Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Apr 29, 2011 10:22:55 GMT -5
OOC: I based the Void Master status as published in the already posted letter Phoenix Champion sent. Anyway, you are right, if the Phoenix Champion hadn't means to send a letter quicker than everybody else in the Empire, who else would? But that's okay, I corrected Mei's thoughts.Mei watched the last events in the manor with curiosity. She had full control of each thing happening in 'her domains', for those five years gave her the confidence of the servants and friendship with the ji samurai that lived in The Crisanthemum Bride Manor. As Mitsouko asked her, she went gather information Crane would know about that Phoenix man, Agasha Sho, and found interesting things. The concubine was aware, too, of the important conversation between mother and daughter, in the end of the night. Agasha Shodai, former Agasha Sho, was the name of an important Tensai, and those who were coming back from the celebration of the nomination of Shiba Kazuma as Phoenix Daimyo, could remember of his name being said as a close friend of the new champion and, maybe, a name listed for join The Council of Five, in a near future. But Mei had the experience at her favor to think this informal vivit, that was extending for the week, should be a first step to a formal omiai arrangement. Mei could gather much more, using some favors and the net of acquaintances, but the time was scarce. She was completely convinced that much of what was happening these last days would make part of the Tisuke plot to make her wishes come true. Marry her daughter to a Phoenix would destroy completely the lineage of Shinoburo. And Mei also was afraid that, the death of his beloved Shinoburo was part of her plans as well. Mei didn't think it was a coincidence, now the Tensai came in a rush bringing a powerful Phoenix to ask Mitsouko's hand. Shinoburo had grew hatred of Phoenix all his life, would more likely agree in marrying her daughter to the Monkey Champion. And Mei, had grew hatred of Tisuke since the fortunetellers had told her she was not apt to have a child of Kakita Shinoburo due a curse supposedly her former wife would cast upon him. It was a great reason, for her, to try to help the Monkey samurai. Mother and daughter had discussed by the end of the night about the subject, Mei was told. Mitsuko wished to marry the Monkey Champion, but Tisuke told her she would not marry him. The arrogant Phoenix woman was way enough, plotting things! It was a great reason, for her, to try to help the Monkey samurai. Marry Toku Sanjuro was the Mitsouko's wish. But the Monkey were in an unfair disadvantage there. Kenpachi-san was unaware of the movements Tisuke had already made to get her goals, i.e. get Mitsouko married with the Void Master. Maybe, Mei could help Mitsouko and Sanjuro to have a fair chance together... When Kenpachi left the room where he was having tea with Tisuke, and led to the dojo, Mei intercepted him, graciously: Excuse me, Toku-sama. I'd like to have a little conversation with you, if you don't mind. It's about a situation I think you'd like to know.…. Mitsouko exulted with the throwing Hirotomo performed with the 'rap-pier' (she wasn't able to pronunciated that odd word), opening a grin smile. If the intention of that gaijin blade was to pierce someone, throwing it like a spear or dart should be a way to achieve this, she thought. When Sho-san offered her the kendo stick, she considered the offer. Would be intersting to practice with the long sleeves of the furisode, to a change. I thought a cup of shirozake would purify me. She teased her healer with a blink and the allusion to the purifying sake, then accepted the stick, with a bow to Agasha Sho.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Apr 29, 2011 16:51:37 GMT -5
Kenpachi
"Of course, Mei-san." Kenpachi said curiously. It was odd for a servant to speak so directly to a samurai, but his clan were closer to the bonge than the most of the others. He moved to an obscure part of the manor, one where it was extremely unlikely they would be overheard. His Fuzake assistant muttered some words and a shimmer appeared around them. "I was not a magistrate for ten years because I ignored what was really going on." Kenpachi said running his fingers across his hair. He dropped his face, while the Fuzake politely started reading a pillow book in the corner. "Anything you can tell me, I'd love to hear it. I know Mitsouko's wish is to marry my champion, but this samurai-ko is...an unexpected barrier." Kenpachi bit back what he really wanted to say. This woman could probably help him. Perhaps at risk to herself. Kenpachi already was thinking of using his magistrates for more than just seeking out Mitsouko's would be assassin. This Pheonix was not driven snow. Perhaps she'd remain silent if some unpleasantness would be brought to life if she fought the Monkey. Kenpachi would not stoop to dishonorable behaivor, but he was owed a few favors by the Scorpion. He would not fail his lord. No matter the cost.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Apr 29, 2011 17:32:45 GMT -5
OOC: Just as a reminder, it's over 500 miles from Kyuden Isawa to Kyuden Doji. Even if the messengers set out the morning Tisuke and I teleported (which they didn't; it would be at least a week to prepare the formal announcement for internal use) it would take 50+ hours on horseback to cover the distance.
