Intro: finished a chapter,… yes!
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 62: Reinforcements
"A Temporal Pressure?" Shokudaikiri repeated.
"Yes, it's around the words of an apparent contradiction, or logical contradiction associated with the idea of time and time travel. Meaning to say, he has overstayed his welcome." Kon explained the meaning behind what is happening to Aichi.
"But Aichi-sama has always been with us, why is it that this just happened now?!" Kiyomitsu asked completely forgetting about their surroundings, that they are in the boss location.
"I don't know either, but we have to push Aichi-kun back to the present alone." Kon spoke what needs to be done.
"What?! No, I don't want to leave all of you here?!" Aichi straightened himself to show Kon that he is fine.
"Aichi-kun… if you keep that up, you do know that if you completely disappeared here, means two things…" Kon becomes serious as he started scolding Aichi "One is that you will be lost in time although it will be very hard and possible to bring you back but it will be very difficult to attain and two, you will perish."
"B-but those two things are both Aichi-sama's …" Gokotai need not continue stopping himself from his own words with the others also understanding what will happen.
"And that is why if we don't have the answer yet why he is being rejected, we have to push him back to the present!" Kon ordered.
The six looked at each other as Shokudaikiri answers for them "What should we do Konnosuke?"
"I can push him back to the present, while we can also go back, but it will be your decision to stay and finish the mission or join him back." Kon gave an option to the toudans.
"I think the answer is already there." Shokudaikiri pushes away Aichi, noticing his actions Kon already understood what he will do next as he prepares for the time travel of Aichi to go back to the present on his own.
"Since you haven't been taught how to retreat I will do the measures!" Kon said as the ornament around his neck shone enveloping Aichi in its light making him unable to move away from his spot.
And as soon as Aichi was enveloped in its light "I see, so my plan worked huh…" A familiar sinister voice rung through their ears readying themselves for battle.
"I planned to push you back in the present if you ever join so I could reduce your forces by ambushing them here to break them, and if your forces have been reduced, I will be able to capture you and it will be easy to alter history with your abilities!" The voice shouted as the enemy finally showed themselves up.
"I won't let that happen!" Aichi before the light completely envelopes him threw talisman to them and successfully latches on.
"Don't worry Aichi-sama as Captain, I will bring them back safely." Shokudaikiri dodges an attack from the coming enemies.
"Don't worry Aichi-kun, I will push them to the present if needed to retreat! And if we still haven't come back after about an hour in the present, make sure to tell mina to collect us…" Kon smiled bitterly as he sends off Aichi back to the present.
~ Present time -Center-~
Feeling the fall night breeze onto his face Tsurumaru hums with the sound of the wind while sitting at the veranda at the center of the citadel raising his hands up Tsurumaru smiles seeing the bell with Aichi's temporary crest on it "Attendant, huh…" he chuckles as he enjoys the night breeze alone.
But it was hastily ruined by a sudden flash of light in the center surprising Tsurumaru making him stand up from his seat while waiting for the entirety of the light to disappear, and when it does his eyes widens seeing a slumped on the ground Aichi with both his hands covering his face, already he knew that him coming back alone and his body language is not a good news.
Hurrying to his side Tsurumaru calls his name "Aichi-sama! What happened…" he asks him carefully to not put pressure on his.
Hearing his voice slowly Aichi pulls away his hands from his face and the first thing he said was "Do you know where Mina-nee is?" slowly as if feeling no more strength clenching to his collar as he saw his face "Tsurumaru… sorry but…" Aichi starts crying as he leans on his chest.
"I see, so since it's me you think it will be fine to cry in front of me but not letting me see it." Tsurumaru tries to first calm him down by caressing his back and then putting him in his embrace "About your earlier question, I think Mina-nee is at the garden with the others." Not asking what has happened, he thought that it will have to wait.
~Garden~
"I'm surprised that Aichi-sama has called Shokudaikiri for a Sortie, leaving him unattended." Kasen spoke looking over his shoulder.
"You speak of him as if he is a dog or something." Yasusada sweat drops hearing his comment.
Clicking his tongue responding to his comment "I don't need anyone to take care of me." Ookurikara said spoiling his mood.
"Will you please stop it, even though Aichi-sama is not hear you shouldn't be acting like this?!" Hasebe scolded the two.
"Hmp!" Both Kasen and Ookurikara puffed.
While the others could only sigh at what is happening in front of them Mikazuki is somehow feeling restless.
And someone has noticed it "Is something the matter Mikazuki-san?" Horikawa asks which kind of surprises Mikazuki turning towards him Horikawa understood the look he gave "It's because you have been only staring at your tea for a while."
"I see…" Mikazuki having a strong bond with Aichi felt his presence surface a moment ago, not being able to feel the other's presence he thinks twice if it's just his imagination or really Aichi's but why would he come back alone? He thought to himself.
