Enter: Lena & Aki

 

AHHH FINALLY, someone to roleplay with after SO many years!!! Let's make this 2023 a memorable TOUKEN RANBU A/U - Courtesy of my friend and I!

Lena and Aki were first introduced to each other by the government, to combine forces and go on missions together as a team. 

At first, Lena was apprehensive and a bit shy to meet another Saniwa, but Aki's responsible and caring nature put all the worries to rest. They quickly became close friends.

Lena noticed that Aki's attention always turned to a specific sword - Hizen Tadahiro. He was rough around the edges, and wasn't the best with his words, but Lena knew he took his job seriously. The problem was that both Aki and Hizen were always dancing around the bush, and any chances of a budding romance would likely not happen unless someone intervened.

That "someone" had to be her! This was why Lena decided to take on the task of being a matchmaker - to make her friend happy, and bring some joy into the world.

Hizen seemed to love eating, so Lena and Aki spent many hours in the kitchen - practicing their cooking skills. Sometimes Shokudaikiri joined them, if he didn't have a mission. Shoku was very skilled with a knife, almost as good as he was with his sword.

Lena decided that Aki should present Hizen with a beautiful, custom-made bento! So one morning, the two girls met in the kitchen and put together a lunch for Aki's favourite sword. There were not as many hearts in Aki's bento as Lena would have liked, but it was a start. 

Hizen had accepted the bento with a faint blush on his cheeks - and Aki seemed pretty flustered as well. Ahh, seeing the two love birds truly warmed Lena's heart.

In the evenings, Lena sat with Mikazuki on the veranda and spoke to him about her plans. Mikazuki would listen to her talk without complaints. Lena wanted Aki to be happy, and wanted Hizen to also acknowledge his feelings, too. They were both on the shy side, though, so it would probably take some time for them to warm up to each other and confess. She knew Aki would risk everything for Hizen if she had to -- including relinquishing her official Saniwa credentials by putting love above her duty.

"Would you ever do the same?" Mikazuki asked, sipping on his tea.

"I don't know. I've never been in love before. It seems... nice."" Lena responded, laying on her back to gaze up at the stars. "Say, Mikazuki. Do you believe that a sword can love a human?"

"Ah... Anything is possible, isn't it?"

Tired, Lena and Aki stood next to Heshikiri Hasebe, who called everyone together as irregularities in the story were reported.  They shouldn't have extended their slumber party like that last night.  But it was just great to chat about girls stuff and play games together.  After Heshikiri held them a lecture for overdoing it, he finally got to the point: “Uchigatana Yoshiyuki Mutsunokami!  Tantou Toushiro Yagen!  Wakizashi Tadahiro Hizen!  And team boss will be Tachi Munechika Mikazuki!  The government has said that the Saniwa will occasionally accompany Touken Danshis to hone their skills and gain a better understanding of what is happening.  So this time you will take our masters with you for support.  Their abilities will certainly be of great use to you.  … And woe, what happens to them, do you understand?” Typical Heshikiri, always worried about the masters.  So worried that he would like to come himself.

The team packed everything up.  Aki didn't like the new announcement that much, preferring to focus on healing.  Lena, on the other hand, could hardly wait, although she would have liked to improve her martial arts a little beforehand.  Aki teased her: "No problem, we have Mikazuki on the team, who's very experienced, isn't he, Lena?" And whispered so that only she could hear: "And he'll save you from any trouble!"  !” and before Lena could say anything else, Aki handed her two omamoris.  "Give them to Yagen and Mikazuki, will you?  I'll distribute the rest to the others.” When Lena went to Yagen, he suddenly stretched out his hand and put it on her forehead.  "No, you don't have a fever...strange.  Your cheeks are slightly red, so I thought you would get sick." Lena replied: "I'm fine!!  Here's an omamori for you.” And then she went to Mikazuki to give him one.  "Ahaha, how thoughtful, I'll cherish it ^^" "You should use it when needed!" she lectured him.

While coming back to Lena, Aki noticed that she and Mikazuki were still talking.  In Akis' opinion, the two were too far apart.  Aki walked towards her.  While trying to stumble well, she bumped into Lena in the process, so she inevitably bumped into Mikazuki.  "Oh sorry!  I was so clumsy again and stumbled.  I'm sorry 😋” Mikazuki caught Lena: “Be careful!  I got you!” Lena looked straight at him and admired his beautiful eyes.  She could look at them for hours.  Then she remembered the mission.  She immediately freed herself from his arms.  "Okay...good" she said and adjusted her chain.  "Then surely it's time to leave?  Let's show the HRA that they can't just do whatever they want!” Then the journey through time began.

