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Post by Utaku Hisui on Jan 29, 2018 0:03:51 GMT -5
The War had taken much from Hisui.
It took her father from her. It took two of her sisters. It took the only cousin that cared about her. It took a rib and a kidney and her Utaku steed. Worst of all, it had taken away her will to live. Only in two things did she find succor. The first was singing. The second, as soon as she'd recovered enough that kata didn't threaten to undo the stitches and the work of the doctors and shugenja the Crane so generously provided, was the sword.
She'd preferred her fists once. Or a no-dachi. Bokken in hand, she could barely remember what those days were like.
She found a quiet space in the Dojo. It looked familiar. Felt familiar. As if a piece of her had been there before, and had waited all this time for her to return. She puts the thought aside for now. Puts all thoughts aside for now. Instead, she focuses on her warm-ups and stances, moving with only a hint of the grace and power she used to possess. A pale shadow of the Battle Maiden she used to be.
She had a lot of work to do, she knew.
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Post by Kakita Isao on Jan 29, 2018 3:21:39 GMT -5
Back to the dojo.
There was never a day off for Kakita Isao. He was either practicing his kendo or iaido, but he was always in the dojo. After all, he was a graduate of the Kakita Dueling Academy and had the reputation of being a scion of the school. So, he couldn't afford to slack. The Crane had changed into his regular dojo wear - a kendogi and hakama - and padded into the dojo barefeoot with his martial arts bag. It was Sunday, a day off from school, and he was surprised to find someone else. He guessed he wasn't the only one minded to get some exercise. So, the young Crane offered the sensei a beaming smile before he bowed.
"Ohayo!"
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Jan 29, 2018 3:51:06 GMT -5
The greeting is heard, the bow returned as proper. The Unicorn hadn't quite worked up a sweat yet, but she was using a slower pace than was typical.
"Ohayo, Kakita-san," she greeted. "I didn't expect to see a student here."
A flash of memory. Of Yokohime's deceptively youthful appearance.
"You are a student, aren't you?"
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Post by Kakita Isao on Jan 29, 2018 4:37:11 GMT -5
He blinked. Why wouldn't he be?
"H-Hai!" He grinned. "Kakita Isao, First Year. May I have your name, Sensei?"
Young and excitable, the young Crane was easy to smile. Of note, however, were the bandages on his cheeks, hands, and forearms that stood out on his person.
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Jan 29, 2018 4:44:08 GMT -5
"I am Utaku Hisui, the new sensei for singing class and enigmas."
She returns the smile, even as she notices the bandages. The number of them and the placement didn't strike her as serious, nor the result of a spar. Not unless the Kakita engaged in a brawling variant of jiujitsu. Out of concern, she decides to ask.
"Have you been to the infirmary, Kakita-san?"
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Post by Kakita Isao on Jan 29, 2018 7:13:31 GMT -5
"No, Sensei," Isao responded, offering Hisui a bow. His smile weakened, meek, as he put on a straight face. Oh, shit, what am I supposed to say?! "I just got a few scrapes, um, tripping and falling is all. Nothing serious. I treated myself with my first aid supplies I keep in my martial arts bag."
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Jan 29, 2018 7:19:36 GMT -5
She tilts her head. There's a look of contemplation on her face, but not quite suspicion. In the end, she nods.
"If you tripped due to damage, you should reports the area to maintenance right away," she says. "Can't have this happening regularly."
"And you can't be too injured if you're here, I assume?"
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Post by Kakita Isao on Jan 29, 2018 7:22:43 GMT -5
"Like I said, just a few scrapes," he grinned. "I come here every day now. I can't afford to miss training on account of a band aid, Sensei. What about you?"
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Post by Utaku Hisui on Jan 29, 2018 7:26:53 GMT -5
"I used to, when I was younger."
She taps her right flank.
"The War gave me an injury that makes it…difficult to engage in sparring or training too long. But I thought I'd come here, see if I can push myself a little more."
She smiles at him. "Can't let an old war wound keep me from training forever, ne, Kakita-san?"
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Post by Kakita Isao on Jan 29, 2018 10:15:01 GMT -5
"You must be very strong, Sensei. And very brave," he offered reverently. He declined his head several times as if it were the gospel truth. Isao then knelt down and dropped his martial arts bag before he asked, "I know you are not kenjutsu instructor, but would you be willing to give me some pointers? I hope that's not inappropriate to ask, Sensei, but I would think a war hero like you would be able to teach me a thing or two?" He looked up to her, smiled warmly, his eyes hopeful; there was no one else in the dojo so he hoped she'd be willing to spar with him in the very least.
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