But after a moment of thinking twice he felt the presence closer, turning to his side, he noticed Aichi with Tsurumaru running, hurrying in placing down the tea cup "Aichi-sama?" Mikazuki hastily stood up.
"Has anyone seen Mina-nee?" Aichi asked in a hurry.
"Aichi-sama? What are you doing here? Are the others back already?" Midare asked with the other Tantou following behind.
"Please just tell me if anyone knows where Mina-nee is!" Aichi looks desperate as they all paused for a moment surprised at his state, even though he looks out of breath and sweating which they have forgotten to take notice of.
"Mina-nee is at the infirmary." Mikazuki answers.
Aichi nodded to him in thanks as he runs towards where the infirmary is leaving Tsurumaru behind.
"Do you know what happened?" Mikazuki was the first to ask before Tsurumaru leaves the area and follow Aichi.
"I actually don't know but he came back here crying and weak, something must have happened, something that we will find out later." Was only what Tsurumaru said following behind Aichi to the infirmary.
~Infirmary~
"Mina-nee!" Aichi shouted on top of his lungs trying to call onto Mina's attention.
And Mina who is inside the infirmary with Yagen hastily opened the door for him "Aichi-kun? Why are you back so fast?"
"Mina-nee! Please help!" Was only Aichi could say holding onto her arms.
"Alright Aichi-kun breath first and try to calm down, and then explain to me what happened." Mina placed her hand on his shoulder to calm him down.
Tsurumaru places his hand on top of Aichi's shoulder to help him calm down and when he did "It's when we were at the Boss node, I felt a slight discomfort at my shoulders…" Tsurumaru, Yagen, and Mina all looked worried as they let him continue thinking that it might have been his injury "And thought that maybe it's just because I hurried in using my talisman but then my hand started disappearing and Kon-san said that it was because of a Temporal Pressure."
"What's a Temporal Pressure?" Yagen asked.
"It's when something that is not welcome is being rejected to a time period." Mina answers.
"Then is that why he was brought back to the present?" Tsurumaru thought.
"No, the consequences of it is either being lost in time or losing your existence." Mina looked grim answering the question making them fall silent but then Mina remembers something "But how can that happen, how at this time that you were affected by Temporal Pressure?!" Mina herself was also surprised at the news.
"Kon-san too did not know the answer and the only solution was to first put me back to safely in the present and then find the answer later, leaving them behind, and the reason why I need your help is what made me felt scared from what Kon-san said before I left." Aichi clenches his collar as Tsurumaru with his other hand held onto it.
"What did he say?" Mina swallows since if Kon said something that made Aichi felt that means that it's really serious.
"He… he said to come to collect us if we haven't come back in an hour." Aichi pauses before answering completely, stunning Mina.
"I knew it was a trap?!" Mina bits her lip "How and why did he conclude that?" she asks for further answers.
"The enemy ambushed us with many enemies and the only thing he said that made Kon-san say those words was the comment of the masked cloaked man that…"
"I planned to push you back in the present if you ever join so I could reduce your forces by ambushing them here to break them, and if your forces have been reduced, I will be able to capture you and it will be easy to alter history with your abilities!"
"I see now… alright, I can do something about it!" Mina turned serious and it's the first time that Aichi and the two saw and felt Mina's bloodlust, something might have happened in the past and from the words that the enemy said has triggered within her "Aichi, prepare your strongest swords, your team 1 with me fast… although the two is not here and already there, I will leave the choice to you."
Mina starts to walk out of the room but before that "When this is finish you can finally create the limit of four teams." She smiles before leaving with a serious look on her face.
"Aichi-sama please let me join the team! With my help there I can do first aid before it's too late!" Yagen pleaded as he knows that Aichi won't include him to the team that will be reinforcing the 2nd team.
Aichi nodded to his request making Yagen smile as he headed out to the garden and explains the situation to the others followed by Tsurumaru and Yagen.
~Garden~
"I see, this is really a grave situation huh…" Hasebe's face looked grim as the news was relayed to them.
"Alright, let's surprise them back!" Tsurumaru smiled but with seriousness in his eyes.
Aichi nodding to him readies himself as he calls out the name of the six that will join Mina "Imanotsurugi… Yagen Toushirou… Horikawa Kunihiro… Yamatonokami Yasusada… Mikazuki Munechika… and Captain Tsurumaru Kuninaga…! The six of you will accompany Mina-nee to the location, I pray for your success … you only have 20 minutes to prepare! If you can finish earlier the better! Please come back here with everyone safe" Aichi dismisses them.
And after announcing the team that will be reinforcements to the group that went on the battlefield, the six who were called hastily left to go and prepare fast for battle as soon as they can.
"Aichi-sama…" Hasebe calls out to Aichi seeing that he was unmoving from his spot.
