Welcome to Gaia! ::

Bang...Bang...Bang...Bang...

The steady clanging of a solid hammer against a blade of steel rang out in an even rythem through the morning air. It was a familiar sound, as much a part of Katanagami as anything else. Almost like a steel heartbeat, it meant that swords were being made, and swords being made meant money. Kihara was in an exceptionally good mood today. Although it was slow, the shop was open, the displays freshly cleaned and sparkling, the Gehaka all occupied. All except for one, that was.

Kihara's only son, Jyogenzu was without a single task to do that day. Having recently finished a spectacular blade which was being fitted for a hilt, he was enjoying his days off before another order would surely come in. Well, he was supposed to be enjoying them, but as simple observation would prove, Jyogenzu was anything but pleased. Sitting on the front step of Katanagami, the young gehaka was motionless. Calm and steady green eyes cast over the large sandy courtyard away from the city and toward the mountains, swathed in fog. His long tawny hair lay unbound along his shoulders and back, lifting ever so slightly in the wind that brushed past him and into the shop.

Kihara critically inspected the sky for the position of the sun before deciding it was high tide he took a break. Motioning to the Gehaka mending the tatami in the dojo, Kihara commanded a fresh pot of tea be made with his lunch. The Gehaka bowed and slid the Tatami into the closet, immediately hopping to his duty. With short crisp steps Kihara approched his son, kneeling beside him.

"Jyo." Kihara said quietly, watching as Jyogenzu turned one ear to face him, though not a single other muscle shifted.
"You cannot sit around all day and do nothing. If you need something to do, why don't you review your forms?"
"Already done so. Dawn." Was the tired reply. Jyogenzu had a kind of soft breathy voice that was deep like his father's. Despite himself, Kihara smiled. He knew that voice could be commanding, and it was a Haka magnet. It was really too unfortunate Jyogenzu seemed completely uninterested. Kihara reached out a slender hand and gently rubbed a rust colored ear, watching the stress nearly melt from his son's frame.

"How about you play a song for me then...? I'd like to hear one." Kihara said quietly, watching as pleasure addled eyes turned toward him, Jyogenzu nodded with a lazy smile. Standing, Jyogenzu dissappeared into the dojo, returning with a thin black sheath. Pulling the blade clear, Jyo admired the glazed engravings on the blade, admiring the way the blade appeared green in the light.

Stepping out into the courtyard, Jyo tied the sheath to his hip and pulled his hair back into a loose ponytail, falling into his stance. Slowly, he began to move. With the elegance of a dancer, he began the form for a stirring festival melody, an enlightening melody that delighted children and brought smiles to listeners. Shirtless, his muscles rippled as his form undulated, toned from years of manual labor. Jyogenzu was skilled in many regards, but none so much as his combat expertise.

In sync with the beating of the swords in the background, Jyogenzu twisted and stretched the sword, curving the blade to cause it to sing as it sailed through the air.

Kihara watched his son with the same captivation he always had when Jyo practiced his forms. Beneath the elegance lay power, tightly kept in rein. Where most of Kihara's gehaka focused on exhibiting stregnth and speed, Jyogenzu's forms with the singing sword were on motion and discipline. He had to constantly swing the sword to keep the metallic voice constant.

It was almost as if he had become submerged in water, the movements were so fluid. Jyogenzu's hair trailed behind it all, tawny strands capturing the light in golden sparkles, so brilliant and bright against the dark ruddiness of his wings and ears. A powerful spring and Jyogenzu was airborne, large wings pumping his body aloft as he spun and twirled in place, slowly decending back to the ground like a fallen leaf.

He landed gently, his weight hardly shifting the sand beneath him. A final flick of his wrist left the final note quivering in the air with a loose vibrado. Even the steady banging of the forge in the back had stopped as the Gehaka let the unfinished blade sit off to the side.

Faint clapping brought Jyo's ears forward toward his mother again. Kihara applauded the performance, absolutely delighted as the tea arrived, finally ready.
"Come and sit with me. Let's have tea together, and talk. It has been a while." Kihara's soft voice floated to him, and only then did Jyo break his final stance, sheathing his blade and walking to his mother. Neither were aware of the silent observer hiding just outside of the courtyard.

"I hope Jyoto will like the sword I have made for him." Jyo said as he sat beside his mother, folding his wings. He quickly poured out the tea.
"I'm sure he will. It was custom made, and turned out very nicely."

By the time Haru had taken two steps out, the crunching of the sand beneath him had Jyogenzu's deep green eyes already locked on his position. Dark ears were intent on the Haka approaching, though already Jyogenzu felt the need to flee, though he had no permission, as his mother had so recently asked him to sit. He looked as though he hadn't intended to stop by this way. Dressed in a simple yet well made Kimono, he didn't exude the gaudy obnoxiousness other haka did. Absently, Jyo wondered if he owned a shop, or if he ran a farm.

Kihara smiled at Haru, nodding politely to the youth. Unmaried, obviously posessing some wealth, polite. A bunch of plus marks appeared in the mental checkbook of Kihara's brain. "I thank you. I have trained him myself, though the blade he uses is of his own design."

