It took many weeks for Michi to strengthen himself up. He often had sparring matches with his newfound mentor to help him improve. She always took him down with either a simple block, punch, or trip. Michi learned to get around Kiyoshi's little tricks so he could proceed to more advanced techniques. It felt like forever until he finally began his sword training. It happened on an autumn morning moments before the dawn. Kiyoshi had ordered her pupil to meet in the forest clearing nearby.

Michi suddenly woke up and immediately got dressed. He speedily ate his breakfast and threw a coat over himself as he exited his little cottage home. It was a little chilly outside. He could see his placid breath float around in front of him as he rushed to the forest clearing. The wind suddenly stung him in the face as the sun began climbing up the sky. He spotted his sensei in front of him and dropped to his knees, bowing deeply with his hands on the ground. "Good morning, Sensei. I hope you slept well." He said. Besides teaching him martial arts and improving his strength, Kiyoshi also taught her pupil how to behave and have respect for others, especially to individuals older than him. He never realized how much of a delinquent he was until Kiyoshi whipped him into shape.

"Good morning to you as well, my pupil. Rise." Kiyoshi responded. Michi rose to his feet and waited patiently for his master's lesson. Her back was facing him as she gazed outward towards the rising sun. "I have taught you much until this moment. I expect you to use the knowledge you have gained for this no turning back at this moment... the way of the sword is an ancient one, passed down through the many generations. It is simple to hold a sword in your hand and swing it around, but it is challenging to use the sword with elegance, ease, and perfection. Many samurai know this art but a few truly mastered it."

"Please excuse my interruption, but Sensei?"

"Yes?"

"Are you one of the few who mastered this art?"

"Yes. I wouldn't teach you if I knew I didn't. I spent half my life in a dojo filled with boys and few girls mastering this art. We all trained together, and I am sad to say that some of the students quit and left. I was the only female besides another that I knew. In the end, we gradutated as ten students out of twenty."

"I see."

"Never use your sword against another without good cause. I strictly forbid you to do such a thing. May the Heavens watch over you if Iever catch you in that scandalous situation."

"Y-yes, Sensei."

Despite being only twenty years old, Kiyoshi was extremely wise. War can do a lot more than physically scar you. That mind of confidence, patriotism, and courage is maimed and broken. Many people went insane after the Great War and few were able to control themselves and their sanity.

"Unsheathe your sword." Kiyoshi suddenly demanded. Michi blinked fun surprise but did what he was told. He took out a stunning sword with a black laced handle. Kiyoshi then turned with sparks of fierceness and power. It was intimidating and a difficulty to look her in the eye. Her face looked worn and a bit exhausted, but she still looked young and gorgeous. But most of all she looked invincible. "Now, let's begin."


Kyuzo walked through the new city. It had changed so much ever since his departure for the war. He still wore his soldier's uniform for he did not have any remaining clothing left. He had been dropped off here hours ago with a fair amount of money to support him until he got a job. People often stared at him but his glance was enough to turn them away.

He noticed a group of men standing in front of a carriage. A man with a rather large overbite and pipe sticking out of his mouth was sitting inside. "Come gain the chance to become the Magistrate's new bodyguard! Only the best will be accepted and chosen! The man who defeats all will gain the career!" He called out. Kyuzo raised an eyebrow in interest and calmly walked over. he wound his way through the little crowd and looked up at the man. Their eyes locked and narrowed at each other. Kyuzo then signed his name (in that incredibly beautiful handwriting that he had) and took a paper that stated where the "try-outs" would be held. They were tomorrow at eleven in the morning in one of the Magistrate's courtyards designed for dueling.

"Is that a samurai?"

"Has he fallen that low to become a mere bodyguard?"

"That's disgraceful, and not to mention downright pathetic."

Whispers met Kyuzo's ears but he merely ignored them and walked away. He knew he would win the duels tomorrow without even breaking a sweat. He didn't worry. "You're really calm, Kyuzo. And confident. How do you do that?" Another memory of Kiyoshi. Now that he thought about it, Kiyoshi had made all the good memories for him. She was always there. But like any other human being, she had her flaws. She was stubborn, lazy at times, and hesitant.

He remembered the day his parents died. They both got into a dreadful fire accident when he was thirteen. He was told only a day later and was mortified by the news. Kiyoshi found out and Kyuzo guessed she cried as well, though not around him. She was there to comfort and pray for him. She stayed strong for him when he couldn't.

Now he wondered what Kyoshi looked like now. They were the same age; Kyuzo being older by a few months. It had been seven years since they last saw each other. Kyuzo had turned twenty one last month, which meant Kiyoshi's birthday would be… right around now. Kyuzo smiled sadly to himself and softly said, "Happy birthday, Kiyoshi Yanaihara."