Post by Taiyo on Jan 18, 2022 21:31:52 GMT -5
School had been going smoothly for the last few days yet he was weary from the distance of his family. He could feel it like a weight upon his shoulders, as if someone had tied rocks to his back and weighed down his soul. He disliked this sensation, the feeling of separation after years of the same routine. Yet to have that suddenly stop even if he was "prepared" mentally, it didn't help at all. Despite this, Taiyo was determined to make the most of his time in the spiritual arts academy. Yet the days felt like agony away from his children, so much so he could only sulk in his free time staring at the skies above. His unfocused gaze matched only by the posture of someone unable to gain motivation.
He held his head in his palm, chin resting on his wrist while he tried to relax his body, yet his soul was not at rest. Thoughts of doubt plagued him, desperation to succeed where he was only barely keeping afloat. Like a man drowning in an ocean with no land in sight... if only Hyuki were here to sooth his heart, if only he had not been so blind. Regret swelled in his chest, pain gripped his heart, and his eyes grew heavy with despair. But in that single moment, a sound echoed into his ears. A passing sound, one that was heard for the briefest of moments. If he had been active, he would have missed it, the shifting of a single piece of clothing might have made it impossible to hear. Yet he heard it, faint as a whisper and calling his name.
Slowly Taiyo rose to his feet, surprise and anticipation in his features as he walked along the pathway. His feet gently padding against the wood floor as he got closer and closer to the sound. It sounded beautiful, like... how could one describe beauty into words when the sound he could hear was akin to the whispers of silk on skin. The beauty of a hunger fulfilled when you are starving, or the feeling of elation of finally accomplishing an impossible task you suffered to achieve? It was an instrument being played, and that instrument wrapped him up in the boundless tune of life. It was the tune someone played from years of practice, and as Taiyo rounded the corner... he saw a sight unlike anything he had seen before.
An old man sitting on a rock, brow hung so low one might assume him blind, and skin brown from the sun after years of being in it. This old man's fingers moved like a blur, playing the Shamisen as if it were a part of his very being. He wore a teachers outfit, yet no student but one was present. He sat silently before the old man, notebook in his hands while the other wrote down notes. His scribbling fast as he listened, yet Taiyo's eyes returned to the old man. The old man playing the song like it was an extension of himself, the tune carrying to Taiyo as he watched. But as the song came closer to the end, Taiyo soon realized he had moved closer. He now stood within yards of the old man, unaware of when he had moved. Yet his legs had carried him this far, like he was being carried to the old man by the very song that tangled itself around his thoughts.
Yet as the song came to an end, Taiyo was snapped from his trance by a gust of wind that nearly blew him from his feet. Taiyo's eyes going wide as he stared with disheveled hair and clothing from the shock from earlier. He quickly realized the old man had been pouring his reiatsu into the instrument, literally playing the instrument with his soul. Taiyo's eyes returned to the student who sat in silence with his glasses off center on his face. Yet it was clear he had a deep thought running through his mind and had not noticed. When he did, he fixed his glasses with a simple adjust from his wrist. Then quickly scribbled down his notes like his life was dependent upon it.
While the student was distracted, Taiyo began to wonder what he had just witnessed. How could someone play like that, not that he was an experts on playing the Shamisen, but he had heard it before. No one had ever came close to matching such majesty. Not in his wildest dreams had he ever heard such music nor did he expect to hear it now. Yet before he could think upon it more, a voice shook him from his stupor.
"Look Fuyuto, we have a guest..."
The old man had noticed him, not that Taiyo should be surprised given he was standing just feet away. The old man's voice was hoarse, almost like it was painful to speak and that he was struggling even with that simple sentence. This made Taiyo tilt his head in confusion as he wondered what was wrong with this old man.
"Are you alright Old man?"
Taiyo asked, but his question seemed to insulted the man named Fuyuto as he stood up in a huff.
"This is the great Mitsuru Yoshitaka! Dress him with his proper title of Lord you filthy peasant!"
