Chapter Text
“It’s too sad Kasen. I’m sad.”
The day was beautiful, sun rays passing through the leaves of the blossomed trees within their garden. It was peaceful as always, a slight breeze ringing the small chimes they had all put up, some acquired pieces and some handmade by the younger tantous. But despite the usual serene day not a bird chirped in the garden and only one man was present, sitting solemnly on a stone bench.
“Mmm?” Kasen Kanesada, the secretary of the citadel, did not look over at the young woman he called master as he continued to study some literature, occasionally dipping his brush in ink to write any inspiration that struck him. It was not in a cold manner though. He had been with her for so long now and he knew. She had been in this odd mood ever since that new Tenka Goken had arrived at their home.
“Don’t tell me you’re still worried? How many a blade, a man, have come to us with histories of blood and fire? But they’re alright now,” Kasen sighed, mumbling a bit lower. “Well as alright as they will be. Anyhow, this is no different. In fact it’s less a tragedy than you think, than you feel. Just let him be. It always takes them time to adjust.”
The saniwa continued to stare out the open shoji doors to the garden where the tall dark-haired man sat alone. Her face was strained, dried speckles of pained tears now replacing the ones of joy she had cried hours earlier when the new man first came to them. Hand clenched to her chest she finally turned away. It hurt too much to look at.
“It’s different this time though, I can feel it. That poor man… he knew nothing but darkness. So many decades of cold empty solitude…”
Kasen lightly placed down his brush as he turned to his master, sighing again but giving her a meek smile. “When O-Sayo came to us was he not in such disrepair, emotionally? That damned Tohoku blade as well. Well over half the feet that have stepped through our gates have come bearing burdens. Why, even that sly Nikkari. Even Imanotsurugi, after his travels, he came home so different but through those tears did he not smile and greet you earnestly?”
Kasen stood up and gently pulled his master into the room for a bit of privacy. He had her sit close to him so he could wrap his arms gently around her. Sure she was the saniwa sage, the master to them all. Yet given these human forms despite being tsukumogami their mannerisms had changed. His master was right. He and his fellow blades were becoming more human than tool the more time they spent together. Having spent the most time with her he wondered that perhaps he had become the most affected. Kasen smiled jokingly as he gave his master’s dark hair a slight nuzzle.
“Hmm perhaps you’re lucky fate drew us together first no? Lucky to have a sword with no regrets. Now then,” he placed his thumb gently to her face, wiping away a stray tear trailing down her cheek. “No more of this, alright? I hate to see it. Jiroutachi will scold you anyhow. Today was supposed to be special with the arrival of our third Tenka Goken no? He painted you so pretty and yet you cry it away. I expected the initial tears but this has gone on too long for that gloomy man. He doesn’t deserve your tears anyways, he hardly spoke to you. Tch, he could learn some manners really.”
She finally giggled, forcing a smile as she looked up at his clear aqua eyes. “Is Kasen-kun jealous now? You came with no regrets but I’m afraid you came with quite a bit of pride.” Her painted pink lips smiled playfully up at him.
“Me? Oh please. How many swords have you and I greeted together? From just the two of us to a small army. I’ve no jealousy because I know I’m the only one who can do this.” With that he gave her a soft, tender kiss on the lips. She was his master certainly, but over the course of the seasons she had also grown to be his lover as well. She smiled softly as they parted, caressingly brushing a stray violet strand of hair from his face. It only took a moment though and she instinctively turned back to peek at the man in the garden. She stood up again, hand returning to her chest once more, as she went to watch him from their room. Kasen sighed, finally reaching the end of his patience.
“Sei-chan.” She shivered a bit hearing that pet name. He used it rarely, in times of either passion or to be extremely forward with her, almost scolding. The Nosada blade had his former master’s temper, that he came with too. “Do not give that Oodenta Mitsuyo another thought. It hasn’t even been a day and look at you. Time will heal, did you not teach me that saying? So then. Let it do it’s work.”
She heard him move back to the table to continue his work. She would not cry anymore, for Kasen’s sake at least, but the troubled look remained as she stared at the newest Tenka Goken.
“I only wish to see him smile. Genuinely.”