The changing seasons

It is said that fond memories stay with us for a long time in the subconscious and often they appear in the form of dreams.

Tonight too, he was dreaming.

Dreaming of stories that have passed a long time ago

Dreaming of someone who will never disappear from your memory even for just a fraction of a second.

“Lord Gojokuninaka?” Mikasukamunechika asked curiously. When his friend Kogitsunemaru walked up to him and told him that Lord Gojo Kuninaga was bringing a newly forged sword to Lord Sanjo. Their father Munechika praised.

“I heard that it is a very beautiful sword,” Kogitsunemaru continued to explain. The Sanjo clan and the Gojo clan have had a master-disciple relationship since Gojo Kuninaga's father's generation, so for another clan to be able to forge an even more magical sword should be considered a blessing.

“I really want to see you, but Father will say that we are disrespectful.” He acted thoughtfully, but instead he walked the other person towards the guest house.

“Heh! It seems like your mouth and heart don't match up at all,” the other party teased.

“Well, if you don't take this opportunity I don't know if I will have the opportunity to see Mr. Gojo Kuninaga's little one again or not. But...peeking at the garden It wouldn't be considered rude, would you say?" He said as he continued to walk with purpose. Meanwhile, his fellow householder who had the status of an older brother could only shake his head.

“The person I want to see the most is probably this one.”

With this, the two brothers of the Sanjo Sword Clan avoided the sight of their father Sanjo, secretly watching the greeting in the open-air guest house of the house.

The terrace to sit on and the gentle spring breeze seemed to soothe their father and the guests that they didn't even notice their presence.

Normally, even the sword spirit could not be seen or touched by a human, but if that person forged the sword himself. or being a sword wielder, this rule will change immediately. Those two types of people are privileged because they not only see But it can also be touched.

The sword is a family member, a descendant.

But even though he is known as a family person There will be a day when you have to leave...that is the truth.

Mikazuki himself had always thought that one day he too would have to leave this house to serve a certain lord, so it would be extremely difficult for him to meet siblings of the same clan in the future if there was a chance. I want to get to know each other as much as possible.

If this axle can still capture happiness, then it will be treasured to the utmost.

"Still tiny," Kogitsune said as he hid behind a bush.

“Huh? You mean that little guy?” Mikazuki wondered because of the balcony. It was probably only their father who was sitting and chatting, admiring the sword that Lord Gojo handed to them from a distance. He couldn't know how beautiful the sword's body was. Only a youngster who was about five years old could see it. Years in a pure white kimono No, not the hair color. The color of the youngster's skin It's completely white.

Pure white...like lost snow in the season

“What kind of sword is this?” the older brother remarked.

“That little guy is yawning.”

“What are you looking at?!” He accidentally made a face. Instead of admiring the new sword, he paid attention to the yawning of a child who had never been so social.

"I just thought that little guy was bored. Look, he got headbutted by Gojo-sama!" With that, the Kogitsune burst out laughing, causing the Kogitsune to quickly cover his mouth and drag him away. Take the other person out quietly.

If you continue, not only will the youngster get headbutted by Lord Gojo, Father will probably drag the two of them out to punish you.

Punished for being a disrespectful sword!

Mikazuki remembered that that evening Lord Gojo was at dinner with the Kogitsune Sanjo clan, spending his free time sleeping and resting. As for him, he went out for a walk in the garden like every day.

The spring breeze is blowing past and soon the cherry blossoms will be blooming beautifully. I felt so calm and at peace that I didn't want the days and nights to pass by.

If you could stop the day and night That would be a great thing.

"help!!!!!"

Suddenly hearing a small voice calling for help coming from the pond, Mikazuki picked up his pace and ran all the way to his destination before he could notice who was calling out. But he immediately decided to jump in. When he grabbed him, he picked up his small body, which was soaked with water, and lay it in a heap on the edge of the pool.

The little one was choking and coughing non-stop, tears flowing from his ears. They also cried and sobbed. Wet white hair clinging to the round, white skin was both funny and pitiful at the same time.

“What are you laughing at?!” The little boy shouted when he saw the other person's laughter refusing to stop.

“Am I laughing?! I'm sorry," he said, trying to hold back his voice. But when I saw that sullen face, I couldn't help but laugh again.

“Don't laugh at me!” I tried to scream, but in that small voice it sounded more like a kitten trying to hiss without teeth, but in this case. It must be a sword spirit with no body.

“Alright, let's not laugh. Well, this is strange. I just found out that spirits who fall into the water can choke and drown!”

“!” The little boy was stunned before his face turned red and he hurriedly turned around and turned in another direction. It couldn't be helped that he had only just been born recently. Who knows what you are and what you can do?

Damn it, that's so embarrassing!

