Intro: Okay… again sorry for taking some time but I hope this could quench your thirst for answers, although I think this is pretty cliché but hey I think I did great about this mental blocking and suddenly popping up ideas XD. Well on with the 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 24: The truth behind the Lie

The eight swords charged forward one by one to attack Mina, but before they can even get closer, Mina's talismans were roaming all around forming a triangle each with three talisman that made everyone surprised "This is one way of using your talismans and ability" Mina smiled "It just depends on your imagination" from the center of the triangle a symbol comes out before blasting out a ray of light.

Tsurumaru chuckled who is back to back with Shokudaikiri "Hey Mitsubou do you even think we can do anything here"

Without noticing Yasusada was able to charge forward "You can't even think of it of all people!" but Mina saw this beforehand and was able to successfully defend from the attack.

But then without notice, Yasusada jumped to the side to get away from range and Aichi released the arrow and with just the right amount of power and accuracy that he was supposed to hit Mina but she was more experienced and skillful that she was able to deflect the attack with an attack from her talismans and used a defense for the impact.

From what Yasusada has done the morale's of the eight toudans who was fighting beside Aichi made their wavering hearts burn with passion "Now we can't lose face here can't we" using his gun Mutsunokami raises his hands forward with it and fires it to Mina "Although it's kind of sad I can't use real ammo here but they can still hurt" seeing it deflected by Mina made Mutsunokami click his tongue.

Tsurumaru smiled glancing at Shokudaikiri to which he nodded as if in an agreement to something they understand themselves and charged forward, glancing back to Aichi to use the chance to attack with Shokudaikiri following but alas it was to no avail also but then Aichi stroke with another attack noticing the amount of how much Aichi placed in it, Mina tripled her barrier whereas the first lane broke while the second one has cracks from the impact.

Mina paid it no thought as she knows Aichi is almost at his limits and continues to treat it as child's play, watching from behind her barrier the toudans work one by one to successfully make a hit but it didn't crack the same as how Aichi did, and since he is conserving his energy he cannot make another powerful attack same as the one before.

Worried a little about what he could do to help the toudans that cannot move, Aichi copied Mina and used a four paper talisman barrier as a shield for the attack from Mina's triangles to support and defend the toudans to be able to move forward.

Worried about the lack of arrow's Aichi thought about something weird and new while looking at his paper talismans and remembering how Mina once used it as a chain to fetch Kiyomitsu, Aichi has control over the talismans and what he did next surprised Mina, Aichi used the talismans to roll it to form an arrow as an experiment.

Not familiar at how it will function and the weird feeling of using a different instrument Aichi had second thoughts but he has to try and think of other ways. Readying himself while waiting for the toudans for the chance Aichi released the string of the bow and launched the replacement arrow but what comes after surprises them as the talismans separated launching forward in different directions.

Seeing the rain of talismans calculating the increase in speed they became much stronger and faster, Mina made her barrier bigger and added two new layer, but what got her caught off guard was a flaming talisman coming right up at her. But even she was surprised even though she successfully deflected it.

"H-How did that happen?" Horikawa who was defending his side from the attacks of Mina's three paper talismans was in awe of what he saw. Not just her every toudans, the four visitors, and Konnosuke also.

"One of the paper talismans has flame written on it…" Aichi was surprised himself he didn't think that it could work. "The paper talismans are in your command you can make them do anything to your bidding, they can be whatever you want them to as long as you write or command it to them and they will heed your prayers." Aichi smiled bringing confidence to him.

"Yagen!" Aichi shouted Yagen's name without communication nor even looking back at him Yagen understood the call and simply raised his sword and a paper talisman attached itself to his sword near the hilt, now when it successfully placed there tightly Yagen with Midare and Sayo launches forward, when Mina was about to defend her front Yagen's speed and with Midare and Sayo as bait Yagen was able to get behind her and used his sword to strike.

Upon striking the paper talisman glowed with blue hue and sprung out flames from it when Yagen stroke his sword to attack Mina but Mina successfully defended herself but she was surprised nonetheless once again.

"Amazing!" Midare said after retreating as a bait and waited for another chance.

"Now that is a surprise!" Tsurumaru commented.

"I wonder just how powerful and natural at this is our master…" Hasebe commented from his side while watching in awe from the battle happening in front of him, making the four visitors watch in amazement as well.

"It's just too bad we are here at the sidelines." Nikkari disappointedly said being a little jealous that he isn't fighting with them, with his master.

