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.
[Ichigo keeps his face buried against Mikazuki’s chest. Is it better to know or not to know? He really doesn’t know... And as much as it hurts him to know that there might be someone else out there that Mikazuki had... A part of him knows he can’t really blame him. And what will he do with that knowledge anyway? Will he try to seek out that person? What will he do after that...? No, he doesn’t want to become someone consumed by jealousy and vengeance. That’s not who he is. He is silent for a long while.]
.... no... no, I don’t want to know. Let’s just forget all that.
[He looks up at that, his eyes slightly teary.]
... in storage and at a museum? You had no company? No friends?
[Mikazuki shakes his head with a small smile when he sees that look.]
Now what are you getting all sad about again?
There were a few others around at times, but most of the time I was on my own. You know I hadn't been used in battle for a very long time until I made it here. Humans apparently found me too valuable to just leave me exposed to anyone who could see me, so they kept me locked up.
I do not feel sorry for myself, so there is no reason why you should. It was a little lonely... but it was nothing I wasn't used to.
... still I don't like the thought of you being all alone...
[He reaches out to lightly stroke Mikazuki's cheek.
He can't help thinking of how despite the great misfortune that had befallen him, he was fortunate in the fact that he had been in a deep sleep when he himself was locked away. He doesn't even want to imagine what it might have been like if he'd awoken with amnesia while in isolation. He'd probably have been driven insane. At least, there were others there to help him and accompany him when he could barely remember his own name. He still remembers waking up to a certain crane peering down at him curiously when he first regained consciousness... It was such a beautiful face to wake up to... No, his beauty does not compare to Mikazuki at all! And his love for Mikazuki is much much greater!
But... they do feel somewhat similar now that he thought about it. ... they weren't from the same family... At least, he didn't think so. Perhaps it was because they were from the same era? ... they know other though, don't they? At least it seems so from the way they interact. (He wasn't stalking, Mikazuki, okay? He was just watching him from afar because he happened to spot him.)]
Mikazuki, are you familiar with Tsurumaru-dono...?
Tsurumaru? Of course. I've known him since he was born. His swordsmith was a student of my own, and they say that he refined Munechika's techniques to make Tsurumaru.
[So basically, Tsurumaru is like, his bratty little nephew, or something.]
... since he was born? Oh, so the two of you really are related... You’re kind of like his uncle then?
[He trails off a bit, considering all that information, as he shifts his position a bit so that he can lean against Mikazuki because he loves doing that now and is becoming much less shy about it.]
Well, I haven’t seen him much recently so I don’t know but knowing him he’s probably causing someone a headache somewhere.
[He hasn’t even thought about him much lately actually... Sorry, Tsurumaru...]
I was just curious because it just occurred to me that you both... feel very similar.... at least to me... Has he ever told you about the time he was at the Imperial Collection?
I am not really sure what you could call us in human terms, but yes, we are related in a way, even though his smith was Gojou Kuninaga and not of the Sanjou school specifically.
[But at Ichigo's other question, he shakes his head.]
When we are together, we often reminisce about the old times.
[aka, Tsurumaru transforms into the bratty baby crane he used to be.]
Some times he extols on his time in the Date Clan.
I see. So he’s... never told you that he helped me when I was at the Imperial Collection. He was there when I first woke up again and couldn’t remember anything...
[he knows the crane sword is actually responsible and caring, even if he himself would protest against that description and his Sanjou uncles all spoil him way too much.]
It is good that you had people around you to help. I wish I could have been there, but...
[but he had stayed with the Tokugawa all the wya until he'd been donated to the Museum.]
He does... And if that indeed helped, then I am glad too.
[Mikazuki almost raised Tsurumaru - if you can call spoiling him rotten as raising him, and he knows the crane sword better than anyone. Under all of that coolness is a warm and gentle heart.]
He doesn't like being reminded of it, though, hahahahaha!
[Really, he isn't. You'd be hard pressed to find a single ounce of jealousy in him. Besides, given that he hinted himself at the fact that there have been others, it'd be hypocritical of him to go and be mad at Ichigo if there was someone else for him. Especially at a time when he himself was not around.
He wouldn't mind even now, but he isn't sure if Ichigo is ready to hear that. And of course, if Ichigo wants him all to himself, then he'll hold himself to that.]
I love Tsurumaru very much too. I'm glad he could help you.
[He glances up at him, a little surprised. Then he looks into his eyes and could tell that Mikazuki is being truthful. It still confuses him though how Mikazuki doesn’t seem to mind at all... His way of thinking is so different from his own sometimes...
And Ichigo isn’t ready to hear that at all. It would upset him greatly in fact. He is very faithful and loyal after all, and expects others to be the same.
He nods. It makes sense that Mikazuki loves Tsurumaru, they are family in a way after all. The mention of the word ‘love’ though makes him feel a little guilty again.]
Actually, he told me he... loves me... but I... well, I do love him too, but... it feels different from the love I feel for you. It’s not the same...
[He embraces Mikazuki, burying his face against his chest.]
It’s not the same at all. You are the one I love the most and the only one I feel this way towards.
