Intro: Thank you for reading, thanks for the favorites and the follows.
No on with the ninth chapter I hope you all like it.
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 9: The first steps
~Wednesday Morning~
Aichi woke up from the light streaming through the windows of his room, last night Konnosuke gave him permission to sleep in his own room at the second floor but he cannot leave there that was the condition, although it was the same if he was recovering in the infirmary, then he sighed at the thought.
While sighing on the thought he hears voices from outside downstairs and stood up from his bed then moved around the room to listen where the sound is louder, then when he picked up the loud sound he peeked through the window facing the garden and saw that Shokudaikiri, Yasusada, and Kiyomitsu talking to someone at the hallway downstairs.
"So Konnosuke have you talked to Aichi-sama's Mom?" it was Shokudaikiri who asked it seems it was Konnosuke they were talking with at the veranda.
"Yes, she wanted to check how Aichi is" Konnosuke said but Aichi can't seem to see him, maybe he is sitting at the veranda.
"So what did you say to her?" Kiyomitsu asked looking quite worried.
"As I said yesterday he caught a cold yesterday but today he is feeling better." Konnosuke answered.
"How is Aichi-sama though?" Yasusada asked and then Aichi thought about yesterday and sighed again.
"Hmm… I haven't checked up on him yet" Yagen asked then Aichi got curious he thought if all of them are assembled there.
"Ah! Isn't Aichi-sama usually awake at this hour?" Imanotsurugi said then Aichi saw him came out of the veranda and looked up at his room and then sweat dropped.
When Imanotsurugi looked up "Ah!" he said and Kiyomitsu, Yasusada and Shokudaikiri looked up too and saw Aichi peeking through the looking at them from upstairs.
Then four of them greeted Aichi "Good Morning Aichi-sama" then Yagen and Horikawa went out of the veranda and greeted Aichi too it seems all of them really are gathered downstairs.
"Uh… uhm… Morning." Aichi awkwardly answered then he noticed Kiyomitsu's face turned sour and thought that he got mad but then Kiyomitsu just sighed.
Yasusada noticed "Eh? What's the matter Kiyomitsu?"
"Nothing…" Kiyomitsu said and then looked away but Yasusada feels like it was not nothing.
"Hmm… I can't think of a good story of what Aichi is here, I can't just flat out and say that his son has this ability and you know." Konnosuke sighed "This is much more tiring than what I usually do."
"Eh? Why can't we say the truth to her?" Yasusada said asking the reason why it was kept as a secret.
"Only Aichi-sama's family doesn't know what and who Aichi-sama really is here." Kiyomitsu somewhat answered his question.
"I don't want them to worry about Aichi, although it is selfish but maybe we'll say half the truth to her so it would be fair." Konnosuke thought but thinking inside how though?
"So what part are you talking about?" Shokudaikiri just said what is on Konnosuke's mind and then flopped at the veranda.
"K-konnosuke" All of them sweat dropped at the scene it looks like it is too much of a problem for Konnosuke, while Aichi is still looking through the window at his room listening to the conversation got curious at what happened to Konnosuke that made their face all weird.
"So, what time does Aichi-sama's mom will come?" Horikawa asked getting back to the topic.
"She said it will be this afternoon, since Shizuka, Aichi's mom said, she is going to wait for Emi after school." Konnosuke said although Aichi can't see him but he can hear that his voice is somewhat stressed out then Konnosuke continued "There is still some time left, let's all plan this out at lunch, you can say all your suggestion to me so that we can plan this. Although I am not keeping Aichi's status a secret but all the other things such as the smithing and going to the past is very confidential."
Everyone nodded they know what Konnosuke was talking about then Konnosuke continued "Also, I am planning for Kiyomitsu to show Shizuka and Emi the way here."
Kiyomitsu sighed, he already knows the reason so even though it is too much work he didn't complain since they don't know the way, then he looked at Yasusada "W-what?" Yasusada said.
"Oh, you can bring him." It seems Konnosuke already knew what that look meant and gave him permission.
"Well then let's begin to do daily chores, I'll go take a look if Mina is awake and help Yagen checkup on Aichi." Konnosuke said then everyone disperse and went to their daily chores.
