[IC] To Learn A Way

[ShidenBlades]

The sun was high overhead and not a cloud was in sight, a slight breeze was constant causing the ocean of grass to sway at its whim. Ryuku thought it was a gorgeous day, the conditions were optimal for the testing that was about to happen. He sat bare chest and cross legged in a large perfect circle of compact dirt. The circle itself Ryuku figured was no smaller than fifty feet in diameter, perhaps even slightly larger. Plenty of room, he thought.

Ryuku sat quiet, his chest rising and falling in a rhythmic pattern as he focused on the task at hand. With his eyes closed and his platinum hair drifting on the gentle breeze Ryuku would appear to be at ease to the outsider. A faint smile, barely noticeable, tugged at either side of his lips as he waited for his training partner.

His left hand rubbed two small gems that hung from his belt, one a deep azure the other a brilliant emerald green. His left fingers worked over the prayer beads in a similar fashion. They were focusing items, and while they held no special properties, the familiar touch helped Ryuku fall deeper into his meditation. He did now know what to expect from his opponent or if it was even one man. He had been directed to come here, this remote dirt circle in the middle of nowhere, by his Instructor.

So here he was, patient and waiting…not sure if the challenger would even show up.

[Nomi Yanimura]

The sound of grass being stepped on accompanied a stranger as he made his way towards a large clearing that could be seen just up ahead. The day was pleasant, gorgeous in fact and it made travelling that much more relaxing. Funnily enough though, the stranger with long silver-haired and black with red trim blindfold covering his eyes, didn't seem to recognize where he was. True, he was blind and could not see anything, but he had his ways of being able to 'see' what was what, and where he was, was not where he thought he was. A look of confusion appeared on his face as the tall, but slender figure emerged from the grass, his armoured boots coming into contact with dry dirt now. The change in sound caused the blindfolded-man to stop moving, his head 'peering' in the direction of the clearing where there seemed to be another individual, sitting down with controlled breathing, as if meditating. Was it a monk on pilgrimage and had taken a moment to stop and rest?

A soft wind blew past and the silver-haired man remained standing as still and as solid as a statue, only his long hair effected by the breeze that rustled the tall grass as it danced between each and every blade. The blind man tilted his head a fraction to the right, before he turned his head to one side to point an ear in the direction of the meditating man.
I wasn't expecting to bump into anyone out here...
The stranger thought to himself before a grin spread across his lips. Slowly, the blind man took a few casual steps away from the grass and into the large dirt covered clearing. There seemed to be a raised section, circular and fairly large that was made from compacted dirt. Had this meditating man built this? It almost resembled a miniature makeshift arena, or an overly large sumo ring.
”You're pretty far from civilization to be meditating, eh? Or are you distancing yourself from the distractions of humans to help with your training?”
The blind man spoke up, his voice young and calm.

The subtle metal rattle of the blind man's armour boots carried him further towards the bare-chested man sitting cross-legged. A brown satchel was softly swaying by it's strap slung over the silver-haired stranger's shoulder as the soft, warm breeze blew past once more and a sword, a katana, rest peacefully within it's scabbard that was securely tied to the back of the blind man. Coming to a stop about ten feet away from the meditating man, the blind man was able to get a much better 'look' at him. He had a well developed body, muscles bulging and full of power. Scars marked his chest, suggesting he had either won a hard battle or managed to survive a defeat. Baggy and loose pants covered the seated-man's legs, allowing for free movement. Nothing seemed to be on his feet other then bandages, which were also wrapped about his hands and wrists. Was he a fighter of some sort? Perhaps he was more then just a monk.

[ShidenBlades]

Images danced in Ryukus minds-eye as he meditated on what he had learned in his last encounter. That had been a fearsome fight, one that had nearly killed him, and yet it was not one he could claim victory. His opponent had used some dark magic to escape, still there was something to be learned from every encounter and Ryuku was determined to find and correct his errors.

A dozen times he reenacted each step in his mind and he was so focused on the task that he had failed to notice that someone was near until the man stepped into the dirt circle. The sound snapped Ryuku from his meditation and he opened his eyes, focusing the intent emerald gaze on a blind-man that was now just speaking to him.

The young monk took the blind swordsmen in, taking not of his posture and overall demeanor, the calming tone of his voice. He offered a smile in return, though he knew the man would not be able to see such an action. Without rising to his feet he spoke clearly and calmly in return.

“I await my opponent.”

It was only after he spoke that Ryuku rose to his full height, his wrapped hands coming up to tie his long silver hair back away from his eyes. He continued to watch as the blind-man came closer, he noted the katana that rested on his hip. More importantly he took into account how a man that appeared blind wandered alone in the wilderness, where bandits, rabid animals, or the edge of a cliff could easily kill someone that wasn’t capable of taking care of himself.

“What bring a man such as yourself out to such a place?” Ryuku asked, his hands now clasped behind his back.