Intro: Hmm… probably, someone will leave and never read this or something or will hate the writer or something.
Well then please enjoy the chapter… Reviews are very much appreciated. Thank you very much for everyone who added this story to their fave and follows list. I love you all thanks!
And special thanks to Minako for helping me think of new ideas for writing this story! I hope you'll continue helping me till the end. Thank you Mina neesan~
Disclaimer: I do not own Touken Ranbu and Cardfight! Vanguard and other material which came from the said Game/Anime, they are owned by its original creators. The making of this story and this story is made for the fans and the writer XD. Although the plot and some changes in the story are from me ^_^.
Chapter 8: A Helping Hand
At the inside of the infirmary Kiyomitsu and Yasusada saw a heavily breathing Aichi and is in pain, his hands clenching on the cloth on his chest, then Yagen noticed Kiyomitsu and Yasusada came in while Kiyomitsu is already running to Aichi's side.
"Yagen, What happened?!" Kiyomitsu asked then placed his hands down on Aichi's bed.
But it wasn't Yagen who answered "It was because of trying to force summon a Tachi without that much experience and strength." It was Konnosuke "Although I didn't say I blame Shokudaikiri, it was all on Aichi"
"What do you mean?" Kiyomitsu asked again this time to Konnosuke.
"I wasn't really planning this but at some point this will happen to him. I planned him to make an Uchigatana so I can understand whether it was really by luck or by skill also so that I can understand if he was truly ready" – Konnosuke
"WHAT!?" Kiyomitsu shouted
Aichi is still in pain is listening to their conversation and stopped a possible fight to happen and thought of calming Kiyomitsu by slowly reaching Kiyomitsu's hands with his free hand, Kiyomitsu felt something warm at the same time comforting hands touched his, he calmed down then looked at Aichi's face who was shaking his head left and right.
"Tsk" Kiyomitsu clicked his tongue.
Yagen sighed at the scene "You don't plan on fighting while Aichi-sama is in pain and in front of you are you?" also annoyed looking at Kiyomitsu then at Konnosuke.
"I'll explain later the details, for now Yagen make some medicine from the herbs Aichi has planted for you, make him calm down and make the pain subside for a moment" Konnosuke sighed "I'm afraid there is nothing we can do, and I was afraid of asking 'her' for help, I know I would get a lecture if I go there." Konnosuke stop for a moment's thought then continued "I'll be going for a while" and then left the premise.
Yagen sighed although he looked calm, the worry can be seen through him "I'm going to fetch and mix some medicine, fortunately you came at the right time look out for him for me."
Although Yagen was calm and collected when he came out of the infirmary where no one can see him he punches a nearby wall out of anger.
Inside the infirmary, Yasusada went to Kiyomitsu's side and saw their suffering master in front of them "Aichi-sama." Yasusada said.
Kiyomitsu holds tight Aichi's hands and continues to comfort him "Aichi-sama everything will be alright, don't close your eyes just yet okay." Kiyomitsu is afraid that if Aichi closes his eyes he wouldn't open it again seeing as how in pain Aichi is as if at any moment he would stop breathing in front of him.
Aichis' breathing became heavier and slower, although it was just minutes that passed it feels as if it was hours waiting for Yagen and it's making Kiyomitsu more anxious but with Yasusada at his side it keeps him cool assuring him that everything will be okay.
The sliding door of the infirmary slides open and showed Yagen "Yagen!" Kiyomitsu shouted in relief.
"Sorry it took a while, maybe I would plant more types of herbs there." Yagen said while readying the equipment's.
Yasusada and Kiyomitsu sighed in relief "Aichi-sama just a little more." But it looks like Aichi is almost giving up and too much in pain "Aichi-sama!" Kiyomitsu shouted while Yagen hurriedly makes the medicine.
Yagen knows that base on Kiyomitsu's plea Aichi is almost giving up and he has to make the medicine faster.
Aichi is slowly breathing, although to him the pain is still there but it's as if there is none, his vision became blurry and he cannot even hear Kiyomitsu and Yasusada's voice who are saying something but he cannot hear it, the pain is almost gone he thought and he knows that these signs means that he is losing consciousness and while thinking of those while still trying to hang for life he thought was he going to die?.
