The New Winds

Tanshin settled into a jog as he left the barracks. His past few years of sedentary study put him at a disadvantage compared to many of the other kohai.
Running among the buildings of the compound gave rise to memories running through a farming village as a child.

Tanshin circled the compound, making sure to pass the outer gates as often as inconspicuously possible. He was looking for activity near the gates, of the workers entering for their daily tasks.

Every round saw a tall, thin, demon masked woman near the gate. Her attention wasn't on the gate, but instead watched Tanshin every time he passed.

Sweep Sweep... Sweep Sweep...
Sweep Sweep... Sweep Sweep...

She wasn't entirely alone near the entry to the grounds. Saburo had no interest in the gates. Instead, he was just busily doing what he did every single morning, cleaning up around the place. Someone had to keep up with it all. Happening to stop not far from the Yogo, he noticed Tanshin pass by on his latest circuit and stopped for a moment to rest at his rake.

"...good morning, Yogo-san. I see my kinsman is busy this morning." He wasn't sure what he was about at the moment, but sure.

Tanshin approached the gate on his third? circuit. He had seen the young Yogo woman before during Shugenja training. Had she always spent her mornings idly by the gate? He resolved that this time he would stop and speak with her.

As he got closer, he saw the familiar figure of Asako Saburo. He rises early, no wonder he seems to excel at ... well, nearly everything.

He kicked his stride a bit faster as he ran past Saburo. "On your Left!" Tanshin grunted, in what he hoped was a noticeable display of physical ability for the young Yogo.

Otoko gave a small bow to Saburo as he approached and... well, it was sort of a greeting. Before she said anything, she watched Tanshin on another round. She kept watching until he was around the corner once more before turning back to Saburo.

"...If I have the measure of it Asako-san, you have approximately a minute before Isawa-san comes back around on another lap. I am uncertain why, but I think perhaps he runs faster when I watch."

He blinked at the display and glanced to his left. What was to his left? There weren't any goblins or tree frogs to his left that needed squashing. No, everything seemed utterly normal. He continued to sweep as he waited for the circuit to come around again, the confusion starting to mount. "Ah... I see, Yogo-san. Are you then serving as his tutor to drive him to greater speed?" Because based on what she'd said before, there was no way he was trying to impress her to get her attention. She'd hear nothing of the sort, as far as the Asako was concerned.

"Uh... is there something to my left I should be aware of?"

Otoko shrugged softly. "There is always something to your left. I would not worry overly."

She didn't even look."...I am not his tutor though. I am merely enjoying the morning. I am uncertain what help I could be in athletic training."

"One of my sensei back home was never particularly athletically inclined, but they were very good at barking orders in proper time. We could shout for him to run faster when he happens by next time." He blinked and looked to his left. There was a ... tree frog, hopping towards a new tree. Lovely.

"I suppose there is always something to my left."

Her head tilted a bit. "...Do I seem the sort to shout anything?"

"No... and neither am I. I lack the lung strength for it. Ah, but I think I see him coming around the corner. Perhaps this is what I am meant to do in this situation?" Seriously, this was not his forte at all...

Tanshin lmturned the corner to see Saburo and Otoko turn their heads at his approach. Had they always met like this?

He kicked into a sprint as he came towards them, and jogged to a stop before them.

Tanshin bowed low, and took long, deep breaths to settle his racing heart.
"Good morning kohai." He said in a quickened breath.
"How does the morning find you both?"

Otoko gave a slow bow before speaking. "...Isawa-san. Do your best." She gave a delicate pump of her fists. She was still on her conversation with Saburo and seemed to decide that was an answer.

"I appreciate your encouragement." He bows again and introduces himself:
"I am Isawa Tanshin. I see you are already acquainted with my kinsman, but we have not been formally introduced."

So she had been encouraging. Otoko would have to note that for later. "Oh...? Then allow me. This is Asako Saburo-san."

"Good morning, cousin. You seem very ... energetic already today. Getting yourself warmed up for the morning's lessons I take it?" he said, glancing at the Yogo and attempting the same 'fist bump' gesture. It came off awkwardly and half-lanned. He really wasn't good at this sort of thing. "I am intact. The weather suits my constitution sufficiently this morning, and I am told there is fish for breakfast." because the little things were what counted.

He stiffled a chuckle. "We have met in this case, Yogo-san. I apologize. I believe he wished to be introduced to you."

"I am inspired by your example." Tanshin gave a nod to Saburo. "I m glad you are well."

"I apologize, I thought you two were already acquainted."

The masked Scorpion's head tilted slightly, and she looked between the two Phoenix. "We have met before now, yes. Yogo Otoko. "

"We've spoken a few time, yes." He nodded simply, deeply unsure how to take 'inspiring random students' to eats of athletic prowess. It was always extremely strange to him and he honestly had no clue how to react to it. Ah, but they were speaking socially and he was capable of being sociable. Yes, he knew how to do this. Totally.

"We have not had much time to train together but I believe we first met on the early days of these sessions, yes Yogo-san?"

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Tanshin bowed again to Otoko. "I have focused primarily on my studies, and haven't had many opportunities to speak with many other kohai. If you have time, I would like to hear your thoughts on the shugenja training we have had so far. I've heard other clans approach the elemental kami differently than my Isawa-sensei taught me."

She nodded softly at Saburo's question, but answered Tanshin with a small shrug. "I am uncertain what sort of opinion should be different. There may some between meishodo and scroll prayers for instance, but it. Is all the same training, all speaking with the kami."