Going to the Frontlines

[Takina's POV]

Kenshin's return to this city is to gather reinforcement troops and train them to fight against the Oda clan in the front lines.

That's the only reason he's back here, which means he'll be setting out for the front lines again very soon.

It may be faster to go there by myself, but it's way too dangerous since both Genji's forces and Oda's forces treat me like an enemy. I can't risk it.

And so, I waited. I waited in the castle for Kenshin-sama to depart. In the meantime, I continued my duties as his bodyguard.

(The next day...)

(Inner Castle, Kenshin's room)

"Takina, may I borrow a moment of you?"

"Yes my Lord?"

"I thought that it's about time for me to teach you the final lesson in our sword style. Are you ready?"

"Oh..."

"Let's go, to the dojo."

Kenshin got up on his feet and started to head to the training dojo. I followed closely behind him.

"But Kenshin-sama, why so suddenly?"

"What I am about to teach you is a secret technique of our school. It's somewhat famous as an attack, but not so many could actually execute it... I wonder if you have what it takes to use it?"

"I'll try my best, my Lord."

"That is what I wish to hear."

He didn't answer my question, but instead changed subject. What exactly is on his mind...?

With our katana in hand, both of us wandered towards the dojo with our swords in hand. During peaceful periods, only I were allowed to carry a sword inside the castle. Since the start of the war such a rule was mostly ignored, because everyone is allowed to arm themselves.

Regardless, we both arrived at the empty dojo soon. There were no one else.

"Keep your eyes open, I'll only do this a few times."

"?"

Kenshin draws his katana from it's sheathe, and got into his fighting stance.

"Hoo..." He winds up his katana over his right shoulder, and with the perfect form he took a step forward. "Sei!"

'Fwoosh!!' That slash was so fast it's almost invisible.

Left in place of the sword's attack is a trail of air that was rended by the slash. That cut was so powerful that bends the air itself, revealing a opaque colored trail of air before disappearing.

It was nothing short of supernatural. He bends the air itself with just his katana's swing, imagine what would happen if the sword actually hits you.

"Hah... Hah... Phew..." Kenshin sheathed his katana back. "At this age, doing the technique puts a lot of strain on my body...."

"What the hell... was that?"

That attack may look like nothing to an outsider, but from a swordsman's perspective it was perfect. His form, his stance, even the sword's trajectory, it was all perfect down to the last minute detail.

"That is a perfect cut, a slash that is only performed if you achieved total mastery over the sword. Otherwise known by its technique name 'Severance', the ultimate technique of the River Stream Style."

"That name is-"

"Indeed, it's meant to replicate the magic ability of the Severance blade."

It was perfect. A swordsman's ultimate goal is to be able to cut anything and everything without resistance, with the perfect technique and form.

"This is the ultimate technique of the River Stream Style, one that I cannot perform to it's full potential at this ripe age hahaha..."

If Kenshin achieved it here, then what's the point of practicing another style of swordsmanship...?

"It's truly the ultimate attack that can be performed with a sword... Doesn't that mean it's useless to learn other school of swordsmanship?"

"Hmm, good question. Very well, I'll answer it. The Perfect Cut is only a concept, not an actual technique. As a technique it lacks a concrete form - it can be from any stance and any posture, so long as the cut itself is perfect.

I wasn't the first one to achieve this technique. It was the first Sword Pioneer - Miyamoto Rei who reached such heights."

"And...?"

"Her school of swordsmanship is the Two Heavens as One (Niten Ichiryu), and she achieved complete mastery of the sword through a lifetime of practice.

But it doesn't change the fact that I am the second Sword Pioneer after her... and I achieved the same height as she did without using her school."

"Which means you developed your own ultimate technique after her's?"

"Indeed. All schools of sword has the potential to achieve the same thing, the same can be said about the Shadow Style. For this reason, it's not worthless to continue down the path of mastery in another school."

He has a point... The success of a school doesn't mean it invalidates another.

"Besides, this is only one example of the perfect cut. There are still many ways to perform the perfect cut, it's just that we don't know of it."

"...I will practice and work until I can perform the same thing as you did, in my own way."

"Haha, is that so?"

