"Hiko-sensei? He has past away a year ago, fought an honorable battle to uphold honor and to save your life." As Kenshin told the tragic news. Midnight came and Yagami was having difficulty sleeping. He went to the training room where he saw Kenshin sleeping at a corner. As Yagami went to grab a kendo stick, a voice spoke, "Fancy seeing you awake at this time of the night. How about a little bit of sparring for old time's sake?"
"Sounds good." Both men chatted as they sparred.
"So tell me, how come your blade didn't slice the opponent?" Kenshin paused, hesistating to answer but smiled before replying, "It is a reversed edge blade, cuts through everything except flesh." Yagami was shocked before getting knocked down by Kenshin. "You're losing your focus, what's bothering you?"
"Nothing, it's late. Maybe I should get some sleep now." As dawn broke, everyone had a scrumptious meal but Yagami dwelled on the thought that the Kenshin he knew was gone. Kenshin had never used a reversed edge sword before and was behaving like an honorable swordsman and leads a decent life with his friend now turned wife Kaoru.
Flashback
During his younger days, Kenshin was feared as the samurai known as 'Battousai', which meant the master of battu-jutsu, the art of drawing the blade. Moving with stealth and rapid speed, opponents die at his blade in a blink of an eye. The first time Yagami met with Kenshin was when Kenshin was the previous Shogun's bodyguard. As the Shogun was in friendly terms with the 3rd Hokage, Yagami was allowed to stay in the village to learn some sword skills.
Training was basic as the chuunins trained in the open field as what the Hokage instructed them. Than it was down to a one-on-one sparring between Yagami and Kenshin. Kenshin, who was moving with graze and momentum, only blocked every strike Yagami dealt with ease. Seeing an opening, Kenshin struck his kendo on Yagami's arm, which received a great amount of pain.
That night after dinner, Yagami went to the training room and called out to Kenshin. If Kenshin were to help in the battle against the Shinsengumi he had to revert to Battousai but Yagami was figuring out how to get back his friend's drive to kill again. As Kenshin took the kendo, Yagami threw Kenshin his reversed edge sword and unsheathed his own.
Kenshin, upon seeing the blade, spoke, "Ah, the Izayoi, the spiritual sword you were given by Hiko as he knew you were a ninja with unique abilities…" Before Kenshin could finish, Yagami went in for a strike. Soon the Hokage kept delivering violent thrusts but Kenshin still defended with his reversed edge and awaited an opening Yagami could stand no longer and shouted, "Kenshin! This is not like you! If you want to help me to defeat the Shinsengumi, you've got to revert back to Battousai!" Hearing that name made Kenshin stop in his tracks and dropped his sword.
"Do not mention that name ever again! That man is no longer associated with us!" Kenshin shouted as he left the room. Overhearing the shouting, the chuunins came to check on the situation, "Hokage-sensei, are you all right?" Sakura asked worriedly.
"I'm alright. You three should be sleeping, we've got a big day tomorrow." As they proceeded back to their room, Sakura grabbed Yagami's arm.
"There's a wound, you're hurt badly." Sakura said as she began to heal the injury.
"Thanks, now get some sleep." Naruto and Sasuke, who were just about to tuck in overheard the conversation before Naruto asked, "Is Sakura-chan developing a crush on your brother?" Sasuke, being the type that couldn't care, only answered, "It is their personal business, so don't bother so much dope."
Author: Oh, love is in the air for Sakura and Yagami! Will she confess her true feelings to the Hokage? Will the elder Uchiha accept the young girl's affection for him? Stay tuned to find out!
Editor: Why do they have to stay tuned?
Author: Cos I'm still working on the next few chapters!
Editor: Slow as usual…