Intro: hope you will like this next chapter!

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 54: Your smile

~Garden~

As the toudans wait and pass the time for the day which is their day of rest, they also wait eagerly for the master that they all so wait that they will be able to see and be with, but alas it is almost lunch time and they haven't seen the slightest nor even shadow of their beloved master, and somehow because of this their waiting and eagerness was changed to worry.

"I thought Aichi-sama is okay now…" Midare stops from playing with the other Tantous and because of this they too lost the interest of even continuing on to play.

"It's almost lunch time and Aichi-sama still hasn't come…" Gokotai spoke out as the tiger cubs below starts to whimper.

It made the other toudans with them at the veranda also replace with worry as they also wait for the said master, aside from Souza who do not think the same level of worry.

~Date Group Room~

With grim faces Shokudaikiri and Tsurumaru are heartbroken about the conclusion they have come upon "Aichi-sama is happy with us included to the family." Shokudaikiri started.

"And it was also us that also burdened him with that." Tsurumaru added.

"I don't know if we should be happy about our existence here…" Shokudaikiri spoke "I am thankful for this opportunity to have this body but, if it is really the reason for that then, what would happen if he ever get to be summoned…" Shokudaikiri looks at Tsurumaru as if desperately looking for an answer.

"I don't know, with what we have found out, I'm sure it would end up the same… Mina-nee is looking into something so we don't have time to ask her yet." Tsurumaru clicks his tongue.

"Aichi-sama is awake, don't you think we should try and confirm it." Shokudaikiri remembered.

"If you want to you should go, somehow with what we have find out for ourselves I don't even have the courage to even show my face to him." Tsurumaru puffed as they continued on to think of the solution or the answer on the other hand Ookurikara is not used to the atmosphere that he is looking at, and it somehow feels like it bothers him.

And with the annoying atmosphere around him, he can't help but think of getting outside to have a fresh air as he already feels suffocating at this kind of choking atmosphere.

"Oi! Kara-chan wait!" Shokudaikiri called out as he and Tsurumaru follows to where he might be going and it surprised him when they found out where he might be going.

~Aichi's Room~

Aichi decided to past the time the whole Sunday in his room not doing anything as he wait for a certain someone to come back to his room "You promised that you will come back…" he sulked.

As he covers himself from the sheets of his bed feeling somewhat feverish once again, he heard stomping of feet outside his room as the door of his room slide fast with a bang surprised at the sudden loud noise Aichi sprung to his bed only to see Ookurikara walking towards him as he noticed a Shokudaikiri and Tsurumaru walking up towards him he winced in pain for the sudden jump from his bed as he clutches his head.

"Aichi-sama!" Shokudaikiri and Tsurumaru hurries to Aichi as they immediately saw him having a trouble and check him up if there was something that is hurting.

"See, it wasn't that hard to go to him." With that he gave a loud click on his tongue as he hurried to the door of the room. Noticing themselves that even they were surprised that they were conversing normally to Aichi they pause for a while in realization.

When he was about to leave Aichi pointed on Ookurikara understanding what he meant, they continue on to give chase after the Uchigatana.

"Wait! It was your idea to come here, at least stay a while." Shokudaikiri tries his hardest to pull back Ookurikara from behind while Tsurumaru tries his hardest to push from the front.

Noticing their silly antics a faint chuckle was heard from their master "Aichi-sama?" Tsurumaru muttered as Aichi's laugh gradually grew louder as they all stopped and stare at him in confusion.

"I was right to put him in your care, you already look closer than before." Aichi stops as he smiles at the three "Since you already visited why not stop by for a while and if it's alright with you, I would like to know what Ookurikara meant by hard to see me." The two specifically went silent upon hearing him repeat that word.

As they decided to sit down in front of him taking a seat cushion with them in the middle is Ookurikara so they could stop him whenever he will ever think of escaping, with that ended up with him sighing.

When they have properly seated up Shokudaikiri and Tsurumaru won't make eye contact nor even speak and it was kind of weird since if it was the two of them, the two wouldn't have a time where they wouldn't say something, for Shokudaikiri's case it was sometimes when something happens to the kitchen on Tsurumaru's case it would be how he thought of any possible surprises for the new toudans or anyone in particular to be honest, but now they were reluctant to even speak nor look at him, it was indeed suspicious.

And it wasn't like as if Ookurikara would speak any time sooner so he himself decided to speak so Aichi himself decided to start as he felt that the atmosphere is starting to be suffocating "Are you getting along with the two of them?" He asked Ookurikara with a smile etched on his face but to Ookurikara it was a pain with them.

