Intro: Warning for everyone! I am planning to make a time skips in CF!V story so there will be short days and skips coming in this chapter. If you read the story you will understand as to why I did, so thank you.

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 26: Guardians

Aichi finally woke up at Monday but because of what had happened, Aichi is advised to use his divine powers in to a minimum because of what happened last time. It's not just because of how he slept for a long time but also because Aichi coughed up blood which means his body is too strained and cannot take it anymore and if further abused his body might break and die out.

Mina and Konnosuke had talked about this… and their solution… wait for the other power to come out that is halting his divine powers to fully come out because they are fighting inside his body and it is very bad to continue further. Thinking of how they could do something about it and put his mind onto something and not be thinking about his duties in the citadel, they decided for Aichi to go to Card Capital and train for the upcoming National Tournament, which is a very good timing to focus on something.

Mina and Konnosuke instructed Aichi to rest for one more day, so he decided to go to Card Capital the next day to train for the nationals.

~Wednesday~

Upon coming to Card Capital Aichi and Kamui met up with Morikawa and Izaki and decided to go to Card Capital and to their surprise they saw paper's posted atop the shop window with "Congratulation, Q4, on Making the Nationals!" written on it. Although a little confusion happened because of a certain paw print.

After entering the shop, Kamui voiced that they would have a problem if they fight Ren Suzugamori and thinking of a good way to prevent losing he thought of study the deck of the enemy while taking out a deck.

Misaki took the deck to examine it but she immediately figured out that it was different from that he used in battle at Card Shop PSY and to top it all he only used it once so it would be a waste, but Kamui pointed that "A Card fighter's individuality and technique can make up for experience" and by doing so he asked Misaki and Aichi to find the fighting style that they are good at resulting in a Card Fight.

The Cardfight went smoothly at first but then when they mentioned and praised Misaki's good memory add to it that they are card fighting she began to remember the saddest and terrifying memory that she doesn't want to remember, her parents death when she was still a child.

Because of the fight and her good memory being mentioned all the time such as being amazing and lucky to have that gift Misaki became agitated and broke down that made her leave the fight once it ended with her winning at the end.

Because of what had happened the others who were left at the shop were in utter confusion.

It was already evening when Aichi and Kamui when they tried to wait for Misaki to come back, but it seems she isn't, so they decided to leave but before they leave Shin caught their attention and decided to tell them the reason why she wasn't pleased in their fight and why she was also late at the Regional Tournament.

After they had understood why she reacted like that in their match they didn't ask any further and decided to leave.

Upon coming back to the citadel the toudans noticed the depressed look on his face but thinking that maybe he was tired they decided to not pester him and just let him rest on his room, but in truth he was contemplating on what he should do to help Misaki.

~Thursday~

After hearing what had happened from Shin, Aichi decided to leave early and head to Card Capital once again. The toudans with Mina and Konnosuke all worried about what had happened but they decided to wait until he tells about it to them.

Unfortunately upon reaching Card Capital Misaki was still not present.

And even on Friday Misaki was still not present but even though she wasn't present he kept focusing on training with Kamui instead.

~Saturday~

Aichi and Kamui seems to be at the edge and cannot think of anything anymore, so while talking about the situation the two led themselves to the park, where Kai takes his usual nap his most relaxed place.

There Kamui and Aichi heard blunt words from Kai that "Anybody who wants to quit should quit. Everyone has a past, Using that as a perpetual reason for your own weakness is childish, pure and simple" Aichi completely understand and those words resonated to him, remembering the toudans and the future sword warrior that will come and join their family.

Because of Kai's words Kamui got agitated because of his lack of worry about his teammates which he didn't comment but left instead.

Not understanding what they should do Aichi and Kamui decided to separate ways again.

~Back at the Citadel~

Aichi was at the garden watching the toudans in front of him or passing by him thinking of the words "Using your past as a weakness" he sighed but he didn't notice that he spoke it out loud.

"Is something the matter Aichi-sama?" Kiyomitsu asked who was front of him because he was too much lost in thought he didn't notice that Kiyomitsu was already in front that made him blush from the sudden closeness and embarrassment, Aichi stood up and ran away from Kiyomitsu and headed straight to his room.

Yasusada sighed at their running master "You shouldn't eavesdrop on him like that."

Kiyomitsu got ticked off from his comment "It's not my fault he said it out loud!"

"Still the words he said are kind of…" Nikkari said who was with them worried about what their master's thoughts.

