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Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:49 pm
[karomorali] Saku blushed a bit at the praise, but she smiled back at her teammate. "Still not as good as your little sparks." She retorted, grinning.
She then turned and gave the tree a slight hug. "There, I've made up for the stabbing I did to the poor thing." She said, patting it's trunk. Though he's probably right about my sword. . . She though, and absent-mindedly rubbed the blade.
Saku was about to open her mouth to reply to Kana's question when an image of Kai-sensei flashed through her mind. Changing her mind she answered him differently then she had planned, "Maybe we should be getting back. . . I wanna know what Rush is doing." She stood up and offered a hand to Kana. "I had fun though." She said, smiling at him again . [exitness]
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Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 6:40 pm
He smiled and took her hand and said "Good Im Glad... I had fun too..."
Kana pulled himself up too Saku and walked with her back too the Team eight training ground. On the way their he grabbed her hand and held it for a while.
[fricken short post and Exitnessnessness]
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Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:00 pm
Sanyu sat by a tree in a all to fermiler clearing as tears ran down her face. She looked at the ground, she hated herself right now. She felt so much like a monster. She picked up a thick branch and snaped it like a twig. she let the pices fall to the ground and contued crying on her own.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:56 pm
((Note: Kenjis meeting with Cerbi is before this. Because he's on pause, I'm just doing some training posts while I wait for him to be un-paused in the main story line.))
"..."
The forest was serene, quiet and peaceful. There was no sound save the gentle whisper of the wind, rustling fallen leaves the ancient trees. The sun was out filling the tranquil forest with a warm light. The solitary form of Kenjirou sat amongst a grove of trees, on his knees with his sword un-tied, sheathed, and laying beside him with the blade facing towards him. The tying cord of the sheath was folded neatly beside the blade.
Kenjirou sat tall, without slouching at all. His fingers met one another, forming a circle with his hands that rested on the front center of his waist. His eyes were closed, his mind clearing itself of unnecessary thoughts. Soon, his conscious quieted. Kenjirou was empty, with nothing inside of him. Though not in a cold, heartless way. Simply in a peaceful, pure way. As Miyamoto Musashi had once said, "The true warrior is empty".
The wind blew more powerfully, in a sudden rush, though Kenjirou was unfettered. His eyes slowly opened, seeing clearly. Seeing everything in its entirety, effortlessly. He was aware of everything, while at the same time aware of nothing. His left hand reached down to pick up his katana, then raise it before him as his right hand took the other end of the sheath. He held the katana in front of his face, blade facing him still. He stared at the katana, not simply looking at it, but taking it in and acknowledging his instrument. Respecting the sword, it was not just a tool for him. It was his soul, and in some ways, his partner. Even if this sword was not his family blade back at home, he still had to respect what it taught him. He bowed his head, bowing to the katana, before carefully sliding it into his hakama on his left side. Without looking, he tied the tying cord to his belt as well.
He slowly stood, his mind still empty, ready now to begin practice.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:19 pm
"Eiponme! Hajime!"
Kenjirou proclaimed in a powerful tone. His left hand, with his thumb against the bottom part of the sword hilt and the rest of his fingers on the sheath, slowly pushed the katana forward. His right hand reached under the sword handle, rising up to grab the handle with a firm grip. The middle joints of his fingers were aligned with the back of the blade, and his grip firm but not tight to a point where it would hinder his strike. His right hand gently turned the katana to the right a bit, so in a sense he would "roll" the katana handle into a better grip for a one handed strike. At the same time, his right foot was moving forward, gliding just over the ground rather than stepping, while his weight stayed centered. At the same time his right foot landed his grip on the sword handle was complete.
He did not hesitate, but did not rush himself either as his right hand began to pull out the katana from its sheath. While doing so, his left foot came forward to take a second step. On the third and final step, he drew out the katana completely. It remained straight and vertical, till the tip had just left the sheath, then it turned so it would lay horizontally, the blade parallel to the ground. His arm snaked out, slowly, so that the blade would rise up and cut across the mid chest of Kenjirous non existent opponent. The cut was finished by the time Kenjirous foot finished moving. At the same time, his left hand pulled the sheath farther back into his belt to get it out of the way. Kenjirous left hand then rose up to meet the bottom of the sword handle as Kenjirous right hand moved the katana above his head. Taking another step, so that his feet were now parallel to one another upon completion of entering the stance.
Kenjirous arms folded slightly, so that his elbows were closer together, before he took another step forward and brought the sword down in a vertical cut. The blade flashed silver through the air as it came down, powered by the centered weight of Kenjirous body, and his arms. The blade finished it's movement at Kenjirous waste line, blade parallel to the ground. Kenjirous step finished with the end of the strike, and during it he let out a loud
"YAHHHHHHHH!!!"