Aichi finally closed his eyes, Kiyomitsu and Yasusada widens their eyes "Aichi… sama…" Kiyomitsu said from shock.
Yasusada looked at the expressionless Kiyomitsu "Kiyomitsu…?" and murmured his name, it seems Kiyomitsu loved this master of them.
From the tone of his voice Yagen knew what that meant then his eyes widens and almost stopped from making the medicine but snapped back and still continued but before he continued "Kiyomitsu!".
Kiyomitsu snapped back and looked at Yagen and instructed while still working on the medicine "Relax Kiyomitsu, I know Aichi-sama wouldn't give up so easily, check his breathing and his pulse and heart."
Kiyomitsu nodded and then leaned forward to his heart while Yasusada checked for his pulse, then Kiyomitsu and Yasusada looked at each other and then smiled "He is still breathing and his heart is still beating." Kiyomitsu assured.
"And there is still a pulse." Yasusada said.
"Then it only means he passed out, still we aren't safe yet, although he is asleep it doesn't mean he is out of danger yet you still need to check him while I finish the medicine." Yagen said trying to make himself calm.
"His heart is beating slow…" –Kiyomitsu
"And his pulse is not pulsating normally too." – Yasusada
"Alright good thanks, I am almost finish at making the medicine." Yagen said and the two can breathe normally again.
Then after a few minutes Yagen finally finished the medicine and is in liquid form and in a test tube and slowly approached Aichi's bed.
Kiyomitsu and Yasusada sweat dropped a little and Yagen noticed "Don't worry I won't let him drink this if it is an experimental one."
Yagen placed a hand on his chin and thought of something "If Aichi-sama is passed out…" he ponders for a moment although he actually knows what to do but was trying to test something and trying to tease someone a little "Then for him to be able to drink this all…" he stops and looks at Kiyomitsu and then back at Aichi "I would be putting this into my mouth and perform a mouth to mouth so all the liquids will successfully be taken in by Aichi-sama since if I just place it in his mouth he wouldn't be able to drink it all since he is passed out and it might choke him from his mouth because he won't be able to swallow it down and worse case is that the medicine will be spilled."
What Yagen is actually thinking right now is that although Aichi is in dangerous situation he can't help but tease a certain someone a little to take some stress away he thought, although what he said about the mouth to mouth is also true so basically he wasn't lying.
Kiyomitsu blushed at the thought although he doesn't understand why but then took the medicine from Yagen's hands hurriedly and drank it but not swallowing it then his face became blue and Yasusada sweat dropped but Yagen was smirking at the scene, then while shaking a little Kiyomitsu slowly raised the passed out Aichi and placed him onto his arms then stopped for a moment and then after a while kissed Aichi to successfully pass out the medicine in his mouth and waits until Aichi successfully drinks all of the medicine.
When Aichi successfully drinks the medicine Kiyomitsu pulls apart and is bright red and then slowly placed Aichi down, Yagen chuckled at the scene while Yasusada is still astonished.
After that Kiyomitsu hastily ran out of the infirmary not even waiting about how Aichi is doing, Yasusada then followed Kiyomitsu while Yagen stopped chuckling and then proceeded to check up on Aichi.
~Kitchen~
Kiyomitsu hurriedly ran to the kitchen then hastily fetch a drinking glass and went to the sink to fill it with tap water then he stopped for a moment and then leaned forward to the sink and used the tap water to gurgle and clean his whole mouth.
Shokudaikiri was chopping up some vegetables when it happened and sweat dropped at the scene, then Yasusada finally caught up "What's the matter Kiyomitsu, you suddenly ran outside the infirmary?"
Kiyomitsu ignored the question and continued gurgling the water, Shokudaikiri still confused at what is happening, then when Kiyomitsu finished he breathed in and then "WHAT THE HELL WAS INSIDE THAT MEDICINE?!" Kiyomitsu shouted.
"What do you mean?" Shokudaikiri asked then continued to what he was doing.
Kiyomitsu was still furious and Yasusada filled in Shokudaikiri with details while filling in with details Horikawa came in and brought some fresh fruits "I just heard a shout, what happened?"
