Intro: Hello guys sorry for the long wait… I was busy and at the same time lazy haha... anyways I hope you guys will like this new chapter, I did my best! I do not plan to scrap the story it just took me a while to have time to be able to continue even just little by little. Special thanks to Hetalia SN Korea for ur support and motivation!
Seriously though… whenever there is a sad part in the story my imagination is always on overdrive…
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 27: Learning the basics
~Training Hall~
The first ones to arrive at the hall is the all-male group with Kai, Miwa, and Kamui now wearing their new outfits, or their training attires with the toudans who are going to train them. A little while later comes Misaki with Mina, seeing a different Misaki, Miwa can't help but speak out his mind of what he thinks of how Misaki looks "That looks good on you nee-chan"
Misaki faintly blushing from the compliment, but tsundere as she can be she hastily turned her head to the side and in an angry but a little shy tone she thanks Miwa "Thank you".
Mina can't help but notice that there seems to be a future with this two and she wants to be on the front seat and see what will become of this slowly but surely blossoming love between the two, and she knows that her intuition is always right and will help every step of the way to help these two.
The last to come is Aichi with Yagen and Kiyomitsu following him with a faint flush from their faces. Everyone's eyes are glued onto Aichi, although the pattern is simple it definitely showed an elegant aura from him, making the other toudans flush a little too.
Mina relieved seeing that her hard work has paid off and is in awe also from the elegance thinking that it was far from what she expected "I know it would look good on you" she chimed bringing back the toudans back to their senses and making Aichi flush.
Mina looked left and right and seeing as everyone that is included in this training are already in the vicinity, add to it that all eyes are now on her meaning they are ready and are waiting for her orders, she closes her eyes for a brief moment and opening them she started.
"Alright!" Mina started when everyone, meaning the ones that will train the guardians and the guardians themselves, are now assembled in front of her "Since Aichi-kun, Misaki-chan, Kamui-chan, and Kai-kun are preparing for the upcoming National Tournament that for now you will be having basic training."
While speaking she slowly moved to where the wooden swords are placed "So from here you can choose a sword type to your liking, but for Kamui-chan maybe, use a Tantou sword" After that she went beside the toudans "Since all of the toudans here uses different sword style depending on their master or in other words the previous ones that handled them, So me and Konnosuke has decided to let the toudans partnered with you to teach you the basics which are; holding your katana properly, the sword posture, drawing, two handed cuts, flicking, returning, the forms, drills, and finally cutting."
Mina dragged Aichi and Misaki slowly with her "After learning the basic which we know will take a little longer, after learning the basics we will let you watch the toudans spar with each other, the two toudans paired with you will each take turn to spar so you can all watch to find the sword style that is to your liking or if you ever have something in mind we will see if someone that will come along and will ask them to teach you, so for now we go with the basics, okay I'll leave it to you guys!"
While Aichi and Misaki are being slowly dragged into the spot where they are going to practice by Mina, Yagen and Kiyomitsu can't help but look at each other thinking whether they should follow them or not. Considering that Mina took Aichi with her meaning they aren't needed yet, and coming to a conclusion they decided not to join them and agreed to watch the others who are going to train in the hall.
Moving forward while clasping both his hands as if clapping once Shokudaikiri started "We all have introduced ourselves to each other before but we didn't inform you about the type of swords we are so we are going to reintroduce ourselves, after that we will head for the wall rack and get the katana of your choice, and then later if you are ready we will share the style of fighting we use"
Shokudaikiri paused for a moment eyeing the three if they are ready, and seeing the determination from their eyes he turned to his right and left to confirm the other toudans that they are ready and at the same time asking if they are too which they gave an okay or nod to assure him. "Alright let's begin."
~Mina's Side~
Mina glanced at the group in the training hall and noticed that Shokudaikiri is taking the lead "Hm-hm-hm, we can always count on Shokudaikiri." Mina proceeded to patting Aichi's head "Thank you for bringing him here…"
Aichi nodded and smiled "Me too I'm glad my prayer was heeded when I brought him" he said looking at Shokudaikiri too.
"Alright let's continue on our side!" Mina enthusiastically said while clapping her hands once.
~Kitchen~
The three Tantous that weren't chosen to help with the training were assigned to help in the kitchen with Nikkari, Yasusada, and then Hasebe in the kitchen duty but to their surprise on their way to the kitchen they heard sobbing and murmur sounds that made poor Gokotai feel a chill but it didn't stop the tiger cubs with him to continue and play around.
"I-is that a ghost?" Gokotai stopped from his tracks while the 5 tiger cubs that is always with him still continued to go inside "H-hey!" seeing as they might break something the three Tantous quickly followed the 5 cubs.
