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eternitas · 19 days ago

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Variety in experience

For Clarification: This actually plays in the back then future timeline. Meaning the timeline that TYL Takeshi would experience and that the regular Takeshi would switch into.

The first time Takeshi enters the Varia HQ is the first time he faces off against two swordsmen that give him a run for his money.

"I won't be your opponent."

"Huh?"

Surprised Yamamoto looked at Squalo, as if he was sure that he just misheared.

"Voi, don't make me repeat myself! You will not be fighting me this time.", his mentor said, one arm on his hip. Squalo had said, that this time would be a different kind of training. Yamamoto didn't even have a chance to truly look around the big mansion that housed the entirety of the Varia, no, he had been led straight down to a traininghall, full of manequins, wooden blocks and other devices for all kinds of different training. There were benches by the side, elevated platforms for what he could only surmise would be spars, racks of training weapons to the side and two doors, one labeled to be the toilets and another which he could only guess would be for the changing rooms.

"Then who am I fighting?", he asked, as the door to the elevator opened and two men came out. One with the same shade of silverwhite hair, tied loosely together by a purple scrunchy, falling over the mans left shoulder, the other seemingly younger, maybe around Yamamotos age with light blue hair and similarly blueish eyes. They came out chatting with each other, but at the sight of Takeshi they halted. Squalo turned around.

"Capitano, quello non è il Guardiano della Pioggia dei Vongola? Cosa ci fa qui?"

Takeshi had no idea what that meant, but he could make out the words "Pioggia" and "Vongola". Squalo didn't answer them back in italian but japanese.

"He's here for training. You two will be fighting him."

The man with the white hair seemed shocked and completely flustered.

"Wait- us?! At the same time?!" The other man bowed politely.

"I will be in your care." On instinct Yamamoto bowed as well.

"Don't just accept that so easily! Captain, seriously- what-?"

"Calm down Ser, there is no need to make a fuss about it. I wouldn't have called you in, if I didn't think he needed some serious improvement." He clicked his tongue.

"Or do you believe your rank means nothing?"

"That's not it-" Sergey sighed, leaning from one side to the next before he lowered his head in defeat.

"Okay, yeah fine, we'll fight him."

All of a sudden Yamamoto jolted. Wait- where was the other guy? Normally this wouldn't be an issue, but a deep seated instinct told him to be cautious and on guard now. A bit frantically he looked around seeing the bluehaired guy stand further behind Yamamoto starting to warm up himself as it seemed. Only now he noticed that the guy wore the scabbard of a katana by his side and when he looked back at Sergey noticed he was wearing a thinner sword.

"Well, let's get introductions out of the way. 'Sup, name's Sergey Shouta and the guy behind you is Ava Muramasa."

"Shouta? Muramasa? Are you both japanese?" Sergey blinked then quickly waved it off.

"Oh no no, those are fake last names-"

"Voi, quit the banter and warm up, the lot of you!"

"Yes, captain~"

The three of them individually warmed up, but Takeshi kept glancing over to the other two that were talking while they stretched. They didn't seem to be bothered too much by the physical exercise. But why would Squalo think that he needed 'serious improvement'? The Shigure Soen Ryu hadn't failed him yet and he had already gotten better in his technique, so why---

There was a loud whistle and all three of them stopped, eyes going towards Squalo.

"Ser, you go first, brat, you come here and put this jacket on." A bit confused Takeshi followed orders and looked at a Varia uniform jacket that he then put on. It fit him pretty well, maybe it was just a tad bit small, but not enough to be a problem.

"Captaaain~ Why do you have Avas old uniform jackeeet~?" Sergey asked teasingly with a grin on his face. In a rather surprising display of playfullness Squalo huffed and smirked back.

"Why do you wear scrunchies picked out by your sisters?"

"That's fair!" Sergey laughed as he went into the middle of a square that in itself was divided by more squares, slightly elevated from the ground. He drew his sword- Yamamoto believed it was a rapier?- and twirled it in his hand, eying Yamamoto with his striking golden eyes as if he tried to decypher him.

"Begin!"

Yamamoto waited a second. Then two, but no attack came. Sure, then he would start. As Yamamoto rushed at Sergey, the other stood still, rapier at the ready. He waited for him without any movement, almost causing Yamamoto to halt. Why isn't he doing anything? That short moment of hesitation was enough for the other to suddenly make a leap forward into a thrust. Just barely Takeshi managed to parry sideways and dodge, while Sergey closed his stance forward, twirling his blade, until he was back in position.

