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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 63: Education
"For someone who wants to break us, he said an awfully ironic wording…" Mikazuki returns to himself, his bloodlust slowly disappearing.
Tsurumaru mellowed too and returned to his normal self "You meant the word beloved…" Tsurumaru mentions the word as the two somehow felt a cringe feeling from it remembering how the masked man worded it out "Although I agree that we are his beloved swords." Tsurumaru smiles readying his blades, Mikazuki agreeing to it smiles to him.
Mikazuki and Tsurumaru cross paths "Indeed." Mikazuki ended their conversation as the two sprinted off to start decreasing more of the enemy's numbers.
On the other hand Mina is left behind with the thought "And I didn't even get an info about Aichi's Temporal Pressure." After sighing from her words Mina lets go of her weapon, her scissors, then becomes envelopes in light and disappears.
"I can see that there is only one fourth of the enemies left…." Mina scans the area noticing that the second team's bell is already red in color, on the other hand though, the first team is already at yellow. Clicking her tongue noticing the overwhelming amount of enemies that was used for an ambush, Mina hastily ran back to where Kon is.
And when she did "Kon-san, Looking at how many the enemies are here, you can already tell that they really want to rip them apart…" Mina's voice fills with sadness.
"Yes, I have already noticed when the cloaked man entered the area." Kon-san said knowing the worse from the start.
"Now I understand why you told Aichi-kun to come to collect you…" Mina frowns ever more "It was because you knew that they will overwhelm you and may have really broken them…" Mina clenches her hands from anger.
"Calm yourselves Mina-kun, or better yet turn your anger to your power now, since you still have more left, I think you can finish this so that we could come back now and safe, since if we don't do it now, you will be too fatigued to repair them, consider also the fact that we have already broken a few rules." Kon suggested.
Mina nodding to Kon's suggestion "I don't know if Aichi-kun has already woken up or he hasn't but, regardless we have to come back!" Mina raises her hands "Everyone, do not move!"
The twelve toudans froze on their spot as they listen to Mina's instruction "As you have suggested Kon-san, I agree that it will be better to end this now with a full scale attack!" from her sleeves large amount of talismans comes flying up and down the ground even to where the toudans are.
"I will put my feelings into this attack… my anger!" Mina shouted activating multiple talismans, the first one's were barriers to keep the twelve toudans safe, the second one were the talismans that travel on the ground spreading all over, with it come bursting out sharp edged steel pipes piercing all of the enemies, and lastly the one that is hovering above them was again another batch of roaring thunder above, and when it fell silent, once again lightning came streaming down, branching to multiply in strength, number, and power.
Adding to the fact that the ones on the ground were steel pipes, it became a very good conductor for the lightning amplifying it, of course Mina didn't forget to bring up a barrier for them, although because of the power and conduction of the lightning the toudans were struggling inside the barrier as it seems that at any moment, the barrier will break because of the nonstop output of the lightning.
And finally Gokotai, Nikkari, and Kiyomitsu's barrier broke, because of the lightning becoming stronger and the barrier was their only shelter from it, it still attain damages because of the lightning jumping through and from other means.
When the barrier broke Mina's lightning is about to hit the three toudans but then the talisman that Aichi successfully placed onto them shone a bright blue light becoming a powerful, sturdy, and thick shield that shielded them.
"A-Aichi-kun did that?!" Mina instantly knew that it was from Aichi aside from the color of the talisman she knew that those talisman that activated were placed by Aichi because of the aura it has.
"Yes, before he left, it seems his feelings were put in it." Kon smiled "I guess it's time for Aichi to learn about making Protection Charms."
"Somehow I can only guess that Aichi-kun is awake and is awaiting for their return." Mina raised her hands doubling the amount of barriers to the toudans as she amplifies the strength of the lightning.
"What do you mean by awake?!" Kiyomitsu asks breathing heavily after.
"Aichi-sama fainted before we left." Yagen informed.
"I see, I'm guessing it's maybe because of the Temporal Pressure, but we can't say." Kon guessed.
"I'm actually thinking the same…" thinking about Aichi Mina readies herself.
"The others that are still standing! Finish them off!" Mina shouted flicking her hands to the side as the lightning finishes its strike while the enemies are still stricken with the pipes binding them.
"AH!" The twelve toudans shouted.
~Center~
With Hasebe and Yamanbagiri both standing behind him keeping watch while Aichi stands firmly at the veranda holding his hands together, his head low, while praying for the safety of the two teams. Unbeknownst to Aichi, the others are actually at the other end of the hallway watching and waiting for the others to come back safely.
After a moment, a shining light blinds Aichi's already closed eyes, covering it with his hands while waiting for it to disappear, slowly dimming he noticed many silhouettes forming thinking that it was them Aichi hurried down without waiting for the light to fully disappear.