“By the way, did older brother see me?” The little boy indifferently asked, changing the subject.

I just remembered something extremely important.

“Why can't I see it?” the person being called elder brother asked back.

“Well...well, besides Father Kuninaga. With Uncle Sanjo Has no one seen me?” he asked in a sad voice since birth. Even though he tried to call out and smile at everyone, everyone looked at him like he was passing by like the elements. I already thought it was strange.

“Oh, I understand.” Mikazuki smiled before reaching out and gently stroking his opponent's head. In fact, the youngster didn't understand what was wrong with him. "They must not have seen it. Well, both you and I are the souls of this sword, your true form now. It should be in the chest that Lord Gojo is holding.”

“True form? Does that mean I'm actually sleeping right now? Should I go back and lie there?” he asked curiously. This was the first time that I had talked to someone so intimately, which made me completely forget about the matter of being laughed at just a moment ago.

“That is your true form, but the one here is real as well.”

"do not understand! It's hard for me to understand what you're saying!!" He complained again loudly and furrowed his brows, showing his annoyance for Mikazuki. He felt that this was a sword spirit with such curiosity and low patience.

“Well, you really are a stubborn youngster. It's rare for Sanjo's kids to be this stubborn." He laughed. But instead, the opponent glanced at him with anger in his eyes.

“Not kiddo! I have the same name that Father gave me!! This old man!!!” shouted and slammed the other person in the face by using forbidden words.

“This little guy!” I felt a bit annoyed and had to use my hand to pinch his soft cheek until it was bruised. “It's me, Mikazuki. Munechika herself has only just opened her eyes to the world, not even a year old. She shouldn't be known as an old man yet!!”

“Talking is boring! Laughing is annoying!! If I'm not an old man then I'm a grandpa!!! And I'm not a young man. My name is Tsurumaru, Tsurumaru Kuninaka!!!! Did you hear that, old man!!!!!”

The two swordsmen argued with each other, their faces black and stern, until they both breathed and fell to the ground. Mikazuki let out a long sigh for the first time since he opened his eyes. What was he arguing with someone like this? Moreover, the other party was a young swordsman who had just opened his eyes to the world.

It seems that the peacefulness of spring just now seemed to be too shallow and egotistical. If there were many people like this youngster in this world, there would never be a peaceful spring.

“So you say your name is Tsurumaru?” Turning to stare at the other's round face, you had to sigh. What does he have to do with this little girl who doesn't know yet?

"Yes," he nodded before bowing his head and running away.

“Let's make peace, which is better for me? The sword of the Gojo family Kuninaga-sama is like a younger brother.”

“Who is your younger sibling? Crazy Grandpa!” He sarcastically replied in a tone of displeasure, but this time it was Mikazuki who reached out and tangled his white hair before giving a cheerful smile instead of a sullen expression.

“Alright, I'm your grandfather. Then you are my grandson. That sounds good.” His laugh became more sarcastic, but it made Tsurumaru widen his eyes and look at him with an unexpected feeling.

"Aren't you angry at me?" he asked, his voice sounding slightly remorseful.

"Right now, my anger is gone." He smiled and stroked that pristine white hair affectionately.

At that time, Mikazuki might have thought of nothing more than adoring a little child, but for this little kid, not this sword. He seemed to be the first person to talk and cause Gojo Kuninaga's child to show such emotion.

“This thing is really strange,” Tsurumaru said.

“Do you think so, Tsuru?” The short mention of the other person's name caused the owner of the name to immediately blush.

“What kind of name is that?”

“Well, this is cuter than you being my grandchild. I want to be very affectionate.” Laughed and pulled the little boy's body into a hug.

It was just then that a gust of wind blew past and flower petals fell on both of their heads. Mikazuki took a deep breath. Strangely, he felt better now than when he stood alone admiring the spring atmosphere.

It was the first time in my life that I had argued with others and it seemed like the first time that I had laughed so happily.

If it's a dream

I don't want to wake up at all...

After that day, it is unknown how little Tsurumaru talked with his father. But Lord Gojo Kuninaga agreed to bring Tsurumaru to the Sanjo family to take care of for a while. Of course, Mikazuki was overjoyed.

Every day he would go for a walk in the garden and sit and talk with Tsurumaru for hours. There were times when the little boy secretly fell asleep. But Mikazuki would wait and not wake up until Surumaru woke up and smiled happily at him. He would embrace his beloved brother and often kiss his soft hair to show his affection.

Peaceful days and nights slowly passed by.

Tsurumaru is a mischievous child, but that mischievous child is willing to obey Mikazuki even though he likes to ask random and pointless questions. But that showed that the child was intelligent and witty, so Mikazuki remarked that It seems that when it was forged, Lord Gojo Kuninaga would have given her love and care more than any of the Gojo clan's swords.

