Meeting of Blades [Closed/Pendulum]

-The day before-

Decadence, a word most fitting the lost soul, who wanders in a form most degenerate in comparison to his former self. The sun falls most wickedly upon his now more than fair skin on such a day. Sweat doesn't roll down the face of this boy who longs for water,as his body clearly is in need of water.He was Deprived of more than simply fluids though, shown by the tattered clothes that seem most filthy and rugged in nature, and to such an extent that it reveal his ribs beneath a torn shirt.

The hungry boys feet drag across a dirt road that approaches a nearby village, and his facial expression remains solemn in this grand discovery. He wouldn't so much as raise an eyebrow to the thought of salvation, no, hope to be rescued from starvation was a pinnicle of emotion he'd since realized to be futile. An orphan of purity where of no more importance than the stray dog whom fed upon thrown away scraps.

I take as I need, and leave what I can't successfully take, this was his motto in the years of this 'peace' so acclaimed to have been. He was by no means a 'robin hood' so to speak, but did what was needed to survive. He didn't care if it came from the richest civilian in town, or the shack business 'barely making it'.

Hitsuyona draws nearer to the oncoming village as his eyes gaze more so closely. It was your run of the mill town, at least for this side of rukongai so to speak. He needed to get a good idea of what it looker like, and where everything was. This was all necessary to figure out the best place to get a bite to eat, a satchel of water, or something needed to continue surviving town to town.

He looks across all the huts and stalls, as well as the few things that were as close to an actual house for miles. The nearby food stall with no apparent shopkeep was peeking his interests most, therefore, the young man can't help but pick up the pace. Hitsuyona a needed to make a good snag before anyone returned, it was just too easy to pass up on an empty stomach.

The frail boy nears this stall with haste ducking behind it as no one is looking, and grabs the first protein rich mest he saw, which happened to be a cooked salmon. Scurrying off and in a hurry, the boy choys down as he vanishes into a near alley, where he would hide until he'd disposed of the evidence. Far from food, yet satisfied compared to his prior situation, the boy walks upon the street once more.

Walking onwards he divulges deeper into the heart of the town, which is where these houses he had seen earlier reside. Along his mellow pace he could hear sounds of screaming which originate from the stall he'd visited. The disgruntled shopkeeper noticing product missing in his absence. The angered clerk did draw the attention of a few members of the public, but only one would stand out to Hitsuyona. A woman whose appearance weren't rugged nor established, still yet, clearly we'll off compared to others of this place. More so than this was a water skin swaying from her hip as she walked to address the stall owner in distress over his one good fish missing.

Just as this woman would pass by the child newcomer, hitsuyona would turn roundabout to quietly follow. His eyes were dead set on retrieving the water, even with risking the chance of being seen. This much is shown when hitsuyona pulls forth a kunai from his tatter pants. The blade skillfully sneaks up on the woman barely grazing the rope that kept the satchel upon her pants. Just as he would go to yank and cut it free, the woman turns grasping the boys hand that wields the kunai. "And what do we have here?!" She would say before her eyes fall upon him, a face of which turns from anger to near shock.

The woman stand laying witness to Hitsuyona's physique and what one would hardly call attire. His body in general 'scrawny' looking to weigh no more than 100 pounds soaking wet. She could see his ribs through the ripped shirt that were stained in blood and other unknown fluids. Overall, it was wrong for a child to look this way, at least to a caring soul such as her. The woman rips the kunai from hitsuyona's grip, and her face shakes regaining a calm expression. She would then grab the boy by the ear as Hitsu slightly makes a shrieking sound. "When did you last drink?" Hitsu's facial expression remained overall empty, as he had an idea of what was soon to come. He could imagine it now, all the different physical beatings or immoral punishments to come. He'd found silence ended with the least pain at this point. When an answer wasn't give the woman would go to move her hand towards him. Hitsu closes his eyes flinches in this moment in expectance of a backhand, and the woman's face remain in awe as her hand gracefully touch his face. "You're burning up,come."

