6 ❀ Summer Citadel

[konnosuke]

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.

 

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[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo can’t help a sad little laugh at that.]

I suppose it’s because sometimes our pride is the only thing we have left.

[youwillbeunequaled]

You have more than only pride, now.

[He-- was maybe hasty to say that. He knows what Ichigo means. But hopefully he knows what Tonbokiri means in turn.]

[oncealifetime]

[He sighs softly.]

Until they are all taken away from me again or I wake up one day with no memory of any of them again.

[Sorry, Tonbokiri, the endless rain has put him in a mood and brought out the tragic, brooding, amnesiac prince side of him...]

[youwillbeunequaled]

No--

[That idea is so terrifying, it gets a visceral reaction out of Tonbokiri.
Straightening, he steps towards Ichigo and puts his hands on his shoulders heavily.]

That will not happen. Aruji will not allow it. Your comrades will not allow it.

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo glances up at him, his amber-gold eyes filled with despair.]

I want to believe in that but there are things outside Aruji's control...

[youwillbeunequaled]

[As dedicated to his master Tonbokiri is, it takes him a reluctant beat to agree.
The despair in those eyes-- can words not cut through it?]

It is true that Aruji cannot control everything. But you can believe in him still. Look at his efforts to rectify the uncontrollable changes to history. How much more would he do for us, who are so close to him?

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo looks away and is silent for a long while.]

...

... believe in Aruji... I suppose that's all I can do.

[What other choice is there really... But the seed of sorrow inside him cannot be erased. It can be suppressed but never truly eliminated.]

[youwillbeunequaled]

[He waits patiently, and worries, through that long silence.]

Ichigo-dono...

[He wants to encourage him that that is not 'all' he can do. That he already is doing more by trying to remember, and speaking to those who knew him in the past...

Tonbokiri gently squeezes Ichigo's shoulders before lifting his hands.
He tries to simply smile encouragingly instead putting it all into words, but his own amber-yellow eyes betray his concern.]

You can. And so you will.

[oncealifetime]

[He would smile back, but he doesn't have the strength to right now. He's so exhausted mentally. Instead he reaches up to lightly touch Tonbokiri's cheek to acknowledge and thank him for his concern.]

Thank you, Tonbokiri-dono. You have a very kind heart.

[youwillbeunequaled]

[The gesture surprises him in how intimate it is compared to a pat on the shoulder, but he understands the thanks behind it. Ichigo is such an elegant sword.]

As do you.

I did not say much of use, but should you ever again wish to speak to me of these matters, you are always welcome. At the very least, I can listen to you.

[oncealifetime]

[He manages just a hint of a smile, then he shakes his head.]

No, what you’ve said meant a lot and you were here at the right time. I suppose I really did need someone... to listen to all these things I’ve kept inside. It’s difficult to tell all this to the people around me... as I know it’ll break their hearts....

[And now as he thinks about it, he feels a little guilty...] ... I’m sorry for dumping all this on you instead...

[youwillbeunequaled]

[Considering how very hopeless Ichigo had been looking, even that sliver of a smile eases his mind, and what he has to say reassures him even more.]

Not at all. I'm glad you could speak to me about it.

These human hearts are fragile, it's true. So what can be shared, should be shared. [He smiles sadly in remembrance.] Not my words, but still relevant.

So again, seek me out any time, Ichigo-dono.

[oncealifetime]

[He nods.]

Those are wise words.

I will. Well, I’d better go back inside now. It’s time to prepare afternoon snacks for my brothers and to see how they’re getting on with their arts and craft projects.

[youwillbeunequaled]

[Nikkari Aoe is a wise sword.]

Of course. Thank you for your time. You helped me with your words today, as well.

[He bows politely.]

Until later, then.

[oncealifetime]

[He instinctively returns the bow.]

Until later.

[But as he’s returning indoors, there’s a sudden very loud clap of thunder that startles him and causes him to lose his footing!]

[youwillbeunequaled]

[He turns to leave as well, but that thunder gives him pause. Wow, that was close--
Then there is the sound of Ichigo losing his footing! Concerned, Tonbokiri takes a few steps back towards the sword.]

That was loud, wasn't it. Are you all right?

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo begins to get up...]

Ah, I’m fine, Tonbokiri-dono. That really was-

[Then he stumbles a bit and reaches out to one of the pillars to steady himself. Seems like he might have twisted one of his ankles a bit. Ow...]

[youwillbeunequaled]

[For the elegant Ichigo to have stumbled like that-! Anxious, Tonbokiri hurries to his side.]

What is the matter? Is it your foot? These bodies are truly weak against the strangest things sometimes...

[Tonbokiri frowns at Ichigo's foot, but of course he can't tell anything just by looking at it like this, other than the fact Ichigo is keeping his weight off it.
The clouds above release another crack of thunder, but he doesn't look up towards it.]

What would you have me do? I can carry you to repairs. [But thinking of Gokotai and the others, especially with this weather, his expression becomes even more concerned.] Your brothers are waiting for you, though...

[oncealifetime]

Ah, it’s really all right, Tonbokiri-dono! I’m sure I’ll be fine after a short rest.

[He stands gingerly on his injured foot, trying to cover the pain with a smile.]

You don’t have to worry. I can make my way back.

[youwillbeunequaled]

[He's seen a lifetime's worth of smiling through painful times. It's not hard to notice Ichigo trying to cover up how his foot is paining him.]

Of course I'll worry. Although a small injury, a comrade is hurt before my eyes.
If you insist on resting here, then let me keep you company.

[oncealifetime]

...

[Guess there’s no hiding from Tonbokiri. He sighs and he moves to sit down.]

I’d like to try resting here a bit to see if it gets better.

[youwillbeunequaled]

Very well.

[Tonbokiri offers Ichigo a steadying hand down.
Once he sees Ichigo settled, Tonbokiri starts unwinding the fabric strip that binds his wrist.]

Unfortunately, I do not know much about first aid, but I do know that something cold will reduce swelling. So perhaps this will help.

[He goes to the edge of the overhanging roof and holds the fabric out under a stream of rainwater. Wringing it out, he returns to Ichigo's side.]

It's not cold, but it may be a bit cooling. Will you allow me to tend to your foot, Ichigo-dono?

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo takes the offered hand with a grateful smile and lowers himself slowly, yet still somehow gracefully despite his injured foot, into a sitting position on the ground.

Ichigo is about to protest, but he knows Tonbokiri will probably not take ‘no’ as an answer. He pulls up his pants leg a little to expose his swelling ankle then shifts his position so that he can hold it out for Tonbokiri to examine.]

I’m really sorry to have to take up more of your time.

[youwillbeunequaled]

[(You were absolutely correct, Ichigo. He wasn't going to take a 'no'. But he would have let you tend your ankle yourself, if you'd insisted.)

In everything he does, even when injured, Ichigo-dono is so graceful... Such captivating movement makes him wonder what he's like to spar against.

Such idle thoughts are put aside though as Tonbokiri kneels beside Ichigo and looks at his ankle. Mm, it does look swollen, doesn't it.]

Not at all. Searching for Muramasa is not urgent. I am far more concerned for you, and returning you to your brothers.

[He begins to snugly wrap Ichigo's ankle in the damp cloth.]

Tell me if it feels too tight.

[oncealifetime]

[Well, he’s very used to being tended to thanks to the rather pampered life he’s had so...

He is just as graceful and elegant in a fight, but a lot more intimidating! (Mun is terrible at writing fights though...)]

... it’s really not that serious an injury, Tonbokiri-dono. [You make it sound like he might die!]

It feels just right. Thank you.