Intro: So yeah I heard we will be having a second lockdown, and I do wish for it, to stop the spreading and to finally, hopefully this second time the government do a good job of finally lower the number of cases instead of multiplying day by day.
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 67: A divine message
~Aichi's Room -Morning-~
"Nushi-sama?" a voice calls out to the sleeping Aichi but alas there was no reaction from him.
The person grumbles thinking of ways on how to wake up their sleeping master "Nushi-sama?" the voice called once again.
After a short pause they finally got a response as their worries instantly faded away, because of what happened yesterday, Aichi slightly shifted his position implying that he doesn't want to be woken up.
A little while later the owner of the voice closes in as the locks of white hair falls down onto his face, making him a little irritated holding onto a lock of hair "fluffy…" Aichi grumbles with him slightly smiling.
"Oh?" A different voice said chuckling at the sight.
Leaning a little closer to hear what Aichi has said, it was revealed that the one who is in waking him up duty is actually Kogitsunemaru with his locks of hair streaming down on Aichi's face "Nushi-sama?" He called out once again with the amount of hair onto his face and some on his hands Aichi spoke once again with Kogitsunemaru leaning down they finally understood what Aichi has said.
"He said my fur is fluffy." Kogitsunemaru smiled showing the person with him was actually Mikazuki.
"I see, I did notice that he likes canines." Mikazuki chuckles.
"That is good to hear then." Kogitsunemaru smiles ear to ear as his ear at hearing the news.
And because of Aichi moving restlessly at his bed a lock of hair went onto his nose and then finally "Achoo?!"
Mikazuki hastily stood up from his seat while Kogitsunemaru hastily took away the locks of hair that was on Aichi's face, with this Aichi slowly stood up from his bed feeling a bit groggy.
With Mikazuki coming back with a cloth on his hands "Here a handkerchief." He reaches it to Aichi to which he accepts and thanks him.
"Good morning Aichi-sama." Mikazuki greeted seating himself back to the chair he was previously sitting on.
"Good Morning Nushi-sama." This time it was Kogitsunemaru who greeted him "I am very sorry about the locks of hair that awakened you rudely and improperly." He apologizes after.
"Good Morning Mikazuki, Kogitsunemaru." Aichi used the cloth to wipe away any liquids on his face "Its fine don't worry about it."
While watching him clean off his face they can't help but be curious at the clothes that looked like it became his make-shift blankets when an idea popped into Mikazuki's head "Could those be their new clothes?"
Rubbing his eyes Aichi shifted his gaze to the clothes that is on top of him "Yes, I finished a batch earlier than expected." Aichi raises one of the clothes showing a sleeves gray yukata "I was double checking them for miss stitches and didn't notice that I fell asleep." He chuckles making Mikazuki's smile fill with warmth stopping himself from hugging the latter.
Kogitsunemaru seems to like the outfit as he showed a reaction and Aichi notices this "I'm glad you like it!" he smiles at him.
Slowly he shifted to the sides of his bed and stood up as he walks towards the table, there lies a piece of cloth with the same color as Mikazuki. Taking a hair brush with him and the cloth as he walks back to where Kogitsunemaru and Mikazuki are.
"Pardon me." Aichi excuses himself placing the cloth at his shoulders, he slowly starts brushing Kogitsunemaru's hair surprising both Mikazuki and Kogitsunemaru. Feeling relaxed Kogitsunemaru can't help but feel like he is sleepy or wants to lay down.
"So unfair, it took you a week to finish my clothes and I was the only one you summoned then, and now you are happily smiling as you brush his hair." Mikazuki looks away when Aichi turned to face him, Kogitsunemaru showing a blank face with a sweat drop as a reaction to his childishness.
"But it's just so soft and fluffy…" Aichi muttered.
"I hoped I was summoned with a long hair too." Mikazuki continues to sulk while Aichi can't refute what he said since they both thought and know that it was because of the bond that affected his appearance "We really should ask Kon about that…" Mikazuki reminded Aichi.
