minutemen | 6 ❀ Summer Citadel

6 ❀ Summer Citadel

Beach. Everyone has been working so hard lately so why not take a break and enjoy the beach? You can make sand castles, play in the water, and there are even umbrellas for those who'd rather just relax in the shade. There's a nice row of water melons ready to be smashed later in the day and when the sun goes down, that's when the sparklers come out.
Suffering. It's the hottest time of the year and the citadel doesn't have central air conditioning. The few air conditions that were installed have given up on life after being used so much and now, we really have to make do with what we can while the Konnosuke try to fix it. There's a limited number of fans, plenty of ice cream to go around, and the citadel should be built to circulate air, right? ... Right?!
Spooks. In Japan, summer is a time for horror. Gather around the camp fire and hear some spooky ghost stories or maybe head out into the woods just outside the citadel for a good ol' fashioned test of courage. It's all good, harmless fun! Of course, with so many spirits gathered in one place, what's to say a stray or curious outsider spirit won't join the mix...
Rain. Summer is also known for sudden and torrential downpours of rain. The clouds always seem to grown and darken suddenly and the next thing you know, it's raining sheets and the ground is shaking from thunder. Once it starts, it never seems to stop. Maybe you were caught out in the rain or maybe this is day 7 stuck inside.
Other! It's summer and there are tons of things to do. Go to the general store and stock up on ice cream, wake up in the middle of the night uncomfortable with heat, or run around screaming because cicadas are dying and flying at your face.

[Tonbokiri has been looking for Ichigo, but finding him with that expression, he hesitates to raise his voice. Not that he is an indecisive type, but he can read the atmosphere.
What he wanted to ask can wait a moment... A short moment. So he turns his gaze out to the hydrangeas as well.]

[Ichigo feels someone behind him and turns round with a smile.]

Ah, Tonbokiri-dono. Is something the matter?

[Of course, Ichigo's ability to sense presences should not be underestimated.
Somewhat abashed, he nods in apology.]

Forgive me for disturbing you, Ichigo Hitofuri-dono. However I wanted to ask, you haven't seen Muramasa playing outside with your tantou brothers today, have you?

[Because if he has, Tonbokiri better rush make sure the guy doesn't take the excuse of being wet as a reason to get naked in front of the tantou...]

[Ichigo shakes his head.]

It’s all right, Tonbokiri-dono. You aren’t disturbing me. Muramasa? You mean Sengo-dono? No, I haven’t seen him today and I’m pretty sure he’s not with my brothers. They are all inside doing arts and crafts.

[Yagen is helping him supervise the others so that Ichigo can come outside for a little break. Then Ichigo’s tone turns to one of concern.]

Is Sengo-dono missing? Do you need help finding him?

[His shoulders relax at Ichigo's assurance, both that he'd not disturbed him, and that his brothers are inside. He then shakes his head quickly.]

No, not missing, exactly. I just wanted to be certain he wasn't troubling you.

[He shifts his gaze to look out on the rainy garden with a sigh.]

I am glad Muramasa is getting along with the tantou, but I do not want his habits to cause a misunderstanding, either. [Looking back at Ichigo he emphatically adds,] If he ever causes trouble, do not hesitate to tell me.

[Ichigo smiles reassuringly.]

No, he hasn’t given me any trouble at all, Tonbokiri-dono. Please don’t worry.

[But then again, he hasn’t actually met Sengo yet so... And his brothers haven’t told him of having any trouble with him. Plus he’s been quite distracted by personal matters lately, so he’s not really aware of Sengo’s habits.]

Sengo-dono’s habits...? [Now Tonbokiri’s tone has him rather worried!] What exactly has Sengo-dono been doing with my brothers?

[He worries. So much. About Muramasa.
But he didn't mean this!]

Ah- No, my apologies, I didn't mean to concern you.

[Abashed, he rubs at the back of his neck.]

I think he's just joined in their games a couple times. He really is a capricious sword... But he is not a bad person.

[Ichigo studies him for a moment. Sorry, but he feels like there’s something you aren’t telling him... His demeanour is calm and he still has a smile, but his tone has turn to one he uses to question his brothers when they have told something wrong. ]

Capricious in what way, Tonbokiri-dono?

[That is a tone of voice he himself uses, but is so rarely on the receiving end of, it makes a cold feeling fall upon the back of his neck.]

Ahem. In that he'll come and go as he pleases, and that it's difficult to have him commit to working as a team. But also... [Well, if Ichigo hasn't heard it for himself yet...] He has a strange habit of asking, 'Shall we undress'?

Again, he's truly not a bad person. But his actions do make him easily misunderstood.

[Ichigo can understand dealing with someone who just does whatever he pleases... He’s married to someone like that after all... What Tonbokiri says next does have him rather concerned though.]

... undress? He doesn’t do anything else other than undress, does he...?

Rest assured, I usually stop him before he does.
However yes, he just undresses.

[Something else come to mind related to this, and given how perceptive Ichigo-dono is-- well, not that he wants to conceal anything, either.]

Although, when he's in the midst of fighting that's another matter.

[He smiles the smile of a patient, but somewhat stressed, older sibling.] Muramasa has too many meanings attributed to the word 'undress'. And being in the form we are, he really ought to learn to be more careful.

[Ichigo is relieved to hear that.]

I see. I’m glad that you are here to keep an eye on him, Tonbokiri-dono. It must be very stressful for you to have to run after him like that all the time.

