Tenhanshi Academy (RP) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Wolfwood · 04-18-2007, 07:11 PM

This RP will take place in modern day Japan and will be focused around Tenhanshi Academy. Tenhanshi Academy is a prepatory high school founded for the purpose of ressurecting the martial arts style of the world that seem be becoming lost in the modern age. Students who have shown promise as martial artists in their youth are recruited from all over the world to attend Tenhanshi Academy. These students recieve a proper education, but a majority of their time in school is spent studying the history of martial arts styles, practicing their chosen martial arts, and participating in a number of different tournaments and competitions; some that are less supported by the academy's administrators than others.

Jetée · 04-18-2007, 07:27 PM

Eager to hear more about Tenhanshi Academy and the goings-on that surround it. Characters, backstory, and more.

A plot would be nice, too.

Wolfwood · 04-18-2007, 11:18 PM

Character Name: Kinnikun Makihara- "Kin"

Age: 16

Description: 5' 8'', 150 lbs., shaggy bleach blonde hair with black tips, dark brown eyes, athletic build, slight limp with right leg

Fighting Style: Buro-kundou (Broken Style). A defensive style of fighting that incorporates both hand to hand combat and swordplay and movements designed to use an opponent's motions against them. The aim of the fighting style is to disbale one's opponent through striking major joints causing either fractures, breaks, or dislocation- thus immobilizing them.

Backstory: Kinnikun Makihara is a fun-loving teenager who loves to joke around and thoroughly enjoys the thrill of a fight. Nothing is more important to him than friends and family, which he would gladly give his life to protect. Kin grew up in Japan and entered Tenhanshi Academy as a freshman on a wrestling scholarship a year prior, but was forced to drop out of school halfway through the first term due to a major accident that ended up with Kin having to undergo reconstructive knee surgery on his right leg. As a result, Kin had to undergo intense physical therapy and adopt a new style of fighting. Kin is back at Tenhanshi Academy to repeat his freshman year, where he will be accompanied by his bestfriend. Because of the surgery, Kin walks with a slight limp, which he remedies by carrying a wooden cane that looks suspicously like a boken (wooden kendo sword).

Jetée · 04-18-2007, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfwood

Character Name: Kinnikun Makihara- "Kin"

Word-renowned school, right?
So, you forgot to include Kin's country of origin.

Glad to see your storied-saga of the Academy is starting to unfold.

Wolfwood · 04-19-2007, 02:12 AM

Kinnikun flicked down the kickstand of his motorcycle and removed his cane from it's scabbard on the bike's side as he stood in front of the large stone entrance of Tenhanshi Academy. The freshman wore the academy's school uniform of a white collared shirt and black slacks, but the shirt was untucked with its sleeves rolled halfway up the forearms and the slacks were wrinkled and unpressed.

Slinging his messenger bag over his shoulder, Kin began to walk towards the school's entrance, cane in his right hand. Entering the school's gate, Kin took in the familiar stunning view of Tenhanshi Academy's main courtyard. The courtyard was littered with tall, branching cherry blossom trees and the low Japanese-style dojos spread out to the left and right of the main academic building on the far side of the courtyard. In front of both the left and right wing dojos there were serene meditation ponds that were outlined by benches fashioned out of bamboo and large stones. The main academic building towered five stories above the rest of the academy's structures and stood at the end of a long cobble stone path. On either side of the main walkway, smaller roads curved out like vessels leading to the small equipment sheds that lined the outter walls of the coutyard. Between these vessels was a well-manicured lawn of bright green grass. The wind snaked through the lawn and carried loosed blossom leaves on it's back.

Kin stood a few yards inside the main entrance on the large path, where he closed his eyes and thought to himself 'Well, here we go again. Round two.' Kin the opened his eyes and began walking down the large pathway towards the main academic building. His bleached blonde hair whipped wildly about in the wind, often obstructing his view by waving in front of his eyes as he walked. About three-quarters of the way down the main path, Kin detoured down one of the smaller paths to the left and headed towards the small meditation pond. Taking off his bag and tossing it on the ground at his feet, Kin leaned hard against the massive trunk of a cherry blossom tree before slowly sliding down into a slouched sitting position. He only had ten minutes until homeroom began and his classroom was on the third floor, but Kin just closed his eyes; completely content on waiting, even if it meant being late. 'Where is that idiot?' Kin thought to himself. 'I know he's usually late, but I even told him to be here thirty minutes before he had to be. Idiot...'

nevin · 04-21-2007, 11:33 AM

Character Name: Akiko Amaya (“Aki”; her name means ‘autumn night rain’)

Age: 15?

Description: 5’ 8”; long light brown/orangeish hair. She wears violet contacts—she looks like and moves like a dancer

Fighting Style: Her weapon is the Tessen—a Japanese war fan used to attack, signal, deflect arrows, and shade out the sun. Aki’s fighting has to be in quick movements, since she has to fight in close range.

Backstory: Aki had an enchanted childhood living in a remote sea-side town. Her parents were kind and her older sister always looked out for her. One day, while playing in her family’s old house, she found a loose floor board. Beneath it, wrapped in silk, was an iron fan; a tessen. Almost instinctively, she picked it up and played with it—danced with it—for hours. The cold, heavy iron felt so natural in her grip. When she showed it to her father, he explained that it had belonged to his grandfather, who had been a samurai. When the samurai were banned, he had been forced to hand over his sword and other weapons, but by covering the fan in decorative paper and giving it to his wife to hold decoratively, it escaped their notice. He hid it away, where it had been all but forgotten to family stories until Akiko discovered it. From that time on she learned to move and dance and fight with the Tessen, finding more and more that she longed to learn to master the ancient weapon and that there was no one to teach her. Her sister Cho, now grown up and married, lives near the academy, which is how Aki learned about it. Aki has learned such inner discipline that she has sealed part of herself away, making her quiet and shy. She hides her face with her fan, but deep down, she wants to be seen.

Yukimura · 04-22-2007, 01:04 PM

Character Name: Kuromei Nou "Kuro"

Age: 15

Description: 5' 6" 130 lbs.

Fighting Style: Nasake Kobushi (Compassionate Fist). A unique fighting style spiritual in nature both in the way it incorporates spiritual energies and the way it allows the fighter to tap into his true fighting spirit. The Nasake Kobushi style of fighting causes the fighter to feel the blows he deals to his opponent as though they were dealt to him. This offers incredible insight into the opponent's condition, and as mastery continues, his abilities, his thoughts, and eventually even his heart.

Backstory: Kuro is something of a prodigy in the world of fighting. Though the style he weilds is Nasake Kobushi, he has practiced most basic martial arts as well, and he has grown quickly in them all. This is partially due to natural talent, but much moreso do to the unquenchable fires of competition that burn within his heart. He will be the best, and nothing will stop him. However, it isn't accurate to say he would pay any price. Kuro has a loving and loyal heart, and though he loves to fight, cannot stand to fight out of anger or for selfish desire. He loves his friends beyond measure, and during his time in America, became a deeply devoted Christian, something he applies to all parts of his life, including fighting. Kuro has spent the last three years away at a private school in America, his parents thinking there was no better opportunity for him to succeed. However, quite against their wishes, he used his incredible fighting record to get himself a full scholarship into Tenhanshi, and is coming back to Japan to go to school with his best friend, and find new, stronger opponents to fight.

(Cue the metal music.)

The wind whipped Kuro's long black hair around as he tore through the crowded streets on his bike. Dark sunglasses covered his hazel eyes on this bright sunny day. He wore basic preppy looking shorts and a t-shirt that was just nice enough to get him through the day without being bothered by the faculty.

"CrapcrapcrapCRAP! Kin's gonna murder me! I gotta pick it up!"

He pushed himself even harder, and beads of sweat began to fall from the tip of his nose. He leaned hard and made the turn onto campus, allowing the wind to tear the sunglasses from his face.

Oh well.

He heard them land some distance behind him as he kept pedaling hard down the street. He caught sight of Kin off in the distance and turned straight onto the grass, going towards him the quickest way he could see, even if it meant coming at him sideways over a lawn that was obviously well-tended. Kuro picked up as much speed as he could and then jumped off the pedals to stand on top of the seat, riding the bike like a skateboard. A large smile crept across his face as he stifled a shout out to his friend in favor of a bigger suprise. Right before he reached Kin, he kicked his bike out from under him, jumping high into the air.

"KINKUN!"

Kuro was on a direct collision course for Kin, arms wide open, moving fast with no control over himself.

nevin · 04-22-2007, 04:14 PM

Akiko drew her knees in against her chest. Though her short uniform skirt and thin green sweater were hardly enough to keep her warm in the morning air, her long auburn hair fell about her ankles like a tent, adding a little warmth. She had set her alarm clock an hour too early and by the time she had realized her mistake, she was too awake to sleep later. Her sister’s silent house and the creeping sunlight only played on her anxieties, so she put on her shoes and headed off to school. The courtyard, while beautiful, was empty, and so, finding the door to the main building unlocked, she found the stairs and chose to perch herself on the roof before everyone got there. She crossed her arms over her legs and held the tessen in both hands.

Aki was only a freshman. The few friends she had, had gone to normal schools where they focused more on studies; but something in her knew that the tessen was important. When she practiced with it, everything in her clicked and she knew that her life wouldn’t be complete if she abandoned the art. That still left her alone on the roof that early spring morning, but there was a whole school full of people waiting below her. And now the sound of their voices and shoes and motors began to fill the front courtyard, and the sound resonated right up the side of the school building and into Akiko. The temptation of new possibility was too much, and she stood up and went over to the fence to look down and watch.

Wolfwood · 04-22-2007, 08:28 PM

Kin sat quietly against the large trunk of the cherry blossom tree thumbing his cane with his right hand and watching the tree's blossoms flutter back and forth in the wake of the changing winds. ' Only 5 minutes before homeroom, where is that baka?' Kin thought to himself as he continued to thumb his cane, feeling every inch of the wood's different grooves and grain. It was then he felt a very familiar aura emanating close by. Looking to his right, Kin saw Kuro tearing across the main courtyard's lawn on his bike at full speed, tufts of lawn flying up behind him.

Kin leaned heavily on his cane as he stood up to greet his friend, or brother rather. It was then that he saw Kuro abandon his bike and enter his acrobatic flight of welcome, which consisted of flying through the air at breakneck speed shouting "Kin-kun!" for all of the courtyard to hear. With Kuro kamikazing through the air towards him, Kin took a second to decide whether to simply accept the flying welcome with open arms and take the brunt of the collision or to use his own friend's momentum and overzealous greeting against him. He chose the prior.

Kuro crashed into Kin head first causing the duo to fall rather hardly to the ground. Kin was able to brace himself slightly with his cane and flew only a few feet back, but Kuro was not so fortunate. After hitting the ground, Kuro tumbled head over heels until he came to rest in a sitting position underneath the same cherry blossom tree Kin had previously been sitting under. Kin picked himself up off the ground and brushed the grass and dirt from the fall off his back and front. He then casually leaned forard on his cane with an amused look on his face. " You know, despite the bonus points you get for your entrance, you're still late," Kin said with a smile. " Now then, should we head to homeroom or what?"

nevin · 04-23-2007, 10:56 AM

Over the railing was a different world. The cherry trees’ branches were covered in soft puffs of pink blossoms, and their petals littered the lawn. Aki watched other students greet each other and walk into the main building. Some laughed, some shook hands and others clapped each other on the back. Some showed off new moves or weapons, and off in the corner of her sight beneath one of the oldest cherry trees was a particular commotion; but just as her attention was drifting that way the school bell chimed to call her back to the roof. “Oh no!” Aki exclaimed to herself, “I can’t be late!” She slid her tessen back into it’s protective bag and rifled through her school bag until she found her registration sheet. It read: Homeroom 1-B. She quickly took up the bag, ran back into the building, down the stairs, and, finding an empty seat by the window, sat down to begin a new year of school as the last bell echoed through the courtyard.

Yukimura · 04-23-2007, 03:33 PM

Kuro laughed and pulled his backpack from behind him. He unzipped it and began probing his hand around the clutter inside in search of his new class schedule.

"Sure, let's see here, my first class is, hmm..."

Kuro began to sift through the bag more rapidly, slightly panicked.

"Oh no! I lost my schedule! I can't bel..."

Kin reached out and slapped Kuro over the head with a folded piece of paper. He then offered it to Kuro, who opened it to find it was a copy of his schedule.

"You're so very predictable Kuro."

"Thanks brother. Well, I guess it's time to be off. Homeroom: 1-B."

Kuro picked himself up, clapped Kin on the back with a big open hand, and started to head inside. Just as he got to his floor, A blur shot through the hallway with incredible speed. However, as soon as Kuro laid eyes on the girl who ran past, everything seemed to shift to slow-motion. Her long auburn hair flew freely in the wind. Her face was flush from the effort of her run. On her back she carried a large weapon. Kuro couldn't help but swoon for a moment.

"Beautiful."

"You lovesick fool. Get in there, we're already late."

Kuro walked briskly to the door of the room to pick out a seat next to the girl he'd seen. Spotting one open, he looked back to see if Kin was following him.

Wolfwood · 04-23-2007, 03:50 PM

Kin laughed softly at the dazed expression Kuro wore on his face as the young girl ran past them. 'Maybe it's fate' Kin thought to himself as he saw the girl dash into Homeroom 1-B. Kin walked briskly into the class room and took a seat in the back corner behind Kuro, next to a window. He slung his messenger bag down next to his desk and then proceeded to shoulder his cane and recline back in his chair.

Glancing back over his shoulder towards the clock that stood high on the back wall, Kin began to go through the remainder of the day in his head. 'Let's see...first there's Homeroom- that's 30 minutes, and I can't skip that. They take attendance. Next there's the Freshman Orientation Ceremony- that's an hour and a half. Then our first class, then lunch, then our last two classes. Hmm...I think I can get away from the first day of classes and definitely the ceremony, but where am I gonna go?'

A faint smile then crept on to Kin's face as he thought about his usual hangout spot at school during his first freshman year. 'Yeah, that'll do nicely.' Kin's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the heavy classroom door shutting. Sitting up straight and looking towards the front of the room, Kin saw their homeroom teacher taking a seat at his large desk and shuffling through a pile of papers in his briefcase. No doubt looking for the list of students and attendance sheet.