"Regardless we are given a task too…" Hasebe started, Nikkari smiled while Gokotai prepares himself "And that is to protect his friends" The two nodded in agreement with Hasebe who continues to defend their side while glancing at the main battle.

"I kind of regret coming here…" Miwa started but before he continues his words he looks at the struggling Aichi and the toudans fighting for them… for Aichi… "I feel like we became a burden here"

"I agree, we only made things worse" Kamui added.

"If you speak like that I'm sure it will hurt Aichi-sama" Gokotai started that surprised the Nikkari and Hasebe "Because you are his friends he won't think of it like that, but I'm sure he will even thank you for coming here."

"Gokotai is right" Nikkari stood proud "So we have to protect them too even if it costs us injuries" Nikkari strikes and destroys the paper talismans but it seems Mina has a surplus of it.

Even though they will be able to destroy the formed three paper talismans new ones will come out, Mina doesn't move much but she attacks with paper talismans from time to time especially when she is not attacked. Aichi knew she isn't in serious mode yet since he knows himself that he is almost at his limits and so is everyone from their injuries and fatigue so Mina is conserving her energy for an all-out attack which he needs to thinks fast to not let that happen.

Watching from his spot still bonded by the restriction that Mina activated, Kiyomitsu could only curse himself from everything that is happening in front of him "I feel so useless."

"Yeah you sure are" Yasusada bluntly said who was near Kiyomitsu's spot who didn't even dare retaliate since he it is true.

"I agree, haven't you learned to control your temper yet?" Horikawa added.

"If you weren't so hasty you would have been able to fight with us." Yasusada added before charging once again to Mina.

"Learn from your mistakes Kashuu-san" Imanotsurugi jumped to reach and aim for another paper talismans.

While watching and listening silently Kiyomitsu could only click his tongue in annoyance to himself and his temper.

Yagen jumped near Aichi noticing that he is almost out of breath "Aichi-sama conserve your energy, we will handle everything for now."

"I wonder how long can we last." Shokudaikiri said hissing from the pain from his injuries, from Aichi's position the color of their bells are now diming with an almost orange light which means all the toudans are nearly mildly fatigued and since when they became injured the bell didn't ring because he can see and supervise but if they became mildly injured the bell will ring twice despite even under supervision reminding him that it's time for them to retreat.

"We will just have to have faith and wait for the perfect moment." Yamanbagiri commented that made some of them smile and chuckle.

"I'm worried about Aichi-sama" Yagen jumped near the group and tried to whisper his words but even without listening Mina understand the situation very well.

Mina was completely untouchable, powerful, and experienced. They aren't able to hit her let alone get near her because Mina has secured her safety because of the talismans she created roaming around, attacking once they get near her and also her powerful barrier, add to it at how much divine power does she have to make all these.

Mina smiled "Let's end this." Everyone braised for Mina's attack while Misaki, Miwa, Kamui, and Kai could only gasped and be worried let alone feel really weak at this moment but could only pray for their victory.

While braising for their lives they watched as Mina prepared for her last attack. Mina threw paper talismans in the air that formed into a large circle above her, there were three layers of circle each with different number of paper talismans and formation.

Aichi didn't wait for it to finish forming nor waited for her to attack instead Aichi stances himself to make another attack as his talismans formed into another arrow "I won't give up on everyone the same as they didn't gave up on me, so I am going to give my all."

But then Mina and Aichi both released at the same time Mina's attack and his attack clashed Mina was amused that Aichi was able to create a last resort but what confused her was the actions of all the toudans, they were charging after her but she was confident that she can handle them but it seems Aichi has something up his sleeves, the three Tantous were now at her left Sayo, the other on her right Midare, and in front of her is Yagen.

The three simultaneously threw something in front of her a talisman that flashed so bright that made her lift her arms to hide from the blinding light but since everything was happening so fast she didn't notice that Tsurumaru and Shokudaikiri was close behind the three and attacked her barrier to destroy it with the same thing that Yagen used against her, a sword with a paper talismans of fire written on it attached on their sword.

The first barrier broke and the next one was cracked then Mutsunokami with an odd white bullet fired on the second barrier and became a spiked rock that broke it. Mina thought of when did they able to do it in such a short time let alone take a short while to talk and plan it.

The last barrier is up and cracked Mina is now nearly vulnerable seeing as the light can only flash for seconds and they could only act the same time frame they hastened their phase and Yamanbagiri used a paper talisman with water written on it attached to his sword and when he stroked the water gushed out from it through his sword and Mina flew with it while her last line of barrier broken in the process.

