Twokinds ARCHIVE Forums

((I'd just like to request that all comments, etc go in the other thread so this is one long, uninterrupted story. Thankyou for your co-operation))

A young man, his long, tan coloured hair tied in a ponytail, sat cross legged in a forest clearing, his katana lying across his lap.
Kaishou was meditating, just like he had done everyday since turning 16, awaiting a messenger from his father to bring news that his training was to start. Kaishou knew that he was prepared to endure all the hardships and rituals that learning the way of the samurai entailed. He knew that he was both mentally and physically strong enough, having trained himself while he was 15.

Going back to that time, he remembered that the year had seemed long and never ending. He had come to the same clearing that he was now meditating in to train his mind and body. His mind he had trained by having his childhood friend, Kanshu, throw rocks at his body until he stopped feeling the stinging sensation that came with a rock colliding with his bare chest or back. His body was well muscled for a 16 year old boy. Kaishou still remembered all the repetitions he had done, each day lifting the log more and more times, as well as all the crunches he had done hanging from the sturdiest tree branch that he could find.

Kaishou loved the clearing because of its beauty and serenity. It was a peaceful place that one could relax and forget their worries. The ground was rocky, but that didn’t bother Kaishou, and the whole clearing was ringed by large, thick trees that climbed up so high they appeared to disappear into the clouds.
The peace was shattered as a voice rang out from the narrow path leading to the clearing. “Kaishou-san!”
Kaishou’s golden-brown eyes opened and he turned to regard the person running towards the clearing. Kaishou could tell from the long black braid of hair hanging over one shoulder that it was Kanshu, one of his father’s newest students and a boy that was only a few months older than Kaishou.

Kanshu had been chosen on the day he turned 16, a fact that slightly irked Kaishou as it had been 3 weeks to the day that Kaishou had been 16 without any news.
Kaishou regarded Kanshu as an older brother. The two helped each other train in anticipation of the day that they would be selected to begin their training.

As Kanshu neared, he slowed his pace to a walk and addressed Kaishou “Kaishou-san. Your father requests your presence immediately.”
Hearing this, Kaishou stood up, leaning his katana carefully against a nearby rock. “Thankyou Kanshu-san for bringing me this good news. May I ask where my father is?”
Kanshu bowed at being thanked before turning and pointing to a mountain in the distance “He is at his school at the base of Mount Fuma. I will accompany you there, Kaishou-san, as I must return to my training anyway.”
Kaishou grabbed his katana in one hand and nodded “Very well. Lead the way Kanshu-san.”
Kanshu began walking back down the path he had come through, Kaishou trailing just behind him.
Kanshu slowed his pace slightly so that Kaishou could walk next to him. Kanshu glanced over at Kaishou “What brings you to this clearing always, Kaishou-san?”
Kaishou contemplated the question for a moment before turning his head to look at Kanshu, noticing Kanshu’s deep blue eyes looking at him for an answer. “It is the peace that brings me here. Rarely is there noise other than that of the local animals. You used to come with me Kanshu-san. Why do you no longer visit here?”
Kanshu flicked his braid behind his back “Your father is a very demanding master. His training is long and tiring and he asks a lot of those under his tutelage. You will come to learn that any time you have between training should be used to sleep and eat.”
Kaishou nodded, already knowing that was true from having lived with the man.
The two continued to converse about times gone by and what the future may reveal, until at last they had arrived at their destination.
Kaishou looked at the golden lettering above the arched entrance. It read ‘Kochi’s Academy for Samurai.’
Kaishou took one last deep breath before stepping through the arch that led to his new life.

((EDIT - fixed some grammatical errors))

Kaishou looked around the large courtyard that he was now standing in. Behind him was the arch through which he had stepped. On the other three sides of the courtyard were white buildings with red doors, windows and roofs. Looking down, Kaishou noticed that he was standing on large, grey-white pavers that had minor cracks here and there.
Kaishou was brought back to reality by Kanshu’s voice telling him to stay right there for a few minutes.
Kaishou nodded before returning to taking in his surroundings as Kanshu walked off into one of the largest buildings on the left side of the courtyard.

*******

Kochi was showing some of his most experienced students the art of using everything as a weapon. Katana, body, scabbard, even surroundings. All could be used as a weapon if one knew how to properly exploit them, and this was one of the last lessons Kochi taught his students.
There was a soft tapping on the door to the smaller courtyard area and Kochi stopped the class while he went to find out whom or what was making the noise.
Opening the door revealed Kanshu, who, upon seeing Kochi at the door, immediately bowed.
Kanshu straightened up and addressed Kochi “Master Kochi, I have brought your son as requested. He is waiting in the main courtyard.”
Kochi pondered what to do for a moment. “Thankyou Kanshu. You may return to your training now if you so wish. I will go talk to my son in a moment.”
Kanshu bowed and left, heading straight for his small room to meditate.
Kochi, meanwhile, turned back to the class, who had stood completely still the whole time. “You are all dismissed. This lesson will be continued at a later time.”
The class bowed as one and then spoke as one “Thankyou Master Kochi!”
They then gathered their katanas and left for their own rooms and training area.
Kochi waited until they had all left before leaving himself to go speak to his son.

*******

Kaishou had drawn his katana after Kanshu had left and was now in the middle of the courtyard practicing with it. He was slowly moving in his fighting stance and swinging his katana to practice his reflexes and speed.
Kaishou swung the katana from right to left and then stopped abruptly, immediately spinning around on the spot to swing from left to right.
When he’d spun around, he heard his katana strike something metallic. It was another katana that had blocked his attack.
Moving his eyes off the katana and up the arm to the person’s face, Kaishou realised that it was his father standing before him.
Kaishou quickly returned his katana to its scabbard and bowed. “Forgive me father. I didn’t see you there.”
Kochi forcefully lifted Kaishou out of his bow “Apologising is not necessary when you are practicing. You did me no harm. Now come, we have much to talk of before you begin your training.”
Kaishou nodded “Yes father. But all my belongings are at home.”
Kochi turned around “They are unnecessary. Anything you need will be provided for you. Now come.”
Kochi began walking towards a small building on the side of the courtyard opposite the arch. Kaishou followed quickly, withholding all the questions that he longed to ask.
When they arrived at the building Kochi opened the door and stepped inside, taking a seat on the ground on one side of a low table and gesturing for Kaishou to sit down also.
Kaishou quickly sat down opposite his father, eager to begin his training.
There was a long silence, broken eventually by Kochi taking a deep breath. “There is much to tell you son, and I can sense you have many questions. They can wait until after I tell you of my rules and training schedule, then I will happily answer all you questions one at a time.”
Kaishou bowed his head “I understand father.”