Chapter Text
The Citadel. An ancient castle that has been repurposed to serve as our base of operations. Thick walls shield us from the curious eyes of any passer-byes. We typically keep to the inner tower, but in our free time we also use the large inner courtyard for whatever we might want to pass the time with. That’s where I am currently, on the lookout for some other swords to annoy.
Squad one is on a sortie at the moment. Squad two, my squad, I try not to pester too much with my shenanigans. They already have to deal with me on missions after all. Leaving only squad three or as we call it the Shinsengumi squad. All the Shinsengumi swords, who I have scarcely interacted with, are on that team. This is the ideal time to get to know them through some friendly pranks. Hey! Pranks connect hearts. You’ll see.
Oh! I spot someone. On the stone stairs leading up to one of the smaller towers: In a red and black yukata just demanding your attention, one Kashuu Kiyomitsu. Nice! Let me share some friendship-inducing pranks with you, Kashuu.
I make my presence be known by boldly standing in front of him and putting on my brightest smile. …Hello? It’s as if he is staring right through me. Thinking about it, what is he doing sitting here all by himself? Isn’t he always like: Look at me, the absolutely fabulous Kashuu Kiyomitsu who is the best and most beautiful sword in this Citadel? Something’s wrong. My pranks will have to wait.
I try to get his attention, “Kashuu, are you alright?”
He is surprised briefly. He clearly didn’t notice me until now.
“Ah. Namazuo Toushirou. Did my unmatched beauty invite you to talk to me? Maybe I was waiting for someone just like you to be caught in my charming trap.”
I laugh. “Consider me captured then.”
Nice job dodging the question, by the way. He might not want to talk about it, but I won’t let that stop me. If I see someone sitting alone on some stairs sulking, I will do my best to cheer them up. So, I sit down next to him and ask him how he is doing.
“I waaaas doing fine, having some free time, being by myself and all.” In other words: I’m not wanted here, but I won’t let that discourage me.
“By yourself? Usually you’re not far from your Shinsengumi squad mates.”
“I needed some space, alright? Horikawa always playing Kanesada’s maid. And Yasusada … just being soooo annoying.”
“Did you have a fight with him?” I ask. I think I’m getting somewhere here.
“That guy. He’s holding on to the past too much. Yes, our time with Okita was great, but that’s over. We won’t ever be able to go back to it. And this,” he gestured vaguely in the direction of the inner tower, “isn’t so bad either. He should give our new master a chance. He’s capable, despite being so young. I wish he would see that.”
“You tried talking to him about that, I take it.”
“Yes. He didn’t react well to that. He accused me of abandoning Okita and, I quote, sucking the sage’s dick. I called him some bad names in return and that was that.”
I take a few seconds to think about my response. Yasusada always seemed like a polite and well-mannered sword, so it’s quite unusual for him to use such language. I don’t know what Kashuu said to him to make him respond like that. It’s possible, that he took it the wrong way.
“Many of us have fond memories of our past lives. If someone told me to stop waiting for Honebami, I would be pretty angry with them too.”
“That’s different!” he quickly disagrees. “Your brother could be found any day, but we will never be able to go back to Okita. It’s pointless for him to hold on to that.”
“Maybe he just needs more time than you to come to terms with that.”
Kashuu sighs in frustration. “I know. He’s still annoying sometimes.”
Seems like I won’t be able to cheer him up like this. Change of plans.
“Sounds like you need to let off some steam!” I jump up and grab his hand, startling him. “And I know just the way to do that!” I pull him up to his feet.
“Hey! What are you-” he protests, but I am already dragging him off.
Some moments later I find myself looking at the ceiling of our sparring room with a training sword pointed at my chest. You see, we are swords, which means that the best way for us to vent some frustration is to fight. So, my plan was to give him a good long and satisfying spar. However, I quickly found myself outclassed, turning this more into a quick beat down rather then what I had intended. Hence, the situation I’m now in.
“I’m impressed.” I tell Kashuu, who is looking down at me.
“That’s one way to admit defeat.” he says as he gives me an amused smile. He withdraws his sword and offers me his hand.
As he pulls me up I can’t help but mutter, “If Honebami would have seen that…”
“Ah. Come ooon . You weren’t that bad,” he tries to cheer me up.
No, that won’t do. I can’t let such an utter defeat slide. It’s decided!
“Watch out Kashuu Kiyomitsu! I will not rest until I catch up to you. And when I do, you will be the one lying before me in the dust,” I declare.
He laughs at that. Oh, we’ll see who laughs last!
“I’m looking forward to it,” he says.
After looking at his smiling face, I conclude, that operation ‘Cheer Up Kashuu’ has succeeded. As we store away the training swords, he asks me, “You miss Honebami a lot, don’t you?”
I hum at that in confirmation.