Then Yasusada sweat dropped and then also told Horikawa what happened, after telling the two about what happened, Horikawa and Shokudaikiri looked at Kiyomitsu "W-what?!" Kiyomitsu said and blushed.
"Nooooothing…" the three all said in unison but from their tone, Kiyomitsu could already tell that it was different.
Imanotsurugi also came and said "I think I just heard Kashuu-san scream."
Horikawa, Yasusada, and Shokudaikiri sweat dropped and thought how are they going to explain this to Imanotsurugi and then "Ah, you see, Yagen made another experiment medicine." Horikawa said.
"Achoo!" Yagen sneezed "A cold? Nah."
Imanotsurugi went pale "Imanotsurugi?" Yasusada called.
A few hours passed and all the 5 TouDan's (short for Touken Danshi meaning Sword Warrior that is if you didn't know) were still in the kitchen talking about what happened to Aichi.
"I see…" Shokudaikiri said.
Kiyomitsu immediately noticed Shokudaikiri and Yasusada's change of mood after telling the story.
"To tell the truth I am happy that I was brought to life but if it means stealing Aichi-sama's life is kinda…" Shokudaikiri started.
"It's as if it is also our fault even though it wasn't entirely us but still…" Yasusada said.
All fell silent at the thought.
"There will be no pointing of fingers here." Everyone turned to the voice and saw that Konnosuke is back.
At the infirmary the door slides open and saw a silhouette and Yagen then readied himself for battle but there was something about the person standing before him that doesn't feel like bloodlust and instead the atmosphere around that person feels somewhat calming.
At the infirmary Konnosuke continued to explain "It was no one's fault not even Aichi's, he was just doing his best but too much that took his own life without knowing."
Everyone gasped at what they just heard "Does that mean Aichi-sama is…" - Kiyomitsu
Konnosuke nodded "Aichi wasn't ready yet, he still can't properly control his divine abilities yet, although I saw potential in him, it is still too early without a proper control and training that he used his life energy too much and sapped it, the only reason Aichi was able to stand back up again is because his divine energy is helping him stand up because of his own will unbeknownst to him."
"Then why was he able to summon me and Yamatonokami-san?" Horikawa asked.
"The reason is because of the talismans…" Konnosuke explained
Then Kiyomitsu thought about something "His, new methods in bringing us."
Konnosuke nodded "Correct, I taught him that new method, I was testing weather Aichi was indeed ready and is capable of summoning high ranked swords or it was his will and divine power that is helping him by creating new sword warriors, then at summoning Yamatonokami I confirmed that Aichi was in danger of killing his own life."
Yasusada gulped at the information they are hearing "When he was able to summon Yamatonokami, his divine powers were depleted along with his life energy at the cost of his life, all his divine powers hasn't surfaced yet but I know for sure that Aichi will be powerful and able to handle it someday with training" At Konnosuke's thought "And I think Aichi will be the most powerful that I have seen when he gets enough training, I'm sure."
"Wait, what about Aichi-sama? It's as if you are speaking that he will be alright despite what had happened to him." Kiyomitsu said and the others noticed too.
"Oh, Aichi is being taken care of, why don't we check up on him now?" Konnosuke started leaving while all the TouDans looked at each other and then started to follow Konnosuke.
~At the Infirmary~
"Ah it looks like she is explaining the matters to Yagen too…" Konnosuke said and then waited for one of the TouDan to open the sliding door then Konnosuke said "Darn, I have got to remember doing that for me to be able to access rooms." He sighed.
When they opened the door a female that looks like from her 20's can be seen talking with Yagen, she has long black hair her eyes are color violet blue with fair skin color, she wears a Miko's outfit that runs down before her knees with white frills at the end then at her feet she wears a zori and has a gold mitama necklace and has a noticeably red bow on her head, she turned to person who opened the sliding door, instead of a person it was a them and greeted them "Hello, I am Mina Tsukiru."
"So how is Aichi doing, Mina?" Konnosuke said while walking to Aichi's side, everyone saw the soundly sleeping Aichi in the bed.
