Intro: Sorry for the long update I was very very very busy with school work and my on-the-job training. So while writing this I was a little mental blocked but I still wanna write. The only prob is that I can't think of a plot line T_T

And so here is to hoping if I did a good job, I present chapter 17

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 17: Preparation

When Aichi and the others finally made it back to the citadel Aichi hastily went upstairs to his room with excitement and changed his casual outfit to his traditional one, while the four TouDans downstairs has smiles on their faces and went on to their different chores.

After changing his clothes Aichi headed straight to the Smithing room and used ingredients for an Uchigatana but with some changes. After the preparation he thinks of the forging time for it which is one and thirty minutes, after that he left the room and headed to his room and tries to finish all his homework for the day.

After a while and not noticing the time he felt an energy coming from the center of the citadel thinking that it was the first unit he hurried to go greet them, since the others were busy with some things he was the only one who waited which is something not unusual.

As the pillar of light started to disappear "Welcome home everyone!" Aichi greeted with a smile.

At the sight of their master Imanotsurugi hopped to his side while Midare ran "We are back!" All of them said in unison.

"Did anyone get injured?" Was the first thing Aichi asked while looking at Horikawa for his report.

"We have minor injuries-" Horikawa started but was cut by Imanotsurugi.

"Oh! Oh! Oh! Aichi-sama I can't wait to tell you the story!" Imanotsurugi said jumping up and down while holding Aichi's hands.

"I see… Let's hear it while we get you treated." Aichi finished saying while the others said yes in agreement and followed him to the Infirmary, forgetting that the sword is already passed the one and a half hour time.

~Infirmary~

After finishing the repairs with the five TouDans Aichi suddenly shouted while looking at his phone "Uwah!" after screaming he hastily ran out of the room while the others sweat dropped from the shock and clumsiness of their master, thinking that he forgot something again something that is a normal routine for him although if no one saw it can be a little alarming.

After a while "Aichi-sama!" Kiyomitsu came running to the infirmary while the others are now one by one coming out of the room "I think he forgot something, that expression on his face says it all." Yagen said while repositioning his glasses as if saying he has nothing to worry.

With a sigh of relief Kiyomitsu went out of the room and searched for the said master thinking that Aichi's clumsiness of always screaming is giving him a heart attack from worry.

~Smithing Room~

Aichi sweat dropped at the sight of the sword in front of him thinking at the same time that his screaming could have worried Kiyomitsu and readied to give an apology, after that he placed the sword to a table and chanted to the talismans to bring the sword successfully.

When the light and few petals have disappeared "My name is Heshikiri Hasebe. If it's an order from the master, I will accomplish anything you wish." The new TouDan bowed like a gentleman in front of Aichi making Aichi feel uneasy from the very formal way of how he speak and act.

"Oh no p-please stand up!" Aichi panicked to which Hasebe nodded and then straightened himself up then he continued "I am Aichi Sendou, I am the master of this citadel pleased to meet you Hesh-…" Aichi stopped thinking of the meaning of the name.

"I noticed that you do not like my name either master" Aichi gulped form what Hasebe commented, it's not that he hates the name, it's just that it's making him uncomfortable "By all means master, can you please call me Hasebe"

Aichi nodded "Sure, and can you please call me Aichi instead of master?" Aichi asked still unused to the word master.

Hasebe's face became pale "But master that would be inappropriate!" he tried to reason.

Someone outside the room called "Aichi-sama?!" it was Kiyomitsu's voice that seems to be looking for him and hearing it made Aichi jump.

"Ah I see… everyone calls you with honorifics even by calling your name" Hasebe closed his eyes from realization and opened it with pride "Then I shall call you Aichi-sama then!" finishing his words in a loud tone helped Kiyomitsu search for Aichi.

"So this was why you were in a hurry while screaming" Kiyomitsu said with an annoyed tone while opening the sliding door.

Aichi flinched then slowly turned around to face Kiyomitsu "K-Kiyomitsu…" Aichi started with a cold sweat.

Kiyomitsu sighed before going to where Aichi was standing and saw the new Touken Danshi in front of him "I'm Kashuu Kiyomitsu"

"Heshikiri Hasebe" Hasebe answered.

Then Kiyomitsu turned back to Aichi with an annoyed face "Can you please not make us worry!" Kiyomitsu sighed then patted and ruffled Aichi's hair smiling at him "Well… now that I've understand what happened why you screamed I am going to continue with my chores." He finished then proceeded to leave the room.

Aichi blushed from what Kiyomitsu did and then turned to Hasebe "I will give you a tour around the citadel after taking your measurements." Aichi said, taking out a measuring tape.

"Measurement for what?" Hasebe asked in bewilderment.

"Oh…" Aichi wasn't able to explain so he did "It's for your casual outfit. See the one Kiyomitsu is wearing I sew those for him to use and all the others here too."