"I don't plan on getting along." Ookurikara started but Aichi's smile won't leave and it feels weird and new to him.

"At least report normally." Aichi didn't lose his smile's charm as Ookurikara groaned in annoyance.

"It's the same as always." Was Ookurikara's simple answer, although it wasn't different from what he meant or what he always say at least he made an effort to try and change it a little.

Aichi swings his feet back and forth "You see last Wednesday when I was checking up at the new swords if they were properly adjusting well, I noticed that there was a difference." The two looked at him as they saw one of the redeeming traits they like about him, his warm smile, for them that smile holds his kindness.

Feeling pained and at the same time happy at the thought they continued to listen to him "When I tried to visit the three of you in your room, I noticed that you can't even make him talk nor the two of you couldn't even speak to Ookurikara, it feels like both parties were trying to figure out what the other would do first, hence you can't exactly do anything yet, than having a staring contest." Aichi puffed trying to prevent himself for laughing for a moment.

When he continued his gaze shifted to the windows of his room as he noticed a cool nice breeze from the wind "I noticed that maybe if things are this heated yet then maybe it wasn't time for me to intervene and continue onwards to your room, since what I want to prioritize first is how you will get along with the others."

Aichi's gaze turns back to them as he took his legs and holds it close to him, placing his chin on top of his knees "It's alright if I can go last, I will try to learn how to wield a sword like you with the other's help, so for now what I had in mind is how you will act and perform when you are with others. As long as he softens up to everyone in the citadel and see him coordinate properly with the others in the future, at least I would be able to fight in ease knowing that you will be able to fight with them."

After hearing his reason Shokudaikiri and Tsurumaru realizes his plan thinking that he was thinking of their circumstances in the battlefield. Since mostly he will be there for support at least make Ookurikara know how to battle with others so that there wouldn't be troubles in the future whenever they go on the battlefield. Knowing that, they didn't think he was putting first the trust on with comrades, it surprised the both of them

"With that Shokudaikiri and Tsurumaru, especially Ookurikara, although I am not Date Masamune I hope you will to allow me to wield the three of you even in the least up to par with him." Aichi stood up from his bed took a seat cushion and sat in front of them "I know it will be hard to wield you but please allow me to try at least." He smiles at Ookurikara.

Somehow it surprised him though he didn't show him, and instead he sigh in the process "Such nonsense…" he muttered.

"So… does that mean you will let me wield you?" Aichi smiles at him as he chuckled a little.

"Sorry, but I'll choose where I die. Orders are unnecessary." Was his only comment making Aichi nervously laughs.

"But then remembering that you three are Date Masamune swords I noticed something interesting and it made me curious, and think I wonder if the next Date Masamune sword I will summon will also have beautiful golden eyes like you three." When Aichi finished the three of them looked at each other one by one and noticed the similarities.

"So you have just noticed too?" Aichi chuckled in surprise the three nodding to his question as they didn't even bother to even notice also he continued on.

"I noticed it when I summoned Ookurikara when I was asking a favor to Shokudaikiri about taking care of Ookurikara and then when I encountered Tsurumaru on the way to my room as I noticed those golden eyes." Aichi smiled "Because the three of you are together somehow it send chills to me as if I am getting sucked in by your eyes. A pair of beautiful shining golden eyes."

The two of them smiled as they themselves didn't even notice that fact until Aichi pointed it out for them, a trait that something Date Masamune swords have, they thought. Aichi noticed Ookurikara's expression that never changed but he wished it at least somehow gave him an impact.

"I have to at least make you call on my name… my first name?" Aichi started as he waits for a response but there was none "My last name?" Still no response "I guess I would always be confused whoever you will be calling." Aichi gives up since he knows it's still a little early for him to warm up as he thought of a certain someone.

And because he thought of that Aichi froze from his thoughts. Sweat fills up Aichi's face making Shokudaikiri and Tsurumaru worry "Aichi-sama are you still unwell?" Shokudaikiri slides forward him as he checks Aichi's forehead "You are still a little hot." Shokudaikiri looks at Tsurumaru.

"N-no I am fine." Aichi smiles as he continues to think of the possibilities that it was indeed his fault but then what he heard from Tsurumaru surprised him.

"Is us just being around giving you troubles?" Tsurumaru started that greatly surprised and confused Aichi.

"Where did that come from?" Aichi asked in confusion.

"Yesterday on laundry duty, Yamanbagiri made us open our eyes that…" He paused for a moment as he himself can't accept what they have theorized but it was necessary to at least inform of him about it "That when you summon us Date Swords, it always affect your health…" Tsurumaru was about to speak again but then Aichi cuts in.