At this point Mei might know that I was in consideration for an Elemental Council spot (when one opened up) but not that he has stepped into one. That information will not reach Mei and Kenpachi until well after Shodai, Mitsouko, and Hirotomo leave; sheer physical reality prevents that from happening.
Agasha Shodai grinned at Kakita Mitsouko as she took the weapon. "As useful as that would be if it actually worked, I fear you will simply have to put in a little bit of hard work... And from what I see, it looks like you prefer the hard way to the easy way, Kakita-san. Most people would still be bed-ridden at this time, but you're already on the move again."
The shugenja walked to put the appropriate distance for a mock duel between himself and the other two. As he did so, Agasha contemplated which segment of the "Fang of the Celestial Dragon" - the kenjutsu off-shoot of his jiujutsu style - he would use to face Hirotomo and Mitsouko. Though he was a shugenja, Shodai had volunteered to help students from all of the clans study their martial skills whenever he passed through on his wanderings. As a result, he'd learned a great deal of each school's styles and methods, though he had never been permitted to learn their ultimate secrets... For obvious reasons, of course.
After a few moments introspection, the Void Master decided on the Water series.
"Since our objective is practice rather than death, I will not go on the offensive until after you make at least thirty strikes. If you can best me before within those thirty strikes, you will have succeeded where fewer than one in three hundred practice opponents have. If you 'live' past twenty of my strikes when I begin to make them, you will earn my respect for less than one in one thousand have."
Rolling his shoulders, Agasha Shodai set his body into his Mizokenjutsu stance. His lower body took a position that was equal parts Mizu-do and Dragon Clan Mirumoto Sword Master niten in origin. The kendo stick and his upper body went into a pure Kakita Duelist ready stance. Most telling of how serious he was was that his eyes lost their normal softness: they became as shards of ice that were emerald and steel in color. This was practice, but he wasn't going to be going easy because of that...
Doing so would be a mark of disrespect for their unknown prowess.
"Who will be first?" He asked simply.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Apr 29, 2011 18:16:09 GMT -5
Hirotomo smiled. "If my cousin has no objections, I would like to go first." He assumed the first stance of the Daidoji, though there was something odd. Something about his stance looked Kakita in origin, but older. *If anyone has a great deal of lore I'll PM them. Hirotomo himself has no idea what his stance means*
Hirotomo did not favor his chance in an duel with the Pheonix. His speed and practice would favor him. Hirotomo was younger than the man though, and likely more agile. He would at first chance use his move to ride the blade of the samurai, 'wounding' Hirotomo, but 'killing' his opponent. The man was confident enough to offer thirty strikes. He was either arrogent, or skilled, and his father taught him never to underestimate an opponent.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Apr 29, 2011 19:52:31 GMT -5
OOC: I'm making the stances up, Kenpachi. I am a bullshit expert. ;D
I always treat my characters like they're real people and so if we were really Shodai, Mitsouko and Hirotomo they would recognize the pieces but be confused by the odd mixing of styles that comes naturally to Shodai as a result of his connection to the Void. Just as the Void keeps the 4 Elements in Balance, Shodai's mind does the same thing with what he learns.
Since he has a photographic memory and he's watched some of the best warriors each clan has to offer practice from every angle he knows how each school does things a bit differently and knows how to make them work best for him.
This analytical ability comes at a cost, though, he has a hard time making emotional connections with people. He understands emotions clinically, but he's really bad at processing them or reacting to them properly.
"Very well, my young friend. I await your attack."
