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.
"You did," Tonbokiri agrees with a small grin. It's admirable that Izuminokami won't back down in the least from his promise, even when given a valid reason to sit it out. So he nods to the sword encouragingly.
"Well, then. As you shouldn't wear the wet yukata, which would you rather do in your small-clothes, filling water or sweeping?"
Izuminokami's eyes dart toward the horse who still seemed rather pleased with himself for startling him into the trough. With a tiny huff he turned his head to the side.
"I'll start the sweeping. You can handle the water filling."
"Very well." He nods his agreement, but before leaving the stall he gives the horse a clout on the shoulder and speaks in a low voice, "That was not polite. You're in time out."
Really. The horses and the swords need to get along better. If they can't, it will influence how they work together in their missions for Aruji.
Shaking his head, Tonbokiri resumes his work. He can leave Izuminokami to his own pace, but he keeps an eye on him to see if he needs any help... Well, when it comes to sweeping though, chances are good he'll be better than Tonbokiri at it.
Luckily for Izuminokami, he knew Tonbokiri was no where near the kind of man that Mikazuki was. (Meaning he wasn't some kind of pervert) So he didn't have to worry about the older man staring at him as he slowly slips the yukata off and hangs it somewhere to dry. He was still wearing a little bit underneath so it wasn't as embarrassing, but it certainly would have been if he were here with anyone else.
So he gets started on the sweeping, going about it slowly at first, but then once he got into the movements, he started to work a little quicker.
"We should be paired up together more often. We make a wonderful team."
Tonbokiri thinks nothing of Izuminokami's state of undress. It is simply what had to happen, given the situation. He does take a moment to close the stable doors, though, to give a sense of modest privacy.
He appriciates how Izuminokami seems to pick up on the sweeping, and how he is making good progress.
He chuckles at the comment. "I would think it is natural, after the time we spent together on missions. But I agree, it would be good if we were assigned together more often. ... Despite what happened, stable duty really is very enjoyable."
Finishing the water chore promptly with no mishaps, Tonbokiri takes up a broom and starts sweeping also. ... As best he can. Only going at the slowest pace and making the most careful movements can Tonbokiri do this chore. Otherwise, somehow, the debris just keeps escaping from the pile and floating back around the floor. (The struggle is real.)
"I suppose stable duty is better than farming duty. Being out in the sun for hours, getting scolded by Kunihiro for getting so muddy when you had to prove to the children you weren't afraid of getting dirty..."
He says children as he he wasn't pretty much the youngest sword in the whole citadel... Not to mention those were pretty much only his experiences. Kunihiro didn't scold everyone out there.... probably. Well Maybe he scolded the rest of the shinsengumi swords, but that's because he was their mother.
(As a team father, he can understand you, Kunihiro...)
Tonbokiri looks up in surprise, his sweeping pausing.
"Well, it can't be helped, getting dirty while doing chores..." Although the reason for it-- He's grinning at the idea of Izuminokami having to prove that he isn't afraid of getting dirty. He does have that air about him.
"But field duty is very honourable. The warriors of Mikata also worked the fields." He beams proudly.
"Sure it's honorable and what not, but it's not fighting. My time could easily be used for something more useful than field work!"
He complains, but his former master came from a farming family and if someone were to point that out to him, he would probably change his tune a little bit. But he couldn't help being a little bratty sometimes when it came to chores.
... You cannot dismiss it or call it 'whatnot' in his presence.
"Izuminokami Kanesada. What is more useful to a human body than a full stomach? All your training and your will to fight will evaporate before hunger. If your time is being used for something else, then at the very least be deeply thankful towards those who are doing the field work in your stead."
Izuminokami honestly felt like a child being scolded right now. If it were anyone else it might not bother him as much, but the tone he had, it was upsetting. It was one of those 'I'm not mad just disappointed' tones and honestly that as the worst kind of tone someone could ever use.
He bit his bottom lip, staring at the ground in hopes to avoid seeing whatever look Tonbokiri had in his eyes.
"It's not like I don't appreciate it or anything..."
Seeing Izuminokami avoid his gaze, Tonbokiri knew he was embarrassed by the reprimand. But hopefully, it also meant the young sword was taking it to heart.