Mina sighed "His divine energy and life energy is almost depleted it was a good thing that we came in time, if we were a second later he would have…" Mina stopped to the final part of her sentence.
"Uhm… Thank you, for saving Aichi-sama" it was Kiyomitsu who slowly approached Mina and leaned forward to make a small bow while everyone did the same and thanks Mina for saving Aichi, even though they don't know how what matters is that he is safe.
"Alright, you all can go back to work, when Aichi is awake I will assemble all of you using the bells, well Aichi has the same ability but I haven't taught him yet." Konnosuke said and thought that he have so many things he have forgotten to teach Aichi then Mina sighed.
Everyone nodded and let them handle all the rest and left the premise "So 'how' is he really?" Konnosuke asked Mina.
"He is safe from harm's way but his soul…" Mina sadly told the news to Konnosuke.
"Do you think you can do something about it?" Konnosuke asked a little sad about what happened to Aichi.
"It's not your fault Konnosuke, its no one's fault just as you said, but right now…" Mina stopped and performed a ritual.
~Abyss~
Aichi is in a deep dark abyss that light cannot reach, he doesn't know if he was floating or he was laying down somewhere, but there is one thing for sure, he was all alone, he closed his eyes saddened at the thought and is being slowly eaten by the darkness.
"Aichi-kun?" - ?
Aichi opened his eyes a little from the sudden call, this voice wasn't familiar he thought.
"Can you hear me?" - ?
"Who… are you…?" Aichi asked but he was feeling that everything is becoming heavy.
"It doesn't matter right now, what's important is about you, are you really sure you are going to give up just like that?" - ?
"…" – Aichi
"Do you really want to give up this chance? I heard that you have a life outside other than in the citadel… also that you were once very timid and shy although still the same but you are gentle and kind, you changed, and are you sure you just want to end this like this?"
"But… I just make things worse…" – Aichi
Little by little the darkness is swallowing Aichi, almost his hands and feet are taken.
"You haven't done anything wrong yet, the accident, the summoning, it was a mistake that you need to learn from, but it doesn't mean that you make everything worse is that you cannot do anything about it and prevent it from happening again, we make mistakes Aichi, everyone makes mistakes, and every time we are given a chance to repent and change it."
"We are weak Aichi, and that is why we can become strong, by being strong we can overcome obstacles, by overcoming obstacles we became strong, obstacles are given to those who are strong and wants to be, all of us are strong we just can't see it and understand it yet."
"Do you really think I can become stronger?" Aichi said and the darkness that is slowly swallowing him are retreating and a faint glow of light is hovering above.
"I know that in yourself that you yourself can do it, you just need a little push" it seems that the voice is coming from that light.
"Can you help me?" Aichi asked
"I'm not the one who you should be asking, but I am ready to give a helping hand, and I am sure they will not ask for something back, just ask them and they will gladly help and I already know that you will do the same for them." The faint glow grew larger.
Aichi reached for the glowing light "It's warm…"
~Back at the infirmary~
Aichi slowly opens his eyes and Konnosuke made a signal for the TouDans, when the others heard the call, all of them rushed to the infirmary.
Aichi fully opened his eyes and heard the sliding door being rushed opened, although his body felt heavy so he wasn't able to stand up yet but he still kept at it and tried.
"Don't push yourself…" Mina said and Aichi searched for the person who spoke since he know that it was the voice that helped him.
While trying to stand up Aichi saw Mina then Kiyomitsu rushed to Aichi and hugged him tightly and murmured "Don't ever leave us again!" still everyone heard it.
"I'm sorry I won't." Aichi said crying.
"You're such an idiot, did you forget about us?" Kiyomitsu said while comforting him at the same time.
"Kiyomitsu is right Aichi-sama, you shouldn't keep the burden all to yourself" – Shokudaikiri
"We can help too you know" – Yagen
"We're family here" – Imanotsurugi
"You can share us what troubles you" – Horikawa
"Although I am new here, I already know that all of us here wanted to be by your side" – Yasusada
Aichi embraced Kiyomitsu back and cried all his heart out "I'm sorry I was weak… I wanted to be strong… I wanted to help too… I am actually happy that everyone comes back safe but I am also saddened by the fact that I cannot help."