Aichi sighed and closed the window of his room and made his way to his desk and looked at his notes if he ever has homework to do.
~Downstairs~
"Oh, Mina you're awake." Konnosuke and Yagen saw a walking Mina that looks like she just woke up.
"Good Morning Konnosuke, you too Yagen" Mina greeted and yawned and then Konnosuke sat for a moment.
"Good Morning." Yagen greeted.
"Morning, It's rare to see you like this" Konnosuke asked curiously wagging his tail.
"It's about Aichi-kun, I was worried last night if whether he will still wake up if he slept again." Mina said worried about Aichi's condition.
Konnosuke sighed "You are such a worrywart Mina, I know that he won't give up that easily, c'mon let's check up on him." Konnosuke stood up and then asked them to follow him.
While walking Mina remembered about Aichi's mom visiting "Oh, yeah I wonder what I would say to his mom." Mina thought.
"Oh yeah good point, Aichi's mom doesn't know that I can speak and then about him being the master of this whole citadel, I need to tolerate the whole day Aichi being called without honorifics." Konnosuke sighed, it seems this is really too much stress for him.
"Well then how about this…" Mina suggested something to Konnosuke while walking upstairs nearing Aichi's room.
~Aichi's room~
"Aichi-sama, may we come in?" Yagen called from the other side of the door.
Aichi hastily pulls away from his desk and then went back from his bed "Yes, you can come in."
Yagen opened the sliding door then Konnosuke followed by Mina came in and sat in front of his bed and then Yagen closed the door and followed them.
"So, Aichi-kun, how are you feeling today?" Mina asked smiling at Aichi although inside she was happy that he looks well.
Aichi was not used to talking to people so he stuttered and can't answer normally "U-uhm… I-I am doing fine." Mina smiled at Aichi's shyness.
Konnosuke looked at the whole room and noticed notebooks on top of his desk "Yup, he is doing good alright."
Mina and Yagen followed what Konnosuke was looking at and saw the pile of notes on top of his desk then Yagen sighed and Mina sweat dropped "Are you sure you should be doing your homework?" Yagen said.
"I'm fine really…" Aichi said defending himself.
"There is still a strain in your body so if you overwork well not overwork just work then it'll be too late." Konnosuke sighed it seems it's full of sighing this day "Looks like it won't work just letting you stay here." The whole room was filled with silence for a moment.
Mina was first to break it "I guess our options would be either get someone to look after you here or allow you to go downstairs where everyone can see you?" Mina suggested but both of them had the option of being watched so there was no option at all for Aichi.
"Both I guess… it will just be like letting him go outside." Yagen said thinking of a much better solution.
"Then how about letting him go outside with the exception of not letting him do work or he'll be sent back here at his room with someone looking after him" Konnosuke made a good suggestion that is the best way.
Three of them nodded at Konnosuke's suggestion and then when they all agreed, Yagen started checking Aichi's health and it seems that Aichi really is in good condition now "I guess you really doing great". Yagen said finishing his checkup.
Before Yagen finished he almost forgot about Aichi's injury and asked Aichi for the said injury to be checked after lunch at the usual time "Oh I almost forgot, Aichi-sama I'll be looking at your arm at the usual time in the infirmary please."
Mina got curious of what Yagen meant to Aichi's arm, she didn't have that much information about him from Konnosuke she thought that fter this maybe she should ask about Aichi more.
"Well, I can see no sign of fatigue and stress so I guess sleeping did the job?" Yagen thought seemingly in awe at Aichi's fast recovery and at the same time curious.
"There are two things that may have caused it, it's either Mina gave him a lot more than he needed" Konnosuke looked at Mina and it looks like she didn't flinch so she is not guilty "Or, when Mina healed Aichi giving him some of her powers to save him, that must have awakened some of his abilities, some of his powers must have come out."
"I just gave him what he needed to help him, I didn't give him more that's why I was up all night thinking that I should have gave him more." Mina said also telling them the reason why she was awake late at night "It seems that it was Aichi-kun's strength that got him back up again, also you are not planning something are you Konnosuke?." Mina added a little worried of what Konnosuke always does.