“What is that, Brother Mikazuki?”

That night, they sneaked out for a walk near the Sanjo family's house and saw a huge procession at the house next door.

“That is the procession bringing the groom to the wedding celebration.”

“Marriage? What is it?” Tsurumaru asked, tilting his head, assuming that it must be a grand celebration with lots of drinking and eating, just like the humans at Sanjo's house liked.

“Ah, what do you say? It's when humans agree to live together. After the first night of the next three nights They'll be called husband and wife." He explained as roughly as he thought the child would be able to understand.

“Why does it have to be at night? So why does it have to be three nights? What did humans do for three nights???” He continued to ask.

“Uh…” This time the older man was stunned. He had never secretly seen what humans were doing every three nights. But it wasn't like the maids had never heard of it. But...it shouldn't have anything to do with spirits like them, right?

“Here, Mikazuki. What are they doing?” He continued to ask, grabbing the hem of the other person's shirt and shaking it back and forth.

For Mikazuki now He felt that this child's curiosity was too sinful.

"Ah, we slept next to each other for three nights," was a simple answer. Tsurumaru would never understand, even if he lied like this. Maybe another thousand years Or he would have to wait for a miracle to happen before his lies would be caught.

“Really?” Big, golden eyes twinkling and looking joyful with the music and the answer the other party tried to give. “Then if I sleep with Mikazuki for three nights, They'll be husband and wife!”

“Huh!!!” I startled and suddenly choked on my own saliva until I collapsed to the floor. My brain accidentally imagined something inappropriate and shouldn't have run wild. Damn, this child's innocence is too sinful!!!!

“Then let's go back!”

“What else is this?!” His temples felt dizzy. What else does this kid think he's going to do?

“How about you go back to sleep?”

“Wait!!!” This time it wasn't just a headache. But the person who fainted must definitely be the person who caused a blemish on Tsuru's innocent eyes.

"Well...we'll be husband and wife," he said, stunned as he looked up at the other person. “Then I will be with Mikazuki. I get to be with my brother forever!”

"..." He was silent before sighing again. He looked down at the child and had to smile. Maybe Tsuru would have a good answer as to why they wanted to keep them together forever. “Why do you want to marry me, Tsuru?”

Yes, there must be a reason for this.

“I...I know that Father Kuninaga plans to give me away to someone else. If that's the case That way, I won't be able to come to Sanjo's house again. But if we were husband and wife Maybe we can be together forever." He said as tears fell. His white cheeks turned red and tears streamed from the corners of his eyes.

It was then that Mikazuki suddenly remembered what they really were and what awaited them ahead. Perhaps Lord Gojo came to Tsurumaru to learn from him. And probably...waiting for time

Perhaps separation is coming faster than expected.

Little child...must get out of the house.

Children and grandchildren...have to leave.

“Even if we aren't together forever, I will miss you forever, Tsuru.” Sitting on the ground, he gently wiped the tears from both cheeks.

"Why can't we be together?" he asked in a sad tone. Staring into his opponent's beautiful crescent-shaped eyes, he couldn't understand anything. All I know is that I want to be together like this forever.

“Like the seasons, they change all the time. whether human or thing It cannot remain the same forever.” Why did he speak like that as if he knew the truth even though he himself was beginning to feel frightened by the change as well? “But I I will remember you forever.”

Even though we are gone, we will be bound together forever.

The child who gave him the most precious moments.

A little child who is the sound of laughter and cries Every sound of the seasons passing by

Every thing...

"Then let's get married," Tsurumaru repeated.

“Are you still fascinated by this?” he laughed softly and rubbed the other person's head. They're not human beings, marriage is impossible. But if human marriage means love and the expectation of being together forever...

If both he and Tsuru had the desire to be together forever...

“Then I have come to the conclusion of the contract. Give me your little finger.”

"Aha," Tsuru gave her right pinky finger. And the other party also used his pinky finger to intertwine his finger.

“Mikazuki promised to be Tsuru's husband. I will love and miss only you...forever." He said, smiling and kissing her forehead. "Tsuru?"

“Tsurutsuru will love and miss Mikazuki alone. But...what is this husband and wife thing?" he continued to ask with curiosity.

“The one who protects is the husband, the one who is protected is the wife. I will protect Tsuru. Then it must be a husband.”

“Then Tsuru will be Mikazuki's wife! It's good!! Mikazuki protects Tsuru Mikazuki will be beside Tsuru forever!!!” Jumping and hugging the other person. He buried his little face in the middle of his chest with hope and overwhelming happiness.

But....that little dream that was like a promise only lasted for so long.

On the morning of the season turning into autumn

Tsurumaru Kuninaka was also brought back.

startled

Yes, Mikazuki woke up from his thousand year dream and when he looked in the darkness he slowly realized where he was.

