(Disclaimer: I do not own YST nor RW, they are owned by Sunrise. Neither do I own the characters of the original series.)

(Author's Notes: Please, DON'T BLAME ME if some of the details are insufficient, since I had never seen the entire series before. I'm just fascinated over the series, that's why. Some of the characters added are of my own and not related to other anime, in short, ORIGINAL. So please, enjoy reading and review it! This is my first taste of writing fanfiction, and I'm not too good at English, so please BEAR WITH ME...)

SAMURAI PHANTOM REKKA: CHAPTER ONE

Episode Eight: THE HISTORY CLASS

An ordinary day for Ryo Sanada (hope so...) as they tackle about the his WORST subject: Japanese history. English might be his waterloo, but at least he's doing his best to pass it. But Japanese history? No. Ironically, he's a Japanese who doesn't even care about the past of his ancestors. His only point was why every Japanese must still have to learn its history as they have to take up the English subject. For him it is not that important as doing a 3-page essay in English or you will be flunked. Secondly, it's too ANNOYING, especially...

"During Feudalism," the teacher started the discussion, "A class of people emerged to defend their shogun and their country known as samurai. During that time samurais were the highest class of people since Japan's primary concern was military power, unlike China where education then was their main priority and scholars were considered the highest class. The warring states period gave way to the new type of warriors called ninjas. They were served as spies and were excellent at retrieval and guarding purposes, and they were quicker and have higher ability than armored samurais. They mostly attack secretly by groups. Am I right... Mr. Sanada?"

Ryo, resting his chin against his hand, was caught by the teacher's attention. "It seems that you are intending not to listen, aren't you? Stand up!"

Ryo had no choice but to follow. He stood up and stretched himself in front of the teacher.

"If I'm not mistaken," she started, "Your clan was once belonged to a class of ninjas during the time of Nobunaga. The Sanada Ninjas were popularly known for helping rebel samurais to defend the nation. Am I right?"

The whole class were amazed at what they had just heard and started talking to each other.

He began to fuss off. But as the rules go, he had to answer. "...Yes, Ma'am. My folks even told me about it. They often tell stories about our ancestors. But everythin' sounds Greek to me..."

"And by what explanation, if you please?"

"Well... it's just that annoyin'..."

"Are you trying to say that you are ASHAMED of being a ninja?"

"That's not it, Ma'am..." he tried to control his temper, "My father once said that bein' a member of a ninja clan surely's so tough. One must follow certain rules in order for the clan to survive at least with order. But he hated bein' choked up with so many rules so he decided to go to Africa as a wildlife photographer. If I were in his place, I'll do also the same thing if I hafta..."

"That means escaping from responsibility!"

"Yes...and no."

The teacher became speechless. The whole class also turned mute after their whispers.

"Yes... and only my father knows why. And I believe, no, 'cause he still lives in the way of a ninja--his OWN way, like I do. That's what my father told me that we don't need so many rules just to be a fulltime ninja. As long as one has a heart and the determination to be one, that's already enough to follow them without forcin' one to do so. That's all."

"That's... ALL?"

Silence hailed the whole classroom. Everyone became so amazed at Ryo's unexpected speech that no one interfered, not even Luna.

Speaking of Luna, she slowly got up and made soft claps as a sign of deep appreciation, followed by a faster, louder claps. Soon others followed her, too, clapping for him.

Until everyone applaud loudly for 'THE GREAT NINJA, RYO SANADA'!

He turned red.

The teacher felt ultimate INSULT on her student! "Are you trying to make fun of me, Mr. Sanada?"

"Ma'am, no!" his snappy answer, "I'm just tellin' the..."

Suddenly his whole world turned dark...

Ryo sensed something strange again. This time, only his teacher can be seen: nagging at him WITHOUT any noise at all. Until he saw the gradual metamorphosis of the surrounding: there was a great fire in the place and men with horses were scattered everywhere; all of them were in black full armor carrying swords, sticks, javelins, scythes, mancatchers, killing anybody on their way with no mercy. One group of brown-armored men were defending the town against the black side. The townspeople screamed with fear, seeking for help. The whole town is in total CHAOS!

But amidst the tremendous scenario, the teacher was still standing there, nagging at him without words!

Could this mean that Ryo was looking at his teacher's THOUGHTS? Thoughts about Feudal Japan?

So that what it was looked like, he thought. There were many different samurais: some defending the country, some just kill for mere pleasure of killing. In the scenario he saw, there were two groups of samurais fighting: the brown-armored men were the defenders and the black ones were the enemies. They were fighting in the middle of the town. Many lives had lost, many ties had torned apart, their livelihood turned into ashes. And yet the defenders were trying their best to protect the people from the intruders.

But suddenly, one of the brown samurais spoke to him!

"...This will all happen... if the destined samurais don't move quickly..."

...Destined samurais?

Ryo was shocked upon hearing the brown samurai spoke to him. He talked to him although these are all only from the mind and thought of his nagging teacher? How come?

All of these happened in just one present minute.

As the brown samurai drew his sword out, its luster regained Ryo's consciousness and was brought back to the present after that time travelling.

And also...

"MR. SANADA!!!!!"

But instead of being surprised, Ryo seemed to be motionless, his face a bit shocked, and uttered nothing to answer. Worse, he lost his weight on his feet and collapsed!

The teacher was the one who became shocked.

She rushed to the collapsed boy (who was helped by Jumbo and Chibi behind him) and "...Mr. Sanada?" she tried to wake him up, "Mr. Sanada?" she tapped him on his cheek a few times, "Are you all right? What happened to you?"

At last, Ryo regained his consciousness, "Aw... my head..." he groaned, "Hey... what happened, anyway...?"

"You're collapsed, man," Jumbo answered, "Bet you're exhaust'd to answer her that tough!"

"You're GREAT, man!" Chibi patted him on his shoulder.

"We never thought that you're smart!" Yukari commented.

"Yeah! Keep that up!" Yukaru cheered.

Then everyone greeted Ryo like their HERO!

Unmindful of their uttered praises on him, the teacher the president, "Miss Williams, take Mr. Sanada to the clinic!"

"Yes, Ma'am!"

Strong hands accompanied him to the clinic when the bell rang, a signal that ended their 'remarkable' lesson today.

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(Chapter Nine will be uploaded ASAP! Look forward to that, please! And please R&R, too! Thanks!)