"I am glad to hear that, but if that is true, you should say it more clearly." And not with a double-negative. He shakes his head and his tone becomes more mild. "I know you have it in you to do so."
This is the one that gathered up the nearly dissolved Second Unit of his own initiative, after all. But for all his spurts of maturity, there are also times he shows how brash and young he is... Well, both those parts are what makes Izuminokami the sword he is. Yet Tonbokiri can't help but want to lend him his strength so that he can grow even further.
"I'll... show my appreciation more for the task... and for what it helps provide for the rest of us."
Honestly, this somehow felt even worse than being scolded by Horikawa, and he's his closest partner. It was probably because he held such a high respect for Tonbokiri and hearing such disappointment in his voice was like being stabbed in the heart a couple times.
He lowered his head even further, until he fell to his knees and the lowest of low bows to Tonbokiri.
"I was merely acting foolish, and spoiled on top of that..."
(Nooo, he didn't mean to stab you-! A couple times, even? ;A;)
Ahhh, ah, ah. He is taking it seriously, indeed. Tonbokiri is surprised that the sword has gone so far to kneel low before him-! But he puts one hand firmly on the young blade's shoulder.
"That you feel such remorse shows how much you will be able to change. I accept your reflection and resolve Izuminokami Kanesada-dono. Rise, and pour pride into the task in front of you now."
He still feels the shame, unable to look Tonbokiri in the eyes, not until he's made it up to him. So he simply nods his head and slowly gets up off the dirt ground, reaching for the broom once more.
"Yes, I understand. I'll make this floor spotless."
He turned his back to the other man, and his casual actions from before seemed to speed up significantly.
Tonbokiri wants to warn him that sweeping quickly just spreads the dust everywhere-- but he seems to be doing all right.
Although feeling a little badly for reprimanding Izuminokami like this, he trusts that the sword will find a balance between the pride of a warrior and the humbleness of service in time.
But that will take time. Now, Tonbokiri lets him work on in silence, trusting that Izuminokami will feel better once he accomplishes the task set before him. Tonbokiri also resumes sweeping, although his pace is slow. Part of that is just how he is, but part of it is because he doesn't want to get in Izuminokami's way.
On a bright side, Horikawa will be rather surprised and impressed with Izuminokami's sudden change in attitude about chores. Honestly, Tonbokiri did everyone a great favor in scolding him.
He coughs up a bit from the dust he kept kicking up from his quick broom actions, but it wasn't enough to stop him. He continued on sweeping and sweeping until the floor actually seemed to start looking rather clean.
He stopped when he reached the other side, wiping his forehead with his arm. All that sweeping... was actually pretty hard work.
Nope, that's not what he meant, although he appreciates the honest feeling.
"I am pleased to hear that. Growing in understanding is important, particularly to leaders. Now! With our tasks accomplished, let us do something about your condition of 'hot and sweaty'."
And dirty, he might add. All that dust plus Izuminokami's uncovered and sweaty body... He probably won't appreciate if someone else sees him in such a dishevelled state.
Handing Izuminokami the (slightly drier) yukata he offers, "Why don't you go on ahead to the bath. I'll bring your clothing from my room to you there."
He really did look like he had gone out playing in the dirt again like it did whenever he'd play around with the toushirou siblings. Horikawa would probably scold him greatly if he happened across him right about now, but he didn't seem to have a single worry about that right now.
"Are you sure...? I mean..."
He still felt like he had to do something... He wasn't sure what but something...!
Tonbokiri even insisted that he go head off. So he supposed it was okay. Awkwardly he tries wiping off some of the dirt that he could feel and slips the borrowed Yukata back on, loosely but it was better than nothing. He'll have to clean it for Tonbokiri later.
"Yes, I shall follow promptly," he assures him. "I could use a bath as well."
And true to his word, Tonbokiri won't be long in getting to the bath. The walk-around of the stable is a familiar habit and he sets everything in order. He then returns to his room to pick up Izuminokami's clothes, and a fresh change for himself.
In the change room, it is a simple matter to find the yukata, take it out of the basket, and replace it with Izuminokami's normal clothing. It's almost a waste, that he didn't get to enjoy a cool yukata for long. But with the time they've spent, evening will descend soon enough and hopefully it will bring a break in the heat.