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Apr 29, 2011 22:02:47 GMT -5
Hirotomo raised his boken and suprsingly jumped as part of his first attack. Sensei taught him hight can be a great advantage, as well as ignoring preconcived notions of combat. The victor told the story of the combat after all. He deliberately threw himself off balance by giving a wild swing. When he landed, he switched hands and took a swing at the Pheonix's right leg.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Apr 29, 2011 23:41:13 GMT -5
'Good...' Shodai thought to himself as his heartbeat stepped up a notch. 'He's taking me seriously.'
As the Toku bushi's attack came at his leg, Hirotomo tensed the muscles of his forearm in anticipation of a block. This would likely be followed with the "blade slide" - a favored techinque of a Daidoji wanting to end a fight in a hurry. A very effective one...
But only if you didn't know it was coming.
Instead of blocking Hirotomo's blade, Agasha tossed his up into the air. With his right hand free, he grabbed the Monkey samurai's dominant wrist for a moment and used it as a fulcrum to allow him to jump over the downward moving blade. While Toku's strike hit nothing but air, Shodai landed on the other side and reached up to catch his kendo stick in his left hand.
But there was a slight problem...
In his excitement, the Void Master's toss had been a few degrees off of straight up and the air caused his blade to flip over. Instead of catching the stick so the "lethal" end was up - an extension of his arm - the long part of the bamboo blade was pointed towards his elbow...
Not one to let such dilemmas stop him, Agasha Shodai did what he does best when things go sideways: he went to plan B.
The Tensai's free hand landed on Hirotomo's shoulder, stopping the uncontrolled spin that would have resulted from missing on such a heavy blow before it started. He then brought the kendo stick up to brush lightly against Hirotomo's neck; intended to drive home the point that had this been a true duel, the boy's head would be rolling across the practice yard.
"Do not plan your strategy on the moves you HOPE your opponent will make... You will likely be disappointed at best and on your way to Meido in the worst case outcome." Agasha whispered softly in Toku's ear. The Phoenix yamabushi then jumped back, putting a blade's length between himself and the boy's back as his right hand reclaimed the dominant grip on the kendo stick.
"One down. Twenty-nine more to go." Shodai announced as he resumed his mixed style ready stance.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Apr 30, 2011 1:32:35 GMT -5
Hirotomo frowned a little, then laughed. The man was skilled with a blade. Perhaps it would be best to use a move he might have never seen. Hirotomo lunged and feinted to the right and used his body to ride the boken. He felt the sharp blow in his shoulder and ignored it. He used his momentum to continue driving his point to the Pheonix's heart. While he rode the blade, Hirotomo reached for the small boken that represented his tanto. If he missed with his boken his 'tanto' would find the ribs.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Apr 30, 2011 2:46:14 GMT -5
Shodai noticed the Monkey samurai's laughter before he used his boken in a sacrificial lunge that was typically more effective when used in conjunction with a naginata or other polearm weapon.
The samurai frowned to himself - had the bamboo blade been a real katana, Hirotomo's trick could have snapped a battle-weakened blade in half. But the boy was making an iden... No, there it was! With the surreptuousness of a Scorpion, the young samurai was pulling a tanto stand-in in an effort to mimic a Dragon clan niten strike.
Agasha ducked forward under the "katana," dodging the blow and leaving no target for the "tanto." He lightly rapped the back of Toku Hirotomo's ankles, indicating that this round would have cost him one - or both - of his feet. To lose one's feet from such a mistake would be an unbearable burden of dishonor...
"It is a fine line between lethal speed and costly haste, a line which you just crossed." The Void Master said, continuing the impromptu lesson. He hoped his words were reaching the boy and that he was wise enough to take the opportunity to learn - even if it was coming in the midst of a mock duel. "Haste occurs when you strike in the belief that you are surprising your opponent and your excitement causes you to rush. Gauge your opponent's level of skill BEFORE you try to surprise him... Lest he live through it to return the favor with a surprise more lethal than yours."
The Phoenix rose to his feet, standing back to back with the Monkey. "Also... Remember to treat your practice weapon with the same respect you do your true katana and tanto. What you practice is what you will do when in a true life-or-death situation; if you would not to it with the blade that is the repository of part of your soul, you should not do it with a stand-in weapon."
