Way of the Sword.

[hybirdx]

It was once said that the cherry blossums recieved their beautiful colors because an emperor once burried a dead soldier killed in battle under each tree back in the old days. That is how the cherry blossums received their beautiful, yet sad, pink petals.

The way of the sword is simular in a ways. In one perspective, it gives a person a feel of honor, he/she builds their own code of honor based on their principals, and follow it to their death. In other words, to live and die by their blade.

On the other hand, the way of the sword can lead to the path of utter destruction, twisting and warping a persons soul into something as evil, and in some cases, worse than the devil himself. Many have died by the blade, inocent, and guilty.

In a way, the way of the sword, or any weapon of that matter, is like a balance of good and evil, Yin and Yang. The only difference that this way of a weapon has no balance between sanity, and insanity, no boundry, no line. For if it does indeed have one, it is a very, fine line.

"Do you know what it means young man?"

Kenji, acting as if he ignored what the old man was saying, picked up a black Go piece and moved it in front of a white Go piece. "It doesn't have a true meaning. It really depens on the person to decide what it means."

"And what do you think it means." The old man moved an white piece in front of Kenji's black.

"I think it means..." Kenji took a black piece and set it to the left of the old man's white. "That I won the game."

"What?! Oh, oh my! I don't belive it! In all my years I never lost!" The old man smiled. "Well done lad!"

"Thanks..." The door near the two opened, and two man entered. One looked to be a high ranking revlutionary, and the other looked to be his gaurd. "huh... Looks like my clients are here. nice playing with you old man."

"Same time next week?"

"Maybe, this mission might take a little longer."

"Well... You know my little restraunt is open for you and your buisness anytime." The old man got up and walked over the two man, pointing over to Kenji's spot, then going behind the bar as the two men walked up to Kenji.

"You're late."

 

[RoneLith]

His lungs burned and his arms ached from carrying his daughter on his back. Hiedeki had begun taking his young daughter with him on his training excercise since she had turned five. He let her run with him for the beginning of the trek up the large hill, nearly a mountain, that shadowed thier home. Still she was only a child and running nearly a mile up hill was still too much for her. He did not mind, carrying her meant that his own strength increased. His swords at his side marked his status as a Samurai and his clothing marked him as a weapon master. He had given up his life of serving his Lord to concentrate fully on his skill and daughter. He just could not bring himself to place his life on the line for any other mortal save Akari, a five year old girl who held his heart and soul. So Hiedeki ran up the hill, a child on his back and the wind in his eyes. He had always enjoyed his training and his run freed his mind, now it seemed with his daughter present he felt even stronger. Her potential was staggering and he had high hopes that she would become stronger than he in time giving him his only defeat. He reached the top and slid his feet, skidding along the ground until he stood stopped at the very apex of the hill. Gently he set Akari on the ground allowing her to take in the great beauty of the Hokiado region.

"Akari," he said after he caught his breath. "Why do we run up the hill?"

She tried to stand taller on the tips of her toes trying to stand eye to eye with her father. "To stay fit and fast!"

"Why do we train on the top of this hill?"

"Because, we are surrounded by nature!"

"Name our surroundings!"

Akari pointed to the ground, "Earth, here it is most unstable and dangerous, making sure our footing is always sound." She twirled around in a circle, "Air, at this height the impur..." Akari always had trouble with the word, slowly she sounded it out. "Impurities are almost gone giving us pure air to fuel our lungs." She pionted to the sun, "Fire, bathing us in its warmpth with no obstruction it lights our path and strives to protect us." Finally she looked around the sky, puzzeled. "Father, there is no water in the air."

Still a child, he thought. "Akari, just because there are no clouds does not mean that there is no water in the air. Although it is you cannot see it, water still surrounds you both inside and out. Understand."

Akari nodded and finished her lesson. "Water, our life giving force my body uses water as I train and so I take water back into myself from the clouds, giving us back our strength."

"Good!" Hiedeki drew his sword and Akari drew her own training weapon she had made from a large stick that had landed on her head one day when she had been playing. She had taken her fathers tanto and shapped the stick into a crude Boken. The shape was almost perfect and its weight was deffinately strong, especially for a girl as small as Akari was. She had trouble weilding it but it would prepare her for the future. Hiedeki had traveled the forest around his home and had found a thick branch of bamboo. When she was older and taller he would give it to Akari and have her make her own training sword for fighting him.

He started his routine with his daughter trying to keep up with his speed. She fell behind the technique but eventually finished every move almost perfectly. It had been the same way every day for almost six monthes now and she was improving everyday.

 

[hybirdx]

In the dark streets of Mibu, a elderly man with an sword walked through the streets with high pride. People also on the streets jumped out of his way. "Idiots."

"Sir!"

Two young men ran up to the man, panting. "You, you shouldn't go out alone!"

"Yes, what if the Shisengumi were to attack you?"

"Now now... I can take care of myself."

The three men walked torwards a small bridge where a young boy holding a sword stood in the middle of.

"Out of the way child."

The young boy pulled out his sword and stood his ground. "You shall go no further! Turn back, or suffer the consenqeunces!"