Fuyuto shouted, face full of distain as he looked upon Taiyo, both hands gesturing toward the old man who simply sat silently with a smile on his face. Mitsuru simply chuckled, though this too sounded hoarse and rough, before waving dismissively at the young man.
"Now Now Fuyuto... Rest."
Upon the the Old man Mitsuru's request, Fuyuto would do as he was told. He took his seat upon the cushion and growled his disapproval. Mitsuru turned his gaze back to Taiyo, eyes barely visible under his brow but Taiyo could see them clearly. Blue eyes, as clear as an ocean and as brilliant as sapphires, yet in them was a piercing stare. One that shook Taiyo to his core, and for the first time in a long time, he felt his hands shake. Unable to keep standing, Taiyo fell onto his back side and was left dumb founded by such a gaze. The old man held it a moment longer before smiling once more.
"Come to learn the Shamisen have you boy?"
The old man asked, but Taiyo simply shook his head still unable to find words from his experience just now. He still felt like his chest had been pierced by a solid steel rod, as if he had been skewered where he stood earlier and only just now realized the sensation. Everything catching up with him now in a flurry of sensations. Who the hell was this old man?! It made Taiyo want to cower in fear, yet that would not be enough.
"I see... Perhaps swordplay then?"
Mitsuru's hoarse force was playful, mischievous like a devil playing at someone's heart. Taiyo didn't immediately respond but slowly nodded his head after a long moments pause which caused the old man to laugh.
"Of course of course... Then a deal eh?"
His words were slow, taking pauses between them that were noticeable but did not grate upon the nerves as if he was speaking in slow motion. Careful, planned and chosen with each word. How old was this man, as he stood up it almost seemed like he was going to turn to dust at the gentlest of breezes. His feeble body shaking like a leaf as he moved, slowly but surely he made his stand and moved away from his rocky seat. It was a surprise when he finally made his way over to the weapons rack and pulled out two wooden swords.
"Er Old man Mitsuru?"
Taiyo started to ask a question but was quickly silenced by Fuyubo who was watching the old man with careful eyes. As if he was about to witness the greatest thing in the world, yet Taiyo was simply confused by what was going on. An old man who was playing the Shamisen, a hyper aggressive man and now this old guy was getting two swords. What the hell did he just get himself into?
"If you can best... this feeble old man. I'll teach you everything I know."
Mitsuru managed to say finally, offering a sword to Taiyo and he was reluctant to take it. Like taking it was signing a death warrant, and yet... he was deathly curious about it all. The sword he was holding out for Taiyo was shaking so hard he could see it was barely being held by the looks of it.
"No disrespect sir but... I do not know who you are or why I'd learn sword skills from you."
Taiyo stated the rather obvious point that anyone could see was missing. He didn't know who this old man was, nor did he care to learn from someone who was just as feeble as a dead leaf in the wind. Not that he wanted to disrespect an elderly man, but given he was wanting to grow stronger to protect his family, he couldn't very well accept anyone to teach him. Taiyo could swear he could hear Fuyuto's teeth grinding even though he was well over ten feet from him, the fury in the man's face was akin to someone wanting to murder another. That was a worrying look yet the old man simply laughed it off.
"Ha... I suppose not. Just know I was just a tad bit strong in my youth young man. I can at least get you started on your path.... If I win you learn the Shamisen and if you win... You get free lessons from an old man with a few things to teach."
Taiyo eyed the man sideways for a moment, clearly skeptical of such an offer.
"That seems really unfair old man... having to waste my time learning an instrument if I lose... but I get vague teachings if I win?"
"You insolent peasant! He is the great Mitsuru! A living legend who-"
It was then that Fuyuto went silent as sweat formed on his whole body and Taiyo couldn't blame him. The old man was staring at Fuyuto with those sapphire eyes, and even Taiyo felt the chills of fear creep up his spine. It wasn't a death sign, but he could feel the pressure of that gaze. A gaze that was akin to a swordsman and Taiyo could tell. He was a complete novice at swordplay, never had he touched a sword before in his life. But those eyes... they told the tell this man was deadly... But he never felt killing intent from the old man. It lasted a moment, long enough for Fuyuto to take his seat once more and stare at the ground while sweat beaded his face.