Hitsu proceeds to be drug by his ear in accordance to where the woman pleased to take him, in this case, to a smaller shack of sorts. As he is being drug the boy is utterly confused by the woman's actions
He hadn't been sure if she were showing mercy or simply taking the matter behind closed doors. More so, the kind tone of her last words left a lasting impression on his face, like a ghost had appeared before him. It were as if he could hear the comforting sound of his mothers voice, this kind phrase triggering a memory of a mothers love.

The woman guides the boy into the shack as the door is opened, and points towards a nearby bed. "Sit." He complies with her orders, unsure entirely as to why, nearly out of instinct to avoid any more pulling of ears. After doing so, this lady grabs the satchel of water and tosses it to him. "Drink, before you dehydrate and pass out on my floor." He happily takes this order, gulping nearly every drop in a fast manner. She would now close the door behind herself to have privacy from the public who looked awkwardly.

She crosses her arm before closely examining the child before her. "What's your name?" Hitsuyona's blank stare had become more of a mellow tone now, his appearance more relaxed than before. "Hit, hitsuyona." She continues staring as if still waiting. "Well, what about your last name, you do have one don't you?" The boy looked away for a second, as if reluctant to release this information. He'd known all to well from past experience how others treated him when they discovered his family name. She was persistent, however, and released her crossed arms to begin walking towards him. One good grip on hitsuyona's ears was enough to get him talking again. "Fine! Shizukesa." Her eyes widen significantly for a moment as her grip loosens. He could practically feel the discomfort in the air. " A noble? Where is your family?! Theyed have my head." Hitsu just looks to the floor a moment, recalling a tragedy long since passed, yet not a single sign of tears presents. "Dead." The woman was quick to respond. "Other family, any?" His face remaining the same as her mumurs."All dead."

It was all beginning to sink in the homeowners mind, she was putting one and one together. News had previously passed of the financial standings of the noble family lowering significantly, as their actions positive and negative completely ceased. She could only imagine the rest, since news spread slowly in rukon around these parts. "Very well, if you wish to stay you shall pat your part in labor. " she walks to the door and begins to take her exit. Just before shutting the door though, she looks once more. "You will address me as Mam, not misses, and you will begin tomorrow. Your first task is whatever our local shopkeeper tells you to do, that was his biggest catch in weeks you know." Shed caught on to how food went missing as well,smiling as shuts the door behind her. Allowing the boy to rest, the owner began to unravel out of sight of Hitsuyona. "What a sad day indeed."

-present time

Hitsuyona awakens from his slumber, jerking from his placement in the bed to sot upright in a near instant. He gasps for a breath of air before the look of terror leaves his face. The same dream once again, day in and day out. One that never ceased to strike fear in his heart, to the point he'd almost missed the sound of a light knocking that had since ceased
After a short stretch he stands from his resting place, and approaches the door. Hitsuyona opens expecting to see the kind lady with a fiery side, but is surprised by a man and girl. He doesnt fake a smile or give a welcoming , but instead steps the side to allow them to enter. Meanwhile, he would observe more closely the man to see how this situation would unfold, as a blade was never accompanied by a salesman or commoner. His next words were fairly direct though before they entered. "She did invite you no?"

WC/total: 1,595/ 1,595
Gp total: 31

Hitsuyona continued to observe the duo as they would seemingly begin to take their entrance. They had a general respect for homes even if it seemed they were merely travelers as himself, noted as shoes are removed while responding to ensure this duo would be his temporary roomates. As Hitsu continued to observe, he could quickly tell that these two weren't together by chance. He could almost sense a connection from how kind the man were to the girl, likely a brotherly figure at the least. The way he ruffled her hair and so selflessly assisted her in removing her shoes to show respect was an obvious example.

After the young towering man struggles to fit his larger figure into the doorway, he goes on to continue that sign of respect that seemed so seldom. His bow was welcoming, but he didn't do so in a manner to regard hitsu as a higher figure. This was to be expected after all, and he hadn't seen someone 'bow' like that since he were a mere toddler. The man looks to his traveler as the young girl would mimic in these actions; however, she welcomes a near innocent smile and responds. The girl who had now excitedly introduced herself as selena threw him off guard. It was like she hadn't a care in the world.