Following the five unstoppable and full of energy fur balls, they finally found the culprit where the creepy sound was coming from, and it was a crouching Hasebe at a corner of the kitchen sobbing and murmuring words they couldn't make anything out of.
"Hey, Hasebe-san?" Imanotsurugi called, but to no avail and just continued to sob and murmur at the corner.
"I guess he can't accept the fact that he wasn't chosen as one of the toudans that will help the guardians." Nikkari explained while walking towards the group when he and Yasusada entered the room.
"Oh! Yamatonokami-san and Nikkari-san!" Imanotsurugi chimed while greeting the two that are walking towards them.
Nikkari and Yasusada nodded to his greeting then Yasusada spoke "We were looking at the possible places that you guys always went off to" Yasusada started while looking at them one by one as if checking if they are complete then his eyes returned to the crouching Hasebe.
Sayo stared at Hasebe understanding a little the reason why he was moping although he doesn't know what to say if it will help or not but Sayo tries as much to get his spirits up so he spoke to him "If you weren't chosen there, doesn't that mean you are needed more here?" Hearing those words, Hasebe flinched and stopped for a brief moment while the group are silently fixated on him.
After a while He hastily stood up from where he is crouching as if nothing had happen his aura changing greatly "Fufufufu…" he chuckled making the four people who were around him sweat drop at the sight excluding Sayo.
Gaining his composure and feelings altogether he hastily turned around the group "Ahem" he started "Let us get started!" From the point of view of the five, they can see sparkling aura around him "We will help them regain the energy they have used up from their training! A feast! Especially for Aichi-sama!" Basically right now his eyes are now gleaming also, and because of this enthusiasm even Gokotai, Imanotsurugi, and Yasusada were influenced by it.
"ooohhh!" The three said in unison that made Nikkari smile although Sayo might not look like he is enjoying and looks as if not affected he actually is since an 'oh' face is written on him..
~A little while later~ -Training Hall-
While watching the Shokudaikiri and the other re-introducing themselves to the three Kiyomitsu thought of something that they think will be much more prioritized to do so he shared his thoughts to Yagen "I don't think we are needed here, maybe let's go to the kitchen to help, rather than watch."
Yagen nodded to what Kiyomitsu suggest to do "With only six of them there and let's not forget half are Imanotsurugi, Sayo, and Gokotai I agree it would be much better to help them instead."
Kiyomitsu nodded "Got it, then let's go to Mina-nee and Aichi-sama." While walking to reach Mina, Aichi and Misaki's location Kiyomitsu felt as if something is missing "I feel like there is something?" He said while looking all over the training hall
"Hm?" Yagen confusingly puffed at Kiyomitsu while also looking at the surrounding hall.
Seeing as nothing seems to be missing "Well… it's probably not important" Kiyomitsu shrugged the idea off and continued to head to Mina's location "Hmm… I wonder how long will it take to repair the damages…".
"We'll do what we can, and wait for help to arrive for now" the two continued to converse while slowly trying to reach the location "I'm more worried about Aichi-sama".
"Yeah me too…"
Back to Shokudaikiri and the others, they seem to have finished re-introducing themselves to the three as they were now heading to where the wall rack where the wooden katanas are placed.
"I will teach you next of the proper handling of a katana and give you additional knowledge about them, such as its parts and uses… For now we will teach basic, Posture, drawing of sword, two handed cuts, flicking and returning the sword. After you have mastered them show us a complete form of it and we will teach you ways of cutting an enemy, then drills that can help with sparring partners, and finally cutting using real swords on rice straws…" Shokudaikiri stop midway and summoned his sword form, sparkling blue light like fireflies gathered in front of him forming a horizontal line, after it was formed he reached for the light in front of him and the blue sparkling light scattered away showing a sword, their original form the sword that were that they now wield.
After summoning his sword form Shokudaikiri placed the sword to his right Miwa notices this and commented on it "Oh left handed, that's rare, I didn't even notice it before." Miwa's remarks caught Shokudaikiri's attention.
Shokudaikiri's attention immediately turned to his sword "Oh, you mean the placing of the sword?" Shokudaikiri held his sword forward "No I am right handed, I just frequently use my right to hold it"
"hmmm… Is Date Masamune right handed?" Miwa asked while at the back of his mind he tries his hardest to remember about the latter.
"Yes, he is." Tsurumaru answered.
"Isn't Hasebe-san and Sayo left handed too?" Midare thought.
"No, they use their right to hold them but they are still right handed on handling their katana." Horikawa answered the confused Midare.
"Wow, it's like having a talk with famous people in history." Kamui said that made the whole group stare at him even Kai for a moment but closed his eyes and decided not to say anything since he is a kid he still doesn't know much about history.
"Uhm…" Miwa scratched his head "You 'are' talking to them…" His eyes trailed to Shokudaikiri's sword then back to Kamui and then closed his eyes "Famous people's sword that is, here in japan."