Kin moved his eyes towards the back of Kuro's head in front. Then, casting a cautious glance towards the teacher to make sure he was still preoccupied with his pile of papers, Kin lowered his cane to the side of the desk. He then slowly thrust the cane forward and lightly tapped Kuro's elbow in order to get his attention. Wearing a coy grin on his face, Kin asked "So, you ready to get this thing started or what?"

nevin · 04-23-2007, 06:18 PM

Breathing heavily from the run, Aki took one last look at the dreamy world outside the window before getting her notebook and pencil out and waiting for the teacher. She was so focused that she hardly noticed the boys who came in after her, let alone the one who took the seat next to her.

The teacher walked in, shuffled through his papers, and wrote his name on the board. “Amaya Akiko” he called. “Ah, yes! Um..pres…ah..here!” she called out, blushing from her stutter and from having all eyes on her for a moment.

“Hey,” she jumped as she felt someone tap her arm; she turned to look at the guy on her right, “It’s ok,” he said, winking.

When his own name was called he said something to make everyone laugh including Aki. She appreciated his trying to rescue her, so she smiled shyly but turned her gaze back to her notebook as the teacher fished role and wrote out the orientation schedule and proceeded to explain how normal class days would run. As he finished explaining he looked at his watch and announced instructions for the orientation ceremony and directions to the auditorium. Aki diligently started copying down his instructions and a little map of the halls…

Yukimura · 04-28-2007, 04:27 PM

"Kuromei Nou."

"Ready to kick ass sir."

"While I appreciate your enthusiasm, a simple here will suffice."

A few chuckles came from the other students in the room. A few seemed to get a little excited by his comment. Kuro fed off this and locked in a staredown with another student. It was obvious that they were both eager to start their training. After a moment, the other student rolled his eyes and looked away. Kuro smiled and smiled at the girl next to him. Her eyes however were fixated on her notebook before her. Kuro was about to try and get her attention when he felt a tap on his elbow. He heard Kin whisper behind him.

"So, you ready to get this thing started or what?"

"Hell yeah. What were you thinking?"

Wolfwood · 04-28-2007, 04:51 PM

Kin lowered his reclined chair and leaned forward to avoid the teacher's gaze and the likely trouble he'd find if he was caught talking in class. Tenhanshi was a pretty strict academy after all, at least in some aspects.

Talking in a whisper that sounded more like a low growl, Kin spoke to the back of Kuro's head. " I was thinking a training session during lunch," then with a mischevious smirk on his face. " And maybe a real tour of the school in the afternoon instead of classes. What do you think?"

With that, Kin brought his head back up straight and his gaze back to the teacher at the back of the class. Kin had learned the immense value of the ability to daydream in class while still appearing to be paying close attention to the teacher. Reclining back in his chair, Kin began to think about "The Pit" in the small back courtyard of the school and the fun he and Kuro could have with its inhabitants that afternoon.

Yukimura · 04-28-2007, 07:19 PM

Kuro smiled and put out his right hand. Without looking back, he gave his buddy Kin a big thumbs up. He used his elbow to get the attention of the girl sitting next to him. In a very quiet whisper, barely moving his lips, he spoke.

"We're going to find some action and probably a little trouble this afternoon instead of classes. Wanna come?"

He felt the girl's gaze come on him, and it made him blush just a little, but he kept his eyes focused straight ahead to perpetuate the illusion that he was actually paying attention to this mind-numbing prattle.

nevin · 04-29-2007, 07:10 AM

"We're going to find some action and probably a little trouble this afternoon instead of classes. Wanna come?"

Aki looked at him in surprise. Miss classes? Wasn’t that why they were there? To learn? She bit her lip and let the lines her notebook blur together as she thought. Maybe no one else would want to be her friend—especially once they saw her weapon. She hadn’t done extensive research but there didn’t seem to be a division devoted to the tessen in the school’s training program. And it wasn’t exactly a front line weapon—sure it looked great in practice, but when it actually came time to use it, she couldn’t think of other people. Or maybe she just hadn’t learned how to do that yet. Just then a bumblebee lazily buzzed against the window pane and landed on the ledge. Her little feet were dusted in yellow pollen, and she took a moment to inspect a forefoot and clean her antenna. Aki looked at the bee’s big eyes, and, as if in response, the bee fanned out her wings, and then flew away. ‘Maybe it’s better to learn to work in a group’, she thought, as the bee left her sight. And she was anxious to really try out her tessen, and she could always sneak away from them and go back to class. When the teacher turned back to writing on the chalkboard, Aki slid her foot over to the boy who had made her laugh, clicked her heel against his, and when he looked over, whispered, “hai”.

Wolfwood · 04-29-2007, 09:45 AM

'Looks like we're going to have a guest with us this afternoon.' Kin thought to himself as he watched the short hushed dialogue between Kuro and the girl sitting next to him. 'What was her name?' Kin mentally questioned himself. 'O yeah. It was Akiko.' It was then Kin broke out of his mental daze to the realization that the room was emptying around him. 'Guess, it must be time for the freshmen orientation ceremony.'

As the other students in Homeroom 1-B began to march excitedly through the door, Kin couldn't help but laugh a little as he stood up and shouldered his bag. 'Those guys have no idea what they're getting themselves into. Honestly, I mean who get's so excited over an orientation ceremony? Borefest!' Kin struggled slightly to make it through the rows of desks that had once been neatly arranged into aisles, but now were haphazardly placed around the room; the result of students rushing to get out of the door. Realizing that his cane was more of a hinderance than a help in his present situation, Kin placed his cane on a desk then reached back with his left hand to feel the back part of his school bag's strap. Feeling the two smaller straps on the bag strap, Kin grabbed his cane and forced it in between the two smaller straps. Turning his bag into a make-shift back sheath.

Being able to move about a little more freely, Kin walked towards the door as the last of the other students were leaving the classroom. Looking back, Kin realized that Kuro and Aki were still in the classroom; Aki still placing her notebooks into her overloaded school bag and Kuro desperately trying to help her with the process.

"Hey, you two!" Kin shouted softly. "You know, we could ditch the rest of the day and get our little play date started early. I mean, I could pretty much recite from memory the speeches given at the damn orientation and I still have my notes from classes from last year. So what do you say?"

nevin · 04-29-2007, 10:26 AM

‘Well,’ Aki thought, ‘if we’re going to miss out on the rest of the day anyway…’ She looked to Kuro, who had introduced himself while helping her, and who now smiled and nodded encouragingly, and then back to the other who had spoken. “Do you really promise there’s nothing important?”

He nodded emphatically, "Swear it”.

“And, will you really recite some of it?” he looked like his patience was being tested but nodded again. “Well then,” she said with a shy confidence, “let’s go. I’m Akiko, it’s nice to meet you.”

Wolfwood · 04-29-2007, 12:21 PM

Kin held out his hand towards Akiko to shake while saying, "My name is Kinnikun Makihara, but you can call me Kin and the pleasure is mine."

With that, Kin popped his head out of the classroom door to inspect the hallway outside. A large group of freshman were moving past him like a crowded herd of cattle. As soon as the large group passed him, moving towards the main auditorum, and the remaining stragglers followed suit, Kin walked out into the hallway and headed in the opposite direction, towards the main stairwell.

Without looking back, Kin called to Kuro and Akiki, "Alright, just follow me and keep up. The last thing we want to do is to be caught by the hall monitors. They tend to be the students with biggest egos and the worst attitudes."

As he walked, Kin remembered that Akiko had asked him to recite some of the speeches from the orientation, so he began to do so. "Okay, so first speech- blah, blah, blah, Welcome to Tenhanshi Academy. Second speech- more blah, blah, strive for both academic excellence and mastery of your chosen skill. Third speech- more blah, look to join one of the many clubs on campus and there will be a Club Fair tomorrow. Fourth speech- blah, crap, blah, at the end of the year there will be a Final Tournament. Then some "oohs" and "ahhs" about the mysterious Final Tournament, then class."

Coming to the main stairwell, Kin pulled his cane out from his makeshift back sheath, but rather than using it to brace himself while he walked- he used it to hop up on the first banister of the stairwell. Balancing himself and placing his cane at his side, Kin slid down the banister until he landed with a soft thud on the next platform. Kin continued to do this until he had made it back to the bottom most floor. From there, he started walking to the backside of the school rather than the school's front courtyard. After going down a small flight of steps, he found himself in a familiar dark, low-ceilinged hallway.

Yukimura · 04-29-2007, 12:47 PM

"Alright!"

Kuro reached back and grabbed Aki's hand, pulling her along with him as he ran down the hall. When they caught up with Kin at the stairwell, he realized he was still holding the girl's hand. He looked in her eyes for a moment, embarrassed, then quickly looked away, embarrassed. Kin had once again taken off from them.

"You always move so dang fast!"

Kuro placed his hands on the rail in front of him. Leaning over to look down, he saw that the stairs went down to the bottom floor with only a small gap between the different sets of stairs. Kin was already half-way down.

"Wait up!"

Kuro jumped down between the flights of stairs and felt himself begin to plummet. He instantly knew that this was not the awesome idea it seemed to be. His speed picked up much quicker than he had planned, and soon rails were rushing past him. He grabbed hold of every rail for a second, slowing his fall as he went down, but found himself a little off target on the last one, slipping right over the top of it, his stomach landing hard on the rail. Kuro let out a slight moan, then jumped in front of the stairs to slow Kin down before he left.

"Are you trying to leave our new friend behind? Yeesh. For a gimp, you sure move quick."

Wolfwood · 04-29-2007, 03:00 PM

Kin halted at the bottom of the stairs before the darkened hallway. Hearing Kuro speak, Kin responded by swiftly cracking his dear friend in the shin with his cane.

"Watch who you call a gimp." Kin said with a grin on his face. "Because if Im a gimp then that means you're mentally handicapped."

With a soft laugh, Kin waited for Akiko to rejoin the group before he spoke again. "For reference, I wasn't trying to lose our new friend. I was trying to avoid running into a hall mon-..."

Kin stopped speaking abruptly and turned his gaze to the darkened hallway before him. He couldn't make out the outline of a person, but he sensed someone watching them.

"And what is it you want?" Kin asked the shadows of the hallway.

After a few long seconds, the figure of a person began to emerge from the darkness. The figure was in actuality a Hall Monitor, exactly what Kin had wanted to avoid, and the student came to a stop at the edge of the hallways shadows, about 15 feet away from the group.

The figure was a tall male student with overgelled black hair that spiked straight up in the air, which only added to his already abnormal height. The kid was well-built and carried a bo over his shoulder. Judging from the two red bands he wore on the left arm of his uniform, Kin could tell he was a second year Hall Monitor. This relieved Kin a little, but it didnt stop him from slowly moving his feet into a fighting stance and gripping his cane tightly.

The Monitor stared the group down for another second or two, undoubtedly trying to make them grow even uneasier, before he spoke.

"What do I want?" He asked himself while sarcastically rubbing his chin as if it were some grand metaphysical question. "Well for starters, how about a little bit of respect you puney first-years and after that how about a little of what in the hell are you doing here?"

Kin grinned slightly at the Monitor's tough-guy act. He was obviously compensating for something. Maybe a lack of fighting ability?

Taking a step forward, Kin answered. "Well, I'll take your second question first. We're headed to The Pit." Kin grinned as he spoke the next words. "As for respect...well, that's just something you'll have to earn."

With that, Kin lowered his bag to the ground and kicked it out of the way. He then shifted from a defensive stance to the most basic offensive stance of his Buro-kundou style. Flashing a glance over at Kuro, Kin saw his friend trembling. Not out of fear, but out of anticipation and excitement.

nevin · 04-29-2007, 04:15 PM

When she got to the bottom of the stairs, Aki had to let a little smirk form in the corner of her mouth. She knew that she could have jumped down that distance gracefully—especially if she’d had her tessen out—but she didn’t want to look like a show off after Kuro’s fall. At home she had practiced diving into the ocean countless times, and once she had started training with the tessen her sensei had taught her to change to motion to compensate for the unforgiving ground. She was concerned for Kuro, but before she could ask if he was alright, Kin had hushed them and was talking. When the other two readied themselves for a fight, Aki didn’t know what to do. She was ashamed to find that her instinct told her to stay behind the two guys, or, maybe worse, to just apologize and stay out of trouble. But as they showed no signs of backing down she made her hand reach into the side of her bag and grab the tessen. A practice match with a cloth dummy or real person who was also practicing was one thing, but a street fight (this was the closest Aki had ever been to a street fight) was something entirely different. She undid the tie on the cloth which wrapped her weapon, and let her thumb graze over the thick, closed edge. With the heavy iron fan in her grip, she began to feel a small flow of confidence rush back into her arm, and though unsure, stood as ready as she could manage.

Yukimura · 05-06-2007, 01:47 PM

"So you actually have the guts to challenge me to a Kentou?"

"Kin, did he just sneeze?"

"Kentou means honorable combat. It's one of the rules..."

"Yes! I challenge you to Kentou. Show me what you've got!"

"This will be most amusing. Please, do your best not to die in our match. I'm sorry, but I just don't think I can hold back enough not to hurt you."

Kuro dropped into his hand-to-hand stance right where he was standing, a good five yards back from the hall monitor. The monitor smirked at Kuro's poor decision not to cover more of his bo's ground, but he didn't much care.

"Let's just get this started. We have a lot more to do today! You've been talking so much about how easy we'll be to defeat, yet you continue to stand back."

The hall monitor's face began to change from smug to infuriated.

"Don't confuse cowardice with mercy you insect!"

With that, the monitor spun around drawing his bo at the same time, moving towards Kuro just enough to come in for a powerful strike. Kuro smiled and jumped without reserve into the attack. A small "thud" was audible coming from Kuro's ribs where the staff made contact, but the actual impact was fairly weak. Kuro had covered most of the distance before the strike was dealt, and now stood face to face with his opponent.

"Nasake Kobushi!"

Kuro brought his hands back to his hips, then, opening his palms, thrust them forward into his opponent's abdomen. Energy could be felt pouring out from his opponent, and an almost visible aura of energy was forming around them. His opponent was caught off-guard with a look of great surprise. But, just as quickly as the aura had appeared, it went back into their bodies and vanished. The monitor began to laugh.