Mina was able to get herself to stand back up from the impact and create a new barrier but it was already too late as Yasusada was already behind her without knowing when and how Yasusada came from behind her, then without notice he used his sword hastily to cut a part of Mina's sleeves ."Mina-nee, it's over" Yasusada said with sadness in his voice.

Aichi was slowly walking over to her when everything was happening "How…" Mina was surprised that it all happened so fast, without a plan, without training let alone they were still weak but then Aichi held up his bracelet showing the bell shining in blue light meaning he was communicating through it with them. Of course Mina completely forgot but he didn't know Aichi could do it now.

All the toudans closes in on them trying to see if ever Mina will do something then the blue light on the bell is now slowly turning dimmer "I hope this can prove to you that-"

But before Aichi could finish he was cut by Mina showing her usual soft and warm smile at him "You have proved enough." Mina's eyes slowly tears up and embraced Aichi tightly Mina's talismans and her barriers and of course her bindings are now gone and came back to her. The other toudans with Konnosuke, Misaki, Kamui, Miwa and Kai slowly came towards them in confusion, of course with exemption of Konnosuke.

"I'm sorry Aichi-kun" Mina said while crying.

"Eh? What do you mean?" Aichi was so confused at this moment not just him, everyone is.

Konnosuke slowly jumped at Mina's shoulder who is still embracing Aichi "We… uh… kind of planned this…" Konnosuke bowed "SORRY!"

"EEHHH?" Everyone shouted surprised at the revelation that has happened.

"But why?" Kiyomitsu was the first to recover.

"It was true that Mina came to train Aichi, it was also true that there was a condition." Konnosuke explained slowly the truth about what is happening and since there were no other remarks nor one dared to ask since they were confused and also because they still feel hatred and anger of being deceived.

"The condition was to see if he would fulfill being a Saniwa, a master, a commander, a friend. Seeing as Aichi is weak and fragile the condition of Mina staying here to train Aichi was now gone, so to make Aichi's hardship of bringing this citadel up and bringing these sword the head thought that maybe Mina should take it to not let it waste and to let Aichi continue the path he loves and that is to be a normal student that loves Vanguard with his friends." Konnosuke said and since there is still no one saying anything he continued.

"But… we know Aichi very well than him, we explained that there was something hindering Aichi's development of his power, as if something wants to come out first and is deflecting the power of divinity from inside Aichi to stop it from flowing out, making Aichi fragile and weak, endangering his health in the progress. So hearing our report he decided to make a deal with us." Kai was the only who had a reaction that is something different from what he expected from the others as if he knew what that other power is. Thinking that it seems he knew it well it's best to keep him beside and ask him for further information.

"If we can make Aichi and his toudans fight alongside him and even scratch Mina, with her clothes, hair counted in battle then he will give the citadel to Aichi with no further question nor hesitation and will never doubt Aichi's ability while understanding the situation and will continue to hear from us" But Konnosuke left an important detail Konnosuke didn't say that the head Saniwa was very much interested in him because of this mysterious power and his personality that he will be watching the deal and gave them a chance to prove Aichi can be one with them so that they can show their bonds that he did not see.

"Then Mina thought of a plan of being a villain so that Aichi and everyone will become one in battle and prove that your bonds are stronger without seeing or hearing everything that has happened here in the citadel but knows that there is always something." Konnosuke finished his explanation "And so we would like to apologize but it is for the sake of everyone so we had to do it. I hope you will forgive us for the emotional and physical pain we have done." Konnosuke still bowing while Mina let's go of the embrace and bowed deeply to everyone.

Aichi waved his hands and shook his head to his left and right "No, it's alright, I should be the one thanking the two of you, since you gave us this chance to prove ourselves and to be able to fight as one in battle by trusting each other. If it weren't for this I wouldn't have experienced a real battle field and to experience fighting with everyone by my side and me by their side." Aichi stopped and smiled softly and warmly that made Mina and Konnosuke relieved of what they have done "This is no one's fault but if there is, I am sure it's me. I would like to thank you for this opportunity although the feeling of getting betrayed felt like the world crumbles especially if you have trusted someone" Mina gulped at those words even Konnosuke.

"But Mina-nee and Konnosuke were always true to us and would even choose to become a villain just to help us. That is enough to make it all go away. Enough to give us strength, and for giving me courage and opening my eyes, and also for that additional information about why I always felt weak, at least I know I am not a lost cause" and bowed his head to Mina and Konnosuke "So thank you and keep teaching us". Everyone smiled and it seems that everyone's worries and anger are now gone thanks to the explanation of what has happened.