A few moments of trying to sink it in later "EHHH?!" Kamui, shocked, placed both his hands under his chin while lunging out his surprise.
"Well, thanks to Aichi-sama we can converse to you like this" Shokudaikiri smiled at Kamui.
"And more will come and join us." Horikawa said eager and longing for a certain sword.
"I have so many to ask!" Miwa's eyes shined thinking that this may make his history grades up.
"Questions aside, we can continue this for another time" Shokudaikiri clapped his hands once getting everybody's attention "Alright let's continue."
"We will teach you the first six, the katana itself, postures, drawing, two handed cuts, flicking, and returning. Then after you have that the forms, drills, and cutting. First is the postures, hmm… 5 basic postures, I will demonstrate to you all what we will be going to teach you." Shokudaikiri drew out his sword and placed the sword upward on top of his head while his right foot is at front and his left foot far apart from each other at the back while squatting a little "This is Jodan no Kamae or the upward level posture."
Next, he changed his position from the sword on top of his head now it's on his right side near his ear while his feet are now a little closer "This is Hasso no Kamae or the side posture."
Next, he placed the sword forward him the handle is on the same level as his abdomen and the hilt is now upward, while he shifted his body to the right while his feet are now again far apart squatting a little "This is the Seigan no Kamae or the correct eye posture which is a posture to hide your body behind the sword."
Next, he didn't shift his body nor moved his feet but placed the sword downward "This is the Gedan no Kamae or the low level posture."
Lastly he placed his sword downward at his side while seemingly his other leg hides it while squatting a little while the other leg is slanted but straight and not squatting "And lastly this is In no Kamae."
After demonstrating 5 basic forms he returned the sword to its sheath "Second is drawing or battou" Shokudaikiri shifted his position where his sword can now be seen, he slowly demonstrates it to them, he uses his left thumb to push the sword then comes his right hand to reach the top of the handle of the sword and draws directly at the center line of the body now that the sword is almost out he grips and fling the sword to his right on the same level of his shoulder to create a cut. "I am going to repeat it again without slowing" he demonstrates it again without limitation on his speed. Miwa and Kamui lets out an "Oh!" after seeing his move.
"Third is the two-handed cut or kirioroshi" Shokudaikiri moved away from the group then proceeded to place his sword on top of his head now using both hands then moved his right foot forward a little Shokudaikiri again slowly demonstrates it "this is the forward cut" after he told them the type of cut he proceed to demonstrate by cutting forward then back on top of his head "left sideways cut" his left feet moves forward a little more and proceeds to cut from left to right after demonstrating he places back the katana on top of his head again "the right sideways cut" he places his left foot back and used his right foot then proceeded to cut from his right to left. "And then here is how you do it continuously." Shokudaikiri proceeded in performing it on his normal speed.
Once again Miwa and Kamui lets out an "OH!" but this time it was louder that gave Shokudaikiri a little sweat drop from the two but smiled it off and instead continued onto the next.
"Fourth is flicking the blade or chiburi, although it won't help much of completely getting rid of the blood stain but at least keep in mind cleanliness and that it won't fasten the rusting of the blade, so I added this step." Shokudaikiri slowly once again demonstrates, he slowly positioned his katana by one hand on top of his head by moving his hand sideways slowly then upward, once on top of his head the katana blade is behind then made a slow flick clockwise cut from top to bottom "There you have Omori-ryu, next is the eishin-ryu or the side flick" Shokudaikiri proceeded to demonstrate it by placing it on top of his head with both hand on the handle while his right leg is moved forward then slowly Shokudaikiri flicks the katana downwards then released his grip on his left hand then flicks the sword to the right facing forward using his right hand "Now I will demonstrate it with my normal speed." Miwa and Kamui felt a sudden chill on their spine when Shokudaikiri is demonstrating the move.
Now that the demonstration is finished Shokudaikiri noticed the complexion of Miwa and Kamui who looks a little pale than normal "Are you two alright?" Horikawa asked out of concern who also noticed the facial expression of the two.
"Uhm… you see… somehow… it really felt like you really did flick blood from it." Miwa answered, making the paired twodans look at each other then looked at Shokudaikiri excluding Yamanbagiri who was staring at Miwa and Kamui.
"Mitsubou…" Tsurumaru called.
"Yes?" Shokudaikiri reacted to the call.
"We understand the enthusiasm…" He stopped for a moment while scratching his head "Just leave that thought and don't be too serious."
Shokudaikiri at this time widens his eyes by surprise followed by a sighs then spoke "I guess it shows even by demonstrating since by flicking it means getting off blood huh…" The group didn't quite understand what he meant except Tsurumaru though Horikawa seems to get it.