If you were to develop an ultimate technique of your own, I'm sure you'd do it with an Unsheathe attack. Like I said, your foundation lies in the Shadow Style."

"I see... However I don't have the time to practice and achieve it now, I have other more things to do."

"Indeed... Saving the boy comes first for you."

"We'll set out to the front lines two days from now huh...?"

"That's right. Though I'd have preferred to gather more soldiers and have a few more days of rest, time is not a luxury we can afford at the moment."

As such, we need to make haste."

"Right..."

"But fret not Takina." Kenshin sets his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure the boy is safe for now. Take these two days to rest properly, you've earned it."

"Yes my Lord."

"And, sorry about your right eye."

"...It's alright, I'm used to it by now."

"Right... If you haven't gotten used to it you wouldn't have beaten Sakamoto so easily."

"Saka- who?"

"The swordsman that you taught to use the Shadow Style and beaten yesterday?"

"Oh... So he's called Sakamoto."

"You spent days teaching him and yet you don't even know his name?"

"Well, I don't remember the names of unimportant people as well."

"I'm an old man now and I still have better memory than you..."

Hmm, funny he should say that. If I counted my earth years I'd still be younger than him.

"Right right, old man. Let's get back to the bedroom, it smells like sweat in here..."

"My Lord, I have a message to deliver." The voice of a woman came from the dojo's entrance, who kneeled on the floor.

"You...!" It was Kato Danzo, the ninja who fought with me yesterday. How is she able to walk so soon after I stabbed her thigh?!

"Ah, so you've made full recovery? As expected of a top ranking kunoichi."

Ninjas are built differently...

"Thank you, Kenshin-sama... But let's leave the personal matters aside, as this news is of utmost importance."

"Very well, say it."

"It is from Genji-sama who recently arrived at the front lines... He sent a messenger back as soon as he got there, and the message says :"

'Toyama is falling, send reinforcements as soon as possible.'

"That fast?!" Kenshin yelled out loud.

______________

We didn't make any changes to the schedule, but knowing that Toyama city is falling was a bit concerning.

Regardless, we set out after two days and departed on foot. We travel in a large group of soldiers numbered 500, taking all the reinforcement soldiers with us.

There were little to no resistance during the journey because of the size of the caravan. No monsters or bandits dared to approach our carts, let alone attack.

(When marching with the soldiers...)

"So what exactly happened, Takina-ojou? Why were you branded as a criminal for a day but then became an ally again...?"

"I wanted to hear about that too, since you're somewhat respected in the clan anyway."

"Yeah let's hear it!"

"Alright alright, everyone calm down and listen. It's a long story so lets just say there is drama between Genji and I... he wants to keep my locked up in order to stop me from ruining his plans."

"What exactly happened?" (?x)

"Well, he took the boy away from me and shot my right eye..."

"What?!" (?x)

Come on, don't act like those stupid npc side characters in a trashy story.

"And of course this thing is serious... but I don't plan to drag others into the fight. It's only between me and Genji, nothing more or less."

"I see..." (?x)

"Well if Genji-sama was an ordinary general you could just settle the matter with a duel, but since he's almost the second leader of the clan... it gets more complicated."

"Precisely, that's why I needed Kenshin-sama's help in order to take back the boy and settle my score with him."

My reputation is somewhat repaired after the people learned of the drama between me and Genji, but I doubt that the soldiers in Toyama would be as welcoming...

While I sometimes patrolled outside around the caravan, I spent most of my time riding inside Kenshin-sama's carriage.

And I wasn't the only one who stayed in the same cart.

"...." I stared at the woman who sat next to Kenshin-sama.

"...." And she stares back at me.

"...You know, it's been a long time since I've had a staring contest." Said the old man in the cart.

"...." (2x)

"What's with you two?!" He yelled.

"Nothing, Kenshin-sama. It's just that this kunoichi is someone that I have... history with."

"Excuse my rude behavior, Kenshin-sama, but this woman stabbed me in the leg just two days ago. It's hard not to bear any sliver of grudge against her."

"This is what happens to people got in the way."

"Maybe I should've used poison gas instead..."

"Hah?!"

"Just give it a rest already you two!"

