Chapter 2
Toshiro sighed as he walked through the vast plains of Shin Makoku. He had been traveling for three days and as it was he had been attacked by bandits twice. Not that they did anything. He wasn't stupid. All his training in kendo and marital arts had paid off. Plus he also had on his hip his family's heirloom: a katana that had been passed down for generations. It was well taken care of. He knew that he had a lot to do and prove when he got to Blood Pledge Castle, but that didn't worry him one bit. All he knew was that Yuuri was his King and that he wanted to protect him.
It was then that he saw the every present Blood Pledge Castle. It intimidated him a little but then again, Toshiro was stubborn. He lifted his bag back up onto his shoulder and continued walking, all the while whistling a happy tune. Although he didn't really have anything to be happy about.
Toshiro's mother and father had begged him to reconsider what he was doing. They didn't want their only son to go off to Shin Makoku to end up dying. As close as his family was to Bob: the Maoh of Earth, they knew the war that had happened there. That was why Toshiro was so adamant about going. He wanted to do something productive with his life.
Then there was Yuuri himself. Toshiro felt horrible for placing pressure on the young king. Even though he didn't intend for it to happen, he knew in his heart that it tortured Yuuri's very being. He wanted Yuuri to hit him, but he knew the boy wouldn't hit him. Because he was his sempai and protector. He couldn't help but smile though. As Maoh, Yuuri had matured more than he could have ever imagined. He was proud to serve such a Maoh.
And finally was the simple fact that he wanted to meet Yuuri's bodyguard Conrart Weller or Conrad Weller. He had heard t of his great skill with a sword and his loyalty to the Shin Makoku. He had been interested in the man the moment he had heard his name. He wanted to see the man that was Yuuri's protector. He had to judge the man himself. He also wanted to warn the man that he had better not hurt Yuuri.
Before he knew it he stood in the courtyard being approached by a tall man in white. "State your name and business. If you are to have an audience with Heika, he is not here." The man said.
Toshiro could see a twinkle in the man's eyes. "My name is Toshiro Kanazaki. I am from the other world. I have come here to give my services to Yuuri." He said.
The man stared at him with shock. "How do you know Heika?" he demanded.
"I grew up with him. I'm older, but I always looked after him." Toshiro explained.
The man seemed to understand him then. "I see…You want to protect him here then." He said. Toshiro just nodded, his long white bangs fell into his eyes. "What skills do you possess, swordsman ship, magic, strategy?" he asked.
"Marital arts, Kendo, and I can learn anything shown to me once." Toshiro said as he dropped his bag. He then bowed respectfully. "If you would like to test me then go ahead. I only want to look after Yuuri." He said as he then straightened his body. His eyes showed coldness and determination.
The man only nodded his head. "I Günter von Christ shall test you at swordsman ship. If you can defeat me than I shall allow you to protect Heika." The man: Gunter said as he drew his sword.
Toshiro took to the stance of Battou Jutsu. He wanted to see had he'd react to Japan's style of the way of the sword. He could tell from the way Gunter held himself with his sword in hand, not to underestimate him. He also knew that the first move was critical. He hadn't studied everything he could about sword techniques for nothing, and he wasn't called a prodigy for nothing.
Gunter made the first move and went to Toshiro. Neither showed emotion. It was then that Toshiro drew his blade, its speed much faster than Gunter's since he was using the sheath as well. He stopped the older man with ease and had even pushed him back as he then held his sword with both hands. He then took a simple stance that he learned through kendo. His eyes focused on Gunter. He could hear the voices of the soldiers and servants alike as they all watched intensely at the two.
"I have to say that your style is most impressive. Using the sheath to increase the speed of the blade. Most impressive." Gunter said as he smiled slightly only to return his poker face.
"It's 'Battou Justu'. A very difficult style to master. It took me a while to understand and don't think that's all that's up my sleeve." Toshiro said as he then made his move to attack. He slashed to the side. Which Gunter dodged easily. But that was what Toshiro wanted as he turned the slash into a roundhouse kick. He knocked the older man down. He then in a swift moment brought his katana to his throat. He then smiled. "Sorry, did I hurt you at all?" he asked as he lowered his sword and offered his hand.
Gunter just looked at him in amazement.
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Yuuri had decided that he wanted to live in both worlds and be Maoh. He knew that would be very hard. But he didn't mind. He knew that he wanted to do it. Toshiro hadn't made him do anything, like he had thought. And he was relieved. He smiled as he and the others returned to Blood Pledge Castle. He then remembered that Toshiro was in Shin Makoku. He wondered his friend was doing.
"Yuuri stop your daydream you moron!" Wolfram shouted as he glared at him. Yuuri didn't know what was bothering him lately. Probably the fact that his mother: Jennifer had play dress up with him the entire time on Earth and didn't spend any time with him.
Yuuri just frowned. "Don't call me a moron!" he shouted back.
"I don't think that's how Heika should act." A very cocky voice said as the group entered the courtyard. There stood Toshiro in a uniform that seemed to be a cross between Conrad and Gwendal's uniforms but a deep dark blue while brought out his dark blue eyes even more than intended. "I am Toshiro Kanazaki and I have been placed under Weller-kyo's command." He said as he bowed respectfully. He then looked up and winked at Yuuri.
Yuuri couldn't believe it. Toshiro had been serious. He was here and he was to work under Conrad. He then looked at his bodyguard and confidant. He seemed unreadable. He seemed almost angry. "Conrad?" he said.
"So you're the one that made Yuuri suffer?" Conrad said as he moved to stand in front of his newest subordinate.
"I didn't mean to. It was the only way I could think of to make Yuuri understand that I see him as my brother. I don't want anything to harm him." Toshiro said as he stood and watched Conrad's movements.
"Stop it! Both of you!" Yuuri said as he then move to stand in between them. He didn't want them to start fighting. He'd seen both fight and he didn't want to think of who would win. Both were masters in their own league. "I'm fine. It doesn't matter." He said.
Toshiro just shook his head. "No, I did something I'm not proud of. I must have hurt you. I know I did. You're too kind for your own good. That's why. I'd give my life to keep you save." He said as he looked at Yuuri and gave him a gentle smile. His face then hardened. "But that doesn't mean that I shouldn't be punished for my actions."
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Conrad wanted to cut the young man before him down. He even looked like he except it. His eyes showed the shame and guilt of his actions. He placed a hand on Yuuri's shoulder. "Heika, please stand aside." He asked.
Yuuri looked up to Conrad. "But…" he said.
"It's okay Yuuri. I don't mind if I die. I have to face my punishment." The young man: Toshiro said as he tried to offer a smile, but failed miserable. It seemed that he understood the severity of what he had done and wanted Conrad to punish him as one of his subordinates.
Conrad knew then something very interesting. Yuuri's childhood protector and friend was leaving his fate in his hands. If he was going to die outside of protecting Yuuri, he wanted to die by Conrad's hands. But he wasn't going to have that. "Who determined you skilled enough to be placed under my command?" he asked.
Toshiro looked confused but answered. "von Christ-kyo did. I sparred with him and won. I'm still a little surprised by the outcome." Everyone looked at the young boy with amazement. To do such a feature.
"Then your punishment is to work alongside myself and protect Heika till I say otherwise." Conrad said as he smiled. He knew the best medicine was to be by the one thing that gave them both great joy: Yuuri.