Only then did Takeshi realize it. His sword has a longer reach. A FAR longer reach.

Sergeys lips curled into a smug smirk, sending a shiver down Yamamotos spine. He noticed.

Taking advantage of the situation, Sergey moved forward again and engaged in trades of swings with Yamamoto who just in time, managed to steady himself to parry. He felt the form of the Shigure Kintoki wavering and gripped it tighter.

Sergey once again pulled back, for no real aparent reason, once again twirling his sword, almost as if he was giving Yamamoto a moment to breath and collect himself. Was he pitying him? Or was it mocking? Either way, Yamamoto took a deep breath to properly focus, now more wary of Sergeys movements. With the farther reach he needed to be really careful.

"Why did you bring him here?" Squalo turned his head from the fight in front to Ava by his side, noting the slight pout on his face and annoyance in his tone. Of course. This was only a natural reaction for him.

"Because he needs to get humbled for a moment so he can realize some basic facts."

"Hm." It was obvious that Ava wasn't exactly happy with that explanation, but kept his thoughts to himself. Still, no matter how much selfcontrol he had, he couldn't fool Squalo. He put his hand on Avas head and ruffled his hair affectionately.

"Come on, as if you don't wanna kick the brats ass and show him who's the OG student." Ava seemed to shift in his demeanor now, going from pouting and sulking to excited and observant as he watched the fight in front of them closely.

Takeshi was pushed back further, barely able to form an attack himself, mind racing at what to do. His reach is longer than mine and he moves so nimble and agile! I can barely make out any preparation movement, he doesn't use his whole body for the swing, so it's hard to gauge the speed of his swing. It's like he only uses his wrist-

A sudden realisation ran through Takeshi, just as Sergey managed to pierce the very edge of his right side. He felt the blade go through the jacket, but not scrape his skin or pierce any flash. Right in the next moment, Sergey tightly gripped the handle of his rapier, ready to slice sideways, if Yamamoto didn't jump back far enough to be out of reach again, the cut only scraping the leather of the uniform jacket. So that's why Squalo had asked him to wear it.

But why did he hesitate? He clearly could've swung right away. It's almost as if he waited until I was far away enough to not hurt me.

Was he underestimating him? Yamamoto had enough of this. Anger welling up in his stomach he went for the attack this time, only growing more aggravated when Sergey didn't move to parry. But he wasn't the only one able to stab!

Shigure Souen Ryu, 1st form: Shajiku no Ame!

With a massive lunge he pierced forward only for Sergey to do the most unexpected thing imaginable.

He threw the rapier, blade up in a curve over Yamamotos piercing trajectory, wrapped his arm underneath the Shigure Kintoki to then catch the handle of the rapier on it's way straight down. As soon as Sergey had a hold of his rapier again, he made a long step to the side, his rapiers blade flicked horizontal before it was draged right across Takeshis body, undernight his chest but above his stomach. He felt the impact, the weight of the slice and stumbled, the Shigure Kintoki stabing into the ground and Takeshi going to his knees, in shock and expecting the pain to set in any moment-

"VOI, SER! STOP FOOLING AROUND ALREADY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"

"Eeeh?!" A bit unsure Sergey turned to his captain and pointed with the rapiers tip towards Yamamoto.

"I don't exactly wish to get into trouble with the DECIMO famiglia, because I irepairably sliced open their Rain Guardian."

"That's not your concern but MINE!"

"HUH?!"

Hold on-...

Yamamoto reached down to the spot where he had been sliced, still being able to recall the heft of the pressure, only to find only a clean but not very deep cut in the leather of the uniform. He had held back despite being in the position to cause him severe damage. Yamamoto got back up onto his feet, watching Sergey struggle with what he was ordered to do. Squalo sighed loudly.

"FINE! Then just defend and don't worry about attacking, if that makes you more comfortable, you fucking sponge."

"Ugh. Yes, captaaain.", Sergey said and put his rapiers blade between his legs, before he pulled the scrunchy off and reached back to pull his hair into a ponytail.

There was only one thing running through Yamamotos head at that very moment.

Ah. This guy is strong. I don't need to hold back or worry just because he is Squalos subordinate. He can handle it.

Before Sergey had gathered all of his hair Yamamoto had already started his attack. He swung, Sergey let himsef fall back to dodge, using his incredibly core strength to push himself back up clearly miffed.