"Ha! Ha hahahahahaha! Funny kid, now move or you shall suffer the consenqeunces!"

"I won't move."

"Wait, sir!" The two men stepped in front of the elder man and drew their swords. "We'll take him. He has no right to take on somebody as adavance as you!" The two rushed forward and swung their swords at the boy. But the boy side steped just enough toready his sword and stab one of them in the gut. He yanked it out and without any trouble sliced the neck of the other.

Both fell in a pool of blood as the elderly man took a few steps back in utter shock. "B- but your just a kid!"

The boy readyed his sword again and gave an deadly glare at the person before him. "The name is Hibiki of the Shisengumi. And it is the last thing you'll ever here." Hibiki rused forward, so fast that the man couldn't even prepair himself as Hibiki took his sword and stabed it right in his neck, twisting it, and pulling it out.

"E-eeeeeeeeeeh." The man droped dead, his blood seeping through the wooden cracks of the small bridge. "I gave you a fair warning, it was your choice to die here tonight..."

"I see you completed your mission."

Hibiki tured his head torwards his left, and sighed in relife. "Saito, it is only you sir." Hibiki held up his sword and slashed down, throwing the blood off, then he place it back into its holder.

"By the looks of it they were just low class gaurds. But he was a high ranked revolutionary.

"It seems so... I take it that you already sent somebody to see this mess will be cleaned up?"

Saito smiled. "Of course."

"Then I think I'll go home and rest." Hibiki bowed to Saito, then left the scene.

 

[Donsehan]

Matsumoto sat there, watched the daily affairs wishing his Naginata was with him, it had been a while since he had one with him, He now carried the treasured blade, ready to make one, he decided it was time to make it, after all the Shisengumi were everywhere, but they were an interesting movement, he would talk to his contacts and see what they were up to later.

He came back down off the roofs and went down to the courtyard, found a nice strong piece of wood for his blade and set working.

A few hours later, he started practicing with it in the courtyard, he ran through exercises to to bring back his strength so he could wield it one handed again.

 

[hybirdx]

Kenji sighed and sipped his tea. "Are you saying that this guy is a major threat to your cause?"

"Yes." The man placed a drawing of the person and moved it torwards Kenji. "We had our spy draw a picture of him. Its crude, I know..."

"Saito of the Shisengumi."

"Y-yes."

"You're not expecting me to kill him, are you?"

"Er... Well..."

Kenji moved the picture back. "Find yourself an assasin. I only kill if nessesary." Kenji began to stand up, but the man quckly salvaged his departure.

"No, wait. We do not want you to kill him. We know that isn't part of the deal. We need information."

"What information would this be?"

"We have heard that the Shisengumi were planning something. If this is true we must stop them.

The Shisengumi only care for their little piece of land, and nothing else. Why would they be planning something?"

"We heard they may be working with the Shogunate."

Kenji sighed. "Alright, I'll check it out."

The man sighed in relife and smiled. "Thank you Kenji... And... For your payment...." The man nodded to the gaurd, who grabed a small bag and set it on the table.

"Money is nice... But... You know what I really want."

"Yes, I know. And we'll give as much information we have when you returned with information for us. This is just in advanced."

"Alright." Kenji took the bag and placed it in his pocket. "I'll call you when I have information."

***

"So, did you hear? I heard Hibiki taken down another high ranking Rev."

"Geez, whats with that kid? Most his age are still training!"

"I heard he started traing when he was a child."

"He is a child."

"Younger than he is now!"

"I wonder why he acts like he act around Saito. Most would be harshly scolding for treating their superiours like so. Why does he get all the priledges?"

"I heard that Saito is the one who found him..."

Hibiki, knowing his fellow soldiers were talking about him, snapped his head around. They instantly looked away and pretended they were working on something. "Ehhhhhhhh.... Its always the same..." Hibiki slowly walked to his room and sat in a corner, gripping his sword as he did so. Soon enough he drifted into a uneasy, insomniac like sleep as he usauly did.

 

[Morgoth]

