Chapter 25.
Friendly Duel

Time just flew by for Kazuha and Ayaka as they lost themselves in their conversation, and the tea and rolls were soon gone. Certainly, most of the talk was dominated by Kazuha and his detailed anecdotes about all his travels. Ayaka was fascinated by everything the boy told her, and she couldn't help but ask him different questions to expand the story even more. Kazuha patiently answered each of the questions. It didn't bother him at all that he had to talk so much; in fact, it was pretty comfortable for him to speak with his old friend, as it was when they were little. It didn't seem like there were eight years between them at all.

"And that's how you met Tomo?" Ayaka commented once Kazuha finished giving the details about his first encounter with the wandering swordsman with the Electro vision.

"You could say so," Kazuha agreed. "We didn't become friends right away, though. He's a very nice person, but only until you get to know him better."

"Yes, it seems so," Ayaka commented shyly, giving a half-smile. She had been a witness to what he said in a certain way. "So you don't always travel with him?"

"No. In fact, I hadn't seen him for a few months until I ran into him in a village in Yashiori, and he asked me to accompany him to…"

Kazuha fell silent abruptly, perhaps realizing that he was possibly about to say more than he should have.

"To help him with his business here in Inazuma," he finally added after a few seconds of hesitation. Ayaka just nodded, understanding. "I often have fellow travelers like Tomo, but I'm mostly alone."

"It must be very lonely."

"Over time, you get used to being away from people. You even begin to appreciate the silence, the calm, and the feeling of the wind or rain outside. Although a good cup of tea like this, with pleasant company, helps recharge the energies from time to time."

Kazuha raised his already half-empty cup and smiled enthusiastically at her hostess. She returned his smile the same way, her cheeks blushing just a little.

"Everything you tell me is fascinating and unbelievable, Kazuha," Ayaka mentioned with an emotion that was clearly trying to temper itself. "I can hardly believe that there are so many places in our nation that I have never seen. And it makes you wonder what could be beyond that, right? But even before the borders closed, traveling outside of Inazuma was more of a dream than anything else for me."

Kazuha could feel clear traces of bitterness and sadness in those last words. He could understand how she felt. When he was a child from a noble family, he always imagined what it would be like to know all those places far from home. But the responsibilities that came with his status severely limited all of his options. And very sure it had been the same for her. And now that Ayaka was older and had more obligations to her clan and the Yashiro commission, that feeling must have only gotten worse.

"Maybe one day you can," Kazuha stated optimistically.

"Maybe," Ayaka replied with almost no emotion in her voice. "But with the current situation, I see it very far away."

Now that she mentioned that, Kazuha was beginning to wonder what was the young Kamisato's real opinion regarding this "current situation." What did she think of the Border Closure Decree? And more importantly, what did she think of the Vision Hunt Decree? As a Tri-Commission member, the most expected thing was that she would work side by side with the other commissions to guarantee the correct fulfillment of both and blindly trust in the will of the Almighty Shogun. But everything he'd seen her do and say over the past couple of days, including her attitude with that ronin the night before, made him wonder if she might not really agree with these.

He was tempted to ask her directly but feared he was crossing a line if he did. After all, she knew he was running away and keeping his vision from being taken, but not that he was there to participate in Tomo's purchase of false visions. Perhaps asking the wrong question might raise unnecessary suspicion in him.

Anyway, Ayaka managed to change the subject before he could ask anything. Although in a certain way, it rather returned a little to what they were talking about earlier.

"Last night, you mentioned that Tomo was one of the people who taught you your new combat style. That's how it went?"

"Something like that," Kazuha replied, tilting his head to the side. "It may not seem like it at first glance, but Tomo is one of the most talented swordsmen I've ever met. He has honed his style based on his Electro vision, and his physical and elemental abilities are in perfect sync. So once I had my vision, his advice was beneficial in knowing how to take advantage of it."

"Now that you mention that, how did you get your vision?" Ayaka suddenly asked, clearly interested in knowing this anecdote. Until this point in the conversation, Kazuha had not spoken about it.

"It's not such an interesting story, actually," he answered with some humor. Reflexively, he moved his hand closer to the Anemo vision dangling from his belt, slowly running his fingers over it. "I have heard that the visions of many appeared before them in the middle of a difficult combat, even in life and death one. In my case, one stormy night a few years ago, I went to sleep reflecting a bit on my journey so far and where I would go next. And the next day, the vision was just there."

