Welcome to Gaia! ::

Glissa listened to the next set of instructions then closed her eyes. She thought to herself:

'... My katana is about an inch and a half thick... So I have to cut into the tree untill the center engravings are covered. That should be simple enough.'

She yanked the katana out of the tree trunk, sending wood chips flying, then blew the remaining chips and dust off. Then she got into the apropriate stance; facing the target, legs apart, slightly wider than the hips, both hands griping the handle, blade at the ready. Glissa opened her eyes and swung the blade up a little before letting it slice into the tree trunk. Glissa let go of the katana, which stayed wedged into the tree, and walked right up to the trunk. About half an inch of the top of her blade was showing. She grinned and punched the air.

"Perfect!"

Okami held her sword at the ready and silced an inch into the tree, slightly above her previous cut. This was too easy for her. "Good. Now for something a tad more difficult...." She went over to a small tree and sliced it in half, then sliced it once more. Without any notice, she picked up one of the pieces of tree and threw it at Kathlyn. She breifly shouted, "Cut!" Wanting to see her reflexes. At this Okami smirked, wondering what she would do.

James glanced over at the other girls, curious as to what had just occured, when she heard a noise, like a twig breaking, up in the trees. James' head slowly moved upwards and she thought she saw a floating green light. "It couldn't be. It's nothing." James brought her head down swiftly and there before her eyes was a woman that she had never seen before.

Hayashi Seishou was positioned in front of James in a very commanding stance. Her hands were placed on her hips and her legs shoulder-length apart. She had a scowl on her face and her eyes were fierce. Hayashi Seishou towered over James. She angled her left foot, following it with the rest of her body, until she faced the others. "Get out of this forest, you murderers." Her voice emanated from her body. It was stern and calm, yet it had a sense of urgency hidden within it. Without a single motion, the earth shook violently, causing the injured trees to sway uncontrollably. Hayashi Seishou floated up and rested on a nearby tree branch. She stood strong on her toes, giving the appearance of a ballerina on points.

Hayashi Seishou's sharp eyes whisked in the direction of Kathlyn, burning into her skin. "Foolish. I'm not speaking about humans or demons. Are you that incompetant that you can't figure out that the earth breathes as well?!" Her voice rose with every word and the ground trembled below. Hayashi Seishou tapped into everyone's thoughts instead of waiting for them to speak their mind.

James held fast to a tree to support herself as the earth beneath her feet quaked. 'Wait, did Kathlyn even say anything about people and creatures?' A strange voice popped into James' head. 'No, human. One can speak without words.' James whipped her head around, searching for the voice. Her eyes rested on the tree top girl.

Shinkirou felt the earth shake and she looked up at the girl. "Murder? We're not murdering the trees. Well, I suppose you could call that, but we're definately not the worst. This forest doesn't belong to you, and you can't tell us to get out of it. Sacrifices of everything are made, even of people like you and I. Without sacrifices, the earth wouldn't be able support itself. Everything is destined to die some day, even though who are immortal. Even the earth will die eventually. Of course, keep in mind that I'm the only one who has actually killed a tree. All the others were just nicking it, not actually killing it. Well anyway, my name is Shinkirou Yoruno. Who are you, if you don't mind me asking? Honestly, I don't think you're our enemy. At least, I don't think you want to be. I wish we could have met under better circumstances. Oh and by the way Kathlyn, nice job. Okami just leaned against the tree and smirked.

Kathlyn gave a slight nod, "Thank you Ms. Yoruno" She said softly, after reciving her complement, then Kathlyn stayed silent. However her thoughts began to race. What had brought this spirit here? Where has she come from? Why was she here now, of all times? Kathlyn felt an odd surge of curiosity, she had always lived near forests, and had made friends with spirits of forests before; but none like her. Kathlyn thirsted for knowledge about this spirit, her home, her origin, everything. She was one of the most beauitful spirits she had ever seen as well, and Kathlyn couldn't help but yearn to get to know Hayashi Seishou.

Kathlyn smiled hearing the response in her thoughts. Please call me Kathlyn then Seishou, I'd really like to talk to you, that is if you'll be staying her long. Kathlyn had always loved forests, nature, everything about it was amazing and beautiful. She had grown up around it, and taught as a child to treat the earth with respect. For every tree that winter had forced them to cut down they had said a prayer and always planted two more. Leaving Kathlyn to wonder what the correct respectful action to take, perhaps a prayer in thanks or something else? Her village had always communicated with the spirits about these things.

Kathlyn smiled and replyed silently I'll be there, now all Kathlyn could do is sit back and wait to see how her teacher Ms. Yoruno would respond, and what would happen next.