Lore: Lessons at the Kobukan

[Soran Nightblade]

Thread started by Zenmusha on September 15th, 2004.

Zenmusha:

The few monks at the monastery known as Kobukan busily took care of their meneaor jobs... Their training had come to an abrupt halt as the grandmaster died of a sudden heart attack last week. The great secrets of the order were now endangered, it being the most complete monastery of Iwama, specialized in many a martial art, while some only specialized themselves in one or two... Alas, they were the ones that would instruct them more deeply about the great secrets.

Still, they couldn't just leave the monastery abandoned. And so, they asked the nearby rangers to send out their pet birds wide across the world, placing their message, written so they could atract the ignorant men and women of the main land through their sole master, desire, at where it would be most read.

The rangers had also kindly agreed to guide and escort the newby adventurers to the monastery, and await them at the borders of Port Karelii.

Emora:

Elena got off the boat with a small bag in hand filled with anything she needed... including a small drawn portrait of her parents. She wore her usually cloths and walked the streets holding the bag tight, expecting any one of these people to jump out and rob her.

She looked around, her violet eyes scanning the port and looking for any sign of the one thing she sought. She stood nervously in a crowed of people, not knowing really what to expect.

She pulled the bag over her shoulders with a sigh. This has got to be the stupidest thing I've ever done... she thought and walked by a group of people who didn't look to friendly. then again who was she to judge she had never left Hepian until now...

Yeth:

Noyovo surveyed the monastry he had ended up in. When he had gotten off at Port Karelii, some sullen ranger had guided him here and left without saying a word in between!

He walked to a nearby monk tending some flowers, cleared his throat and asked him.

"Is this the place to learn these "Martial Arts" and if so, where should I go now?"

Zenmusha:

The half-elven ranger known as Limader was getting bored... His seagull pet had told him two of the recruits had arrived at the town today... And that was after the rude Arken one had been promptly delivered. Sheesh, he could feel the negative waves coming from him...

So, he did something he regreted... walked into town. Even if Port Karelii was far more in tune with nature than most cities, with all its parks and decorative tree paths, it was still oppressive. As he walked through the streets, his leather armour and unkept haircut earning him many a odd look, he noticed the clueless young woman... And his seagull nibbled at his ear.

He walked up to her. "You are here to join the Kobukan. Please, let me guide you." He grabbed her hand, and led her back to the forest.

During the voyage, he noticed she was feeling rather unneasy. "Relax." He said bluntly. The problem with being a ranger was that he was terrible with words... And so, couldn't say much more than that.

After a while, they arrived. "Here is your new home." He nodded to her. "I hope you fare well..." He smiled at her, and went on his way.

The monk conducting floral arrangments didn't even bother looking at the brash young man. Instead, he kept on arranging his flowers... And he noticed the young woman. He got up, and passed past the brash teen without saying a word.

"Welcome to the Kobukan." He bowed slightly at the girl. "I'm Master Tamura, Aikijutsu Shihan."

Emora:

The ranger seemed very forward to her... just grabbing her hand and walking her away with out even asking her if it was alright. "Master Tam-Tamura, Aiki-jut-su Shi-han..." she said the words stumbling a bit, the language totally foreign to her. "My name is Elena Baldor..."

She looked to the other person standing with them wondering if he was a student at this place already or was he new too. Now what to do? What to say? She stood uncomfortable in the silence for a moment.

Yeth:

Noyovo looked angrily at the monks back. He had just left him stading here, he could've at least said something. Quickly composing himself he followed him, if he was going to talk to the girl he might hear something useful.

Zenmusha:

Tamura, a short, grey-haired, slim old man, smiled at Elena. "Very honoured to meet you, Elena-san. Please, I ask that you bow towards those that bow to you. It is polite, you see, to bow lower than your masters or superiors. But since you did not know this, and you are polite, I think, you are forgiven." He grabbed her hand gently, and lead her inside. "Please, this way!" His way was of one younger than him, as if his soul had been bathed in a fountain of youth. Again, he ignored the other man.

They walked inside the temple. On a patium, a bulky man using a wooden yari (spear) duelled with a slim, agile man clad in ninja garbs using a short wooden sword. They stopped as they saw Tamura. "Oi, Tamura-kum! Found yourself a girlfriend, have you, old fox!?" The ninja spoke loudly, putting away his mask and revealing he was only a bit younger than him. The other one was middle-aged, but fought like a true master of the Yari, what meant he was taken into the monastery at a very early age.

Tamura laughed a crystal clear laughter. "Well, reminds me of what you did when we were young! Sneaking past the masters, eh?" The three laughed out loud. Tamura faced the girl. "Don't worry, we're always picking on each other. And I won't do anything to harm you." With that said, he lead her to the dorms. There stood a small sleeping mat and a meager pillow. "These will be your quarters." Across the small room were many other mats. "This is where ALL students sleep, regardless of gender. If, however, one decides to be smart... Our ninja friend will take care of him before he even thinks about it." And he did have the skills for that.

"Now then... Wait here." He walked out of the room, and returned with a simple gi (training suit). It was composed of a jacket, a white belt, and trousers. "This is what you'll use for ALL classes. Clean it every time you can." He smiled when she gave him a riddled look. "Don't worry, there's a fountain where you can bathe nearby. Keep your clothes on, and both'll be washed."

With that said, he dragged her into another room, this time passing across an alienated looking guy that kept drawing and sheathing a Katana in a quick, martial way. When he noticed them, however, he bowed. "I'm Master Toyotomi, Kenjutsu and Iaijutsu Shihan." Whith that said, he bowed and continued his training. Tamura simply shook his head. "Toyotomi... Always so selfish." They continued their walk, and ended up in another room with many a short table on the floor. "This is where we eat. Food is prepared by the students, so I hope you're a good cook." He smiled mischevioulsy at her.