And when the light disappears showing the two teams with Mina and Kon, of course he promised to not cry unless it was tears of joy, Aichi can't help but let out one as he hurries to hug Gokotai and Imanotsurugi "I'm so glad that you are all safe!"
"Stop crying already, we won't even let him break us!" Tsurumaru flicks his forehead.
"As long as you are here and waiting for us, we will find ways to come back." Mikazuki walks to him ruffling his hair in the process.
"Noticing that you are here, does that mean you would be tending to our repairs?" Kiyomitsu grins at him while Aichi wipes the tears off.
Nodding to his question "Yes, I will!"
Seeing that it was now fine to join them, the others who were also waiting for their safe return comes out, welcoming them and congratulating for a successful return even Ookurikara was there waiting.
"You all sure took a beating…" Izuminokami's way of congratulating while he raises a brow and smiling at them.
"Kane-san we are back!" Horikawa smiles to him.
"Yeah, welcome back!" Izuminokami answers back.
"Good work everyone!" Kasen commended.
"Were you worried about us too Kara-chan?" Shokudaikiri asked.
"Hmp." Was his only answer looking away at him, making Aichi and Tsurumaru chuckle.
Not only them, they have gotten somewhat used to it that they can't help but laugh along with them, annoying Ookurikara at some level but not that much.
~Infirmary~
Proceeding into the infirmary with all the twelve toudans, Yagen gives first aid to the others while waiting for the time that they will be the next that Aichi will be repairing.
But with this many, it could take time "Aichi-kun with this many, I suggest using a help token, help tokens are imbued with powerful divine powers stored in it that boost and fastens the repairing process. Of course it will also mean that it will make your repairing faster but it can also deplete your divine powers if not used correctly." Kon taught and explained.
"Meaning if you use too much you yourself will be the one to get fatigued and of course mind the resources that you will use for repairing them." Mina added.
"Ah I see… then…" Aichi moved towards where the tokens are placed.
"You don't have to worry about us, the team two should be your priority cause of their medium injuries." Tsurumaru opt out.
"And you also need to save them for later, we will just gather them again when we go to expeditions." Yasusada smiles.
"We also give out help tokens with your allowance and other more with it, so it's up to you if you want to use twelve since you have saved a lot." Kon added looking at the stash Aichi has.
"Do not worry about us Aichi-sama, we only have Minor Injuries and we are not that fatigued, we can wait." Mikazuki said.
Looking at Mina for help "It's fine Aichi-kun, just use six for the second team so that you can finish early." Mina answers as Aichi took six help tokens to help boost his repairing faster.
But then "Come to think of it…" Nikkari started while the others turned to face him listening to what he will say next "I thought that only one team consisting of six Touken Danshi, either with or no Saniwa or Konnosuke to guide us, can only travel to the past for a sortie."
Everyone stared at Nikkari including Mina who is keeping watch of Aichi who is currently healing Both Gokotai and Nikkari, Aichi raised the two token and hovered above the two as Aichi places a talisman on each of the token turning into many particles of blue light along with the talisman it proceeded on to enveloping them in Aichi's blue light healing them completely, then Aichi turned to Mina who specifically did what she told them that it is not doable but is something that break the rules or laws.
"I'll answer that for you." Kon flopped on top of Aichi's shoulder and started his explanation while Aichi after healing Gokotai and Nikkari proceeded to heal Mutsunokami and Taroutachi while listening to him.
"The answer is quite simple and has a reason, for the sake of understanding I will explain each detail." Kon coughed first and then continued "We all do know that we can only go to one era with one team consisting of six toudans with either a Saniwa or Konnosuke and defeat the enemy there am I correct?" Kon asked which they all nodded and understood. "Meaning only one sortie." He simplified it.
"Then you do all understand that Mina-kun and team one only joined for the sake of reinforcement right?" Kon smiled "If you understand then you already have the answer." After healing Mutsunokami and Taroutachi, it is Kiyomitsu and Shokudaikiri's turn.
"The reason that it was easy to locate us is because Aichi helped by giving the coordinates of the era for reinforcement sake, they didn't join in the whole sortie they only helped at the end, and with Mina-kun's helps they were able to finish it faster, if it would have taken longer, it might have alarmed the Kebiishi or might have done something to that time." Aichi proceeded to heal the two Tantou which is Yagen and Imanotsurugi with only minor injuries or mostly scratches.
Aichi pulls out talismans and places above where the injuries are while Aichi's light envelops them, with Aichi's divine ability the talismans turns to light little by little repairing their injuries returning their wounds and clothes to their original state.