"Are you joking? All that flare and your attack fell apart? That was pathetic! Let me show you a real advanced move. Dance of 1000 Staves!"

The monitor jumped back from Kuro and began to move his Bo. At first it didn't even seem to be fighting, more like a delicate dance. Then out of nowhere, with incredible speed, the Bo came flying forward towards Kuro, who dodged it at just the last second. Another brief moment passes, and two more blows come at Kuro. He feels the breeze blow over him as the bo passes by.

"What's this?"

The monitor really turned it up, and Kuro was enveloped in a whirlwind of crushing blows. However, the faster the monitor moved, the faster Kuro moved. Not a single blow was landed.

Wolfwood · 05-07-2007, 03:15 PM

Kin wore an amused look on his face as he relaxed from his fighting stance and watched Kuro dance around the pelting blows of the Hall Monitor's bo staff. So, Kin thought to himself, continuing to watch his best friend weave fluidly away from each of the monitor's strike, he's already learned to anticipate an opponent's attacks and read their movement rather than just reacting to them, huh? Not really that surprising, but I didn't think he'd of reached this level so soon.

Turning his gaze from the battle to their new friend, Kin saw Akiko standing near the bottom of the stairwell clutching her large metal tessen and watching Kuro fight with a look of wonderment in her eyes. Kin grinned sheepishly.

"He is pretty good, huh?" Kin asked with a slight laugh. "Or are you just surprised that there's actually some sense of honor in the fights that go on around here?"

Kin didn't wait for Akiko's response before he began talking again. "But you know, you really should be on your guard. The one thing I've learned about Hall Monitor's is that they're never alone. They're like wolves, they travel in pac-"

Kin stopped short and turned his head slowly to the dark hall before him. Man, I really should learn to keep my mouth shut sometimes, Kin thought to himself as he watched another shadowy figure forming in the dark curtain of the hall.

A few seconds later another Hall Monitor appeared at the edge of the shadows on the opposite side of the hall from where Kuro was still fighting the first Monitor. The second monitor wasn't nearly as tall as the first, but he would still be considered a giant by most normal highschool standards. The second Monitor had long black hair that was pulled into a ponytail in the back. His school uniform was wrinkle-free and his shirt was neatly tucked into his slacks. The most noticeable features of the Monitor though were the large paddle-like weapon he held in his right hand and the peircing look he was giving Kin at the moment.

Kin paused for a moment and looked up at Akiko. She seemed a bit stunned and was obviously very nervous. Kin knew how she felt at the moment because he had been in the same situation only a year before. Kin took a few steps towards the left side of the hall and asked Akiko in passing.

"So, yours or mine?"

Kin knew what her answer would be already, so he didn't bother waiting for her to respond before taking another few steps until he stood directly in front of the second Monitor, roughly 15 feet away.

The Monitor continued to glare at Kin for a few seconds, before he muttered in an almost inaudible rasp, "Kentou?"

Kin simply nodded his head in response and shifted his body into the most basic offensive stance of his Buro-kundou style. Kin relaxed his right arm allowing the tip of his "cane" to nearly touch the ground, but at the same time gripped its handle firmly. Bringing his left hand up across his chest and stopping at eyes level, Kin awaited the Monitor's first attack.

He didn't have to wait long. The second Monitor gripped his large paddle-like weapon in both hands and brought it up over top of his head as he began to cover the distance between he and Kin. Kin was surprised how well the Monitor was able to move and how quickly he was able to cover the distance between the two considering he was weilding such a large weapon.

When the monitor was only a few mere feet away from Kin he began to bring his weapon down hard with the intent of finishing Kin with one crushing blow. Kin had other ideas though, as we let tension out of his right leg and pushed off with his left which allowed him to seemingly float a few feet to the right and avoid the blow.

The monitor's large weapon crashed into the hallfloor with a deafening crack that echoed throughout the low, dark hallway. Not waiting for the monitor to realize that he hadn't actually made contact with his first attack, Kin stepped forward and swung his "cane" in a swift upwards slash. Kin's attack made contact the monitor's face, just on the underside of chin.

The monitor released his grip of his large weapon and clutched his chin as he stumbled back into the left side wall of the hall. The monitor was quivering in pain as he clutched his chin, but was still able to move his gaze upwards to shoot a hate-filled glare at Kin.

Kin resumed his previous fighting stance and looked at the Monitor wearing a cocky smirk on his face. He then asked with perhaps to much of a laugh and maybe a bit too smugly,

"Heh, face hurt?"

nevin · 05-13-2007, 06:38 PM

Aki watch Kuro and Kin in a frightened wonder. Each of the four fighters moved so differently. And they were fast too. She wasn’t sure if her speed would really be enough, let alone impressive, next to them. She kept a close eye on both fights, wondering if she should jump in and help and waiting for a moment when she might be needed. Her attention was so keenly fixed that she didn’t hear the heavy footsteps that fell behind her, she didn’t notice, that is, until and equally heavy hand squeeze her shoulder.

“Senpai,” he called out, a mean laughter lacing his voice, “look at what I found here—a little mouse.” Kuro’s opponent’s concentration was broken for just a moment, allowing Kuro to get in and make a small hit. The third monitor winced at his own mistake but it only fuel his fighting spirit. He turned his attention back to Aki. She now felt the weight of his metal knuckles pressing painfully into her shoulders.
“Little mice shouldn’t be out in the halls, why don’t we go…” as he spoke Aki felt braver. Every word he spoke made her adrenaline rise in confidence—she wanted to get rid of him. Her purple eyes squinted into the coldest stare she could manage, “I’ll stay right here, thanks.” She said. “Oh, mouse wants to fight, eh? Hahahaha.” He chuckled menacingly. “Say it.”

“Kentou,” she whispered, bringing her tessen up and hitting his elbow as hard as she could with the edge of the heavy fan. He cried out in pain, releasing his grip enough for her to slip away and ready herself. Aki wasn’t sure if that had counted as honorable combat but as long as she was away from him she didn’t care. He rubbed his already-swelling elbow and Aki was surprised to see how his face twisted into a crueler, angrier expression. He cracked his knuckles and closed in to throw a punch. Aki threw her fan open to block it, though the force of the two metals meeting was so hard it nearly caused sparks to fly out. Aki dropped to her ankles and spun to slice his legs with the razor edge on the fan. Again he cried out, but he moved his leg and threw Aki off-balance—ruining her swift escape and giving him an opening to land a blow on her back.

The younger member of the monitors seemed not to mind fighting dirty, though Aki was pulling some tricks of her own. Aki managed to block, slice, and club him, but never enough to knock him down, while he hardly hit her but when he did it hurt and decreased her agility. Finally, nearly exhausted and completely unaware of what was happening with the other two, Aki, managed to get in a good club to his neck, forcing him to drop to his knees, but the unexpected force of it caused Aki to loose her grip on the tessen and it when flying to the side. She did her best to dart to it quickly, and although there was still enough adrenaline going to keep her from feeling the direct pain of her injuries, she was wearing out. This wasn’t like anything she had practiced, and Aki was beginning to feel that she was in trouble.

Wolfwood · 05-14-2007, 05:09 AM

Kin heard the sounds of battle as he watched the second monitor push himself off the wall and regain his composure. Risking a quick glance back, Kin saw that Akiko hadn't been able to avoid fighting after all and was currently engaging a brass-knuckled hall monitor. Quickly bringing his gaze back to the second hall monitor in front of him, Kin saw the guy rubbing his chin feverishly attempting to rub away, what Kin knew to be, a very sharp, piercing pain.

After another second or so of rubbing, the monitor's gaze finally found it's way back to Kin. Except something was different about the monitor now. He was smiling. Kin gripped his boken hard with his right hand and had to use every ounce of patience he had to keep from pummeling the smile right off the monitor's face. Calm down! Kin told himself sternly. Take a deep breath, focus, and just wait for him to come at you. Do that, and it will be a cake walk.

Kin did as he was told, took a deep breath in then exhaled slowly. It was then Kin noticed that the monitor hadn't yet picked up his weapon, and didn't seem to have any plans to as he raised his hands, balling them into fists while doing so and bulled his neck. A boxing stance? Kin asked himself. What the hell is he doi-

Kin's thoughts were stopped short as the monitor lunged at him unexpectedly with a hard right hook. Kin was able to react in time though and used the same maneuver he had before to dodge the attack. The monitor, however, seemed to expect Kin to dodge and he immediately moved into a short two punch combo- another right hook then a left jab.

Kin read the monitors motions thought and acted accordingly. Releasing his grip from his boken, Kin allowed the sword to drop to the floor in order to free up his hands. Kin then dodged the first right hook, then guided the monitor's left jab harmlessly to the side with his right hand. Kin finished his counter by doing a slight back-step and planting his left elbow into the base of the monitors neck. Kin's elbow hit the monitor hard, letting our a sickening thwack sound. Kin watched as the monitors body seemed to melt into the ground, until he lay unconcious in a crumpled heap. It was over.

Kin smirked a little, then proceeded to pick his boken up from the floor and turn his attentions to Kuro's and Aki's fights with their respective monitors.

Yukimura · 05-14-2007, 10:13 AM

Kuro's mind wandered, even during his fight, back to his Nasake Kobushi training. He heard his own voice reading the words of the scrolls once again.

"You and your opponent are as one. There is nothing separating the two of you. His happiness is your happiness. His pain is your pain. His will is your will."

Kuro could feel his opponents moves inside his own body. He gained immediate respect for the years of training it must have taken him to perfect his art to this degree. The bo glided gracefully through the air, making hard and fast strike time and time again. As the monitor struck, Kuro could feel the moves to strike in his own body. Almost subconsciously, he glides around them, knowing exactly where the weak points are in his opponents balance and what positions he can't strike easily.

Suddenly, Kuro heard a loud 'THWANG' as Aki's tessen flew away from her. "AKI!" Kuro's opponent managed to land a glancing blow on Kuro's cheek. "Bastard! I don't have any more time for this! This fight's over."

Kuro had tried to use intimidation to put his opponent off, but time was out, and he had no time to play any more head games. Kuro dodged towards his enemy once, and while doing so let one fist fly directly below his opponents ribs. As his fist plunged into his opponent, Kuro felt it plunge into him. It robbed him of his breath, but he knew he could not stop. Kuro wrapped his hands around his opponent and sent him into a beautiful back suplex, the monitor's head being the first thing back to the ground. The fight was indeed over, though it took Kuro a while to get back to his feet. When he did, he spit out just a little blood.

Looking over, he saw the monitor closing in on Aki. He didn't even need Nasake Kobushi to understand the look in Aki's eyes. Her fighting was great, fluid movements, great timing, strong follow-through. However, her inexperience in actual battle was obvious. Her body was wearing out, and it was getting to her. At this rate, it seemed like...

Kuro burst into action without thinking about the rules of kentou, as though he knew them anyway. He flew into full sprint and came to a sliding stop behind Aki as she continued to go for her Tessen. Squaring off against the monitor, he stood tall and fearless. The look in his eyes was like the look of a man being challenged by a child. The monitor's eyes betrayed a small look of fear. Kuro laughed. "Do you want to wind up like your friend over there? Why not just call it a day and pretend we never saw you? Get out of here now and I'll consider that option."

nevin · 05-19-2007, 03:45 PM

The youngest monitor’s eyes flicked around to the others, then fixed on Kuro. He smirked, “You think you’re helping by saving her? You’re just giving both of yourselves a shameful reputation.”
“There’s no shame in bringing down someone who fights as dirty as you,” he answered. “Now how much longer are you planning on staying in my sight?”

At this, Kin took a step towards the other two. He knew that his best friend could handle the guy no problem, but he thought the added intimidation wouldn’t hurt—they had better things to do than to waste their time with that guy. Clearly weighing his options, the monitor drew in a deep breath and began to raise his fist, but when Kuro took a step forward to answer this action, the monitor turned and ran after his friends who had already begun to slink away.

Aki dropped down to her knees, breathing as though she hadn’t in ten minutes. Without looking up she said in a very soft, dejected, “Thank you, Kuro. I wouldn’t have won by myself... Are you alright?”
He turned to look at her and crouched down. “Absolutely fine, see?” he smiled and hit his chest lightly. “No problems.”

“Heh,” Kin laughed, knowing that Kuro was trying to play it tough. He walked up behind Kuro and hit him a little harder on the back, causing Kuro to wince in pain and a little more blood to spill out over his lip. “That’s what I thought.”
Aki gasped a little but she didn’t know much about healing or bandages and she knew Kin would have shown more concern if it had been merited. She had her own aches and bruises but she was already so dejected from her poor fight she didn’t want them to think her completely useless and weak so while Kuro wiped his mouth she looked up to Kin and asked, “What was that?”

Wolfwood · 05-25-2007, 02:05 PM

Kin attempted to feign ignorance to Aki's question by running his hand through the back of his bleached hair, donning a bewildered look and replying, "Yeah, I don't know who those guys were. I suppose your guess is as good as mine."

Looking down at Aki, Kin knew she'd never fall for his act. The tessen-wielder was lightly massaging Kuro's back and looking up at Kin with a knowing stare. Besides that, there was also the fact that Kin had already mentioned the Hall Monitors to Aki before.

"Alright, alright." Kin finally conceded as he furrowed his brow and his demeanor became a bit more serious, "but I'll explain as we walk. Plus it'll make a lot more sense when we get there."

Kin then encouraged Kuro, and by extension Aki, to stand up with a quick poke in the side with his boken, before turning around and starting down the dark hallway.

Not bothering to check whether his two companions were following him, Kin began to talk. "Those guys we just fought were Hall Monitors. They are the lowest branch of The Enforcers, which is the student group responsible for running this academy. The Enforcers uphold school rules, mediate arguments and conflicts, and essentially dominate pretty much all aspects of the school. The kicker is that The Enforcers are the ones that make up the rules of the school and generally are the cause of most of the disturbances; it's pretty much corrupt."

The clicks of Kin's cane on the hall's tiled-floor echoed loudly through the shadows as he continued to walk and speak. "The student group that rules as The Enforcers is decided at a tournament held at the end of each school year, The Grand Battle. Five-person teams compete, or battle rather, against each other for the right to rule the school for the next year. Generally, a new student group takes over each year, but for the past 3 years the same team has won the tournament because of him..."

