The bitterly cold wind blows with a huff as I grasp my fingers on a small thin bottle of black liquid. I shake it between my trembling fingers. I'm sitting on my calves as I hurriedly try to make the process faster.

It's nighttime, maybe around 8:30 p.m. and I haven't been sent on any missions. It's also been a few days now ever since I moved in with Tomioka-sama. He says I'm a great help in his house.

We have been training still, and Kibutsuji hadn't made a move or appearance, which killed my fear of seeing him again, which also made me feel paranoid because I don't know when he'll strike again.

But Tomioka-sama had reassured me that he won't let anything come in between us.

"Okay.." I push down the lump in my throat, sweat dripping from my forehead and neck. "This again.." My voice gives hints of annoyance and exhaustion in its tone.

How did I ever get this condition?

I reach the tip of the thin bottle to my lips and let it slide down. Feeling the familiar and uncomfortable cold liquid run down my throat makes my body run a shiver down my spine.

A sudden opening thud of a shoji makes my head snap to my unopened shoji. "Tomioka-sama's here.!" I swiftly grab my mask, putting it on.

My inner voice warns me harshly, and I quickly and silently plug the brown thick cap onto the bottle and wrap it around a white towel, shoving it between the kimonos on my futon

"Fujimura?" A shadow appears underneath my shoji as I turn around, hearing a gentle knock. "Come in, Tomioka-sama." I call out, fixing myself as the shoji slides open, revealing a tall figure with a gentle presence.

"Uhm.. what are you doing?" He asks, adjusting his wide stance to a closed one. "Nothing. What did you need me for?" I walk towards him, still maintaining an appropriate distance.

"I.." He looks at me through my eye holes, then down to my nose. "What are you thinking, Tomioka-sama?" I say in my thoughts.

"Do you remember that Matsu festival." He raises an eyebrow. Excitement pours out from my mouth as I curl up my hands, a wide smile play on my lips.

I gasp. "DO YOU MEAN?!!" I lean closer to him, getting all giddy and definitely an annoyance to him. He lets out a sigh. Signal that whatever I'm thinking, he's also thinking it.

"YES! YES!" I jump off the ground, celebrating. I stop my celebratory jumps and ask, "When are we going?" To him. "Now."

And my not-so loud screams echo throughout the Estate. I wrap my hands around my tansu, but surprisingly, it's not as big as I thought it would be.

I look and am met with deep blue eyes. I immediately unwrap myself from his ribs, feeling a deep shade of blush spread on my cheeks.

"E-ehm.. sorry, Tomioka-sama, I got carried away." I bow deep in regret in my earlier action. "It's.. it's okay. Now let's go, you don't wanna be late."

And off we went to that same village we had met Karouji-san.

Tomioka-sama told me about it and that there will be explosives and colorful fireworks to celebrate the festival, and he says that he thought we should go to see it.

Whereas I think he just wants to spend time with me more.

---

The lights dawn on us, and chatters of unknowing people sparkle in the air as we both stroll our way inside. "Kuwa, Tomioka-sama, this really is beautiful!!" I say squealing and barely containing my excitement.

I look around, trying to memorize the patterns of kimonos, haoris, faces, and stalls. Dango stalls, games stall, every stall I can see and think of, it would be there.

The sounds of running footsteps follow and pass by me, a group of children. Bright smiles and sparkly eyes shine on their faces as they laugh, and as another one of them pouts playfully.

"There's.. so.. many people.." A whisper from Tomioka-sama comes out, and I turn to him, a grin playing on the tips of my lips.

"Of course, Tomioka-sama, did he expect that there would be fewer people?" I playfully cross my arms across my chest as an eyebrow raise.

"I did..! I mean, not this much." He mumbles begrudgingly. He looks down at me. Shortening our distance with his footsteps, he grabs my wrist and pulls me aside from the center.

"Come on. What does Fujimura want to do first. We will enjoy this until the brink of fireworks and when it finishes." He says, his face turning into a distant sea.

"I would.." I look at the stalls near us. "Play that! Come on!" I smile, dragging him behind me as his hand still lingers on my wrist.

The stall I had pointed to acquired a person who would know how to play ohajiki. A marble game that requires you to know how to plan strategic decisions.

•

•

•

★•Giyuu POV•★

She laughs at her failure once again. She'd been trying for the last 10 minutes. And not once did her presence plum down of sadness. Which surprises me slightly.

An amazing woman like this. A woman is almost similar to Kanrouji. No, not like Kanrouji. They aren't the same.

As my eyes stare at the goddess beside me. I can't help but think, why be with someone who is so full of negativity and so gloom.

You would think this presence radiating of happiness, positivity, and gratefulness would be influenced by a bad aura, but no. Not once did she ever fumble over. 

"Here. I'll do it. For you." I say to her, taking over. "Oh! Looks like the woman can't do it." The short old man comments, but a fire-like feeling ignites in my chest.