Arrived, they scouted out their surroundings.  Aki briefed the team on the time, place, and events.  Mutsunokami was very enthusiastic about her knowledge: "Wow, Master Aki, you were really busy studying!" to which Hizen called him a f*ck*ng sycophant.  Mikazuki advised the two girls to stay in the background and let them do the work.  "But we each have a short sword with us!" Lena protested.  "It's okay, Lena," Aki said, "he's the captain and knows what's best." Lena knew that Aki was right, but she wanted so badly...

 And then 3 enemies jumped out of the bushes and attacked.  Mutsu, Yagen, and Hizen fought them while Mikazuki already saw the next one coming out of the air.  zap!  And already the fight raged.  Aki and Lena watched everything from their hiding place.  Suddenly a fifth came towards the two.  Lena and Aki stood back to back and tried to fend off the beast.  A gap.  It hit Aki in the side and knocked her to the ground.

Seeing this, Hizen immediately spun around and hit the skeleton, sending it flying.  He helped Aki get up again.  "Lena, take care of her!  I'll finish the beast!” Angry, he ran towards the enemy and split them in two.  When the Danshis defeated all enemies, they came to Lena and Aki.  "It wasn't that easy, they were lightning fast," Yagen said and asked the Saniwa, "Are you two okay?" Lena replied, "Aki is injured!  We have to go home immediately!” and Aki replied when she got up: “Lena, that's just a scratch – ouch, ah…” Lena supported her.  She had put a makeshift bandage on her, just like Yagen had taught her.  Hizen stared at her.  He should have noticed and intervened sooner when the enemy attacked them.  Then nothing would have happened to her.  Hizen blamed himself.  Mikazuki caught the word, "Then let's quickly return to Honmaru."

Mutsunokami turned to Hizen: "It's awesome that I was able to perform the special attack with you today, wooooohoooo!" "Just shut up!" Hizen replied.  "Heeeeh, why so aggressive.  I'm not your enemy, on the contrary, actually we are friends!"

Back at the Honmaru, Aki's wound was properly treated.  Hizen waited impatiently in front of the room the whole time.  When Lena and Yagen came out, he hid briefly because he didn't want to be seen.  He waited a while and then went to Aki.  He assumed she was asleep by now.  Standing next to her, he stared at her again, wondering if the bandage was in place.  Not like his bandage, which he just wrapped around his neck in a makeshift way so no one would see his scar.  Lost in thought, he didn't notice that Aki opened his eyes.  "How long are you going to stare here?  Is there anything weird about me?” Hizen jumped.  "Ah, you're awake... ehm... everything ok." And disappeared again.

Lena came back as Hizen ran past her.  "Ohooo, you had a visitor!" she said with a grin to Aki.  "That was nothing.  I don't know at all why he was here.  He just stared the whole time.” Lena sighed.  'There's a lot of work to do...' she thought.

 In the evening Aki was already back on his feet.  However, she couldn't walk as fast as her side would hurt.  As she walked along the porch, she saw Lena sitting.  To her delight, Mikazuki sat next to her.  TOO FAR APART!  Lena remarked to Aki, "It's not what it looks like!" She justified herself.  "It's okay, I'm sure you'll evaluate today's fight.  That reminds me, I haven't written a report yet-" "WE WILL DO THIS!  Isn't that right, Mikazuki?” “Are we going to do that?” he smiled at her, “if you want that… yes we'll do that,” he turned to Aki as well.  "Oh, I'm glad, I don't think I would have made it today," she replied and sat down with them.

Somehow Aki managed to invite everyone who came by to sit with them.  By the way, they were all tantos: "Lena, could you move something over?  It's getting tight in here.” EVEN CLOSER TO MIKAZUKI?!  Since Lena actually liked Mikazuki's closeness, she moved even closer to him.  Lena noticed that Mikazuki was looking at her with a nervous smile.  But he didn't back down either.  There was still some space between him and the stair post.  Aki was satisfied.  Lena remarked: "Um, Aki, it's getting crowded here.  How are we supposed to write a report?  We need quiet for that.” As if Aki had been waiting for some sign, she said to the others while she got up: “okay, time to go to bed, I'll accompany you into the house.  Lena was surprised that everyone left so quickly.  So Lena and Mikazuki had no choice but to deal with the report, just as they had promised.