"It's actually a management of time, it still isn't allowed to be honest, that is why Mina-kun asked for the strongest team that Aichi-kun knew would make the job faster, if Mina-kun and team one didn't do things faster, they would all have experience Temporal Pressure too and at a faster rate since there are too many disturbance in the time, and the Kebiishi might come add and deal more than we could take."
"So do you guys understand that it wasn't because it was allowed, it was only because they were helping us by risking themselves." Kon ended with a puff.
"Uwahhhh… I'm actually surprised that something like that would have happened if we took long enough." Tsurumaru raises his brows as Aichi frowns hearing his comment and noticing this "Oh! Uhm… I didn't say that to make you sad or worry though."
"I… I know…" Aichi smiles bitterly, since Imanotsurugi and Yagen were finished Aichi proceeded to Yasusada and Horikawa.
Because of that everything has turned silent "Hey, Aichi-sama, will you be alright tomorrow?" Horikawa asked in worry.
"What do you mean?" Aichi asked curious of what he meant, which the others too have forgotten, even Mina.
"Don't you have this school you have to go to everyday?" Aichi froze in front of the two, though oddly enough, his repair still continues.
Somehow a little panicking thinking about it "I… I will be fine… I think…" Aichi groaned thinking of why it has to be like this.
Forgetting about that fact "You should have used twelve tokens so you can sleep earlier." Mina sighs.
"It's not like the injuries we got were that serious too, it would be a waste of token." Tsurumaru added as the whole team one nodded in agreement.
"I-it's fine I have slept a little when I fainted for a while." Aichi laughs it off "So I think I will be fine tomorrow."
"Ugh…" Most of them groans making Aichi only nervously laugh at their reaction.
"Having school and your duty as a Saniwa… it seems kind of hard to juggle both." Yasusada mentions making the others once again fell silent.
Because of this Kon thinks of a solution "Aichi-kun have you considered home schooling?" was the solution Kon thought.
Aichi was somehow surprised at what Kon said "I haven't thought of that… to be honest…"
Kon smiled "I see, you still have time after you graduate Middle School you can consider home schooling for High School, while College will be optional if you want to take one or not, think about it." Aichi nods to his suggestion.
"I will think about it." Aichi smiles but his brows furrows.
"What there are other more?!" Imanotsurugi exclaimed.
"H-how long will Aichi-sama be attending this school?" Gokotai asked.
"About three years? One of each?" Mutsunokami tilted his head.
Mina shakes her head from Mutsunokami's guess "There are five stages of education in this country and this era, The Pre-school, Primary School, Aichi which is in his Middle School, High School, and an optional College, which can lead to Master's to Doctorate, if you don't take College you can proceed to working." Mina started as the toudans listens with interest and somehow sadness.
"In Pre-School has 3 to 6yrs, The Primary School or Grade school take up to 6yrs, Aichi which is in Middle School takes up to 3yrs, The High School is the same with 3 yrs." The toudans expression became gloomy upon hearing 3 years "And if Aichi takes up college will depend on his course, but mostly will take 4 years others take 5 or 6yrs." With that the toudans became much gloomier somehow understanding their reaction Mina and Kon chuckles.
Then she continued "Aichi-kun are you a second year or third year?" Mina asked for them to understand how many years more will it take.
"I'm in my third year of Junior High School…" Finishing with Horikawa Aichi prioritizes Yasusada for a moment to finish.
When the toudans finished adding the numbers needed for Aichi's school they all froze from the amount that Aichi will spend away from them "Aichi-sama will take up to 7 more years…" Taroutachi spoke.
"I-if you add this year it's about 8 years…" Gokotai muttered as they all stared at Aichi even Mina and Kon.
The stares made him uncomfortable regardless he proceeded to Tsurumaru and Mikazuki to repair them, thankfully they don't have injuries, only few and slight scratches making repair faster.
"Aichi-sama!" Mikazuki and Tsurumaru both called out to him making him jump in surprise, looking at each other the two seems to be mentally talking and nodding to each other and then faced Aichi making him sweat.
"Aichi-sama please consider taking home school!" Tsurumaru shouted out what he feels which the same as all of them is though, as the other ten also agreed nodding hard to what Tsurumaru said.
"E-EH?!" Aichi shouts in surprise.
"It's already sad that you take all day in that school and even worse in the evening we don't get to spend time with you since you are cooped up in your room, and when you do finish whatever you were doing, we would only find out that you are already sleeping." Mikazuki says, all the toudans agree to him.
"This school thing takes up so much of your time that you don't even get to train most of the time." Mutsunokami reasoned.
"Though I'm kind of used to this…" Kiyomitsu started speaking "Being the first here I knew that Aichi-sama already leaves for his school when he brought me, when we still live on their house, though to be honest it does really take most of your time that it's kind of lonely that we get to see you rarely because of that." He smiles bitterly after.