Emora:

Elena took what the man said in mind when he spoke about bowing. It seemed easy enough. She was a little uneasy when the man started talking about things in there younger years and she questioned her idea of coming.

When he led her to the room where they would be sleeping she was utterly shocked. Girls and boys sleeping in the same room together?! How... how... At this point she grew very worried, where would she change her clothes? Where would she go to the bathroom? Maybe this had been a bad idea.

She only got one suit to where and she had to bathe in a fountain in an outfit that would most likely go transparent? She grew very worried indeed. She left home for this?

And finally the end of their tour and Elena was happy to know there was one thing she could do with out worrying... cook her own meals.

Eslin:

Judith stepped off the boat, looking back at it with loathing; she wondered how anyone could stay on that prison for very long. Turning her head she stared at her surroundings. She thought she never would understand how so many people could live in one place.

She receded deeper into her cloak, before leaving home she’d never been around so many people at once. Thinking back to before she left, she remembered how she thought she knew everything then; it was so easy when you were the oldest. She felt uncomfortable in crowds.

Her initial exuberance of leaving home a little daunted; she shouldered her pack and began to walk through the mass, looking for a friendly face. She had no idea where the monastery was located, nor whom she should ask for its location. She walked lost through the crowd.

Zenmusha:

The human ranger known as Jack took a very, VERY deep breath before walking into town... To retrieve the new student that had arrived, or so his pet falcon had told. Even if he kept his hair trimmed better than other rangers, he was still barbaric looking by the city standarts. And so, he brought to himself many a odd look, followed by his growls as the children pointed at his torn leather outfit... Who could've guessed that bear was gonna react so wildly?

The falcon at his shoulder squeaked when he saw the girl. As usual, she had a lost expression. He came from behind her, and put a hand in her shoulder. "You're here to study in the Kobukan, correct? Then follow me." He grabbed her hand, and dragged her out and into Iwama.

When they arrived, there was no one waiting for them. (Not even the young brash man). Sighing, the ranger turned to face Judith. "Please forgive our fellow monks, they must be taking care of important business." A chubby monk came out from the front gate, carrying a Dai Kyu (Jap longbow) and a few arrows in his hand. "Yes, Tamura's showing the monastery around to another student." He smiled as he spoke. Bowing slightly, he presented himself. "I'm Master Gorobei, Kyujutsu Shihan."

Eslin:

Judith jumped when an unseen hand reached out and grabbed her shoulder. Surprise painted her face as she quickly turned to look at the person who touched her. She barely had enough time to nod an answer to his quick question before he grabbed her hand at started down the street at a fast pace.

She stared up into the surprisingly intelligent eyes of the falcon on his shoulder like a child starring at a puzzle. It fascinated her; she longed to ask the man about it, but his abrupt demeanor stopped her short.

She also wondered why his clothing was torn in such an alarming way. Was it safe to go to this monastery? Her worry only increased when he took her through the forest; her father had always told her that forest were evil things. They soon came to a stop and Judith got her first look at her new home.

Thinking about this place as her new home made her worry decrease a little. She heard the man leading her say, “Please forgive our fellow monks, they must be taking care of important business” Then she watch as another man walked out of the front gate of the monastery. He was holding….something. She had no experience with such things; that was the only word she could find for it.

His smile warmed and comforted her. It was a pleasant change from the other man. The new man said, "Yes, Tamura's showing the monastery around to another student." Another student! Judith looked around excitedly. The road she’d been traveling lately had been long and lonely. She was looking forward to meeting people who she could talk to. That was the only thing she missed about her former home, at least she thought it was the only thing.

The man slightly bowed to her and said, “"I'm Master Kitano, Kyujutsu Shihan." She knew they expected her to say something, but she didn’t know how she should respond to the bow; no one had ever bowed to her before. She decided just to ignore it. Just incase she wasn’t suppose to ignore it she put on a bright smile while she heard herself say, “My name is Judith Delore.”

She then stood there expectantly wondering what would happen next. Her gaze drifted to the other man; he’d never introduced himself. She wondered to herself what his name was.

Kaokahn:

After seeing the mysterious advertisements everywhere in Heirot, on learning how to defend yourself and how to fight. Which caught Kaokahn’s interest and attention in heading towards Iwama to see what all the fuss was about. What caught his attention the most was the part of earning honor through doing valiant deeds. It was time for him to turn over a new leaf and move on from the past and change his ways.

After reading the requirements he began to wonder if he fit the requirements because he had some battle experience. But it was still worth a shot and he started to head towards Iwama forest in search of Kobukun.

As he stepped foot of the boat all he had brought with him on his journey was his trusty great maul which never leaves his side and his tattered armor. As he started to wander around aimlessly he started to wonder what was Kobukun and what did they offer?

Yeth:

Noyovo huffed with indignation, clenching and unclenching his fist. That man hadn't said a word to him. Very well, if he wished to be like that, atleast now he knew who to avoid. When he was left alone he turned abruptly and left in search of another man to guide him, he was starting to get the idea that this wasn't as good as he thought.

When he had wandered awhile inside the monastry he came upon a room where one man was alone, sheathing and unsheathing his sword. Might as well ask him, at least he didn't look like one of those other ********.

He walked to him and stood up straight, maybe a better first impression would be good.

"Hello, I am Noyovo Alexander. I'm here for the training, could you help me in any way?"

Zenmusha:

OOC: *gulp* Ok... this is gonna be a longy...

