Stampeding courses through the wooden floors of the citadel. Yagen leads the herd of his Awataguchi brothers, along with several other inhabitants of the fortress. When they break into their room, Sada looks up at the procession, smiling weakly.
"Aruji-sama, you're back!" Taikogane laughs. "Micchan, isn't this so cool?"
Shokudaikiri bows low. "It's good to see you awake, aruji-sama."
Sada nods. "It's good to see you too, Mitsutada-san."
Mizu enters the room, walking to the Sage. She kneels down, hugging a startled Sada, before pulling away. Her hands shake as she musters her voice to speak.
"Gomen nasai, aruji-sama," she whispers, a tear falling from her right eye.
[I'm sorry.]
"It's not your fault, Mizu-san; it's mine," Sada murmurs.
Mizuko opens her eyes, heart pounding. No. It can't be... She sits up, pulling on her glasses. Mitsuki turns to look at her, expression grim. Mizuko takes a deep breath before tentatively speaking.
"Tamanaha Sada-san is awake," Mizuko snaps. "Chikushou! They weren't supposed to wave up."
[Damn it!]
"Then we must act quickly, and move onto the next step," Mitsuki informs her.
Mizuko picks up the flat abalone shell and closes her eyes, clearing her thoughts. She mentally reaches out, a vision forming in her head. She observes it before speaking aloud the location and time of their next step.
"They will be going to the beach in a few months," Mizuko foretells. "We have to act then, or it will be too late. She will be lost to us, and Maiha's ootachi will be forever lost to the ningyo pod of the Pacific Ocean."
Seven weeks. Seven weeks since Sada woke up. Three weeks since summer began. One week since the Saniwa, with the aid of Mizu and Hasebe, finished sewing swimsuits for most of the citadel's inhabitants. Currently, Mizu was delivering said swimsuits to each of the swords' rooms.
"Mizu-sama, are these for us?" Taikogane queries, gesturing to the set of navy swimming trunks in Mizu's hands.
"Yes, they are, Sada-chan."
"Hey, Mizu-sama, are you going to the beach too?" Shokudaikiri inquires, examining his pair of swimming trunks.
"I am," Mizu replies. "Kara, are you joining us as well?"
"I don't intend on flocking together." Ookurikara stares out the window.
Maeda and Gokotai sprint up the stairs, sliding open the shoji. Sada sets down their brush, looking up at the tantous. Sada stands up, bowing to them.
"What can I do for you, Maeda-kun and Gokotai-kun?"
"A-are you going to the beach with us, aruji-sama?" Gokotai stammers.
YOU ARE READING
月光 (Gekkou; Moonlight)
FanfictionIn every possible way, the blade defied what they could've possibly known about tsukumogami and swords. She was female to begin with. Her way with a sword was the opposite of what one considers right. So she hid behind a mask. A learning Saniwa. She...