Hizen sat alone on the porch, leaning against the half-open sliding door.  Aki noticed from his facial expression that something wasn't right.  It might be hard for others to see as his expression might always look the same grim to others, but Aki had watched him long enough to know that something was on his mind.  "I brought you dango," she offered, sitting down next to him.  His face seemed to light up momentarily when he saw how delicious the dango looked.  It wasn't anything special, but food seemed like some kind of hobby to him.  He took it "Aruji, I should have been more careful, then you wouldn't have been hurt..." "I'll be fine, but how are you?"  "SoI have no reason to complain.” Aki had to probe several times to finally find out what Hizen was mulling over.  "That idiot from Mutsu... he had to start talking about the past during our mission.  He got me to the conclusion that if just one thing had gone differently, we would be living each other's lives.

He would have become the killer sword and I might have stayed with Sakamoto.  That would have been better..." "So...?" Aki didn't know what to answer right away.  As Hizen hung there, she felt compelled to do something about it.  Hizen got a little startle when Aki approached and hugged him.  To his surprise, it felt soothing and warm.  He hardly knew anything like that.  And what was that unknown throbbing in his chest...?  Like the last time he had to sit on a horse with her and she put her arms around his waist to keep from falling off.  He couldn't place it.  Aki's hug lasted longer than he thought.  "Eh...that...don't feel sorry for me..." he murmured.  "How?..." Aki startled "No, I...well..." she stammered on.

"You know, what's done is done.  It's true, it made you what you are.  But that doesn't necessarily have to be negative.  you are very skilled  And to be honest...um...if you were in Mutsunokami's place he would be here now and...well...I wouldn't like this trade that much." "Eeeehhhh?" Hizen looked at her with a thousand question marks on his face.

 He doesn't get it ;__;

 Aki was pretty exhausted from the day and if she wasn't careful, she would fall over again somewhere.  So she decided to go to sleep. "Good night, Hizen, I think I'm going to fall over from tiredness." She waved at him and he looked after her in amazement.

---

[Flashback to previous events...]

Lena felt terribly guilty about Aki getting injured on the mission. The team returned to the Honmaru immediately, with Hizen carrying Aki, and Heshikiri Hasebe was standing there waiting at the other side of the time portal when they arrived. (How long had he been waiting there?) His face was angry with a scowl and he began scolding everyone for their carelessness and failure to protect Aki. 

Yagen, always the logical one, reassured that he inspected Aki's side thoroughly and the wound was not serious. 

"Aki-dono just needs some rest," Yagen said, to try and calm down the raging Hasebe. "Will you quiet down, otherwise she won't be able to sleep with your shouting."

After Aki's wound had been properly treated and re-bandaged, Lena knelt at Aki's side and took her hand.

"I'm sorry I didn't protect you better," she sniffed. "I'll have to get stronger, and do better next time."

Lena knew Aki did not blame her for what happened, but still her heart hurt at seeing her friend in pain.

"The government won't be happy to hear that a saniwa got injured." Lena continued. "I take full responsibility for the occurrence. I don't want any of the Touken Danshi blamed for what happened."

After Yagen and Lena left Aki's room, out of the corner of her eye she saw Hizen hanging around the corner in the shadows. He was waiting for them to leave so he could visit Aki alone. Lena tugged on Yagen's sleeve and pulled him closer to whisper, "See! I knew Hizen cares about her so much. Why can't they admit their feelings openly?"

Yagen sighed and said, "You cannot rush these matters. Perhaps you are being too impatient?"

"...You're no fun, Yagen," Lena said, pouting.

As Aki was recovering, the government temporarily halted assigning Saniwa to missions, to give her time to heal. As a result, there was one week where Aki and Lena could simply enjoy their time in the Honmaru - gardening, tending to the horses, and spending time with each other and the Touken Danshi.

Heshikiri strictly ordered Lena and Aki to train harder if they were to continue accompanying the Touken Danshi on the missions. As Hizen and Mikazuki were the acting aides, they were selected to help train the two young saniwa.

One morning, the four of them found a quiet spot in the Honmaru courtyard. Mikazuki handed out wooden training swords for Aki and Lena to practice with. The length of the wooden swords were around wakizashi length.

"First, we'll start with the basics," Mikazuki said. He started showing them the proper battle stance and footwork. He always called himself "Jiji" and was an older sword, but he was a combination of fast, strong, and elegant in battle.

Aki and Lena both tried to follow his movements as best as they could.