Hitsuyona's outward expression stays blank through this as the girl would further examine him before attempting to speak. It was shed noticed his appearance more so, but the man would intercept. Hitsu noticed his smile, but kept a close eye on the hand relaxed upon the blade. Hearing the official introduction did bring about question to the boy's mind though. Ginjo xoi, he couldn't help but feel the last name were familiar. He was however, too young to tie any real recollection of such a distant memory. Shrugging this idea off, he returns his attention to the current matter.

He knew that it was know his turn to return some form of introduction, as it was a formality even if he hadn't been used to it anymore. His social skills were rusty, but the young man raises his hand to rub the back of his head. "Hitsuyona.." There's a slight interruption between the first and last name, as if reluctant to say it at first, before he finally shrugs the bad feeling. "Shizukesa, its a pleasure to meet you as well."

No sooner than his introduction ceased, he could hear a light crash. Hitsu turns to notice this Selena on her back, and her brotherly figure was soon to chime in. Her actions weren't entirely in vain though, as it gives hitsuyona a little insight. The reference to a fighting ring clearly let him know ginjo put that blade ,or towering figure, to use. He was however unsure of the girls talents. A possible answer to his wonder is soon to come though, when the girl allows some green healing energy to form around her light injury just sustained.

While ginjo goes on to offer him help, hitsuyona's focus passively stays with the girl and her green illuminating light that lightly surrounds the wounds on her body. He hadn't layer witness to anything like it, and his interests were certainly peaked. He actually couldn't help but allow his left hand lower from his scalp to his torso, where an abundance of old scars and new healing wounds lay. "An extraordinary child indeed." His interests had actually caused a reaction he weren't aware of. The desire to learn more allowed a bit of his reaistu to pour forth, the light blue aura nearly unnoticed to the naked eye. It's entity though, giving off a very cold and solemn presence to those gifted enough to feel it pour forth. "What is such a thing called?"

Having ignored the mans words he suddenly remembers hearing them. Looking back to Ginjo he would nod, allowing his recognition be known. He didn't seek to have anyone pay his way through life,as he didn't let such a thing happen so far. This was also to say that he didn't exactly trust them, even if it appeared they meant well. He was, however, interested in them to say the least. He was never against seemingly appearing welcome to suggestion, if it meant a chance to observe without confrontation. "Tell me more of the fighting rings, and of this ability she posses. Perhaps that alone should be enough to help me make ends keep without my 'expertise'." He gave emphasis on that last bit, but had no I tensions to go further into his own way of gaining assets withough pressure to do so. It was partly automatic at this point for hitsuyona to try to keep conversations as one sided as possible. He hated pity and feeling singled out so to say.

WC: 809
Twc: 2,404
Gp total: 48

Hitsu stood idly by awaiting an answer, but to his surprise, ginjo would simply clap lightly instead. He is only further confused when given a motion to follow, but gives in to listen as if to not seem reluctsnt . This man qqs surely odd in the way he acted, still yet to speak as ginjo removes the sheathed blade to accompany his shoulder while taking a seated positioning. Gin is quick to motion for hitsu to join him, and he hadn't much choice or reason not to join. Crouching down, he takes seat beside the two in an Indian style.

Gin started by asking Selena to take the lead in explanation, but the girl simply blank and first almost as if not understanding. It was quite the contrary though, as her eyes glow a fluorescent green while examining hitsuyona. Her next words confused the boy a bit though, considering he knew of reastu , but not how one could simply see it or gain such insight from doing so. She doesn't miss a besth though, smiling as she continues on to explain her own technique as kaido. That was, until she begins to freeze up while explaining her teacher, in which case, ginjo would chime in to continue. Hitsuyona could feel tension on that matter, but disregards it for now.