"..." (2x)

"Sigh, you two should be getting along, not going against each other... Afterall you're both outsiders whom I've recruited."

"An outsider? That explains why I've not seen her by your side."

"Well, unlike you she was an enemy at first... Hahaha, she was a ninja that came quite close to assassinating me!"

"My apologies, Kenshin-sama..."

"It's fine it's fine, these are all in the past anyway!"

I looked at the ninja girl sitting next to Kenshin-sama...

"Hmm..." Pale skin, pitch black hair and hazel eyes. I can only see her eyes, she's wearing a face mask that covers her mouth.

Though generic in color, her slender figure gives her a rather feminine appearance. But it's safe to assume that most ninjas ARE slender, since they focus a lot on stealth and agility.

"...Fine, I'll put aside our differences for now and try to get along with you. Shall we start over with our introductions then? I am Fujiwara Takina, Kenshin-sama's sword."

"...Kato Danzo, I am a rogue ninja."

"A rogue ninja for your age...?"

"Is that odd?"

"No, sorry..."

Come to think of it, ninjas don't operate using their real names. "...Did someone gave you that name?"

"...My master did."

"Hmm?" I looked at the old man seated next to her.

"No I didn't?"

"By that I meant my mentor, my master... And also my foster father."

"Foster father?" (2x)

"Indeed."

We both waited for her to explain, but she never did. It must've been a sensitive topic at least for her....

"...Thank you again, Kenshin-sama."

"For what?"

"For making me consider my circumstances.... before I attacked you, I have never even thought about betraying my clan."

"I see. There is no dishonor in betraying a Lord that mistreat his servant, you did well to do something of your own accord."

"Yes my Lord."

A period of silence hits us... It was somewhat awkward.

"Come to think of it, I haven't told you about my background, Kenshin-sama."

"Indeed not."

"As you can guess I was born in the far west, in a religious kingdom called Ataraxia. Inside the kingdom, in a city called Klada, was sealed a demon named 'Aamon.' "

"Aamon you said?!"

"Mm Hmm, what of it?"

"That's the Archdemon of Inferno, he's notorious for being almost unkillable because of his armour, and most warriors can't even approach him without being burned... I know him."

"Hmm, you HAVE fought in the Great War huh, Kenshin-sama?"

"Now that was a long time ago... Let's hear more about your story."

"Okay. Anyway-"

I told them about the entire situation that happened there... About the blood cultist unleashing Aamon from his seal, and how Thomas - My father died trying to protect me.

"-He was somewhat handsome, and wields a blade that is called a 'longsword'. He was a pretty skilled swordsman, though he might only be at the typical Dojo Elite level."

"Hmm, but he was the one to introduce you to ways of sword fighting. Laying the foundation work to a skill set is just as important as learning it later on, you have him to thank for teaching you at such a young age."

"Haha, you're right!"

"What about you, young Danzo? You have been awfully quiet during our talks."

"Ah, just pay me no mind... I am content with just listening to your conversations, Kenshin-sama."

"Hmm, same with Monkey huh...?"

"Haha, they do seem quite alike! It's almost as if you ninjas are the same type of people."

"Right?! I swear they are just so boring and quiet, why aren't they more talkative?"

"Bad mouthing me while I'm still here..."

We were having a good time talking with each other, until...

'Boom!...'

There was the sound of a distant explosion.

"What was that?"

"Probably just some sorcerers shooting at monsters-"

'Boom!!' (?x) That one explosion became a dozen others right besides us.

"It's the enemy!" Yelled Danzo.

"An ambush behind the enemy lines.... That's a bold move from Tokugawa."

Shit, where did I put my umbrella shield?! Ah there it is!

I grabbed the folded metal umbrella from my backpack, and deployed it out.

"Danzo, Kenshin, get under!"

"Right!" (2x)

It was barely able to fit all of us in. Just a split second later...

'Boom!!!'

.....

....

"-kina-sama!"

Urgh... What...?

"Takina-sama, please wake up!"

What the hell happened...

I deployed the folded umbrella and covered those two under it-... Oh.

I was still holding the umbrella which was steaming with heat. Something blew us up.

"Takina-sama, are you alright?!"

"Urgh... I'm fine..."