"Alarming?" Yamanbagiri continued who had heard him spoke too that made them worry more.

~Sunday~

The next day when Aichi decided to visit Emi and his mother, Shizuka noticed his gaze was not where he was, as if he was somewhere else that also worried them.

His thoughts were filled with the words he heard thinking of how he could handle it if one of the toudans happens to have trouble about their past since he is sure that all of them has past that they don't want to remember and don't want to comeback, since learning of the history of the swords warriors he is with he cannot simply look away since this is what makes them "them" right now so how should he handle it.

"Aichi is something the matter?" Emi asked worried about his brother.

Aichi, coming back from earth responded to Emi "Sorry I was thinking about Cardfighting." Though it was also true and now because of that it reminded him of what he should do for Misaki. Not in the mood to talking about it anymore and worrying too much he said "I'm sorry but I'm tired I would like to rest." After that he headed for his room upstairs.

Seeing this happen Emi hurried outside "Emi? Where are you going?!" Her Mom called out but she was already far away.

~At Card Capital~

Emi visited Misaki to ask what happened about Aichi saying that he was happy talking about the upcoming Nationals but now it seems he is feeling down.

Understanding why Aichi felt like that she responded that she doesn't know anything, and hearing those from her, Emi decided to leave and apologize for the trouble but Shin stopped her from going saying that new trial deck cards just came and since this is Shin we are talking about he introduced the new cards to Emi and asks her if she wants to try to which she answered yes and asked Misaki to cardfight with her.

With the help of the cardfight with Emi, with Shin pushing her, Misaki remembered all the happy memories she had forgotten in the past since she only remembers the sad and terrifying ones, that Cardfighting was something she truly treasures and love with her parents "Every Card is put in there with love, so even the first time player can have fun" Shin remarked.

In the end it was his plan to make her remember the most unforgettable but happiest pieces for her to remember, a part that her parents left for her. After the battle had ended Misaki can't help but cry and asked Shin about how can she open the treasure box that had inside it a deck her father has set for her since she doesn't have the key to open it, but then Shin showed a key that he has been keeping "Because, it's a valuable memory of yours, Misaki".

Moments passed and Aichi met up with Kamui, thinking that they should apologize to Misaki about what had happened so they decided to go to Card Capital, but when they did come what surprised them was a shop full of slumped and gloomy people that looks as if they lost a fight.

It seems they really did end up like that cause from what Emi had said all of them did lose a battle, a cardfight with Misaki that is.

Misaki gearing up for Nationals said that she can't be able to train if they weren't even the slightest match for her and so she asked Aichi to stop gaping their mouths and come up next to cardfight so that she could train.

~Monday~

When Aichi came home last night he was back to his normal happy self that Shizuka and Emi noticed meaning the problem that is occupying his mind has been solved and now it was time to go to Card Capital to train with Kamui and Misaki.

In the morning they train for the Nationals and at the afternoon they decided to stop and rest their mind and then at evening they will go home, something they did this past two days so what happened next was something unexpected for Aichi.

~Wednesday~

Aichi is now back at the citadel, and the toudans have noticed his happy and excited expression so the thing that happened last Saturday was no more in their minds since they can now be able to breathe again and continue cheering for him.

After their battle in the morning they decided to rest in the afternoon, whereas Aichi was with Kamui with Misaki standing up next to them, and at the back of them were Miwa and Kai.

"Alright, Make-mi and Izaki are gone" Suddenly Kamui became serious and started a conversation but what's next was something very unexpected "So I have a proposition" hearing that from Kamui was surprising so they listened intently to what he was going to say next and from their looks he thought that it was okay to continue "Do you guys want to stay at Onii-san's place after our training every morning?!" By the time he started speaking about it, he had a very goofy expression.

Aichi only had a surprised expression while Miwa stood up looking so serious and stomp his hands at the table that they are sitting and right about now he has a sparkling smile and said "I second that Kamui, nice idea!"

Aichi could only sweat drop and asked help to Misaki and turn to look at her direction in hopes that she declines the idea but seeing her Aichi thought otherwise since she has the look of embarrassment because of thought that she agrees with the idea of the two.

As if loosing from the battle Aichi sighs in defeat and since majority has voted he has no choice but to accept. Thinking that there was no problem in accepting them in the citadel Aichi gives in and responded "Alright…"

~Back at the citadel~

Misaki, Kamui, Miwa, and Kai were now sitting at the veranda of the citadel looking quite comfortable and peaceful right now, whereas Aichi just came back from his room after staying awhile and changing his outfit.

