Intro: I present you chapter 12. Although the title is a little misleading, but if don't read the story you won't understand, but still though there is a problem is I was able to you know, do it. Anyway on with story.
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 12: the cost of life is another life
~In the Infirmary~
Kiyomitsu sighed and then approached the resting Aichi he stretched out his hands to reach for his head and pats it "I'm sorry Aichi-sama, can you forgive me?" He apologizes while caressing Aichi's hair, but alas there was no reply.
Kiyomitsu exhaled and then took his hands off of Aichi's head then used both his hands to reach for Aichi's hands that covers his face and forced it to take it off but gently, he forced try to take off the hands not use force to take off hands..
When Kiyomitsu successfully took off Aichi's hands off his face he saw that he had such a sad expression and reflected on what he did.
"It's okay" Aichi said then closed his eyes and finally took a rest. While Aichi takes his rest, Kiyomitsu slowly caresses Aichi's head.
~After Lunch~
"I think it will be best to do it today" Konnosuke said thinking of the time that will be consumed "Since tomorrow is rest day Sunday, so we can relax and enjoy every once in a week from all the bustling around the citadel." He continues to wag his tail left and right, as if he was proud of himself or something.
"But Konnosuke have you forgotten what we've planned" Mina said surprised form what he said thinking that once again he forgot. When they heard what Mina said the others thought what it would be to them if they had something in planned, could it be that they are in it too, they all thought.
"Oh, yeah I forgot…" Konnosuke's tail flopped downwards and saddened at the thought then he brought himself back "Then if not today, maybe on Monday." He said.
Then after some thinking he coughs "Ahem." And everyone turned to listen "After you finish all of your appointed chores, I will have Aichi, appoint your next mission, as starting today, Aichi will be the one giving orders as his first step of being a Saniwa, your master" his morale came back and then turned to Aichi "Aichi after this, make sure to properly split their team" Konnosuke stopped for the moment since he know what expression will he have if he told him about this "and Aichi, I will be giving you permission to bring a new Touken Danshi." Konnosuke finished.
"R-really?" Aichi confirmed.
"Yes, so for now let's go to the smithing room and talk about it there, then we will discuss about the sortie and expedition." Konnosuke said and leaped down and then headed to the entrance.
~Smithing room~
Aichi, Mina, and Konnosuke were already inside the smithing room. Aichi doesn't know what he should do so he was just standing and waiting orders from Konnosuke.
Konnosuke noticed the long wait and asked Aichi what is the matter "Is something the matter Aichi? Are you not feeling well?" he asked.
Aichi got confused and asked "Eh?"
"Huh?" Konnosuke said tilting his head "Wait could it be that you were waiting for our instructions?" Konnosuke realized and then Aichi nodded.
Konnosuke sighed "Aichi, didn't we tell you that starting today we will be leaving everything in your judgment, meaning everything will be up to you, but we will still help you every step of the way and help you in your every decisions, you need to act as a leader, and you will learn it little by little." Konnosuke finished.
Aichi nodded and started making the sword. So he can do what he wants he thought and so he thought if he can experiment on the time and length of the sword that he will bring "Okay!" Aichi said and then continued making the new sword.
~At the garden~
At the garden while waiting for the sword to finish, Aichi set an alarm to his phone and then readied a pen and paper, he then writes the names for the expedition and the name for the sortie. After finishing he asks Mina and Konnosuke for suggestion.
"Mina-nee, Konnosuke, what do you think?" Aichi asked showing the paper.
Mina took the paper and both her and Konnosuke examined the lineup "Well, then, it's a good thing that we've asked to change since you are now ready to give your orders." Konnosuke said and then tapped Aichi's bracelet "I'll show you how you can use this"
"First whether you want to call a few or even one person or all of them, think of them in your mind or call their names, after you have thought who to call the next step is to convey your message and then the bell will ring that will resonate to the ones that you have given the message." Konnosuke explained another function of the bell. "Simple as that."
"Wow this bell is really handy." Aichi said staring at the bell.
Konnosuke at this time had a really smug look on his face "I know right!" he said proudly while Mina sweat dropped at the scene and shrugged it off.
Aichi tried using the bell and then he thought of everyone then after calling them he conveyed his message to them, he heard the bell rang and stood up and Mina and Konnosuke followed to wait at the center of the citadel. A little while later all of the sword warriors have assembled in the center of the citadel wearing their battle outfits.
Aichi took deep breaths and his atmosphere and expression change to a serious one that surprised everyone even Mina and started "I want everyone to listen to my command, today we will form a party of two, one party for a sortie and another one for an expedition." Aichi said nervously but everyone can see that Aichi had pulled it off well "I will start with the second team that will go on an expedition who will gather information and resources, I will call the captain last and members first" Aichi pulled out the paper he was writing on earlier and then read the contents "For the first member, Imanotsurugi" Aichi called.