"Canf ou waif a miwnude?!" He said with the scrunchy between his teeth only to have to jump back to dodge again. The rapier lost it's hold and Sergey extended his leg to kick the handle up slightly, only to then kick it behind Yamamoto with the other leg. The sword stuck in the ground at a slight angle and Ser was free to move now, dodging in lardger leaps, all while trying to tie his hair up.

"OI!", he complained, just as he made a massive jump over Yamamoto, finishing tying his hair midair, doing a one handed back hand spring and landing on one knee next to his rapier, pulling it out of the ground with his right hand.

Yamamoto rushed in again, this time however with far more killing intent.

Shigure Souen Ryu, 5th form: Samidare!

He swung with all intention to cause the other actual harm, but Sergey let the Shigure Kintoki crash into the broad side of the rapier, supporting the blade with his other arm. Yamamoto felt his katana slide upwards, gliding along the rapiers broad side as if led on a slide and Sergey managed to slip away through that very opening. Almost as if he had expected the faint. But there was no way he knew of the Shigure Souen Ryu, right?

Should he try to change his approach? Sergey seemed to be extremely nimble and acrobatic, maybe if he tried-...

Squalo sighed.

"Ava, warm up. You're next in a moment."

"He is too repetitive?" Ava asked, head turned to his captain.

"Something like that. Show the brat what a proper downpour is."

Avas lips curled into a smile.

It had been a few minutes now, but every time Yamamoto tried for an attack, Sergey managed to barely dodge his swings.

"Okay, quick question, why do you keep repeating the same stances over and over again?", Sergey asked after a while, twirling his rapier in his hand. Yamamoto rushed in again with a swing, this time however Sergey blocked the attack head on so that it became a small struggle for power, blade against blade. In a head on confrontation the katana still had a bit more leverage. And he was slowly getting the others rythm down.

"That's because the Shigure Souen Ryu is perfect, flawless and unbeatable."

"Hmm..." Sergey hummed, absolutely unfazed by what he said, before he angled his rapier and quickly clashed the handguard of his sword upwards against the Shigure Kintoki. It was an unexpected move that threw Yamamoto off balance, just enough for Sergey to grab his wrist and in the next moment kick swipe his legs from the ground. Yamamoto fell, but ultimately was prevented from crashing to the ground by Sergey holding tightly onto his wrist.

"That may be true. But for you to be able to say that, you should be able to properly use it."

What?

As if to be a good sportsman, Sergey pulled Yamamoto back up onto his feet and then let go.

"I think I get now what the captain meant, when he said that you still need serious improvement." Yamamoto listened carefully now, putting aside the fight for a second.

"You're not flexible. You behave like a child that just learned the rules to a game. But the point of rules is not to follow them. It's to understand them. Because as soon as you truly understand them, you will be able to mend, play and most importantly of all: break them."

"Voi! Well said, Sergey."

Yamamoto let the words repeat in his head over and over again. The point of rules is not to follow them? That made no sense whatsoever.

"Allright, Ava, switch in, I think it's best if he sees it for himself.", Sergey said as he turned around, untying his hair and left the ring. Confused Yamamoto wanted to protest, but Squalo was not interfering, so this must be all still in the framework of this training. Ava approached Sergey as the other was finishing replicating his old hairstyle and they gave each other a high five before Ava jumped onto the platform and went into position. There was something unsettling about this guy.

With a swift movement he lifted his katana, pointing at Yamamoto.

"Let me make one thing clear, Yamamoto Takeshi."

He speaks so formally, but he sounds pissed.

"I am Squalos succesor. I am his prodige and I will be the one to surpass him one day. You may be his project for now, but I am his lifelong goal. We are leagues apart. I have been wielding a sword before you had even met Sawada Tsunayoshi. I had become a full fledged swordsman before you even as much as touched a blade. So don't even think for a moment that you can best me in a duel."

Yamamoto blinked.

"Wow, you're really intense about this, huh?"

"Ava! Stop sounding like a homicidal jealous girlfriend!", Sergey yelled from the sidelines, but Ava didn't answer and instead pulled his sword back, going into position.

"He's not listening."

There was a moment of silence and Yamamoto went back into position.

"Begin!"

