Chapter 22

The night of the festival 8:30pm

Tom was just walking around the estate with his sword.

Tom; *so boring honestly I rather train with my sword. *

So he went to the training grounds where he saw a girl who looked a year younger than him holding a sword and looking depressed

Tom to the girl; hay, is this where I can practice ken-jutsu?

The girl then turned to look at him, and as the moonlight lit her face, she looked extremely beautiful. Yes, it is, she said in response.

Tom; alright then, anyway, since no one's here, can you spar with me?

Alright, said the girl. But 1st I need to ask you something, where you bored of the festival just like me?

Tom; yes, I was.

Whenever I feel worried, overwhelmed, or just bored, ken-jutsu always clears my head and calms me down, I don't know why, I just love it. I guess it was because my father was a former swordsman, the girl said.

Tom; that's cool by the way, I'm Tom, what your name.

I'm Tsubaki, Tsubaki Yotsuba.

Tom; alright, shall we begin?

Then as the fight started, Tom went on the offensive from the start, but each time he took a swing, it was countered or dodged by Tsubaki, who's own strikes were too much for Tom to handle.

One short spar later…

Tom; I'm not gona lie, you're so much better than me at this.

Tsubaki; and you have one interesting sword stile, I've never seen it before.

Tom; thanks, I learnt it from my uncle.

Tsubaki; interesting, you know, I come from a prestigious family, and that's even among ga-denians. You see, my mother was ga-den, my father was a rich businessman, before that he was in love with swords and hearing stories of him just made me want to swing them even more. However, my mother was against it, she wants me to become a doctor or lawyer. And no matter how many times we argue I never feel like I have a say in the matter. I MEAN ITS MY OWN LIFE WERE TALKING ABOUT HERE!

Sorry, for pouring all my frustration on you.

Jake; its fine. I practically did the same to my brother, it didn't end well btw. Anyway, could you give me a few sword tips?

Tsubaki; alright, here is one, you can infuse qi to your body while sending nite into the sword, it not just makes the blade more powerful, but it increases one's athletic ability making for one powerful strike.

Jake; ok, I've already been practicing how to infuse nite to the sword but just need to focus how to use qi at the same time as well.

Tsubaki; before you get ahead of yourself, you should know it took me 2 years to even obtain this ability and might take even long to master. However, there is a trick to making qi and nite flow more effective. You just have to concentrate and feel every part of your body.

Tsubaki then placed her warm hands on Toms arm.

Tsubaki; you feel that touch, just feel my hand moving down your arm, focus on that feeling as you infuse qi into your body until you can feel it throughout it. Don't look at the sword as something you're holding, look at it as a part of your own body.

A few minutes later…

Tom; I can feel it now. Thanks.

Tsubaki; it was nothing, take it as a thanks for curing by boredom.

Jerry; so then what happened?

Tom; she went home and I did to.

Jerry; that sounds quite interesting, so what exactly do you want me to do? Because one, if you want me to give you girl advice, you're out of luck.

Tom; seriously.

Jerry; seriously, and two, I find that story hard to believe, I mean yeah, I do admit you've got some rizz however that story sounds straight out of some light novel.

Tom; seriously!

Jerry; hay, I would believe you normally, but you have to admit that story does sound a bit too, you know…

Tom; fine, if you won't believe me, I'm going back to my room, wishing you never came to the estate!

Then Tom slammed the door and left…

Jerry; wow, he took that way to personal. *glad Jake said he'll be back in two days; I wonder what he's doing, hope it isn't something lewd*

[btw; he has absolutely no idea]

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, when Tom went to open the door, he was delighted to see who it was.

Tom; Uncle Samuru?

Dave, who was close to the doorway; who is it? Oh, it's you Sammy.

Sammy to Dave; it's been a long time brother.

Sammy to Tom; And look at this handsome young man, I leave for 5 years, and he's grown so much!

Jerry, while coming downstairs; Wait, I know that voice! Sammy!

Sammy; Jeremy!

Then Jerry rushed to give his uncle a hug.

Jerry; it's been too long; you always were our best uncle!

Dave; I'm standing right here.

Sammy; come on now brother, we all know it's true.

Dave; so, what's with the sudden visit?

Sammy; I know what happened to older brother. It breaks my heart to imagine if the worst is yet to come. And since I was in town and heard you guys came to visit, I thought, why not!

After all, these are my nephews. Anyway boys I brought a few souvenirs for you two, I'll give them to you when I finish talking with David.

Jerry and Tom; alright!

A few minutes later…

Dave; so, tell me what is actually going on.

Sammy; it's a sad tale brother, the tension between each syndicate these days seems more and more at each other's throats, and tension seems to increase every day. In fact, I recently infiltrated the speedsters and what I found out shocked me to my core, it feels almost feels like were on the brink of war, and if these syndicates go out all at once, this country will be nothing but ashes in the end. Not just Japan, but the entire world will burn.

Dave; it's just as I expected. So, did you accomplish what you wanted to do?

Sammy; I did. Now, our fathers name has been cleared, and our family's legacy is as clear as ever.

Dave; then that's the only good news we need for now.

Dave; JERRY, TOM! Sam wants to give you something.

Jerry, who just came down the stairs; is it the souvenirs?

Tom; what are they?

Sammy; oh, there right here but this time the souvenirs I give you aren't like any I've ever brought. Jerry to you, I give this.

Then Samuru took out a ring box from his pocket and said…

This is my father's golden ring, your grandfather's. He wore this ring when he fought for this family's future, when he was framed and we were persecuted, he never gave up, even after sending us away from Japan for our safety, he never gave up, and fought so our family could have a place in our homeland. Sadly, he died protecting the ones he loved and after hearing that. I knew I couldn't just stand back and let his work go to waste, so for the past 5 years I looked into what happened years ago, and thus I exposed the truth of our family, now his work is finally completed through me, so I give you this ring, whenever you were it, remember that no matter what happens, your family is always behind you and you are never alone.

Jerry; thank you Sammy. I'll treasure it forever.

Then Jerry opened the box and said "hay, they're two rings in here".

Sammy; there are, the smooth one, give it to the person you will spend the rest of your life with.

Jerry; I will, thank you Sammy.

Sammy; and you Thomas, I heard you like swords do you?

Tom; I do dabble every ounce in a while.

Sammy; then I leave you this.

Then Sammy brought out a long black case and opened it.

Sammy; this is my father, Mamoru's sword, though its blade it different, the hilt is still the same, your grandfather used this sword to defend us during a ferocious attack and now I give it to you, nephew. whenever you wield it to protect your loved ones from evil and never let personal feelings tempt your blade and judgement, remember, it's not what you want, only what needs to be done.

Tom; thank you, uncle.

A few minutes later

Tom talking to Jerry on the way back to his room; Don't you think it's weird I got a sword while you got a ring.

Jerry; I know, weird that I thought you were the one with rizz but I guess this is a sign that I'm more likely to bag a girl before you do.

Tom; forget I said anything.

Jerry; anyway, I think we should get to training as soon as possible. I get a feeling somethings up in the estate and it might soon involve us.

Next chapter coming soon!