The New Winds

While Moto-sensei was a firm believer that a good offense was the best defense even he admitted that sometimes one did not get the opportunity to strike first and the bushi who could avoid being hit was the one who could keep on hitting his opponent. As such, while it was not the preferred aspect of his training this morning found Ichrio spinning and dodging. Dancing in the rain against invisible opponents.

Nobuko took up a spot in a room adjacent to the courtyard, where the doors could be opened to watch those passing or training in the rain, but which did not allow the rain to reach her as she attempted to repeat the routine Utaku Oichi-sama had shown her the day before. Perhaps a little slower, but no less intense for it. After the first, very exhausting first 'rep' of running in place, jumping pushes, push-ups, and the strange cross-body sit-ups, Nobuko took a break and looked out to see who else was around.

"Utaku... Ichiro... was it?" she called out to the beautiful young man, with a confused smile on her face and a laugh, "Are you attempting to dodge the rain? If you are, I'm afraid you are not yet as fast as the wind."

That was definitely true, his hair was slick with rain as he laughed, "Well they say you should always train against a greater opponent!"

"Perhaps it would help to test your progress if you competed against someone closer to your level? A pebble cannot compare to a mountain, but it can compare to a stone," she suggested, adjusting her position so she was sitting more properly. Even covered in sweat, she strove to keep up appearances.

"We could attempt to find some of those items the Sensei had us use during our morning lesson and I could try throwing them at you," she offered. "I assure you, I have a terrible aim, but the slickness of the ground might play in my favor."

A raised eyebrow, "Sure it's not just an excuse to chuck things at a Unicorn?" He laughs again, "But, certainly, I'd be happy to help you practice your aim."

"I have no issue with the Unicorn for which I might desire to throw things at them," she responded, slowly unfolding herself to stand. Even one rep of the workout had her sore, especially after the morning's activities. "Thus far your clansmen have been most polite and comported themselves respectfully. I expect you shall be the same."

Nobuko, turned around in place, trying to see if any of those items from their earlier training were stored in the room she had picked. As luck would have it, there was a pile in one corner, not yet sorted. She went over and picked up several.

"And if you are not," she called, waving a broken chair leg, "Then I will have already thrown things at you!"

"Well here is hoping I don't give cause. But at least I will have already earned forgiveness if so."

He grins again as he takes up a defensive stance.

"Ready whenever you are, Otomo-sama."

(TNtBH 15+(11/2) = 21)

Nobuko had not been lying when she said her aim was poor. Ichiro didn't so much as have to tuck a strand of hair behind his ear to avoid the first throw she made.

Pouting, she grabbed a handful of other items and tried several at once, hoping that might make it either easier to hit, or at least harder for him to dodge.


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D3 Serpent Jiu (Improvised)/Ref: 1d10 2 /).(\ SOB
D3 Serpent Jiu (Improvised)/Ref x3: 3#1d10 4 10 6

The Unicorn playfully dances between the raining objects more successfully than he had danced between the actual raindrops.

"That third throw. That had decent form. Someone slower would have been hit head on."

"I suppose I must be the pebble to your mountain than," she sighed before setting the various pieces down and making space for him to enter the room, "Come up here, out of the rain. Let me attempt to hit you more directly!"

She hefted a piece of bamboo that had, at one time, been being readied as the handle of an umbrella. It did not make the cut, but worked well enough as an improvised weapon, yes?

"I cannot say I will be so good at it, but at least I will not have as far to go to gather what we used."

"An odd request when phrased as such. Thank you Otomo-sama."

He enters the drier area, offers a quick bow, and once more resumes his defensive stance.

(TNtBH 15+(11/2) = 21 - Consistent it seems)

Nobuko took up a stance that was clearly trying to imitate what she'd seen in others the hour prior. She took a deep breath, then swung several times. She missed each one, but it was obvious she was better at swinging a weapon than throwing one.

"Ah, Utaku-san, I think you are just too good at this already," she huffed, out of breath at the effort involved after her own workout. "I'm not sure I'm doing you any good."

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OOC
D3 Serpent Jiu (Improvised)/agil: 3#2d10 15 11 12

He smiles and tucks some hair back behind an ear, "You're doing fine, Otomo-sama. I'm pretty sure if I had not been focused on dodging that first strike would have done some damage. If it ever does come to real battle most foes are going to be as focused on offense as defense and will be easier to hit than someone solely trying to keep out of your way."

Having never been in such fights, even simulated ones, outside of the training they were undergoing at this dojo, Nobuko felt that Ichiro was likely just being polite in regards to her strikes.

"I have never trained with such weapons before. My only real familiarity is with a bow. But I don't think you'd like me firing arrows at your feet," she laughed before taking a deep breath, "Would you like to continue?"

He laughs along, "Perhaps after we've had some formal defense training but not quite yet." He smiles, "I could continue. Or we could exchange places if you needed to practice your dodging as well."

She paled a bit, pulling her arms in on herself. She didn't exactly want to encourage the appearance of yet more bruises. She was certain the morning's training had brought some in places she couldn't see - her back and shoulders especially.

"I... am uncertain that would be a good idea..." Nobuko attempted to make her obvious alarm less obvious by playing it off in some manner, "Unless you are very good at ensuring your blows do not land harshly, of course. I would not want to risk injury to my arms or hands as extended recovery would make playing the koto difficult."

Another grin, "Well we can't have anyone thinking I'm giving undue beatings to an Imperial. I trust in my skill but all combat, even mock combat, brings chaos and the unexpected. If it is not a risk you wish to take I understand."

Oh thank the kami! She did not want to be beaten up any more than completely necessary or as demanded by the school's schedule.

She relaxed her shoulders and flexed her arms a couple times before getting back into an attack stance, "Alright, I will try one more set and if I cannot hit you, then you are probably good. I will need to return to my own exercises soon, that Utaku-Sensei showed me. Perhaps you are familiar with some of them and could help me with my form?"

(OOPS wrong thread! Sorry!)

A smile and a nod, "I trained under the Moto, not the Utaku, so there may be some differences but I am sure I know enough to assist."

He resumes his stances, slightly better than before even, and awaits the attacks.

((TNtBH 15+(13/2) = 22)