Soujirou : Konnichiwa minna !!! *looks around* Since K-san isn't around, I'll do the disclaimers today ! K-san doesn't own Rurouni Kenshin, Watsuki-san does. So don't sue her !!! ^_^
K'Dash : *cough cough*
Soujirou : She's a broke student ! *sweatdrop* :)
Soujirou's Dream - chapter 5
Early that afternoon, Soujirou and Misao left the cave and continued on their journey. Looking for a for a clearing with a couple of trees nearby was no easy task. About 3 hours later, they found a clearing that was suitable for their training.
After checking the nearby stream for water, Soujirou returned and made a fire to boil the water. They rested awhile before Soujirou proceeded to practice his kata.
"I thought you're already a 'master' in sword skills ? How come you still need to do a kata ?" Misao asked playfully.
"Well, even though my skills are rather good, I still have to practice to keep up my strength." Soujirou replied.
"But I've never seen Himura do a kata before." Misao said.
"Ano... for Himura-san... I don't really know... maybe its because he's already learnt the technique's ougi... whereas for me I don't really have a technique... mine is more of an ability. That's why my title is Tenken." Soujirou explained.
"Hmm.... sounds complicated..." Misao wondered aloud.
Soujirou shrugged and contiued doing his kata. "Do you mind if I join you ?" Misao asked.
"Ok." Soujirou said.
Misao picked up her kodachi and unsheathed it, and stood next to Soujirou and tried to coordinate with his timing. Pretty soon, they were both practicing kata in unison.
After Soujirou finished practicing, he sheathed his sword and stood back to observe Misao's kata. 'Hmm... not a bad posture, but her grip's wrong... a little too tight...' he evaluated silently.
"Misao stop awhile." Soujirou said.
Misao stopped abruptly and turned to face Soujirou. "What's wrong ?"
"Hmm... your grip is too tight... on the kodachi I mean... and you'd do better if you improve your posture." Soujirou pointed out. "Here let me show you." Soujirou took the kodachi from Misao.
"First you have to relax. Loosen up your shoulders and breath deeply. Your hands shouldn't be gripping the sword too tightly. Just now you were gripping it so hard your knuckles were white. Just hold it loosely but firmly and you should be fine." Soujirou demonstrated, next he swung down with her kodachi.
"See ? Its got much more force now hasn't it ?" Soujirou said as he passed the kodachi back to Misao.
"But if I don't hold the kodachi like that, one blow from the opponent would send it flying !" Misao protested then paused. "Wouldn't it ?"
"Technically, yes. But not if you relax and think positive, ne Misao-chan ?" Soujirou winked playfully. "Now you try it."
"Okaayy..." Misao said. She adjusted her hands like hor Soujirou did just now and relaxed her shoulders. She found that when she swung down, the kodachi's pressure was much more than that of what she was doing before. "But I still don't get it. Won't it be knocked out of my hands if its held that loosely ?" she questioned.
"How about we try some one on one ?" Soujirou said as he unsheathed his sword again. "I won't be hard on you, don't worry."
"Ok." Misao said as she prepared her attack. Although Misao was going to attack, Soujirou was faster and went straight for her. Misao instinctively dropped into a defensive stance, and to her surprise the kodachi wasn't flung out of her hands.
"See Misao-chan ? Actually, this grip is even better for defense." Soujirou commented.
"You're right Soujirou. I shouldn't have doubted you." Misao said.
"Its alright. Enough of kendo for today. Lets try some close combat." Soujirou said as he put his sword under the tree nearby.
"Ok. Why do we have to practice close combat anyway ?" Misao asked.
"There will be times when a katana cannot help us. By then we will have to rely on our own two hands, and we'd probably be sorry if we didn't know how." Soujirou answered.
"Oh, ok." Misao said.
"How about we start with some defense ?" Soujirou said as he approached Misao.
"Ok. You better watch your back coz this itachi kicks ass !" Misao said as she sneaked behind Soujirou and tried to attack him, but Soujirou was faster. He quickly turned around and blocked her attack. Misao didn't give up and made a counter-attack, which Soujirou blocked also. Now Soujirou tried to attack Misao but his attack missed. Although his attack missed, the force from it still sent Misao down. After Misao was down, she didn't give up and kicked Soujirou's leg, which sent him falling and he landed on Misao.
"How's that Soujirou-kun ?" Misao asked as she breathed heavily.
"Not bad. But considering you were from Oniwabanshuu makes it unfair for me !" Soujirou panted.
Realising what kind of position they were in, both of them started blushing.
"A..ano... Soujirou-kun...can you..."
"Get off you ?" Soujirou finished her question.
Misao nodded, her face red. Soujirou got up quickly and helped Misao up. "Its getting kinda dark... I better turn in early coz I'm kinda tired." Misao said wearily.
"Ok. Oyasumi Misao-chan." Soujirou said and he kissed Misao's cheek.
"... oyasumi Soujirou..." Misao said silently.
Author's Ramblings : Okok... maybe I DON'T have as much a mental block as I did before... but I still dunno how to continue ! ggrrrrrrr !!!!!!!! From now Aoshi's DEFINATELY gonna come back rest assured.
Credits : To sakka-chan. I read your fic "These Changing Times". The description of Misao doing her kata with Aoshi inspired me to do this scene ! Arigato !! ^_^
SNEAK PREVIEW OF CHAPTER 6
"Aoshi-sama ?" Misao stuttered.
"I see Soujirou has been tagging along with you. Did something happen while I was away ?" Aoshi asked suspiciously.
"Iya !! Nothing happened Aoshi-sama !" Misao said nervously.