Buzz Off-Training Begins
Back outside Gojyo was having fun touring the town…though the absence of young women certainly put a damper on his nighttime stroll. As he came to where the village met the forest he noticed the slight sign of a light off in the distance. "I wonder who could be out at this time of night," Gojyo said to himself before going to check it out.
As he slowly moved through the forest the light got brighter and he realized that it was the light from a lantern. As soon as he reached it he felt something heavy slam against his head and he had to use a nearby tree to keep himself standing. "Oh it's just you. Sorry about your head but you really shouldn't sneak up on people like that," a familiar voice muttered.
"Nice to finally see a female face," Goyjo said bouncing back quickly as he saw the familiar scowl of Ran in the dim lamplight.
"What the heck do you want?" she asked him.
"Easy, darling, I was just out for a stroll."
"Yeah I really believe that one," Ran retorted rolling her eyes.
"What are you doing out here? Aren't you afraid that Kusuma will pick you up out here?" Gojyo asked taking in the clearing and the metal item Ran held in her hand.
"There's really no reason for me to be worried…he won't be coming for me," Ran snorted. "As for what I'm doing out here, that's none of your business."
"Are you trying to train on your own?" he asked realizing what the item was.
"What if I am?" Ran shot back.
"Maybe I could give you a hand…at least then you'd have a chance against him," he offered then smiled.
"I don't need your help. I can do this all on my own. Just leave me alone."
"Aw come one, don't be like that," Gojyo said stepping closer.
"I said leave!" She said swinging her stoker only to have it blocked by a staff that he had pulled out of no where.
"You're slow."
This only proved to make her angrier. "Just leave already, I don't feel like putting up with you right now," Ran growled as she pulled her stoker back and turned around.
"Rule number one don't turn your back on your opponent," Gojyo said giving her a little push.
"Just leave me alone," she shouted spinning around and trying to hit him again.
"Ooh you sped up a bit. You're still too slow though," Gojyo said with a smirk.
"What do you know," Ran retorted clenching her fists.
"I know that unless you can bring me down you won't stand a chance against Kusuma."
"Fine then, if I bring you down will you leave me alone?"
"You got yourself a deal," Gojyo said with a smirk.
And so Ran thrust and swung her stoker at him, giving it all she had. It frustrated her when he easily parried and dodged her attacks. Finally she got fed up and decided to perform a cheap shot, aiming for his bad leg. Gojyo was momentarily stunned by the pain and went down on one knee. Ran was about to deliver a final blow but he used his staff to sweep her feet out from under her landing her flat on her back.
Before she could get up, he was over her and he slammed down the crescent of his staff into the ground over her neck, locking her head in place. She was trapped. "That," Gojyo said, gazing down at her triumphantly, "was a very underhanded move."
"Maybe, but it almost worked," Ran replied trying very hard not to move for fear of his blade.
"Almost is only good with chicks and explosions," Gojyo snickered. "I did have one triumph for the day. I got you on your back."
"You're lucky I really can't do much from down here otherwise you'd have another lump on your head for that one," she growled.
"Hmmm…should I take advantage of your immobility?" he thought out loud making her scowl even more.
"Do and you won't be able to have 'fun' with any woman again," Ran threatened reaching for the stoker just beyond her reach.
Gojyo caught hold of her hand, lowering his face inches from hers. "I may be a dog, but I do have lines I don't cross." With that he removed his staff from around her neck and stood up. "Anyway, thanks for the little sparring match. You weren't half bad."
"You still don't think I can beat him though…do you?"
"Nope, you wouldn't stand a chance," Gojyo replied honestly.
"…how much of a chance would I stand if you helped me out?" she asked sheepishly.
"Depends on how much you're willing to commit to training," Gojyo replied with a grin.
"I'd train everyday…though I'm only willing to do that out here, and you can't say a thing to my dad."
"Well then, you got yourself a training partner," Gojyo said holding out his hand.
Ran hesitated at first, but then after a few moments she sighed in defeat and gingerly grasped the offered hand, sealing the deal. Then unexpectedly, Gojyo raised the hand to his lips and kissed it. "Pleasure to be working with you."
Ran sat there stunned, her hand still in his until her mind returned to earth. "What was that?" she shouted jerking her hand back.
"It's called a kiss, what did you think it was?" Gojyo asked with a shrug.
"If you're going to help me than don't do that….ever," she shouted picking up the stoker and the lantern. "I'm going home before my dad catches me outside," she said a little softer.
She began to walk off but Gojyo's voice stopped her. "Same time tomorrow then?"
She chanced a glance over her shoulder. "Sure." And she quickly hurried off.
"That one is definitely going to be a fun nut to crack," Gojyo thought to himself before heading back to the inn.
"I wonder how Hakkai faired. Knowing him he probably didn't get very far."
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When he reached the inn he found Hakkai sitting alone with a depressed look on his face. "Guessing by you're face I'd say you failed," he said stopping in front of Hakkai.
"I was wondering where you wandered off to," Hakkai remarked with a small smile.
"Don't go changing the subject," Gojyo said sitting down on the bed. "What happened?"
Hakkai stared down at the floor. "Tonight, I realized just how selfish of a person I am."
"That bad huh?"
"I thought I wanted to protect her for her sake, but now I see it was for my own self gratification. How arrogant of me to think that she would actually want my protection."
"You like her though right?" Gojyo asked with a smirk.
"That's what I'm afraid of. Should I really be allowed to?" Hakkai asked in despair.
"Honestly if you like the girl you should totally go for it," Gojyo told him with a pat on the back.
"I don't think I could honestly," Hakkai said staring at his hands. "How could I allow myself to care for anyone? How could I be able to hold anyone with these blood stained hands?"
"As our good friend, the monk, says, blood can be washed away. Besides, I can tell she's into you."
"Does it really matter?" Hakkai responded dismally.
"Look buddy, I've never lost someone close to me but I'm pretty sure that your girl would want you to be happy, don't you think?"
Hakkai sat there for a while looking thoughtful. "Yeah, I know she would."
"Well then, if this girl makes you happy then you should totally go for it," Gojyo told him convincingly. He stood up and began walking out of the room. "Because trust me, if you don't make a move on her, then I will."
"What about Ran?" Hakkai asked curiously.
"I've already scored on that one," Gojyo said triumphantly.
"Really, how did you break through her apparent hatred?" Hakkai asked surprised.
"Easy," Gojyo said with a wink. "I used my natural charm."
"That still sounds rather vain," Hakkai said unconvinced.
"Heh, well if anything, I could probably sweet talk the brunette easy enough. She seems like the easy to please type."
"Leave her alone Gojyo, I doubt that what she needs right now is you banging on her door," Hakkai commanded.
"I only leave the women alone if there someone else in their lives," Gojyo told him. "So if you don't want me to get in close then you'd better take the initiative."
And Gojyo left him with that thought in mind. Hakkai sighed heavily before lying down in bed and staring at the ceiling with Hakuryuu curled up next to him. "What should I do, Hakuryuu? If I get involved with her, the same thing might happen all over again. I'm not sure I could bear that a second time."
Hakuryuu cried out and Hakkai laughed a little. "You're right Hakuryuu, maybe at least taking a chance couldn't hurt."
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CM: Can Hakkai get over his insecurities? Can Goyjo win either lady over with his charms? Stay tuned and find out! :D