But then Kogitsunemaru remembers a certain sword "But doesn't Izuminokami has a longer hair?" Kogitsunemaru mentions remembering the Rapunzel hair the latter has.
"Oh" Aichi smiled awkwardly "He felt a little awkward when I did try to brush and tie his hair once, after that I didn't do it again." Aichi answers as he recalls the day when Izuminokami was with Horikawa at the garden passing time "I was practicing how to tie hairs because a number of toudans have long hair, and I want to at least tie it up for them."
"But you suck at them…" Mikazuki answered bluntly facing him with a blank face.
"Uhhh…" Clearly Aichi was hurt but Mikazuki continued on to teasing him.
In the end Aichi tied Kogitsunemaru's hair in a low ponytail and gave the new clothing that he will be using from now on, with Aichi telling him that he will be creating batches for them the next days and to hand Tonbokiri his clothes telling them that he will be joining after he checks his assignments and will be heading off to breakfast after.
~Garden~
After breakfast Aichi opens up the room in front of the garden, which able to show him the view from the outside, with it he notices that it was surprising to him that no one is at the garden, thinking that it maybe because they are busy for the incoming visitors Aichi somewhat felt guilty of not doing anything, but he was told to relax and finish what he has to finish, and that is his homework.
Looking at the homework Aichi grumbles as he opens up his notes silently working on his homework he felt a cold breeze and noticed the color of the leaves changing "It's fall…" he said stopping from his work gazing into the garden, in his view the color of the leaves from the trees start to change half of the majority into brown leaves, with the reflection of it on the pond "I'm sure it would look more beautiful in fall." He said, closing his eyes feeling the wind pass to him.
But it seems it was a wrong move as it reminded him of the devastating loss he has with Ren in Vanguard, slumping onto the desk Aichi tries his best to hide his face and control his tears from trying to break through.
Since he was occupied with something on his mind he wasn't able to notice the presence of three toudans coming, behind Aichi two pale hands reaches behind his back and then "Wa!" The voice shouted as he instantly grabs Aichi's waist giving him a ticklish feeling.
Surprised by the sudden action "Wah!" Aichi jumps from his seat leaning backwards with force from the surprise and ticklish feeling from the hands that is still holding his waist.
Leaning with force backwards from the surprise he almost falls onto the floor but behind him his surpriser did not leave and was able to catch him. From behind Aichi, he felt hands wrap around him forming to a warm embrace "Sorry Sorry…" The voice said with Aichi looking up he finally saw the person who surprised him.
"Tsu-Tsurumaru?!" Aichi shouted in surprise while Tsurumaru only hugged him tighter as he places his cheeks to his head Tsurumaru too sat down on the floor still not letting go of him.
Moving his lips near Aichi's ear "Were you lonely?" Tsurumaru whispered on Aichi's ear surprising him further, hastily looking back to him almost making the two of them touch their lips with Tsurumaru smiling noticing that Aichi is conscious of him.
"Oi, Tsuru-san, you are causing trouble for him." Shokudaikiri scolded Tsurumaru while he places down snacks and Ookurikara placing down the tea at the table that Aichi is using "Here have something while working on your homework." Shokudaikiri smiled.
"You just want to do this too!" Tsurumaru squeezed Aichi some more with the latter ending up flustered at the action before finally releasing him with Shokudaikiri's instruction to Ookurikara to pull him away from Aichi.
With Ookurikara tugging at the collar of his yukata "Alright, Alright, I get it ill back away." Raising both his hands releasing Aichi, Aichi positioned himself back.
"We just came to give you some snacks for working while waiting for your visitors." Shokudaikiri stood up after with Ookurikara and Tsurumaru following behind.
"Good luck!" Tsurumaru waved good bye with a carefree smile with him last to say goodbye and left the area.
Inside Aichi Tsurumaru's words struck to him "Were you lonely?" the question repeated on his mind, he guessed that it might be one of the reasons of why he feels sad, but more than that it was because he felt vexing at the fact that he lost to the battle, and not even proving who is stronger as a user of divination. But with what he has seen, Aichi can tell that in just a short time he is able to use divination flawlessly and with speed without mistake and how much power he was able to produce.