"I won't" He flops his ears down "We should let him rest for the whole day then continue tomorrow, starting by training him to be a proper Saniwa and I'll leave it to you Mina." Konnosuke said then stood up from his seat and headed to the door.
Mina smiled at Aichi "I understand…" he said then Mina stood up and opened the door then followed by Yagen.
"Eh, Aichi-sama" Yagen looked at Aichi.
"Oh, I'm going to finish my homework first." Aichi said getting back to his desk.
"I understand, we'll wait for you at the veranda." Yagen said then continued to go outside of his room and slides the door close.
While walking downstairs when Yagen was left behind "Konnosuke…" Mina said.
Konnosuke sighed it seems he already knows what Mina was is signaling about when she called him "I understand."
~Veranda at Noon~
When Aichi finished his homework, he went downstairs and is sitting at the veranda waiting for lunch then while waiting Kiyomitsu and Yasusada passed by near the pond at the bridge.
Kiyomitsu stopped and noticed a sitting Aichi at the veranda he got a little annoyed and worried then he rushed to where Aichi is leaving Yasusada "E-eh? Kiyomitsu?" Yasusada said looking at where Kiyomitsu is headed and saw Aichi sitting at the veranda "Aichi-sama?!" Aichi looked at the person who called and saw two people running towards him "E-Ehhhhh…?!" Aichi said in surprise.
"What are you doing here?!" Kiyomitsu scolded, then Yasusada caught up "Yeah, shouldn't you be resting at your room Aichi-sama?" Yasusada said.
Aichi puts his arm up in defense to Kiyomitsu and Yasusada but mainly from Kiyomitsu "Yagen, Konnosuke, and Mina-san said all agreed that it's alright to wander around with the condition of not doing any work or I'll be sent back to my room and stay there with someone in my room looking out for me." He explained.
Kiyomitsu just sighed and then "Everyone it's time for lunch" Shokudaikiri said walking up to the hallway calling for the others and noticed a sitting Aichi at the veranda then ran to his side "Aichi-sama what are you doing here."
Aichi smiled sheepishly and thought that this will continue on forever, while explaining he stood up and then all of them headed to the dining hall, where the same question popped out and again, and again he explained his situation with Yagen's help. Then Mina and Konnosuke entered the room and joined the meal and confirmed that it was indeed true that he is allowed to go out except to not do anything that will mean work and stress.
While eating lunch everyone suggested and agreed to let Aichi's status be hidden for Shizuka and Emi's sake, they don't want them to be worried about Aichi and to avoid making Aichi go back to his home and stop him and confusing them making things more complicated, Aichi will just be a normal person who lives with them at the citadel and Mina will be the head of the whole citadel which is not entirely false.
They all have agreed about the idea and for a day Aichi will be called by his name only without honorifics even though Konnosuke extremely disapproves Aichi being called without honorifics which all of them agrees to since he is their master, but if they want Aichi to stay then they need to bear it just for one day. Everybody sighed at the thought except for Aichi and Mina.
When the meal is done, Aichi and Yagen headed to the infirmary then was stopped by Mina and Konnosuke asking if it is alright to follow them and also telling them the reason.
The 5 TouDans were left at the dining area, while Horikawa and Shokudaikiri were cleaning all the plates at the table Shokudaikiri thought of the reason why both Yagen and Aichi headed out together " I forgot, Yagen is doing the daily check up on Aichi-sama's arm right?"
"Eh, Arm? What happened to Aichi-sama's arm" Horikawa said and stopped for a moment from what he is doing.
The whole dining area was again filled with silence and Kiyomitsu's face changed from smiling to a frown a little annoyed and at the same time angry about the thought and it didn't go past Yasusada.
"Mou! Shokudaikiri-san!" Imanotsurugi said raising his arm in the process.
"Ah, Sorry sorry!" Shokudaikiri said placing his free hands up in defense.
Shokudaikiri didn't continue since he knows this is a very sensitive issue and just let Kiyomitsu tell the whole story if he ever wanted to. Then Kiyomitsu looked at Yasusada and sighed and told them the whole story. Then the room really did fell dead silent after the story was told.