Looking around, it seems that I was blown out of the cart. Luckily my mana shield is strong enough to tank the hit...

"Where's Kenshin-sama?"

"He's still inside the wreckage!"

"And you didn't help him..?"

"You're the closest to me, dumbass!... More importantly-"

'Bang!' (?x)

"Hie!!!" That surprised me!

That was the sounds of a volley of gunshots. Immediately after the firing sound came the rain of projectiles hitting everything around the carriage as well as the next cart.

There were soldiers hiding behind their carts taking cover from the gunshots, just like us.

"That's exactly what I was about to tell you... are you alright?"

"Ah... I'm fine, I was just startled by the sound."

"For a swordswoman of your caliber, you're scared quite easily."

"Oh shut up... Why are we having a casual conversation in the middle of a fight?!"

Alright let's slow down for a moment and think...

First we need to rescue Kenshin-sama.

"Okay, let's dig the wreckage for now..."

"Understood, commencing mission!"

With Danzo's help I removed pieces of the cart and looked inside for Kenshin-sama... Well, I found my bag of equipments.

"Where is it.... Aha!"

I took the flame cannon from inside my bag, and strapped it to my off-hand. My fox-shaped metal visor put on my face...

The mechanical umbrella is cooled and folded up, strapped to my sword arm... Some throwing daggers on my back pocket... and I'm all set.

"Kenshin-sama isn't here."

"Tsk... Is he dead?"

"No, I don't see any remains!"

"Then where else could he be-"

That's when I could hear the sound of a war horn, coming from each carts. It form an orchestra of sounds, almost like a melody.

And in that instant, our soldiers fired. 'Bang!' (?x)

It was a mix of gun shots and magic, but all of it were projectiles that shot towards the enemy's direction.

'Boom!' (?x)

"How chaotic...!"

"Takina-sama, we need to find Kenshin-sama!"

"Alright! You have sharp senses so lead the way-"

"Charge!!!" (?x)

With the call of that battle cry, countless warriors on both sides sprinted out of their cover, brandishing all kinds of melee weapons.

The enemy foot soldiers wore blue colored armour, while our soldiers wore grey.

The two colours clashed in the middle - to the side of the road, where countless men engaged in close combat.

"Now, Takina-sama!"

"Huh? O-oh..."

My brain can't handle all of this information...

"Watch out!"

"Wha-"

'Thud!' Kato Danzo jumped and kicked me right in the stomach... "Guh?!"

'Shing!' Right as I flew away, a spear swung down on the ground barely missing me. It was from an enemy, who attacked me from the sides.

How didn't I saw him...?!

With me out of the way, the soldier turned his attention towards the Danzo that lied on the ground.

"Danzo!"

Shit, I can still hit him with a sshuriken-

'Shing!'

With a swift motion and a quick cut, a figure sliced up the soldiers aiming for the gaps in their armour.

His cut was so clean that blood spilled out a second later than it should.

"!" That's...

The figure was dressed in a tattered kimono, but he was still fine. There was not a hint of damage on his body.

"Uesugi Kenshin?!" One of the enemy soldiers said out, upon seeing the figure.

"...Takina."

"Yes...?"

"Hesitation is defeat... I told you that before."

"Oh...."

"So this is your first time on a battlefield.... Hahaha, you look like a damsel in distress now!"

"What?..."

Why is he laughing... What the hell is he saying...

Everything is happening at once, my mind can't catch up at all.... I'm confused.

"Danzo! You're the more experienced one here so take care of Taking for me!"

"Yes, my Lord!"

"As for you, Takina... It seems that you still have some doubts on your mind, in that case-"

'Bang!' A gunshot fired out from the back, and in that instant...

'Tink!' Kenshin turned around at break-neck speed and parried the bullet with his sword.

"Wha-?!"

"Hmph!" Danzo rushed into the gunman from the sides and stabbed him in the throat.

"As I was saying... this is the final lesson of your apprenticeship! Allow me to teach you how to fight on a battlefield!"

"Oh..."

"Come join me in battle, this is a moment of glory!"

"This is my first time fighting for real but... I'll do my best!"

"Good. Let's go, everyone!"

"Oh!" (2x)

(Chapter End)