A/N: The prompt began with "my" so this is in 1st person. I don't write in this point of view often, but Warrior-san was fine with it so I'm going to assume this is good. Also, as you have probably noticed, this fic is a little more than just a normal high school AU. I've added some more of my own elements to the story, including backstory, so if you object to what I'm doing, the only thing I have to say it "why are you even bothering with this?"


My Inspiration

I never thought I would come here again. Not ever. Not after what happened. And yet, here I was, willingly standing inside my family's dojo. For a long time, all I could do was stay in the entryway, unable to make myself take another step inside. I only took it all in, exactly as I remembered it: the white walls, the pristine tatami mats, the shinai and padded armor neatly aligned in racks along the walls… I didn't think I would see it again, but here I was, wanting to.

No. "Want"wasn't exactly the right word for it. More like "need".I needed to be here, my personal feelings aside. If I really wanted to protect the people I cared about, then I would have to suck it up and strive to get stronger in this world, not just the virtual one. Just like Shino.

My eyes lingered on the assorted gear on the walls, my attention reluctantly being drawn to one of the many bamboo shafts displayed there. I took a few hesitant steps toward the wall until I was close enough to touch them. It took a minute, but I eventually reached my hand out, cautiously grasping it in my palm. The grip felt so familiar, like I had never stopped practicing Kendo. It was weird.

Pulling the shinai off the rack, I planned to hold it out in front of me, but just as soon as I removed it, the tip fell and almost smacked the ground. Eyes wide, I compensated for the weight and stopped it, lifting it up again. It was heavier than I expected. It was definitely different from my sword in ALO, or even SAO for that matter. That reality easily registered as my eyes examined the wooden blade.

Suddenly, an image flashed before my eyes. I was no longer in the dojo. It was dark and cold. Red spattered everywhere—

Immediately my muscles seized up, my chest feeling like someone landed a hard punch to my sternum. Suddenly, I felt light-headed, unbalanced, and I staggered back a few steps to stay upright. I struggled just to take a breath, holding it and letting it out with the minimum of shakiness. I dropped the shinai, the noise of it hitting the floor seeming to echo throughout the dojo. I clutched at my chest, taking a rattled breath.

Breathe. Just breathe.

I automatically followed my own instructions, putting all my focus on forcing air into my lungs and out again. I went and picked the shinai up, and repeated the same cycle several times, not stopping until the tremors faded. I don't know why I still acted this way after all this time. I had reasoned with myself over and over again, trying to come to terms with it, but even my logical side couldn't quell the turmoil inside me. But maybe facing it would.

Finally, I opened my eyes, staring across the room for a beat before forcing myself to look at the sword clutched in my hands once again. At least the red was gone.

I sighed, gingerly placing the weapon back into its spot and stepping away, my eyes unable to stray away even as I stepped back. I knew I needed to get back into Kendo, but this… problem… of mine needed to be overcome first. It wouldn't happen overnight, obviously, but just bringing myself to hold it once was a good first step.

"Onii-chan?"

I tensed slightly at the voice, but once I recognized who it was, I turned around to face her. "Sugu? Hey."

"Hey yourself," she said in awe, staring at me like she had never seen me before. "What are you doing in here? You haven't come in in a long time."

A small smile touched my lips. "I was thinking about taking up Kendo again."

There was a pause, her dark eyes blinking as her brain tried to comprehend what I said. Then, her expression lit up and she clapped her hands together in excitement. "Really?!"

"Yeah. You wouldn't mind giving me lessons though, would you? I'm a bit rusty."

"Of course!" she said, a bright smile breaking across her face. "Oh, Onii-chan, that's so great! We'll have to make sure that we have padding that fits you though. Your old gear obviously doesn't fit. Now I know we have some extras around somewhere." Suddenly occupied with her thoughts, she walked across the dojo toward the storage room.

I felt my smile widen as I watched her. She was one of the reasons why I had to do this. I needed Kendo so I could protect her. She and my aunt were the only family I had left. I had to do everything I could to protect them. And Shino. I couldn't forget her. She was the biggest reason why I decided to do this. I remembered that day after school when those girls were bullying her. I was lucky that they were just a couple of girls that time, but what if it had been a mugger or a guy with a knife? What then? I wasn't exactly the fittest guy in the world. I needed something to give me the power to protect, and I would get that something even if my instincts told me to run the other way.

I couldn't help but chuckle a little. I guess… maybe I was in love with Shino. They say love can make you do stupid things, even face your worst fear. But it can also inspire you to go beyond what you thought your limit was. And I was definitely pushing that boundary.

To think, I used to fight with Shino so much. Now, she was my inspiration.