Kin came to a halt at what appeared to be a dead end to the hallway, but he continued to speak. "The Enforcers run this school like tyrants. The best way to survive is either to join them or get out of their way. Any other option will get you into some serious trouble...trust me I know."

With this, Kin massaged his right leg gently and began to reminisce about the previous year. He was brought back to reality by Kuro clearing his throat.

A little embarrassed, Kin finished up his small address. "Right, well...The one thing The Enforcers hate above all else are upstart, smart-mouth Freshmen, but they do respect strength, which is why we're here."

Kin smiled a little at the drama he had built up, the threw his shoulder into the hall's dead end, which was in fact a large door. The door creaked open slowly, revealing a blindingly bright sunlit courtyard.

The courtyard was much smaller than the school's main courtyard, about half a football field long and just as wide. The courtyard was completely surrounded by 30 foot walls on every side and there wasn't a single exit except for a door that stood in the middle of the left-most wall. The door was about 10-feet tall and came to an arching point at its highest. The courtyard itself was sparsely furnished only having about five or six benches and a simple fountain in the middle of the courtyard.

As the trio made there way into the courtyard, Kin noticed that there were was noone else in the courtyard besides them and two older looking students who stood off to the left next to the tall door. Shrugging off the glares he was getting from the other two students, Kin turned around and faced Akiko and Kuro. "Welcome to the First-Year Section of The Pit. What do you think?"

Yukimura · 05-27-2007, 12:25 PM

Kuro felt his wounds start to drift away. He never really had them in the first place, they were just echoes of his opponent's pain. As his chi system circulated, the pain left him. Of course, having a beautiful woman massage it away never hurts. He almost didn't realize that they had wandered into a giant arena. When he did, he immediately perked up.

"Are we going to fight here? This would be an awesome place to fight! Just the right distance, just the right environment, I think I could really express myself here."

Kuro pointed one finger out around the room.

"Takin' all comers! Who's the first to fall?"

Kuro's eyes darted around the room, looking the others in their eyes, testing them, and trying to decide who had a strong enough fighting spirit to really press him in a fight. Kuro felt himself fidgeting in excitement.

nevin · 05-29-2007, 03:45 PM

“Ano…” Aki said softly, tugging on Kuro’s sleeve but not daring to look at him or Kin. “Back there… with the monitors…I wouldn’t have won that fight, by myself. I got scared before it started and I didn’t want to fight,” she was near tears now but held them back out of determination not to be any more foolish than she already was. “And I was so glad when Kin stepped in and took the second one…I always loved the tessen, and I thought I loved fighting with it but, I’ve never been in a real fight. Maybe,” her face fell as she prepared to make her suggestion, “maybe I should just go back to class and begin normal training. I don’t want to bring you guys down.”

Maybe it was the exhaustion or excess emotion, or maybe it was the idea of turning away from her first real friends, but Aki had to let a couple tears drop into the dirt she still determinedly faced as she waited for their answer.

Wolfwood · 05-29-2007, 10:12 PM

Kin watched Aki closely as she spoke, paying little attention to Kuro standing up on the tips of his toes and looking around as if he was searching for any other students or perhaps trying to make himself taller and more intimidating, then Kin noticed the small tears fall from Aki's lowered face.

"You've got nothing to be ashamed of Aki," Kin said in a gentle tone. "Every fighter has been in the same situation you were today. The first step forward in fight, especially a first fight, is the hardest to take. The real test is to never to take a step backwards, never retreat, and keep pressing forward through thick and thin. That's the path you'll need to take and the weight you'll have to bear if you want to become stronger and become a more skilled fighter."

Kin paused a moment to let the words soak in and also to see if they had eased any of Aki's uneasiness. "Now then," Kin spoke in a more firm tone. "We came here to make a statement and Kuro and I, despite our desires, can't do it alone. Kuro, aside from any other feelings he may hold for you, asked you to accompany us for a reason. Despite his enthusiastic disposition, he actually has a keen eye, which means he chose you because he believes in your ability, as well as your potential. But you've got to have a little bit of faith in yourself in order to realize it."

"As for you," Kin said turning his attention to Kuro. "Challenges and kentou don't work in the way you think they do. You can't go around challenging anyone and everyone. Kentou is honorable and battles must be fought one on one. So let's try and think before we shout."

Kin said this last sentence with a smile. "And another thing, here in The Pit, people tend to be alot stronger than your average Hall Monitor. Our goal," Kin said pointing his boken towards the large door to their left and the two students who sat in front of it. "is to make through that door and into the Second Year level of The Pit. If we can do that, I'll elaborate a little bit more on the statement I want to make."

Taking a few lightly-limped steps towards the large door, Kin turned to look at Aki and Kuro. "Alright, I'm going to get this thing started."

Draconis · 05-31-2007, 10:34 AM

Character Name: Onigami (an alias)

Age: ?

Description: 6’ 4”; Long blonde hair, muscular but pale and lanky; Wears a broken white ceramic mask with a vertical red line through the right eye, covering his face save his right cheek and mouth. Clothed in brown leather pants with animal pelts at his ankles, two brown leather straps cross his chest, holding his ax and shortsword. He carries a rather odd leather pouch on his right hip.

Fighting Style: For the moment, let's say there's something in that pouch of his which is just as useful as the folded steel upon his back. And that there are two things which lie within the aforementioned pouch.

Backstory: Oh, you'd love to know, wouldn't you? A few hints then, to tease and appease the teaming masses: An ageless blonde giant with a Japanese alias... a tad odd, don't you think? Since when did people go around in leather pants without shirts on (aside from BDSM night down at the Slippery Snake and even then, pelts are so out of fashion in the bondage scene now that PETA started getting a little freakier)? And what, pray tell, is up with that blasted red line? Affix thine attention to the story and all shall be revealed in due time.

*
*
*

Sitting atop the roof surrounding the pit, a figure well hidden in the dark shadows of the watchtower sits quietly and patiently, awaiting this year's troublemakers.
Dem är sen.
No sooner had the words raced through his mind that the heavy wooden door swung open, revealing three.
One is injured, one handicapped by his leg, one handicapped by fear. They won't stand a chance. But if the scale is unbalanced, then something must balance it. Perhaps, a test... yes, proof upon the proving grounds.
The skin creasing at the corners of his mouth belying his contentment, the figure in the shadows set to work, removing a single square of colored paper from his hip pouch and carefully, slowly, and with great care to detail, began folding an origami crane.

Wolfwood · 06-01-2007, 04:36 PM

Kin turned his attention back to the guards and strolled briskly towards the door where they stood. As he approached his destination, the guard on the left raised his head up from staring blankly at the courtyards grassy floor. The guard looked Kin up and down, then spoke with a surprised look on his face.

"Ar..Aren't you Kinnikun Makihara?"

Kin came to a halt a few yards from the guard on the left and gave a slight nod and grin in response. He recognized the guard as a second-year who had been in his homeroom the prior year. Kin had been friendly with him, but definitely did not consider him a friend, or even an acquaintance. Escpecially now.

"Didn't you leave after you did kentou with-"

Kin smirked as the guard uttered the word kentou, and then acted in an instant. Bringing his boken up into both of his hands and holding it out horizontally in front of him, Kin lunged at the guard on the left. A loud thud echoed through the small courtyard as Kin brought his boken across the throat of the left guard and slammed his back into the large wooden door. The guard let out an exasperated cough as Kin forced the air from his lungs.

"You did say 'kentou' didn't you?" Kin asked in a mocking tone. At that moment the guards head slumped forward in an unintentional nod as he passed out. Bringing the boken away from the guards throat and letting his body fall to the ground in a thud, Kin then said "Well, in that case, I accept. And...well, it looks like I win."

Kin then turned to face the guard on the right, who hadn't so much as looked over at his companion during Kin's blitz attack. This gave Kin an uneasy feeling; he had hoped to surprise the other guard and perhaps scare the guard on the right away. The guard on the right continued to look down at the ground as if Kin wasn't there.

Kin could feel his temper start to flare up in response to the guards disrespect, but caught himself. Retreating a few steps away from the door and taking care not to show the guard his back, Kin held his boken in the crook of his arm and fished out his lighter and a crumpled cigarette. Flipping open his zippo, Kin lit his ciggy and pocketed his lighter. Kin took in a deep drag and released a bellowing cloud of smoke.

About this time, Kin noticed that the guard was finally looking at him. "Was the ground really so interesting that it drew your attention away from us?" Kin jested as he took another deep drag.

The guard straightened up his stance, revealing the nodachi he carried in his left hand, and gazed viciously at Kin. "Why are you here?" the guard uttered in an almost undecipherable grumble.

Yukimura · 06-02-2007, 11:07 AM

"That's a stupid question."

Kuro was standing right next to the guard with the sword, mere inches from him. The guard looked towards him and moved his nodachi towards Kuro, as though about to attack. Kuro smiled and continued.

"Why else would anyone be in here, or in this school at all? We're here to fight and grow stronger."

The guard continued to stare at Kuro, as though expecting Kuro to take a few steps back away from his weapon, but Kuro remained next to him.

"I honestly can't say I know exactly what we're doing here, but if Kin brought me here, I know it's going to be fun. It looks like beating you will be part of our fun too."

Kuro looked over his shoulder towards the roof surrounding them. He finally turned and started walking away.

"You seem tough, that's for sure, but I have something else to check on now. My friend Aki here has more than enough strength to bring you down anyway." Kuro stood in front of Aki and smiled. "You'll fall quickly before the grace and precision of her tessen. Handle this for me please Aki, I'll be right back."

Kuro walked away from the group towards the wall. Leaning against it, he called up to the figure above. "No need to sit up there watching us this whole time. Why don't you come down here and join in the fun? Our side or theirs, whichever way seems the most entertaining to you. Powerful fighters like you shouldn't spectate."

Draconis · 06-03-2007, 04:27 PM

Glancing up from his origami crane, the shadowy figure realized he had been called out. Fan anamma. The first guard had fallen quite handily, though the second had the promise of a more entertaining fight. To fight along side the entertainment or the entertainer? No, it was too early in the morning to start burning bridges before what lie on the other side could be seen. And three bridges are always better than one.

In a falling leap, the figure tumbled to the pit's floor, landing in a crumpled lump. Slowly unfolding himself, he towered above the others in the arena, casting a long shadow upon the dust and pebbles, and proceeded to speak in a sing-song tone;

"Ah, to watch such great spectacle, this you cannot deny me
What keen eye and cruel fate have robbed me of my vantage
Point well taken, my good sir, you may call me Onigami
At your service, and if so asked, to do unspeakable damage."

Onigami stretched out his arm and unclenched his fist, revealing a perfectly intact and unharmed origami crane. Presenting it to Kuro, he simply stated, "En gåva av välvilja."

Bypassing Kuro and the rest, Onigami grabbed another piece of paper from his pouch and began walking towards the guard, folding all the while. "Och för du, en plåthatt," with a laugh as he placed a paper soldier's helmet on the guard's head, "Now you look like a good toy soldier guarding his sand castle."

Turning beet red, the guard tore the paper hat from his head and swung his fist wildly at Onigami, connecting dead center in his chest. Sent reeling backwards, he could hear Kuro mutter under his breath, "This guy is a joke." The guard drew his sword and pointed it directly at Onigami, proclaiming, "You will die for your insolence." Jävla idiot.

"What was that quaint little word you use?", Onigami shouted, "Ah yes, kentou." In the same instant that kentou was uttered, the crumpled paper hat exploded in a cloud of smoke and Onigami leaped straight at Kuro feet first, his sword drawn. Planting his feet firmly on Kuro's chest, Onigami pounced towards Kin, ricocheting off his chest into the air directly above the smoke screen. Landing on the side of the door behind the guard, Onigami fell vertically down until he was a foot above the ground, his head barely missing a wild swing of the guard's blade, then rocketing just behind his opponent's legs to the other corner of the door. From there, he form tackled the guard out of the smoke screen, carrying the two of them halfway across the arena. Leaping backwards away from his opponent, Onigami looked down smugly and replied as he placed his blade in its scabbard, "If one is to die for insolence, then one should be truly insolent, äcklig byracka."

"All that, all of that for a tackle. Cheap tactics and magic tricks will only lead you to an early grave.", the But no sooner had the guard spoke that the damage became apparent, for as he tried to stand, the slashes on his Achilles tendons opened. Aki could only look on in horror and dismay while the guard screamed in agony as his calf muscles rolled up on themselves under his skin. Turning to her, Onigami gave her a few conciliatory words, "Come now. I did have the decency to not jump off of your chest." And at that, she fainted.

nevin · 06-04-2007, 12:34 PM

It had been too much. The exhaustion from her first fight, the emotional drain following, the lift from her friends' support, and the wild confusion of first trying to build herself up for a second fight and then having been released from it by someone who seemed to exhibit such cruely. Would they have to fight him now? Aki dreamed restlessly of what might pass when she woke. She felt herself being tugged back to consciousness. First she was only aware of her iron tessen which she gripped tightly. She could feel the raised bear and butterfly that had been molded in. Strength and Grace, her sensei had taught her, one needs both to win. Next time I will be ready. Next time I will do better, she promised herself.

"Aki? Can you stand up?" She woke to Kuro's voice. He was concerned, but clearly eager to return to the action. She looked at him and was about to whisper, "I'm sorry," but she caught herself. No more apologies, she would just make up for it in her next fight. "Mm" she nodded.

"Good," he smiled, pulling her up. "It looks like we've got someone new to meet".

Yukimura · 06-04-2007, 12:42 PM

Kuro was already standing behind Aki as she fell, though nobody remembered seeing him walk over there. He reached out and caught her gently, not letting her fall far. He looked into her closed eyes and called to her gently.

"Aki... Aki, can you stand up?"

Her eyes fluttered a moment, and she regained consciousness, finding herself looking directly into Kuro's eyes. Kuro felt his heart beat a little faster holding her in his arms like this. He almost wished she'd faint again.

"Mm."

"Good, we've got someone new to meet."

They lingered for just a moment, then Aki blushed and turned around quickly. She accidentally swung her tessen as she did and made solid contact with the side of Kuro's head with a loud 'THWANG'.

"Oh! Sorry!"

That's weird. Kuro would normally easily dodge something like that. His chi system may not constantly monitor those around him on a combat level, but he should see something dumb like that. Unless... he's already linked up.