Hinomori sipped the sake, making a bitter face at its particularly sour taste. Nevertheless, he did sip the rest down as well. Sighing, he put payment for the drink on the table, then rose. Several minutes, he found himself on a road leading to Kyoto. He walked quickly. He needed to get there quick. Well, technically, he needed to get anywhere he was going quick. Those bastards somehow always knew where he was going if he lingered even a little. Sometimes they knew even before he did. He was only a mile down the road when he heard a slight rattle to his right, in the underbrush. Joining it were several shadows flitting between the trees. Hinomori put his thumb on the hilt of his katana, then slipped it up. When the first one came, he had already prepared. The assassin leaped from the woods, hurling shurikens. Hinomori's sword was completely out before the man had completely left the cover of the trees. The blade was lightning quick, stopping each projectile. Hinomori rolled to the left, scooping up on of the shurikens, hurling it midroll, eyes following its path into the assassin's throat, the stabbing the katana left, where an assassin had happened to appear. The man spit up some blood, groaned, then fell back. Hinomori was already on to the next one, removing his head before the ther knew the ronin had moved. He didn't stop. In one fluid motion, he was on to the next, sword plunging through his eye. He leapt backwards, twirling, sword scything through the next target. He stopped in shock as the deer fell to the ground, torn open. He heard the last two charging him from behind. Regaining his composure, he fell to his back, twirling so that he was facing them. One received a stiff kick to his knee, shattering it and blowing fragments out the back, dropping the assassin. For the other Hinomori, leapt off the ground, slashing at the man's belly, but the assassin blocked. The man stabbed down, attempting to pierce Hinomori's head, but he had foolishly left himself open. Hinomori lunged forward, getting too close for the man to bring his sword down. Not that the man's swing had any strength left in it. Hinomori's wakizashi had already found a path through the assassin's chin, tearing through his brain and ripping from the top of his side. Hinomori, yanked the short blade clean, then turned back to the final attacker. He lay on the ground, yelling and clutching at his destroyed knee. As he saw that the ronin had turned back to him, he immediately raised his sword in some futile measure of self-defense. Hinomori sliced his hand off immsediately. Then, he sheathed his katana, then switched the wakizashi to his right hand. He dropped to his knees and set to work on the assassin. When the assassin's employers inquired what had happened, they were told that while no one had actually seen the attack, many of them had heard the screams for hours. But by the time that his hunters had discovered their latest assassins had failed, Hinomori was already in an inn in Kyoto, slowly sipping at sake. For the first time in along time, it was sweet.

 

[RoneLith]

It was late afternoon when Hiedeki and Akari made their stroll down the hill. Their muscles tiered and worn, burning from the long practice, Hiedeki had decided to walk rather than run down. Akari of course still being a child had already regained her energy and was noticeablely ahead of him. He worried little about her, however, she had lived here all her life and probably knew the surrounding are better than he did. Still she should not get too far ahead. He smiled and sped up his pace passing her a slight grin on his lips. She giggled and quickly walked in front of him.

"I'm gonna win, Daddy!" Instantly she was off and running. Hiedeki waited until he too sped down the hill. Easily he caught up to her laughing with her as he scooped her in his arms. "No Fair!" She cried and giggled her amusement. He slowed to a walk again carrying her close in his arms. Her eyes turned serious and she looked at her father. "Daddy, where is my mommy?"

Hiedeki sighed and he slowed his pace further. "The kids in the village tease me about not haveing a mommy, so where is she?"

The pain was still fresh in his heart, he looked at his daughter. She looked so much like her mother. "She watches and waits for us on the other end of exsistence."

 

[hybirdx]

Hibiki grunted in his sleep. He never could get a good sleep. It was just impossible for him to do nowadays. While he he was sleeping, somebody silently slid open the door and walked in. Whoever it was walked over to Hibiki and knelt down, then placed their hand around his throat.

Hibiki snapped awake and grabed the person's throat with one hand, and pulled out his sword with the other. He took his right foot, put it behind the threat's feet, and triped the person, forcing both to fall to the ground, with Hibiki on top and his sword ready to kill. But Hibiki stoped in his tracks as he relized it was just one of the girls that served for the Shisengumi. This one in particular bothered Hibiki a bit.

Hibiki slowly stood to his feet and placed his sword back in its holder. "Sorry... Reaction... What where you doing...?"

The girl stood up, shaking a bit, and brushed herself off. "Y-you looked cold so..."

Hibiki's eye shifted to the ground where a covered layed.

"..."

 

[Donsehan]

Matsumoto, with the sun turning red, arms tired, decided it was time to eat. He walked into the building, from the outside it looked like an rich person's house, on the inside though, it was what looked like a Dojo for smaller weapons.

Walking in, Matsumoto bowed to the teachers. One said, "Matsumoto san,"
"hai, senseii" I stopped and kneeled, still holding the Naginata up.
"Today they don't seem to be getting how to use the ninja toh in combat, I want you to show them what it can do."

"Hai, senseii" I went off to place the Naginata in my room, and picked up my ninja toh and his fan. Returning to the training hall, he bowed to senseii and bowed to the other students.

"No, not with your fan, it will confuse them." I turned, slightly annoyed, they thought that the fan was the weapon for a woman. I thought it was more dangerous than even a good samurai with a katana. "Hai" I mumbled. I stuffed it in my belt and switched the blade to my right, not unsheathed yet. The student in question walked forward and bowed to me.

"Ima shihajime!!" I heard sensei yell, I brought my hands up keeping my right hand holding the blade in front and dropped to a lower stance, he jumped forward at me I blocked his blade with the sheathe and let it drop out into my left hand, I jumped and somersaulted striking him lightly in the back with the sheathe and hit the ground with my blade front and the sheathe still ringing in my right hand, to my side. He turned around and stopped this time, bringing himself in a guard. I charged like a beserk samurai with my hands to my right and before I reached him, I dropped into a roll, sweeping his legs out from under him. I stood and turned around, bringing the blade to his throat.

"yameroo!!" I stepped back and bowed. Sheathing the blade again, "Now, what have the rest of you learned from the two attacks that Matsumoto kun did?"

Some of the students looked down to the ground, one looked up, "Sensei, that the sheathe is not just for protecting the blade."

"No! You must utilize everything, the blade is only an extension of your body, must i show that to you myself?!!"