Hearing that his master was going to do labor for him "No Master I will make it myself it's alright!" Hasebe tried to decline.

"No, it's alright it's my hobby and I love to be able to be the one to give and make them for all of you" Aichi smiled very heartwarmingly and sincerely making Hasebe concede in defeat and understand that this master he is with is someone that needs to be protected.

"I understand my master, if that is what you wish" He slightly bowed again in a gentlemanly manner "But if you do have a problem please do tell me I would gladly be here to be of help to you!"

Aichi smiled "Thank you, but please call me Aichi, t's making me uneasy being called master."

Hasebe grumbled "Ahem… I am very sorry I will keep it in mind from now on."

"Thanks" Aichi smiled once more and then took Hasebe's measurement and then gave him a tour around the whole citadel.

~After a while~

Yagen heard noise and footsteps from outside the infirmary and heard that the voice came from Aichi, and from what he hears it seems the reason he ran and screamed in hurry was because there was a new Sword Warrior and he is now giving him a tour.

"And that concludes this tour." 'Their last stop is the infirmary' Yagen thought.

"So do you have any questions Hasebe?" Aichi asked thinking that maybe he might have forgotten something so it's best to ask Hasebe.

Yagen heard the familiar name and opened the door from the infirmary "Ah! Yagen" Aichi said when he saw Yagen coming out of the room.

"Yagen!?" Hasebe was surprised from what he has heard, that the person in front of him is his past 'colleague'.

"Heshikiri Hasebe, so he was the one you successfully called then Aichi-sama, welcome to the citadel." Yagen said in a blunt tone.

"Yagen Toushirou, thank you I will gladly obey and do what my master's will." Hasebe said.

Feeling the tension from the two Aichi can't seem to think of what he should do "Ah! There you are Aichi-sama" it was Shokudaikiri.

"Dinner is almost ready you can head to the dining hall now!" Shokudaikiri happily and excitedly said but then noticed the tension coming from the two and the panicked master "Is something wrong?" Shokudaikiri showed a very serious expression saying to not trouble their master.

"Nothing." Yagen said and left the premise and headed to the dining hall leaving the three behind.

Shokudaikiri turned to Hasebe "You can now join too, but please leave your weapon and armor to your room." Shokudaikiri finished.

After saying the word room Aichi flinches and it didn't go past Hasebe and Shokudaikiri "I see, it seems Aichi-sama forgot to appoint you to a room."

Aichi panicked again "S-sorry I-I'll escort you to your room!" he said and then hurried to the hallways forgetting Hasebe and Shokudaikiri.

Shokudaikiri sighed and then chuckled "As you can see our master is very clumsy and looks like he can't do anything, but I assure you he looks more than what you can see right now." Shokudaikiri smiled patting Hasebe's shoulder.

"I see that this current master of mine" He coughs "Of ours is loved and I can see that he loves us back, that is more than enough for me to support him in every way I can" Hasebe smiled to Shokudaikiri assuring him that he can get the role done.

"Alright then, I think it's time you follow him now" Shokudaikiri said pointing to Aichi's direction and then with a smile from Hasebe they both went to their separate ways.

~Dining Hall~

Aichi noticed that the citadel became very quiet all of a sudden and thinks that maybe it was because they were at the same place and headed to the dining hall after his stop to his room.

When Aichi was near the dining hall he noticed that it was quiet also, thinking that something was wrong he hurried to open the door only to be surprised and hears the word "Congratulations Aichi-sama!" all of the TouDans with Mina and Konnosuke all said in unison.

"Aichi-kun Good luck on the shop tournament tomorrow" Mina said then pats his head.

Determined for the said tournament tomorrow Aichi said a loud "I will!" that clearly says that he will do his best and made sure to everyone that everything will not be in vain. Aichi took his sit to his usual spot and all of them started eating their meals. Everyone welcomed the new member and filled him up with information.

After eating all of them headed their separate ways and headed to their own rooms, excited and can't seem to get some sleep, Aichi headed straight to the smithing thinking of making a new sword.

~Smithing Room~

Aichi successfully made it into the smithing room while double checking if ever there are anyone around and proceeded to start making a new sword, but he kept in mind that he needs to limit what he brings so he thought of making a Tantou.

After carefully adding the ingredients, Aichi sat in front of the forgery and set an alarm for twenty minutes, while waiting he can't seem to calm his heart down it was pounding in excitement and nervousness thinking if he will be able to win and face of Kai.

But along the hallways, unbeknownst to Aichi there was someone that noticed him coming in the smithing room and followed him "So this is what you wanted to do in here…" It was Yagen who saw him who opened the sliding door and went inside the room, Aichi flinched a little and turned to Yagen and followed him sitting near him.