She can do it. She's just not serious. My face on the inside twists into anger, but I'd wish he'd seen it.

After a few short minutes, I managed to beat the old and won a small box. "What the hell is this!" An unexpected yell rips from my throat, surprising me and Fujimura.

"E-eh? It's okay, Tomioka-sama! I'm sure there's something more inside the small box."Fujimura says, but I'm not having it. "It's the size of your forearm??!" My eyebrows furrows as Fujimura drags me away as I glare st the old man.

---

"You deserve better! I'm just saying." I mumble after a short scolding of Fujimura. "Still! That poor old man. We should apologize."

"But–" and off we went again as my head were bowing in so-called regret alongside Fujimura.

After that, we walked away as her body seemed warm, definitely with embarrassment and anger.

She stops walking to turn and look at me. "What else should we do?" She asks. It's probably around 9:20 p.m. "The fireworks will start at 10:00 p.m., should we try and find your close people?" I try suggesting, and I swear stars appear through her eye holes.

"Tomioka-sama saw the others?! And did not tell me?" She clasps her hands. "Yeah. I saw some before you played and got caught in the playing games." I shrug, waving it off like an excuse.

"Yeah, I–"

"KYAAAA!! Fujimura-chaaan!!" Delighted squeals from someone rips in the air."EEEEKK!! Kanrouji-saaan!!" Fujimura screams and runs past me.

I turn around there stand Kanrouji in a pink-colored, heart designed kimono with Iguro in a neutral-colored plain yukata and his usual black and white haori, and Kaburamaru around his shoulders.

The crystal-designed kitsuke of Fujimura was covered by Kanrouji's pink kimono as they both hugged each other, squealing. Yet I didn't mind her loudness.

"I see that Kanrouji-san and Iguro-san are together here and enjoying themselves." Fujimura says, eyeing Iguro from behind Kanrouji.

"Mhm!" Kanrouji happily hums, her lips a wide, closed smile. "Iguro-san and I decided to see what's going on in here. This isn't our first time together, though!" She adds.

They talk some more. Catching each other up on what has happened the past few days.

•

•

•

☆•Yashimi POV•☆

"Yeah! And Tomioka-sama is always so quiet and nice towards me." I say, interwining my fingers with my own.

A playful and cheery presence like Kanrouji-san's will always be protected by Iguro-san. I wish I could have that after all. No man would want a woman who isn't normal-looking. I wish them well and a fortunate future with each other.

"Looks like Kaburamaru wants to see the other stalls. Will Kanrouji want to join us too?" Iguro-san says. "The fireworks are also almost here. I hope you see them!" I say as I wave them goodbye, walking back to Tomioka-sama.

"That took too long. We're gonna miss the fireworks. We will go to a more secluded area, so there will be fewer people." He says, grabbing my wrist as we walk further away.

He continues walking with me, and his fingers still wrap around my wrist. We near a more secluded area, as per his words, yet a sudden call out catches our attention.

"Oyi!" A rather angered and annoyed voice calls out, but not to us. We both turn our heads to the female voice.

"UWAWAAAAA!!!" A cry shocks the air as we look at three gorgeous women and a handsome man with white hair.

"TENGEN-SAMAAA!!! WE MISSED YOU SO MUUUUCHH!!!" A girl with short black hair cries out hugging the tall man. "OYI!! SHUT IT WILL YOU SILLY GIRL!!?" Another woman with yellow bangs yells at the girl.

"H-hey, you two. Calm down..!!" I direct my eyes to that serene voice. Another woman with a long high ponytail hairstyle. She seems to wear a lavender kimono whereas the other women wear a blue kimono and a red kimono.

"YOU ARE GONNA CHOKE TENGEN-SAMA, SUMA!!"

"NO!!NO!! I MISS HIM TOO MUCH!! DOESN'T HINATSURU MISS TENGEN-SAMA TOO??!!"

"SHUT!!"

The tall man chuckles at their bickering and at the attempt of the lavender-wearing woman as he crosses his muscular arms across his chest.

His face turns a little shock, seeing us, and like an arrow hitting you in the head, I had realize who he is.

The Sound Hashira, Uzui Tengen.

"Hey, you two!" He calls out to us. I look up at Tomioka-sama, and he turns to me, nodding, a signal that we should go to him.

"Uzui." Tomioka-sama says, letting go of my wrist, yet a familiar feeling still lingers. "Tomioka. Fujimura." Uzui-san says, looking down at us with a grin.

A grin turning into a sly form.

"What's with the sly grin? And who are these women?" I ask, turning to the three gorgeous women somewhat quietly bickering.

"These three gorgeous women are my wives!" Uzui-sama proudly declares, looking at the three gorgeous women. "The one with the long, shiny ponytail is Hinatsuru." And as of on cue, the woman looks at me and waves with an innocent smile.

"The one wearing that beautiful blue kimono is Suma, and the one whose eyes are fuming and sparkling is Makio." He flashes a big, wide smile at us.