Aichi shakes his head with in mind that today should be something that is to be enjoyed and not to feel sad. Unbeknownst to him though, from time to time his PsyQualia surfaces whenever anything negative whelms inside him, with of course worrying Mina and Kon from the time to time squirming to get out other power within Aichi.
~After a while~
*Ring* Aichi's phone showed a notification "Aichi will you fetch us up at the foot of the hill?" The notification came from a message from Aichi's mom, with the message Aichi immediately thought of toudans that could help in lifting up heavy things, and the reason he thought of such a thing is because of the possibility that they might be carrying a lot of things since they will be staying at the citadel.
And with perfect timing Tonbokiri is with Taroutachi and Kogitsunemaru is with Mikazuki, Shizuka, Aichi's mom, and Emi has heavy things with them and will be needing help. Aichi stood up from his desk and headed his way to the veranda where the four currently are "Uhm, Tonbokiri, Taroutachi, and Kogitsunemaru!" Aichi called out their names which they responded to.
Walking up towards him Mikazuki is the first to respond with another sulking comment "Why am I the only one who is not called." Aichi sweats at the question and explains to them the reason why he called out to the three only, only to get another sulking comment from Mikazuki "I am able to do the same things they can you know…" guilt tripping Aichi.
Backed into the corner since this morning "W-would you like to come too?" Aichi invited.
Whereas Mikazuki's frown and blank face hastily turned into a smile that blinded the four "Of course~!" he answered.
Aichi grumbles as the four follows him towards where they will be meeting up.
~At the foot of the hill~
"Oh my…" Shizuka became flustered seeing four handsome young men in front of him following Aichi, noticing this look Aichi can't help but furrow his brows.
"There are new ones?" Emi tilted her head noticing Kogitsunemaru and Tonbokiri.
"I see, so the people in that place keeps increasing huh…" Shizuka chuckles.
And when they finally met up "Just as I thought…" Aichi sweat dropped at the sight of the luggage they have with them, immediately the three knowing what Aichi instructed to them took the big ones with Mikazuki on the other hand "Why do you only have that…" Aichi took notice of and sweat drops at the scene.
"It's alright they got it, so don't worry about it, ahahahaha…" Mikazuki laughs heading out first.
~Back at the citadel~
Mina with Kon greeted Shizuka and Emi upon their entry at the entrance hall with them greeting back, though there is one problem for the toudans who helped in lifting the heavy bags with them, Aichi forgot to tell them where to place them with that Kogitsunemaru turns to Aichi and asked "Nushi-sama where should we put this?"
With a surprised look on their face "Nushi-sama?" Shizuka and Emi repeated while Mina and Aichi almost panicked.
Thankfully Mina already thought of a good explanation but then Izuminokami and Horikawa had to come "Oh! Aichi-sama's family has come, Morning!" Izuminokami greeted while waving his hands shocking Horikawa at what Izuminokami said.
And with perfect timing "Oh, Aichi-sama has come back, welcome back." Kasen with Yamanbagiri walked from the training hall with a surprised Yamanbagiri from what Kasen called Aichi.
Aichi's pale and panicked face made Izuminokami and Kasen remember what they did wrong both jumping at the realization "Ahhh!" the two Kanesada shouted.
"S-sorry Aichi-sa-… n!" Izuminokami managed to change it.
"S-sorry! Aichi-ku-" Kasen coughs a little before finishing, making the two Kanesada panic, making it worse.
The Kunihiro brothers sighs "I guess you two really are brothers…" Both the Kunihiro swords said, which they also are brothers. Despite the fact that they were smithed by different generation of Kanesada, it doesn't change the fact that they are from the same family, and they sure do not make anyone think otherwise.
Amusing enough both brothers made the mistake adding to it that two brothers are also accompanying them, both Kunihiro brothers clearly understood why they both made a mistake, its because they were still new and even they made mistake such as mistakenly calling him with formality and respect, being their master, the time that they are new to it, though it doesn't change the fact that they still make the same mistake of calling him without any respect or formality, unlike how Kiyomitsu nonchalantly calls him Aichi.