Taiyo was genuinely unsure if he should accept, yet... he did. Slowly standing up and moving before the old man, he stared at the shaking wooden sword. The old man's smile returned, his demeanor like a grandpa looking at a child. After a moments more of hesitation, Taiyo took the wooden sword and the two squared off. The old man took his place across from Taiyo in that tiny courtyard, Taiyo holding his sword with both hands but sloppily. He did his best, but his stance was completely novice and full of openings. The old man simply stood silently across from him, shaking like a leaf and smiling the whole time. Fuyuto holding two flags in each hand above his head, one red and one white. Where he got them, Taiyo could only guess, but he had them somewhere.
As the duel would take place when the flags came down, Taiyo got ready to react as fast as he could. They were just feet away, within three steps he would be within range and all he had to do was strike once to win. A smile formed on his face as he felt sure of himself, his confidence growing as he watching this old man in front of him seem barely able to stand. A moment passed and then... the flags fell. What transpired next was instant, less than a second passed and Taiyo had lost. When his brain finally registered movement, and began to process everything that had just happened... He realized he was in a tree roughly forty yards from his starting position.
He was upside down, his body suspended by branches. But then the pain hit, all at once as if he had been met with a moving wall and collided with it. He could do nothing but shout in pain as he realized he had been struck. His eyes searched frankly for the sword cuts, the marks of being hit, yet he saw none. His lungs burned as if he had been lit on fire from the inside out. Air was hard to catch and he was hyperventilating. What the HELL had just happened?!
A moment later his eyes fell on the old man playing the Shamisen from before, and he tried to yell out only to gasp. As if sensing his call however, the old man would turn his head as well as Fuyuto who sat before him with his own Shamisen.
"Oh, you are awake young man... Good Good... We can begin your Shamisen lessons as soon as you get down."
Mitsuru stated with a clearly mischievous happiness in his voice, like a trickster who had just snared another soul. Taiyo continued to gasp for air a moment longer only to find his movements had dislodged his body from the tree. Upon landing with a rather loud THUD, he finally managed to regain his composure. Thankfully the tree was only a few feet high, yet it didn't explain how he had been launched forty yards away and blacked out.
Who the hell was this Crazy Old Geezer?!
He held his head in his palm, chin resting on his wrist while he tried to relax his body, yet his soul was not at rest. Thoughts of doubt plagued him, desperation to succeed where he was only barely keeping afloat. Like a man drowning in an ocean with no land in sight... if only Hyuki were here to sooth his heart, if only he had not been so blind. Regret swelled in his chest, pain gripped his heart, and his eyes grew heavy with despair. But in that single moment, a sound echoed into his ears. A passing sound, one that was heard for the briefest of moments. If he had been active, he would have missed it, the shifting of a single piece of clothing might have made it impossible to hear. Yet he heard it, faint as a whisper and calling his name.
Slowly Taiyo rose to his feet, surprise and anticipation in his features as he walked along the pathway. His feet gently padding against the wood floor as he got closer and closer to the sound. It sounded beautiful, like... how could one describe beauty into words when the sound he could hear was akin to the whispers of silk on skin. The beauty of a hunger fulfilled when you are starving, or the feeling of elation of finally accomplishing an impossible task you suffered to achieve? It was an instrument being played, and that instrument wrapped him up in the boundless tune of life. It was the tune someone played from years of practice, and as Taiyo rounded the corner... he saw a sight unlike anything he had seen before.
An old man sitting on a rock, brow hung so low one might assume him blind, and skin brown from the sun after years of being in it. This old man's fingers moved like a blur, playing the Shamisen as if it were a part of his very being. He wore a teachers outfit, yet no student but one was present. He sat silently before the old man, notebook in his hands while the other wrote down notes. His scribbling fast as he listened, yet Taiyo's eyes returned to the old man. The old man playing the song like it was an extension of himself, the tune carrying to Taiyo as he watched. But as the song came closer to the end, Taiyo soon realized he had moved closer. He now stood within yards of the old man, unaware of when he had moved. Yet his legs had carried him this far, like he was being carried to the old man by the very song that tangled itself around his thoughts.