I knew now that I was in trouble, Senseii whipped out a bokken. Sensei could outpace me like some of the best samurai could outpace a boy who'd never picked up even an aikuchi.

He stepped forward I whipped up both arms trying to block every strike, it was all over. Left, right, lower left, I was blocking with both the sheathe and the ninja toh. Yet I was still pushing back, finally I decided I had enough. I was going to go for first blood. He jabbed with his bokken, and I followed it in with my blade and keeping it less than a fingerlength from my face. I was inside and facing his chest, I swept his blade away and used the hilt to hit him in the stomach. Before the blow landed I noticed the blade coming around I dropped and rolled, letting out a kick to his leg. As my roll finished, his blade came out at me again, I was on the ground and in a bad position. I blocked and rolled back more, then jumped and threw my blade up hilt first. Letting it hook against the support beams, I let it swing me around and I came in for a kick, still holding on to the bladed section of the ninja toh. I threw the blade forward and managed to hit sensei square in the chest as my blade went swinging off to hit into the wall. I jumped and somersaulted off of sensei to go after my blade. Now very exhausted, my muscles burning even more from the practice I had with my Naginata, I realized I was breathing really hard.

Senseii looked at me as he got up from the floor and said "ii desu nee." He turned to the other students, "Matsumoto managed to strike me, with that last attack, as a warrior, you must use everything that you have, be it the sheathe your ninja toh, do not forget it is a very versatile weapon just as Matsumoto has shown. Because it isn't nearly as sharp as a katana, you can use it for many purposes, yet it's still sharp enough to kill. Now dismissed, time to eat."

I sighed, sheathed my blade as the other students walked off I started to walk and heard my name. "Matsumoto!!" I heard, kusoo, I muttered under my breath. "Hai Sensei" I said as I bowed, and got two swift strikes to my shoulders. "Never lose your blade, it is your life!! I know it was a risk you could take in this setting, but as you know, never ever is that a risk you can take outside."

"Hai sensei" I said dejectedly, he deflated my small victory. I shuffled off after the rest of the students, "Oh yes," I heard him say, I stopped, "tonight your eyes must be open."

I understood what he meant, I nodded, and walked out, to eat and after that went to rest, ignoring the other students.

 

[Morgoth]

Hinomori stayed to the shadows as he stalked the streets of Kyoto. No need to incite the Shinsen-gumi, too. Or for that matter, anybody else. Technically, he was still neutral. But technically, few could resist the gargantuan bounty on his head, too. Enough people were after his head already. Even cloaked as he was, he still drew stares. Damn. He would have to find a particularly safe place for sleep tonight. Nevertheless, he also needed to find some purpose here. Staying alive wasn't enough. That was all he had done for nearly three years. The sweetness of the sake here showed him that perhaps this place would be a place for him to start rebuilding his life. So, of course, he'd need to pick a side. But, he also realized that were he just to appear in their headquarters, he might face the slight obstacle of all of them attacking him. He sighed, shook his head, then kept walking. He'd have to wait for them to come to him. I hate politics. It's never been my strength. Now, I find it necessary for my very survival. Damn, what a stupid situation. He thought, going through all the places he could possibly stay until someone approached him. His eyes lit up almost immediately, remembering back to his adolescence. He made his way back to his old dojo, slipping his sandals off as he entered. He found his old master, Minamori Asazake, in the center of the maze-like building, teaching class. The old man's eyes lit up as he saw Hinomori enter, and he waved him to a back room. Hinomori gave a quick bow, then made his way to the room.

 

[hybirdx]

Kenji had been traveling for hours, and hasn't arived in Kyoto. He would have been there alot sooner if it had not been for the fact that taking the beatened path would have surely put him in harms way.

Kenji arived at a makeshift village. It was filled with scraped and dirty children, tired women, and 10 minute built shacks. It was obvious that these people were either from a village that was invaded, or a slave trade wagon that has been attacked, or possibly both. They all looked as if they had seen three war and four slaughters all in one night. It was a sad sight to see yes, but Kenji was more than used to it.

Kenji suddenly felt as if somebody was stalking him. He slowly moved his hand to his sword and stopped. "Whoever it is behind me, better announce themselfs." Kenji shifted his head a bit, seeing four men with swords, all pointing at Kenji as if ge was a common target.

"This is our village, so you best leave!"

Kenji didn't say anything. He just stood there like a statue.'Their... Village? Since when have a group of low-life badits own a village...? Besides the Shogunate?' Kenji's eyes wandered a bit, seeing all of the faces of fear. It quickly became apparent what they ment. "I see... You ramsack a couple of small villages, hit a few caravans, kill all the adults men and all elderly, take a few women and children as prisoners and call it your happy little village...?" Kenji places his thumb under his sword and snaps it up, unlocking the blade and lifting it up enough for Kenji to grab it completely. "You're nothing but sick bandits that need to be put to rest."

 

[Donsehan]

Minamori Asazake looked happy as he saw his old student pop in. He said "Sit down." "We have a guest!!"

A distant "Hai sensei" was heard and two students shuffled in. One put down a table in the training hall another carried a pot. One of them came back with cups for tea. Presenting the best looking side to each man, and pouring for the guest first.