"I should have let Mina-nee take over from the start so this wouldn't have happen." Aichi tries to prevent himself from crying as he continues on "It's because of me, that they will be put in danger…"
Midare can't help it anymore and decided to approach Aichi hugging him, seeing this Sayo let's go of Souza's hands and does the same, with Hakata following next "Aichi-sama!" the three called out.
"Such a weak Master…" Ookurikara muttered.
"Oi!?" Which Kasen heard and didn't like the comment from him.
"Just let him say what he wants…" Hachisuka sighs.
Aichi who felt like all his energy was drained slowly loses his balance, thankfully Hasebe was next to him successfully catching him as Aichi finally loses his consciousness.
"Aichi-sama?!" Hasebe called in worry and surprise with no reaction from him.
"I'll take him to his room to rest in the meantime Hakata, Midare, please tell Yagen about Aichi-sama before they depart." Hasebe calmly instructs them knowing that no one else would "Yamanbagiri, please rely about this to Mina-nee." Yamanbagiri nodded as the three headed out while Hasebe carefully places Aichi in his arms and headed to his room.
"It feels trouble at every corner…" Souza muttered seeing a solemn Sayo.
"It seems we were summoned at a dire situation." Izuminokami commented seeing that everything has gone wrong.
~Center~
"I'm having a guess that it's the effect of the Temporal Pressure since it's his first time experiencing it." Mina spoke relaying the news to the others explaining what could have happened to Aichi.
Right now Mina is wearing a pure white cherry blossom patterned yukata, an obi red colored with sakura petal pattern and a crescent moon on the center, with her skirt hakama with gold streak patterns.
"Let us head off to battle!" Mina readies her talisman as they travel to the past.
~Battle at Sekigahara –Boss Node-~
"I refuse to meet my end here…" Kiyomitsu breathes heavily while clashing with an enemy, all of them are now severely fatigued but thankfully at medium damage only but if severely fatigued it will make things harder for them to move.
With a flash of indigo with pinkish light swirling above, a huge burst of thunder resounds the area then after the loud thunder fell silent drops down chain of lightning downwards spreading through and branching with each strike of lightning doubling, tripling and on and on maximizing the damage, area and output of the thunder, defeating all the enemy that it touches.
"S-strong…" Mutsunokami commended as they watches in awe of the large scale spell.
After the spectacle, from above two silhouette can be seen and at the right angle they were revealed to be Yagen and Imanotsurugi dropping down from midair they prepared to slash in a cross an enemy in front of Gokotai "I didn't think there would be this many…" Yagen slashes behind feeling an enemy presence with Horikawa helping him from behind the enemy finishing it.
Pointing his sword towards the enemies "You will all pay for soiling his smile!" One by one from in front of him to his side Tsurumaru slashes through the enemy as if they were paper with ease.
"For making him sad I will make you regret it!" like Tsurumaru Mikazuki passes the enemies with ease defeating them one by one, both with the eyes who looks at them as if they were bugs but will full on bloodlust in their aura as they find a path towards the masked man.
Yasusada decided to stay beside Mina to protect her but Mina thought otherwise "Yasusada, join them in their battle."
"But?!" Yasusada wanted to refuse.
But Mina has something in plan "Don't worry I can take care of myself, I know my limits, for now, I have payback to do!"
"I understand!" Yasusada joins in the fray by first helping Mutsunokami with the enemy he is struggling with.
"So Aichi-kun hastily sought for help huh…" Kon said noticing that Mina is walking towards him "Do you think it is worth it to show your weapon?" Kon smiled at seeing Mina in the battlefield.
"For what they did to Aichi-kun, they surely have earned my wrath and especially the enemy who said those very words…" Mina moves forward her hands with indigo with pinkish light glowing in front of her slowly forming into what looks like a sewing scissors, after it completely formed she took it waving it to her side to flick off the lights showing her weapon "I won't let Aichi-kun suffer the same as we did!" Mina disappears from Kon's side and with the blink of an eye, she was already in front of the masked man.
"The Violet Executioner…" The man muttered dodging Mina's attack.
The very enemy that planned all of this finally in front of her "I'm sure that you are having fun seeing this, and with your presence I can already sense that IT'S YOU!" Mina moves fast with her experience making the masked man have difficulties to counter and unable to notice her the attacks.
Especially what she has prepared from behind the man, she activated a talisman with steel properties almost piercing him in the process if he wasn't that much paying attention to his surroundings.
"Don't think that I'm that easy to be defeated…" The masked man laughs successfully using the History Retrograding Forces as his shield from the steel propertied talisman that Mina used.
Figuring out how to distract him she clashes head to head with the masked man but it seems to be going the other way around. The masked man is targeting the toudans from behind her, but with Mina's experience she was able to know the location of the attack and the location of where the toudans are, successfully using her talisman to use as a shield for an attack that Imanotsurugi didn't notice himself.
