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Surf's Up

The weather was growing warm again, indicating summer's rearrival to the Honmaru. The days became longer with the sun setting late in the evening, and the sky was the clearest blue, soft and clear, with dashes of white clouds.

Summer was Lena's favourite season. Her spirits lifted immensely after Mikazuki's return. Slowly, day by day, Mikazuki's body healed, and soon his wounds disappeared completely, leaving not even a mark on his pale skin.

"Wow, Touken Danshi are really something special," Lena remarked, as she observed his forearm, turning it from front to back. There was not even a scar to be seen. "The healing powers from the repair have made you brand new."

"Yes, which is why you needn't have worried," Mikazuki replied, "As you can see, I am now fine."

"It's my job to worry about you," Lena exclaimed. She rolled her eyes at him. "Never leave without telling me again. Remember, that's an order from your master!"

"Hahaha... certainly, I will." Mikazuki gazed fondly at Lena, who still wore a pout on her face. He noticed her twisting the end of her braid around her finger, something she did when nervous.

Lately, there was a distant look in Lena's grey eyes. Mikazuki secretly wondered what was on her mind. There was a lot to do for Aki and Hizen's wedding ahead. Perhaps Lena was only nervous about the planning, but Mikazuki did not know for sure.

Lena sat in the Honmaru office room, the room where all the filing cabinets were kept containing all the paperwork filled out for the Government of Time. However, Lena was not writing a report for the government today. No. Today Lena was flipping through a pile of wedding magazines.

A couple months had passed since they learned of Aki's pregnancy. Lena wanted to help her sister as well as she could, to research what might be needed for a marriage... Even if the marriage was to Touken Danshi!

"Hmmm... would Aki-nee want a big wedding? Or a small one? I'll have to ask!" Lena murmured happily to herself, turning the page of the magazine. "I hope she says big."

The pages were filled with photos of models in wedding dresses. Some of them looked like a ballgown out of a fairytale book. Some of them were simple, plain white dresses that reminded Lena of an apron.

"My sister deserves the best... she should wear a dress that compliments her beauty," Lena mused to herself. Suddenly, as she reached the last pages of the magazine, she let out a small gasp.

There, in the pages, was a spread of a beautiful bride and groom. They were being showered by sakura petals as they walked down an aisle. The bride was wearing a traditional Japanese kimono, a Shiromuku. The clothing was pure white like an dove's wings, and Lena thought Aki would look like an angel wearing this outfit. Next to the woman, the model for the groom donned a Montsuki Haori(Kimono jacket) and Hakama pants. Traditional for a samurai... and certainly a suitable groom's outfit for Hizen.

"Ahhh! This is the one!!! The tailor MUST MAKE THESE EXACT KIMONO!!!" A strong feeling of excitement shot through Lena. She quickly picked up the magazine to rush out the room to find Aki and ask her opinion about the clothing.

When Lena slid open the door, she came face to face with Mikazuki. "!!! What are you doing here?" Lena asked breathlessly. "Did you need me for something?"

Mikazuki smiled and stepped into the room. "I was merely looking for you... I hadn't time to thank you for earlier, when you cared for my injuries."

Lena's heart began pounding at his words. They brought up the memory of when Mikazuki became injured on the last mission. Somehow, Lena started the habit of always being the one who helped wash and bandage his wounds whenever he was injured.... She would no longer let others do this task.

"Mikazuki, you don't have to thank me... it's my job as your Saniwa to care for you," Lena said earnestly. "...And... I also hate seeing you get hurt, so of course I should be by your side... After all, you and I... We're more than Saniwa and Touken Danshi... Right?"

"Of course." Mikazuki reached out to tuck some of Lena's hair behind her ear. "Now, where were you off to? You seemed to be leaving in a hurry."

"Oh! It's because I saw the perfect wedding clothes for Aki and Hizen on their special day." Lena grinned widely and held up the magazine for Mikazuki to see.

"Ahahaha... those clothes look splendid. I'm sure Master Aki will respond favourably to your dressing suggestion."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Lena tilted her head and smiled at him, and a warm blush spread over her cheeks. "...Um... What about the groom's outfit? If you were getting married, would you imagine yourself in such an outfit? ...I mean - Would you... Would you want to ever marry someone?" she asked nervously.

Mikazuki paused at the question. He was silent as they walked down the Honmaru hallway, into the direction of Aki's room. In all his long years as a sword, he had seen much and experienced many battles. He had witnessed the lords that owned him marry women they fell on love with. But, never had he thought that he himself would ever fall in love and marry someone! Much less a human...

Lena stared curiously up at him, wondering why he was silent for so long. Normally, Mikazuki always knew what to say.

When they arrived in front of Aki's door, she turned to Mikazuki again."I have to meet with Aki-nee now." Lena reached up on her tippy-toes to kiss his cheek. "Will I see you after?"

"Mmh. Certainly." Mikazuki gave a nod and turned to leave, burning hot on his face from where Lena's lips had kissed him.

Later that evening, Hizen was surprised at a request from Mikazuki to spar together in the training hall. Mikazuki rarely sparred in the evening hours, preferring to spend that time relaxing with a cup of tea or soaking in a hot bath. Something was definitely up.

"Seems like something is on your mind," Hizen commented, as his sword clashed together against Mikazuki's. With a flick of his wrist, Hizen drove Mikazuki's sword into the floor. "You're unfocused."

"Hahaha... You are sharp as ever, Hizen." Mikazuki yielded, sliding his sword back into its sheath. "I guess I was distracted - with thoughts of someone."

"Tch... I hate to admit, but I feel the same." Hizen shook off his blade and also returned it to its sheath. "It feels weird... to have someone worth killing for... No." He shook his head, challenging the thoughts that he was only destined to be a killer sword. "To have someone worth living for." He corrected himself, knowing he needed to try and become the best husband and father he was capable of.

Later that evening, Hizen was surprised at a request from Mikazuki to spar together in the training hall. Mikazuki rarely sparred in the evening hours, preferring to spend that time relaxing with a cup of tea or soaking in a hot bath. Something was definitely up. "Seems like something is on your mind," Hizen commented, as his sword clashed together against Mikazuki's. With a flick of his wrist, Hizen drove Mikazuki's sword into the floor. "You're unfocused." "Hahaha... You are sharp as ever, Hizen." Mikazuki yielded, sliding his sword back into its sheath. "I was distracted - with thoughts of someone." "Tch... I hate to admit, but I feel the same." Hizen took his blade and also returned it to its sheath. "It feels weird... to have someone worth killing for... No." He shook his head, challenging the thoughts that he was only destined to be a killer sword. "To have someone worth living for." He corrected himself, knowing he needed to try and become the best husband and father he was capable of. The partner that Aki and his unborn child deserved. Mikazuki smiled. "We will continue to protect our masters, and their future happiness."