The shugenja paused for a beat. "That's two more strikes gone. In another 27, I will not hold back from making a 'finishing' counterattack."
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Apr 30, 2011 3:53:50 GMT -5
Hirotomo centered himself. There was no shame from learning. He was moving too slowly, too predicably. The Phoenix had studied the Crane schools, and knew thier weakness. His father would have better luck, the shugenja was an adept warrior, but they were forbidden from becoming true bushi. Though this man certainly earned his right to carry a katana.
Hirotomo centered himself and began the striking as fire kata. The fire kami swireld around him, though Hirotomo could not speak to them, he could feel them. It was simplistic, but Hirotomo whirled into battle, three strikes for feint, a swing to the knee and Hirotomo smiled as he connected with the Pheonix's knee. Hirotomo alowed himself a chuckle at the thought. Would the Pheonix be "hopping mad?"Hirotomo raised his katana, steping to the side and aimed his strike for the head. The man was superb at counter attack. If he dodged and came close Hirotomo would use Jujitsu to roll him to the ground. That was his advantage as a bushi. Learning all of the warrior arts is dishonorable and unneeded in a shugenja. If they learned the path of the bushi, they put shame to thier own ability to speak with the kami. The man was an excellent warrior, but not all paths would be known to him.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Apr 30, 2011 12:38:39 GMT -5
OCC: I never considered that Phoenix clan were stuck at sheer physical reality; anyway, I already changed Mei's considerations. Mei leaned the body forward then she was able to speak in a hushed voice. Sorry If I bother you Toku-sama. I am a mere O Mekake but my singular position in this house makes me aware of many things. In fact, I had noticed Mitsouko-sama has sincere wishes about your Champion. She came here in suffering the effects of the poison a hidden enemy ministred, you already know of it. It coincides with the heroic coming of Agasha Shodai-sama, disguised as Asako Jinjutsu...She looked at him with a significative glance. I don't know the reason a man of his rank choose to use this means, but I think IsawaTisuke, the mother of the chaikoju Mitsouko-sama, attracted him to here with promises of marriage... Mitsouko-sama is disturbed by something else than the plans of her mother, I can see. And it is blinding her to notice the events that surrounded the dead of Kakita Shinoburo-dono. Her eyes watered, her lips trembled, but she forced herself to continue: He was found dead in the shore. This weird death by drowning prevented him to come in time to receive you as Nakodo for your champion. Shinoburo-dono was coming back from Kyuden Gotei, with a group sent there to make some political agreements... He was a duelist and of course had enemies, but only one with power to command water... Maybe I am just putting too much things together, Toku-sama, but I am afraid of the worst...I am afraid Mitsouko-sama would be guided to a mistake, later, by the person she must honor and respect. I don't have means to proof much, yet, and my word will be nothing, but I'd be willing to help Mitsouko-sama...... I do bend; never lay down, Sho-san. Mitsouko simply said, returning to the corner of the dojo, allowing with a nod that her cousin was the first to fight and learn with Sho-san's experience. It would be useful to watch. The man has the eyes of a traveler, and travelers use to see and learn many things. And he was...what, 30 or 32...much time to learn and see indeed. Of course Mitsuko did not expect he was as skilled as a true bushi, but she knew very well he had trained because of his harsh hands and the arrogance of an experienced warrior, reflected in his words to Hirotomo. She really expected he wouldn't hastily subdued by a boy newly arrived from his gempukku. And she knew Hirotomo was one of the best of his dojo. Mitsouko kneeled at the border of the tatami, watching the two men preparing themselves for the simulated duel. Agasha Sho seemed to favor Dragon techniques, though reproducing some of Kakita Style while Hirotomo preferred the most classic school of Crane Style… With some flourishes and even some muscle work that was not entirely unknown from Mitsouko. She frowned paying more attention in his shoulders and knees. That was something wrong but she finally recognized some of the legendary strikes her father learned from the Kenku. Though Hirotomo was not performing it with the necessary equilibrium or grace. Seeing that was like making her father there, in that dojo. If still alive, Shinoburo would like to teach Hirotomo some Kakita techniques, as well. Her cousin was tall, strong and capable of many strikes from that Kenku technique, like her father. Mitsouko remembered when Shinoburo promised her to take her one day to where he once learned it, but it would never be possible now. Not with him. Agasha Sho-san had the experience, but also expected to find the weak spots in the technique of the opponent. He was reaction, Hirotomo was action. This ying /yang counterdance is always favoring for the experienced defender. Then Hirotomo unbalanced the predictable: performing a fire kata, he found his inner balance. Not too fast, not too slow, not too eager. She was confident he was now able to find his way.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Apr 30, 2011 14:44:58 GMT -5
Shodai smiled as Hirotomo stopped his recklessly headlong assault. The smile grew even more as he saw some of the local Fire spirits wrap themselves around the boy's limbs. To a non-shugenja, they were invisible and silent, but to shugenja like Agasha there were times the spirits were more real than humans were.