"Th-thank you Mina-nee!" Imanotsurugi thanks while successfully dodging another incoming attack.
The ten Touken Danshis sometimes get distracted being curious at how Mina fights because of the intense bloodlust they can feel from her as she continues fighting with the masked man "Team 2, if you can't battle anymore, go back to the present!" Mina shouted as she uses her talisman again to pierce the enemy with a steel propertied talisman followed by a lightning propertied one fighting flawlessly with the enemies while using both long range and Melee attacks.
Because of this they can't help but watch in awe "Focus on the battle!" Though the only two who were really serious and focusing too much on the battle with a feeling as if they don't have a care were Tsurumaru and Mikazuki, as they felt the intense bloodlust from them.
"Tsuru-san is showing off as a Rare 4 Tachi…" Shokudaikiri mumbles "I guess I shouldn't be slowing down too."
"But if you really look at it, the difference in power between a Rare 3 to a Rare 4 and a Rare 4 to a Rare 5 is really a huge one…" Nikkari took notice of.
"Then it can only mean that we shouldn't be left behind." Finally their awakening has activated increasing their status with Taroutachi initiating it making the others as well feel fired up returning to the battle as if they weren't even tired at all.
"Finally found a path to you…" Tsurumaru spoke in a cold and stale voice thrusting forward with much strength making the masked man almost kneeling from the force of the sword.
Trying his best to get away from the meeting of both their swords, without a word spoken Mikazuki appears adding in force to the earlier clash of the two pushing him now onto his knees as he struggles to keep the blades reaching his head.
Mina seeing an opportunity to attack uses her scissor to attack aiming for the enemy's stomach, sadly the masked man noticed this attack and decided to bet on his luck, the two pushes forward to him when the enemy stopped resisting their attacks and moves away.
"Slippery…" Mikazuki slashes to the side where the enemy slides through but an enemy Tachi already hindered him into further attacking him using it as a shield to gain back his strength and tries to get away.
"I won't let you get away!" This time Mina uses a long range attack consisting of a beam from her talisman piercing in a straight line the enemies that is on its path "Tsk." Mina clicks her tongue as once again the enemy dodges their attack.
"Don't underestimate me, I maybe the only one you are after, but there are many at my disposal." The masked man laughs.
Although he forgot one thing, the strength of the two Touken Danshi aiming for him that anything on their paths are just like paper that they easily tears apart, with this they once again saw a path to him.
Mina noticing this, sees a chance "I can't believe you are still continuing this farce!" Mina lungs forward at the man clashing with his sword Tsurumaru strikes at the enemy's shoulder with Mikazuki joining in adding force to the sword that is on the man's shoulder further thrusting it onto his flesh "Feel the same pain that you gave him!" Mikazuki and Tsurumaru coldly pierced at him, because of the fatigued they dealt to him they have successfully dealt another heavy damage.
"We won't let you off with just that…" Tsurumaru spoke in a monotone pulling out his sword the enemy winces in pain as he once again tries to make another attack but the retrograding forces has already used themselves again as shields.
Noticing that the two are losing themselves "You two come back to your sense…" Mina calls out to the two to which they didn't respond to.
Receiving an injury again from them, the enemy once again readies himself to retreat "I still haven't dealt even one damage to you!" Mina tries to catch up to the masked man as it kept using the enemies as shield to get away from them.
"I didn't think that you would come again in the battlefield after what happened in the past…" The masked man spoke making Mina freeze on the spot "This is really unprecedented, I didn't think you would think of this it completely caught me off guard."
"The past has nothing to do with this, but if you do try and try to bring it up then prepare for a brutal suffering at your part!" Mina regains herself retorting back to him.
"Well I guess I should really forget about it and think of what matters." The man said as he prepares for his escape.
"I guess this is not the day for me to break and destroys these beloved sword warriors of him… with his power, the dark energy he can unleash from his despair will be very large in amount." The masked man chuckle as if taunting them and it works making Mina, Tsurumaru, and Mikazuki's blood boil even more.
Feeling the pressure from the three from their side "W-what is happening over there?!" Mutsunokami almost loses his aim as they felt the burst of bloodlust from the three.
"Never mind about that, focus on the enemy in front, Mina-kun, Tsurumaru, and Mikazuki will handle the very boss of this" Kon instructed to keep them from getting distracted "We have greatly reduced the enemy's number, just a little more!"
"Yes!" the ten answered as they kept pushing forward.
Back at their area "Just wait for the time that I will be the one to break you…" the masked mask has successfully retreated with injury with Mina saying her last words to him.
Outro: alright another cliffhanger… atleast this is the fastest I have uploaded when I started again from back to real life…
I'm very sorry for my lack of vocabulary, 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!