Yet as the song came to an end, Taiyo was snapped from his trance by a gust of wind that nearly blew him from his feet. Taiyo's eyes going wide as he stared with disheveled hair and clothing from the shock from earlier. He quickly realized the old man had been pouring his reiatsu into the instrument, literally playing the instrument with his soul. Taiyo's eyes returned to the student who sat in silence with his glasses off center on his face. Yet it was clear he had a deep thought running through his mind and had not noticed. When he did, he fixed his glasses with a simple adjust from his wrist. Then quickly scribbled down his notes like his life was dependent upon it.
While the student was distracted, Taiyo began to wonder what he had just witnessed. How could someone play like that, not that he was an experts on playing the Shamisen, but he had heard it before. No one had ever came close to matching such majesty. Not in his wildest dreams had he ever heard such music nor did he expect to hear it now. Yet before he could think upon it more, a voice shook him from his stupor.
"Look Fuyuto, we have a guest..."
The old man had noticed him, not that Taiyo should be surprised given he was standing just feet away. The old man's voice was hoarse, almost like it was painful to speak and that he was struggling even with that simple sentence. This made Taiyo tilt his head in confusion as he wondered what was wrong with this old man.
"Are you alright Old man?"
Taiyo asked, but his question seemed to insulted the man named Fuyuto as he stood up in a huff.
"This is the great Mitsuru Yoshitaka! Dress him with his proper title of Lord you filthy peasant!"
Fuyuto shouted, face full of distain as he looked upon Taiyo, both hands gesturing toward the old man who simply sat silently with a smile on his face. Mitsuru simply chuckled, though this too sounded hoarse and rough, before waving dismissively at the young man.
"Now Now Fuyuto... Rest."
Upon the the Old man Mitsuru's request, Fuyuto would do as he was told. He took his seat upon the cushion and growled his disapproval. Mitsuru turned his gaze back to Taiyo, eyes barely visible under his brow but Taiyo could see them clearly. Blue eyes, as clear as an ocean and as brilliant as sapphires, yet in them was a piercing stare. One that shook Taiyo to his core, and for the first time in a long time, he felt his hands shake. Unable to keep standing, Taiyo fell onto his back side and was left dumb founded by such a gaze. The old man held it a moment longer before smiling once more.
"Come to learn the Shamisen have you boy?"
The old man asked, but Taiyo simply shook his head still unable to find words from his experience just now. He still felt like his chest had been pierced by a solid steel rod, as if he had been skewered where he stood earlier and only just now realized the sensation. Everything catching up with him now in a flurry of sensations. Who the hell was this old man?! It made Taiyo want to cower in fear, yet that would not be enough.
"I see... Perhaps swordplay then?"
Mitsuru's hoarse force was playful, mischievous like a devil playing at someone's heart. Taiyo didn't immediately respond but slowly nodded his head after a long moments pause which caused the old man to laugh.
"Of course of course... Then a deal eh?"
His words were slow, taking pauses between them that were noticeable but did not grate upon the nerves as if he was speaking in slow motion. Careful, planned and chosen with each word. How old was this man, as he stood up it almost seemed like he was going to turn to dust at the gentlest of breezes. His feeble body shaking like a leaf as he moved, slowly but surely he made his stand and moved away from his rocky seat. It was a surprise when he finally made his way over to the weapons rack and pulled out two wooden swords.
"Er Old man Mitsuru?"
Taiyo started to ask a question but was quickly silenced by Fuyubo who was watching the old man with careful eyes. As if he was about to witness the greatest thing in the world, yet Taiyo was simply confused by what was going on. An old man who was playing the Shamisen, a hyper aggressive man and now this old guy was getting two swords. What the hell did he just get himself into?
"If you can best... this feeble old man. I'll teach you everything I know."