Kiyomitsu stood up from his sit without another word and then headed outside the TouDans that were left could only look in silent "Although they were able to patch things up with each other, it doesn't mean that Aichi-sama's fear of the battle field is gone." Shokudaikiri said feeling a bit sad at the fact that Aichi can never go back to the battlefield.
~At the Infirmary~
While Yagen finishes patching up Aichi's injury Konnosuke can't seem to stay still and is fidgety "Spit it out Konnosuke" Mina said at the frantic Konnosuke "Let me see, you want Aichi-kun to do something but you got to let him rest so you don't know what to do."
Konnosuke flinched at what Mina said, it seems she hits the nail on his head then Mina sighed "What do you want to do".
"I wanted to try and see if he really awakened some of his powers…"Konnosuke said while flopping his ears "I know I shouldn't be thinking this but well…"
Mina sighed "This is method of yours is really bad you know, you almost put Aichi's life in danger."
Konnosuke sighed and felt ashamed "I'm sorry Aichi" Konnosuke apologized.
"E-eh… its alright" Aichi said trying to comfort Konnosuke. And based on this reaction Mina clearly understands little by little what his personality is.
Then Yagen noticed a lot of sighing today and blinked two times while bandaging Aichi's arm "How about you Aichi-kun is it alright for you to do this?" Mina asked.
Aichi nodded "If it is alright with the two of you then I don't mind." Then when Yagen finished bandaging him up, Aichi thanked Yagen and stood up, "So when are we going to do it"?
"Aichi-kun." Mina became serious.
"Y-yes!" Aichi flinched he is thinking if she got mad at agreeing with what Konnosuke wanted.
Mina stood up from his seat then headed to Aichi's side and patted his head slowly "Aichi-kun, you are such a kind young boy, but Aichi-kun, sometimes you have to learn to say no. You are the master of this citadel, for the first time you have set foot here, this whole place has now become yours. You need to be tough and show some backbone. Although I don't want you to end up like this but, it's not always that there will be someone there to help you, you need to learn to stand up for yourself, to save yourself." Aichi fell silent at what Mina told her, he doesn't have the courage yet so he just does what Konnosuke say, even though he has the authority he just let's Konnosuke do everything.
"When the time comes that you are ready Aichi-kun, you will be the one to lead, think for yourself and make orders, Konnosuke and I will be helping you to be a proper Saniwa to control your powers but we are not the one to be teaching you to stand up for yourself but it doesn't mean that we will leave your side, so before that time comes but I hope even before you are a proper Saniwa you can stand up and make decisions for yourself." Mina stopped patting Aichi then gave him and a warm soothing smile that helped ease a little of Aichi's worries.
"Then is it alright for me to make a sword? I want to meet and befriend them." Aichi said although a little reluctant about asking but he mustered up the courage. Mina smiled at the thought of the swords well-being for having a kind master.
When Aichi finished and Mina nodded "Is it alright if we do it right now then?" Konnosuke asked looking at Mina.
"Alright but just a Tantou so that it won't deplete much of Aichi-kun's energy." Mina agreed then started walking at the door then waited for Konnosuke and Aichi to lead the way while Yagen continued to do the daily chores.
~Smithing Room~
At the smithing room, Mina was observing how Aichi is making swords and noticed something "Konnosuke you clearly aren't teaching him the proper way of making swords."
"No, he's just nervous because there is someone watching him." Konnosuke said while his eyes is closed.
When Aichi had finished making the sword they just needed to wait for a while and left the room then "How about I teach you how to defend Aichi-kun, since I know Konnosuke is really eager to test you and can't wait till tomorrow" Mina suggested and said what Konnosuke really is thinking then guilt tripping Konnosuke by staring at him while smiling, then Konnosuke gave up and flopped his ears and leaned his head down a little from defeat.
They headed to the garden to start a little training, when they arrived Konnosuke stayed and sat at the veranda while Aichi and Mina are standing near the pond.
Mina reached from her sleeves and took a talisman with a crest, the crest is a silver crescent moon holding a dew-shaped sapphire in the center and Aichi saw the crest and thought that it is beautiful.