Undressing, he has the two dirty yukata folded up, clean clothes prepared, and all is set for him to have his small reward as well.
As he walks into the bath he tugs uncertainly at his braid for a moment. He'd like to keep it in a little longer, but he also wants to wash his hair... While thinking it over, he finds Izuminokami.
Unfortunately for Izuminokami, Tonbokiri was walking in on a rather embarrassing sight. Well, it wasn't that embarrassing, but Izumi would find it so. He wanted to wash the dirt out of his hair but just felt so hot and lazy once he got here that now his long hair was plastered all over him, making him look similar to one of those scary modern horror movie girls.
He frantically pushed the hair out of his face as he turned his head up to look at Tonbokiri, cheeks flushing a little.
At the sight of Izuminokami's hair all over his body like that, a breath of a surprised laugh escapes him, and Tonbokiri lifts a hand to cover his grinning mouth for a moment.
"G-good. We did speak earlier about how long it takes our hair to dry, but washing it is a challenge for you as well, isn't it... At least, as the bath is where one goes to groom, it is natural to appear somewhat untidy in the process while here."
By Aruji, does he always look like this when he washes, though? The poor guy.
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"Well, then. As you shouldn't wear the wet yukata, which would you rather do in your small-clothes, filling water or sweeping?"
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"I'll start the sweeping. You can handle the water filling."
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Really. The horses and the swords need to get along better. If they can't, it will influence how they work together in their missions for Aruji.
Shaking his head, Tonbokiri resumes his work. He can leave Izuminokami to his own pace, but he keeps an eye on him to see if he needs any help... Well, when it comes to sweeping though, chances are good he'll be better than Tonbokiri at it.
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So he gets started on the sweeping, going about it slowly at first, but then once he got into the movements, he started to work a little quicker.
"We should be paired up together more often. We make a wonderful team."
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He does take a moment to close the stable doors, though, to give a sense of modest privacy.
He appriciates how Izuminokami seems to pick up on the sweeping, and how he is making good progress.
He chuckles at the comment. "I would think it is natural, after the time we spent together on missions. But I agree, it would be good if we were assigned together more often. ... Despite what happened, stable duty really is very enjoyable."
Finishing the water chore promptly with no mishaps, Tonbokiri takes up a broom and starts sweeping also. ... As best he can. Only going at the slowest pace and making the most careful movements can Tonbokiri do this chore. Otherwise, somehow, the debris just keeps escaping from the pile and floating back around the floor.
(The struggle is real.)
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He says children as he he wasn't pretty much the youngest sword in the whole citadel... Not to mention those were pretty much only his experiences. Kunihiro didn't scold everyone out there.... probably. Well Maybe he scolded the rest of the shinsengumi swords, but that's because he was their mother.
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Tonbokiri looks up in surprise, his sweeping pausing.
"Well, it can't be helped, getting dirty while doing chores..." Although the reason for it-- He's grinning at the idea of Izuminokami having to prove that he isn't afraid of getting dirty. He does have that air about him.
"But field duty is very honourable. The warriors of Mikata also worked the fields." He beams proudly.
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He complains, but his former master came from a farming family and if someone were to point that out to him, he would probably change his tune a little bit. But he couldn't help being a little bratty sometimes when it came to chores.
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"Izuminokami Kanesada. What is more useful to a human body than a full stomach? All your training and your will to fight will evaporate before hunger. If your time is being used for something else, then at the very least be deeply thankful towards those who are doing the field work in your stead."
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He bit his bottom lip, staring at the ground in hopes to avoid seeing whatever look Tonbokiri had in his eyes.
"It's not like I don't appreciate it or anything..."
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"I am glad to hear that, but if that is true, you should say it more clearly." And not with a double-negative. He shakes his head and his tone becomes more mild. "I know you have it in you to do so."
This is the one that gathered up the nearly dissolved Second Unit of his own initiative, after all. But for all his spurts of maturity, there are also times he shows how brash and young he is... Well, both those parts are what makes Izuminokami the sword he is. Yet Tonbokiri can't help but want to lend him his strength so that he can grow even further.
