if I really change by the end of this journey, I’ll still return to you as the same old Izuminokami Kanesada that I really am.
You don’t have to wait too long for me. I can feel that.
Until then, stay safe and strong.
Come autumn, I’ll be back up above the clouds, in your arms again.
Hah, can you believe once I thought Aruji made a mistake when she summoned you? I was clearly an idiot.