IC: Tamura had noticed the girl's look of embarrassment as she accompanied him across the monastery. It'd be a great cultural shock for her, that much was certain. "You don't have to worry about being assaulted or anything! We're not those kind guys. Actually, we're too old for that..." He started laughing silently. "Well, anyways, I think someone else arrived. I don't see Gorobei training, so... Let's go back and meet up with the others. Hopefully, they've found a fellow student..." And so, they walked up to the entrance.

Meanwhile, Toyotomi kept practicing his kata, noticing Noyovo's presence but choosing not to aknowledge him. Of course, after the 30 seconds that he chose to ignore him passed, he stopped training and looked at him striaght in the eye. "You can. Grab us a pair of bokken." He pointed at the wooden swords by a nearby wall. Once they were prepared, he motioned him to remove his shoes and proceed into the tatami he was in. "I'm Master Toyotomi, Kenjutsu and Iaijutsu Shihan. READY!!!"

He charged at the surprised young man, and slammed the tip of his sword against his forehead. "Too slow!" He shouted, as he spun around himself and swpet his feet from the floor with a sing of his bokken. "You're dead. Now, present yourself to either Gorobei or Tamura." He kicked his sword away, and shoved him out of the room with his feet.

Gorobei, that had presented himself to Judith and explained her why she should bow lower than a master (hummility), had begun showing her around... When he noticed the wasted-looking Noyovo rolling out of the floor. "Toyotomi's been showing him the way of the Ongorethian sword..." He scratched his head as he spoke. "Erm... That Master that keeps drawing and sheathing his sword all day... Never, EVER interrupt him, or ask him about doubts. It's for you own sake." He said that to Judith... But loudly enough that Noyovo could hear as well. "Come on, I'll show you what we like to call infirmary."

In the meanwhile, Jack's falcon squeaked and flew amidst the foliage of Iwama. The ranger, sighing as he followed his pet, cursed the day he agreed to help the monks. Once again, at the city, he couldn't really not notice the bulky minotaur with the noob look about him. "Lemme guess... You're here for the lesson, right? Then follow me."

He led him back to the monastery... In the meanwhile, Tamura, Gorobei, and the three students had gathered up in the infirmary. "Toyotomi did it again, right?" Tamura asked Gorobei. They'd put him lying on a mat, and placed small paper rolls in his nostrils to prevent any more bleeding. Somehow, the blow hadn't broke his nose, even if his legs' muscles had been punished badly by the sweep. "That man's gonna be the ruin of us yet..." Gorobei replied, as he spread some sort of cream across his legs, whose fuction was to increase the recovery speed. They had intentionally forgotten the two girls, knowing they'd try and know each other.

When Kaokahn arrived, the Ninja monk was the one at the door, squirting the flowers at the entrance. "Another student?" He asked, without taking his eyes of his task, as soon as the two were in range of his voice. Jack, surprised by the man's keen senses, blinked before replying. "Yes... But I'm not sure if he meets the requirements, Master Samanosuke." The ninja Samanosuke rose to his feet, and glanced at the new student. "Well... Let's see." He jumped up, many feet high, and landed behind the minotaur without making a sound. "What's your name and background?"

Eslin:

Judith, looking at the boy who was lying in a heap on the floor, silently wondered what the Master Toyotomi looked like so she could avoid interrupting him. She pictured a mean looking man in her mind, sheathing and unsheathing a sword. What was a sword anyway? She had no image in her head to put with the word. Daggers had sheaths, so she figured it was something like that.

They were in the infirmary, and Judith was watching the monks tending the boy that they’d found. She thought he was probably another student. Would anyone treat her as roughly as they had the boy? She hopped not; if they did she might have to find her way out of this place, but then the monk said it was that Master. Hopefully not all the masters were like him. There was another girl in there with her. Judith scrutinized her from the corner of her eye. It had to be another student.

She decided there was no reason to be cool toward her and turn to face her. She smile, she finally had someone to talk to. She said in an excited voice, “Hello, my name’s Judith. What’s yours?” She wondered if she was suppose to bow to her. She wasn’t sure, and the Master hadn’t said, so she just stood there waiting to hear what the other girl would say. She wondered how old the girl was.

Emora:

Elena knew what a sword was, having a few pointed at her every now and then. Nobles could be so pushy when they knew they were wrong about something.

A girl started talking to her after a moment, Elena was still interested in what they were doing to the boy. She finally replied, "My name is Elena," she said and held out a hand for the girl to shake. "I'm 16."

She wondered too, how old the girl was and thought to ask. "Might I ask how old you are, miss?" she was used to calling people she didn't know sirs or misses... for one it was a show of respect, since her stature in life wasn't that wonderful.

She most definitely didn't want to meat this man... the man that did that to the other student... what would he do to her? She was seriously thinking of leaving...

Sakura:

Her jaw dropped. Zensoku Sakura's eyes feasted upon the beauty of the capital city. The hoards of people overwhelmed her, the sights thrilled her. It was a new beginning.

She was delighted. She was excited. She had never been so lost.

"Where to go from here," Sakura said as her index finger tapped on her bottom lip. She was at Port Karelii, this much she knew. But how to get from here to Iwama Forest? "Maybe I should ask someone."

Sakura calmed herself. Back in Kiyoshi, everyone and every clan knew each other, so there were no strangers. Dealing with one you don't know is a skill foreign to Sakura. She wasn't afraid, however. ::Just act natural, blend in, think camaflouge!:: Sakura observed the people around her and found that her clothes were not at all normal. ::CAMAFLOUGE! DAMNIT I stick out like a sore thumb. Nice going X_X::

The pushed her way through the crowd and came up to a fish stand with an obese man behind the counter reading an issue of "Heriot's Hotties." She slammed her hands on the wooden counter so they would make a thump noise, hoping to catch the vendor's attention. The attempt was successful.