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Honestly, this somehow felt even worse than being scolded by Horikawa, and he's his closest partner. It was probably because he held such a high respect for Tonbokiri and hearing such disappointment in his voice was like being stabbed in the heart a couple times.
He lowered his head even further, until he fell to his knees and the lowest of low bows to Tonbokiri.
"I was merely acting foolish, and spoiled on top of that..."
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Ahhh, ah, ah. He is taking it seriously, indeed. Tonbokiri is surprised that the sword has gone so far to kneel low before him-! But he puts one hand firmly on the young blade's shoulder.
"That you feel such remorse shows how much you will be able to change. I accept your reflection and resolve Izuminokami Kanesada-dono. Rise, and pour pride into the task in front of you now."
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He still feels the shame, unable to look Tonbokiri in the eyes, not until he's made it up to him. So he simply nods his head and slowly gets up off the dirt ground, reaching for the broom once more.
"Yes, I understand. I'll make this floor spotless."
He turned his back to the other man, and his casual actions from before seemed to speed up significantly.
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Although feeling a little badly for reprimanding Izuminokami like this, he trusts that the sword will find a balance between the pride of a warrior and the humbleness of service in time.
But that will take time. Now, Tonbokiri lets him work on in silence, trusting that Izuminokami will feel better once he accomplishes the task set before him. Tonbokiri also resumes sweeping, although his pace is slow. Part of that is just how he is, but part of it is because he doesn't want to get in Izuminokami's way.
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He coughs up a bit from the dust he kept kicking up from his quick broom actions, but it wasn't enough to stop him. He continued on sweeping and sweeping until the floor actually seemed to start looking rather clean.
He stopped when he reached the other side, wiping his forehead with his arm. All that sweeping... was actually pretty hard work.
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"Izuminokami-dono, you did very well. Your resolution truly shone through in your work. How do you feel now?"
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That's not what Tonbokiri meant and he knows it, but he still felt a little huffy inside about being scolded like that.
"But... I suppose I can understand the effort everyone truly does now..."
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"I am pleased to hear that. Growing in understanding is important, particularly to leaders. Now! With our tasks accomplished, let us do something about your condition of 'hot and sweaty'."
And dirty, he might add. All that dust plus Izuminokami's uncovered and sweaty body... He probably won't appreciate if someone else sees him in such a dishevelled state.
Handing Izuminokami the (slightly drier) yukata he offers, "Why don't you go on ahead to the bath. I'll bring your clothing from my room to you there."
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"Are you sure...? I mean..."
He still felt like he had to do something... He wasn't sure what but something...!
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"Don't worry, I'll do the final walk-around of the stable to make sure everything is in order. It won't take but a minute."
He smiles encouragingly. "Go on ahead. It's just a little extra time, but you can consider it a reward for your hard work."
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Tonbokiri even insisted that he go head off. So he supposed it was okay. Awkwardly he tries wiping off some of the dirt that he could feel and slips the borrowed Yukata back on, loosely but it was better than nothing. He'll have to clean it for Tonbokiri later.
"Then I will see you in a bit...?"
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And true to his word, Tonbokiri won't be long in getting to the bath. The walk-around of the stable is a familiar habit and he sets everything in order. He then returns to his room to pick up Izuminokami's clothes, and a fresh change for himself.
In the change room, it is a simple matter to find the yukata, take it out of the basket, and replace it with Izuminokami's normal clothing. It's almost a waste, that he didn't get to enjoy a cool yukata for long. But with the time they've spent, evening will descend soon enough and hopefully it will bring a break in the heat.
Undressing, he has the two dirty yukata folded up, clean clothes prepared, and all is set for him to have his small reward as well.
As he walks into the bath he tugs uncertainly at his braid for a moment. He'd like to keep it in a little longer, but he also wants to wash his hair...
While thinking it over, he finds Izuminokami.
"I have arrived. How's the water?"
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He frantically pushed the hair out of his face as he turned his head up to look at Tonbokiri, cheeks flushing a little.
"It's decent enough, I suppose..."
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"G-good. We did speak earlier about how long it takes our hair to dry, but washing it is a challenge for you as well, isn't it... At least, as the bath is where one goes to groom, it is natural to appear somewhat untidy in the process while here."
By Aruji, does he always look like this when he washes, though? The poor guy.
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