Nikka: Yes, and I'm sorry it took me long again. I'm really fully loaded
because of the stupid script. I'm not a puppet!
Phoe-chan: I wrote Okina?! Suman! I'm really braimn-dead and I'm only on my 4th year in high school, (just 16 here!!!). We both lost it.
Naomi: Oh I completely understand. If you want my list of school activities, I'll post it below so it won't be annoying! I'm a multiple person!!! Oh yes, he is worthy of everyone's respect. (Who dares oppose us?!) Tokio? As in Saitou's Tokio? *Sigh* at least he's the most spread around character. ^^x
April-san: Everyone wants a good battle. (me too!!!)
KasumiDestruction: He is worth every praise. I love those two, they're my brothers-masters (onii-sama)! Oh and if this is fast, I thank you very much. I consider that a complement at the rate I'm going.
***
"Are you crossing me boy?" the eyed daggers at him and spat out the word boy as if it meant insect. He grinned from ear to ear, "Do you know that Ishinshishi never lose to government dogs like you?"
Souji sighed with an unreadable smile on his face. "It seems that this will be a night when blood will be shed." He said only half-knowing he uttered such words. He unsheathed his sword holding it by his side as if it were an extension of his arm. It glinted dangerously in the moonlight and soon the other Shinsengumi followed with sliding sounds from the unsheathing of swords.
The man took Souji's smile for mockery and with a cry, leaped out and started the attack on the other group. Screaming soon filled the streets as men were either killed or wounded badly. Blade clashed against blade; swings and thrusts met. The surrounding houses where people lived had their lights out leaving the two groups to battle in the darkness of the night.
Okita flashed across the battlefield as if he was the passing wind and his every swing met an enemy's flesh. They didn't present much of a challenge to him thinking that a troop headed by a boy would be easy meat. He and his men didn't prove to be such. [I will give you something to underestimate, Ishinshishi! These men of yours will have to learn more than to talk and swallow.] He pushed through seeking the leader of the other band. At last he found him wounding one of his men.
Their eyes met; glare for glare like jolts of electricity raining down on the heavens between them. The man's glare was of pure anger; anger he showed for all Shinsengumi that to him were no different from murderous thieves; Souji's however glared at him emptily with a grin on his face neither showing hatred nor annoyance since they didn't let his troop pass.
Without a moment's hesitation from that point on, the Ishinshishi charged at him with a thrust aiming at his throat. It wasn't hard to evade as he crouched low. With a swing, Souji knocked off his sword upward. And in a fluid motion, he thrust at his opponent's chest and continued to cut his way upward without even blinking when blood splattered across his face. There was no need for him to use his full strength as the leader crumpled into a heap. He wasn't smiling then, just a blank expression remained on his face and not a trace of the 'smiling boy' was left.
At the man's scream, the other Ishin realized their leader's death. Alarmed, they retreated helter-skelter leaving their dead where they lay. The Shinsengumi proved to be victorious then. Cries of victory were not heard as Souji cam back to reality. He found dead allies and enemies alike all a grotesque bloody mass of corpses with their stink in the air filling their nostrils with death. Torn flesh and hard driven swords were the most unwelcoming sights he had ever seen.
He tried his best to keep what he took in down in his stomach to no avail. It was, after all, the first time he killed. He found out that he wasn't the only one who couldn't stand the scene. It was Akai's first encounter with such madness that his stomach turned inside out as well as a few novices who were in his troop.
Knowing their background to be living is a peaceful community with only bokkens, shinais and farmer's tools as a weapon, the members understood. They remembered they didn't fare better when they had begun doing such things and some of them even remembered fainting themselves. They tried to comfort their captain and co-members and as soon as the sickness was over, returned back to Shieikan with quite a tale to tell.
***
Much to Souji's distaste, Saitou laughed at him when he heard of the news. "You have to have a stronger stomach than that if you do not want to make a laughing stock out of yourself."
"Saitou-san..." Souji began to protest "it was my first time! If you didn't have a fit like that, I don't know if you're really human since we're of the same age."
Saitou only grinned.
"No way!" Souji exclaimed in disbelief, "You mean, you didn't even flinch?" Saitou shook his head. "From what family are you anyway and from where do you-" Souji cut himself knowing it was an inappropriate question even for the most lowly beggar. "I'm sorry, Saitou-san. I just can't believ that any man would stomach it on their first day."
"To answer your question," Saitou began as they walked to the Kondou's study, "this is the only thing I can tell you. I opened my eyes into a world of ceaseless deaths."
It was a riddle and Souji knew it. He decided, then, that it was not his position to know about it. As they came in front of the study's door, Saitou called out, "3rd squad captain, Hajime Saitou and 1st squad captain, Okita Souji requesting permission to enter with your leave, sir." (I don't know how they do it I just patterned it from military ways.)