"Yagen, What are you doing here?" Aichi asked a little curious and at the same time worried about if he will scold him.

Yagen sighed closes his eyes for a moment and then spoke "I was worried if you were pushing yourself again." He finished.

Yagen was staring deep through Aichi's eyes and turned away from the look saying "What makes you think that."

The remark made Yagen chuckled "You kind of have a streak of being stubborn"

Aichi saddened at the thought thinking that maybe he was troubling Yagen "I'm sorry…" was all Aichi could say.

"It's not your fault." He paused for a moment "It's because I am weak at this moment that I cannot help you that much." Yagen smiled then a past memory flashed to him making his smile fade away "A life for a life" he thought about the last incident with Tsurumaru being that his life may even be connected to the TouDans, clenching his hands into a fist he became frustrated then a thought popped out, surprising even himself he held out his hands while his pinky was out making Aichi a little surprised and confused.

Yagen was just as surprised too and then hastily gave Aichi an explanation "I-I saw Imanotsurugi holding his pinky once and said this was called a pinky promise, saying that two people must lock their pinky after they said their promise to each other and whoever breaks the promise will get punished" Yagen finished explaining a little embarrassed from what he did while slowly retracted his hands only to be held by Aichi's pinky.

Yagen at this moment was very happy but he coughs and then ask for what he wants from Aichi although inside he was thinking that this is more like an oath for loyalty than a promise "Can you Aichi-sama… promise to never be reckless?" Aichi jumped from surprise but then Yagen still continued "In exchange…" Yagen calmed himself, he didn't understand it but thinking of not being able to do anything for his master hurts him so deeply so "I will better myself and do everything I can to save your life if you are in danger."

"Yagen?" Aichi was surprised and didn't understood what he meant thinking that maybe it was because he wanted to save lives so he accepted and locked their pinky "I promise." He softly smiled at Yagen that made him blush and look away and after a moment the two flinched from a sudden sound.

It was an alarm from Aichi's phone making Yagen and Aichi released their pinky and Aichi rummage for his phone "It's time" Aichi said. Understanding what he meant and readied himself if ever Aichi will have an attack Yagen prepared himself for the worse.

It was Yagen's first time seeing this ritual so he was in awe as his master elegantly executed his chants and powers to give life to the new Sword Warrior he uses his arms to deflect the light emanating from the sword and heard a voice "I'm Gokotai. Um… I can't drive them away. I'm sorry. Because I feel sorry for the tigers."

Aichi was surprised at the amount of little tiger cubs that is surrounding the new sword warrior "W-welcome Gokotai, My name is Aichi Sendou I am the master of this citadel, please call me Aichi." Aichi casually said what he always says to new swords, and not asking about the tiger cubs, Yagen seeing his master like this was different from his usual that surprised him thinking that maybe he was overthinking it.

Yagen shrugged the thought and welcomed Gokotai "Yo Gokotai, it's me Yagen." Yagen greeted his brother who seemed to be happy, well both of them are "Aichi-sama he is an Awataguchi like me and Midare" he said while patting Gokotai's shoulder telling him relax.

"Ah I see… so that means he is your brother!" Aichi concluded that surprised Yagen and nodded in response.

But before he can rest easy "Aichi sama are you feeling unwell?" he double checked and ask if ever something is wrong with his master.

"I am perfectly fine!" Aichi tried to lie but Yagen didn't buy it making him sigh and spit out the truth remembering his promise to Kiyomitsu "I think there is nothing wrong with me, but I am worried and thinking about tomorrow."

Yagen laughed surprising both Gokotai and Aichi "I see… Good luck then Aichi-sama, you can go back to your room and rest then, I will take care of Gokotai" As Yagen finished his sentence he and Gokotai bowed their head to him and left the room leaving Aichi.

While he saw the two left he was curious at the tiger cubs that is with Gokotai thinking of what could have made it appear, although with it, it will be much livelier thinking of them as pets or companions. After pondering for a while Aichi proceeded back to his room and although nervous he took his rest and wished that everything will be alright tomorrow.

~Friday Morning~

Aichi woke up from his sleep seemingly excited and nervous at the same time. He quickly took a peek to the wall clock that is in his room and noticed how early it still is. After seeing as the clock is still early Aichi thought that maybe he could try and start making the casual outfit that Hasebe will be using thinking that this will be a good chance since there will be no classes for today and the tournament starts at 8 am.

After a while of making the outfit Aichi didn't notice that he lost track of time and if he continues he will be late, fortunately there are people who is there to save the day "What are you doing here?" or so it looks like it, it seems a fight is starting and hearing a voice outside Aichi recognized it immediately "Kiyomitsu?" Aichi was bewildered at what is happening outside.