"How did you come up with that?" Shokudaikiri and Tsurumaru has a confusing and blank face right now "It's just a coincidence isn't it?" The two stop for a moment. "But why don't you try and think it from other perspective such as the three of you being special?"

"But that's absurd!" Tsurumaru loses his cool for a moment as Aichi jumps from shock of him shouting "You summoned Mitsubou and then fell ill, then me and also fell ill, for days! And now with Karabou also! Isn't it too much of a coincidences? For me it's not just a normal coincidence, there must be something behind this. And we want to wait until we talk it out to Mina-nee." Tsurumaru stood up as Aichi instinctively grabs his hakama.

"I'm sorry!" Aichi bows his head "That for my body being weak made you think of those things… that because I was reckless this time that you thought of that conclusion. I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" Aichi's tears well up.

When Shokudaikiri and Tsurumaru noticed this Tsurumaru hastily took his hands off from his hakama as he held his hands, Shokudaikiri supports him beside him as Ookurikara was at a loss at what is happening but doesn't show it and keeps his calm demeanor.

"I'm sorry that I didn't think about what my recklessness could end up and what all of you would think, but I just want everyone to be happy, since I know I could just recover again and again, it's alright if I don't prioritize myself as long as I don't push myself too much nothing bad would happen. That is what I always thought… Summoning the five of them, I thought I was stronger since I was able to summon Mikazuki without any draw back, but it seems it was only a lucky exemption, I'm sorry." Tsurumaru had enough of the sorry he said as Shokudaikiri pulls him up they see his drenched face.

Shokudaikiri and Tsurumaru find it funny and cute while Ookurikara somehow thought of the same as he tries his best to shake the thought and calm himself Shokudaikiri pulls out a handkerchief and cleans his face.

After that Aichi continued on "It wasn't any of your fault, at those times I was just really weak I thought I was strong enough when I summoned Shokudaikiri, I got Tsurumaru from luck and I got Ookurikara by surprise… I wasn't kidding when I said you three are special and weren't a trouble or something like bad luck for me, instead look at it from this, Shokudaikiri is my first Tachi who I thought would be like a big brother for everyone, when I brought Tsurumaru to be honest at that time I want a big brother who can give laughter to the citadel but it was faint." Aichi chuckled a little "And then Ookurikara my first rare 3 Uchigatana whom I thought could be someone like a lone wolf but in your case a dragon who prioritizes strength most but deep inside prioritizes connection."

"You all heard my wish even though it was faint and it was silly, but you heard me… I feel lucky and special that you gave me a chance, I'm happy that all of you heard me…" Aichi used his free hand as he reaches for his head "I feel dizzy." Well what he described Ookurikara was from what he thought when he summoned him, because at that time he was thinking about Kai and didn't think that it affected the one he would summon, he can only wish that he will really turn out to be someone like him who cares for others too in the end.

Shokudaikiri who was next to him hurriedly carries him in his arms but slowly carried him towards the bed while Tsurumaru fixes his bed so that Shokudaikiri will be able to lay him there as Tsurumaru readies to cover him up.

"It's because of too much crying, don't push yourself like that." Shokudaikiri puffs as he flicks Aichi's forehead.

"If you are sleepy and tired go to sleep, we will wait for you to fall asleep." Tsurumaru messes Aichi head as he slowly drifted to sleep.

With what they heard, somehow they felt silly for even thinking that, although somehow Ookurikara was confused at what he just heard and can't seem to put it up to pieces, though for Shokudaikiri and Tsurumaru, they can finally breathe normally, and can somehow only feel like idiots for thinking something like that, and with newfound reason inside them they move forward with a much more stronger resolve.

Before succumbing to sleep Aichi notices from his peripheral view that the three Date Gumi swords were surprised to a running towards him Mikazuki, as Aichi reaches for his hands Aichi lost the battle with his drowsiness and fell into sleep.

~Aichi's room -Afternoon-~

Aichi slowly wakes up slightly groaning while stretching his arm and legs he adjusts his gaze noticing a silhouette beside his bed he instantly stood up from his bed "Mikazuki?!" He formed in his voice that is still a little hoarse because of only waking up.

The silhouette turns over while saying "I'm sorry to disappoint but I'm not Mikazuki." It was in fact Tsurumaru that is sitting beside his bed.

"Tsurumaru?" Aichi sits properly as Tsurumaru smiles upon hearing his name. "Why are you still here?" he asked.

Tsurumaru just continued to smile as he turns over again and leaned onto his bed, while looking around Aichi noticed a food at his table, and then he noticed the time, he must have fell asleep before lunch and Tsurumaru decided to bring it and waited for him to wake up "Have you been waiting?"