Kin glanced over at the strange figure and back at Kuro, who smiled and gave a slight nod. Kuro stood tall, not impressive in stature by any means, but exuding an obvious confidence and the electric air of a fighter's spirit. He looked over at their new 'friend'.

"Well now traveller. I'm quite glad you took our side in that little scuffle. I mean, look how bad your opponent wound up. Not meaning anything by it, but one would think that you had a sort of bloodlust. So, are you quite sure you're done attacking altogether?"

As Kuro spoke, he moved between Onigami and his friends. His posture shifted. His weight adjusted. After a moment, Kin nodded to himself as he noticed that Kuro and Onigami now stood perfectly symmetrical, in the exact same position.

Wolfwood · 06-04-2007, 02:08 PM

Kin watched as Kuro instinctively moved between he and their newest player in their spectacle. Placing a hand on Kuro's shoulder to set him at ease and taking one last, long drag from his cig before tossing it aside and snubbing it with the tip of his shoe, Kin stepped forward. "I'd like to say he's done attacking," Kin said giving Onigami a quick once over. "but honestly, I can't quite get a read on the guy. All I'm really sure of is that he's definitely unique..."

Fainting a small smile, Kin advanced a few steps towards Onigami before coming to a halt, lighting another cigarette, then proceeding to speak. "You do seem to misunderstand the rules of kentou though. Kentou is supposed be honorable and what you did to that guy...well, all I have to say is ouch." Kin then laughed a little at what he had just said as he thought of how he had honorably dispatched the first guard. "But then again, you do seem to understand that the rules of kentou are more guidelines than actual rules and honor, well...that's really a matter of perception isn't it."

As Kin finished speaking, he brought his eyes up to meet Onigami's. What he saw and what he sensed caused a look of unease to wash over his face. Is this guy even human? His aura is almost like that of a go- Kin stopped himself short as he realized he was overthinking the situation and wasting time; time that they didn't have to spare. Shaking his head slightly and tossing the cigarette he was smoking over his back into the far wall, Kin cast off the feeling of unease that had seemed to immobilize him momentarily and swung around to face Kuro and Aki, as well as the door.

"Well, seems our pathway has opened, huh?" Kin said with a smirk. He then made a wave with his hand motioning Aki and Kuro to follow him and shot Kuro a quick look that carried the excitement he felt down in his gut, which Kuro undoubtedly felt as well. Walking over to the door, boken in his right hand, Kin shoved hard and the doors creaked open before gaining momentum and flying open with a resounding crash as they opened fully and hit the back of the wall. Shooting a quick glance back at Onigami, Kin spoke hurriedly. "So you coming or are you just gonna spectate a little more?"

Kin then took a few steps through the door and was greated by a sight much different than the courtyard the group had just been standing in. What stood in front of him was a room that resembled a cafeteria or lounge more than anything else. The floors were tiled and benched tables were scattered here and there. In the far corner, stood a big screen television where some Japanese game show was visible on the far wall were a number of large pillowed couches and chairs that stood next to a large table covered in all types of different foods and drinks. Sushi rolls, wontons, different breads, sodas, and even beer. Glancing over the room, Kin made eye contact with about five different students, two guys and three girls, who adorned the couches and tables glancing back at him.

04-18-2007, 07:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	Tenhanshi Academy (RP) This RP will take place in modern day Japan and will be focused around Tenhanshi Academy. Tenhanshi Academy is a prepatory high school founded for the purpose of ressurecting the martial arts style of the world that seem be becoming lost in the modern age. Students who have shown promise as martial artists in their youth are recruited from all over the world to attend Tenhanshi Academy. These students recieve a proper education, but a majority of their time in school is spent studying the history of martial arts styles, practicing their chosen martial arts, and participating in a number of different tournaments and competitions; some that are less supported by the academy's administrators than others. __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself.

04-18-2007, 07:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jetée The Reforms Location: Rarely, if ever, here or there, but always in transition	Eager to hear more about Tenhanshi Academy and the goings-on that surround it. Characters, backstory, and more. A plot would be nice, too. __________________ As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves. —Mohandas K. Gandhi

04-18-2007, 11:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	Character Name: Kinnikun Makihara- "Kin" Age: 16 Description: 5' 8'', 150 lbs., shaggy bleach blonde hair with black tips, dark brown eyes, athletic build, slight limp with right leg Fighting Style: Buro-kundou (Broken Style). A defensive style of fighting that incorporates both hand to hand combat and swordplay and movements designed to use an opponent's motions against them. The aim of the fighting style is to disbale one's opponent through striking major joints causing either fractures, breaks, or dislocation- thus immobilizing them. Backstory: Kinnikun Makihara is a fun-loving teenager who loves to joke around and thoroughly enjoys the thrill of a fight. Nothing is more important to him than friends and family, which he would gladly give his life to protect. Kin grew up in Japan and entered Tenhanshi Academy as a freshman on a wrestling scholarship a year prior, but was forced to drop out of school halfway through the first term due to a major accident that ended up with Kin having to undergo reconstructive knee surgery on his right leg. As a result, Kin had to undergo intense physical therapy and adopt a new style of fighting. Kin is back at Tenhanshi Academy to repeat his freshman year, where he will be accompanied by his bestfriend. Because of the surgery, Kin walks with a slight limp, which he remedies by carrying a wooden cane that looks suspicously like a boken (wooden kendo sword). __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself. Last edited by Wolfwood; 04-22-2007 at 01:26 PM..

04-19-2007, 02:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	Kinnikun flicked down the kickstand of his motorcycle and removed his cane from it's scabbard on the bike's side as he stood in front of the large stone entrance of Tenhanshi Academy. The freshman wore the academy's school uniform of a white collared shirt and black slacks, but the shirt was untucked with its sleeves rolled halfway up the forearms and the slacks were wrinkled and unpressed. Slinging his messenger bag over his shoulder, Kin began to walk towards the school's entrance, cane in his right hand. Entering the school's gate, Kin took in the familiar stunning view of Tenhanshi Academy's main courtyard. The courtyard was littered with tall, branching cherry blossom trees and the low Japanese-style dojos spread out to the left and right of the main academic building on the far side of the courtyard. In front of both the left and right wing dojos there were serene meditation ponds that were outlined by benches fashioned out of bamboo and large stones. The main academic building towered five stories above the rest of the academy's structures and stood at the end of a long cobble stone path. On either side of the main walkway, smaller roads curved out like vessels leading to the small equipment sheds that lined the outter walls of the coutyard. Between these vessels was a well-manicured lawn of bright green grass. The wind snaked through the lawn and carried loosed blossom leaves on it's back. Kin stood a few yards inside the main entrance on the large path, where he closed his eyes and thought to himself 'Well, here we go again. Round two.' Kin the opened his eyes and began walking down the large pathway towards the main academic building. His bleached blonde hair whipped wildly about in the wind, often obstructing his view by waving in front of his eyes as he walked. About three-quarters of the way down the main path, Kin detoured down one of the smaller paths to the left and headed towards the small meditation pond. Taking off his bag and tossing it on the ground at his feet, Kin leaned hard against the massive trunk of a cherry blossom tree before slowly sliding down into a slouched sitting position. He only had ten minutes until homeroom began and his classroom was on the third floor, but Kin just closed his eyes; completely content on waiting, even if it meant being late. 'Where is that idiot?' Kin thought to himself. 'I know he's usually late, but I even told him to be here thirty minutes before he had to be. Idiot...' __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself.

04-22-2007, 01:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
Yukimura Tilted Location: At a computer, obviously.	Character Name: Kuromei Nou "Kuro" Age: 15 Description: 5' 6" 130 lbs. Fighting Style: Nasake Kobushi (Compassionate Fist). A unique fighting style spiritual in nature both in the way it incorporates spiritual energies and the way it allows the fighter to tap into his true fighting spirit. The Nasake Kobushi style of fighting causes the fighter to feel the blows he deals to his opponent as though they were dealt to him. This offers incredible insight into the opponent's condition, and as mastery continues, his abilities, his thoughts, and eventually even his heart. Backstory: Kuro is something of a prodigy in the world of fighting. Though the style he weilds is Nasake Kobushi, he has practiced most basic martial arts as well, and he has grown quickly in them all. This is partially due to natural talent, but much moreso do to the unquenchable fires of competition that burn within his heart. He will be the best, and nothing will stop him. However, it isn't accurate to say he would pay any price. Kuro has a loving and loyal heart, and though he loves to fight, cannot stand to fight out of anger or for selfish desire. He loves his friends beyond measure, and during his time in America, became a deeply devoted Christian, something he applies to all parts of his life, including fighting. Kuro has spent the last three years away at a private school in America, his parents thinking there was no better opportunity for him to succeed. However, quite against their wishes, he used his incredible fighting record to get himself a full scholarship into Tenhanshi, and is coming back to Japan to go to school with his best friend, and find new, stronger opponents to fight. (Cue the metal music.) The wind whipped Kuro's long black hair around as he tore through the crowded streets on his bike. Dark sunglasses covered his hazel eyes on this bright sunny day. He wore basic preppy looking shorts and a t-shirt that was just nice enough to get him through the day without being bothered by the faculty. "CrapcrapcrapCRAP! Kin's gonna murder me! I gotta pick it up!" He pushed himself even harder, and beads of sweat began to fall from the tip of his nose. He leaned hard and made the turn onto campus, allowing the wind to tear the sunglasses from his face. Oh well. He heard them land some distance behind him as he kept pedaling hard down the street. He caught sight of Kin off in the distance and turned straight onto the grass, going towards him the quickest way he could see, even if it meant coming at him sideways over a lawn that was obviously well-tended. Kuro picked up as much speed as he could and then jumped off the pedals to stand on top of the seat, riding the bike like a skateboard. A large smile crept across his face as he stifled a shout out to his friend in favor of a bigger suprise. Right before he reached Kin, he kicked his bike out from under him, jumping high into the air. "KINKUN!" Kuro was on a direct collision course for Kin, arms wide open, moving fast with no control over himself. Last edited by Yukimura; 04-22-2007 at 02:04 PM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

04-21-2007, 11:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
nevin Upright Location: North Carolina	Character Name: Akiko Amaya (“Aki”; her name means ‘autumn night rain’) Age: 15? Description: 5’ 8”; long light brown/orangeish hair. She wears violet contacts—she looks like and moves like a dancer Fighting Style: Her weapon is the Tessen—a Japanese war fan used to attack, signal, deflect arrows, and shade out the sun. Aki’s fighting has to be in quick movements, since she has to fight in close range. Backstory: Aki had an enchanted childhood living in a remote sea-side town. Her parents were kind and her older sister always looked out for her. One day, while playing in her family’s old house, she found a loose floor board. Beneath it, wrapped in silk, was an iron fan; a tessen. Almost instinctively, she picked it up and played with it—danced with it—for hours. The cold, heavy iron felt so natural in her grip. When she showed it to her father, he explained that it had belonged to his grandfather, who had been a samurai. When the samurai were banned, he had been forced to hand over his sword and other weapons, but by covering the fan in decorative paper and giving it to his wife to hold decoratively, it escaped their notice. He hid it away, where it had been all but forgotten to family stories until Akiko discovered it. From that time on she learned to move and dance and fight with the Tessen, finding more and more that she longed to learn to master the ancient weapon and that there was no one to teach her. Her sister Cho, now grown up and married, lives near the academy, which is how Aki learned about it. Aki has learned such inner discipline that she has sealed part of herself away, making her quiet and shy. She hides her face with her fan, but deep down, she wants to be seen.

04-22-2007, 04:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
nevin Upright Location: North Carolina	Akiko drew her knees in against her chest. Though her short uniform skirt and thin green sweater were hardly enough to keep her warm in the morning air, her long auburn hair fell about her ankles like a tent, adding a little warmth. She had set her alarm clock an hour too early and by the time she had realized her mistake, she was too awake to sleep later. Her sister’s silent house and the creeping sunlight only played on her anxieties, so she put on her shoes and headed off to school. The courtyard, while beautiful, was empty, and so, finding the door to the main building unlocked, she found the stairs and chose to perch herself on the roof before everyone got there. She crossed her arms over her legs and held the tessen in both hands. Aki was only a freshman. The few friends she had, had gone to normal schools where they focused more on studies; but something in her knew that the tessen was important. When she practiced with it, everything in her clicked and she knew that her life wouldn’t be complete if she abandoned the art. That still left her alone on the roof that early spring morning, but there was a whole school full of people waiting below her. And now the sound of their voices and shoes and motors began to fill the front courtyard, and the sound resonated right up the side of the school building and into Akiko. The temptation of new possibility was too much, and she stood up and went over to the fence to look down and watch. Last edited by nevin; 04-22-2007 at 04:17 PM..

04-22-2007, 08:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	Kin sat quietly against the large trunk of the cherry blossom tree thumbing his cane with his right hand and watching the tree's blossoms flutter back and forth in the wake of the changing winds. ' Only 5 minutes before homeroom, where is that baka?' Kin thought to himself as he continued to thumb his cane, feeling every inch of the wood's different grooves and grain. It was then he felt a very familiar aura emanating close by. Looking to his right, Kin saw Kuro tearing across the main courtyard's lawn on his bike at full speed, tufts of lawn flying up behind him. Kin leaned heavily on his cane as he stood up to greet his friend, or brother rather. It was then that he saw Kuro abandon his bike and enter his acrobatic flight of welcome, which consisted of flying through the air at breakneck speed shouting "Kin-kun!" for all of the courtyard to hear. With Kuro kamikazing through the air towards him, Kin took a second to decide whether to simply accept the flying welcome with open arms and take the brunt of the collision or to use his own friend's momentum and overzealous greeting against him. He chose the prior. Kuro crashed into Kin head first causing the duo to fall rather hardly to the ground. Kin was able to brace himself slightly with his cane and flew only a few feet back, but Kuro was not so fortunate. After hitting the ground, Kuro tumbled head over heels until he came to rest in a sitting position underneath the same cherry blossom tree Kin had previously been sitting under. Kin picked himself up off the ground and brushed the grass and dirt from the fall off his back and front. He then casually leaned forard on his cane with an amused look on his face. " You know, despite the bonus points you get for your entrance, you're still late," Kin said with a smile. " Now then, should we head to homeroom or what?" __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself.