Toku had finally come to the realization that using kata - something that Shodai could analyze and fight, but never use for himself as no true bushi would risk allowing a shugenja to add their skills to their repitoire - was the proper way to fight. And because of this, it would be wrong to not accord the boy the proper combat he now deserved.
Shodai's blade met Hirotomo's with a resounding triple *CRACK* of wood-on-wood that spooked some of the birds that had been resting on the dojo's roof. The Toku was clearly using the Striking as Fire kata - a technique greatly favored by the Tamori Yamabushi that he'd learned from during his first solo excursion beyond Phoenix lands after completing his gempukku at the age of 10.
Agasha Shodai felt a sharp rap to his knee as one of the young bushi's strikes finally got through his defenses. It was a light blow because Striking with Fire surrendered power for speed, but in a real duel, it would have easily cut flesh enough to leave him hobbling for a few days before he could heal the wound.
"A well placed strike, young Toku." The Void Master complimented as the bushi side-stepped for a decapitation strike.
As the bamboo blade came at Shodai, instead of dodging, he stood his ground. His sword arm crossed over his chest to make an upwards strike that deflected the bulk of the power in Hirotomo's strike. The Monkey's blade passed over Shodai's head with only a few inches of clearance as he gave a single nod.
As Hirotomo's arms and body were carried by momentum to follow through with the strike, the Phoenix side-stepped to take a dominant position at the bushi's back. He pressed his bamboo blade against the Monkey's floating ribs - a true strike would have split him in half - and once again kept the boy from spinning out of control.
"On the battlefield, assumptions will get you killed, Hirotomo-kun. You assumed that because I am shugenja that I would be defenseless before the Striking as Fire kata since I am not using magic against you." Agasha Shodai whispered in the boy's ear, allowing him to save face before Mitsouko. "I would wager five koku that not once did you ask yourself what kind of warrior you faced."
"If you had, you would have recognized the fact that I am better trained in combat than your average magic user... If you had, you might have wondered why I have no yojimbo with me..." He paused for a heartbeat. "If you had, you would have known that I have trained myself as a Yamabushi - one who stands in both worlds of samurai."
The Void Master gave Hirotomo a light push forward to put some space between them. In a silent prayer to the Air kami, the bamboo version of a wakazashi was lifted from the dojo's training rack and flew to his left hand. The Phoenix craned his neck right and left, letting off a soft pop as he transitioned between styles; shifting from Water to Fire.
As Shodai reset himself, his footing became that of the Akodo bushi and his body stance that of the Mirumoto niten style. "It cost you five more strikes, but you managed to score a point, Hirotomo-kun. How many more do you think will you be able to make in the next twenty-two?" Shodai asked politely.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Apr 30, 2011 15:38:47 GMT -5
Hirotomo straigtend himself. "Accoring to the Crane, all you need is one." Hirotomo said grinning. The man was a better fighter than him. Seasoned through combat and his years. Still, there were tricks that even a master of the Kakita style would be thrown off by. Hirotomo balanced himself and used a different tactic. He began to pray to the wind. Speed came to him as he thrust, the world slowed for a moment as his lunge came for the Phoenix's heart. It was slapped aide, which was common. Sliding down the blade, Hirotomo hit the sword arm. It would have been sliced off the wrist. Hirotomo glanced up to see the boken at his head. He would have removed a hand at the cost of his head. This Pheonix was good.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Apr 30, 2011 19:45:14 GMT -5
Shodai grinned at Hirotomo as the boy realized what his victory would have cost him as he earned his second point. "And they are correct on that point, my young friend. However, there are three caveats to that belief... First, it has to be the RIGHT cut: taking my hand at the cost of your head is perhaps one of the worst trades in the history of bad trades. Second, you have to live long enough to MAKE the cut: I can see that you have learned your skills well, my boy, and can surely make that 'one cut' but, at the same time, I have also 'killed' you four times in the span of ten cuts. Third..."