"You shouldn't Aichi-kun!" Mina held Aichi's face to make him lift his head up but what happened after gave Mina a cold sweat and tense up he was fiery hot, wet liquid met her hands that came from Aichi's lips, and slowly Aichi fell down and Mina caught him and placed him on her lap and it was then found out that the liquid was his blood and has fainted from exhaustion, the bell on his bracelet glowed red and rang continuously for seconds everyone panicked especially when they found out that the bell was cracked.

~Monday~

"Hello! We came to visit." Miwa shouted from the other side of the gate with him are Misaki, Kamui, and Kai.

While waiting a clang was heard from the other side and the doors of the gate have opened up for them with a white crane showing up to welcome them "What a surprise it's Miwa-san and the others."

"The others?! We are not his lackeys!" Kamui shouted from the gates running towards Tsurumaru who called them as if they were add-ons.

"Sorry sorry sorry!" Tsurumaru raised his hands to a shouting Kamui that is now in front of him.

Mina came out from the gardens to check the visitors "Welcome, I see you are here to visit again." The four visitors nodded their head in unison affirming Mina of their intention of coming. "I see well then you can head inside and I will inform Yagen of the visit."

But before Mina could come inside Yagen opened the doors of Aichi's veranda and looked down from above with Kiyomitsu and Yasusada "I heard, you can come in." Yagen said smiling.

"I see, well then I will go and prepare snacks for Aichi-sama's friends" Hasebe said who was standing in the entrance.

"I will prepare the tea then" Horikawa said who was nearby and decided to come with Hasebe.

"Well then we will lead you upstairs then." Tsurumaru said with Shokudaikiri nodding at his suggestion.

"Thank you." Misaki said while the three bowed their heads lightly.

~At Aichi's room~

Tsurumaru opened the doors to Aichi's room for them to enter. Upon entering bitter smiles filled their expression with the exclusion of Kai showing his normal stoic face.

"He… hasn't woken up?" Misaki asked while finding a seat while waiting for an answer which Yagen simply shook his head in response.

"Although he was lucky that it was now summer vacation or else." Miwa said sitting next to Kamui.

"He would be in trouble right…" Kamui added, watching the soundly sleeping Aichi.

"Don't look like as if he isn't waking up you know." Kiyomitsu pouted annoyed at the expression they were showing.

"Yeah, let's just keep a positive outlook and I'm sure he will wake up one of these days, he just still needs more rest." Yasusada added.

"Let's not put pressure I'm sure someone is much more troubled about this than any of us here." Shokudaikiri mentioning a certain someone.

"Yeah, let us not talk about such thing as we know this might make her suffer and worried even more." Yasusada added.

"It wasn't her fault, she was just helping." Tsurumaru added again.

"From the looks of you guys you look more annoyed than sincere from what you have just said." Yagen sighed.

"Yeah as if you were saying the opposite." Kiyomitsu mused.

"Well don't act like it was only us too though" Yasusada smiled at Kiyomitsu but those smiles is a trap.

"Yeah those smiles and words really have something other than what you said behind it…" Miwa understood the situation that made Kamui and Misaki sweat drop at the thought.

"But this is Aichi-sama we are talking about, though I'm sure he would only blame himself than her more than anyone else" Kiyomitsu finally turn the silence on as what he said cannot be debated as the answer will be yes in the end.

With this the conversation has stopped pointing out to this certain person or in other words Mina but then someone added something to start another topic "But because of that thought process of Aichi-sama she might probably be more depressed more than ever." Yasusada pointed out that made Yagen, Kiyomitsu, Shokudaikiri, and Tsurumaru agree in unison that made Miwa, Misaki, and Kamui sweat drop.

"Well either way the only thing we could do is wait and pray for him to wake up." Miwa said.

"And do his usual clumsiness" Tsurumaru added.

"And smiled at us" Shokudaikiri ended.

Everyone agrees and small talks from the group upstairs has started and then came the snack and drinks for the visitors that added more people in the group making their conversation more complicated and more weirder by the minute but regardless they enjoyed.

Outro: I made Aichi suffer again… what the hell am I doing….=_=… Anyways I hope starting next chapter I can change the pacing of this story as I made it into a sad story once again huh… my brain goes overdrive at this kinds of moments…

Anyways Hope you like it, thank you for your continuous support everyone!

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