"Of course!" Imanotsurugi answered.
"Horikawa Kunihiro" Aichi called the second member.
"If you need assistance leave it to me" Horikawa answered, ready for battle.
"Shokudaikiri Mitsutada" Aichi called the third member.
"Ah, I just have to support everyone, right?" Shokudaikiri said, understanding that he will be a support for the team.
Aichi stopped for a moment before saying the name of the captain "Kashuu Kiyomitsu." Aichi got ready for what will Kiyomitsu will say but then someone saved him.
"That's right give the lime light to us new swords." Yasusada said, thinking of a reason to not start a fight, judging by Kiyomitsu's stories he already figured out the answer to his question why Aichi chose him.
"What a bore, okay I'll be the captain" Kiyomitsu surrendered he seemed like he knew nothing but deep inside he knew Aichi best. He knew this will be his choice, and he acknowledged it, he knows the reason and that's why he didn't press the issue and accepted it.
Aichi continued "The second unit will be heading to Utsonomiya in The Battle of Koshu Katsunuma, you have a minimum time of 20 but I will allow a 30 minutes maximum expedition time." Aichi ordered the specific time and place where they will be heading off "Now for the formation of the sortie" Aichi started "I will now appoint the members…" Aichi pulled a different paper.
"Yagen Toushiro" Aichi called the first member of the first unit.
"When it comes to taking down the enemy leave it to me" Yagen readied himself.
"Next, Midare Toushirou" Aichi called the second member.
"Suuuure~!" Midare Toushirou said while raising his hands.
"And lastly Yamato no Kami Yasusada, I will appoint you as captain." Aichi said then placed down the paper he was reading.
"I'm the commander? I've gotten promoted." Yasusada was surprised and then look at Kiyomitsu bragging a little.
"Yagen, support Yasusada in this battle, and to the both of you help the new member of this unit and family" Aichi smiled and continued "The first unit will be heading to Kyoto's Toba." He said and prepared himself.
"Toba?!" Kiyomitsu and Yasusada spoke aloud in unison who were surprised at the location that Yasusada's team is headed to.
After that he looked at the time on his phone "The second unit can start anytime they want, while the first will need to wait for a while for the new Sword Warrior." Aichi finished and dismissed all of the TouDans.
When all of the TouDans have left with their team to talk about planning and some stuff, Mina and Konnosuke approached him "That was a very good start Aichi" Konnosuke praised.
"Yeah, that was better than I have imagined." Mina said patting Aichi's head "Good work Aichi-kun keep it up" then Mina and Konnosuke left and headed off first.
Aichi sighed he thought to best prepare himself until the time the he meets up with Kiyomitsu and then started to head off to the garden.
~At the Garden~
As what he thought Kiyomitsu was already waiting for him, he stopped for a moment and then prepared himself then went to go to Kiyomitsu's side and didn't even look at him.
When he reached his destination, he can't seem to find the right words and was unable to say anything, his worry only started to grow since Kiyomitsu is not saying a word but after some silence "I'm not mad." Kiyomitsu said comforting Aichi.
"Eh?" Aichi was surprised at what he said then turned to look at him.
"Don't worry I understand" Kiyomitsu said and then turned to face Aichi and then smiled.
Aichi bowed his head in sorry but Kiyomitsu didn't mind and then patted his head to comfort him.
"I was just waiting for you, I know that you were thinking about it, so when I come back let's talk it about if you want to." Kiyomitsu said and then started to leave.
"W-wait!" Aichi stopped Kiyomitsu to which the latter did stop and waited for him.
Aichi came closer and then reached for Kiyomitsu's head and then patted him, he remembered the times he always did this to him and smiled softly "I missed this…" Kiyomitsu said and closed his eyes, Aichi smiled at the thought.
"Good luck and I hope you get the resources needed" Aichi said while joking a little that seems to be not his character so Kiyomitsu was surprised and then chuckled at the thought, Aichi then took away his hands and then waved goodbye at the leaving Kiyomitsu in front of him.
While deep in thought and relaxing in the garden for a while Aichi's alarm rang and was caught off guard by it "Uwa!" when he heard the sound came from his phone he reached for it "it's time already" he said and then stood up to head for the smithing room.
~Smithing room~
When Aichi finally reached the smithing room, he noticed that Mina and Konnosuke were already inside waiting for him.
"We'll be here by your side so if anything happens we can do something to help you." Mina said and smiled encouraging him to bid good luck and support to him.
Aichi stood in front of the finished sword and thought about his resolve, he thought that he needs to grow stronger, so that one day he can stand again on the battlefield with everyone so that he may be able to help them and save them and then his thought trailed off to Kiyomitsu, he started to blush but he shrugged it off because he need to focus.