"I am simply here to wake up Aichi-sama" Aichi wasn't familiar with the voice but with the tone of the persons voice he thought that it was "… and Hasebe?" hearing as it was about him he was about to stand up from where he was sitting when the door of his room slides open with a word "What are you doing just opening it like that?!" Hasebe panicked thinking it was rude for their master so he scolded Kiyomitsu.

"Its fine" Kiyomitsu said "Ah!" he let out as he saw his master looking quite panicked while holding a fabric and a needle with a thread in his hands then stared at Hasebe but Hasebe didn't noticed it "Good Morning Aichi-sama" Hasebe quickly greeted "I am sorry if I wasn't able to prevent this rude action of his." Hasebe bowed deeply that made Aichi more uncomfortable and made Kiyomitsu a little agitated.

"I-it's alright please raise your head!" Aichi said while putting down the fabric and noticed Kiyomitsu's stare at him, he felt cold sweat streaming down and quickly raised his hands panicking more "I- I- I promise I wasn't doing this all night, I just woke up early and thought that maybe I can do something" he quickly responded while stuttering thinking that he will be scolded by Kiyomitsu and he doesn't like that.

Kiyomitsu sighed making Aichi flinch and making Hasebe confused thinking as if 'who is the master here' kind of thing. "You need to get ready then explanation aside today is the tournament after all" Kiyomitsu set asides the matter at hand and prioritized the preparation for the tournament.

"Sorry Hasebe, I'll continue this later." Aichi apologized to Hasebe while walking towards them.

Hasebe panicked a little "N-no I should be delighted that you wanted to make something for me, it is alright even if I wait forever." Hasebe almost bowed but he heard Kiyomitsu's tongue clicked understanding that it means that what he was doing is a no-no.

Hasebe coughed "My apologies, let's head to the dining area shall we."

~Near the Dining Hall~

While Konnosuke and Mina heads for the dining hall, Mina is humming happily while at that moment Konnosuke froze all of a sudden making Mina sigh "You forgot something again didn't you." Mina knows Konnosuke very well "Spit it out."

Konnosuke trembled "I keep… forgetting to tell Aichi… to make armors and then… about the troops" Konnosuke tried to avoid eye contact with Mina he doesn't want to admit he forgot something again and failed as a helper but you can't help him forget thing with what everything that is happening at the time.

"You forgot to teach him that there is something about the troops am I right." Mina demanded an answer.

"Y-yes…" Konnosuke flops down on the wooden floor and placed his two upper paws to cover his head.

Mina face palmed "That was essential, they will need all the help they can get with the troops" Mina shook his head left and right "So that is why I can't find a trace of the first unit ever using that ability not to mention that everyone on that team can use it"

Konnosuke flailed on the floor "I know… Tantou's and Wakizashi's can use them"

Mina became serious for a moment "And let us not forget the fact that the enemy can use that ability too."

Konnosuke remembered the last battle "Come to think of it." Mina waited for Konnosuke to continue "We haven't seen the portal where they come out, at that moment they were already there." He tries to remember the other battles "Come to think of it, I think all of them were all ambush." Mina was surprised about the enemy it was as if they were already one step ahead.

"We need to train Aichi so that he can learn to read the enemy's movement ahead of time." Mina suggested to which made Konnosuke stand up to his four paws and nodded to Mina then the two headed to the dining area to wait for the others to come and start breakfast.

~Dining Hall~

Aichi headed straight to the kitchen to be greeted by everyone and to bid good luck to him for the tournament. Although it placed a little pressure, the others made sure that win or lose, they will still continue the celebration since it was his first attempt at fighting in a tournament even though it is not a big tournament it is still a big step towards something he like.

~After Breakfast~

After breakfast Aichi hastily changed and prepared himself for the tournament a little cold feet but then when Aichi was about to leave the citadel with everyone at the entrance encouraging him Kiyomitsu stepped up with a basket on hand "Eh? Kiyomitsu." Aichi said a little bewildered while looking at the said basket.

"I was instructed to accompany you, to which I gladly accepted, and brought lunch with me since they think it will take a while they all say" Kiyomitsu said using his thumb to point towards the others with the Tantou and Wakizashi's waving while the Uchigatana and Tachi's were giving a thumb up.

Delighted and fired up from the support Aichi breathed heavily "Thank you everyone, I will do my best" he turned to Kiyomitsu while smiling, to him Kiyomitsu coming with him has given him additional courage and helped him recover a little "Let's go" He said while the others shouted "Good Luck and See ya" to Aichi.

When the two have successfully left "Ops" said Shokudaikiri making the others stare at him it seems he forgot something and his expression gave them that assumption.

Outro: Finally hahaha… I hope this will give you a little break from all those drama I've been writing.

I am very sorry it took a while, hope this will get you hooked to wait for the next chapter!

Thank you for reading! Please review or pm for any suggestions or problems on the story.