"Excuse me Sir," Sakura said and bowed out of respect, just as she been taught. "Do you know where I can find Iwama Forest?" Sakura waited for a reply.

"So you want to buy a fish?"

"No -_-; that's not what I asked-"

"I have the best fish in all of Heriot, Ma'am." The fisherman began to ramble about his catch, and Sakura just left without so much as a goodbye. What he said bothered her.

"He said Ma'am... do I still look like a girl?" Sakura gazed at her reflection in the ocean water back at the docks. She cut her long beautiful raven hair up to her ears. The back was still long enough to put in a top knot, a common hairstyle for young boys back at home. She wrapped bandages to supress her breasts, and with her uniform she looked like she had the figure of a young teenage male. Maybe it was her voice? Sakura agreed with this conclusion. Sakura practiced speaking in a manley-er tone. After she felt comfortable enough with her new voice, she set back out on her mission.

She wondered the streets asking people for directions, but after two hours she held in her hand a flier crinkled out of frustration.

Sakura stood at the docks. ::What am I going to do?:: She let out a heavy sigh.

Zenmusha:

Jack had finally arrived at his small corner of the forest, and was enjoying a green tea... When hsi "beloved" falcon squeaked again. Nearly sobbing, he got back on his feet, picked the creature up, and headed, hopefully for the last time... To the accursed capital. This time, he had to really sink deep into the damn thing, and when he found the clueless... crossdresser, he couldn't believe his joy... Sarcastically speaking.

"You, girl dressing as a boy." He grabbed Sakura's hand, and pulled her up. "You're going to Iwama Forest, right? Well, come along with me." And so, he dragged yet another recruit through the city, this time whispering to his falcon to poop on every townsman's head.

Finally, he arrived once again with her... And the burly minotaur was still there. As well as Samanosuke. "Master Samanosuke, I found this... crossdresser. Seems like she wants to join the Kobukan." Samanosuke gave him no response. Instead, the bulky man, wielding a wooden practice naginata, came up to them.

"Oh, great... A crossdresser... You know, for a ranger or a monk, it's pretty obvious to see you're using bandages. And your hair his too beautiful for a man, as well as your face." He put the end of his weapon on the ground, holding it perpendicular to the floor. "Anyway... I'm Master Kikuchyo, Yarijutsu and Naginatajutsu Shihan." He bowed respectfully.

Jack sighed. "An' I'm Jack, pleased ta meet'cha, when you start dressing like a girl visit me by the 358 bush to your left." HE winked at her mockingly, and went back to his life.

Eslin:

Judith sighed; the other girl seemed more interested in what the monks were doing or was it the boy. She wondered if they were going to get along. Finally she turned and said, “My name is Elena; I’m 16.”

Judith looked at the hand Elena held out; they were getting somewhere. She reached her own hand out and heartily shook the hand of the other girl. Maybe they’d be friends after all. She heard Elena say, "Might I ask how old you are, miss?"

Miss? No one had ever called her such a thing. She didn’t think she liked the idea of being called miss; somehow she didn’t feel she deserved it. Elena did seem a little distracted though. Maybe she was still watching the boy and the monks.

While shaking Elena’s hand she said, “My name is Judith. I’m 15.” She fiercely tried to stand a little taller; she hopped that she wouldn’t lose any respect because she was the younger.

Sakura:

"Oh, great... A crossdresser... You know, for a ranger or a monk, it's pretty obvious to see you're using bandages. And your hair his too beautiful for a man, as well as your face." He put the end of his weapon on the ground, holding it perpendicular to the floor. "Anyway... I'm Master Kikuchyo, Yarijutsu and Naginatajutsu Shihan." He bowed respectfully.

Sakura was taken aback by Master Kikuchyo's observations. ::Even so, father was just as skilled. Even when Ryuichi told a lie, father always saw through him, and Ryuichi was always punished. I guess all true martial artist can detect the quiver from one's voice when they stray from the truth.:: She blushed at the Master's remarks about her beauty, however she was somewhat offended when they called her a 'crossdresser.' Sakura really couldn't complain, due to the fact she really was a crossdressing.

::So, he is a Master of Yarijutsu and Naginatajutsu Shihan. Yarijutsu is spear fighting, that I have no interest in. Naginatajutsu Shihan, that is a art I am very unfimilar with. My knowledge is limited...T_T Damn traditions. I know that I will not learn Zenjutsu here, but hopefully this Naginatajutsu is some form of a sword style.::

Nevertheless, She bowed deeply to Master Kikuchyo. "Thank you for your kindness. I am Zensoku Sakura. I come from the island of Kiyoshi."

"An' I'm Jack, pleased ta meet'cha, when you start dressing like a girl visit me by the 358 bush to your left."

Sakura blushed as Jack went about his buisness. ::I...brought no other clothes. The flee from home was so sudden...::

Sakura focused her attention on Master Kikuchyo. "I would like to train at the Kobukan. Please Master, although my attempt was unsuccessful, I dressed as a boy so I could be formally trained in the art of the sword. I know well of the traditions, that a woman should never hold a sword. But I beg of you, make me your student! I will not disappoint you, that I promise." Sakura bowed again and awaited Master Kikuchyo's awnsers. She hoped that he would be a little more lenient than her father.

Kaokahn:

Impressed by the jump he had just witnessed he was stunned by how graceful the guy was able to move. it took him a moment to regain his cocentration and thoughts. Finally he replied Me Kaokahn.

As for my background as far as me can remeber me never really had aplace to call home. All my life i have been traveling around doing all kinds off odd jobs. I travel and do what ever pleases for the most part in the past. But now i live a life of repent in which i try to correct the wrongs in which i have committed in the past. I'm here to learn about how i can help people like in what the flyer i saw posted everywhere said. Me want to protect the weak.

and you are? Master Samanosuke?