"Yeah…" was Tsurumaru's hesitant answer "It seems its taking your body longer than usual to recover… we heard that it really surprised your body summoning them at once." He hesitated to say that last part.

"I'm sorry…" Aichi repeated.

Because of this Tsurumaru scratches his head as he raised his hands sighing in the process "Ne, Aichi-sama… will you make a promise with me?" and then clutching his fingers he forms them into a fist but leaving out his pinky "I noticed Mitsubou sometimes forms his hands like this and smiles to himself especially when he started to become your attendant." Still somewhat dumbfounded Aichi continues to listen.

"And then I asked him 'Does your pinky hurt or something' and then he only answered 'No it doesn't hurt, it's just that I made a promise with Aichi-sama that I would be guiding everyone' and then when I saw you crying out your heart as if your heart is about to jump out…" He puffed as if almost laughing in the process "I thought that maybe if we also made a promise I want to at least promise to you that I would protect that smile of your so that I won't have to see it cry or sad." As Tsurumaru finished he wore a serious expression as he held out his pinky when he turns over to him, he knows it surprised Aichi so he patiently wait for Aichi's response.

When Aichi was about to return the pinky swear Tsurumaru started to speak again "In exchange will you promise me that you would always smile and not damper it with tears?" Aichi somehow blushes from his words as he accepted the terms of the promise.

"I know that it's not much but I like to see your smiling face more, than seeing it frown, especially cry, so thank you." Tsurumaru and Aichi broke it off as they finished Tsurumaru stood up and embraced Aichi which greatly surprised him "I would at least want to vow to always protect you but to me it's the same as seeing your smile."

Aichi's somehow felt his face turn hot to which he didn't understood why as Tsurumaru finishes he broke of the embrace as Aichi hangs his head down making Tsurumaru understand the reason why and decided to fetch the food and place the food tray at his bed "I'll let you finish eating at least in silence…" Tsurumaru lets out an awkward laugh "I'll come get it later." He said as he walks towards the door leaving a frozen Aichi from surprise.

When Tsurumaru made it outside he himself felt his cheeks also get hotter "Get yourself together!" he told himself as he slaps both his check and ran down the stairs.

~Aichi's room -Evening-~

Aichi silently stares at the ceiling within mind his conversation with Tsurumaru from before repeats, thinking about the previous promises he noticed that it broke off to Shokudaikiri jumping three toudans to Tsurumaru, since he thought they would come in order from when he summoned them remembering the order who made a promise with him, and then as his thought trails off a call from the door surprised him "Aichi-sama I've brought dinner."

Aichi slowly sat up his bed "Okay, come in." he said as Horikawa showed himself through the door.

Walking slowly inside his room Horikawa's face frowns while placing the food on top of Aichi's table as he noticed that he still looks weak "Aichi-sama are you feeling well?"

"Yeah, somehow." He answered truthfully.

Aichi noticed that Horikawa seems to have wanted to say something but decided not to ask and just wait if he will ever say something which he was right to "Aichi-sama…" Horikawa's solemn expression greatly surprised him as he responded to him Horikawa continued on.

"Do you somehow not really care about us?" Aichi froze from his words greatly affecting him.

"W-what do you mean by that?" Aichi stumbled on his words as he waits for his answer.

Horikawa clutches his hands into a fist as he musters up the courage to talk to him and say what he really feels "That's because… even if you really wants us to be happy, in the end you don't think about what will we think about, that we would worry about you pushing yourself too much for us."

Aichi wanted to say something but he decided not to say anything since it was indeed his fault that they would think like that he has nothing to defend himself "Did you know that I really don't want to swim when we were at the sea?" that info surprised Aichi "Somehow I really don't feel like it, it was not scary but somehow I feel like it would swallow me up whole." He looks away to Aichi "At that time with you leading us, I feel warm and safe knowing that you will be beside us and support us any way you can, as long as you see us smiling."

"I also don't intend to tell you about me wanting to see Kane-san and join us here, because I know that you would push yourself and try, but then I guess me and Brother should have tried understanding the surroundings, I know from that time that you heard us." He paused "It's because of our selfish wish that we thought of that gave you that idea." He bowed deeply "So I know that it was my fault that you did that, because you heard me that time when you collapse near our room, it didn't occur to me since we were panicking but then when you brought Kane-san I understood what made you push yourself to summon him."

Outro: hhmmmm…..

I'm very sorry for my lack of vocabulary and wrong grammars and wrong spellings, but I hope you like the story nonetheless, and thank you for everyone's continuous support!

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