"It's our job Aichi-sama" Yagen said and sighed
"We never regretted to have you bringing us…" – Shokudaikiri
"Instead we are glad that you gave this chance to us." – Yasusada
"I'm sure this will be a very good story for the next sword warriors' haha…" – Horikawa
"I want to get this family bigger, I can't wait so Aichi-sama." – Imanotsurugi
"Don't you dare say that you got shy of telling us." – Kiyomitsu
Aichi chuckled a little "I was right, right?" Kiyomitsu said while caressing Aichi's hair.
"Well… that is who Aichi-sama is." Shokudaikiri sighed.
Everyone puts a smile on their faces and everyone laughed then the TouDans looked at each other then…
"We are counting on you Aichi-sama… please take care of us…" Imanotsurugi, Yagen, Shokudaikiri, Horikawa, Yasusada, and Kiyomitsu all said even Konnosuke while Mina smiled at the scene before her.
Aichi nodded "Yeah please take care of me too."
"This family is still small and there will come a time that this place will be full of laughter, although behind it there will be more hardships to come, and this is just the start" This is what both Konnosuke and Mina were thinking at the moment.
Kiyomitsu parted away from Aichi then wiped the tears off him but still supporting him to be able to sit up, then Konnosuke remembered something "Oh, yeah Aichi, I was thinking of telling your mom that you got a cold and ask the school to give you a day off."
Aichi went pale "But if you say that…"
"Yeah I kind of knew that I'm sure that she will be visiting this place when she finds out that you are sick" Konnosuke gulped "Also aren't all of you hungry yet, you all skipped dinner" then Konnosuke's tummy grumbled.
"Yeah… dinner is finished but…" Shokudaikiri said and stopped.
"You were worried about your master and doesn't have the appetite to eat right?" Mina said and smiled.
"Then why don't all of us eat now?" Imanotsurugi said
"But how about Aichi-sama?" Horikawa asked, clearly Aichi can't move yet.
"Then how about we just bring his food here and one of us will help since I won't advise him going to the dining room at his state" Yagen said looking at Kiyomitsu.
"Then how about we all just eat here?" Yasusada proposed.
"Oh! That's a good idea Yamatonokami" Shokudaikiri said.
"I won't approve of that." Yagen said and an eerie aura can be felt around him.
"Then how about outside?" Imanotsurugi said pointing at the outside of the infirmary.
"Yeah that is much better, then Kashuu will be helping feed Aichi-sama" Horikawa said.
Kiyomitsu was surprised "M-me?" Aichi and Kiyomitsu both blushed at the thought although Kiyomitsu is still unaware of what is he truly feeling inside of him.
And then everyone's tummy grumbled "Although it is late, why don't we start" Shokudaikiri said
"Yeah!" Imanotsurugi, Horikawa, and Yasusada said, while Yagen just smiled and Shokudaikiri clasped his hands "Well then let's start preparing"
Shokudaikiri turned to Mina "At this time of day I am sure you will be staying here and have dinner with us, we will also prepare a room for you to be able to use."
"Thank you very much for the hospitality." Mina said then Yasusada and Horikawa fetch some tables to use, then Imanotsurugi and Yagen fetch the chairs and then Shokudaikiri for the foods.
While setting up the whole place, Mina turned to Aichi, "Greetings Aichi, I am Mina Tsukiru, I can be called your teacher or superion and I am also a Saniwa just like you. Nice to meet you." Aichi and Kiyomitsu gasped.
Outro: I think it's already obvious but Kiyomitsu is my favorite TouDan hihihihi…..
Argh! I am torn, whether this will be a Kaichi or Kiyomitsu X Aichi. But I will still proceed to the love triangle then I will decide who will be paired. But to tell the truth Kiyomitsu X Aichi is much heavier, and as I said in the intro this I think is one of the reason some readers will leave haha… since no more Yasu X Kiyo and Kai X Aichi.
I added a friend's own character Saniwa, I didn't say it at the intro since it will hint a spoiler haha…
Thank you for reading! Please review or pm for any suggestions or problems on the story.