Yeth:

Noyovo managed to groan a bit, that man had been ben fast and strong... Finally a proof that it was worth to be here, if only he could learn to be as good as him. He respected the man, but he also wanted, oh so badly, to kick his ass... not that it would happen anywhere in the near future.

Trying to move a bit on the bed he hurt bad, well he had had worse before, but that didn't make it anymore enchanting.
He could swivel his eyes without feeling like he was pushed full of white hot needles, looking a bit stupid he managed to take in the surroundings. The place they were on did seem a bit liek infirmary, not that you could ever truly know of these Ongorethians. He also noticed that were two girls in the room, one from before and another new one, talking to each other.

Wincing a bit at the pain he managed to sit up and shoo away the monks for a while.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I don't need any healing right now" he added with as convincing smile he could muster.

Zenmusha;

Tamura looked at Noyovo, smiling serenely as he shooed Gorobei. "Well, suit yourself. The pain is yours. But if you are really so willing to pay the price for your pride... Well, anyways, I'm Master Tamura, Aikijutsu Shihan." He bowed slightly. Gorobei, that got back on his feet, did the same. "I'm Master Gorobei, Kyujutsu Shihan." Tamura helped the boy up. "So, I believe you learnt a lesson about hummility today. Always behave humbly, yet not to the point of lowering yourself below your moral standarts. Guess we'll have to work on that big ego of yours." He smiled broader, patting him in the shoulder. "Girls..." Gorobei turned to the girls. "... Seems like you'll have to watch out for this stud during your sleep." Tamura and Gorobei laughed in unisson. "Worry not, dear ladies. Samanosuke'll make sure you're not harmed during your sleep."

Outside...

Samanosuke had heard the minotaur's tale silently. Well... He really had to let him in. Refusal would hinder his wish to do good. But... He wasn't completely following all the requirements... Well, time to improvise... "You might not follow the requirements, but you are on the good path of redemption. I shall test your skills. If you can defeat me, that'll mean you are already able to face the world. If not, I'll let you join. And don't hold back. If you do, I'll know, and won't let you join us." He walked a few steps back, keeping a good ma-ai (safety distance) from the minotaur. "ready... GO!!!" He drew his wooden straight sword, no longer than a wakizachi, from his sleave, and jumped once again over the minotaur, swinging his blade between his horns.

Kikuchyo (it's his name, Sakura, not Kiyoshi!!! ^^) understood how Sakura felt... As a monk, he had a hard time at first dealing with the monastic lifestyle. But her angst was far deeper... "Sakura-chan, I'll present you to our resident swordsmaster. I hope that he'll be kind enough to let you train under him... But, please don't raise your spirits. He's... not very tolerant. Come on, I'll show you around." He put a hand over her shoulder. They made their way to the room where Toyotomi was, still practicing his kata. "Toyotomi... There's a girl here that wants to be your apprentice..." Sakura hadn't noticed, but during the short walk, Kikuchyo had stealthily undid her top knot... And so, there was no crossdressing that'd save her from Toyotomi's eye... Still, the swordsmaster didn't react...

At least for half a minute. He examined the girl before him... Studying her wrists, legs, hands and arms. In the end, he smirked only slightly. "I'd be honoured if you would accept being my Uchi Deshi." He bowed lower than any of the monks before.

Kaokahn:

Barely able to dodge the attack kaokahn replied Don't worry i never hold back in the heat of a fight. With that he simultaneously grabbed his great maul and let out a mighty war cry that would normally paralyze an oppenent in fear and took a mighty swing at the now charging Samanosuke.

It was Obvious Samaonsuke was able to dodge the mighty swing of the great maul due to the unbalance speed advatage Samaonsuke had over Kaokahn. However there was a mismatch in strength in which Kaokahn obviously had. kaokahn figured it all depends on him just able to land a clean blow on Samaonsuke who was now running in circles around him hitting him with all sorts of blows. Kaokahn had the stamina to withstand teh blows but he knew at this rate he would never beable to defeat Samaonsuke. He was just to fast.

Even though he knew this was a hopless battle for him, he just kept swinging his great maul around praying that it would somehow find his target and then that would be the decisive change in momentum for him in the fight. All he thought of now was only if i can just hit him once somehow.

Sakura:

(OOC: O_O Sorry bout that! I changed it ^_^... note to self: Proofread better! Oh, btw when you see this mark :: it means Sakura is thinking...but u already knew that... just making sure...anyway...)

Master Kikuchyo and Sakura entered a room where a man was practicing his katas. "Toyotomi... There's a girl here that wants to be your apprentice..." Master Kikuchyo said. Sakura glanced up at the master, than back at the swordsman. She watched his movements, so graceful and elegant, and yet so deadly. He was one with his weapon.

Master Toyotomi studied Sakura. She felt a little nervous, but she forced herself to keep a strong appearance. ::What is he thinking?...::

Finally,

"I'd be honoured if you would accept being my Uchi Deshi." Master Toyotomi said as he bowed.

::Am I dreaming?... Uchi Deshi? Uchi Deshi!!! This is even BETTER! YES!! SCORE!!! WAHOOOOOO ^^ Ok Sakura, calm down.... YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!:: Sakura used every last bit of self control she had to keep herself running up to her new master and glomping him while shouting a thousand spastic 'THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!'s

Despite what was going on on the inside, Sakura kept a cool face. She bowed lower than her master. "Toyotomi-Sensei, I would be most honored to become you Uchi Deshi." While bowing, she felt her hair fall foward. ::Wasn't it in a top knot? When did that happen?:: Nevertheless, her hair down made her look like a girl. ::And he still accepted me as his student?::

Sakura did not question the logic of her new Sensei. As his Uchi Deshi, all she must do is obey without question. She was estatic for her first lesson, and waited for Master Toyotomi's orders.