Kenjirou stopped. It was done. His eyes faced the ground, holding the post cut position for a moment, then with a quick motion he flicked the imaginary blood off of his sword. At the end of this motion the sword tip was facing down at the dead imaginary opponent. Kenjirous left hand found the sheath, brought it forward, then sheathed the sword by riding the back of the blade along the edge of his left hand, then sliding the blade into the sheath once the tip of the sword had found the sheaths entrance.
Kenjirou stood up, finishing the kata by standing tall and straight, his right hand sliding along the sword handle and tucking the sword deeper into his belt by pushing down gently on the end of the sword. Kenjirou took several steps back, his weight always centered and his head never bobbing up and down. Always straight, and even.
First kata was done.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:24 pm
Kenjirou proceeded with his training. He decided it would be best to warm up, before proceeding with another Kata. Kenjirou reached under the katana handle again, drawing the sword at a slightly vertical angle. His left hand came to the bottom of the katana handle as his right hand held it above his head. He was still a moment, till his arms moved to the right, so that his left arm was over his right eye, and the katana was held at a diagonal angle. His right foot pushed forwards, his torso leaned forward slightly as well, as his arms cast the blade out into the air. With a hiss, the katana sliced through the wind as a silver flash, slicing from the shoulder to the down to the waste on the opposite side of Kenjirous imaginary opponent.
"ICH!!"
Kenjirou repeated the same cut, but on the opposite side. Slicing from the left shoulder, down to the right side of the waist.
"ICH!!"
He repeated the same cut he had done the first time, proclaiming
"NI!!"
His sword again raised above his head, on the other side, to repeat the same cut he had done the second time.
"NI!!"
Kenjirou continued to perform each cut, rising in number, and never ceasing to perform the cuts. His concentration never broke, despite how tired his arms began to get. Eventually, he reached 50 on either side.
"GOJU!!"
Another one
"GOJU!!"
Then another.
Still it wasn't enough. Sweat was breaking out on Kenjirous forehead, despite his good physical condition. This was hard work. But he refused to let his skills grow rusty, he needed to protect Konoha with his sword, and his life.
"HACHIJU-ICHI!!"
"HACHIJU-ICHI!!"
Eighty. Nothing crossed his mind. His focus was remained constant at all times. His mind could stay in this state for so long, only because of hours and hours and hours of meditation. As well as practice.
At last, when he reached 100, he ceased. He panted, slightly, as he lowered his sword. He stood perfectly still, catching his breath and staring out into nothing. There would be war soon. Kenjirou would be putting his life on the line again, and soon. He needed to practice...
He raised his sword above his head, his focus becoming all the more clear as he let his tiredness fade away.
And with that, he did 100 more on either side.
"ICHI!!"
"ICHI!!"
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:58 pm
Kenjirou, after finishing all of his cuts, Kenjirou took a deep breath to calm himself. It was time to continue practice. He had no time to take a rest. On the battle field, his enemies would give him no mercy. He had to learn to give them no time to strike him, he woulden't give them any.
Kenjirou sheathed his sword, and began his next kata.
"Nipponme! Hajime!"
Kenjirou took a step forward, then looked to his left. As he took the next step, he began to draw his blade in the same manner as he had before. In three steps, his blade was fully drawn while he continued to face to the left. His right foot pushed out to the right, the rest of his body following suit, as his katana came to rest near his right hip with the tip pointing towards the non existent enemy he had just dodged the attack of. He thrust the sword forward as he took a step with his right foot, then let the blade fall into a lower stance after he had driven the enemy back. The tip of the blade pointed near the ground, with the blade facing the enemy. Kenjirou then preformed an upper cut strike, slicing from the left hip to the right shoulder, then followed up with a diagonal right vertical cut, slicing from the right shoulder back down to the left hip.
"YAHHHH!"
Kenjirou held the post cut position for a moment, before sheathing the blade in the same manner he had done in the first kata. He rose from his stance, finishing the kata in the same way as he had done previously. By walking back, with his weight staying centered.
Two kata down.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:10 pm
Kenjirou then began his next kata. He started by taking a step forward, and facing to the right. As he did in the last two, he took three steps, drawing the katana in the process. However, on the third step, his left foot came across in front of his right foot, forming a sort of "T" shape. From that position, his sword draw was complete, and with his next step to the right he cut from the left shoulder to the right hip, one handed. From here, Kenjirous left hand fell to the very back of the sword, his palm curling over the pommel cap.
From here, Kenjirou took a step forward and thrust the blade forward into the stomach of his imaginary opponent. At the same time, he stomped his right foot while pushing all of his body weight into the stab.
"YAHHHH!!"
Kenjirou held the sword a moment, before raising the sword high above his head and taking a step back. With his second step back, he flicked the "blood" from the sword while flourishing his blade to the non existent friends of his dead, imaginary opponent. Kenjirou then sheathed the sword, took his steps back, and prepared to proceed with the next kata.
Three kata finished.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:47 pm
Kenjirou began the fourth kata.
"Yohonmei!"