"It's really feels different seeing you wear a traditional outfit" Miwa commented on Aichi's clothes who saw him from the veranda entrance.

Stopping from his tracks Aichi was surprised at what Miwa had said as he noticed it himself that he had changed his clothing upon coming back from his room "I think it was because of habit that I changed my outfit all of a sudden"

Before continuing Aichi peeked at the training hall before continuing to join them at the veranda of the garden.

"Thanks for letting us intrude here again." Misaki said while she sips tea served by Hasebe and Horikawa to them before.

Aichi took a cup of tea too and relaxes himself thinking like there is no place like home, then Miwa was eating snacks while Kamui did the same and obviously Kai has his eyes closed and is leaning against a pillar.

But then Mina came with Shokudaikiri and Konnosuke to say another unexpected news that shatters their peaceful time "Since you guys are already involved too much and always comes here" Mina started that made the four, meaning Aichi, Misaki, Kamui, and Miwa, thinks of give and take but Kai decided to listens intently while Shokudaikiri positioned himself next to Aichi and readies handkerchiefs and gives one to Misaki as if expecting something to happen.

"Me and Konnosuke decided to make the four of you, Misaki-chan, Kamui-chan, Miwa-kun, and Kai-kun, Aichi's guardians!" when Mina finishes her speech Aichi and Misaki spits their tea and then cleans herself after, while Miwa and Kamui chokes on their snack and hurried to drink while Kai opens his eyes a little in confusion and annoyance, then Shokudaikiri who was near Aichi did know something was going to happen as he magnificently catches the spits of tea from Aichi's mouth and cleans his face with a different handkerchief while Aichi was still petrified.

So the reason why Mina brought Shokudaikiri was to take care of Aichi it seems… after coming back to his senses Aichi thanked Shokudaikiri and decided to take away the cup from his hands and listens to what Mina has to say next.

"Why the sudden news?" Aichi asked Mina who was still very confused as to why that kind of thing was decided.

"Our maximum forces are 4 teams with 6 sword warrior each, and someone needs to oversee, guide, and assist." Mina stopped to see if they are following and seems like they need more information so it seems that they are catching up "Since me and Aichi are the only ones who can do it the truth is I really can't since I am only here to teach him. Konnosuke can oversee and guide but he cannot assist, so with the four of you we can help Aichi especially if he needs rest and cannot go into the battlefield." After Mina's explanation Aichi's expression changes which Shokudaikiri notice and understood why he was acting like that.

"So it's like our payment for getting involved or something right?" Miwa said after recovering from choking on his food.

"Kind of since in truth I did plan on looking for people who fits the description, but what could be better if your friends are the ones fighting and helping alongside!" Mina smiled as she explains the whole reason behind the unexpected news although in truth she understands Aichi's pain but this can help him greatly and if that is the case she will do anything.

"I don't mind helping" Misaki smiles as she finishes cleaning herself and understanding the whole story.

"Count me in!" Kamui also agrees to the idea.

"I hope we can be of great help!" Miwa agrees while getting pumped up a little.

"NO!" Aichi shouted with all his might that made Kai fully opened his eyes "You don't know what a battlefield is, it is very different in Cardfighting… you will get hurt, you will feel pain… and I can't bear to see that! There is no need to get them too involved Mina-nee!"

"I don't see what the problems is though." A certain someone commented that agitated Aichi.

"But Kiyomitsu!" from whom Aichi called it seems that words came from Kiyomitsu which Aichi is very against the idea.

"Aichi-sama!" Kiyomitsu tries to calm Aichi first, while all the toudans seems to be now assembled together without them noticing "That was something we can never avoid since it is a battlefield… but would you not accept a help from a friend since they can clearly understand the burdens you have and that they don't want you to suffer alone… they understand the situation and they want to share and help you ease your pain and suffering." Kiyomitsu voiced a good argument "If you act like that it's as if you don't also need us to go into the battlefield either."

"It's not-" Aichi stopped from his words.

"We can understand some of it." Kamui started "Although we haven't seen the battlefield you were talking about…" Kamui paused

"The battle between you with the sword warriors and Mina-nee, we can clearly see the seriousness of what is at stake just watching that and we understand all that" Miwa continued.

"Just watching that battle, seeing everyone get injured, you almost leaving us, isn't it enough to give us the message of how serious this is." Misaki wants Aichi to understand that they are serious about it too. "We wanted to help, and if this is our chance then we will try our best."

