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.

[He nods.]

I see...

[He’s not sure if he can really handle a group like that. He’ll try, but...]

Perhaps, we should come up with some sort of signal so that you could help me if I feel too uncomfortable...?

[Oh, no. He feels like he's pressuring Ichigo into something he usually avoids...]

I... hope that it will not get to that point, of course. I apologize for giving such an impression.

But a signal is a wise idea. I take your comfort as a serious responsibility.

It’s alright. I do need to broaden my social circle and acquaint myself with the others here. That way we’ll be able to work better together.

[And now that he thinks about it, everyone he knows right now tends to handle him with kid gloves, like he’s some extremely fragile object... He does greatly appreciates their concern and he knows they’re afraid of accidentally triggering any of his traumatic memories but still...

Now what would look natural?]

Hmm... maybe I’ll touch my head to smooth out my hair? Would that be odd?

[Then he sighs.]

Or perhaps I should just drink like everyone else? That might make me more comfortable with their questions... You will keep an eye on me if I do fall asleep, won’t you?

[That's the spirit, Ichigo! Although, it's a bit funny to hear this gentlemanly sword have the same idea as the boisterous Mutsunokami in regards to getting to know your comrades.

Tonbokiri shakes his head in concern.]

Of course, I shall look after you. But you should only do what you are comfortable with. [His expression becomes more downcast in his worry.]

If you have just one drink out of camaraderie, I'm sure it would go over well. But it may be better to turn down drinking right from the start, if you are worried about the result.

It... may go even easier if I warn them of your preference beforehand.

I think ... I should be able to handle one small drink. To be honest, it’s been a very long time since I’ve last had a drink, so I’m not sure what my tolerance for it is like now....

[A little laugh.]

But, one small drink should be fine. If I do fall asleep, please take me to... Mikazuki’s room. I don’t want to go back to my brothers smelling like alcohol.

[For that would surely set a bad example.]

[ /mun quietly weeps, wishing for at least one or two more players to make this bar scenario a reality...]

[Tonbokiri nods, straight-forwardly accepting that request.]

As you wish.

For all these precautions, I hope that you will have an enjoyable time.

But for tonight, I hope that you will simply rest and take care of yourself. [Because, you know, being injured is not good.]

[There. There. *pets back*]

[Well, there’s nothing wrong with bringing him back to his husband. Their ‘spousal swords’ status is no secret.

He nods and smiles.]

I look forward to it. Or do you think I should just ask Mikazuki to come along...?

[Mikazuki should have no problem with the drinking and he can just sleep on dear husband’s lap when necessary!]

Don’t worry. Either Yagen or Hakusan will be able to help me with my ankle later.

[That status is one thing, but taking it literally in this form is another (///)]

[Tonbokiri's eyebrows arch in light surprise at the suggestion.]

Of course, Mikazuki-dono would be welcome. But-- my apologies, I thought he only enjoyed drinking tea.

[And he'll worry still, but knowing he has two helpers near at hand does put him at ease a little.]

[They have been taking it literally even when they were just tsukumogami!]

Well, tea is his favourite, but he does drink a bit too. And I think he’ll probably be better at socializing with your companions than me...

[For Mikazuki has no shame! No shame at all!]

[Imagining the mysterious and aloof Mikazuki in that group... Would it be socializing?

Well, he can't say anything until they try it.]

I believe that you have perfectly fine ability to socialize.
Yet, whenever you can come, you are welcome to invite him as well.

[He’s not really as mysterious and aloof as you think, Tonbokiri...!]

That’s very kind of you, Tonbokiri-dono. And, I’ll see if he wants to come along. Well, I guess I should be getting back now. Could you help me back?

Of course. Leave it to me.

[Bending low, he comes close to Ichigo. Lifting one of Ichigo's arms so that he can duck his head underneath, he drapes the arm over his shoulder.]

I'll lift you up.

[And with just that warning, he stands, bringing Ichigo up with him. One hand firmly on his waist keeps him steady, but he warns,]

Keep your weight on your good foot.

[Of course, with Tonbokiri being a good twenty centimetres taller than Ichigo, he might have to stretch a bit to even reach the ground. Either way, Tonbokiri supporting Ichigo like this is no strain at all.]

Ah, wait, Tonbokiri-dono...!

[But before he can protest more, he’s been lifted into a rather awkward position! He can’t reach the ground at all, Tonbokiri...]

... I don’t think this will work...

[Yet another disadvantage of being shortened...?]

[Why won't it work? Ah, he sees.]

My apologies, Ichigo-dono. I'm somewhat taller than other swords...

[He stoops his posture slightly so that Ichigo's feet can now touch the ground.]

I thought that supporting you like this might be better than carrying you, but perhaps I should carry you after all.

[He shakes his head with a little smile.]

