燃焼[Burning]

Chapter III

Hayabusa hesitated outside Yuri's door, his raised hand ready to tap the shoji. Was this really the right choice? Would she really help him? Before he could let those negative thoughts consume his mind, Yuri slid the door open smoothly, a deadpan look on her face.

"I can see your shadow through the door. Come in and stop looking like a dork." Her words were blunt, yet her voice held a teasing tone. Hayabusa muttered some thanks and strode into her room, settling into seiza before Yuri's table. She settled back into her seat, looking straight at Hayabusa.

"So, only your first day and you need help?" Hayabusa frowned, eyebrows furrowing. Yuri chuckled and waved her hand lazily. "Joking, joking. All fun aside, is there anything you need?" She leaned her head on her intertwined fingers, a more relaxed expression on her countenance.

"It's about... Gokotai? You see, I don't do too well with tigers. For what reason, I don't know. His tigers came into my room earlier and I panicked a little. I think I spoke a little too harshly..." Hayabusa dropped his head, waiting for Yuri to speak. Much to his surprise, she began to stifle her laughter, ultimately failing as she burst into fits of giggles. He gave her a weird look, his left eye twitching a little. Yuri's laughing outburst slowed as she raised a hand to wipe away at invisible tears.

"S-sorry! It's just... Pfft! Gokotai's small and intimidated easily, but you should see him on the battlefield. He'd blow your mind away." Yuri felt a fond smile coming onto her face as she recalled the tantou's earlier days. "You want to apologize to him, right?"

Hayabusa nodded, somewhat relieved that the Saniwa had managed to see his intention. Yuri stared up at the ceiling for a few moments before an idea popped into her head.

"I think I know what we should do... Meet me in the courtyard in 10 minutes." She ushered Hayabusa out of her room in a rush, sliding the door closed behind him. He continued to stare at the shoji for a few moments before he finally remembered the instructions she'd given him.

Upon setting foot in the courtyard, he took notice that the red sword was standing at the strange contraption that had brought him there. Kashuu, was it? He approached the effeminate sword, raising an eyebrow questioningly. "What is she planning?" Kashuu shrugged, tugging the hem of his jacket a little lower. Yuri emerged from the building a few moments, dressing in a casual blue dress and flats. Hayabusa frowned curiously, eyeing his master as she headed for the device. After turning a few knobs here and there, she beckoned him and Kashuu closer before she pressed the button, a gold light enveloping him for the second time that day.

They emerged in a crowded area, with tall buildings surrounding them and the crowd around them making too much noise at once. Hayabusa felt slightly taken aback. Though forged in the modern era, he was still quite uncomfortable in the busy city. He had heard several stories from the spirits he encountered when he was with her* about how the cities had grown, tall skyscrapers which invaded the heavens above, noisy chunks of moving metal which spewed noxious fumes into the air. It was his first time seeing all this personally and to be honest, he felt a little intimidated. Kashuu seemed less fazed, taking his place beside Yuri as they ambled forward, leaving Hayabusa to catch up to them. They walked in companionable silence, with only the sounds of cars passing by around them.

Yuri led them to a place apparently known as a zoo. Kashuu had obviously been here before, given the way his eyes sparkled with utter glee as they entered the grounds. Hayabusa flanked Yuri, quietly noticing the distinctive bounce in her gait. 'She seems happy too.' He thought, turning and letting his emeralds scan the area around him. There were several children in the crowd (He'd seen his fair share of frightened children back in his days), accompanied by their parents who did not seem as pleased as they acted. Yuri led them to a crowded enclosure further into the zoo, where there were several children "Ooh" ing and "Ahh" ing at something moving in the grass. Hayabusa, with his taller physique, managed to easily catch sight of whatever the children were mystified by.