Aichi took a deep breath and then used his talismans to start bringing the sword to life. The talismans glowed a bright blue that surprised Mina and Konnosuke although it was still faint the color is visible, when Aichi finished chanting his command to the talismans they made their way to the sword.
When the talismans has been completely engulfed by the light, it headed for the sword and engulfed it with its warm light but when the talismans had finished, it shone a faint blue light, strong wind gushed and petals started fluttering everywhere.
When the light of the talisman slowly disappears a tall man greeted them "Yo. I'm Tsurumaru Kuninaga. Are you surprised that somebody like me came here so suddenly?" the man that called himself Tsurumaru said while walking forward to meet his new master.
Mina and Konnosuke were surprised that Aichi was able to bring a high ranked sword. Tsurumaru who is all white that resembles a crane that has a long line of history has come forth who is brought by Aichi successfully. Aichi looked at Tsurumaru and did what he always says to new sword warriors "My name is Aichi Sendou, I am the master of this citadel, please call me Aichi, Please take care of me from now on." He bowed a little to Tsurumaru.
"Yo Aichi-sama, please take care of me from now on too." Tsurumaru did the same.
When Aichi slowly tried to stand up straight again, he felt his body go numb and his vision became blurry, he almost fell but Tsurumaru was able to catch him since he was the closest.
"Aichi-kun!" Mina shouted in worry.
"Aichi" Konnosuke shouted in unison with Mina. Then both of them hastily went to Aichi's side.
"Ah! Aichi-sama." Tsurumaru said suprised while supporting Aichi.
Aichi was thankful that he didn't faint, but he can feel his body going weak and was unable to support himself, it was a good thing that Tsurumaru was able to support him fast "Thank you Tsurumaru-san, I'm fine… just… a little tired." Aichi answered between breaths.
"Eh? San?" Tsurumaru was surprised at the honorific.
Konnosuke got mad all of a sudden "Aichi!" Konnosuke scolded although he didn't need to say why cause Aichi understood what he meant.
Aichi flinched and Mina was surprised from Konnosuke's shout, even Tsurumaru "S-sorry." He said.
Konnosuke sighed "Tsurumaru, will it be alright if you carry him to the infirmary?" Konnosuke asked for a favor.
"Sure no problem!" Tsurumaru agreed, but then he noticed the height difference and thought that it will be hard to support him like this, so Tsurumaru placed his hands arms around Aichi's waist and under his knees and then lifted him up.
"Uwah!" Aichi was surprised at the sudden action that he almost fell when he was lifted up but because of panic he unintentionally grabbed for Tsurumaru's shoulder "Ah! S-sorry." He panic but because of it he suddenly felt pain from his head and then slumped on Tsurumaru's shoulder while holding his head by his free hand.
Tsurumaru, Konnosuke, and Mina got worried "This is the same as what happened to him summoning Shokudaikiri…" Konnosuke said.
Tsurumaru heard the name "Eh, Mitsubou?"
"Anyway, we need to check up on him if it is the same as that, his life will be in danger once again." Mina said while heading first to the infirmary.
Tsurumaru nodded and followed Mina to the Infirmary while Konnosuke followed.
~At the Infirmary~
It was a good thing that Yagen is always at the infirmary at the right time, it seems he is taking some medicine for the sortie.
"Yagen!" Mina called, when he heard his name called, he turned to look for the owner and saw Aichi again being carried, he sighed but then he noticed that a new person has come, he looked at the crest on his hoodie "Tsurumaru Kuninaga." He said then shrugged at the thought and then followed to where Aichi was laid to.
"What happened again?" Yagen said and surprised Tsurumaru "What do you mean again? Does this always happen?" he asked.
"Pretty much." It was Konnosuke who answered "It's the same as with Shokudaikiri so we need to immediately check his health."
"I will find your captain to inform him to let Tsurumaru practice first while you two check on Aichi." Konnosuke ordered and then asked Tsurumaru to follow him and then left the three in the room to head off to somewhere.
~At the training hall~
"I knew that you would be here." Konnosuke said looking at the Okitagumi sword and one of the Awataguchi sword, it seems they are practicing before the sortie.
"Yes, do you need something from me?" Yasusada asked and stopped the training between Midare and him.
"Yes" he said and then looked at Tsurumaru.
"Oh" Tsurumaru understood the gesture "I'm Tsurumaru Kuninaga, I'm the new sword that was brought by Aichi-sama."
"I showed him the way here so he would be able to practice first before you go to the battlefield." Konnosuke said explaining the situation "Also come find me if you are ready"
"Okay got it." Yasusada said, then Tsurumaru was looking at the wooden swords in the training hall while Konnosuke started to leave.
