Prolouge
In summer's heat at the Dojo, Isanami was up for practice first. "Oh, things are heating up so early—my bets are on Isanami!" A fellow peer cheered on with all his might while twirling around his tenegui* in the air like a pinwheel. "Go go! Get clobbered for taking my hamburger Takeshi!"
A rally between the girls and boys began as they cried out the names of their respective winner as the two clashed. Isanami Kirijo was a 3rd year and Captain of the girl's Kendo club—she had a title to live up to—and as well as the soon-to-be head of the Kirijo Dojo. While her opponent was the infamous Takeshi Tachibana, a 3rd year and Captain of the boy's Kendo club—from the running blood line of the Tachibana family from the Edo era.
With only a minute in the battle, Isanami was currently in control of the situation as Takeshi was on the defensive position. "Hah! Get 'em Isa-chan~!" A female peer cried out with a joy.
However, with Takeshi being the man, he overcame the situation with sheer force and let out a battle cry. It knocked Isanami back a few steps and disoriented her balance. "Shoot." She mumbled, peering through her head gear.
"Oh no!" A Isanami-better gasped as she watched her Captain wobble.
For the next remaining minutes they exchanged blows, circled around each other like prey, and deadlocked until one was thrown off. "Give up Isanami…" Takeshi panted through his mask while entering back to the chudan kamae—a stance in which the sword was held at chest level. "Let's finish this with one good strike—a full on attack." Isanami obliged and entered the same stance.
The audience gulped down, "This is the last attack…"
With a final dash forward, they both aimed for the opponent's weak points. "Win goes to Isanami Kirijo." Takeshi announced while peeling off his protective gear.
Isanami's strawberry-blonde locks dangled down towards her back as she smiled and presented a bow. "Thanks for the match—"
Just before finishing her line, there was a groggily voice calling out for her. "Excuse my interruptions, but I'd like to see you." Her grandfather smiled weakly towards everyone as he gestured to head to corridors.
Following him into his office, she eyed the room with awe. From the neatly piled up scrolls in the boxes, the numerous books, and especially at the Edo-era gear that was framed up upon the wall behind his char.
"Come, come—don't be so tense Isanami." He laughed and handed over the blade that was once cased. "Take this, it is now yours—you're at a marriageable age and this Dojo will be handed down to you quite soon."
"But Grandpa—I'm not qualified."
Her grandfather flicked his hand in the air, waving off her statement, and assured her. "You are, now take hold of it…Go on." As soon as she took hold of the blade a gleaming light emitted into the room and stole their vision for a few seconds.
The grandfather was knelt onto the ground and peered around the room for his granddaughter. She was nowhere to be found. Panic struck through his chest as he shook his head and whimpered, "W-Where is she? Where has she gone?"
He took hold of the ribbon that laid near his hand, "Isanami…"
*tengeui: it's worn under the head gear, men.
The characters in this current chapter do belong to me, they're all fictional. However the characters that will be appearing in the story later on are rightfully Koei's and I do hope you enjoyed reading this portion.
Hope you continue reading it! Much love.