"Seriously?" Ayaka exclaimed, much more shocked than Kazuha thought she would be. "It's the first time I hear something like that. Indeed the Archons must have seen some unique quality in you to grant you your vision under these conditions."

"We'll have to ask them sometime," Kazuha said ironically, laughing a little. "How about you? How did you get your vision?"

"It was a bit more of the conventional way you described earlier. It wasn't really a life and death match, but a training match with my brother. We had already had several confrontations over the years, as I think you had to see when we were children. But that was the first time I managed to get past and defeat him. After giving that accurate attack with which I managed to disarm him, and once the emotions settled, I realized that the wooden blade of my sword had been covered with ice. And my Cryo vision had materialized in it."

"It must have been a very emotional moment for you."

"It was. I remember it as vividly as if it were yesterday."

"Do you remember what you were thinking when it happened?"

Ayaka looked at him, a bit confused by the question. Even from her thoughtful expression, it was clear that she took her time to think about it and be able to give a correct answer.

"I think it was a lot of things. I thought about my mother, my father, my clan, and its duty with all of Inazuma... And especially the duty I had to perform from that moment on."

"I get it," Kazuha agreed. "Perhaps getting a vision depends more on the strength of your will or motivation at the time, rather than what you are actually doing. Perhaps the only reason why for many it appears at the moment of combat is because it is usually when the fire in your heart needs to burn more than ever."

"That is possible," Ayaka replied tersely.

In truth, the Heron Princess did not know anyone who knew for sure what determined who and when a vision was granted. Many even doubted that the Archons really had a direct hand in the matter. Perhaps it was more like what Kazuha was describing. However, it did make Ayaka wonder what exactly the boy was thinking or dreaming that night he had mentioned receiving his.

"So you finally managed to defeat Ayato?" Kazuha commented suddenly, drawing the blue-haired girl's attention again.

"Oh yeah," Ayaka replied, unable to hide all the pride in her words. "In a forceful way, if it's okay for me to say so."

"I remember how really skilled he was when we were young. He seemed almost invincible… although also a little arrogant in his own way. How did he take it?"

"Oh, very well... I think," Ayaka replied, a little hesitantly. "He hadn't changed much from how he was when you met him; it's still tricky trying to understand what he thinks or feels. But it seemed to me that he felt proud."

"I'm sure so. It is evident that you have become an exceptional swordswoman. But I'm not surprised because as children, you were always better than me."

"It wasn't like that…" the young Kamisato murmured, a little embarrassed by the sudden comment.

"Don't be modest," Kazuha emphasized. "I was a little late last night to see you fight Katsumoto, but that move you made to dodge and repel that swordsman who attacked you below, certainly impressed me."

Ayaka was a little startled upon hearing that. He was obviously referring to the incident with Ouji. With everything that had happened, it had almost faded from her memory that Kazuha had been there. How much had he seen? Or, rather… how much had he heard?

It wasn't exactly a moment Ayaka felt entirely proud of, although her companion seemed to see it differently.

"I could see up close that your movements are graceful and fluid," Kazuha explained, "like the movement of water that often sets the Kamisato style apart. But it looks like you were able to fit it perfectly with your Cryo vision."

"Did you deduce all that just from seeing that movement?" Ayaka whispered with a half-smile, apparently a bit skeptical.

"Do you think I'm bragging?"

"Of course not," the young swordswoman denied, slowly shaking her head. "But you showed off much more in your duel with Katsumoto. It was impressive what you did, as I told you last night. In fact," A noticeable trace of emotion suddenly appeared in Ayaka's eyes, "wouldn't it be great if we could have a practice duel like the ones we had as children? And thus measure how much we have improved in these years."

"Would be fun," the young Kaedehara replied, shifting his gaze slightly to the room's open window. "But I don't think this establishment has a dojo, does it?"

"No," Ayaka whispered thoughtfully, looking out the window as well. "But I know one not far from here that they might let us use.

"Really?"

"Would you like us to go? For the old times?"

Kazuha took a moment to ponder his response a bit. He didn't know how right it would be for Ayaka if more people would see them together outside of that place. However, there was a part of him, the part that was still a samurai that wanted to cross arms with his old friend at least once before they had to part again. Maybe just a quick duel.

"Yes, I would," agreed the young wanderer, nodding and smiling at her.

"Let's go then before it gets any later."

Ayaka was then on her feet, and Kazuha was not long in following her. Both went one after the other, towards the corridor and later the stairs. Ayaka's emotion was palpable in each of those steps; it was clear that she was as attracted to the idea as he was, or perhaps more so.