They shuffled out and Minamori asked "So Hinomori kun what brings you here??"

 

[hybirdx]

Hibiki sighed as he picked up the cover and handed it to the girl. "Here."

"Uh... Bu-"

"I'm wide awake now, so I don't need it." Hibiki walked pass her and opened the door. "One more thing Minami..." Hibiki turned his head slightly, just enough for his piercing eyes to look into Minami's eyes. "... Be more careful next time. I wouldn't want to accidently slit your throat."

Hibiki exited the room and wandered around a bit before almost running into the second highest ranking, and most feared member of the Shisengumi; Hijikata. Hibiki jumped back and quickly bowed. "I'm sorry!"

Hijikata, glared at him for a second before grumbling something under his breath, then saying to Hibiki, "be more careful next time Hibiki."

"Er, Y-yes sir."

Hijikata grumbled again and went his way. Hibiki shuttered a bit. No matter how many times he told himself he had nothing to worry about, Hijikata always seemed to of had that effect on him.

 

[Morgoth]

"Nothing, really. It's more a visit of pleasure than anything else. And you are the renowned Matsumoto? I've heard of your prowess. Quite a few rumors, about it, too. You're said to be a legend in the making", responded the ronin. The man had to know about the bounty on his head. There were few commoners who didn't know, and this man was a samurai. Hinomori sipped at the tea, savoring its delicate flavor. "Ahhh. It's been so long since I've had the time to enjoy a fine cup of tea. Matsumoto, sensei, let me be the first to tell you that there's never too little time to enjoy a hot cup of tea. Truly, one of the few pleasures of life", he commented, sipping at it again. "Did you know, Matsumoto, that one does not truly know a man until one fights him. It's there that one sees how the man carries himself, conducts himself, and how he thinks of himself and others. I've heard much about you. If you wouldn't mind, someday I'd like to spar you and see who the man inside you is?"

 

[RoneLith]

He knew it was hard on his daughter, a lady in his life would prove helpful in carring for her. Still he could not dishonor his true love's memory, besides what true japanese woman would care for a mixed blood child. He sighed as he reached their home, Akari had long since fallen asleep in his arms tiered from the day's training. He let her sleep and layed her down gently on her bed. She would wake when she smelled dinner but for now sleep was best. He pulled her cover over her and brushed a stray hair off her face. So much like her mother, he thought. He bent down and kissed her gently on her forehead. "Never forget your father loves you, Akari," he whispered in her ear. With that he set about starting their evening meal.

Something else nagged at Hiedeki, he couldn't quite place it almost as if it was a warning. Something big was starting, he cared little as long as they kept away from his daughter and his little corner of the world, let the Shogunate have his wars.

 

[Donsehan]

Matsumoto blushed at his comments about his skills. Then stared at the man, surprised that he had been given the honor of sparring with this man. Sensei said he was an older student. Had gone off as a samurai, somehow he got the name kurokaze-The Black Wind. Matsumoto had seen the man work before, but never thought he would be given that honor.

The young man bowed to Hinomori, "A legend in the making I doubt. I have heard sensei say that, whether there is truth behind it I have not found yet. For I have not killed yet. I doubt I would be a proper opponent. As sensei says I am very quick, and have heart, but talent I doubt I have. Nevertheless, an honor it is. I shall accept."

Minamori chuckled at the exchange,
"Matsumoto you must be careful, he trained under me as a samurai not with Iwano sensei as you have. Yes you are quick, and have grace which is ideal for the weapons you have chosen, yet you have strength from your father's training. You also understand that life is precious which is important. Too many of the young students have turned away using the skills they have learned but not learning the true lesson."

Turning to Hinomori "So, hiding from that bounty are you?" Matsumoto's eyes widened, but didn't say anything. Hinomori looked down, "In any case you may choose here, Matsumoto as you have said is gaining a reputation. Iwano san, you remember her don't you?" Minamori paused a little not really caring for his student's response. "She teaches the more nonconventional section for our students, Matsumoto has learned well, as stealth and speed is where he is strongest." He took a sip, "ahh, we also had a teacher that came recently, Seki san, very interesting man. If you choose we can give you a room, and have Matsumoto guard you, it will definitely be a good test, and you can see him work." He looked at Matsumoto, "and in case if you can't handle it we'll let you work with your usual partner."

Matsumoto sat there pouring tea, but as he heard those words, almost dropped the teapot and a look of surprise burst on his face.

Sensei gave him a look and Matsumoto decided not to do anything. Minamori looked to his old student waiting for a response.

 

[hybirdx]

Kenji sliced through the third man with ease, his screems almost made the ninja shutter. "Thats three down..." Kenji looked at the last one. He was young, and shaking violently in fear, but that wasn't what was making Kenji stop. It was that inocent look in his eyes that told Kenji he was nothing more than a child with a sword.

"Look... I'll give you a choice. Drop your sword and give up, I'll let you live. Or, you can attack me, and I'll cut you down like the rest of them." The boy put up his sword as if Kenji didn't say anything to him. "Stubborn... Okay... We can do this the hard way..."

