Day 43: Sun Room, Second Shift

[arc_wrench]

When the shift changed, HK stayed put. Even after a long night of zombie killing, he had no interest in meatbag fuel, especially after all the discussion of chocolate with that rather strange meatbag. It was just making him crave the stuff even more than he had previously, if that was possible

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[host_club_honey]

Just when they were having fun, the nurses had to go and separate everyone all over again! At least he knew they were all doing well. Honey's nurse was quick to hurry him on into the Sun Room for some reason. Maybe they were being too noisy in the chapel? But no one had seemed to mind very much.

He sighed and toted Usa-chan behind him. The room was almost empty and felt so lonely without any people in it! He decided to try sitting down near the kittens, setting Usa-chan beside him and reaching into the box to pick up one of the soft little animals. He wasn't quite as good with them as Takashi was, and ended up with a scratch on the back of his hand, but soon the kitten was settling into his lap, content to let him pet it.

[Tsubaki-chan~!]

[thecamellia]

She’d hoped having someone to talk to had helped Endrance in the end, if only to keep him from shedding tears without anyone around, but by the time they separated for a shift change and she got her chance to peruse the bulletin board, Tsubaki felt like she was the one who needed someone to keep her from weeping.

But there was no one to talk to, no one who could change the way of it and bring the two other shinigami who’d vanished back from wherever they’d gone. No one could do anything.

The nurse seemed not to notice a difference in Tsubaki’s demeanor if she happened to be quieter than usual, as she tried not to let the loss of Matsumoto show through. The woman was more concerned in getting Tsubaki something for brunch, though in truth, Tsubaki’s appetite was still mostly absent, like it‘d been for a few days already. That’s not good, a part of her said, the pragmatic tone of the ninja that stood apart from the grief and the wariness generated by the new intercom theme. You have to keep yourself healthy. You need all your strength.

[host_club_honey]

Honey turned when his name was called, but didn't budge too far with the kitten in his lap. He gave Tsubaki a big smile though; in spite of last night, the people he cared about seemed to be alright and that was all that mattered.

"Tsubaki-chan!" he chirped up at her. The kitten gave an irritated shake of its head before jumping from his lap and running back to play with the others. It left his hands free though, and he stood up to hug Tsubaki around the waist. "I'm glad to see you too!"

[thecamellia]

Such a different sight between then and the serene atmosphere now; a smile broke over Tsubaki’s face, and she happily returned the hug, bending enough so that she could put her arms around his shoulders, one hand still holding onto the pear.

“I was worried,” said the girl. “Blacking out like that doesn’t get any easier.”

At least he’s still here this morning…

[host_club_honey]

Honey let go and picked up Usa-chan, though he still stood nearby, smiling up at Tsubaki. He climbed up onto the nearest couch and waited for her to sit too.

"Me too, but I saw almost everyone upstairs this morning. Me and Usa-chan and Takashi were so happy everyone was okay. Last night was really scary! Thanks for coming with us Tsubaki-chan." He held tightly to the stuffed toy, trying to push away the memories of last night. He didn't want to remember, even as little as he'd seen.

[thecamellia]

“Oh, really? That’s great to hear. I stayed here, so I didn’t see.” She settled into a seat beside Honey when he didn’t immediately return to the kittens. It was great to hear. It took some of the weight from her shoulders just to know that the people she’d been with were okay, and that a lot of Honey’s friends were accounted for, too

[host_club_honey]

When Tsubaki asked about Takashi's injury, it was enough to give Honey pause. He knew his friend was pushing himself and he'd been close to looking into seeing a healer if they could find one. Takashi wouldn't come out and say anything, but even Tsubaki could tell it was bothering him.

"I hope so," he said finally. "Takashi doesn't like to tell me about things like that." It bothered him, from time to time, but ultimately, he knew Takashi wasn't going to make foolish decisions. Well, most of the time.

"I think the bulletin said there were people good at healing. I wonder if they'd help Takashi?" he pondered aloud, "Mm- but you did really well too Tsubaki-chan. I didn't know you were so brave! And your weapon, that's not something I've seen before. It's really neat!"

[thecamellia]

Ah, so it was like that. But even if it were pride or mere stubbornness they were talking about (and she knew her fair share of both), anyone with fighting experience would know the dangers of stressing injuries, so she expected now would be the time for him to get them looked at

[host_club_honey]

"I'm not really sure," Honey answered honestly. "I haven't been able to talk with Tama-chan very much. But I think that's right." It would've been his first place to look, at the very least. He didn't know how long it might take, but he wouldn't overlook such a valuable resource. There was the chance he could bring it up at lunch, if Tamaki didn't mention it himself, but he didn't want to embarrass Takashi either.