[Says the one with 15 and counting younger brothers. At least his are mostly well-behaved when he’s around.]

I have yet to formally meet Sengo-dono, but he sounds very free-spirited and interesting. Is he unused to having to wear clothes in this form?

[Thank you for understanding, Ichigo-dono! ;A; Let them exchange tales of the trials of brotherhood...]

[Haa, yes, 'free-spirited and interesting' is one way to put Muramasa's personality.]

I believe that to be a strong possibility, yes. As you may know, Muramasa blades have legends attributed to them of being bloodthirsty, unable to be re-sheathed without first having tasted blood.
The legends are also a source of misunderstanding about Muramasa, however perhaps the trait of his so often being unsheathed has carried over into his current form. The word for a 'naked' blade and a 'naked' body is the same, after all.

[Coming out of that contemplation, he waves his hands apologetically.]

Of course, there is little I understand about how Aruji gave us these forms. This is only my speculation.

[Well, Ichigo is kind of the resident expert on dealing with younger brothers! But his are much easier to deal with since they absolutely adore him and will do anything to make him happy...

Ichigo listens attentively as Tonbokiri explains, then he smiles kindly.]

I think that is a very plausible explanation. [Then he laughs.] I suppose Sengo-dono isn’t too affected by the hot weather then since he’s often unclothed?

[If Sengo adored Tonbokiri overtly, would that be better or worse...?
Still, Ichigo for sure has the better brothers.]

[Tonbokiri returns that laugh softly.]

I try to prevent him being often unclothed. Yet, as far as clothing goes, he has it worse than I, if you can believe it. Although, he has a yukata much like mine while at Honmaru.

[You swords who have track suits though... how are you surviving?]

Worse than yours? I suppose that’s why he’s keen to remove it? Perhaps it’s fine for his upper body to be unclothed in this hot weather, as long as his bottom half is covered?

[He can’t answer for the others, but he’s surviving the heat by remaining indoors as much as possible and taking regular breaks when out in the hot sun. The fact that he’s good friends with Shokudaikiri now also means he regularly gets lots of cooling treats. And unlike most of the other tracksuit wearers, his is mostly white so it isn’t as hot and he can remain regal and poised.]

[You are incredible, Ichigo-dono. Such poise.]

[Tonbokiri tries to politely stifle a laugh.]

Actually, his bottom half is probably the worst off. He has leather pants and a long open skirt.

[Never mind the huge slit in the thigh of the pants. They still must be uncomfortable as heck... Even if the style does suit Muramasa.

He then does chuckle, somewhat abashed.]

My apologies. At this rate, you are going to have a very strange impression of Muramasa before you even meet him.

[He tries his best to live up to his name.]

Oh... Could he perhaps be persuaded to change his pants?

[He shakes his head with a smile] Well, he does sound rather eccentric... but not in a bad way. Life must certainly be interesting with him around.

[He shakes his head slightly, still grinning. You are most welcome to try bringing that up with him when you meet him.]

'Interesting', yes. It certainly is.
...But for all the trouble he causes me, I cannot imagine it any other way now.

[He will try to persuade him for your sake as a fellow big brother!]

This is certainly a very tricky problem... I wonder if it’s perhaps possible to teach him a lesson in some way... but I guess he’s someone who isn’t really ashamed of anything?

[He smiles at that.] He is your brother after all. No matter how troublesome our brothers are, we still love them.

[Loving Muramasa... as a brother...
Tonbokiri falls thoughtfully silent at that. It is... not dissimilar to what Izuminokami-dono had told him about friendship?

Perhaps, one way to know more is to ask swords with experiences beyond his own.]

Ichigo Hitofuri-dono, may I ask you a question?

To you, how does the relationship of 'brother' differ from that of 'comrade'? ...I apologize, if it is a topic too difficult to put into words.

[... that is a question Ichigo has never thought about. He takes a moment to consider it.]

Well, the most basic definition of a 'brother' in our case, would be those who were crafted by the same swordsmith as yourself. But there is also this deeper and more personal emotional bond, this intense need you feel inside to protect them and love them unconditionally, and you're happy when they are happy. You're also willing to do anything for them.

While a 'comrade' could be anyone we fight alongside with on the battlefield or any of the other swords here. There could be a great level of trust between you and a 'comrade' since we need this trust to be able to work effectively together, but... it's less of a personal connection. It's a more professional connection where we are all working towards the same goal for the sake of our master.

But there are also some 'comrades' that you've managed to build such a strong bond with that they can feel like a 'brother' to you...

[Tonbokiri listens intently to Ichigo's answer, nodding slightly to the points he understands, but going still as it comes to points he doesn't.

He frowns, frustrated at the difficulty of understanding Ichigo's words.
But he remembers something Nikkari Aoe-dono had once said, and his expression returns to a sad smile.]

These human hearts... The more I learn about them, the more complicated they become.

Thank you for your valuable insight. It was helpful, but I will need some time to think it over.

They are...?

[Ichigo was so loved and treasured by his old master that love just comes naturally to him.]

You’re welcome. If there’s anything else you need help with, please tell me and I’ll try my best to help.

[He nods.]

Experiencing relationships is so different from merely observing them.

[He bows his head--] Likewise, Ichigo-dono. If you ever could use assistance, an ear to listen or a chest to lean upon, I am ever at your service.

In fact... If I may be so bold, you appeared very contemplative when I first arrived. Is there something weighing upon you?

Rain

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