This Duty, My Duty

Chapter 1. Fate

'... It's my turn... it's finally my turn...'

'I've been training my whole life for this moment...'

'... Today is the day I rid myself of the old me and embrace the new me that is coming...'

"....."

"Sato-san, the headmaster is calling for you, it looks like it'll finally be your turn..." a familiar voice calls from behind.
"Yes... you're right, Kuroda-san..." she says softly with a somber tone.
Standing behind her was her closest friend amongst all of her peers, Hitomi Kuroda. Hitomi was a kind girl, despite her not looking the part. She always accepted Tsubaki—unlike the other saniwa trainees— and because of this kindness, the two quickly formed a strong bond with one another.

"Kuroda-san... it makes me sad knowing that I will be leaving first... you—" Tsubaki tried to say before Hitomi shook her head, "Sato-san, you may be leaving, but you will never be gone. Make sure to write to me from your citadel... okay?" Was all the young trainee could say before turning away to prevent Tsubaki from seeing the tears that were flowing from her eyes.
"Yes, it's a promise," Tsubaki said as she rose from the ground, "Well, I suppose I should get going or else the headmaster might reconsider my dispatch!" Tsubaki said in a comedic tone to liven up the very much sad atmosphere.

"Mhm! Haha, it's a promise!" Hitomi said in reply as she stepped out of the entryway for Tsubaki to pass in front of her. When Tsubaki exited the room, she smiled and gave Hitomi a simple pat on the head before leaving to the headmaster's quarters. With each step she took, she could feel her feet growing heavier and her heart beating faster. This was the day she had been waiting for her whole life! Years of training had gone into this... training in order to become a saniwa. Her clouded mind emptied as she stood in front of the grand golden doors to the headmaster's room. Slowly, she took in a deep breath and exhaled.

'...It's finally my turn...'

With a determined mindset, Tsubaki pulled the sliding doors open and introduced herself before intruding, "Tsubaki Sato, you requested to see me, Headmaster?" She said firmly, waiting to be acknowledged by the person who controlled her fate.

"Ah, yes... come inside, Sato-san, I bear news for you." With those words being heard, she stepped into the room, sliding the doors shut behind her before she kneeled in front of the headmaster's desk.
"What is this news you have to give me, Headmaster?" She said bowing her head before lifting it up to gauge their response.

"Rise, Sato-san. I'm sure you are aware of the news I bear for you... You are going to become our newest saniwa. Congratulations."

Despite knowing well that this would be the outcome of their meeting, Tsubaki couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by emotions that were once again rushing through her whole body. Her heart was beating fast and her eyes were watering as she clenched her teeth.

"T...Thank you, Headmaster! I will never forget this kindness!!" She said shouting from pure emotion.
"It was an honor watching you grow up to become the fine lady that you are standing in front of me... Picking you as our newest saniwa was without a doubt the best choice." The headmaster said.

Tsubaki bowed her head down as she bit her bottom lip to hold back the tears. She didn't know what else to do but say 'thank you' and bow her head multiple times to show how grateful she was for this opportunity. The headmaster advised the child to bow no longer as she would become a master of her own and thus, the meeting began. The meeting was much longer than she had expected as words and information were exchanged between the headmaster and herself. After all the information had been exchanged, Tsubaki was handed a checklist and a journal.

"Sato-san, it's time to begin your new journey. But before you depart, I'd like to introduce you to your partner," the headmaster said as a bell chime could be heard in the distance. From behind the headmaster's desk walked out a small fox no larger than a human baby, "I am Konnosuke, your new partner, pleased to meet you!" The fox said before bowing its head.

Seeing the small fox speak caused Tsubaki to furrow her brows but then she had recalled learning about the foxes who call themselves 'Konnosuke'.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, my name is Tsubaki Sato but from here on out, I will be your new master... so to speak..." Tsubaki said as the later words of her sentence were coming out awkwardly. She wasn't used to the idea of being referred to as Master or Aruji, but it was something that she had to get used to now that she was chosen to be the newest saniwa.

"Now that you have Konnosuke, you are all set. May the wars be in your favor, Sato-san, You're free to go now, we'll be contacting you once per month to check up on your development," the headmaster said, dismissing her.

"Thank you, Headmaster, I won't let you down. Come, Konnosuke, we have a job to go and do now." Tsubaki said with a smile as she wiped the tears that were left still in her eyes. Hearing her words, Konnosuke nodded his head and followed behind her, walking with the pace of her confident stride.

"The new citadel will have all the resources we'll need and all your belongings have already been moved during your meeting with the Headmaster. All that's left is for us to settle in." Konnosuke said as they walked off towards the portal gates.

"How convenient, you foxes sure know how to do a lot of things, don't you?" Tsubaki replied as her demeanor and tone had changed from the crying girl that Konnosuke had just seen.

"You sure are strong, Aruji-sama," Konnosuke said out of nowhere which caused Tsubaki to stop her tracks, "Well... This is the new me now. A me who is ready to take on war. You can't be weak on the battlefield, you know?" Tsubaki replied with a bright smile before continuing her path.

'You definitely are strong, Aruji-sama...' Konnosuke thought to himself before running to catch up with her, "W..Wait for me, Aruji-sama!!"

As the two of them reached the portal gates, they were greeted by a familiar sight, "Sato-san, surely you didn't think I would let you leave without saying one more goodbye, did you?" Hitomi said as she waved at them with a grand smile.

"I would never think of my friend like that haha," Tsubaki said with a smirk before giving her companion a hug.

The two of them shared a moment of silence together as they hugged. It was a bittersweet moment that the two knew would come one day but they embraced their fate and then separated from one another. With one more final smile, Tsubaki and Konnosuke walked into the portal and gave Hitomi their last wave, "Let's speak soon, Kuroda-san," Tsubaki said as they set off on their new journey.