"Hnnnn," he said thoughtfully, in response to her description of the weapon. Kusarigama weren't anything new to him, but special was putting it lightly. Honey had plenty of experience with concealing weapons, but when it seemed like the weapon was an extension of Tsubaki's own body, that was something else entirely. "My family studies lots of different styles. We have a dojo too where we teach so... so I guess I know a lot of them."

[thecamellia]

“I think a lot of people will want to check in with their friends now, so I bet you’ll see him soon,” Tsubaki suggested. It was unfortunate, but true enough: it wasn’t always easy making use of the day and getting in contact with everyone one needed to. The bulletin board wasn’t always reassuring--writing could conceal injuries and feelings. Not a great mode for friends. “My roommate seems to have connections to the clinic, too. I could ask if you like

[host_club_honey]

"That would be really great Tsubaki-chan!" Honey nodded, bouncing slightly in his seat. If they didn't manage to bring it up at the meeting, if Tsubaki didn't mind looking into it, that would be a big help

[thecamellia]

“It’s no problem!” And she meant it, too. Anything she could do, really. Seeing Honey brighten up like that, with that sweet smile of his and little stuffed animal was like the embodiment of what Tsubaki wanted to protect. He really had fortitude, to be looking ahead, and not dwelling on recent horrors. “If you see Takashi-san, then send him my best. Oh, and Hikaru-san and Kaoru-san, too, and that I’d like to talk to them again soon! It’s been hard to keep in touch.”

It was hard to do a lot of the things she wanted to do with the time restraints, but talking to Honey wasn’t a waste of that time at all.

Their respective families undoubtedly had their differences, but she wondered what it was like for them, Honey‘s family. She wondered about her friends and comrades at Shibusen, too, but there had always been a tangible lack of pressure when it came to divulging personal information. The things they talked about while they hung out, or talked in class, or went on extracurricular assignments were more often than not about everything

[host_club_honey]

"I will," Honey promised. As far as he could tell, the twins really liked Tsubaki too, so they should be happy to hear from her. If they didn't manage to pester her before lunch anyway.

Honey was glad to see that she didn't mind answering some questions about herself, but demon weapons? Honey's face scrunched in thought as he tried to recall anything of the sort. "Umm, I know about some of the famous Japanese weapons, like Okazaki Masamune's... they're supposed to be really good. But I don't think I've ever heard of any called demon weapons. What are they like?"

[thecamellia]

Okazaki… Masamune? A part of her clung to the forename for a moment, a little caught off guard by the similarity to her brother’s name, while the rest of her recognized that Honey was talking about someone completely different, a Japanese weapon smith. Little in common with demon weapons

[host_club_honey]

Tsubaki hesitated for a second or two; was it because the name was familiar? Or was she just lost in thought? Whatever it was, it passed quickly and then explained.

While there were a lot of people who claimed to have powers or other super natural abilities, he hadn't met very many who actually did. It sounded like something right out of anime or manga. But Tsubaki was totally serious! How did one react to news like that?

"That's really amazing!" Honey replied, almost on the edge of his seat. He meant every word. If anyone in his clan had that sort of ability, well, he could only imagine how things might change.

"I bet that makes you really important to a lot of people! Protecting people is a great thing to be able to do, but being a real weapon yourself, that's just even more incredible! I think I would get dizzy though..." Honey trailed off, wondering just what it might be light to be swung around like a sword or a shuriken.

[thecamellia]

Giving a sweet, unassuming smile, Tsubaki responded to his pep with a laugh.

She didn’t see why an unsuspecting someone would react poorly to news of a demon weapon’s true nature, but everyone was different and had their own reasons. Honey’s positive reaction made her glad, though.

But important? In all likelihood, Honey had no idea that the Nakatsukasas were held in higher esteem more than any other clan, that technically she was supposed to be a standout weapon for her unique possession of multi-modes. That little detail… she could keep that to herself with no harm or foul. Tsubaki didn’t think it would make a difference, either way. What did it matter?

“Mm, demon weapons tend to surpass normal kinds, so I think they have more responsibility on their shoulders when choosing what to do with themselves. A lot of good can come out of a demon weapon used for the right reasons,“ Tsubaki agreed whole-heartedly. That wasn’t to say those who could fight should, that path wasn’t always right for everyone. Then there were the weapons who