He very closely listens as the both of them give their explanation in slight detail of how this reaistu and reiryoku works. Their uses and manifestation brought about a great interest to hitsu. It felt as though utilizing this potential they had earlier mentioned was of utmost importance. He could practically cast spells, heal himself, and improve physically all from the training of one thing, reaistu. Hitsu didn't care that it could apparently take extensive training,hell, he kind of expected it after hearing all of its capabilities.

Keeping all this in mind, he continues to listen as Gin explained on to the fight rings. They sounded like an easy buck if you knew your way around a fight, but he wasn't so sure about the ones allowing weaponry. All he had was a mere kunai after all.

Everything had been summed up nicely, but the question that was returned to himself very direct and somewhat vague. Which did he want to learn? All of it, some, merely the fighting? Even if the man wasn't leaving in any one direction for his question, Hitsuyona had already decided from nearly the start. His reply, at least at first, was nearly instant. "Yes." A monotone expression and voice in this word, followed by a singular second of silence. "However, I do not wish to learn kaido." He looks down at his wounds, and places his hand over one of the scars. "They're a reminder, not a burden. Pain is the greatest mentor, whether sought or befallen upon you." Letting out a sigh, he looks to Selena with a slightly less 'blank' face. It was as if he were trying to look normal or 'happy', but it would come across more so as weird. He hadn't used the muscles needed to smile in a long time, after all. "Can you tell me what my reastu looks like? Its a weird question, but it might help me understand more. From the sounds of it, learning about the reastu will help me to do all of these things you speak of, firstly to make use of my reiryoku, and the rest shall follow, right?"

He was curious to learn, as this stepping stone in front of him may very well reflect a major change to come. No more being victimized to ruthless beatings for taking a minimal amount of food. No more turning the other cheek to something he had no sway over. No more cowering within the shadows. He tired of remaining without purpose, and this power before him felt like a stitch to hold together that something missing.

WC:654
Twc: 3,058
Total gp: 61

Hitsuyona listens as Selena would respond, and has little to no worry in her response. His previous statement was true, as he had no wish to learn anything of this ‘kaido', even if he found it to be extraordinary. She however found this may have came across offensive, going on to stand correct herself. Hitsu likely could never have done it because of his persona and attitude anyway.

Whenever Ginjo goes on to speak, hitsu finds interests in the mentioning of bakudo and hado knowledge. He'd also taken note of the obvious insight into gin's life a bit, but he didn't care to know more on that matter.

Whenever Selena would go on to explain his reaistu he found profound interest. Blue much like his hair, and a fiery presence much like a symbolism of resolve, even though his resolve had been long ago damaged to some extent. Hitsu would find it almost odd when gin comes to intercept with a further observation. The smell of metal didn't seem to add up to him, at least, not paired with an animalistic nature. That smell seemed more like copper to him, the scent of blood drawn from the wounds a morbid beast would create.

It would seem that Selena wished for the two of their reaistu to be revealed as well. Hitsu was indifferent on this for the most part, but Gin would go on to apologise and make the offer anyway. At this point, hitsu stretches out his arms before placing them behind his head. He leans back and let's out a mellow sigh, closing his eyes for a moment. He wasn't exactly coming to trust these people, but he felt they wouldn't bring any harm either. At the least, he was in the clear to relax for a moment.

“I'm by no means offended, I asked to be observed. I'd be offended if you'd withheld information. “ He turns to look at Ginjo with a more relaxed expression. “Besides, after hearing how this works I think I sorta understand. I believe always been able to ‘feel' something odd about people, like a gut feeling about them. That's what feeling their reaistu is , at least I think. I'll see yours on my own time, some things I must learn my own way.” He let's out a light smirk, something much more easy and accurate than his attempted smile. “Save your breath for this hado and how I may use reaistu for combat.” He shrugs after the fact, and looks back up as he take a relaxed position once more.