The boy dashed forward and took a swing, Kenji ducked and made an 180 swing trying to cut to kids waist. Surprizingly he dodged it and kicked the back of Kenji's leg, triping him. The boy swung his sword down as if it was a guillotine torwards Kenji's throat, but Kenji rolled back and blocked the follow up attack. 'He's better than I thought! I'll have to be quicker about this!'

Kenji jumped back and stabed his sword in the dirt. The young man picked up his weapon and made a bee-line for Kenji. "1.. 2... 3!!!" The second the boy came withen range, Kenji pushed his sword forward and lifted causing a whole cloud of dirt and dust flew into the air as if it was a smoke screen. Kenji took the advantage to get behind the boy and cut into his back.

The screem of pain that emited from the boys mouth echoed through the village. He fell to the ground trying to the cut on his back. "You act as if you never been wounded before... And yet your sword skills are as if you have been in a hundred battles..." Kenji sighed as he walked up to the boy's side and stabed his sword into the dirt again. "Give up."

"N-never..." The boy stood up, trying to grip his sword. "I... W-won't give in... I will n-not lo-" He was cut short byu Kenji's hilt to his jaw. The boy stumbled back, but Kenji moved in and jabbed him in the gut with the hilt of his sword. The boy cough up some blood before passing. Kenji caught him with his free arm and heaved him over his shoulder. He shifted his eyes over to the now large crowd. "I take it he was the good one out of the group ne?"

Kenji placed his sword back into its holder and slowly walked torwards the crowd, careful not to further wound the unconsious boy on his shoulder. "Somebody take him." Two young women lifted him off of Kenji's shoulder and carried him to a near by building. Kenji sighed and turned away. "Which direction is Kyoto?"

 

[Morgoth]

Hinamori cracked a small grin at the old man. "Yes, Minamori, the bounty is beginning to get exceedingly large. Ambushed just today, actually. They're certainly not giving up easily. But, yes, I would like to stay here. It's comforting... being back here. Knowing that I enjoy at least a measure of safety." Hinamori sighed, the smile fading. "I think your choice of a guard is most excellent, as always. As for you, Matsumoto, realize that one of the greatest strengths of any samurai is his soul. Take pride in yourself, don't let it become vanity, and you'll find a new level of strength you've never experienced before. Never talk so humbly about yourself. While good to be modest, humility degrades a man. So, when paid a compliment by an elder samurai, sit up straight, take a measure of proudness in yourself, realize that the samurai isn't just speaking because he like his own voice. He means what he says. Eh, Minamori? Sound familiar?" he said, smiling at his old teacher. Minamori winked back, almost imperceptible. "Anyway, Minamori, I'd like to see these students of yours."

 

[Donsehan]

Matsumoto bowed to Hinomori, Minamori chuckled, "Yes, those were the words I taught you when you were younger, Now I regret it, as I see your pride has gotten you in much trouble." The two laughed at this. Matsumoto, tried to stifle his laughter out of respect. Minamori continued "well safety is within these halls as you know, but Matsumoto here did not choose the path of the samurai, he actually chooses to strike from hiding, in fact he probably could tell you who ambushed you and how amatuerish they were." Laughing at this too, after they quieted down, "You should see his partner, Seki kun, if you think Matsumoto is good, Seki kun is almost his equal without weaponry. These two spar without practice weapons, you can watch."

"Gakseii!! Kimasu!!!" Minamori shouted and all the students filed in, some bearing katanas, others ninja-toh and other not so common weapons, and a number of them no weapons.

"Seki kun! Matsumoto! Kimasu!" Matsumoto and his friend went to the center and bowed. Rushed off to get their preferred armament. Matsumoto san came back with a Naginata, and his Ninja-toh, his fan still stuck in his belt. Seki san came back with pieces of forearm armor and shin armor, which he donned, and a very thick sheathe that had an odd shaped knife he'd never seen before and a large polearm that was also unfamiliar, the blade fat and thick, similar to a falchion but shorter, weapons Hinomori never saw before.

They bowed to sensei and Hinomori san. Minamori san shouted "Hajimee!!" The two bowed to each other and Matsumoto san picked up his sword in his right, Seki san put up his arms, exposing the armor to his opponent.

Matsumoto rushed and avoided a punch to try to slam his hilt against Seki. Seki moved his left arm to block the hilt and landed a kick on his chest which was pushed aside with Matsumoto's arm. Matsumoto countered while blocking, he ducked and tried to hit Seki in the legs with the sheathe and drew his sword. Seki somersaulted back, while Matsumoto drew the sword to his left hand, and threw the sheathe, as his right arm came around to draw the fan, expertly slipping the ring on his index finger without missing a beat.