04-23-2007, 10:56 AM	#10 (permalink)
nevin Upright Location: North Carolina	Over the railing was a different world. The cherry trees’ branches were covered in soft puffs of pink blossoms, and their petals littered the lawn. Aki watched other students greet each other and walk into the main building. Some laughed, some shook hands and others clapped each other on the back. Some showed off new moves or weapons, and off in the corner of her sight beneath one of the oldest cherry trees was a particular commotion; but just as her attention was drifting that way the school bell chimed to call her back to the roof. “Oh no!” Aki exclaimed to herself, “I can’t be late!” She slid her tessen back into it’s protective bag and rifled through her school bag until she found her registration sheet. It read: Homeroom 1-B. She quickly took up the bag, ran back into the building, down the stairs, and, finding an empty seat by the window, sat down to begin a new year of school as the last bell echoed through the courtyard.

04-23-2007, 03:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
Yukimura Tilted Location: At a computer, obviously.	Kuro laughed and pulled his backpack from behind him. He unzipped it and began probing his hand around the clutter inside in search of his new class schedule. "Sure, let's see here, my first class is, hmm..." Kuro began to sift through the bag more rapidly, slightly panicked. "Oh no! I lost my schedule! I can't bel..." Kin reached out and slapped Kuro over the head with a folded piece of paper. He then offered it to Kuro, who opened it to find it was a copy of his schedule. "You're so very predictable Kuro." "Thanks brother. Well, I guess it's time to be off. Homeroom: 1-B." Kuro picked himself up, clapped Kin on the back with a big open hand, and started to head inside. Just as he got to his floor, A blur shot through the hallway with incredible speed. However, as soon as Kuro laid eyes on the girl who ran past, everything seemed to shift to slow-motion. Her long auburn hair flew freely in the wind. Her face was flush from the effort of her run. On her back she carried a large weapon. Kuro couldn't help but swoon for a moment. "Beautiful." "You lovesick fool. Get in there, we're already late." Kuro walked briskly to the door of the room to pick out a seat next to the girl he'd seen. Spotting one open, he looked back to see if Kin was following him.

04-23-2007, 03:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	Kin laughed softly at the dazed expression Kuro wore on his face as the young girl ran past them. 'Maybe it's fate' Kin thought to himself as he saw the girl dash into Homeroom 1-B. Kin walked briskly into the class room and took a seat in the back corner behind Kuro, next to a window. He slung his messenger bag down next to his desk and then proceeded to shoulder his cane and recline back in his chair. Glancing back over his shoulder towards the clock that stood high on the back wall, Kin began to go through the remainder of the day in his head. 'Let's see...first there's Homeroom- that's 30 minutes, and I can't skip that. They take attendance. Next there's the Freshman Orientation Ceremony- that's an hour and a half. Then our first class, then lunch, then our last two classes. Hmm...I think I can get away from the first day of classes and definitely the ceremony, but where am I gonna go?' A faint smile then crept on to Kin's face as he thought about his usual hangout spot at school during his first freshman year. 'Yeah, that'll do nicely.' Kin's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the heavy classroom door shutting. Sitting up straight and looking towards the front of the room, Kin saw their homeroom teacher taking a seat at his large desk and shuffling through a pile of papers in his briefcase. No doubt looking for the list of students and attendance sheet. Kin moved his eyes towards the back of Kuro's head in front. Then, casting a cautious glance towards the teacher to make sure he was still preoccupied with his pile of papers, Kin lowered his cane to the side of the desk. He then slowly thrust the cane forward and lightly tapped Kuro's elbow in order to get his attention. Wearing a coy grin on his face, Kin asked "So, you ready to get this thing started or what?" __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself.

04-23-2007, 06:18 PM	#13 (permalink)
nevin Upright Location: North Carolina	Breathing heavily from the run, Aki took one last look at the dreamy world outside the window before getting her notebook and pencil out and waiting for the teacher. She was so focused that she hardly noticed the boys who came in after her, let alone the one who took the seat next to her. The teacher walked in, shuffled through his papers, and wrote his name on the board. “Amaya Akiko” he called. “Ah, yes! Um..pres…ah..here!” she called out, blushing from her stutter and from having all eyes on her for a moment. “Hey,” she jumped as she felt someone tap her arm; she turned to look at the guy on her right, “It’s ok,” he said, winking. When his own name was called he said something to make everyone laugh including Aki. She appreciated his trying to rescue her, so she smiled shyly but turned her gaze back to her notebook as the teacher fished role and wrote out the orientation schedule and proceeded to explain how normal class days would run. As he finished explaining he looked at his watch and announced instructions for the orientation ceremony and directions to the auditorium. Aki diligently started copying down his instructions and a little map of the halls… Last edited by nevin; 04-28-2007 at 07:42 PM..

04-28-2007, 04:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
Yukimura Tilted Location: At a computer, obviously.	"Kuromei Nou." "Ready to kick ass sir." "While I appreciate your enthusiasm, a simple here will suffice." A few chuckles came from the other students in the room. A few seemed to get a little excited by his comment. Kuro fed off this and locked in a staredown with another student. It was obvious that they were both eager to start their training. After a moment, the other student rolled his eyes and looked away. Kuro smiled and smiled at the girl next to him. Her eyes however were fixated on her notebook before her. Kuro was about to try and get her attention when he felt a tap on his elbow. He heard Kin whisper behind him. "So, you ready to get this thing started or what?" "Hell yeah. What were you thinking?"

04-28-2007, 04:51 PM	#15 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	Kin lowered his reclined chair and leaned forward to avoid the teacher's gaze and the likely trouble he'd find if he was caught talking in class. Tenhanshi was a pretty strict academy after all, at least in some aspects. Talking in a whisper that sounded more like a low growl, Kin spoke to the back of Kuro's head. " I was thinking a training session during lunch," then with a mischevious smirk on his face. *" And maybe a real* tour of the school in the afternoon instead of classes. What do you think?"** With that, Kin brought his head back up straight and his gaze back to the teacher at the back of the class. Kin had learned the immense value of the ability to daydream in class while still appearing to be paying close attention to the teacher. Reclining back in his chair, Kin began to think about "The Pit" in the small back courtyard of the school and the fun he and Kuro could have with its inhabitants that afternoon. __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself.

04-28-2007, 07:19 PM	#16 (permalink)
Yukimura Tilted Location: At a computer, obviously.	Kuro smiled and put out his right hand. Without looking back, he gave his buddy Kin a big thumbs up. He used his elbow to get the attention of the girl sitting next to him. In a very quiet whisper, barely moving his lips, he spoke. "We're going to find some action and probably a little trouble this afternoon instead of classes. Wanna come?" He felt the girl's gaze come on him, and it made him blush just a little, but he kept his eyes focused straight ahead to perpetuate the illusion that he was actually paying attention to this mind-numbing prattle.

04-29-2007, 07:10 AM	#17 (permalink)
nevin Upright Location: North Carolina	"We're going to find some action and probably a little trouble this afternoon instead of classes. Wanna come?" Aki looked at him in surprise. Miss classes? Wasn’t that why they were there? To learn? She bit her lip and let the lines her notebook blur together as she thought. Maybe no one else would want to be her friend—especially once they saw her weapon. She hadn’t done extensive research but there didn’t seem to be a division devoted to the tessen in the school’s training program. And it wasn’t exactly a front line weapon—sure it looked great in practice, but when it actually came time to use it, she couldn’t think of other people. Or maybe she just hadn’t learned how to do that yet. Just then a bumblebee lazily buzzed against the window pane and landed on the ledge. Her little feet were dusted in yellow pollen, and she took a moment to inspect a forefoot and clean her antenna. Aki looked at the bee’s big eyes, and, as if in response, the bee fanned out her wings, and then flew away. ‘Maybe it’s better to learn to work in a group’, she thought, as the bee left her sight. And she was anxious to really try out her tessen, and she could always sneak away from them and go back to class. When the teacher turned back to writing on the chalkboard, Aki slid her foot over to the boy who had made her laugh, clicked her heel against his, and when he looked over, whispered, “hai”.

04-29-2007, 09:45 AM	#18 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	'Looks like we're going to have a guest with us this afternoon.' Kin thought to himself as he watched the short hushed dialogue between Kuro and the girl sitting next to him. 'What was her name?' Kin mentally questioned himself. 'O yeah. It was Akiko.' It was then Kin broke out of his mental daze to the realization that the room was emptying around him. 'Guess, it must be time for the freshmen orientation ceremony.' As the other students in Homeroom 1-B began to march excitedly through the door, Kin couldn't help but laugh a little as he stood up and shouldered his bag. 'Those guys have no idea what they're getting themselves into. Honestly, I mean who get's so excited over an orientation ceremony? Borefest!' Kin struggled slightly to make it through the rows of desks that had once been neatly arranged into aisles, but now were haphazardly placed around the room; the result of students rushing to get out of the door. Realizing that his cane was more of a hinderance than a help in his present situation, Kin placed his cane on a desk then reached back with his left hand to feel the back part of his school bag's strap. Feeling the two smaller straps on the bag strap, Kin grabbed his cane and forced it in between the two smaller straps. Turning his bag into a make-shift back sheath. Being able to move about a little more freely, Kin walked towards the door as the last of the other students were leaving the classroom. Looking back, Kin realized that Kuro and Aki were still in the classroom; Aki still placing her notebooks into her overloaded school bag and Kuro desperately trying to help her with the process. "Hey, you two!" Kin shouted softly. "You know, we could ditch the rest of the day and get our little play date started early. I mean, I could pretty much recite from memory the speeches given at the damn orientation and I still have my notes from classes from last year. So what do you say?" __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself. Last edited by Wolfwood; 04-29-2007 at 09:47 AM..

04-29-2007, 10:26 AM	#19 (permalink)
nevin Upright Location: North Carolina	‘Well,’ Aki thought, ‘if we’re going to miss out on the rest of the day anyway…’ She looked to Kuro, who had introduced himself while helping her, and who now smiled and nodded encouragingly, and then back to the other who had spoken. “Do you really promise there’s nothing important?” He nodded emphatically, "Swear it”. “And, will you really recite some of it?” he looked like his patience was being tested but nodded again. “Well then,” she said with a shy confidence, “let’s go. I’m Akiko, it’s nice to meet you.”

04-29-2007, 12:21 PM	#20 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	Kin held out his hand towards Akiko to shake while saying, "My name is Kinnikun Makihara, but you can call me Kin and the pleasure is mine." With that, Kin popped his head out of the classroom door to inspect the hallway outside. A large group of freshman were moving past him like a crowded herd of cattle. As soon as the large group passed him, moving towards the main auditorum, and the remaining stragglers followed suit, Kin walked out into the hallway and headed in the opposite direction, towards the main stairwell. Without looking back, Kin called to Kuro and Akiki, "Alright, just follow me and keep up. The last thing we want to do is to be caught by the hall monitors. They tend to be the students with biggest egos and the worst attitudes." As he walked, Kin remembered that Akiko had asked him to recite some of the speeches from the orientation, so he began to do so. "Okay, so first speech- blah, blah, blah, Welcome to Tenhanshi Academy. Second speech- more blah, blah, strive for both academic excellence and mastery of your chosen skill. Third speech- more blah, look to join one of the many clubs on campus and there will be a Club Fair tomorrow. Fourth speech- blah, crap, blah, at the end of the year there will be a Final Tournament. Then some "oohs" and "ahhs" about the mysterious Final Tournament, then class." Coming to the main stairwell, Kin pulled his cane out from his makeshift back sheath, but rather than using it to brace himself while he walked- he used it to hop up on the first banister of the stairwell. Balancing himself and placing his cane at his side, Kin slid down the banister until he landed with a soft thud on the next platform. Kin continued to do this until he had made it back to the bottom most floor. From there, he started walking to the backside of the school rather than the school's front courtyard. After going down a small flight of steps, he found himself in a familiar dark, low-ceilinged hallway. __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself. Last edited by Wolfwood; 04-29-2007 at 01:08 PM..

04-29-2007, 12:47 PM	#21 (permalink)
Yukimura Tilted Location: At a computer, obviously.	"Alright!" Kuro reached back and grabbed Aki's hand, pulling her along with him as he ran down the hall. When they caught up with Kin at the stairwell, he realized he was still holding the girl's hand. He looked in her eyes for a moment, embarrassed, then quickly looked away, embarrassed. Kin had once again taken off from them. "You always move so dang fast!" Kuro placed his hands on the rail in front of him. Leaning over to look down, he saw that the stairs went down to the bottom floor with only a small gap between the different sets of stairs. Kin was already half-way down. "Wait up!" Kuro jumped down between the flights of stairs and felt himself begin to plummet. He instantly knew that this was not the awesome idea it seemed to be. His speed picked up much quicker than he had planned, and soon rails were rushing past him. He grabbed hold of every rail for a second, slowing his fall as he went down, but found himself a little off target on the last one, slipping right over the top of it, his stomach landing hard on the rail. Kuro let out a slight moan, then jumped in front of the stairs to slow Kin down before he left. "Are you trying to leave our new friend behind? Yeesh. For a gimp, you sure move quick."