Walking down the hall downstairs, they soon passed a room with an open door, where Thoma and Tomo seemed to be sitting across from each other with a square shogi board between them. Surprisingly, at their respective sides were Tama and Taromaru, sitting with their gazes also fixed on the board. It seemed they had somehow managed to get along.

"We'll be right back," Ayaka said quickly and immediately resumed her walk towards the front door.

Hearing those words, Thoma jumped and quickly turned over his shoulder, just barely seeing a trace of Ayaka's long blue trail heading down the hall, followed closely by Kazuha.

"Huh? Where are you going, my lady?" Thoma questioned, looking a little worried.

"We won't be long!" Ayaka yelled at him already at the door, and the next thing they heard was the door sliding aside and their footsteps hurrying out. She evidently had no desire to explain more than was due to her servant.

Thoma hesitated a bit as to whether he should follow them or not. Certainly, the duties of his position became somewhat ambiguous in a situation like this.

"Your distraction seeded your defeat, my friend Thoma," Tomo commented suddenly, a little dramatically, placing his token for his turn's move.

Thoma turned back to the board, eyeing it suspiciously. Suddenly it seemed to him that he was at a far more significant disadvantage than he remembered.

"Did you move anything else?" Thoma questioned in an accusing tone.

"You better not blame me for things you can't prove," Tomo replied confidently, crossing his arms.

The Kamisato servant gazed at him in silence for a moment, then turned to the Shiba dog at his side.

"Taromaru?" he pronounced seriously, to which the dog responded with a loud bark.

"My, what a snitch," Tomo muttered with slight annoyance.

The place they were heading to was indeed not that far away, just as Ayaka had mentioned. They just had to go down the street from the tea house, running for the upper part of Hanamizaka. The dojo in question was apparently a bit small from the outside, built on one side of the main ridge of the highest part of the city, on a hillside overlooking the sea. As they approached, Kazuha took a quick look at the board just outside, which displayed the name of the school in black letters:

Meikyou Sword Art Shisui

Kazuha was slightly familiar with the name. Had he met a practitioner of that art on any of his travels?

"It's here," Ayaka pointed out, and with appropriate caution, she slid the front door, opening it so she could peek inside. "With your permission, we hope not to disturb you."

The interior of the dojo looked a bit larger than its facade made it appear, although it also helped that the place seemed almost entirely empty. Almost, except for a dark-haired girl who was on her knees to one side by the time they both entered, apparently wiping the shiny wooden floor with a damp cloth, cleaning it. She was concentrating hard on it, but when Ayaka's voice rang through the echo, the young woman looked up in surprise in their direction.

"Ah, lady Kamisato," she uttered with a broad smile, running an arm across her forehead to wipe away her sweat. "Welcome, how are you?"

"Good afternoon, Nanako," the Heron Princess greeted, removing her sandals before stepping onto the wooden floor. Kazuha did the same before following her. "We hope not to interrupt. Don't you have practice right now?"

"No, we had it earlier," the young woman, apparently named Nanako, informed her. "Also…"

Nanako paused for a few moments in what she intended to say and shifted her attention slightly to the right side of the dojo, specifically to a closed wooden door that Kazuha assumed led to an adjoining room.

"Since what happened to Domon-sensei, well... it's been a bit complicated," Nanako added with a bit of melancholy in her voice.

Kazuha was a little confused about that. For her part, however, it seemed that Ayaka knew in advance what she was referring to, as she immediately asked:

"How has he been?"

"He has good and bad moments," Nanako answered, feeling weariness in her voice. She stood up then, leaving the rag she was carrying in a bucket on the floor beside her. "We have asked the high priestess of the Great Narukami Temple for help, but… we have not received her answer yet."

Ayaka only nodded as a terse response to that comment. Kazuha guessed they were talking about some sick person. Still, what harm could there be that it had to turn to the high priestess? Although he had to admit that the special medicine that had been placed on his shoulder seemed to be quite effective.

"I'd like to introduce you someone," Ayaka murmured suddenly, extending her hand toward her companion. "He is Kazuha," she mentioned next. It was not lost on the Kaedehara boy that she had left out his last name, which he was grateful for. "He is… a… my…"

The hesitation became quite apparent in Ayaka as she tried to decide how she should present him. It didn't feel correct to refer to him as just an acquaintance, like Chisato. But was it more accurate to refer to him as a friend? Or… maybe a different name?