“What kind of sword is he?”
“He’s the best!” I burst out, barely being able to contain my unending admiration for my brother. “He knows, like, everything. He doesn’t talk much and that makes him even cooler. But when he does talk you can’t help but listen to every last word of brilliance he says. And don’t even get me started on his sword skills. He wouldn’t break a sweat fighting you. I’m nothing in comparison to him!”
He laughs. What’s so funny? I wasn’t joking. He really is that great.
“I get the feeling you’re exaggerating a little.”
“Nope. Not a bit. He’s always been the better sword of us both.” Talking about Honebami makes me excited about seeing him again someday.
“Don’t sell yourself short. You might not be able to see it, but you have something … interesting about you. Something quite unique.” I look at him, puzzled by what he just said. “I’ll see you around,” he says as he turns to leave.
What an intriguing sword. As baffled as his last remark made me, hanging out with Kashuu was quite enjoying. Almost as good as pulling pranks. Maybe the next time I’m bored I should talk to him instead. The other swords would probably appreciate getting a rest from me.
The next few days are uneventful, if you consider expeditions and cutting down History Retrograding Force troops uneventful that is.
Just as boring monotony was about to set in, I see Kashuu again. I’m sitting with my squad mates at one of the long tables in the dining hall when he approaches me.
“Hey. Namazuo. Did you miss me?” he asks, as he sits down next to me, putting his tray in front of him. My captain Ichigo Hitofuri, sitting in front of me, gives me a look, but then continues talking with the others. This is nothing out of the ordinary, since many swords have friends in other squads.
“More than anything. Every single day I cried myself to sleep because I didn’t get to see you again.” I joke and give him a smile. I was actually looking for him sometimes when I had time off but didn’t find him until now.
“I know, I know. People just caaan’t help but fall in love with a sword as incredible as me.” he says. Extravagant declarations like these are Kashuu’s way of masking embarrassment. That much I already figured out. Or of hiding something … I look around the room. At one of the other tables I spot: Izuminokami Kanesada, Horikawa Kunihiro and Yamatonokami Yasusada enjoying their meal. The rest of the current Shinsengumi squad. Yasusada meets my gaze or is he looking at Kashuu next to me? I look away quickly.
I consider asking Kashuu why he isn’t sitting with his squad like usual, but decide against it for the moment. Whatever happened I don’t think Kashuu would appreciate me asking with other swords around. I will try to find out at a better time.
After a few minutes chatting about this and that, an opportunity presents itself. My squad and I have finished eating while Kashuu, having arrived later, isn’t done yet.
“You guys can go ahead. I’ll stay with Kashuu.” I suggest to them. They excuse themselves, leaving Kashuu and me behind. Now that we have some privacy-
“You’re quite the prankster, aren’t you, Namazuo?” he interrupts my thoughts. No! Don’t distract with unimportant small talk now.
“Why? Afraid you’re my next victim?”
“Because then,” he lowers his voice, “I would like to ask you for a favor.” Was he perhaps also waiting to talk to me alone?
“Ask away.”
“Tomorrow at 9 o’clock,“ he pauses, “I’m assigned to shopping duty. Wanna come with me?”
I can’t help but burst out laughing. “Sorry, sorry.” I try to calm down. “I expected something different. That sounds more like a date than a prank.”
He laughs at that. “Sorry, but if you want to go on a date with me, you’ll have to wait, because this is about a prank- sort of. At least it’s payback.”
“Payback, huh?” I look at him. “What is this about exactly?” I ask.
“It’s about Yasusada.” Oh! Who would have ever guessed? “A few weeks ago we were both assigned to shopping duty, but he ditched me. He just went without me.”
He didn’t need to tell me that that was against the rules set by the sage. As this whole war against the History Retrograding Force is supposed to be kept secret, we were ordered to always go with someone else and to keep interactions with humans to a minimum. Not to mention that hauling back all those purchases by yourself would be very laborious.
“Why did he do that?” I ask him. Like what he told me a few days ago, this doesn’t seem like Yasasuda at all.
“Visit the local whorehouse?” he says cynically. “Who knows! He wouldn’t tell me. And I don’t even care. I am beyond caring with this guy! Anyway. So instead of going with Yasusada tomorrow, like we were assigned, I’ll go with you, ditching him as payback while not breaking the rules.” He looks at me expectantly.
“Yeah!” I jump up from my seat. This is exciting! Kashuu and I working together to show Yasusada how mean he was. And then we will all have a big laugh and Kashuu and Yasusada will be friends again. That’s how it always goes with pranks. I can’t wait! “Let’s do it, Kashuu!”
He stands up as well and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Great! I knew, I could count on you.”
After he tells me the details, we go our separate ways. I’m already looking forward to spending my chummy pranking time with Kashuu.