It’s fine, Tonbokiri-dono, and I suppose it doesn’t help that I’m of a smaller stature now than what I originally was...

[It’s so nice to be back on the ground!]

Yes, I guess it would be better if you carried me...

Mm, I can emphasize that it takes time to become used to an adjustment of size. My haft length was often changed to suit my former master. ...And that was nowhere near as much a change as you went through.

[As he speaks he lets go of Ichigo gently, holding out a hand to continue giving him support.]

I apologize for treating you so delicately, for I know you are a noble and strong blade. But I simply do not want to see you damage yourself further. So please bear with me a little longer.

[He then turns his back to Ichigo.]

I can carry you upon my back.

You were? My master adjusted my size once too so that he could carry me around with him more easily. I didn’t mind that adjustment.

[He takes hold of his hand for balance.]

I understand. Thank you for doing this.

[And he carefully gets on his back.]

[Once Ichigo is settled upon his back, Tonbokiri stands and sets off towards the Toushirou tantou's room at a gentle walk.
As Ichigo didn't seem to mind the topic, Tonbokiri replies with a thoughtful hum.]

I did not know that swords would be thus adjusted as well. I am certain your master was tremendously glad have you remain by his side.

[He chuckles.] In my case, I once had a length of over three meters! Yet as Tadakatsu became older, I was subsequently shortened to suit him better.

[Heh, those were sure the days, though.]

[Ichigo puts his arms a little more firmly around Tonbokiri’s neck as he’s lifted. This is certainly quite a bit higher than when Mitsutada carried him on his back the other day after he was injured in battle... His injuries weren’t that bad but the other tachi had insisted on carrying him. Is there something about him that makes others want to protect him, he wonders.

There is a fondness in his voice as he recalls his late master.]

Hideyoshi-sama had a vast sword collection but I was his favourite, so he constantly kept me by his side. I was a bit too tall for him to carry around comfortably at first though, so he had my size adjusted to suit him better. I was there with him till the end...

[And he was kind of a status symbol since all swords smithed by Awataguchi Yoshimitsu, one of the Three Great Swordsmiths, were very desirable at that time. What better way to show off one’s wealth and status than by carrying the only tachi Yoshimitsu had ever smithed because Ichigo was apparently so perfect that Yoshimitsu did not feel like he could top that.]

Three metres? [He laughs a bit too.] Perhaps it’s a good thing you were shortened or you’d never fit in any of the rooms here! It sounds like your master loved you a lot too.

[He laughs lightly, trying to imagine being any taller than he already is. It'd be dangerous to his forehead, at the very least. As it is he has to be careful about doorways.

Tonbokiri is moved by the fondness Ichigo had in his voice for his former master, and of course he has to agree.]

I believe so. There are as many stories as there are blades here, so it is a precious thing to have a history of being loved by a master like we have been.

Hidehoshi Toyotomi-dono was a great, talented and ambitious warrior, certainly worthy of the honours he won for himself, and those he earned from his Lords.

It is interesting to think that we may have crossed paths at some time, as our masters were rivals and allies. Ah, what a turbulent time that was.

Thank you for thinking so highly of my master, Tonbokiri-dono.

We might have crossed paths...? Unfortunately, I can’t remember whether or not we have. [He sighs.] There’s so much I just can’t remember...

[ (So highly, the mun typos his name- /o\) ]

Forgive me, I did not mean to make you worry over if we did or not.

Truth be told, I cannot recall either. Lord Ieyasu was a pivotal man, and many paths cross because of him. However it is not like Tadakatsu was literally by his side all the time. Nor was Hideyoshi-dono.

It is like... ships passing in the night.

Ah, please don’t blame yourself, Tonbokiri-dono. I’m not upset. It’s just that... it would have been nice if I could remember but... it’s fine too if I can’t since we now have the chance to meet again.

[And Ichigo is rather uneasy at the thought of Tokugawa Ieyasu. If it weren’t for him, he wouldn’t have burnt and he wouldn’t have been retempered... Or would it have happened no matter what? He doesn’t say anything about that though and keeps it in his heart.]

[There is... something about the tenseness in the body lying against his back that tells Tonbokiri that Ichigo is more upset than he says.
He mentally shakes his head, reprimanding himself. He'd only just now found out about a sliver of Ichigo's tragic past, so he should be more careful about this topic.

...If he wants to understand Ichigo-dono better, he'll have to expand his knowledge about what historically happened at Osaka castle. What happened at the Toyotomi family's stronghold after Tokugawa's era of peace began.

But for now, he replies to Ichigo,]

Thank you for saying so.
You are right. Let us make the most of the chance that has been given to us here and now.

Yes, let's do that.

[He's just going to rest his head against's Tobokiri's shoulder for a bit, falling silent for a while.]

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