04-29-2007, 03:00 PM	#22 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	Kin halted at the bottom of the stairs before the darkened hallway. Hearing Kuro speak, Kin responded by swiftly cracking his dear friend in the shin with his cane. "Watch who you call a gimp." Kin said with a grin on his face. "Because if Im a gimp then that means you're mentally handicapped." With a soft laugh, Kin waited for Akiko to rejoin the group before he spoke again. "For reference, I wasn't trying to lose our new friend. I was trying to avoid running into a hall mon-..." Kin stopped speaking abruptly and turned his gaze to the darkened hallway before him. He couldn't make out the outline of a person, but he sensed someone watching them. "And what is it you want?" Kin asked the shadows of the hallway. After a few long seconds, the figure of a person began to emerge from the darkness. The figure was in actuality a Hall Monitor, exactly what Kin had wanted to avoid, and the student came to a stop at the edge of the hallways shadows, about 15 feet away from the group. The figure was a tall male student with overgelled black hair that spiked straight up in the air, which only added to his already abnormal height. The kid was well-built and carried a bo over his shoulder. Judging from the two red bands he wore on the left arm of his uniform, Kin could tell he was a second year Hall Monitor. This relieved Kin a little, but it didnt stop him from slowly moving his feet into a fighting stance and gripping his cane tightly. The Monitor stared the group down for another second or two, undoubtedly trying to make them grow even uneasier, before he spoke. "What do I want?" He asked himself while sarcastically rubbing his chin as if it were some grand metaphysical question. "Well for starters, how about a little bit of respect you puney first-years and after that how about a little of what in the hell are you doing here?" Kin grinned slightly at the Monitor's tough-guy act. He was obviously compensating for something. Maybe a lack of fighting ability? Taking a step forward, Kin answered. *"Well, I'll take your second question first. We're headed to The Pit."* Kin grinned as he spoke the next words. "As for respect...well, that's just something you'll have to earn." With that, Kin lowered his bag to the ground and kicked it out of the way. He then shifted from a defensive stance to the most basic offensive stance of his Buro-kundou style. Flashing a glance over at Kuro, Kin saw his friend trembling. Not out of fear, but out of anticipation and excitement. __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself. Last edited by Wolfwood; 04-29-2007 at 03:09 PM..

04-29-2007, 04:15 PM	#23 (permalink)
nevin Upright Location: North Carolina	When she got to the bottom of the stairs, Aki had to let a little smirk form in the corner of her mouth. She knew that she could have jumped down that distance gracefully—especially if she’d had her tessen out—but she didn’t want to look like a show off after Kuro’s fall. At home she had practiced diving into the ocean countless times, and once she had started training with the tessen her sensei had taught her to change to motion to compensate for the unforgiving ground. She was concerned for Kuro, but before she could ask if he was alright, Kin had hushed them and was talking. When the other two readied themselves for a fight, Aki didn’t know what to do. She was ashamed to find that her instinct told her to stay behind the two guys, or, maybe worse, to just apologize and stay out of trouble. But as they showed no signs of backing down she made her hand reach into the side of her bag and grab the tessen. A practice match with a cloth dummy or real person who was also practicing was one thing, but a street fight (this was the closest Aki had ever been to a street fight) was something entirely different. She undid the tie on the cloth which wrapped her weapon, and let her thumb graze over the thick, closed edge. With the heavy iron fan in her grip, she began to feel a small flow of confidence rush back into her arm, and though unsure, stood as ready as she could manage. Last edited by nevin; 04-29-2007 at 10:25 PM..

05-06-2007, 01:47 PM	#24 (permalink)
Yukimura Tilted Location: At a computer, obviously.	"So you actually have the guts to challenge me to a Kentou?" "Kin, did he just sneeze?" "Kentou means honorable combat. It's one of the rules..." "Yes! I challenge you to Kentou. Show me what you've got!" "This will be most amusing. Please, do your best not to die in our match. I'm sorry, but I just don't think I can hold back enough not to hurt you." Kuro dropped into his hand-to-hand stance right where he was standing, a good five yards back from the hall monitor. The monitor smirked at Kuro's poor decision not to cover more of his bo's ground, but he didn't much care. "Let's just get this started. We have a lot more to do today! You've been talking so much about how easy we'll be to defeat, yet you continue to stand back." The hall monitor's face began to change from smug to infuriated. "Don't confuse cowardice with mercy you insect!" With that, the monitor spun around drawing his bo at the same time, moving towards Kuro just enough to come in for a powerful strike. Kuro smiled and jumped without reserve into the attack. A small "thud" was audible coming from Kuro's ribs where the staff made contact, but the actual impact was fairly weak. Kuro had covered most of the distance before the strike was dealt, and now stood face to face with his opponent. "Nasake Kobushi!" Kuro brought his hands back to his hips, then, opening his palms, thrust them forward into his opponent's abdomen. Energy could be felt pouring out from his opponent, and an almost visible aura of energy was forming around them. His opponent was caught off-guard with a look of great surprise. But, just as quickly as the aura had appeared, it went back into their bodies and vanished. The monitor began to laugh. "Are you joking? All that flare and your attack fell apart? That was pathetic! Let me show you a real advanced move. Dance of 1000 Staves!" The monitor jumped back from Kuro and began to move his Bo. At first it didn't even seem to be fighting, more like a delicate dance. Then out of nowhere, with incredible speed, the Bo came flying forward towards Kuro, who dodged it at just the last second. Another brief moment passes, and two more blows come at Kuro. He feels the breeze blow over him as the bo passes by. "What's this?" The monitor really turned it up, and Kuro was enveloped in a whirlwind of crushing blows. However, the faster the monitor moved, the faster Kuro moved. Not a single blow was landed.

05-07-2007, 03:15 PM	#25 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	Kin wore an amused look on his face as he relaxed from his fighting stance and watched Kuro dance around the pelting blows of the Hall Monitor's bo staff. So, Kin thought to himself, continuing to watch his best friend weave fluidly away from each of the monitor's strike, he's already learned to anticipate an opponent's attacks and read their movement rather than just reacting to them, huh? Not really that surprising, but I didn't think he'd of reached this level so soon. Turning his gaze from the battle to their new friend, Kin saw Akiko standing near the bottom of the stairwell clutching her large metal tessen and watching Kuro fight with a look of wonderment in her eyes. Kin grinned sheepishly. "He is pretty good, huh?" Kin asked with a slight laugh. "Or are you just surprised that there's actually some sense of honor in the fights that go on around here?" Kin didn't wait for Akiko's response before he began talking again. "But you know, you really should be on your guard. The one thing I've learned about Hall Monitor's is that they're never alone. They're like wolves, they travel in pac-" Kin stopped short and turned his head slowly to the dark hall before him. Man, I really should learn to keep my mouth shut sometimes, Kin thought to himself as he watched another shadowy figure forming in the dark curtain of the hall. A few seconds later another Hall Monitor appeared at the edge of the shadows on the opposite side of the hall from where Kuro was still fighting the first Monitor. The second monitor wasn't nearly as tall as the first, but he would still be considered a giant by most normal highschool standards. The second Monitor had long black hair that was pulled into a ponytail in the back. His school uniform was wrinkle-free and his shirt was neatly tucked into his slacks. The most noticeable features of the Monitor though were the large paddle-like weapon he held in his right hand and the peircing look he was giving Kin at the moment. Kin paused for a moment and looked up at Akiko. She seemed a bit stunned and was obviously very nervous. Kin knew how she felt at the moment because he had been in the same situation only a year before. Kin took a few steps towards the left side of the hall and asked Akiko in passing. "So, yours or mine?" Kin knew what her answer would be already, so he didn't bother waiting for her to respond before taking another few steps until he stood directly in front of the second Monitor, roughly 15 feet away. The Monitor continued to glare at Kin for a few seconds, before he muttered in an almost inaudible rasp, "Kentou?" Kin simply nodded his head in response and shifted his body into the most basic offensive stance of his Buro-kundou style. Kin relaxed his right arm allowing the tip of his "cane" to nearly touch the ground, but at the same time gripped its handle firmly. Bringing his left hand up across his chest and stopping at eyes level, Kin awaited the Monitor's first attack. He didn't have to wait long. The second Monitor gripped his large paddle-like weapon in both hands and brought it up over top of his head as he began to cover the distance between he and Kin. Kin was surprised how well the Monitor was able to move and how quickly he was able to cover the distance between the two considering he was weilding such a large weapon. When the monitor was only a few mere feet away from Kin he began to bring his weapon down hard with the intent of finishing Kin with one crushing blow. Kin had other ideas though, as we let tension out of his right leg and pushed off with his left which allowed him to seemingly float a few feet to the right and avoid the blow. The monitor's large weapon crashed into the hallfloor with a deafening crack that echoed throughout the low, dark hallway. Not waiting for the monitor to realize that he hadn't actually made contact with his first attack, Kin stepped forward and swung his "cane" in a swift upwards slash. Kin's attack made contact the monitor's face, just on the underside of chin. The monitor released his grip of his large weapon and clutched his chin as he stumbled back into the left side wall of the hall. The monitor was quivering in pain as he clutched his chin, but was still able to move his gaze upwards to shoot a hate-filled glare at Kin. Kin resumed his previous fighting stance and looked at the Monitor wearing a cocky smirk on his face. He then asked with perhaps to much of a laugh and maybe a bit too smugly, "Heh, face hurt?" __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself.

05-13-2007, 06:38 PM	#26 (permalink)
nevin Upright Location: North Carolina	Aki watch Kuro and Kin in a frightened wonder. Each of the four fighters moved so differently. And they were fast too. She wasn’t sure if her speed would really be enough, let alone impressive, next to them. She kept a close eye on both fights, wondering if she should jump in and help and waiting for a moment when she might be needed. Her attention was so keenly fixed that she didn’t hear the heavy footsteps that fell behind her, she didn’t notice, that is, until and equally heavy hand squeeze her shoulder. “Senpai,” he called out, a mean laughter lacing his voice, “look at what I found here—a little mouse.” Kuro’s opponent’s concentration was broken for just a moment, allowing Kuro to get in and make a small hit. The third monitor winced at his own mistake but it only fuel his fighting spirit. He turned his attention back to Aki. She now felt the weight of his metal knuckles pressing painfully into her shoulders. “Little mice shouldn’t be out in the halls, why don’t we go…” as he spoke Aki felt braver. Every word he spoke made her adrenaline rise in confidence—she wanted to get rid of him. Her purple eyes squinted into the coldest stare she could manage, “I’ll stay right here, thanks.” She said. “Oh, mouse wants to fight, eh? Hahahaha.” He chuckled menacingly. “Say it.” “Kentou,” she whispered, bringing her tessen up and hitting his elbow as hard as she could with the edge of the heavy fan. He cried out in pain, releasing his grip enough for her to slip away and ready herself. Aki wasn’t sure if that had counted as honorable combat but as long as she was away from him she didn’t care. He rubbed his already-swelling elbow and Aki was surprised to see how his face twisted into a crueler, angrier expression. He cracked his knuckles and closed in to throw a punch. Aki threw her fan open to block it, though the force of the two metals meeting was so hard it nearly caused sparks to fly out. Aki dropped to her ankles and spun to slice his legs with the razor edge on the fan. Again he cried out, but he moved his leg and threw Aki off-balance—ruining her swift escape and giving him an opening to land a blow on her back. The younger member of the monitors seemed not to mind fighting dirty, though Aki was pulling some tricks of her own. Aki managed to block, slice, and club him, but never enough to knock him down, while he hardly hit her but when he did it hurt and decreased her agility. Finally, nearly exhausted and completely unaware of what was happening with the other two, Aki, managed to get in a good club to his neck, forcing him to drop to his knees, but the unexpected force of it caused Aki to loose her grip on the tessen and it when flying to the side. She did her best to dart to it quickly, and although there was still enough adrenaline going to keep her from feeling the direct pain of her injuries, she was wearing out. This wasn’t like anything she had practiced, and Aki was beginning to feel that she was in trouble.

05-14-2007, 05:09 AM	#27 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	Kin heard the sounds of battle as he watched the second monitor push himself off the wall and regain his composure. Risking a quick glance back, Kin saw that Akiko hadn't been able to avoid fighting after all and was currently engaging a brass-knuckled hall monitor. Quickly bringing his gaze back to the second hall monitor in front of him, Kin saw the guy rubbing his chin feverishly attempting to rub away, what Kin knew to be, a very sharp, piercing pain. After another second or so of rubbing, the monitor's gaze finally found it's way back to Kin. Except something was different about the monitor now. He was smiling. Kin gripped his boken hard with his right hand and had to use every ounce of patience he had to keep from pummeling the smile right off the monitor's face. Calm down! Kin told himself sternly. Take a deep breath, focus, and just wait for him to come at you. Do that, and it will be a cake walk. Kin did as he was told, took a deep breath in then exhaled slowly. It was then Kin noticed that the monitor hadn't yet picked up his weapon, and didn't seem to have any plans to as he raised his hands, balling them into fists while doing so and bulled his neck. A boxing stance? Kin asked himself. What the hell is he doi- Kin's thoughts were stopped short as the monitor lunged at him unexpectedly with a hard right hook. Kin was able to react in time though and used the same maneuver he had before to dodge the attack. The monitor, however, seemed to expect Kin to dodge and he immediately moved into a short two punch combo- another right hook then a left jab. Kin read the monitors motions thought and acted accordingly. Releasing his grip from his boken, Kin allowed the sword to drop to the floor in order to free up his hands. Kin then dodged the first right hook, then guided the monitor's left jab harmlessly to the side with his right hand. Kin finished his counter by doing a slight back-step and planting his left elbow into the base of the monitors neck. Kin's elbow hit the monitor hard, letting our a sickening thwack sound. Kin watched as the monitors body seemed to melt into the ground, until he lay unconcious in a crumpled heap. It was over. Kin smirked a little, then proceeded to pick his boken up from the floor and turn his attentions to Kuro's and Aki's fights with their respective monitors. __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself.

05-14-2007, 10:13 AM	#28 (permalink)
Yukimura Tilted Location: At a computer, obviously.	Kuro's mind wandered, even during his fight, back to his Nasake Kobushi training. He heard his own voice reading the words of the scrolls once again. "You and your opponent are as one. There is nothing separating the two of you. His happiness is your happiness. His pain is your pain. His will is your will." Kuro could feel his opponents moves inside his own body. He gained immediate respect for the years of training it must have taken him to perfect his art to this degree. The bo glided gracefully through the air, making hard and fast strike time and time again. As the monitor struck, Kuro could feel the moves to strike in his own body. Almost subconsciously, he glides around them, knowing exactly where the weak points are in his opponents balance and what positions he can't strike easily. Suddenly, Kuro heard a loud 'THWANG' as Aki's tessen flew away from her. "AKI!" Kuro's opponent managed to land a glancing blow on Kuro's cheek. "Bastard! I don't have any more time for this! This fight's over." Kuro had tried to use intimidation to put his opponent off, but time was out, and he had no time to play any more head games. Kuro dodged towards his enemy once, and while doing so let one fist fly directly below his opponents ribs. As his fist plunged into his opponent, Kuro felt it plunge into him. It robbed him of his breath, but he knew he could not stop. Kuro wrapped his hands around his opponent and sent him into a beautiful back suplex, the monitor's head being the first thing back to the ground. The fight was indeed over, though it took Kuro a while to get back to his feet. When he did, he spit out just a little blood. Looking over, he saw the monitor closing in on Aki. He didn't even need Nasake Kobushi to understand the look in Aki's eyes. Her fighting was great, fluid movements, great timing, strong follow-through. However, her inexperience in actual battle was obvious. Her body was wearing out, and it was getting to her. At this rate, it seemed like... Kuro burst into action without thinking about the rules of kentou, as though he knew them anyway. He flew into full sprint and came to a sliding stop behind Aki as she continued to go for her Tessen. Squaring off against the monitor, he stood tall and fearless. The look in his eyes was like the look of a man being challenged by a child. The monitor's eyes betrayed a small look of fear. Kuro laughed. "Do you want to wind up like your friend over there? Why not just call it a day and pretend we never saw you? Get out of here now and I'll consider that option."