Mina noticed the look but then what she did next is what made Aichi more in awe, the talismans in her sleeves floated above her, the talismans were enveloped with a glowing light that looks like an indigo color around with a hint of pink, when they have gathered around her, Mina waved her hand upward and the talismans move and formed a barrier around her. It shined a bluish violet color that can be seen with the naked eye.
Aichi was in awe she can make the talismans listen to her will without a sweat, this is a true Saniwa someone that he should become.
"Now Aichi-kun, this is what we are going to practice, focus your resolve on the talismans, don't waver or the spell will be broken." Mina instructed while the barrier is still formed around her, from her level she can envelop herself with the barrier completely making her safe.
Aichi nodded and held six talismans on his hand and wished for protection, he didn't move an inch then the talismans started to glow, Mina saddened at what she saw but then she continued to wait for him. He kept focusing then one paper started to float but his eyes were closed so he didn't know.
He suddenly lost his focus at the thought that if he didn't progress or get stronger nothing will change, then at the thought of protecting everyone, Mina and Konnosuke is surprised that the talismans were envelope in a blue color and started to hover above him but he still doesn't know, at the thought of going back to the battlefield able to help them, the talismans formed a barrier, although it was still small that only covers his face and to his stomach it is still a great achievement.
The barrier glowed in the beautiful color of light blue with the talismans still glowing a bright blue "I-I did it!" Aichi smiled ear to ear at what he has done, it was a very good achievement.
"Good Job Aichi-kun, Konnosuke, looks like you were right, his powers really is surfacing little by little the color is a proof of that." Mina smiled at the thought, it seems Aichi has a pretty good resolve for him to be able to make it and she knew that a little more practice will make it stronger.
"You are indeed right, but even if he did it successfully… is the barrier strong." Konnosuke smiled at what Aichi did but as his teacher too it doesn't mean that he'll go easy on him "Mina…" Konnosuke signaled.
"I understand." Mina waved her hand to the left then the talismans that formed a barrier broke and is now pointing at him, Aichi knew that something is going on here and waved his hand forward and the barrier grew larger and glowed more brighter, he has to protect himself.
Mina and Konnosuke were surprised at what Aichi did it still doesn't answer the question if he was able to make it thick and strong. Mina waved her hand forward and the talismans all came rushing towards Aichi, he accepted and then readied himself for the impact.
The talismans that Mina casted at him kept crashing at the barrier he made, he cannot hold his footing as if he will be blown at how strong Mina is, and it doesn't seem like Mina is holding back her attacks either, she was coming at full force then a cracking sound can be heard then at the last batch of Mina's attack, the barrier that Aichi made broke into pieces and he fell down at the impact.
"Aichi-kun?!" Mina closed her hands and the attack stopped then she hurried at Aichi's side "Aichi-kun are you okay?" she supported Aichi who is trying to stand up.
"I'm alright, thank you" Aichi huffed and then he saw his talismans on the ground in pieces with Mina's talismans also.
"That was pretty good start Aichi, you were able to withstand Mina's attacks at you. I hope you can do the same again in the battlefield and next time we train again." Konnosuke praised Aichi, it seems his first attempts is outstanding for him.
"Well then let's get you rested up and then let's head back to the smithing room." Konnosuke said wagging his tail in delight.
~In the Smithing room~
Mina and Konnosuke were looking closely at Aichi whether he will be able to successfully do it or will it be a fail.
As what Konnosuke told him, he used the new method and used the talismans as a medium then Aichi noticed the change in color "Eh?"
"It shows that you have indeed improved Aichi, congrats" Mina congratulated Aichi, the color of the talisman is the same color blue when he made the barrier.
He shrugs off the idea and continued focusing on what he is doing, then the talismans enveloped the sword and petals came rushing out and a silhouette of someone that looks like the same age as Yagen showed himself.
"I am Midare Toushirou. …Say, do you want to wreak havoc with me?" The new sword said which is now revealed as Midare.
Aichi noticed the difference in this new TouDan and thought of something.
Outro: Ack! Xiao Pai syndrome I'm still affected X_X.
The part where Aichi calls Mina, Mina-san feels like minna-san sorry Mina neesan~ hehe…
Thank you for reading! Please review or pm for any suggestions or problems on the story.