"Seeing the battlefield will come but first we need to know and train what needs to learn." Miwa said, ready for the new road opening up.

"With them I'm sure you will not be reckless" Yagen said while fixing his glasses clearly there is a meaning behind it and all the toudans even agrees to what he said.

"So… no objection from the toudans side?" Mina asked the sword warriors if they have a problem from her proposition.

"We know that if you decide something, it means it's for the better of all of us" Yasusada spoke that everyone seems to have the same thoughts agreeing with him then smiled at Mina.

Mina blushed slightly from Yasusada's remark but tries to hide it and continued on "O-okay now that there is no objection let us talk about how your training will be composed of! But first I have something to voice" Mina then points at Kamui "You are too young for this therefore you and Miwa will be partners in battle if ever and you will most likely be placed in expedition only!"

"Ehh?" which Kamui completely disagrees with "But, what about them!" Kamui points at the Tantous.

All the Tantous looks at each other, and then… "Although our stature are small because of the types of swords we are…" Midare started while placing a peace sign on top of his eye and his other hand on his side while smiling.

"We are quite older than you are!" Imanotsurugi raised his arms and also smiled.

"And we have faced or have watched a real battlefield" Sayo calmly finished without changing his expression or position.

"So our looks can be quite surprising, even I was surprised that I would look like this as a human" Tsurumaru grinned.

"I mean we are swords that gained human form because of Aichi-sama but mind you that we are tools for killing." Yagen points out their true nature and purpose.

"Though some are used for protection, fortune, or become display…" Gokotai added while the five tiger around him are playing.

Finally Kamui slumps down in defeat and seeing this Mina decided to continue "Now then since you guys are new we can start training today and your menu for now will be about fighting!" It seems Mina is pumped up about this as she looks fired up and looks so happy "Misaki will train under me for archery training, Kai will be sword training with Shokudaikiri and Yamanbagiri, Miwa will be sword training trained by Tsurumaru and Mutsunokami, and lastly for Kamui is Horikawa and Midare." Mina's eyes are glistening in excitement.

"Isn't this going a little too fast?" Aichi mentions since this proposal was really too sudden but Mina decided to ignore it since she took it as plea to not continue but then Aichi remembered his name was not mentioned about what he should do about his training, fortunately Konnosuke noticed his expression and understood what it meant and answered Aichi "Aichi, you will continue your normal regime training but using your powers to a minimum." He sighs before continuing "Also there is a reason why Mina is so excited." Konnosuke dropped his head.

"I have already finished sewing a traditional clothing for them!" Mina rejoiced and answered their question of why she was so excited "You will be using that here in your training but your clothing in sortie or expedition will depend on you!" it seems that she enjoyed making the outfits for them to this extent. "Also…" Mina's eyes sparkled for a bit "You can stay and sleep here." Something that Miwa and Kamui would like.

So in the end they were correct, in a sense it did end up as give and take, the battle that they saw were already too much information for them and the cost for them knowing most of the truth they will serve as rear-guards of the vanguard.

"So let's start?" Mina smiled at the four and then while waiting for their response "Aichi I have something for you in your room" bewildered Aichi cannot help but just to wait and see what Mina was talking about.

While three of them talked out and agreed without Kai's consent they decided to start and get changed "Tsurumaru, Mutsunokami, and Yasusada please lead Kai, Miwa, and Kamui to their rooms and help them change, Misaki you will be in the same room with me and I will help you change there, and Aichi you can head to your room and then we'll all meet up at the training hall."

Tsurumaru, Mutsunokami, and Yasusada answered and led Kai, who was following behind and thought that there is no escaping decided to accept reality in front of him, Miwa, and Kamui to their rooms while Misaki followed Mina while Aichi headed straight to his room.

At the room where Kai, Miwa, and Kamui will be staying if they ever do decide to stay in the night Tsurumaru then showed to Kai a red yukata with a matching black hakama, while Mutsunokami showed to Miwa a yellow yukata with a matching black hakama and lastly Yasusada showed to Kamui an orange yukata with a matching black hakama.

In Mina's room where she would share in the future with Misaki showed to her a green yukata with a matching white hakama.

Then entering his room Aichi was surprised to see a new traditional clothing for him hanging near his closet, the color looked beautiful and elegant, a gradient patterned blue yukata and also a gradient patterned gray hakama.

Outro: I want …. A cover photo for this story T~T…

I'm very sorry for my lack of vocabulary and wrong grammars and wrong spelling if ever, but I hope you like the story, and thank you for your continuous support everyone!

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