05-19-2007, 03:45 PM	#29 (permalink)
nevin Upright Location: North Carolina	The youngest monitor’s eyes flicked around to the others, then fixed on Kuro. He smirked, “You think you’re helping by saving her? You’re just giving both of yourselves a shameful reputation.” “There’s no shame in bringing down someone who fights as dirty as you,” he answered. “Now how much longer are you planning on staying in my sight?” At this, Kin took a step towards the other two. He knew that his best friend could handle the guy no problem, but he thought the added intimidation wouldn’t hurt—they had better things to do than to waste their time with that guy. Clearly weighing his options, the monitor drew in a deep breath and began to raise his fist, but when Kuro took a step forward to answer this action, the monitor turned and ran after his friends who had already begun to slink away. Aki dropped down to her knees, breathing as though she hadn’t in ten minutes. Without looking up she said in a very soft, dejected, “Thank you, Kuro. I wouldn’t have won by myself... Are you alright?” He turned to look at her and crouched down. “Absolutely fine, see?” he smiled and hit his chest lightly. “No problems.” “Heh,” Kin laughed, knowing that Kuro was trying to play it tough. He walked up behind Kuro and hit him a little harder on the back, causing Kuro to wince in pain and a little more blood to spill out over his lip. “That’s what I thought.” Aki gasped a little but she didn’t know much about healing or bandages and she knew Kin would have shown more concern if it had been merited. She had her own aches and bruises but she was already so dejected from her poor fight she didn’t want them to think her completely useless and weak so while Kuro wiped his mouth she looked up to Kin and asked, “What was that?”

05-25-2007, 02:05 PM	#30 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	Kin attempted to feign ignorance to Aki's question by running his hand through the back of his bleached hair, donning a bewildered look and replying, "Yeah, I don't know who those guys were. I suppose your guess is as good as mine." Looking down at Aki, Kin knew she'd never fall for his act. The tessen-wielder was lightly massaging Kuro's back and looking up at Kin with a knowing stare. Besides that, there was also the fact that Kin had already mentioned the Hall Monitors to Aki before. "Alright, alright." Kin finally conceded as he furrowed his brow and his demeanor became a bit more serious, "but I'll explain as we walk. Plus it'll make a lot more sense when we get there." Kin then encouraged Kuro, and by extension Aki, to stand up with a quick poke in the side with his boken, before turning around and starting down the dark hallway. Not bothering to check whether his two companions were following him, Kin began to talk. "Those guys we just fought were Hall Monitors. They are the lowest branch of The Enforcers, which is the student group responsible for running this academy. The Enforcers uphold school rules, mediate arguments and conflicts, and essentially dominate pretty much all aspects of the school. The kicker is that The Enforcers are the ones that make up the rules of the school and generally are the cause of most of the disturbances; it's pretty much corrupt." The clicks of Kin's cane on the hall's tiled-floor echoed loudly through the shadows as he continued to walk and speak. "The student group that rules as The Enforcers is decided at a tournament held at the end of each school year, The Grand Battle. Five-person teams compete, or battle rather, against each other for the right to rule the school for the next year. Generally, a new student group takes over each year, but for the past 3 years the same team has won the tournament because of him..." Kin came to a halt at what appeared to be a dead end to the hallway, but he continued to speak. "The Enforcers run this school like tyrants. The best way to survive is either to join them or get out of their way. Any other option will get you into some serious trouble...trust me I know." With this, Kin massaged his right leg gently and began to reminisce about the previous year. He was brought back to reality by Kuro clearing his throat. A little embarrassed, Kin finished up his small address. "Right, well...The one thing The Enforcers hate above all else are upstart, smart-mouth Freshmen, but they do respect strength, which is why we're here." Kin smiled a little at the drama he had built up, the threw his shoulder into the hall's dead end, which was in fact a large door. The door creaked open slowly, revealing a blindingly bright sunlit courtyard. The courtyard was much smaller than the school's main courtyard, about half a football field long and just as wide. The courtyard was completely surrounded by 30 foot walls on every side and there wasn't a single exit except for a door that stood in the middle of the left-most wall. The door was about 10-feet tall and came to an arching point at its highest. The courtyard itself was sparsely furnished only having about five or six benches and a simple fountain in the middle of the courtyard. As the trio made there way into the courtyard, Kin noticed that there were was noone else in the courtyard besides them and two older looking students who stood off to the left next to the tall door. Shrugging off the glares he was getting from the other two students, Kin turned around and faced Akiko and Kuro. *"Welcome to the First-Year Section of The Pit. What do you think?"* __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself.

05-27-2007, 12:25 PM	#31 (permalink)
Yukimura Tilted Location: At a computer, obviously.	Kuro felt his wounds start to drift away. He never really had them in the first place, they were just echoes of his opponent's pain. As his chi system circulated, the pain left him. Of course, having a beautiful woman massage it away never hurts. He almost didn't realize that they had wandered into a giant arena. When he did, he immediately perked up. "Are we going to fight here? This would be an awesome place to fight! Just the right distance, just the right environment, I think I could really express myself here." Kuro pointed one finger out around the room. "Takin' all comers! Who's the first to fall?" Kuro's eyes darted around the room, looking the others in their eyes, testing them, and trying to decide who had a strong enough fighting spirit to really press him in a fight. Kuro felt himself fidgeting in excitement. Last edited by Yukimura; 05-27-2007 at 12:29 PM..

05-29-2007, 03:45 PM	#32 (permalink)
nevin Upright Location: North Carolina	“Ano…” Aki said softly, tugging on Kuro’s sleeve but not daring to look at him or Kin. “Back there… with the monitors…I wouldn’t have won that fight, by myself. I got scared before it started and I didn’t want to fight,” she was near tears now but held them back out of determination not to be any more foolish than she already was. “And I was so glad when Kin stepped in and took the second one…I always loved the tessen, and I thought I loved fighting with it but, I’ve never been in a real fight. Maybe,” her face fell as she prepared to make her suggestion, “maybe I should just go back to class and begin normal training. I don’t want to bring you guys down.” Maybe it was the exhaustion or excess emotion, or maybe it was the idea of turning away from her first real friends, but Aki had to let a couple tears drop into the dirt she still determinedly faced as she waited for their answer.

05-29-2007, 10:12 PM	#33 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	Kin watched Aki closely as she spoke, paying little attention to Kuro standing up on the tips of his toes and looking around as if he was searching for any other students or perhaps trying to make himself taller and more intimidating, then Kin noticed the small tears fall from Aki's lowered face. "You've got nothing to be ashamed of Aki," Kin said in a gentle tone. "Every fighter has been in the same situation you were today. The first step forward in fight, especially a first fight, is the hardest to take. The real test is to never to take a step backwards, never retreat, and keep pressing forward through thick and thin. That's the path you'll need to take and the weight you'll have to bear if you want to become stronger and become a more skilled fighter." Kin paused a moment to let the words soak in and also to see if they had eased any of Aki's uneasiness. "Now then," Kin spoke in a more firm tone. "We came here to make a statement and Kuro and I, despite our desires, can't do it alone. Kuro, aside from any other feelings he may hold for you, asked you to accompany us for a reason. Despite his enthusiastic disposition, he actually has a keen eye, which means he chose you because he believes in your ability, as well as your potential. But you've got to have a little bit of faith in yourself in order to realize it." "As for you," Kin said turning his attention to Kuro. "Challenges and kentou don't work in the way you think they do. You can't go around challenging anyone and everyone. Kentou is honorable and battles must be fought one on one. So let's try and think before we shout." Kin said this last sentence with a smile. *"And another thing, here in The Pit, people tend to be alot stronger than your average Hall Monitor. Our goal,"* Kin said pointing his boken towards the large door to their left and the two students who sat in front of it. *"is to make through that door and into the Second Year level of The Pit. If we can do that, I'll elaborate a little bit more on the statement I want to make."* Taking a few lightly-limped steps towards the large door, Kin turned to look at Aki and Kuro. "Alright, I'm going to get this thing started." __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself. Last edited by Wolfwood; 06-01-2007 at 04:14 PM..

05-31-2007, 10:34 AM	#34 (permalink)
Draconis Insane Location: Normandy, June of '44	Ha Hai Hi Character Name: Onigami (an alias) Age: ? Description: 6’ 4”; Long blonde hair, muscular but pale and lanky; Wears a broken white ceramic mask with a vertical red line through the right eye, covering his face save his right cheek and mouth. Clothed in brown leather pants with animal pelts at his ankles, two brown leather straps cross his chest, holding his ax and shortsword. He carries a rather odd leather pouch on his right hip. Fighting Style: For the moment, let's say there's something in that pouch of his which is just as useful as the folded steel upon his back. And that there are two things which lie within the aforementioned pouch. Backstory: Oh, you'd love to know, wouldn't you? A few hints then, to tease and appease the teaming masses: An ageless blonde giant with a Japanese alias... a tad odd, don't you think? Since when did people go around in leather pants without shirts on (aside from BDSM night down at the Slippery Snake and even then, pelts are so out of fashion in the bondage scene now that PETA started getting a little freakier)? And what, pray tell, is up with that blasted red line? Affix thine attention to the story and all shall be revealed in due time. * * * Sitting atop the roof surrounding the pit, a figure well hidden in the dark shadows of the watchtower sits quietly and patiently, awaiting this year's troublemakers. Dem är sen. No sooner had the words raced through his mind that the heavy wooden door swung open, revealing three. One is injured, one handicapped by his leg, one handicapped by fear. They won't stand a chance. But if the scale is unbalanced, then something must balance it. Perhaps, a test... yes, proof upon the proving grounds. The skin creasing at the corners of his mouth belying his contentment, the figure in the shadows set to work, removing a single square of colored paper from his hip pouch and carefully, slowly, and with great care to detail, began folding an origami crane. __________________ STEVE MCKENNA! Last edited by Draconis; 06-01-2007 at 08:20 AM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

06-01-2007, 04:36 PM	#35 (permalink)
Wolfwood Upright Location: taps you gently on the shoulder	Kin turned his attention back to the guards and strolled briskly towards the door where they stood. As he approached his destination, the guard on the left raised his head up from staring blankly at the courtyards grassy floor. The guard looked Kin up and down, then spoke with a surprised look on his face. "Ar..Aren't you Kinnikun Makihara?" Kin came to a halt a few yards from the guard on the left and gave a slight nod and grin in response. He recognized the guard as a second-year who had been in his homeroom the prior year. Kin had been friendly with him, but definitely did not consider him a friend, or even an acquaintance. Escpecially now. *"Didn't you leave after you did kentou* with-"** Kin smirked as the guard uttered the word kentou, and then acted in an instant. Bringing his boken up into both of his hands and holding it out horizontally in front of him, Kin lunged at the guard on the left. A loud thud echoed through the small courtyard as Kin brought his boken across the throat of the left guard and slammed his back into the large wooden door. The guard let out an exasperated cough as Kin forced the air from his lungs. *"You did say 'kentou' didn't you?"* Kin asked in a mocking tone. At that moment the guards head slumped forward in an unintentional nod as he passed out. Bringing the boken away from the guards throat and letting his body fall to the ground in a thud, Kin then said "Well, in that case, I accept. And...well, it looks like I win." Kin then turned to face the guard on the right, who hadn't so much as looked over at his companion during Kin's blitz attack. This gave Kin an uneasy feeling; he had hoped to surprise the other guard and perhaps scare the guard on the right away. The guard on the right continued to look down at the ground as if Kin wasn't there. Kin could feel his temper start to flare up in response to the guards disrespect, but caught himself. Retreating a few steps away from the door and taking care not to show the guard his back, Kin held his boken in the crook of his arm and fished out his lighter and a crumpled cigarette. Flipping open his zippo, Kin lit his ciggy and pocketed his lighter. Kin took in a deep drag and released a bellowing cloud of smoke. About this time, Kin noticed that the guard was finally looking at him. "Was the ground really so interesting that it drew your attention away from us?" Kin jested as he took another deep drag. The guard straightened up his stance, revealing the nodachi he carried in his left hand, and gazed viciously at Kin. "Why are you here?" the guard uttered in an almost undecipherable grumble. __________________ We're nothing like God. Not only do we have limited powers, but sometimes we're driven to become the devil himself.

06-02-2007, 11:07 AM	#36 (permalink)
Yukimura Tilted Location: At a computer, obviously.	"That's a stupid question." Kuro was standing right next to the guard with the sword, mere inches from him. The guard looked towards him and moved his nodachi towards Kuro, as though about to attack. Kuro smiled and continued. "Why else would anyone be in here, or in this school at all? We're here to fight and grow stronger." The guard continued to stare at Kuro, as though expecting Kuro to take a few steps back away from his weapon, but Kuro remained next to him. "I honestly can't say I know exactly what we're doing here, but if Kin brought me here, I know it's going to be fun. It looks like beating you will be part of our fun too." Kuro looked over his shoulder towards the roof surrounding them. He finally turned and started walking away. "You seem tough, that's for sure, but I have something else to check on now. My friend Aki here has more than enough strength to bring you down anyway." Kuro stood in front of Aki and smiled. "You'll fall quickly before the grace and precision of her tessen. Handle this for me please Aki, I'll be right back." Kuro walked away from the group towards the wall. Leaning against it, he called up to the figure above. "No need to sit up there watching us this whole time. Why don't you come down here and join in the fun? Our side or theirs, whichever way seems the most entertaining to you. Powerful fighters like you shouldn't spectate."