Chapter 2: Introduction Part 2

No One's POV

Since the age of 7, Sakura (Kaoru & Genta's daughter) Tadashi, Miyuki, and Tsukiko started their samurai training. When Tadashi and Miyuki turned 13, they received a visit from Tanba and Hikoma sensei. Tanba and Hikoma sensei both heard that another Gedoushu clan was developing and that the children would need to figure out whose shodophone each one would be taking and who would be the new Tono.

Now this is where life started to become hard for young Miyuki. Being the surprise twin, Tanba didn't really like her. In fact, he viewed her as nothing more than an accident that happened to be born. In his eyes, Sakura should be the rightful Tono because she's Kaoru's daughter by blood and not adoption. But to his dismay, Sakura wanted nothing more than to become her father's student and take over the Shinken Gold powers. But because there were now two shodphones for Shinken Red, they decided to have a competition between all the kids to see who deserved the power. Tanba noticed how Miyuki was a natural when it came to mojikara and fighting, he knew he had to eliminate her from the competition. The day they were all supposed to compete, Tanba took Miyuki aside and told her how she was never going to command respect from the new samurai team because she was a mistake that should not have been born and that she would ultimately lead the team to their deaths, etc.

After their "talk" Miyuki withdrew herself from the competition. No one really pushed her about her reasons for not going through with it, but her family could tell that something changed about her. She seemed more reserved than usual and less talkative. But regardless of what was happening they still needed to be trained, so each went to their predecessors. Tadashi and Tsukiko went with Takeru & Kaoru, Sakura went with Genta, and Miyuki went with Kotoha. Everyone seemed to be making progress with his or her new powers except Tsukiko. It wasn't that she wasn't a very skilled warrior, but whenever she had to use the red shinkenger's power it didn't come naturally. She really had to work hard to produce half of what Tadashi could. Takeru didn't really think much of it and figured she just needed more practice, but Kaoru felt differently. Kaoru thought that Tsukiko was having a hard time because she wasn't meant to be the red shinkenger, but kept it to herself for the time being.

Tsukiko usually spent most of her time practicing and one-day things went very wrong. She was trying to do an attack that involved fire and it randomly went flying into a nearby building setting it on fire. Knowing that there were people trapped inside, Tsukiko, Sakura, Miyuki and Tadashi rushed to their aid.

Tadashi's POV

As soon as we arrived, I noticed that there was no way to put out the fire safely. "We can't put it out. We're going to have to go in and get all the people out before the building gives way. Even if it means risking our own lives."

We all looked at each other and nodded in agreement before running inside. While in the building, it was tough. I could feel the sweltering heat coming from the flames. But we managed to get everyone out before the building was destroyed or so we thought. As the building was beginning to fall apart, I could here a little girl screaming for help. I sighed knowing what had to be done. I stood up and ran back towards the building.

Sakura saw me first and shouted, "Tadashi, no! Go back in there and you'll be killed for sure!"

"I know, but someone has to help that girl!" Without looking back I ran back into the fire.

Once inside, I noticed that Miyuki had followed me. "Why the hell did you follow me?!" I yelled over the roaring flames.

She looked at me stubbornly and yelled back, "I'm not letting you do this by yourself! Besides, with two of us here, we'll find her faster!"

We both nodded and started to look for the girl. Miyuki was the one who found her. "Tadashi, I got her!"

I let out a sigh or relief. "Great, let's get out of here! The house could cave in any minute!"

As we made our way toward the exit, that's when we saw him. Standing in the flames was a gedoushuu.

"Gedoushuu!" Miyuki and I exclaimed in anger.

It just laughed at the both of us, walking closer and closer; lessening the gap between us. As the building could collapse at any moment, I made an executive decision. Before she even knew what happened, I pushed Miyuki hard sending her and the little girl flying out of the house right before it fell to pieces. While I felt my skin burning from the flames, I knew I made the right choice. It didn't take me long to pass out from the searing pain and then all of a sudden the pain went away and I thought to myself, Well, I'm dead. Is this what it's supposed to feel like? But when I discovered the truth of what happened, I knew everything would never be the same.

Miyuki's POV

I crash landed, out of the house still holding on to the little girl and watched as the house fall onto my brother. There were no words, to express what I was feeling. My brother sacrificed himself so this little girl and I could live. This was entirely my fault. I could hear my sister crying in the background being consoled by Sakura. I gave the little girl back to her family and went over to Tsukiko. She hugged me close to her and begged me for forgiveness. I gently rubbed her back as she cried on me. "Tsukiko, it's not your fault."

She cried even harder. "It is my fault! I couldn't control the power and it started the fire!"

I pulled away from the hug. "Look me in the eyes, /turns her head upward to face mine/ straight in the eyes; this was not your fault. Understand me? You're the new leader of the team and we need to go home to discuss-…"

She shook her head and hugged me tightly once more. "Neesan, I don't want to be red anymore! /my eyes widened/ I'm not good enough and I don't deserve it!"

I was the reason Tadashi died in the end, like I deserve it anymore than you do. But if this was how she really felt, I could find a way to make it work. "We're going to go home and tell mom, dad, grandma and grandpa what happened and I will try to fix this, okay? If you don't want to be red, we'll figure something out."

Sakura pulled the both of us in for a hug. "Shall we go home?"

I nodded my head and slowly helped Tsukiko off the ground. "Let's go home."

On the way home, I carried Tsukiko on my back as she was still in shock and tired from all the crying. Sakura took this time to see if I was okay. "So what really happened in there?"

I sighed. "It was a gedoushuu that set the fire, not Tsukiko. We saw it as we were about to leave and because I was carrying the little girl, I was the one to walk out alive."

Sakura made eye contact with me. "You know it wasn't your fault either, right?"

I stayed quiet refusing to make eye contact, deciding not to answer her. After a moment of silence, she spoke again. "You're strength during this time is admirable."

I looked down. "Thanks, but this is just something that I have to do. I can't afford to break down."

She nodded in understanding. "If you ever need to breakdown, I'm here. That's what family is for."

I let out a sad laugh and my voice broke slightly as I spoke. "I know that. Thank you for being much more than my family. You're my best friend."

Tears streamed down her face as she let out a shaky laugh.

After what seemed like forever, we finally reached the front gate of our house, it made everything more real and final. Tadashi was really dead and our lives would change forever. Nothing would ever be the same. Sakura put her hand on my shoulder and gave me a sad smile. "I think it's time to go in."

I nodded, not trusting my voice again after the last time and entered the building together as a new team.