melissa_42

Title: Glory Days
Character: Yamamoto Tsuyoshi
Rating: PG-13 for violence
Prompt:

khrfest Yamamoto Tsuyoshi - glory days; "a rain as fierce as knives"
Word count: 570
Disclaimer: Katekyo Hitman Reborn! is owned by Amano Akira.
Summary: Shinotsuku Ame was born at the brink of a typhoon when one life was traded for another.

A/N: I’ll be referring to Yamamoto Tsuyoshi as Yamamoto in this story. I hope this doesn’t confuse you too much!

He had not done it solely for the glory. Shigure Soen Ryuu was deadly, but murder brought no honor. No, Yamamoto Tsuyoshi had sought out the dojo when a yakuza syndicate from the city began targeting people in his hometown.

At first the fifteen year old was skeptical of the tottering old Master Imai who had not taught a disciple in years. Upon seeing the seven Shigure Soen forms, however, he was overwhelmed by the grace and beauty of the frail man’s actions. Although the movements were efficient, they held such power behind them that he truly believed Imai’s declaration that his way of the sword was flawless and invincible.

He trained with his neighbor, Nishimura Kazuo, for six months before they had their first battle. Even if Nishimura did not have the same natural skill as Yamamoto, he shared his determination. Together they pushed each other to master and perfect the seven forms, all for the sake of protecting their loved ones.

Their first conflict with the yakuza would always be the most memorable for Yamamoto. It was early September, and a harsh wind raced through the unharvested rice fields. Two flashlight beams danced before the boys as they made their way home from the dojo that cloudy night, fat drops falling from the sky. By the time the gang members attacked them, it had become a rain as fierce as knives. They both defended themselves with Shibuki Ame and quickly found an opening. It only took a few moves—Shajiku no Ame from Nishimura and Yarazu no Ame from Yamamoto—before five of the men lay dead on the ground. The whole affair really should have been a walk in the park, but the Yakuza had never been the most honorable fighters. Nishimura, who had caught a handful of dirt and pebbles in the eyes, could not see the final man raise the lead pipe above his head, but the image was burned into Yamamoto’s wide eyes.

Without thinking, the swordsman struck, surging forward while swinging a wide arc around the attacker. He managed to miss his comrade, but the gangster was left with a deep gash through his chest. Shinotsuku Ame was born at the brink of a typhoon when one life was traded for another.

At the time, Yamamoto had not even considered using the dull side of his blade. Thoughts of hate and revenge had not been on his mind, simply the knowledge that if he did not stop these killers, more tragedy would descend upon his town.

No, he had not protected his village for glory, but glory he received. He and Nishimura became the heroes of town, their deeds hailed for miles around. Sometimes at night he could still see the thick, dark blood of the yakuza men being diluted by the rain beating down on their bodies. Their sightless eyes seemed to accuse him, murderer, murderer, but never once had he felt remorse for his actions.

Since starting a family of his own, Yamamoto had been training at the dojo less and less, too preoccupied with the growing sushi business he had inherited from his father-in-law. When his son came to him asking to be taught kendo, he felt the heady rush of blood like during the old times. The sun may have already set on his glory days, but maybe—just maybe—a new dawn was breaking for the next generation.

A/N: Here are the translations of the Shigure Soen forms I used. Look them up at http://reborn.wikia.com/wiki/Shigure_Soen if you want to know what they’re supposed to entail.

Shibuki Ame—(7^th Form) Splashing Rain

Shajiku no Ame—(1^st Form) Axle of Rain

Yarazu no Ame—(3^rd Form) Last Minute Rain

Shinotsuku Ame—(8^th Form) Pelting Rain