"Why the bloodlust though?" Mutsunokami asked out of curiosity "I mean we know we have to deal with them but it seems there is something else" Even curiosity got to Kai, Miwa, and Kamui and decided to wait for his answer.
Shokudaikiri faced Horikawa and because of this look Horikawa immediately understood the bloodlust "Come to think of it ever since that day it wasn't brought up again" Horikawa said making the whole group coming to a conclusion that they are keeping something a secret.
Shokudaikiri noticed the bewilderment on everyone's faces and nodded to Horikawa as if giving him the permission that it's okay to tell them "You see, during Aichi-sama's first mission… he sustained a deep cut on his shoulder, because of this Kiyomitsu gained deeper bloodlust on them and resentment on himself while Imanotsurugi, Yagen, Shokudaikiri, me and Yasusada feels the same but not the same as Kiyomitsu as he was the one with Aichi-sama that time, he feels the most to blame and also has the most hatred." Yamanbagiri, Mutsunokami, and Midare was shocked at this information even Miwa, Kai, and Kamui.
"You mean he already had an injury very much from the beginning?!" Miwa concluded as if understanding the reason why… "Now I get why he is so overly protective of him."
Horikawa smiled a little "Yes, part of it…"
"Yup…" Midare agreed understanding what he meant.
Shokudaikiri nodded in agreement of it also. Though Kai, Miwa, and Kamui didn't get what that meant
"Yup, but we all feel the same right?" Tsurumaru winked.
"Agreed…" Shokudaikiri agreed while Horikawa, Yamanbagiri, Mutsunokami, and Midare nodded in agreement.
"Well… all in all, the reason we were the only ones to know this is because it was decided to not be brought up after the last incident before Midare came, and also the reason why we all share the same bloodlust towards the enemy." Horikawa finished his explanation.
"What about now?" Kai asked surprising the whole group "Will it be alright to bring it up now?" The others waited eagerly for the answer.
Horikawa looked at Shokudaikiri as if asking it its okay to tell them, closing his eyes as if telling Horikawa he will answer it he faced towards Kai "Let us wait for Mina-nee or Konnosuke to discuss those as with what Horikawa just said, it was decided not to bring it up." While talking about the incident that can't be brought up the look on Shokudaikiri face looks as if he is in pain and it didn't get pass by the group which made Tsurumaru feel the same.
Feeling that someone might say something again Tsurumaru decided to end the heavy conversation "Mitsubou…" Tsurumaru called "Let's not blame anyone okay, you're making me feel worse you know."
"Sorry Tsuru-san" Shokudaikiri had a pained smile about now that made the whole group fell into silence.
"Man… I thought that the one we saw was the worst, but it seems like some other worst things have happened before." Miwa smiled but then it went upside-down in an instant then sighed heavily.
"Okay! Enough of this and let's continue to the next step." Shokudaikiri clapped once to catch their attention as if nothing has happened.
"By the way…" Kamui inserted that made everyone's attention face to him "I haven't seen that Konnosuke you said when we came here."
"Oh yeah me too, I was sure he would be here before us." Mutsunokami looked left and right to look for the said little fox.
"I'm sure he will show up eventually" Tsurumaru said ending the conversation.
"Okay let's continue to the last one, the returning of the sword or the Noto." Shokudaikiri demonstrates again slowly, he used his left hand to make a second hole as if to trace where the hole of the sheath is then placed the back of the blade of on top of his left arm then slowly pulls the sword forward by the hand in a straight line with the help of the arm with the edge of the sword now facing upward, Shokudaikiri then slowly pushes downwards then until the top he uses his left thumb to push the sword inside to secure it in. "Next I am going to demonstrate it without slowing." He then does so without speed limitation.
"And that is it for now with the basics that you will be learning." Shokudaikiri finally finishes his demonstration "Should we get started then?" Shokudaikiri waited for the three to respond, and their response was eyes full of determination.
Seeing those eyes and nods from Kai, Miwa, and Kamui, Shokudaikiri knows that they are ready. "Alright!" but in his mind "I wonder what the others in kitchen duty doing now are…"
Outro: I do my research too and stuff ahaha… although I didn't go into detail much since it took almost 50% of the story but because of this it made me curious and intrigued as if I want to try it too or something.
Also I don't want to scrap this story and I get this nagging feeling that I want to re-write this story in an AU world? Any thoughts? Review it or PM I would like to have your suggestion and opinions, if ever gonna make an AU maybe Divine Messenger IF happy ending version, also if ever, you can look for me at discord #4867.
I'm very sorry for my lack of vocabulary and wrong grammars and wrong spellings, but I hope you like the story, and thank you for everyone's continuous support everyone!
Thank you for reading! Please review or pm for any suggestions or problems on the story.