[Mikazuki closes his arms around Ichigo, petting his hair softly.]
Are you confused?
[Clearly, some things are not confusing, and Ichigo is aware of his own feelings, but... but he is charming, personable, beautiful. is it any wonder people would fell for him? Mikazuki doesn't seem so. He did too, after all. It doesn't seem outlandish that others would too.]
And more importantly, have you told him?
[Because you can't not be clear with others if it's that important to you after you reproached Mikazuki for trolling people with his dirty poems.]
I don’t... think so. I know I can’t love him back the way he wants me to because I already have you, but he is still very important to me and I don’t want to lose him. ... am I being selfish?
[He falls silent for a moment.]
I haven’t had a chance to yet.... It almost feels like he might be avoiding me.
[And well, Ichigo has been getting more and more comfortable and bolder each day in demonstrating his affection for Mikazuki even in public, so it’s hardly a secret that they are together.]
I’m not...? But isn’t it unfair to him for me to want to hold onto him...?
[This makes him feel so conflicted!
Ichigo is silent for a moment when he finally realises why Tsurumaru is avoiding him. He’s been so consumed by his love for Mikazuki that he hadn’t even thought of that...]
... what should I do then? Should I force him to talk to me? Or would that just make things worse...
Don't you think it might be a bit too much for both of us to do this?
[Especially since, well, what Ichigo has to explain does involve Mikazuki. It's not like Mikazuki himself is shying away from the conversation, but it's just... not his conversation to have at this point, although he will want to talk to Kuninaga afterwards.]
Just ask Aruji to assign the two of you on the same task.
[But he wanted you there for moral support! That’s true though... it would be too much....
He sighs.]
You’re right. But... Tsurumaru never does his chores...! [Like how you don’t! But it’s different when you don’t do them. He’s perfectly fine with you not doing them as he doesn’t want you hurting yourself accidentally or something...] So maybe that won’t really work. Though it would perhaps give me an excuse to find him... How do I stop him from fleeing...?
[Ah, maybe he can use that rope he found in your drawer when he was putting away your laundry earlier. Come to think of it, why is there even rope in your drawer...?]
... Mikazuki, what the rope in that drawer for? [And he points that the one he means.]
[Ichigo, you are an adult, you can talk to Tsurumaru Kuninaga on your own. he will give you - and the crane - moral support after you've had your talk.
The sudden change in subject has Mikazuki blinking, and then he smiles.]
It's to tie people up. What else would a rope be for?
[That.... probably was not the answer you were expecting, Ichigo and he should probably be sorry to give you a glimpse into some activities he's had that are definitely way out of the norm of what you are used to but...
But again, he doesn't want to lie. It's gonna be a challenge tot ell you anything about this without making you spontaneously combust, though.]
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.... no... no, I don’t want to know. Let’s just forget all that.
[He looks up at that, his eyes slightly teary.]
... in storage and at a museum? You had no company? No friends?
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Now what are you getting all sad about again?
There were a few others around at times, but most of the time I was on my own. You know I hadn't been used in battle for a very long time until I made it here. Humans apparently found me too valuable to just leave me exposed to anyone who could see me, so they kept me locked up.
I do not feel sorry for myself, so there is no reason why you should. It was a little lonely... but it was nothing I wasn't used to.
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[He reaches out to lightly stroke Mikazuki's cheek.
He can't help thinking of how despite the great misfortune that had befallen him, he was fortunate in the fact that he had been in a deep sleep when he himself was locked away. He doesn't even want to imagine what it might have been like if he'd awoken with amnesia while in isolation. He'd probably have been driven insane. At least, there were others there to help him and accompany him when he could barely remember his own name. He still remembers waking up to a certain crane peering down at him curiously when he first regained consciousness... It was such a beautiful face to wake up to... No, his beauty does not compare to Mikazuki at all! And his love for Mikazuki is much much greater!
But... they do feel somewhat similar now that he thought about it. ... they weren't from the same family... At least, he didn't think so. Perhaps it was because they were from the same era? ... they know other though, don't they? At least it seems so from the way they interact. (He wasn't stalking, Mikazuki, okay? He was just watching him from afar because he happened to spot him.)]
Mikazuki, are you familiar with Tsurumaru-dono...?
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[So basically, Tsurumaru is like, his bratty little nephew, or something.]
Why do you ask? Has be been misbehaving again?
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[He trails off a bit, considering all that information, as he shifts his position a bit so that he can lean against Mikazuki because he loves doing that now and is becoming much less shy about it.]
Well, I haven’t seen him much recently so I don’t know but knowing him he’s probably causing someone a headache somewhere.
[He hasn’t even thought about him much lately actually... Sorry, Tsurumaru...]
I was just curious because it just occurred to me that you both... feel very similar.... at least to me... Has he ever told you about the time he was at the Imperial Collection?
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[But at Ichigo's other question, he shakes his head.]
When we are together, we often reminisce about the old times.
[aka, Tsurumaru transforms into the bratty baby crane he used to be.]
Some times he extols on his time in the Date Clan.