WC:430
Twc:3,488
Total gp: 69

While hitsu remained in a relaxed positioning, Selena clearly takes her generally excited mannerism once again. She was pretty clear in explaining things, and right away he noticed a slight problem. Hitsu began to worry on just what a strong body would mean in the long run. He was afraid than an injured body would perhaps be incapable of physically using reiryoku. As she went on with the vast metaphors it was adding up fine in his mind, but the way she almost talked down to him was somewhat discomforting. There was enough description though, that he got the basic idea. His reaistu was unchecked, practically pouring from his being. He hadn't the self control to keep it contained, which was the first step to then learning how to use it.

Taking this information in Gin would also add his two cents. This metaphor was nearly an opposite outlook,but it got the same main point. The two were very different, but so were their personality types. He looks to them with a relaxed expression and takes in a deep breath, blocking them out almost innately. Hitsuyona had absolutely no experience in any attempts at how to do this, but he was surely an expert and blocking people and things out. That was possibly one of the only good things about his lifestyle so far, as the capability to stray from the clutter of others and their distractions was indeed a second nature to him.

As his eyes close he didn't even notice Gin with his unlabeled bottle, instead, he pictured something within his mind. He felt as though he knew their point, but neither of their descriptions seemed fitting for his way of attempting to contain his reaistu. He was calm, but not necessarily at peace like Selena seemed to be. He visioned himself on a boat in a small pond, under dark clouds as a constant downpour of water fell. It were as if his pond were so full that it would continuously over fill and run into the now muddied ground that surrounded this body of water. As he focused he imagined the lake remaining full, yet not over filling despite the rain continuing to fall into this pond. At this moment it would seem as though his spiritual presence faded nearly, yet not entirely, until his eyes open once more.He'd both unintentionally and unknowingly almost masked his own reaistu while attempting to keep it from merely pouring outwards entirely. Once his concentration were lost it would resume to pour out once more, and a sigh of disappointment escapes his lips.

Hitsuyona returns his attention to the two, and scratches his head lightly.” I guess I got the idea for now, but what about the rest of it? “ He was obviously clueless that he'd even somewhat succeeded, because he didn't have a full grasp on what he was doing yet. Like a woman with an ungodly talented voice who had never sang, he had the potential without the know how.

In the meantime, he keeps his eyes on the two individuals with one ear listening, and one eye observing them, so to speak. He would hear their words, but was attempting to ‘see' what this reaistu truly was as well.

WC: 543
Twc: 4,031
Total gp: 80

The clueless child gains some level of insight from the words of Selena. A ‘natural' was a bit of a vague way to express just to what extent his attempts were a success, still, it was a start. The only thing he could gather from their responses was satisfaction to some degree, and that meant he'd done better than anticipated. Whenever she went on to mention needing more room for bakudo he shrugs his shoulders;however, he stops midway in attempts to stand up. It appeared that Ginjo had a valid reason for any demonstrations to wait. Hitsuyona had no quarrels with this, and as such would remain seated.

Hitsu could see that look of disappointment in Selena's eyes following that last remark, but it didn't phase her for long. After a defensive remark to fit her facial expression, she goes on to continue with a verbal explanation instead. The overall explanation she offers did bring about interests within the back of his mind, yet one thing did bother him. ‘Incantations’ as she worded it, begrudgingly so, did remind him of old folklore. Those stories where epic heroes did cry the name of some fated magical technique before its demonstration. He'd always thought of such things to be cosmetic to their utilization, like a copyright of their very own idea, and not some prerequisite to success.

Perhaps the most disturbing news was what were to follow, as Ginjo spoke of the consequences for not accurate and precise casting of a kido. Hitsuyona would reach up to scratch his head in light of this news. The amount of delicacy required to even cast them at all sounded rather difficult in theory. Precision did seem to sound rather key in most all applications of things involving reaistu thus far.

Hitsu directs his attention back to the actively excited child, as she happily explains kaido, despite his lack of interests in performing it. Still, it was information that came of use to have knowledge of. He tried to take all this knowledge in at a moments notice. It was all in vain though, mid though a grunting is heard to be revealed as a que for Gin. He explained -to some extent- the roundabouts of reaistu amplified combat, something of great nescescity within the mind of Hitsuyona. The most peculiar part of his explanation seemed to be the application of its use. He found it to be oddly different than anticipated, being that speed and strength were seperstely achieved through reaistu manipulation. He'd however expected there to be drawbacks to unsuccessful attempts in doing so,much like straining your muscles, as there seemed to be a drawback for its other uses so far.