His smile disappears and twists into a more cunning smirk. As if he had just figured out his enemy's weakness. "Now that I think about it. What are you two doing here? I saw Kanrouji and Iguro earlier."

"Oh! We're here to watch the fireworks. You too?" I guessed, and he nods with a hum and a close-eyed smile.

"Tengen-sama?" The pretty woman with the long ponytail, Hinatsuru, tugs at the flamboyant yukata of Uzui-sam. He turns to Hinatsuru, and she eyes the two other women. "Yes? Oh, yeah! Of course." He turns to us with an apologetic smile.

"I have to go now. Take care, you guys!" And before he goes away, he pulls Tomioka-sama a bit closer to him, whispering something I couldn't catch as the wind howls past us.

"Bye now!"

"Thank you for talking with us!" Hinatsuru shyly smiles as they both begin walking back.

•

•

•

★•Giyuu POV•★

"I saw the stall near the entrance where you went in. The nice, old lady will be waiting." Uzui whispers quickly after pulling me aside.

"Bye now!"

"Thank you for talking with us!" Hinatsuru puts on a shy smile and walks away with Uzui after he winks at me. A go-to signal.

A tug on my yukata makes my head turn to my side. "What did Uzui-sama whispered to you about?" Fujimura looks up at me as our eyes meet. A wondering sparkle beams in her iris, observing my face.

"Just.." I hesitate, "something. I will be back." I pull myself away from her. "I need to do something. But I will be back, go to that secluded area." I whisper to her as if we'd get caught.

"I'll come and find you."

"O-okay, Tomioka-sama." She says, and I lift my hand, placing it light on top of her head. I retreat my hand back to my side and walk away.

---

"You still remember what it looked like, right?!" Rengoku asked. His fire-y flame hair danced with the wind as his eyes sparkled at my words.

"I.. I think so..?" I whispered. "You think so?! No, you have to know so! This is Fujimura we are talking about!!" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"What is Rengoku-san, Uzui-sama, and Tomioka-san talking about?" Kochou asked from behind. We turned around, and a short figure stood near us.

"Oh, noth–"

"Tomioka is about to give a gift to Fujimura, but annoyingly, he does not remember what it looked like!" Uzui says, definitely disappointed at my short and unclear memory.

"What kind of gift are you giving if you don't know what it looks like?" A slight chuckle came out from Kochou's lips.

"It's because she picked it!" I looked down in embarrassment. "We went to this village after our training session, and we passed by a stall selling these bracelets, and she said these ones that specifically represent us, so I want to get it. For her!"

I said all of that in one breath. I should be given an award for putting up with their shit.

"Oh!"

Oh..!"

"Oohhhh."

"Our bad, Tomioka. You could've just said that." Rengoku scratches the back of his head.

"Just get the one that you think best represents you two." Kochou winks and walks away."

---

I look at the bracelets in front of me. Shining against the reflected light.
Fireworks are almost starting, so I have to choose fast.

I have been staring at some bracelets trying to find the perfect match. Red, green, and yellow mix, and white and teal blue kind of color.

"Oh! Can I trouble you, sir? You seem very familiar?" The nice old lady plays a smile on her lips, covering her teeth from behind.

Her hair had really gotten grey the last I saw her. Had time really passed by that fast?

"Ah.. yes, I was here just a few days ago. Uhm.. I apologize for asking, but perhaps you remember that bracelet she pointed at?" I ask, unsure. Something squirms in my stomach, and a heaving weight lays on my chest.

"Yes. I actually have it kept hidden," she says as she turns slightly to her side and reaches out to the big box next to her, "I knew one if you would come back here, so I kept it." She says.

She turns her head to me and reaches her fisted hand out as if giving me something. I lift my hand and push it towards her, and she drops the perfect colors that represent us.

"Thank you so much!" I bow to her, feeling very grateful for her thoughtful act. "I will be sure to remember this! Thank you once again. Sawako-sama." I bow once more as she sheepishly laughs and waves goodbye at me.

My footsteps thud with every running pattern. The fireworks are probably almost here, and I want to be there to watch it with her.

"Fujimura.." I whisper. The low wave of silver locks hangs down from her back down to her waist. The explosions of fireworks have started as she slightly tilts her head up to the colored midnight blue sky.

Her body slightly jerks up, and she turns her head in my direction. "Tomioka-sama. I did not notice you. What were you trying to get again?" She asks as I make my way to her.

Another sharp sound of fireworks explodes in the sky, lighting everything up. We both look up, craning our necks as the fireworks illuminate a colorful aura around them.

"The fireworks are as beautiful as the person next to me." Fujimura says, tilting her head to me, and I can feel her smiling even though I know I can never see it.

"So is the moon. Doesn't Tomioka-sama think so, too?" I turn my head to her. Eyes a little widen, heart punching on my chest. I can feel my blood rushing underneath my cheeks and my lips slightly parting. What reaction is my body making?

"Fujimura.."

Edited:Dec.16,14