The only thing Mina can do is sigh at the turn of events, then again if you think it was only what had happened there is another incident coming which surprised Shizuka and Emi more than hearing someone calling Aichi with highest respect and formality.
"Oh! There sure are many people here, is everyone welcoming me upon my return?!" A little certain pipe fox has returned to the citadel smiling while wagging his tail in delight "It feels like forever!".
"Konnosuke talked?!" Shizuka and Emi squealed as a final blow to Mina and Aichi that made Konnosuke froze, the two Kunihiro brothers felt the impact of the blow while Mikazuki can't help but chuckle at the scene, amidst the chaos, Taroutachi is calm but still surprised while Tonbokiri and Kogitsunemaru were utterly confused and speechless at what is happening.
Oh how fast the turn of events is enough to make Mina sigh heavily and felt really worn out "Well we were actually planning to tell your family sooner or later, but it seems fate has it that it wants it to be sooner… as in now…" Aichi's complexion came back to normal but his panicked face was turned to worry upon hearing Mina will reveal everything to his family.
"Before that Horikawa, Yamanbagiri, please escort them to their room." Mina instructed while the four toudans follows behind to where they will be leading them, and with a still confused Shizuka and Emi.
After the group is far away, Mina, Aichi, Kon and Konnosuke were left at the entrance hall with the two Kanesada brothers sulking in the corner "Don't worry I won't disclose anything about fighting and going to the past part, I am only going to tell them about the Tsukumogami and your role here at this citadel." Mina informs Aichi which somehow his worry little by little disappears.
"I talked about this with Mina-kun, they should know at least about this side of you Aichi-kun." Kon added.
"I see…" Aichi lowers his head "I understand…" he sighs of relieve with this no more secrets, well part of it.
"Meet me at their room now, to tell them." Mina then hastily pointed out to Konnosuke "And you! Will also be coming with us."
Mina left with Konnosuke with her arms not letting him go and headed to Shizuka and Emi's room leaving Kon and Aichi "S-sorry, Aichi-sama, it just kind of natural to call you that and forgot…" Izuminokami apologize.
"It also somehow felt wrong not to call you with respect and formality as you are our master, and yes, I also did forgot about it…" Kasen lowers his head as did Izuminokami for their mistake.
"I-it's fine, as Mina-nee said I should also tell them a part of what I am doing here and not leave them in the dark, at least also to leave out the dangerous part of this also." Aichi chuckled nervously taking off the worry from the two "I'll just trust how and what Mina-nee and Kon-san will explain things." Aichi bids farewell to the two as he walked towards the direction of the room Emi and his mother will be staying, with Kon silently following him behind.
"We aren't going to be punished… right?" Izuminokami worries.
"I doubt that Aichi-sama will, but… she will…" Kasen flinches as did Izuminokami remembering the stories of how the others were punished by Mina from their mistakes.
~Sendou Room~
Aichi noticing the toudans who accompanied Shizuka and Emi coming out of the room, thought that they must have finished their task and is leaving the area, upon his arrival he saw that Shizuka and Emi are already sitting in front of Mina, noticing his presence Mina calls out to Aichi and motions him to sit beside her with Konnosuke sitting atop the table Kon too jumps to the table to start the discussion.
But then something amusing happened, Mikazuki walks inside with his usual carefree smile and sat beside Aichi "What are you doing here?" Aichi asked.
"It seems interesting so I decided to tag along." Mikazuki answered making Aichi turn to Mina for help.
"It's alright." Mina assured, with the room filled up with silence, they knew it was time to start.
Mina sighs and continued onwards to her explanation "We are going to discuss everything plain short and simple to be understandable. So first of all Shizuka-san, I am not the master of this place. Aichi-kun is." Her words surprised Aichi from her initial choice of words but with a serious expression from her face he knew that it might be best to keep silent and let her explain properly without interventions, instead look at the reaction of his family, which of course they were surprised at the sudden news.