"You always get tired after going to school although it is nice to make breakfast and lunch boxes for you when you go to school, but I agree that it really becomes lonely." Shokudaikiri added.
"I was really happy when you had that summer vacation thing that you have because of that we get to have some time to spend with you and I thought that you won't ever be going back but then…" Imanotsurugi thought that he need not to continue.
"For a sword that you brought when you were in your vacation, it became really quite a shock that something like this will come, since we all got used to your presence here." Taroutachi sadly expresses his feelings.
"Although it's only just been four days, the feeling of it feels like it's been a month." Nikkari expressed.
Somehow Aichi felt a little pressure from looking at each one of them, the sadness and loneliness are clearly etched on their faces with a sad expression he looks at Mina and then to Kon.
"Don't worry guys, just up to high school." Was Aichi's only answer, in that instant they knew that they have their answer, up to high school means 4 more years away from him.
"Don't worry it's not like I will all leave you guys, I'm still here, just not all the time." Still no response from them looking away from him after a long pause "I'll think about it then." The TouDans' spirit revives upon hearing the words they wanted to hear.
Tsurumaru and Mikazuki on the other hand who is in front of Aichi can see that there is something they need to consider making them not join in the cheers of the others as if it will be a very tough decision, and then when Aichi finished their repair "I… I'm finished, I'm tired so I'll be heading off ahead." Aichi walks fast out of the infirmary stunning the others.
Kon dropped on Aichi's shoulder upon leaving as he then proceeded to Mina's shoulder looking worriedly at each other.
"Aichi-sama just left." Imanotsurugi same as the others were surprised at his action, normally he will still wait and take some time to talk to them but he hastily left afterwards after the repair.
"I-is this school thing really that important?" Gokotai stuttered.
"It's not like he has any good experience in it." Mutsunokami pointed out which they all agreed to.
"We will find out the answer after some time, let's give him some rest." Yagen after a moment of silence in not joining in the conversation spoke with consideration.
~Friday Morning~
In the morning Aichi hurries out of his room upon reading a message from his phone thinking he will need someone to consult with he knocks on Mina's room.
Mina surprised of Aichi coming to her room so early opens the door and asked for the reason why, After he explains to Mina the concern he had that made him sprung up from his bed "I see, don't worry I got this covered!"
After that in the dining hall with everyone it's as if they have completely forgotten about the incident yesterday infirmary as they were acting normal, as did Aichi in breakfast.
~Entrance~
At the entrance something that is normal every morning, they all have gathered at the entrance to see Aichi off with the on duty swords that will be accompanying him on his way to school.
"I can't wait to see the outside!" Kasen can be clearly seen with excitement.
"There are a lot of places to be seen! We have also seen the sea and swam in it!" Sayo although his tone of voice didn't change they can clearly understand the difference in the feelings within it.
"Are you going to flaunt to this era that you have me as a sword?" Souza sharply asked Aichi surprising the others.
Which he only nodded to making Souza frown more "I'm going to show you all off as my beloved Sword Warriors." He smiles which took aback Souza from his unusual answer "Besides it's not like they know who you are right?"
"If you tell them-" Souza was cut off.
"Would they even believe that we are swords?" Kasen raised a brow which the others who already mixed in with the crowds knew well.
"If they hear our names, they will only think it's weird." Shokudaikiri shrugs remembering those times their names were brought up.
"Some even think that it's like a pseudo name." Tsurumaru puffs at the thought.
"Though it's kind of sad that they won't know that it is really us." Horikawa despite saying sad he is smiling.
"But if it wasn't because of Aichi-sama's guardians, and those other friends of his, we wouldn't have been known to exist only as swords." Kiyomitsu looks at Yasusada smiling to each other.
"But it's also fine if it's only Aichi-sama… as long as it's Aichi-sama…" Everyone turned their heads towards Yamanbagiri, surprising them from what he just said of course because of this slowly his face became redder and redder with Horikawa making sure he is fine.
"In the end, it will be fine since it is Aichi-sama." Midare smiles with the other Tantou agreeing with him.
With this somehow Souza didn't want to continue "Nii-sama…" Sayo clasps his hands to ease him a little.
"In this era you are Souza Samonji, my family in this citadel" He looks at everyone "Our family in his very citadel. In the battlefield I will ask for your help to accompany me to help me protect the past." Aichi smiles.
"Don't worry it's not like I am going to force you to warm up to me easily." He glances at Ookurikara who turns away after "Let's go?"
After that brief conversation the four along with Yagen walks onwards to his school.
Outro: Ohh… no cliffhanger…
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!