Afterwards, Hizen demonstrated a series of swift strikes and parries. Aki watched in awe as he moved with the elegance of a seasoned warrior. She followed his lead, attempting to match his skill. However, as she swung her training sword, she lost her footing and stumbled - she crashed right into Hizen's chest!

In an instant, Hizen reacted, catching her by the waist to prevent her from falling. Aki found herself in his arms, their faces mere inches apart. 

"...Are you hurt?" Hizen mumbled.

"I-I'm fine," Aki stammered, feeling the warmth of his touch and the softness of his breath on her skin. "Thank you for catching me."

"Yeah, well, you're overdoing it. Let's take a break." Hizen steadied Aki and guided her over to the shade of the large cherry blossom tree.

Lena observed this new development and almost dropped her training sword in delight. 

"That's so romantic, just like the movies!" She exclaimed.

"You're like a gossiping auntie when it comes to them," Mikazuki teased.

"Oh, shush. You're the grandpa here!" Lena tightened her grip on the training sword and faced him squarely. "Let's continue training while they rest."

---

Lena learned quickly.  It was probably also because she was paying more attention than usual to Mikazuki this time.  She was fascinated by his movements.  Both trained tirelessly.  Lena got faster and faster.  She spun around and this time she was the one who cornered Mikazuki.  "Hah!" she triumphed.  Crack!!!  When dodging, Mikazuki leaned a little too far to the right.  He stayed in that position.  "What's going on now?  Didn't I win?” asked Lena.  "How you take it.  And if you'll excuse me now...aaah” he walked into the hall limping.  Lena was slowly getting worried about his imbalance: "Have I done something wrong?"

"Ahahahaha" Mikazuki tried to cover up his pain "no...I just moved awkwardly when I avoided you and caught my back in the process.  You've really improved.  I wasn't prepared for this attack.” Inside, Mikazuki lay down on a mat.  "Aaah, I think I'm dying..." Lena came closer to him "No!  What are you saying?" Mikazuki couldn't help but grin: "Just kidding.  Are you that worried about me?” There was a momentary silence as they locked eyes.  Lena didn't dare to breathe.  Mikazuki broke the silence, "But seriously...is there anything you can help me with?"  I'll tell you how to fix me, don't worry, it's not difficult." "okay, I'll do it." "fine.  First thing would be good to loosen up my shoulder blades a bit.” Mikazuki instructed Lena.  "So...um...ok... you're lucky that my grandmother taught me some tricks!" Luckily for Lena, Mikazuki was lying on his stomach so that he couldn't notice Lena's face turning red.  "Oh wonderful...hmmm" he hummed.

BUMP.  Hizen was startled.  He and Aki just wanted to rest for a little while.  Now her head rested on his shoulder.  She was sleeping.  How can that be?  She still didn't seem to be completely healthy, or had overworked herself again.  Hizen hoped nobody saw her like that.  He slowly glanced over at her.  He found her extremely pretty.  That pounding again.  That can not be normal.  He should find out what was wrong with him as soon as possible.  Suddenly Aki woke up.  "Oh sorry, I fell asleep..." and lifted her head from his shoulder.  Disappointment was felt in Hizen.  "Are you thirsty?" he asked.  Aki agreed.  He got a drink from the kitchen, the first thing that was there.  And brought it to Aki.  "Tell me..." Aki wondered as she sipped "is that sake?" "hm?  Is that a problem?” he replied.  "It's okay, it tastes good, thanks." She smiled.

Hizen went towards the hall.  He wanted to check on Mikazuki and Lena.  Hizen didn't feel up to the task of being a sensei, so he hoped to learn a few tips from Mikazuki.  He looked through the window and...was outraged at what he saw.  The two weren't exercising, Mikazuki was enjoying spa!  He stormed in: "Tell me, what's that supposed to be?" didn't you want to practice?  Lena was startled "Hiiek!  ... why aren't you with Aki?  I mean - I need to put an old Jiji's back back in here!  This…this is hard work!” Got it!

Hizen looked at her with wide eyes.  "Now if I had been an enemy and wanted to kill you, you would both have died.  Pretty careless of you." He thought to himself: 'I probably won't learn anything more from him today' and left the two of them to themselves.

---

"W-...would an enemy attack us in the Honmaru?" Lena wondered, blinking cluelessly as Hizen ran off. "Anyway, this isn't what he thinks," she said assuredly to herself as her hands worked from Mikazuki's shoulders down his back, squeezing to release the tension in his muscles.