Kazuha realized this, and although at first he wanted to give her time to decide for herself, in the end, he chose to step forward and give her a hand before the situation got any stranger.

"I'm an old training partner of Miss Kamisato," Kazuha informed in a neutral voice. And, actually, he wasn't lying. "Nice to meet you," he added right after, leaning his body forward respectfully.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Kazuha," replied the young woman, imitating his gesture in the same way.

Ayaka sighed slowly and turned to the side for a moment, embarrassed at that little slip. But she wouldn't let it happen again. And with confidence recovered, she turned back to Nanako.

"We were wondering if you could lend us your dojo for just a few minutes."

"Lend you?" Murmured the young woman, somewhat perplexed. "To do what?"

"A friendly duel."

"Oh, I understand…"

Nanako looked at each of them curiously. She already knew about Ms. Kamisato's abilities beforehand since, in addition to her fame, she had trained with them a couple of times before. And she also noticed the sword Kazuha carried at his side, which meant he must also be a swordsman. But, to the level enough to challenge Kamisato Ayaka to a duel?

"I'm back, Nanako," someone's voice was heard saying from the still-open door. A boy with very short brown hair was standing in the doorway, carrying on his shoulders two sacks of what seemed to be rice, or perhaps barley, which he lowered, placing them on the ground next to the door.

"Ah, Junya," Nanako greeted him with wild enthusiasm. "Miss Kamisato is here."

The young swordsman raised his gaze upon hearing this. Although he had noticed out of the corner of his eye that they had visitors when he entered, he had not seen enough to realize who they really were.

"Ah, Miss Kamisato," he hastened to greet, bowing his body respectfully towards her. "It's an honor. I didn't know you would come, excuse my appearance..."

"Don't worry, we came unexpectedly," Ayaka hurried to clarify gently.

"Ms. Kamisato is asking if we can lend her the dojo for a while for a friendly duel between her friend and her," Nanako then explained.

"And a couple of wooden swords, if possible."

"Oh, sure, of course," Junya replied enthusiastically. "If you like, I can serve as a referee for your confrontation."

"That would be nice, thanks, Junya," Ayaka uttered, nodding her head slightly in thanks. She then began to withdraw her sword from her side in preparation for the duel.

"I'll bring you the training weapons then," Nanako pointed out, heading immediately to the cellar.

"Thank you very much."

While the two students of the dojo Meikyou Shisui prepared everything, Kazuha took advantage of that moment in which they were left alone to approach Ayaka, leave his sword with hers as well, and discreetly whisper one last concern.

"It would be best if the duel is done without using our visions."

"I know, don't worry," Ayaka replied, also in a low voice. "We don't want more than the necessary people to know about your vision. Also, did you see what happened yesterday when we collided our elemental energies? The last thing I want is to destroy this beautiful dojo."

"Yeah, you're right," Kazuha answered, smiling amusedly at that comment. Ayaka also smiled.

"Besides, when we were children, we didn't have visions," the Heron Princess added. "So it will be like then."

A high-pitched scream pierced the air at that moment, making Kazuha jump nervously. He turned his attention to the wooden door to the other room. That cry had come from there. Had it been the sick person they were talking about a moment ago?

"Come on, Kazuha," Ayaka said to get her attention again. The blue-haired girl was already heading to the center of the combat area, so Kazuha hurried to catch up with her.

They both stood in the center, where Nanako handed each one a wooden sword. Junya, for his part, took his position to the side, ready to watch the match.

"How do you want the winner to be decided?" the student asked them.

"The first to land a hit on the other," Ayaka commented, turning to Kazuha right after. "Do you agree?"

"Good to me," agreed the young Kaedehara.

Just one hit? Nanako wondered, a little curious. It will not be a very long duel, then.

Each combatant moved a few steps away from the other, taking their positions. They turned to their opponent and took their practice weapons in both hands, raising them to the front. They looked at each other, totally still, not even blinking. Their faces became equally hard, devoid of the emotion they seemed to have upon entering, or even devoid of anything else, like two wooden masks.

Nanako and Junya alike suddenly felt the air in the dojo turn a bit heavy… Was this more than just a friendly duel? However, Junya overcame his shock and got ready to start the fight.

"Go!" the young student instructed, waving his hand in front of him as if cutting through the air.