Hitsu would let out a light sigh while leaning down so that his chin rest on his left hand. Meanwhile, Gin would go on to ask him which of these interested him. It was a difficult question to answer in the current situation; no matter how he put the thought to debate. Sadly he just looked over to Gin and let out an ‘uhmm', followed by a moment of silence. He sits up from the position and rubs his chin a second. “Well, I would say the combat oriented uses, beyond basic control of course. Although , I am to most extents of the term, injured past a normal beings ability to stand. So… “ he shrugs and lets out another momentary sigh, but smirks immediately after for whatever reason. Like a light bulb in his mind. “I got it! All of it!”

Around this time was a sudden knock on the door, but it would no wait for anyone to reply before opening. The woman who were housing these three would peek her head around the corner. “Hitsuyona I have great news. The shop keep has given you a simple task, so long as you can fish, consider yourself lucky. There's a fishing pond some few miles east, and you owe him ten fold what you ‘ate'. That will be 30 pounds of fish by nightfall. “ easy? It sounded more insane to the boy, most especially since it were at least noon. He looks over to Ginjo st this moment in time to see what he would do now, since they were mid way through teaching him of this so called reaistu. He did just moments earlier offer him help after all, in earning his keep. Hitsu had some skill in catching game of multiple sorts , but this seemed a bit extreme.

WC:753
Twc: 4,784
Total gp: 95

Hitsu could hear gin laugh as Selena openly showed her excitement to the answer he'd provided. This seemed unlike the chuckles heard thus far, it was full on laughter , at least to some extent. Following the next moments his new teacher of sorts would go on to give a suggestion, thought it was subtle. He'd shown a preference for Hitsuyona to allow Selena to fully heal him, despite his earlier preference of not learning kaido for that specific reason. This wasn't to say he was complete against the latter, for the boy wasn't completely against the idea of having his body vitalized so to speak.

This decision was soon to be dismissed either way, mostly because of the woman's interruption. While Hitsu stared into the eyes of Ginjo he wouldn't exactly get the desired response. It had seemed that this man wished for him to attempt to catch the entirety of the fish on his own. It sounded like his new acquaintance was preferring to be more of a back up plan. Of course, this wasn't to say it weren't actually for the purpose of furthering this training mentioned alongside these intentions.

After ginjo would re assure the woman that this task would be completed, hitsu turns to look at her with a solemn face. “Consider it done.” The trio would stand, and make their way to the door. The boy had to gather the remainder of his belongings, however slim it should be. The only thing to his name other than his clothes at the time were his worn sandals, and a kunai since confiscated.

After doing so he would go on to catch up with the pair, as theyed pressed on holding hands while embracing the shadows of the oncoming forests. The three welcomed its vastness, and enjoyed the comfort of its shade. He wasn't prepared for the question that were soon asked . Hitsu would ponder on how to answer as they awaited a reply. It was rather difficult to give a definitive answer, solely because he wasnt sure if he could call it fishing. He'd done it in the past when he were desperate for food within the confines of endless wilderness, but it wasn't exactly done with a rod. Soon though, he would look to the duo with a somewhat confused expression. “That depends on your definition of fishing, I'd almost call it hunting fish. I did it a few times when away from any nearby towns. I basically just took my kunai, which I recently had taken from me by the woman mind you, and would sit from a tree until a fish stopped moving. “ He somewhat pauses for a moment to take a breath, and in that time had thought of a way to finish explaining. “A second, that's all it takes, for my kunai to barely pierce the water, and the fish.” It was an odd, yet creative way to do things. Especially when one doesn't have the materials or know how to construct a fishing pole. He wasn't sure if this answer would be a comforting one, given the circumstances he would be in without his only solution and means to catch any fish on this day.

WC: 538
Twc: 5,322
Total gp: 106