Emora:

"My name is Judith, I'm 15."

Elena smiled some one close to her own age to talk to maybe it wasn’t so bad. She wondered if the boy was really going to be all right or was he just trying to act brave in front of Judith and herself. She wondered if there were others here or was it just going to be them. She doubted it, after all when you thought of how many people were in the world.

She wanted to go and see if there were others here. She wondered if it was all right to go outside and see if they had arrived. Part of her wanted to go a head and get started with the lessons, but the other part of her was slightly afraid to because she didn't know if she would be any good and she could very possibly make herself look like a fool.

She looked to Judith. "Would you like to go see if there are others here?" she asked with a smile on her face for her new friend and then she wondered if the boy was friendly.

Eslin:

Judith turned and watched as the boy refuse the monk's ministrations. She knew she could never do that. The blow would have probably put her out cold. Her father had always called her a weakling. She had started to believe him.

The monk Gorobei, wait she should call him Master Gorobei, turned around and said, “Girls, seems like you'll have to watch out for this stud during your sleep." Judith felt her checks heat up. She wondered what he meant by in her sleep; surely the boy wouldn’t be around her when she was sleeping. Would he? She hoped her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt.

Then the monk said, “Worry not, dear ladies. Samanosuke'll make sure you're not harmed during your sleep." Someone would be watching her sleep! She wondered who this Samanosuke was.

She questioned her decision on coming to the forest, but she didn’t have much time to contemplate because Elena turned to her and asked with a friendly smile, “Would you like to go see if there are others here?"

Judith thought for a moment; that would be great. She was tired of staying in one place. That’s all she’d done on her trip here, stood on that small prison of a boat.

She wondered what the rest of the monastery looked like. Eager to find out she nodded her head in acceptance and heard herself say, "That would be great."

Also, it would be great to meet more of her new friends. She hoped she would get along well with all of them. They would be like family now that she’d left hers.

Zenmusha:

Gorobei looked at the girls... They seemed to be getting along. "Well, why don't you show this guy the place around, Elena? Might as well kill two birds with one stone." He nodded towards Noyovo. Tamura grinned. "Well, I'm going to train for a while. Would you be my uke, Gorobei?" The archer nodded affirmatively.

In the meantime, Kikuchyo arrived at the infirmary. "My friends, would you believe if I told you Toyotomi has taken a girl for his Uchi Deshi?" The other two monks looked back at him with smiling, surprised faces. "Guess he doesn't like my cookings." Kikuchyo mused outloud. The three laughed. "Well, let's go see what he's up to." The two monks made their way to the Kenjutsu room, leaving behing Kikuchyo.

"Well, I guess you're probably wondering who's Samanosuke. Come along with me to the entrance, I think he's dealing with that Minotaur." Samanosuke was almost through with the stiff Minotaur. His maul was as all other weapons of the main land: heavy and unwieldly. He had good stamina, though... Deciding to finish the fight, he jumped over his maul for the 10th time, and delivered hima kick in the nose, and the minotaur fell on the ground. Putting back his wooden short sword inside his sleeve, he walked up to Kaokahn, and helped him up. "You have a good Go, power, and resistance, but you still have much to learn about Ju, agility. But i think a few lessons of Naginatajutsu will help you in that department. Ne, Kikuchyo?" The monk smiled. Samanosuke could distinguish his footsteps, even when lecturing a student. "Seems so. I'll enjoy training him. Well, girls, this is the famous Master Samanosuke, Ninjutsu and Karate Shihan, but mostly Ninjutsu, as he says."

In the meanwhile, Toyotomi had grabbed himself a pair of bokken, and lent one to his Deshi. "You know how to do Shomen, right? Just remember, the left hand, that is at the end of the handle, gives impulse. The right hand stops the blade. Now, follow me." He walked to her side, and did a few standart vertical attacks. "Well, follow me, girl!"

Kaokahn:

Still a little bit stunned and groggy from the last blow Kaokahn found himself sprawled all over the ground and was still a little shocked by the last attack by Samanosuke, due to the fact that he never even saw the blow coming, also that he had just lost the fight. Also was now a little embarrassed now realizing that there was a crowed of people who had just witnessed his humiliating defeat.

However he knew that he came to the right place to improve his fighting techniques. Much as he had expected Samanosuke would tell him that his weakness was his agility and his fighting style of mainly offense and no defense.

Despite losing the fight Kaokahn who would normally have been very pissed, was happy for the most part but still a little groggy due to the final blow, but was happy due to the fact that he was now been accepted into the Kobukan and now could begin his training that he dually needed. Humbly bowing down which was an unusually feeling and characteristic for Kaokahn and bowed down to his new master and was readily and eager to begin his training in Naginatajutsu. He hoped he would never have to say the word due to he never heard of the word before in his life and was never good at pronunciations of words. Immediately after he regained his thoughts he started to ask when can I begin when can I begin my training repeatedly to Samanosuke.

Sakura:

Sakura grasped the bokken that Toyotomi-Sensei had given to her. ::So my first lesson is now.:: She was eager to begin.

"You know how to do Shomen, right?"

::Shomen... Shomen... SHOMEN... Crap!:: Sakura hoped that her Sensei would treat her stupidly, as in going through every tiny detail with every technique to fill in her gaps of knowledge.

"Just remember, the left hand, that is at the end of the handle, gives impulse. The right hand stops the blade. Now, follow me."