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[he knows the crane sword is actually responsible and caring, even if he himself would protest against that description and his Sanjou uncles all spoil him way too much.]
It is good that you had people around you to help. I wish I could have been there, but...
[but he had stayed with the Tokugawa all the wya until he'd been donated to the Museum.]
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[There is a certain fondness in his voice. Then he looks up with a smile.]
I think... you were there in a way... through him...
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[Mikazuki almost raised Tsurumaru - if you can call spoiling him rotten as raising him, and he knows the crane sword better than anyone. Under all of that coolness is a warm and gentle heart.]
He doesn't like being reminded of it, though, hahahahaha!
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[He falls silent for a moment, feeling guilty.]
... before I found you again, I... had trouble sleeping, so he held me a few times to help me sleep. That's all we did though, so don't worry!
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[Really, he isn't. You'd be hard pressed to find a single ounce of jealousy in him. Besides, given that he hinted himself at the fact that there have been others, it'd be hypocritical of him to go and be mad at Ichigo if there was someone else for him. Especially at a time when he himself was not around.
He wouldn't mind even now, but he isn't sure if Ichigo is ready to hear that. And of course, if Ichigo wants him all to himself, then he'll hold himself to that.]
I love Tsurumaru very much too. I'm glad he could help you.
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And Ichigo isn’t ready to hear that at all. It would upset him greatly in fact. He is very faithful and loyal after all, and expects others to be the same.
He nods. It makes sense that Mikazuki loves Tsurumaru, they are family in a way after all. The mention of the word ‘love’ though makes him feel a little guilty again.]
Actually, he told me he... loves me... but I... well, I do love him too, but... it feels different from the love I feel for you. It’s not the same...
[He embraces Mikazuki, burying his face against his chest.]
It’s not the same at all. You are the one I love the most and the only one I feel this way towards.
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Are you confused?
[Clearly, some things are not confusing, and Ichigo is aware of his own feelings, but... but he is charming, personable, beautiful. is it any wonder people would fell for him? Mikazuki doesn't seem so. He did too, after all. It doesn't seem outlandish that others would too.]
And more importantly, have you told him?
[Because you can't not be clear with others if it's that important to you after you reproached Mikazuki for trolling people with his dirty poems.]
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I don’t... think so. I know I can’t love him back the way he wants me to because I already have you, but he is still very important to me and I don’t want to lose him. ... am I being selfish?
[He falls silent for a moment.]
I haven’t had a chance to yet.... It almost feels like he might be avoiding me.
[And well, Ichigo has been getting more and more comfortable and bolder each day in demonstrating his affection for Mikazuki even in public, so it’s hardly a secret that they are together.]
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[After all, he also likes having all the people he loves around him.]
And of course he's avoiding you. He has seen you and I together. He won't come to you or me to confront the situation. You know how he is.
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I’m not...? But isn’t it unfair to him for me to want to hold onto him...?
[This makes him feel so conflicted!
Ichigo is silent for a moment when he finally realises why Tsurumaru is avoiding him. He’s been so consumed by his love for Mikazuki that he hadn’t even thought of that...]
... what should I do then? Should I force him to talk to me? Or would that just make things worse...
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[Feelings are not fair or unfair, Ichigo. Actions on the other hand.... you need to act properly and not let people hang.]
You might have to corner him. If you don't, he'll just find ways not to be alone with you for a long time.
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[He sighs, snuggling closer to Mikazuki for comfort.]
I’ll have to corner him and trap him somehow then... Will you help me?
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[Especially since, well, what Ichigo has to explain does involve Mikazuki. It's not like Mikazuki himself is shying away from the conversation, but it's just... not his conversation to have at this point, although he will want to talk to Kuninaga afterwards.]
Just ask Aruji to assign the two of you on the same task.
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He sighs.]
You’re right. But... Tsurumaru never does his chores...! [Like how you don’t! But it’s different when you don’t do them. He’s perfectly fine with you not doing them as he doesn’t want you hurting yourself accidentally or something...] So maybe that won’t really work. Though it would perhaps give me an excuse to find him... How do I stop him from fleeing...?
[Ah, maybe he can use that rope he found in your drawer when he was putting away your laundry earlier. Come to think of it, why is there even rope in your drawer...?]
... Mikazuki, what the rope in that drawer for? [And he points that the one he means.]
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The sudden change in subject has Mikazuki blinking, and then he smiles.]
It's to tie people up. What else would a rope be for?
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[Wait...! Rope can be used for many other different things. Why is Mikazuki's first use for it tying people up??]
... why are you tying people up...?
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[That.... probably was not the answer you were expecting, Ichigo and he should probably be sorry to give you a glimpse into some activities he's had that are definitely way out of the norm of what you are used to but...
But again, he doesn't want to lie. It's gonna be a challenge tot ell you anything about this without making you spontaneously combust, though.]
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... ask you to...? But why?
[He tries to think of a logical reason.]
... did they have to be restrained because they were going to be a danger to themselves or others?
[Please break it to him gently, Mikazuki. Your husband, in his current state, is so very innocent in these matters...]
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