Agasha Shodai pushed the boy's bamboo blade aside so he could pull up the sleeve of the arm that had been cut. The shugenja's wrist had a long-healed scar that formed a complete ring around the base of his hand. The Tensai frowned at the wound as he held it up so both the boy and Mitsouko could see it.
"Third, you need to be sure that your cut is the FINAL cut of the duel... I got this when I wasn't much younger than you are now, Hirotomo-kun. I'd completed my gempukku early - I was all of ten summers at the time. I was one of the most gifted shugenja my Family produced that year and I was far too arrogant for my own good."
"I applied for - and was granted - permission to travel to the land of the Dragon to see the land that my family came from and to study with the Mirumoto. I met a Tamori in the training who had it out for me from the moment we met. He challenged me to a duel to avenge an old family rivalry. I accepted the duel..."
"During the fight, my hand was cut off." Agasha gestured to his wrist. "The pain was incredible; I never imagined anything could hurt so much. I fully expected that my next sight was going to be that of Emma-O... But my opponent made the mistake of celebrating early rather than finishing me off.
"The anger I felt at the humiliation allowed me to shunt the pain aside and I unleashed a wind spell at him. The Tamori, so preoccupied with his 'victory' was only able to watch dumbly as the Air kami that had been my constant companion rushed him and took his head before he could mount a defense."
"As the dust settled, my elemental companion collected my hand and helped me cast a Water spell that allowed me to reattach it to my bleeding stump. I repaired the worst of the damage and restored my had to full functionality, but I chose not to heal the skin completely. I wanted to keep this scar as a reminder of the importance of humility..."
The Void Master smiled wanly. "I saw what folly my arrogance - and the Tamori's - had cost: if I had not been a gifted shugenja, I would have been permanently maimed; if not dead. Only forbidden Maho can restore the dead; and even then only in a foul mockery of life."
"In a way, I guess you could say that the Tamori did kill his opponent; just not in a way that did him any good. The arrogant child I'd been had died and the teen that grew into me was reborn from the ashes. One must temper pride with wisdom; the earlier in life one does this, the LONGER a life that samurai has."
Agasha stretched, crossing his two blades briefly as he reset for Hokenjutsu. "We are now a third of the way through our exercise, Toku-kun. Am I anything near what you expected of a Phoenix opponent?"
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on Apr 30, 2011 21:07:43 GMT -5
"A Shiba, perhaps. Though I've never really known much about the Pheonix." Hirotomo admited. This shugenja was interesting. Odd choice, for a preist to choose battle. Even odder for a Pheonix to train with the only real militant shugenja family. There were likely those back home who did not favor his choice of vocation.
Hirotomo had seen his opponent's training first hand. The man knew what he was going to do because he had made similar mistakes in the past. There was something that he would not be prepared for. Blatent stupidity. The man had been young, but never stupid. Perhaps that would be the most unexpected. Hiroto drew his tanto and shifted into a defensive stance. He drew strength from the iron in the mountains kata. The tanto was used to distract. Hirotomo started a move from the Daidoji that began as a seires of defensive slaps of the blade. It ended with a heavy overhand swing. When Hirotomo raised the blade, his opponent raised to block. Hirotomo dropped the blade mid-swing and pushed his body into the Pheonix. He grabbed him in a bear hug and placed the point of his tanto in the Pheonix's back.
"The Monkey care little for tomorrow. Hirotomo said with a wolf's grin. "No doubt in a battle, your guard would finish me, but a hohei for a shugenja? More than fair trade. Though it would only work if I knew you were this good at combat. My father once told me that a man looking for glory is not to be feared. A man looking for a glorious death is."
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