"Aichi is the master of this citadel and I serve as his guide!" Konnosuke slowly wags his tail.
"And I serve as Aichi-kun's teacher." Mina added.
"And I am the overseer that will come every month and stays for a week, to check up on things." Kon smiles.
Speechless and confused Shizuka and Emi waits for the whole explanation to finish or when they will be needing to speak out.
"You see, Aichi-kun has a special gift, a gift of divination." Mina started.
"Divination?" Shizuka repeated in question.
Mina nodded and continued "Aichi-kun received a divine message and is given an ability for its divine revelation called Saniwa, Saniwa are not many and are very very rare and in Aichi-kun's case he is very special and unique among us, very few and little have this ability, for example…" Mina places white paper on top of the table and used her divinity to show an example of using talisman "Aichi-kun if you will?" Mina instructs Aichi to use his powers.
"Saniwa? But its…" Shizuka became confused.
"Unlike the meaning of Saniwa in old times and the definition of Saniwa's today, we Saniwa are close to the one that receives divine revelation." Mina places a pot in front of them using her talisman "Make it grow." Mina instructed Aichi.
A little nervous Aichi pulls out talisman from his pockets, waving his hands as if to say to go to where the pot is, it sticks to the pocket, using the talisman with his powers of divinity Aichi successfully made the seed grow enough for the pot to hold, earning wows from Shizuka and Emi "So you see, Aichi-kun is doing great."
"Unlike other practitioners of divinity we do not expel evil or purify, although we can do the same things as them, but our main purpose are different." Mina turns to Mikazuki "We Saniwa's have a unique ability to bring Tsukumogami's to life." Mina's smile shows playfulness as did Kon and Konnosuke, worrying Aichi.
"Tsukumogami… you mean inanimate objects that gained souls?!" Placing a hand on her cheek from both worry and surprise Aichi bits his lips nervous of the outcome.
"I am sure you are familiar with Mikazuki right?" Mina asked the two.
"Mikazuki-san?" Emi pointed at Mikazuki who is beside Aichi which Shizuka followed where Emi is pointing at.
"You are correct, then are you familiar with the sword Mikazuki Munechika?" Mina's smile grew.
"Yes, he is one of the Five Swords under the Heaven, and is said to be the most beautiful." Shizuka answers.
"Ahahahaha… you hear that Aichi-sama." Mikazuki laughs as he looked at Aichi grumble from his comment, confusing Shizuka and Emi.
"Mikazuki, please show them." Mina instructed.
"I did thought that I will have a reason to be here." Mikazuki places his hands forward as Shizuka and Emi watches, they then jumps in surprise as blue lights formed below forming a sword and when the lights flew out the sword form of Mikazuki shows up.
"That's Mikazuki Munechika?!" Shizuka spoke in shock seeing the sword manifest in front of them.
Mikazuki lightly chuckles "Mikazuki Munechika. They call me Mikazuki on account of the many patterns on my blade. Please take care of me." He introduced himself.
Mina lets one of her talisman to flow above Mikazuki, understanding what it was for Mikazuki stands up slowly pulling out his swords as it slices it to half, before again smiling to Aichi as he looks away.
"Aichi-kun uses his divinity to bring them to life, all of the people here in this citadel are all personification of famous swords here in japan." She motions to Mikazuki as he sat down back to his sit "All of them respect Aichi as he is their master, the one who gave them their human form and is their current master or wielder, and I as a Saniwa being our gifts very special and rare I at least want to pass it onto him and teach him what being a Saniwa is for future generation."
"They are very very very rare for example in each era there can only be one born with this ability or sometimes none." Konnosuke added "In this era it happens to be Aichi and coincidentally that day on our first meeting I immediately knew you would be the one."
"I know this is surprising and something that is unable to be taken in just like that, but if you need further question do not hesitate to ask." Mina smiles as she waits for Shizuka and Emi to recover from the shock finishing her short and simple explanation.
Outro: yeah kept it very simple indeed.
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!