Kihara nodded to his son, who flushed ever so slightly and lowered his gaze. His mother was really very kind to him Jyo had heard horror stories, and was fortunate his mother was so gracious. Perhaps that's where his own nobility emerged from.

"Since you are here, can I interest you in something at Katanagami? Even if we don't have what you're looking for, we take custom orders."
Kihara did not stand just yet. He would when he knew whether or not Haru was a customer, or just came in to compliment his son.

Kihara stood easily, motioning for Jyo to take the tea tray into the back for later. Jyogenzu complied silently, lifting the heavy tray and dissappearing into the back. Kihara extended his arms cordially toward Haruki and his gehaka.

"Indeed we do. Mr...?" Kihara let it fall in the air, waiting for something to call Haruki. He was very personable, and liked to get to know his customers so he could find what was needed, and hopefully ensure they were repeat customers.

The shop was expertly decorated, simple save for the weapons themselves, some of which had marvelously painted sheathes, as well as the fans, which were held fully extended on the walls. They had a great variety of patterns on them, from dragon motifs to blossoms, to snow and even small birds.

The motherly haka took down a light violet fan with small patterns of darker ribbons stitched alongside it. Pressing a small flower shaped switch, the spring mechanism released seven very sharp and thin blades. It weighed no more than a pound, designed for the haka that favored small accessories. Some of the bigger ones weighed ten pounds or more, but they were obviously weapons, reinforced with thicker cloth.
"What do you think of this one...?"

Jyogenzu returned as Haruki mentioned his name. He stood at standby until Haru waved the Gehaka over to him to pick out a good sword for his father. Jyogenzu approached the gehaka and began to converse with him quietly about the specifics of the weapon needed for Haruki's father.

Kihara noticed the eyes flicker away toward the dragon patterened fan.
"Master Kumi," Kihara began, his change of tone indicative he did indeed know Haru's family. Kihara was no stranger to the accessories shop, as he often purchased items there. It was really a surprise young Haru didn't recognize HIM.

"We can always change the patterns on the fans, should you so request." He handed over the smaller fan, briefly showing Haru how to lock in the blades, and how to extend and retract them. Fortunately the switch was freshly oiled, and slid easily.

"We also have bladed hairpins, and dart pins as well. They appear to be clothing pins, but double as blowgun ammo." Kihara said simply, as though it were the most natural thing in the world to be supplying concealed blowgun ammo. Toward the back were the hardcore concealed weapons as well, for the ninja clan that purchased items here.
"We will always replace and repair anything sold here."

One pound was nothing, even to children. Kihara must be used to wielding weapons, and had forgotten how frail most haka were. Yet, some were afraid any physical labor would cause them to become bulky, when in reality, a lightly muscled Haka was very attractive. Kihara couldn't imagine how anyone could go for the living skeleton boney look.

"The hairpins come in two styles, needle, which are just steel tipped, and bladed, which have caps that you can pull off." Kihara answered simply, opening a drawer to reveal dozens upon dozens of both types.

"The one you have now is the smallest variety, which goes for three thousand yen." It was a very fair price considering the craftsmanship, and the warentee that Katanagami provided. Kihara snorted at decoration worthy blades that wouldn't live through a single battle that went in the hundreds of thousands of yen.

Jyogenzu sucessfully picked out a sword to the Gehaka's liking. He looked up to catch Haru eyeing him, not in a lecherous 'add-you-to-my-collection-you-hunk-of-meat-you' way, but in a soft admiration. He was glad for that, but being an unwed, unengaged Gehaka was frightening. He might as well be a piece of meat on display, as if his mother was willing to sell him, he was as good as sold. Kihara knew better than to pass him off to some schmuck, he hoped.

"We offer lessons to the patrons at our shop, should you wish to learn how to better wield your fan, master Kumi." Kihara offered, his warm tone inviting. "You can have your pick of hanze to train you, of my entire family, myself included."

Even thin Haka could build up their stregnth. Martial arts was really good for body, mind and soul. Kihara had worked some anxious nervous haka into more confident and calmer patrons.
"Of course, Master Kumi, though we cannot extend the guarentee once you have sold the fans or pins yourself. We can repair them from your customers, but not for free."

Jyogenzu bowed in respect to the Gehaka. He knew his swords, and Jyo was impressed, pleased he could satisfy the warrior before him. It was always satisfying knowing a professional found your work pleasing. He watched this one carefully, keeping a careful eye on how he behaved before Kumi Haruki...Why did he remember his name? He never remembered anyone's name unless he was assigned to teach them.

Kihara moved to the counter and swiftly tallied the purchases, throwing in a small sash that matched the original fan Haru picked out as a complimentary gift. It was a fairly large purchase.
"Indeed we do offer lessons." Kihara said, nodding. "Would you like to sign up now?" He withdrew a large book and a brush with ink.

Setting them down, Kihara clapped, and within moments, every Gehaka present in the store kneeled before Haruki, excluding only Jyogenzu's father. Some were tall and very muscled, the primary bodyguards, where others were more shy and refined, for social occations. All lovely, and all capable warriors. Jyogenzu himself kneeled at the end of the line, head bowed slightly like the others.
"We're all available for lessons on the date you choose." Kihara said, opening the book. A few days had names written in them already.