The instant after he had made his signal, the body of both combatants moved with an impressive speed that left the two students present speechless. In less than a second, both went from being in their respective positions to be right in the center, clashing their swords with the other's. The wood of the blades cracked from that first blow, almost as if they were going to break, although they held up quite well in the end.

After struggling for a few seconds, they both jerked back, making only a little distance before launching themselves at their opponent again. The attacks of his weapons were totally precise and without hesitation. Still, the other dodged or covered their attacks with amazing skill. They were both too agile and quick, faster than any other swordsman of their age that Nanako or Junya had seen. It was even the first time they saw Kamisato Ayaka fight like that. Had she been holding back the times she trained with them?

Kazuha and Ayaka kept exchanging back-to-back attacks for over a minute without a break. They never managed to get more than barely brushing a strand of each other's hair. After that time, both jumped almost in perfect synchronicity in opposite directions, widening the distance between them much more.

There was at that moment a silent agreement of momentary rest. They both stood in their positions, neither lowering their weapons an inch nor taking their eyes off each other. Both were breathing heavily, and the first traces of sweat began to run down their foreheads.

As I expected, Ayaka thought excitedly as she carefully observed the boy in front of her. I wanted to be serious from the beginning, and he did the same. Except for my brother, I hadn't met someone who could keep up with me like this. Most are even afraid to face me with all their might, but you don't underestimate me one bit, Kazuha.

Ayaka's fingers tightened around her sword, and she quickly began to advance toward Kazuha, who waited patiently for her, ready to continue their exchange of attacks that seemed almost to have turned into a dance between them.

Ayaka was enjoying it, no doubt about that. But she admitted she was a little frustrated that they couldn't use their elemental power and show all that they were capable of. And although she had joked that she didn't want to repeat the clash of energies they had done the night before, the truth was that she was a little excited by the idea of repeating it. To feel how their two visions combined with each other creating a beautiful and cold blizzard, something created by both in perfect harmony.

The duel could have gone on for much longer, but suddenly something changed the pace of things. After dodging one of Ayaka's attacks, Kazuha quickly pulled his weapon back, ready to strike back. However, as soon as he pulled his right arm back, a searing pain ran through his entire shoulder. The existence of the wound he had received the night before came abruptly back to Kazuha's mind, realizing that it was not as healed as he thought. Those seconds of hesitation were enough for Ayaka to notice the opening of his defense. And without realizing what was really happening, the Kamisato charged forward aggressively, throwing her sword in a circular motion towards Kazuha's right side.

Ayaka was the first surprised to feel how her sword actually managed to hit Kazuha right at that point because a part of her was sure that he would end up dodging it. The blow pushed Kazuha slightly to the side, and he staggered in that direction, taking a few steps forward, and then falling to his knees on the ground.

"Point!" Junya exclaimed, raising his hand to Ayaka's side. "Miss Kamisato wins!"

She listened to how she was proclaimed the winner, but Ayaka was not actually happy about it. Her attention was on Kazuha on the ground. He had raised a hand, pressing it not against his side where she had hit him but against his shoulder.

"Kazuha!" she exclaimed, alarmed, throwing her sword to the ground, approaching her friend, and crouching beside him. "For the Archons, your wound… I'm so sorry; I overdid it."

"Don't worry, it's fine," Kazuha uttered quite calmly, turning to look at her, smiling. "It was my fault for trusting myself too much. Since it hadn't bothered me all day, I thought it would be fine."

"Let me check," Ayaka requested right after, quickly allowing herself to pull back Kazuha's kimono just a bit to check his shoulder. The bandage had apparently turned slightly red; the wound must have opened a bit. "Let's go back to the teahouse so I can check it out better."

Kazuha nodded and immediately stood up. Although he was sure he could do it on his own, Ayaka insisted on helping him.

"Are you all right, Miss Kamisato?" Nanako asked, a little worried. From her perspective, the blow had not seemed so serious.

"Yeah, sorry," Ayaka replied quickly, not really wanting to explain too much at the moment. "I think we have to withdraw. Sorry for the inconvenience..."

The door to the adjoining room was flung open abruptly and forcefully, causing everyone present to jump, some more alarmed than others. On the threshold of the door, the figure of a tall man with broad shoulders and gray hair appeared. That individual was breathing hard, with his eyes wide open, looking in all directions. And perhaps most alarmingly, in his right hand, he held a drawn sword, its bright, gleaming edge exposed.

"Domon-sensei," Junya said slowly, a little puzzled. "Are you okay?"