She placed her hands where her Master had told her, however just absent-mindly watched him as she forgot to follow him. Toyotomi-Sensei raised his bokken over his head. The bokken was parallel to the ground. When he swang, he did not flick his wrists, but instead the swing was performed by the rotation of the shoulders. The bokken's swing finished around stomach level, and the bokken itself was once again parallel to the floor. His right foot was in front, and there was no step.

She watched her master perform this several times before him saying,

"Well, follow me, girl!"

Sakura bowed in apology of not following orders the first time. Then she placed her right foot in front of her, tightened her grip on her bokken, and put her observations to the test.

She placed the bokken over her head, then swung down. She unintentionally flicked her wrists, and the bokken sunk a little lower than stomach level. Sakura realized her mistakes and tried again. This time she had the urge to step foward as she swung but did not obey it. She was able to stop the bokken parallel to the floor, but her wrists still flicked. She raised the bokken over her head once more. It took about three more tries to not flick the wrists and use her shoulders.

"You have to practice a technique a thousand times before you can get it right every time," her father once said. Wether he was being literal or not, Sakura would practice the Shomen a thousand times, just so she won't screw up in front of Toyotomi-Sensei the next time they practice this.

Zenmusha;

OOC: Sorry it took so long...

IC: Samanosuke almost wished he had hit the Minotaur harder... "You can begin when Kikuchyo says so." He pointed at the Naginata master. "So..." Kikuchyo replied. "Well, guess it's now then." Samanosuke whispered to himself. "...I'll be teaching you the art of Naginatajutsu? Hehe, you might be a tough bone to crack, but we'll get along, I'm sure." He patted the minotaur's back. Kikuchyo was only a bit shorter than him, and not as muscled... Even if they had approximately the same strength.

Samanosuke used the distraction provided by the two men's... monologue to sneak in from behind the two girls and boy. "So, I guess that settles it. Full house!" He grabbed Noyovo by the collars, and made his head come closer to his own. "Hey, I need an apprentice. Wanna become a ninja?"

Meanwhile, as Tamura and Gorobei trained themselves in the arts of Aikijutsu, Toyotomi kept a close eye on his Deshi. He wasn't quite sure why he had chosen an Uchi Deshi... And a girl, on top of that. Was it really so hard to find someone willing to devote themselves to the study of the Sword nowadays...? Well, even if she was obviously a begginer, she had good spirit... Time to move on to another thing. His Shomen came to a halt, and motioned her to stop. "Now... Sakura, is that your name? I'll teach you Yokomen. It's that famous diagonall slash idiot swordsmen keep doing miserably and getting themselves killed as a consequence. Pay attention, since this is very important. Starting from Sankakutai..." He pointed at his feet, that were perpendicular to each other, forming a triangle. "... which is the most stable physical posture, as Tamura says, you choose which side you will cut from. A rightwards cut..." He advanced diagonally forward, walking around and invisible enemy and bringing his sword down, ending with the left foot in front "...would obviously force you to advance with the left leg, so that you don't cut yourself. Same thing for a leftwards cut." He repeated the process, this time advancing with the right leg. "This blow is used to cut through one's torso, unlike shomen, that slices through one's forehead. Also, make sure your rear foot is kept hidden by your front foot. That is the way you remain balanced." He motioned her to continue.

Kaokahn:

Kaokahn was glad and eager to finally begin his training. However he was a little puzzled and wondered what Naginatajutsu was. He had never even heard of it till today. Another thing that puzzled him and worried him a little was the way Samanosuke reacted especially the comment “you might be a tough bone to crack, but we'll get along, I'm sure." That little commetn confused the hell out of Kaokahn and made him start to wonder what exactly was Naginatajutsu. Ether way he was bound to find out what it was. With that Kaokahn flexed his now bulgin muscles and let out a mighty cry Lets Begin…

Sakura:

Sakura listened to her sensei with undivided attention. The stance looked easy enough, as she placed her feet where her master told her. ::I have seen the Yokomen before, only I thought it was called Yokomen Uchi.:: Sakura pushed her thoughts aside, not letting such a petty thing bother her. She observed Master Toyotomi's movements carefully, hoping she herself would be able to mimic.

On Toyotomi-sensei's consent, Sakura began to execute the Yokomon. She advanced with her right and swung with her left. Her bokken ended at what would have been the torso of someone her size. Switching feet, she repeated it again. ::This is... kindof easy. Unless I'm doing something wrong.:: She didn't sense she made any incorrect movement. Sakura felt completely balanced and her movements seemed natural. She didn't look to the side to see wether or not Toyotomi sensei was performing the technique along side of her. Sakura confidently performed the Yokomen over and over. It was the only thing she was focused on.

Eslin:

Judith watched her new classmates. It seemed as if everyone talked over her head. She hated being so young. And not knowing anything. She didn’t understand some of the things that they were talking about.

She stood the dejectedly like a little lost puppy waited for someone to guide her. She’d come here with high hopes of having a lot of friends. Maybe things would work out. She wondered who would be her teacher, if she even had one.

Emora:

"I wonder what we'll learn fist..." Elena said softly to her new friend. "Will we get personal teachers like them?" She was offally confused by it all and decided she would just go with the flow.

She looked at all the students that were there and how different they were from each other... from her. She felt like she wasn't going to do very well because most of these people knew how to fight some what... she could barely throw a punch.

Yeth:

Noyovo looked at the strange mans eyes. Might as well know a bit of things around here, to make a wise choice

"Well just what are the ninjas and is there a difference to other "arts"? What is this Naginatajutsu?"