Immideatly a cold shower ran down Yamamotos spine. This bloodlust was something he had last felt this intensely with Reborn! That moment of hesitation put him at a disadvantage as Ava quickly closed the gap. If he hadn't forced himself out of his stupor, he couldn't have blocked the intense strike. His swings were far more hefty than Sergeys, utilizing the whole bodyweight of him so that Yamamoto was still thrown back significantly and had to refocus. Not that Ava gave him much time for that. One strike, then the next, then another, another one, and again, and again, and again, and again- relentlessly Ava attacked Yamamoto and forced him into the defense. And just when Yamamoto believed to have found a moment to start a counter attack, he was struck hard. To be exact he was struck twice. In a cross formation.

Yamamoto was thrown back, but the leather of the uniform jacket held against it and let him escape unharmed, except for whatever bruise he would take home from this. But that wasn't what occupied his mind.

"How do you know a Shigure Souen Ryu stance?!"

Sergey blinked.

"Was that one? I didn't really pay attention."

"Yes, he used the 8th stance."

"The eighth-- Hold on-" Sergey finally realized what had just happened and he sucked in air through his teeth.

"Damn, Ava is reaaaally petty, isn't he?"

With calm steps Ava approached Yamamoto, nothing but cold murder in his eyes.

"You mean the techniques you used against my brother during your fight for the Vongola rain ring? How could I not?"

Yamamoto felt like he was hearing wrong. He blinked once, let the words run through his head one more time, before he finally loudly exclaimed:

"Wait--! You're Squalos BROTHER?!"

That pulled Ava out of his murderous stride and he stopped in his tracks, before he turned around towards Squalo.

"Squ, you didn't tell him?!"

SQU?!

"It never came up.", Squalo said calmly and shrugged his shoulders.

"Captain, you're mean."

Yamamoto saw Avas whole face turn a bright red, up to his ears, before he turned around to face Yamamoto again. He looked upset, angry even, but it was a far more childish anger than the murder intent before.

"That's it! I'm going to kill you! I wanted to use the back of Hokori to disrespect you like you disrespected my brother, but to hell with that!"

"Hokori? You named your sword and called it 'Hokori'?", he asked earnestly, watching Ava get even more emberassed and red in the face, completely flustered.

"I feel like I am watching Ava getting bullied by Lorenzo.", Sergey commented.

"VOI!"

It got immideatly quiet.

"Ava! Calm down. Stand to your speech from the beginning of this match. You're a swordsman, aren't you?! Behave like one! Prove to that brat, that your skills are earned, not given with blood."

Yamamoto finally got up, scratching the back of his neck. He was about to ask what this was all about and why he should fight this guy, when a shudder ran through Takeshi. There was that murder intent again, but this time it was colder, sharper and deadlier. It was focused. Ava had snapped back into his concentration and this time Yamamoto actually felt like he was standing in front of a killer.

Ava rushed forward and Yamamoto managed to block him, then the next swing, then the next, but it didn't feel like he was actually trying to seriously hit Yamamoto. With the next swing that Yamamoto blocked Ava held against it so they were now face to face.

"The Shigure Souen Ryu is also just a school of swordstyle. In that regard it's not special." Again a lecture? He was slowly getting sick of this- Ava released the resistance, Yamamoto fell forward, so Ava turned his blade that Yamamotos sword slid off of. Then he used the back of his sword the push against Yamamotos back of his neck and lead him past.

"The world is predictable, you know? There is only so many ways to swing a sword. Only so many ways to block one. While there is always innovation, these fundamentals have remained for this long, due to their efficiency. But they are still the same: a swing and a block."

He turned to Yamamoto.

"The Shigure Souen Ryu-" He lifted his sword, the tip once more pointed at the other.

"-is just another way to swing a sword."

"But the point of rules is not to follow them. It's to understand them. Because as soon as you truly understand them, you will be able to mend, play and most importantly of all: break them."

Could that mean-

"Enough talking."

Ava went back into the offense, rushing at Yamamoto who was ready this time, blocking Avas strike with more confidence.

"Hee~ Not bad."

So I can finally get serious.

Ava hightened the pressure, using more unorthodox angles, to get Yamamoto off balance-

The next moment Ava felt Yamamoto angle his sword on his own, Avas blade loosing resistance and him balance for just a moment- before Yamamoto slammed his head straight into Avas face, sending him staggering back. The pain rushed through his brain and made his vision blurry for a moment before he managed to catch his breath. Warmth eminated from his nose, trailing down over his lips and down to his chin.

"I still have no real idea what any of what you said means, but I guess I am starting to get what's behind it." Yamamoto said with excitement in his voice, rubbing his forehead. Ava wiped his nose with his sleeve and couldn't help a small smile. Was he starting to enjoy himself? No, no, no. Surely not.