Mikazuki wasn't fazed by Hizen's rough words. He definitely was enjoying being tended to after injuring. He loved hot baths and now he loved massage! 

"Also... of course I'm worried about you," Lena told him, happy that he was on his stomach and not seeing her face. "You're... very important to me."

"Ahahaha, is that so?" Mikazuki was satisfied with that answer.

"Of course, and I need you to recover quickly so we can continue training!" Lena announced, which Mikazuki expected her to say. 

"Yes, yes..."

~~

When Hizen returrned to the courtyard, Aki was not there. The empty sake bottle and dish was laying on the ground. Panic rising in his system, he quickly scanned the area and ran back inside the hall to look for her. She was feeling unwell and now she was gone, where was she?! He had to find her.

Luckily, Aki had not gone far - Hizen found her leaning against the hallway, her face flushed a gentle pink from the alcohol. He mentally kicked himself for giving her sake and getting her in this state, but innocently, he did not know she would react in such a manner. In fact right now he didn't even know what to say to her!

"Ah... Hizen, I... I was looking for you," Aki said slowly, swaying slightly. "I'm feeling a little dizzy."

 "Oi... let's get you back to your room to rest." Hizen reached out his arms, wrapping her into them once again.

Once they were back in Aki's room, Hizen rolled out her futon and spread out the blanket for her. Normally he would be grumbling about doing these tasks, but seeing his Master in such a state made him feel... confusion. He made up his mind to ask Nankaitaro for advice later...

When he turned around, Aki's face was suddenly mere centimeters from his! Her wide eyes, with their long lashes, stared deeply into his own. 

"Hizen... do you... remember when we first met?" she asked. "I summoned you, and you ran right past me... Do you, by chance... dislike me in any way?" Aki was being very bold to ask him these questions directly. If she hadn't consumed sake, she probably wouldn't have the motivation to do so.

Hizen's words got stuck in his throat - as they often did. He was silent for a moment, mulling over what to say. 

"I remember that day. I don't dislike you! I didn't mean to show any disrespect. I just, you know... wasn't expecting you!" Hizen finally blurted out the truth. "God... I wasn't expecting my master to be a beautiful woman!"

He stared at her with wide-eyes. He didn't know if Aki heard his words, because her eyes were fluttering closed and she slumped down, suddenly curling up and putting her head in his lap. She had fallen asleep!!! and was using his lap as a pillow. Of course, she was exhausted from everything that happened recently. 

Hizen didn't move a muscle. He stayed perfectly still as Aki napped. She would never remember this, but Hizen gently stroked her head with his hand, staring down at her with a serious expression on his face. 

~~

That night, Lena couldn't concentrate on kitchen duty. She accidentally cut herself peeling potatoes, and scalded herself when she lifted the lid of the boiling pot carelessly. These mistakes were surely things her grandmother would have scolded her for. 

Her thoughts drifted off to Mikazuki, half-undressed, laying on the mat in the training hall. Unbelievable to think she had touched his back with her own two hands. She thought about how warm his skin felt underneath her palms... she had never touched any man like that before...

"Ah! I've done it again..." As she was rinsing dishes, she accidentally splashed water all over the front of her clothes. "What has gotten into me?!"

She sighed and reached for a towel to dry her hands. Right now she felt incapable as a Saniwa. She hadn't been able to protect Aki from the HRA, and she even injured Mikazuki while training with him. Her plans to bring Aki and Hizen together also didn't seem very helpful. 

Was she foolish to think she could make anyone happy?

Somehow, the depressing thoughts crawled into her mind and stayed there. She suddenly felt like she needed to get away for some fresh air on her own. Mutsunokami was the other sword on kitchen duty with her. 

"I'm going to step away for a bit, can you take over?" Lena asked him. 

"Yeah, yeah. Leave it to me! Why don'cha chill out for a bit?" Mutsunokami said with a grin. "Seems like there's been something on your mind."

"Thank you." Lena thanked him, secretly grabbed a bottle of sake, and left the kitchen. She decided to go to the same place she always went when she had troubles - the veranda. Aki was probably resting, otherwise Lena would have headed to her room to talk. She pushed open the screen door and was relieved that nobody else was there. Everyone would be having dinner soon, but she didn't feel hungry. She stretched out onto the porch and kicked off her socks. 

Maybe she was a failure, after all...? 

Feeling sorry for herself, she poured herself the sake and stared into the darkening night sky.