Mitsuru managed to say finally, offering a sword to Taiyo and he was reluctant to take it. Like taking it was signing a death warrant, and yet... he was deathly curious about it all. The sword he was holding out for Taiyo was shaking so hard he could see it was barely being held by the looks of it.
"No disrespect sir but... I do not know who you are or why I'd learn sword skills from you."
Taiyo stated the rather obvious point that anyone could see was missing. He didn't know who this old man was, nor did he care to learn from someone who was just as feeble as a dead leaf in the wind. Not that he wanted to disrespect an elderly man, but given he was wanting to grow stronger to protect his family, he couldn't very well accept anyone to teach him. Taiyo could swear he could hear Fuyuto's teeth grinding even though he was well over ten feet from him, the fury in the man's face was akin to someone wanting to murder another. That was a worrying look yet the old man simply laughed it off.
"Ha... I suppose not. Just know I was just a tad bit strong in my youth young man. I can at least get you started on your path.... If I win you learn the Shamisen and if you win... You get free lessons from an old man with a few things to teach."
Taiyo eyed the man sideways for a moment, clearly skeptical of such an offer.
"That seems really unfair old man... having to waste my time learning an instrument if I lose... but I get vague teachings if I win?"
"You insolent peasant! He is the great Mitsuru! A living legend who-"
It was then that Fuyuto went silent as sweat formed on his whole body and Taiyo couldn't blame him. The old man was staring at Fuyuto with those sapphire eyes, and even Taiyo felt the chills of fear creep up his spine. It wasn't a death sign, but he could feel the pressure of that gaze. A gaze that was akin to a swordsman and Taiyo could tell. He was a complete novice at swordplay, never had he touched a sword before in his life. But those eyes... they told the tell this man was deadly... But he never felt killing intent from the old man. It lasted a moment, long enough for Fuyuto to take his seat once more and stare at the ground while sweat beaded his face.
Taiyo was genuinely unsure if he should accept, yet... he did. Slowly standing up and moving before the old man, he stared at the shaking wooden sword. The old man's smile returned, his demeanor like a grandpa looking at a child. After a moments more of hesitation, Taiyo took the wooden sword and the two squared off. The old man took his place across from Taiyo in that tiny courtyard, Taiyo holding his sword with both hands but sloppily. He did his best, but his stance was completely novice and full of openings. The old man simply stood silently across from him, shaking like a leaf and smiling the whole time. Fuyuto holding two flags in each hand above his head, one red and one white. Where he got them, Taiyo could only guess, but he had them somewhere.
As the duel would take place when the flags came down, Taiyo got ready to react as fast as he could. They were just feet away, within three steps he would be within range and all he had to do was strike once to win. A smile formed on his face as he felt sure of himself, his confidence growing as he watching this old man in front of him seem barely able to stand. A moment passed and then... the flags fell. What transpired next was instant, less than a second passed and Taiyo had lost. When his brain finally registered movement, and began to process everything that had just happened... He realized he was in a tree roughly forty yards from his starting position.
He was upside down, his body suspended by branches. But then the pain hit, all at once as if he had been met with a moving wall and collided with it. He could do nothing but shout in pain as he realized he had been struck. His eyes searched frankly for the sword cuts, the marks of being hit, yet he saw none. His lungs burned as if he had been lit on fire from the inside out. Air was hard to catch and he was hyperventilating. What the HELL had just happened?!
A moment later his eyes fell on the old man playing the Shamisen from before, and he tried to yell out only to gasp. As if sensing his call however, the old man would turn his head as well as Fuyuto who sat before him with his own Shamisen.
"Oh, you are awake young man... Good Good... We can begin your Shamisen lessons as soon as you get down."
Mitsuru stated with a clearly mischievous happiness in his voice, like a trickster who had just snared another soul. Taiyo continued to gasp for air a moment longer only to find his movements had dislodged his body from the tree. Upon landing with a rather loud THUD, he finally managed to regain his composure. Thankfully the tree was only a few feet high, yet it didn't explain how he had been launched forty yards away and blacked out.
Who the hell was this Crazy Old Geezer?!