Seki swapped the iron sheathe aside, and rushed forward ducking under the fan that swung out, almost cutting his throat and jabbed low into Matsumoto's stomach. Matsumoto, stepped back, catching his closed fan back into his right hand. He stabbed at the armpit of the arm that was outstretched. Seki dropped to the ground and twirled his legs, jumping back up as Matsumoto stepped out of range. Seki now had those odd weapons in his hand, they were fairly thick short blades, about elboy length having a straight, non-bladed edge on one side. It was rectangular except for one corner which showed the tell tale signs of a cutting edge. He stood there left hand in front right hand in back, his body blocking the view of his right hand to Matsumoto. Matsumoto struck forward and bent to the side as he lifted a leg to stand on his right, as he flung the fan out again, and made a diagonal slash down to the left across Seki's chest. Seki brought his right hand forward and blocked blade to blade and let his blades slide over as he pummeled Matsumoto in the chest with the hilt. Matsumoto saw it coming and whipped his fan back to cut accross Seki's arm. Seki exposed the armor he had while he continued the his attack. Matsumoto somersaulted over Seki's head and landed a blow to Seki in the back using the edge that didn't have a blade.

Seki fell into a forward roll, seemingly untouched by the blade. He put his hands together and the single blade he was holding became duplicates still abnormally thick for a blade of it's length. He held them backhanded, and charged. He whipped his hair forward, Matsumoto blocked the hair, and Seki followed with a slash with a horizontal slash at the upper chest and a diagonal upper left slash with his right hand. Matsumoto flipped open his fan with a loud clang and caught the diagonal slash as he flung his blade against the horizontal slash, letting go of the ninja toh, it turned in midair and he caught it again backhanded and jabbed at his friend's right lung.

Seki dropped again to the ground into a sweep. Matsumoto jumped and landed with his blade piercing the floor just where Seki was as he rolled back out of the way, Matsumoto seeing him roll flung out his fan again, stretching his arm out as far as possible to get enough reach. Seki easily blocked the fan as he pushed himself off the ground in a somersault that landed him facing Matsumoto again.

Matsumoto ran towards Seki, with his arms in back, and closed his fan with another loud clang. He jumped and flipped out a kick as he jabbed his grip still back handed on the ninja toh. As he threatened to slice his friends skull apart with his fan. Seki even faster dropped the blade in his right hand and sat in a horse stance as he caught the ninja toh in his hand and turned it around, the fan sliding over his head, Matsumoto's kick landed in his stomach and Matsumoto back flipped off his friend. Seki stood there and didn't move a hairs width as the kick pummeled into him. After Matsumoto jumped off he pushed his arms apart as his hands and body trembled and he let out a loud exhale. Then stood up, kicking his blade into the air and catching it back in his right hand. He brought his right hand forward to beckon his friend forward.

Matsumoto rushed him again, and Seki smiled. Matsumoto switched to a forehand grip and did a diagonal slash up. Seki blocked and saw the blade flip around his arm again as Matsumoto let go and tried to hit him with the pommel. He pushed the pommel aside hit his friend in the jaw with the pommel of his blade in his left hand.

Matsumoto felt the blow hit his chin and he went up with the blow as his friend had taught him turning it into a back flip. Which caught his friend in the chest again.

Clapping sounded and the two stopped. They put their hands together in front of them and bowed. Minamori said "ii desu nee, that's the best the both of you have done in a while. Now show Hinomori san your skills together. Minamori noticed his student's tea cup was empty and filled it and sipped his tea. "What do you think of these two?" he turned to Hinomori.

 

[hybirdx]

Hibiki sat and watched as the newcomers trained vigorisly. Sadly only a few were veterans when it came to sword skills, that ment many of them required intense training.

"So this is where you were hiding..."

Hibiki swung his head around meeting one of the top captains of the Shisengumi, Okita. "Okita, I didn't know you were back."

Okita smiled and nodded. "I arived just a hour or so ago with Hijikata."

"Oh..." Hibiki almost shuddered again. Even Hijikata's name sent chills down Hibiki's spine. Hijikata wasn't nicknamed "The Demon of Shisengumi" for nothing. His skills as a sword man was amazing, though, they still couldn't compare to Okita's, even if Okita was much younger. "You and Hijikata are close friends huh?"

Okita nodded. "Yep!" Okita looked at all the newcomers, who were now in a circle. "Looks like a challenge has been laid down..."

"Lets just hope Its not Harada and that stick of his."

 

[Morgoth]

Hinomori contemplated his words for a moment, then spoke, "I enjoyed the spectacle. Very good, the both of you. But, a suggestion, if I may? I know that you are learning from one of the very best teachers in Japan, but also realise that the dojo is not a battlefield. When on the battlefield, stances must be adjusted, and technique must be adjusted. One thing that I have learned is to never expose yourself in even the most minute way. As I watched the two of you, I couldn't help but place myself in both of your places. Quite honestly, there were about fifteen seperate occasions where I could have struck either of you dead. I'm not saying that the sparring was nothing short of brilliant, but, remember my words if you ever find yourself fighting for your life. If I'd have known that, I'd have singificantly less scars. Minamori, you have any bamboo swords? Yes, a katana and a wakizashi." At a nod from Minamori, a student ran off to fetch the wooden blades. They'd deliver a nasty hit, but wouldn't cause any lasting damage. When he delivered them into Hinamori's hands, Hinamori stood. "Now, I've learned through my years that all the dojo training in the world can't make you a good swordsman. It's the man inside you, it's your ability to adapt and to change. To be agood swordsman, you must be like water. That's the closest thing there really is to compare to. I've learned many new techniques over the years, and a good thing to know is how to use anything as a weapon. Whenever I enter a room, I immediately check for three things. First, and foremost, I look for hidden enemies. Then, I look for possible exits. Don't let anyone tell you that fleeing to fight another day is dishonorable. It's just realistic. And finally, I look for potential weapons. This teapot, for example, makes a most useful one. I can lift and splash hot tea in your eyes, or break it and use its jagged eddges as a blade. You must learn to utilise these weapons in a fight. I can't tell you how many times I've been disarmed, in one way or another, and not run from a fight. So, if you're willing, I'd like a sparring match. The two of you against me," he said, stepping onto the mat, twirling his dignified sticks.