Zenmusha:

Samanosuke sighed. This one would be a real pain... "Ninjas are professional spies, assassins, infiltrators, actors, and any other thing that is needed to fulfill a mission. If you become one, your next 5 years will be spent in the shadows, spying on enemies of the Shogunate. Isn't that fun? Of course it is! As for naginatajutsu, it's a type of art that involves fighting with a spear called Naginata. It's a bit different than a mainland spear, and far more versatile."

While they were at it, Kikuchyio and Kaokhan had moved on to a medium sized room. He passed a wooden Naginata to the minotaur. "The Naginata is an upgrade of the Yari, spear. It can do all a regular spear can, plus other things. A good blow can cut through the mainland's shields with ease, as well as penetrate armour. You'll learn how to use it as we train. For now, let's do a bit of sparring. Hold it like me..." He held his weapon above his head, right hand holding the rearmost part of the handle, and the left only a few inches from the blade. "This pose is intended to trick swordsmen into attacking, then we bring the weapon down and stab them." (And it's Kykuchyio, Kaohkhan...)

The sweaty Gorobei and Tamura went to see how the other girls were doing. "Well, seems like we've let these poor souls wandering around." Gorobei said. "Yes, it's time for them to choose which art they want." Tamura replied. "Girls, we are very skilled in Kyujutsu and Aikijutsu. Each, not both. I am, as said before, a Kyujutsu Shihan. So, I'm best at teaching the art of the bow, whereas Tamura Shihan is better at the close combat scene. You will both receive some manner of training at the other arts, but you will specialize in either of these, since we can only afford one Uchi Deshi at a time." Gorobei told the girls. Tamura smiled... He had always had that tendency for preaching.

Toyotomi watched with interest as Sakura practiced the Yokomen (uchi... my bad... say, do you practice some sort of martial art?). She put her whole soul into the attack... So, he decided to play a trick on her. Just as she was preparing for another attack, he put himself in front of her, and walked to the safe side while defending his flank with his sword... Though there was never impact, for he entered a bit further, and using his position, counter-attacked at Sakura, his bokken's edge stopping only a few inches from her hands. "This is a simple Aikiken technique. It's very useful for counter-attacks against yokomen based attacks. Let's see how you fare..." He motioned her to step back a little, and then attacked her with Yokomen Uchi.

Kaokahn:

Just barely able to fit through the door entering the room Kaokahn then took the so-called naginata from Samanosuke. However from kaokahn’s point of view the Naginata looked like a big toothpick and nothing more. It felt so light to him compared to the great big heavy maul he was used to swinging.

When Samanosuke began explaining the first lesson in naginatajutsu about how the naginata could cut through mainland armour and how it tricks swordsmen into attacking then you stab at them during that time Kaokahn began to swing and toy around with the naginata trying to test out its maneuverability. All of sudden the naginata flew out of his hand and landed in the wall next to Samanosuke. Kaokahn looked absolutely confused about what just happened he looked down at his empty hand where the naginata was just there and looked up scratched his head looked puzzled and finally looked at the wall there lied the naginata inches away from where Samanosuke stood and replied opps me bad sensei. Luckily me not trained in naginata fighting cause might have caused big damage.

Zenmusha:

*bump*

Sakura:

::I was so focused, I never even saw him comming:: She stared down at her sensei's bokken, a mere space between the weapon and her hand. ::I have to be more aware of my surroundings.::

"This is a simple Aikiken technique. It's very useful for counter-attacks against yokomen based attacks. Let's see how you fare..."

She stepped back, preparing. Aikiken are swords techniques in the style Aikido if she is not mistaken.

Her sensei attacked her, and all at once her mind fell apart. She forgot the technique sensei just explained to her, however her body payed no heed. As if it needed no orders from the brain, the body moved on its own, beginning to perform the technique almost flawlessly.

This is a most confusing state to be in. Sakura's mind finally caught up to her body and questioned if wether her movements were correct or not. This caused her to pause for a second. One would say this is what you do when you 'think too much.'

Second guessing yourself is one of the worst things you can do, especially if your in a battle. It was the one lesson Sakura learned over and over. She learned it again when she felt a bokken's blow to the torso.

She lowered her head in a failure. However ,Sakura not one to dwell, she her head shot up, her hair flipping backwards. She practiced the technique once, without an opponet, and executed it perfectly. Sakura pounded the technique in her head, never to be forgotten, hopefully to be used in the future when her sword becomes useful. She bowed to her master, confidently said, "I am ready."

(OOC: Sorry it took so long. Btw: Yes, i do take martial arts ^^)

Kaokahn:

Now more aware of what just had happen. Kaoakhn apologized and became more serious about his training. He pickedup the naginata and began to swing it like what samanosuke had just previously demonstrated before the small incident occured. kaokahn was now more then ever determined and driven to succed through his training and get over and move beyond his clumsy old ways.

Emora:

Elena felt so overwhelmed by it all. All this fighting style and teachers with funny names and weapons and places... She was so confused it was beginning to hurt. She had to choose a teacher... She had always found bows interesting more than swords... Of course she'd love to learn both, but there was always time to do it, she was young after all.

"Kyujutsu Shihan..." she said in her usual soft voice. "Might I be your apprentice?" She smiled hopefully, her usual innocent look on her face.

Now that she had chosen a master she felt as if she was starting to get some footing on this all. It didn't seem quite as overwhelming, which was good. Now she just awaited her to-be-master's answer.

Eslin:

Judith was very confused by everything around her, but it seemed they wanted her to choose something. She didn't know much about weapons, so she chose the one that sounded most promising. She stared at Tamura, "Might I learn under you." She then fell into a shy silence. She wasn’t really shy, but this place seemed to do something to her. She was also beginning to fell like she might belong somewhere. She didn’t let herself hope too much. Instead she just waited for the answer.