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 Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:29 am
A small hike from the beautiful gardens and immaculate hallways of the Shirabyoshi's world, the clang of metal on metal and hooves on earth is regularly heard. Here, it is the world of warriors and those that aspire to one day be as knowledgeable in the way of bushido as their fathers and forefathers. There are several battered practice dummies that litter the area; they are nothing but large tree trunks beaten and hit until large chunks have fallen away. The ground is open and flat, with a stream skirting the outside of the area. A small distance away is a little hill with two large trees atop it, a usual place for a weary student to rest when it is allowed. Sparring matches may take place here, and sometimes this place is used to work out anger rather than hone skills.
[[ This is an open RP, all characters are welcome to visit. However, keep in mind that if a maid or someone of similar rank were to wander out this way, they would just need a reason for it. <3 ]]
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:56 pm
Fujita watched his sensei very skillfully demonstrate a series of sword movements. Sword drawing, cutting, then re-sheathing, the movements were read by his eyes as smooth, strong, and effortless. "Attempt it again," Yagi instructed the apprentice after finishing the demonstration.
"Hai, Yagi-sensei," Fujita answered respectfully, his being composed. He bowed and positioned himself before his teacher. As he drew his sword, he noted how it was done cleanly though not as gracefully as demonstrated. The first cut--it was lacking in strength to match Yagi's example; he knew this without the samurai's voiced criticism. With each observed deficiency, he moved onwards through the skill set to fix them and maintain improvement.
"Your timing was off," Yagi voiced regarding his execution of the next cut. The apprentice reacted by becoming more wary to keep correct timing in the following movements as well. "Now it was your balance," Yagi stated during another transition. Fujita's brows furrowed slightly, indicating his increased irritation at his errors. However, this was overshadowed by his burning determination that shone in his eyes.
He re-sheathed his sword at the end of skill set and bowed to Yagi once again. "Overall, an improvement from the last runs, Fujita-san," were Yagi's words before taking his leave from the training grounds, signaling the end of the samurai's instruction to the apprentice for the day. After another bow as his sensei took leave, Fujita positioned himself once again, feeling far from satisfied with his performance just now and intending to repeat the skill set until he was satisfied with the day's progress.
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:26 pm
Settled comfortably atop his mount's bare back, Raiden followed the well-worn path towards the training area. He himself was considered a fully-fledged samurai, but skills become rusty when they are not practiced. The sun was warm on the back of his neck and his hair, sending a content feeling through the rest of his body. A hand loosened from the reins and pushed dark tresses from his eyes, set ahead on the clearing as he approached.
Oh?
It would appear that someone was here training already on this day; but no matter, this place was an open area for all to come, after all. Sliding from Susamajii's back and ease, he stepped closer to the younger man, light armor clicking softly in the otherwise quiet atmosphere. Tossing the reins over the horse's head and letting him wander to graze, he tipped his head to the other in greeting.
"Good afternoon," he started, one hand resting on the hilt of his blade, "I would hope that you would not work yourself too hard on a day such as this. I myself often find that to relax on a wonderful day rather than become frustrated and uptight makes training a much more pleasurable and focused task." He offered a smile to the other, sunlight glinting off of his eyes. "May I join you?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:32 pm
Despite being aware of an approaching presence, the apprentice kept training.
Fujita was taught even before his arrival, during training as a child back home, that keeping on guard was essential for a warrior. When it was deemed clear that he had no knowledge of even the approach as a boy, he'd earned himself a push and fall. As he grew older and the training intensified, the consequence guaranteed a bruise each time. Thus, Fujita's sharp guard received excellent marks from the beginning of his apprenticeship, though on one occasion the apprentice felt the immense pain of Yagi's hilt to his stomach during a poorly managed last-minute dodge and coming away, luckily, with only a bruise where was intended a scar.
It wasn't that he decided to ignore Raiden, by no means was this the case. The apprentice considered the presence may simply be passing by. It was only when he was spoken to had Fujita paused his training, re-sheathing his sword, and addressed the samurai in turn, smiling in kind then bowing respectfully, "Valuable advice, arigato gozaimashita." Just as Yagi reminded him of his father, Raiden reminded him of his elder brothers, "Hai, you're welcome to join me."
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:40 pm
[[ Timelapse. Another sunny day. ]]
Fujiawara no Keichirou was an elegant, well-trained warrior. His sword glinted blindingly in the midday sunlight as he practiced, and runnels of sweat ran down his face. His dark hair was up in a high ponytail and he had dressed in full regalia. There was hardly any point in training if you put on your heavy armor and suddenly found that most of your agility and mobility were lost on the battlefield.
The well-built man paused from his work, taking a few moments to recuperate. The summer sun was savage, as was Japan's infamous humidity. The man had a feeling his already-weathered skin was yet again being burnt. He always grew so much darker in the summer, he reflected. He rubbed his scar thoughtfully; the brutal reminder of the reality of battle had disfigured his face for years now, but it also commanded respect. There were so many who'd never even been out into battle; so many warriors who acted like so many undisciplined children.
Keichirou shook his head disapprovingly at the thought, his lips drawing down into a soft frown. Warriors were hardly men anymore under the reign of this new emperor. The man spat into the dirt, looking quite obviously annoyed. He had no respect for that man. Emperor Reizei had never picked up a sword in his life. His hands were probably as soft as a woman's; he was probably as weak as woman, too. Fujiwara no Keichirou simply couldn't respect that.
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 7:30 pm
It has been a month now since Fujita was permitted a rest day. Thus, having visited the gardens before arriving at the training grounds despite the option not to have come to train at all, several sakura petals had fallen on and settled upon his clothes and hair. However, he would be a fool, he believed if he did not train in a day. At his state, he considered it a declaration of loose determination to miss out on training in a day and it was also his belief that training daily was essential no matter what rank as well. Neglecting training in conceit, he felt, brought one closer to demise.
The glint of a warrior's weapon was what was most apparent first when he approached the grounds. As he proceeded further, the exemplary sight convinced him to slow and stop as he keenly observed with sharp analyzing eyes and mind from a fair distance the superior sight before him.
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:57 pm
Keichirou's eyes flicked up, settling on the young apprentice as he approached. The warrior observed Fujita coolly, nodding absently to him. He looked as if he had definite potential, at least, and that was more than Kei could say for half the samurai lazing about at court. "Hello," He greeted briefly, walking forward as he brushed the sweat off of his forehead.
He regarded the cherry blossoms upon Fujita's clothing and hair with evident bemusement and raised a brow. "And why aren't you with the other apprentices lazing about right now?" Kei smirked, having to admit that he was rather pleased about the fact that there might be at least one diligent apprentice around this hellhole. The samurai would need all the best fighters they could get if they were to do anything about the terrible emperor in the future.
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Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:34 am
While his focus was on analyzing so as to learn from the warrior's accurate motions and techniques as he trained, when the samurai paused, Fujita did not overlook the fact that the older man executed superior skills equipped with the added weight of his armor.
Before he began to move after he'd resolved to go and begin his own training in the grounds, he was addressed with a nod and greeting and thus responded. "Hello," Fujita bowed as he greeted back the higher ranked warrior with respect. This warrior before him, Fujita felt was like the few he'd encountered. Upon Keichirou's query, the apprentice replied with a steady composure, "Relaxation is important, too, but too much of it will detract from skill. So, after relaxing, I've come because I desire to continue my training."
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