"Enter!" A voice called out which they recognized to be Kondou's.
When they reached there, there were also others in the study. Nagakura, Toudou and Yamanami were there as well. With a nod of the head, Okita and Hajime seated themselves along with the others.
"Katamori Matsudaira, the daimyo of Aizu, has submitted to us a number of names that wished to join the Shinsengumi. Here is what we are to do. Hajime, Nagkura, Todou, you are to test the ronin and the few students alike to see if they will pass or not. Okita, you will be the referee in every encounter. The point of judging will be from the rules of Iaido. As for you, Yamanami, you will help me in the decision of the ones who pass and who fail." Kondou breathed out before he continued. "Here is the list of those who are to be coming here tomorrow evening. See to it that you are here by nightfall. That is all. Okita, please stay a while. I want to talk to you."
The others vacated the room and Souji drew nearer to Kondou. 'What is it you want to talk to me about?"
"I heard about your ordeal just a while ago," Kondou began "And I must say that you handled yourself well since you fought without hesitation and only fell sick after the battle was over. Considering it was your first time, it is quite admirable."
"But, Saitou-san hadn't that experience though he had done it the first time before." Souji slightly argued. "That is even more formidable, don't you think so, sir?"
"you do not understand yet, Souji. When you come to know about him, you will realize it's a different matter altogether." Kondou smiled at him. "I'm proud of you, boy. You may leave."
Souji bowed and went out of the room to retreat to his "small" house...as Saito put it.
*** This consists of my rants: I have passed into the second best university (De La Salle Univ.) and the third best university (Ateneo de Manila Univ.) in our country. I have also passed in an international school (Thames) and now, I'm only waiting for the results for the best university (University of the Philippines!!!) and last resort school (Univ. of Santo Tomas) and I'm eager to know if I passed! I also passed in ABE, another school I took a test in. So far I haven't failed and now I thank God for hearing my prayer. HE really is a miracle worker!
And these are the things I have to accomplish: articles for the school paper, yearbook, script for the emcee in the prom, get ready for a presentation of appreciation for the senior class day (our day!), teach my classmates kendo and dance revolution for the field demonstration, complete my research paper, peer tutoring session with the kids, student council responsibilities, conduct the ACP (air force) training for the incoming officers, and prepare for the graduation rites. All must be accomplished before February ends.
Phoe-chan: I wrote Okina?! Suman! I'm really braimn-dead and I'm only on my 4th year in high school, (just 16 here!!!). We both lost it.
Naomi: Oh I completely understand. If you want my list of school activities, I'll post it below so it won't be annoying! I'm a multiple person!!! Oh yes, he is worthy of everyone's respect. (Who dares oppose us?!) Tokio? As in Saitou's Tokio? *Sigh* at least he's the most spread around character. ^^x
April-san: Everyone wants a good battle. (me too!!!)
KasumiDestruction: He is worth every praise. I love those two, they're my brothers-masters (onii-sama)! Oh and if this is fast, I thank you very much. I consider that a complement at the rate I'm going.
***
"Are you crossing me boy?" the eyed daggers at him and spat out the word boy as if it meant insect. He grinned from ear to ear, "Do you know that Ishinshishi never lose to government dogs like you?"
Souji sighed with an unreadable smile on his face. "It seems that this will be a night when blood will be shed." He said only half-knowing he uttered such words. He unsheathed his sword holding it by his side as if it were an extension of his arm. It glinted dangerously in the moonlight and soon the other Shinsengumi followed with sliding sounds from the unsheathing of swords.
The man took Souji's smile for mockery and with a cry, leaped out and started the attack on the other group. Screaming soon filled the streets as men were either killed or wounded badly. Blade clashed against blade; swings and thrusts met. The surrounding houses where people lived had their lights out leaving the two groups to battle in the darkness of the night.
Okita flashed across the battlefield as if he was the passing wind and his every swing met an enemy's flesh. They didn't present much of a challenge to him thinking that a troop headed by a boy would be easy meat. He and his men didn't prove to be such. [I will give you something to underestimate, Ishinshishi! These men of yours will have to learn more than to talk and swallow.] He pushed through seeking the leader of the other band. At last he found him wounding one of his men.
Their eyes met; glare for glare like jolts of electricity raining down on the heavens between them. The man's glare was of pure anger; anger he showed for all Shinsengumi that to him were no different from murderous thieves; Souji's however glared at him emptily with a grin on his face neither showing hatred nor annoyance since they didn't let his troop pass.