 

[hybirdx]

Kenji walked torwards the direction the villagers had shown him. They assured him that if he walked along this path he wouldn't run into anybody. They also offered him a large amount of food in thanks, though Kenji tried to refuse it. But the villagers wouldn't hear of it. So he took a thing of rice and a coulple of loafs of bread.

"Meh... I shoud have taken that bottle of Saki...." Kenji quickly relized that he was, in fact, just outside of Kyoto. "Huh... I got here sooner than I thought..."

***

Okita brushed his hair back and sighed. "Okay... Whats going on now...?" Okita kindly pushed a few people aside to see what was going on. Instantly both he and Hibiki saw who was causing all the trouble.

"C'mon! Theres gotta be somebody who could take me on?!"

"Not when you have a staff or spear with you," One of the traines said as he tried to stand up. "Ow... I think I pulled something..."

"Oh come now! I didn't throw you that hard."

"Harada Sanosuke, terrorising the newcomers again?"

Harada's head shot around to look at a smiling Okita. "O- okita-sama..."

"Hey! I just got a great idea!" Okita turned to Hibiki. "Hibiki-kun, why don't you and Harada have a go at it?"

"Him?! Ha! I can snap that whelp without an spear!"

Hibiki glared at Okita for a second bofore looking at Harada. "You'd expect me to fight him?"

"Sure, why not? It'll show the newbies our top fighters and show them what they can become!"

Hibiki rolled his eyes and sighed in defeat. "Oh all right!"

 

[Donsehan]

Seki first bowed, and said "I will give you the honor of a fight without blades." He then walked off and came back looking the same. Matsumoto looked at his friend wide-eyed, then turned to Hinomori, noting the bokken pair, and looking for any other hidden weapons. Matsumoto bowed, "This will be an honor." He shifted to a backhanded grip of his ninja toh in his left hand and a fore hand grip for his right hand. Seki stood there, lifted his hands as he inhaled and pushed them back down as he exhaled. He then shouted "Sake!!" drawing some stares from the younger students, Matsumoto said "honto ni?" "Honto" Seki said as he nodded a look of grim determination. The liquour was brought, and ripped the seal off and downed it, the pot made of clay, he held on to it. "You have not seen me use truly unconventional weapons, kurokaze." He said in a slurred voice as he wobbled on his feet. He looked like he was on the brink of falling, liquour coating his shirt, he hugged the pot to under his left arm. "I am never unarmed." He made his point by striking the air with his right hand, fast enough to make a swish noise. Only now, he shifted to a wider stance, his face, reddish, still wobbling over his feet, looking totally drunk. He tried to walk forward and ended up walking a little to the side stumbling the whole way.

Matsumoto looked to his friend, watching the whole ordeal, he set himself lower, sparing a glance up, and walked forward slowly matching pace.

 

[hybirdx]

Hibiki haded his sword to Okita and partialy unravled the bandages that he used to grip his sword, tied them together and wraped them around his hands leaving at least 12 inches of cloth, as if they were long, makeshift handcuffs. He walked into the circle as if he was in a real fight and glared at Harada as if he was a real enemy.

"What? No weapons?!" Sanosuke reared his head back and laughed. "You really expect to beat me when you're tied up like a prisoner?!"

Even the newcomers were laughing, and so was Okita. But for a entirely different reason... Hibiki scratched his nose with one hand and grunted. "Just shut up and fight Harada."

Harada was now pissed. He didn't even warn Hibiki that he was going to move in and attack. But Hibiki quickly ducked Harada's stick and swung his foot around going for a head shot. Harada lifted his stick to block Hibiki's kick, but he didn't noticed Hibiki's hands smash into his face. Harada stumbled back and wiped the blood off his face.

Hibiki sighed. "C'mon Harada, if we're really gonna fight, then lets fight for crying out loud!"

 

[Morgoth]

"Then let us begin", announced Hinomori. He brought his weapons up before him, then, with a flick of his wrist, gave each a slight twirl. All the time he needed to size the two up. Seki would be unpredictable. At the same time, he'd be sloppy, ineffective. His pain tolerance would be higher, but nothing a swift, hard hit couldn't take care of. Matsumoto would be trickier. His short range weapons would seriously damage Hinomori's ability to move around the room. Therefore, the two would probably coordinate their attacks. Matsumoto would make sure that Hinomori remained largely immobile, while Seki would close in and trounce him from a short range. Hinomori would take advantage of that. He waited until Seki blinked, and by the time his eyelids had opened, Hinomori was already next to him, katana already hurled forward, wakizashi held close to block any attacks.