~Back at the infirmary~
Konnosuke entered the room and noticed a sleeping Aichi "So how is he?" he asked while walking to them.
Mina smiled "He is out of danger."
"Don't tell me it is the same as that time." Konnosuke said, trying to figure out what really did happen.
Mina's smile changed into a frown "Almost…" she answered.
"What is the difference between that time and this time?" Konnosuke asked for a thorough explanation, it seems Mina is hiding something so he wants answers.
Mina lets out a sigh and then started to explain the details "The difference this time is that today Aichi–kun used almost all of his Divine powers in our training, so we gave him time to rest and eat for some of his energy to come back." She stopped for a moment then continued "Then by the time he used his ability to bring Tsurumaru Aichi's body was still fatigued, and not all of his powers have come back, so his body became very tired after the summon." While explaining to Konnosuke, Mina is slowly caresses Aichi's hair "Plus he used all his Divine powers again while summoning Tsurumaru, and it is a well-known fact that you need to give a part of your life energy when bringing a sword to life that's why it saps your energy greatly, and this time Aichi used ¾ of his energy almost depleting his life energy that is critical."
Yagen was surprised at what Mina last said, he knew that his energy will be sapped depending on who he summons and what he summons, but it didn't occur to him that the energy that will be sapped is his life energy. Inside he felt ashamed for not understanding what that word meant and felt sorry and sad about their master's health and well-being.
Konnosuke understood the situation and he continued for the explanation on the answer he needed "So Aichi isn't in that much danger the last time he summoned Shokudaikiri, because we didn't push him to his limits, like to summon another sword, and that it seems that the amount of Divine energy he has have grown."
Mina nodded "And it was because of the surge of his resolve and because his divine powers have grown that he was able to bring a powerful sword and almost danger his life." Konnosuke finished.
Mina sighed "Yeah that is the explanation of it, but one of the main reason he was able to be out of harm's way is because he wasn't forced to create swords again and again just because someone wanted to know if Aichi-kun has improved, and because we were able to prevent that from happening again and was able save him." Mina said guilt tripping Konnosuke.
Konnosuke flinched "But the amount that was taken is still big, almost his life energy was taken again, it seems higher the sword the higher the cost, and of course higher divine power." Konnosuke thought.
"If Aichi-kun just has more Divine power, it wouldn't cause him that much life force." Mina added.
"So the short version is the difference of how he summoned them." Konnosuke said finally coming to a conclusion.
"It was a good thing that his Divine power have increased and that he used the method of using his divine powers first before his life energy so he was able to be out of harm's way." Mina added then stood up from her seat "I guess I will stay here looking out for Aichi-kun, while Konnosuke escorts the sortie team since the expedition team has a time limit, they will be brought back here automatically." Mina said then headed outside for a moment.
"Yagen" Konnosuke called.
"Yes!" Yagen was in a deep thought but was able to snap back to reality.
"Let's head out." Konnosuke said while getting off Aichi's bed and then headed to the entrance to go to the training hall to call the others and start the sortie.
~Center~
Mina saw the others off and said farewell and good luck to the first unit. He noticed the time and thought that it's nearly time for the second unit to come back.
Mina sat at the hallway waiting in the center while thinking about Aichi's health, thinking and hoping that he will be alright. It seems that even though it was for just a very short time he has come to care for Aichi, even though her purpose for coming was to observe and teach him to be a proper Saniwa, it seems she gained more than a teacher-student relationship but a Sister-brother relationship.
She noticed that she wanted to protect him and take care of him, help him more than what he needed, seeing as the boy is hopeless, for example is that he is too timid and clumsy for his own good but is shy and has a gentle heart that understands and cares for all. His innocence is what made her think that Aichi is cute and made her laugh at the thought that he mistook Aichi for a girl too when she first met him. Then all of a sudden she thought that she is becoming a very protective sister "NOOOOOOO!" she shouted.
Then while thinking back of the past few days that has happened a light shone bright and the second unit was able to come back safely.
"Welcome home." Mina greeted.
Kiyomitsu puffed "Phew~ We're back" he said.
The others have noticed that Konnosuke wasn't there to greet them and thought that the first unit is already doing their mission, but there is a much bigger question.
Kiyomitsu panicked a little "Where is Aichi-sama?" everybody noticed when Kiyomitsu pointed out.
Mina thought that Kiyomitsu indeed is the first one to notice that something is not right when it comes to Aichi, Mina's smile changed into a frown and then when they saw Mina's expression, the TouDans started to worry about Aichi.
Outro: Tsurumaru was my first from the Rare four Tachi's for now they are the rare four that is haha… so I thought why not him from the Tachis, and I was thinking of how to make things more livelier with him around the citadel.
Thank you for reading! Please review or pm for any suggestions or problems on the story.