That man, however, did not even seem to hear him. His attention was fixed right on Ayaka and Kazuha.

"What are those voices crying out so furiously?" he uttered hoarsely, taking small steps in the direction of the two young fighters. "Anzai? Suichi? Minako? Keita? Are you? Have you come to claim your retribution?"

"Sensei, don't worry," Nanako hurried, placing herself in front of him to try to calm him down. "It's okay; they're just guests..."

Before the young student could say more, the man grabbed her aggressively with his free hand and pushed her forcefully to the side. The swordswoman's body fell to the ground, hitting her side hard. The man continued to advance, almost as if he had not even realized what he had done.

"I can see it in your eyes," the man with the sword said bitterly. "The eyes that cry for blood. You deserve it, I admit it... But I won't give it to you so easily!"

And without warning, he grabbed his weapon in both hands and lunged at them with remarkable agility.

"Ayaka!" Kazuha uttered, reacting quickly to stand in front of the young Kamisato.

The wandering samurai swung his wooden sword hard against the metal blade, hoping to disarm him. To his surprise, the man's grip resisted well, and the weapon did not slip from his hands, although the edge bit into the training weapon, almost splitting it in half.

With a quick movement to the side, the gray-haired man pulled his weapon, bringing the wooden sword with it, and it was he who managed to disarm Kazuha. Then he pulled his blade, now free, forward with a thrust straight at the boy's face, but the boy managed to move quickly to the side to avoid it. Ayaka had reacted as well, stepping aside to get out of range of the Meikyou Shisui master's dangerous weapon.

Kazuha had to think fast because that guy was getting ready to attack them again. His sword was not at hand, but his vision was. And if he had to use it to prevent that guy from hurting Ayaka, he would definitely do it without caring if he gave himself away in the process. Ayaka, however, must have noticed this; perhaps in his gaze, or maybe he faintly perceived the elemental energy that began to swirl around him in the form of wind. Either way, she moved quickly before Kazuha did anything inappropriate.

"Master Domon!" she yelled loudly to draw the swordsman's attention to her. And as soon as that man laid his eyes on her, the Kamisato propelled herself across the floor towards him, sliding her feet along it with the power of her ice.

Domon quickly pulled his weapon back and then forward, directing the blade straight at the girl's neck. This one didn't have a sword at hand either, but she had something else. Halfway through their encounter, she pulled out one of her fans, stretched it out, and then twisted her entire body, pulling a large amount of elemental energy into the fan. By the time she was in the range of the master swordsman's weapon, her fan had swung strongly at him, creating a strong gust of freezing wind that not only prevented the sword from reaching her but the master's entire body was pushed back, frosty.

Domon's weapon slipped from his hands as he flew through the air, and the man fell back against the wooden floor. The impact seemed to have left him dazed, and he also began to shiver from the growing cold that enveloped him.

"Sensei!" Nanako and Junya uttered alike in dismay and quickly approached him, crouching down beside him to help him sit up.

Once the danger seemed to be neutralized, Ayaka managed to relax. He took a deep breath, lowered his arm, and dispelled her elemental energy.

"Are you okay, Ayaka?" She heard Kazuha ask her, approaching. The blue-haired girl nodded slightly in response.

"I hope I haven't overdone it," she whispered slowly, a little embarrassed.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Ayaka," they heard Junya pronounce suddenly, turning towards her still on his knees on the ground and crouching his body forward until almost touching the floor with his forehead. "I assure you that he really had no intention of hurting you. He... he just..."

"Don't worry, I know," Ayaka pronounced, extending a hand towards them as a sign of peace. "Kazuha, let's go."

And without further ado, she began to walk towards the door with her back straight and the bearing of a noblewoman of her position. She picked up her sword from where she had left it and prepared to retreat.

Before following her, Kazuha looked at the man on the ground. He began to mumble some things slowly while the young student helped him up. He seemed totally unaware of where he was.

Kazuha had seen something like this more often than he would like.

"With your permission," he said in dismissal, bowing toward them. "And thanks."

Without waiting for an answer, he took his sword and followed Ayaka out of the dojo.

Author's Notes:

Kazuha's description of how he got his vision is based on the story available in the character profile. On the other hand, Ayaka's short description of how she got her vision is partly based on the character's story regarding that moment but also on the animated trailer for "Tsubaki in Thawing Snow," in which her duel with Ayato is shown. I'm not sure if there is official confirmation that both times are the same as they seem to have some differences. But I like to imagine so.