Kenjirou faced forward this time, taking the same three step approach he had with the others. On the third step, he drew forth his katana in an upper cut strike, with the blade tip level with his imaginary opponents head. He then pushed the blade tip forward, with his fourth step, and placed it above his head with one motion.
Kenjirou did not stop moving, striking with a vertical cut, but stopping it just at his opponents imaginary chin. He continued to move forward, raising his sword for a second strike, then bringing it down in a full vertical cut that ended at the opponents waist. Kenjirou flicked off the blood, sheathed his katana, and prepared for the next kata...
Four down.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:58 pm
Now, the fifth kata.
"Gohonmei!!"
Kenjirou took three steps forward, but did now draw his sword. He bowed, while pushing his left foot back while his right hand rested on his right leg. He turned, now facing the opposite direction he had before and rising to stand tall again. He was still a moment, before preforming the three step draw strike movement again, on the third step his attack cutting from his opponents left shoulder to their right hip.
Kenjirou then suddenly turned his head, and shifted his body, pushing his left foot out farther to the left and lowering his sword and falling into a lower stance. He performed an upper cut strike, then upon finishing the cut he raised the sword above his head to come down with a straight vertical cut while staying in the same stance he had been in before.
Kenjirou was still, then flipped the sword in an almost pendulum like motion so he held it backwards. Then sheathed it that way.
Five kata done.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:07 pm
Kata number six.
"Rokponme!"
Kenjirou started, by placing his right hand on the katana and taking one step out. He continued, by suddenly turning his head to face diagonal right of him, and stepping into an uppercut strike right after. His head changed directions again, facing the diagonal left and raising the sword above his head once more as he took a step in that direction.
Upon finishing the step, his cut from the opponents left shoulder to right hip was complete. His face changed direction again, now facing directly in front of him, lowering his sword from its post cut position into a lower stance. He performed an uppercut strike, then performed a vertical diagonal cut on the other side, slashing in an "X" pattern.
Kenjirou stood still a moment, before taking a step back and resting the back of the blade on his left knee. Calming down a moment longer, he then lifted the blade up and sheathed it backwards across his body.
Six kata done.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:18 pm
Seventh Kata
Kenjirou began this kata, in the same way he had started the first few. By taking three steps forward, and drawing his blade at the same time. He suddenly looked to a diagonal right angle on the third step, stepping in that direction while drawing and slashing with a cut that went from the opponents left shoulder to right hip. Kenjirous gaze then faced directly to the left. He turned, his sword held in a horizontal stance, blade pointing out to the right. With a powerful turn of his hips, he sliced across his imaginary opponents waist. Kenjirou then turned to the diagonal right of this angle, and cut in that direction with an upper cut strike. From there, he faced the diagonal left, and cut in that direction with a cut going from his opponents left shoulder to right hip. All while staying in the same position he had been in before.
He took a step back, moving his sword in a circle over head, flicking the blood off from the blade. From here, he held the position a moment, then sheathed his sword.
Seven kata down.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:28 pm
Eighth kata
"Hachihonme!"
Kenjirou took three steps forward, again, and drew the sword in the same motion. This time, he looked directly in front of him as he performed the cut that sliced from the opponents left shoulder to right hip. From here, he looked to his left and stepped in that direction, performing a vertical diagonal left cut. Slicing from the left shoulder to right hip, all the way with two hands. He then looked behind him, pushing his left foot back and tilting his torso back while his sword stayed above his head. He cut down the opponent he had narrowly dodged, then looked back in the direction of the opponent he had cut down previously. He took a step in that direction, deflecting an imaginary blade with his own as he stepped. He stepped forward again, stomping his foot and stabbing through the opponents stomach.
He faced to the right from that angle, took a step back and let his katana rest near his hip. His left hand stayed on top of the back of the blade, as he stepped forward and performed a second stab, with his hand reaming on the back of the blade.
Kenjirou finished the kata as he had done in the last one, moving the blade over and around his head and flicking away the blood. He sheathed his sword, and finished the final kata.
All Kata complete.
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Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 7:10 pm
After finishing all of his kata, Kenjirou spent a moment in contemplation while he rested. His life was dedicated to Konoha. To shame Konoha meant death. To fail Konoha meant the same. He contemplated, however, if he failed a mission, should he end his life?
He held many samurai values true to himself, but he was Ninja. Was it more honorable to end ones life upon one failure? Or to continue to serve ones lord, till at last their lord commanded them to end their life? He doubted that Cerbi would order him to commit seppuku. But he resolved, that if he failed his village to many times, he would do it regardless. He was fighting to restore his honor. To lose the honor he had worked so hard at restoring, would mean the end of his life. By his own hand. However, he also resolved, that he would attempt to right his wrongs and failings before he ended his life. If he failed in doing so,
that was when death would become the only way to restore his honor.
He was Ninja...
But he considered himself Samurai.
With that resolve in his mind, Kenjirou proceeded to practice each and every one of the kata he had just finished practicing, over and over.
He did not cease, till he had practiced each kata at least 50 times.
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