Without a moment's hesitation from that point on, the Ishinshishi charged at him with a thrust aiming at his throat. It wasn't hard to evade as he crouched low. With a swing, Souji knocked off his sword upward. And in a fluid motion, he thrust at his opponent's chest and continued to cut his way upward without even blinking when blood splattered across his face. There was no need for him to use his full strength as the leader crumpled into a heap. He wasn't smiling then, just a blank expression remained on his face and not a trace of the 'smiling boy' was left.
At the man's scream, the other Ishin realized their leader's death. Alarmed, they retreated helter-skelter leaving their dead where they lay. The Shinsengumi proved to be victorious then. Cries of victory were not heard as Souji cam back to reality. He found dead allies and enemies alike all a grotesque bloody mass of corpses with their stink in the air filling their nostrils with death. Torn flesh and hard driven swords were the most unwelcoming sights he had ever seen.
He tried his best to keep what he took in down in his stomach to no avail. It was, after all, the first time he killed. He found out that he wasn't the only one who couldn't stand the scene. It was Akai's first encounter with such madness that his stomach turned inside out as well as a few novices who were in his troop.
Knowing their background to be living is a peaceful community with only bokkens, shinais and farmer's tools as a weapon, the members understood. They remembered they didn't fare better when they had begun doing such things and some of them even remembered fainting themselves. They tried to comfort their captain and co-members and as soon as the sickness was over, returned back to Shieikan with quite a tale to tell.
***
Much to Souji's distaste, Saitou laughed at him when he heard of the news. "You have to have a stronger stomach than that if you do not want to make a laughing stock out of yourself."
"Saitou-san..." Souji began to protest "it was my first time! If you didn't have a fit like that, I don't know if you're really human since we're of the same age."
Saitou only grinned.
"No way!" Souji exclaimed in disbelief, "You mean, you didn't even flinch?" Saitou shook his head. "From what family are you anyway and from where do you-" Souji cut himself knowing it was an inappropriate question even for the most lowly beggar. "I'm sorry, Saitou-san. I just can't believ that any man would stomach it on their first day."
"To answer your question," Saitou began as they walked to the Kondou's study, "this is the only thing I can tell you. I opened my eyes into a world of ceaseless deaths."
It was a riddle and Souji knew it. He decided, then, that it was not his position to know about it. As they came in front of the study's door, Saitou called out, "3rd squad captain, Hajime Saitou and 1st squad captain, Okita Souji requesting permission to enter with your leave, sir." (I don't know how they do it I just patterned it from military ways.)
"Enter!" A voice called out which they recognized to be Kondou's.
When they reached there, there were also others in the study. Nagakura, Toudou and Yamanami were there as well. With a nod of the head, Okita and Hajime seated themselves along with the others.
"Katamori Matsudaira, the daimyo of Aizu, has submitted to us a number of names that wished to join the Shinsengumi. Here is what we are to do. Hajime, Nagkura, Todou, you are to test the ronin and the few students alike to see if they will pass or not. Okita, you will be the referee in every encounter. The point of judging will be from the rules of Iaido. As for you, Yamanami, you will help me in the decision of the ones who pass and who fail." Kondou breathed out before he continued. "Here is the list of those who are to be coming here tomorrow evening. See to it that you are here by nightfall. That is all. Okita, please stay a while. I want to talk to you."
The others vacated the room and Souji drew nearer to Kondou. 'What is it you want to talk to me about?"
"I heard about your ordeal just a while ago," Kondou began "And I must say that you handled yourself well since you fought without hesitation and only fell sick after the battle was over. Considering it was your first time, it is quite admirable."
"But, Saitou-san hadn't that experience though he had done it the first time before." Souji slightly argued. "That is even more formidable, don't you think so, sir?"
"you do not understand yet, Souji. When you come to know about him, you will realize it's a different matter altogether." Kondou smiled at him. "I'm proud of you, boy. You may leave."
Souji bowed and went out of the room to retreat to his "small" house...as Saito put it.
*** This consists of my rants: I have passed into the second best university (De La Salle Univ.) and the third best university (Ateneo de Manila Univ.) in our country. I have also passed in an international school (Thames) and now, I'm only waiting for the results for the best university (University of the Philippines!!!) and last resort school (Univ. of Santo Tomas) and I'm eager to know if I passed! I also passed in ABE, another school I took a test in. So far I haven't failed and now I thank God for hearing my prayer. HE really is a miracle worker!
And these are the things I have to accomplish: articles for the school paper, yearbook, script for the emcee in the prom, get ready for a presentation of appreciation for the senior class day (our day!), teach my classmates kendo and dance revolution for the field demonstration, complete my research paper, peer tutoring session with the kids, student council responsibilities, conduct the ACP (air force) training for the incoming officers, and prepare for the graduation rites. All must be accomplished before February ends.