The Guardian Fox

Six

As the repair work finally ended, I took out my gloves and threw them into the bin at the entrance, heading for the bench just beside the pond. Sitting down, I heaved a big sigh and closed my eyes, enjoying the calm after the storm. Just when I was about to fall asleep, footsteps were heard heading in my direction.

"You've worked well, Nushi-sama."

"Didn't I tell you to rest and don't walk around?"

A warm and hearty laugh was heard before he walked nearer and sat beside me. The familiar sakura scent filled my nose once again.

"Five heavily injured swords... It seems that I have made the wrong decision to send your team to Kamakura. I am sorry."

"Please do not say that. It is partly my fault for not protecting them well as the captain..." Guilt was felt in between his words, as the fox stared at the koi fishes, blaming himself.

"... I am glad that everyone came back." This earned a glance from him, looking at me as if I just spouted a weird comment. Continuing my sentence, I said, "Everyone must come back to my citadel no matter what. Go and rest, you've worked well." I stood up and went back to my room, leaving him sitting on the bench.

~~

It was just like any other day, but I didn't allow them to go for sorties just for today.

"What! Aruji, y-you lost your powers?"

"How did it happen!"

"Calm down, I am not going to die or anything..." Calming everyone down with both of my hands stretched out, I proceeded to explain.

"I won't be able to use my powers for the next 24 hours. I overused it yesterday, so I can't do any repair work or forging for now. Hmm, 12 more hours to go." Taking out my pocket watch, I glanced at the remaining time for me to get my powers back. Sensing that I wasn't too anxious about it, they panicked instead, like headless chickens running around the yard.

"Aruji! Why are you not feeling anxious at all??" The tantou, Atsushi, grabbed my shoulders and shook back and forth. Releasing from his grip, I readjusted my white kimono before telling him. "Just calm down and trust me! I'll get my powers back tomorrow!" Turning to look at the rest, I decided to send them out for expeditions to get more resources since it was two weeks ago we last did one. A citadel without resources would mean doom to the daily operations.

"Atsushi, Hakata, Imano, Nikkari, Hirano and Namazuo, go to Edo and patrol the streets! Wakizashis please take care of your little brothers!"

"Tsurumaru, Kurikara, Mitsutada, Hotaru, Tarou and Shishiou, go lend a hand at the peace settlement!"

"The rest, clean the citadel!" 

Those assigned to expeditions cheered while the rest whined like as if they think cleaning was one hell of a job. 

~~

Just an hour after lights out the fox came with two cups of tea, wanting to spend more time.

"You'll turn to someone I don't recognise tomorrow if you don't go to sleep, Kogitsune."

"The same goes to you, Nushi-sama." I stopped typing on my laptop and took the tea cup from him. The warm liquid flowed down my throat; making my body feel warmth once again. His fingertips brushed over my dark eye bags gently. He was worried that I'll collapse due to overworking myself.

"I am fine, Kogitsune. Don't worry too much about me." Interlocking my fingers with him, I gently squeezed while looking into his reddish orbs, sinking deep into his gaze as time went by. A gentle, warm kiss was placed on my forehead, erasing away any remaining fatigue felt. I wrapped my arms around his waist, with my head sticking against his broad chest. I could even feel the beat from his heart; a slow but strong one. The fox did likewise; enveloping my petite body frame and resting his head on mine. 

It's warm.

"Don't overexert yourself, you'll fall sick sooner or later from that insane amount of workload."

Drowsiness soon took over me as I felt my weight shifting towards himself. A tiny blush was seen dusted on his cheeks, as I was carried to my futon. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he slept, awaiting for tomorrow.

~~

"Let's make her use the ultimate command and kill off her swords."