They clashed again, but this time it was Yamamoto who gave Ava a push to then pull his resistance back.

Trying to get me with my own techni-

As soon as he steadied himself by not leaning forward but keep his weight on his front leg, Yamamoto pushed further before he kicked Avas foot off the ground, even if for a second.

What?

Ava felt his balance drop as he fell forward. He quickly stabed his sword into the ground to stem off, reposition his leg on the ground and use his swiped of leg to kick Yamamoto in the face. He pushed himself forward, past the other to drop into a roll, pulling his sword out of the ground with the swift motion and getting up. A weird tingling feeling ran through Avas body and he could feel the sharp glare that Yamamoto sent him.

They both couldn't help but grin almost maniacly as their fighting spirit rose.

This is getting fun!

Squalo watched the two of them exchange blows and move more and more into unconventional positions, trying their best to somehow draw blood from the other. Like two wild beasts they went at each other, movements suddenly erratic and wild, out of form for anyone unfamiliar with swordfighting. But it was deliberate. Every backhand swing, every block, every pary, every step-

Naturally Ava was more experienced, his movements were more fluid and confident in its uniqueness while Yamamoto was driven by instinct and muscle memory, janky and often unpolished, yet all the harder to work against. The calm of a continues shower against the erattic nature of a downpour.

"You know, Ser. There is only so much a mentor can do for you. A teacher does just that. He teaches and then fucks off. They are an unattainable ideal to lust after. A rival, however is an obstacle that clashes with you over and over and truly tests your growth. It's not just that you have to get better than them. It's a constant sprint for the top."

Sergeys eyes widened.

"Don't tell me--- Captain... you did this for Ava?"

"Don't get me wrong, I brought the brat here to finally broaden his horizon, but hey, if I'm allready at it, why not kill two birds with one strike."

Sergey couldn't help a wide grin.

"As expected of you captain! You're always keeping the big picture in mind!"

Ava quickly unbelted the scabbard of his sword and as he parried Yamamotos next swing, he led it past him to the side, to then slap the other straight in the face with his blades scabbard.

Yamamoto let out a yelp and staggered back.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!"

He felt his lungs on fire, breathing as if he had just run a marathon. His muscles ached, some of which he hadn't even known he had. The last strike had left a laceration and he could feel the blood just running down his skin. But one look at Ava was enough. He was too a bit tired. He tried to hide it as much as possible, but Yamamoto could still discern the heavier breathing.

"That's enough!"

Squalos loud voice thundered through the quiet underground and the two swordsmen looked up and towards him.

"I think It sank in a bit now, didn't it?"

Yamamoto looked at Ava, then at the Shigure Kintoki.

"Well- here and there it still turned back... but I think... I get it. If you get the basics down properly until they're second nature you can actually aply it all in different ways."

"Something like that. Get down you two. And let Ser treat your wounds."

The adressed grinned as he held up the traininghalls first aid kit and waved them to the bench to sit down and get patched up.

"This jacket is really sturdy!"

"Naturally, we have to be properly equipped, when we head to dangerous missions.", Sergey explained as Yamamotoi sat down and let his forhead be inspected.

"And this one is your old one?" Ava didn't answer to the inquirry, looking away.

"Don't take it personal-", Sergey already tried to console, when Ava simply mumbled

"good fight."

Quickly Sergey shut up, a smile on his lips as he continued to bandage Yamamotos head.

"You're... not that bad. You just have to polish what you can already do."

Wuaaaah, Ava is definitely pouting, Sergey thought, but kept quiet.

"Yeah, I had fun too! I look forward to fighting you again!" Surprised Ava now finally looked at Yamamoto, confuson on his face.

"Why... do you want to fight again?"

"Huh? Isn't it obvious? That was a great workout! I hadn't felt such a thrill ever since the last national quarterfinals! So I suppose we're rivals now!"

"Rivals...?" Ava repeated as if he wanted to truly taste the word on his tongue.

Rivals. Someone who actually competed with him in the same craft. Someone who competed with him in the same ring, using the same weapon. Not like his rivalry with Lorenzo which was based purely on ego and a bit of lust. No this felt more intimate and... somehow friendlier.

Avas whole face softened as a smile graced his lips and his cheeks got a slight pink tint.

"Yeah. I'd like that."

#unseen varia #Reborn! Next->#my writing #nnnot confident to use the main tag;;;#also god damn fight scenes are hard

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