Now he was not an ordinary sword spirit, but a spirit with the body and blood of a human who had passed thousands of years from the moment he first met that child.

It was as if it had just happened not long ago, as if time was still lingering in my feelings.

“I still consider you even in my dreams, just like the promise I made.” I hugged my hand and felt as if I was still holding that little hand.

All stories have come and gone, so where will our story end?

“I want to hug you one more time.”

While he was in such a trance, there was the sound of footsteps running towards the door. Mikazuki heard the Kogitsune calling out to him, no, shouting.

“Mikazuki! Mikazuki, please wake up!!”

“Huh? The sky isn't even clear yet?" He said hesitantly but got up from the bed. Picked up his coat and opened the door.

But suddenly, Kogitsunemaru grabbed his arm and made him run towards the balcony in this direction. Mikazuki was sure it was the way to Lord Zaniwa's ceremonial chamber.

“Wait!!! Where are you taking me!!!!”

"shut your mouth! You'll know for sure!!” He shouted but didn't stop his steps.

And when he ran to the front of the ceremony room, Kogitsune tore the door open and almost threw Mikazuki's body into the room. Unfortunately, one of the Five Beautiful Swords of the Under Heaven tripped on the mat and rolled onto the middle of the room.

"You crazy Kogitsune! I've lost my head and one side is broken, what do I do?!" some shouted. And that time he felt the shadow of someone sitting in front of him reach out and call out to him.

“Are you surprised? Mikazuki!!”

“!” He looked up. And the first thing he saw were the golden eyes that shone beautifully, the same eyes as the child in the dream that had mesmerized him a thousand years ago.

His hair was pure white, his body was fine and white. Even the clothes were spotless and above all there was a gentle, cheerful smile that did not change.

Even though it was different from what he had seen before, he had no way of remembering it wrongly.

"You...Tsuru," said that name from his lips. A name that hasn't been mentioned in a long time but has never been forgotten.

“What! Really surprising I thought you would be even more shocked!!” He made a depressed expression. with a tone of voice expressing feelings of displeasure

But it was then that Tsurumaru felt his upper arm being pulled and the man he had just scolded kissed his forehead, a familiar warm hand touching his face. He held it and stared as if he wanted to make sure he really existed.

“I am shocked and want to prove it.” A mischievous smile was given along with words that made the listener's face turn red.

“It was me who was taken by surprise!” Always went the other way. Then he saw that the others were gradually leaving the room temporarily. “Wait! I haven't spoken to the new master yet!!”

“She probably thought she didn't want to disturb her.” That must have been referring to Lord Zaniwa, who at this time was probably completely exhausted from using his power to awaken a new sword spirit.

“What are you doing?” he glanced at the other person who was still holding his upper arm. As soon as he looked at that nostalgic face, he had to bite his lip, otherwise he would be the one who would be sobbing with emotion instead.

It wasn't just Mikazuki that should be shocked, it was him. We should be very happy because after waiting in solitude for a long time, now...

The wish...was fulfilled.

When we met, my heart was pounding faster than I could say.

"I'm thinking that my Tsuru is all grown up now," Mikazuki teased.

“I've been grown for a thousand years!” he shouted. Even though his appearance had changed, his background and personality didn't seem to have changed as well.

“So, are you old enough to know what marriage is?”

“!” I was startled because I didn't think that this would be the first question asked by this person in a thousand years.

“You should have known by the look on your face.” Laughing at his pitiful embarrassment, Mikazuki didn't let his opponent get caught off guard. He decided to press on. “Then you will keep your word. Will you still be my wife? Tsuru” smiled again and kissed the other cheek softly.

Now that they were flesh and blood, it seemed as if everything had been fulfilled by a miracle.

At that time I promised to be your husband.

So... will you keep your promise or not?

“Uh…” His face flushed with embarrassment, but he still couldn't take his eyes off the pair of crescent moon eyes that shone with enticing light.

Thousand Year Promise

I will miss...only one person.

“Tsuru, is the answer?” He held his little hand and placed it in the middle of his own chest.

“I...I only think of you. I'm only thinking of you.” was the answer as he threw himself into the arms of the person he had been thinking about for a long time. “When I was taken out at that time, I really want to meet you!”

crying in the dark

Crying in every light

Crying in the wind The sunshine and the changing seasons

“Tsuru...”

“Give it to me! Let me be your wife!!” Just like in the past, I buried my face in the other person's arms.

Just like when we first met because of fate.

Let it be like the old days.

“You have always been my wife, that is the answer.” He laughed and hugged the other person tightly. As the seasons move, they will last forever. Yet this world continues to turn.

We met, we said goodbye, and we came back to embrace each other again.

I really hope that this dream... never ends.

finish