Kyuzo gave Matsu one last smile as they turned towards each other, having taken their places on each side of the dueling grounds. He kept running into her as if their fates were intertwined. Since he arrived, there hadn’t been a day Matsu hadn’t made an appearance in his life, even in the gray world he had lived in the last few days, she was there. And now, out of everyone he could have faced off against in the iaijutsu tournament, it was Matsu. It was a tiny bit regretful that it had to be her; she didn’t have a chance against him when it came to iaijutsu. Not only did Kyuzo possess an almost unnatural ability for iaijutsu, he had also bore witness to Matsu’s fighting techniques in that other realm and it was safe to say that she lacked the grace and focus of katana use. He was certain she knew it too with what she had said before they took their positions. She had said her respect had grown for him over the last few days, and she believed he had great talent.
Kyuzo dropped into the widely recognized dueling stance belonging to the Kakita Duelist School and watched Matsu intently. She took her stance, hand on her katana; she must not be a fast draw Kyuzo noted. She had her right side forward, giving her more reach once she drew to make a strike, however, with her katana on her left, this left her entire right side open and closer if she didn’t draw fast enough, an easy target. Matsu’s feet were shoulder width apart, a good, solid stance for battle, but she wasn’t applying her weight in the right areas of her feet. Kyuzo could tell from the way her joints bent, and how she held herself.
He kept his breathing steady, now was time to connect to the void, the emptiness, the calm of life. He cleared his mind, pushing Matsu’s pretty face from it. Storing those sweet things she had said for later consideration. He felt the ground under his feet, the weight of his katana on his hip. He saw Matsu twitch, it was time. He was a blaze of movement, on her before she even drew. With an upward swing his blade brushed the silk above her left breast, cutting cloth and leaving the skin untouched. Kyuzo was now behind Matsu, katana pointed towards the ground, his back to Matsu’s. He slid his katana back into its sheath and turned towards Matsu with a bow.
“Match goes to Asahina Kyuzo, Kakita Duelist Academy.”
“Asahina-san, you honored me with your grace and experience.” Matsu gave a bow in response and walked off, leaving her mon on the ground.
Kyuzo tried not to show how pleased he was with himself as he moved towards the stands to wait for his next match. He had never attempted to remove a mon before, believing it took many more years than he had trained, and the experience from multiple duels in order to gauge the right amount of force to cut silk without piercing the skin. But he did it. He had looked over Matsu and focused and did it. Even if he hadn’t succeeded with many other competitions at the Topaz Championship, this was something he could bring back to his sensei.
“Next Match: Shiba Morasahi, Kakita Junpai.” The announcer introduced the next duelists.
Kyuzo watched Shiba take the field against the Kakita he had trained against. It was going to be a close fight, Junpai was talented. They assessed each other, then came the time allotted to center themselves. Both moved at the same time, their swords clipping the other instantaneously. They had hit at exactly the same moment. He knew it would be close. The flag holder raised both flags indicating a tie. At least Shiba would go into the next round, but so would Kakita. He was pretty sure he heard Shiba let out a sigh as she returned to her seat.
“Match is a tie. Shiba Morasahi, Shiba Bushi Academy and Kakita Junpai, Kakita Duelist Academy.”
“Next Match: Mirumoto Roshi, Daigotsu Katsumi.”
Kyuzo raised his brows, a bit surprised by the name. A Spider was going to participate in iaijutsu? That seemed almost blasphemous. Iaijutsu was the most honorable contest of strength and restraint for samurai, and although the Spider were a great clan, and were samurai by name, they weren’t the sort to live like a samurai would. They completely forsook Bushido, the code of the samurai. They showed no respect for the tradition of iaijutsu. And the stories that were told about them, it couldn’t all be lies. He had seen Daigotsu do some questionable things, and what she said wasn‘t any less appalling at times. This had to be a joke, a way for the Spider to laugh at the Empire more than they already were.
He watched Daigotsu and the Dragon, Mirumoto, take their positions. He half expected Daigotsu to walk out there with her polearm, he couldn’t recall seeing a katana on her belt in the days before, only a wakizashi. To say he was relieved that she appeared with a katana tucked in her obi would be an understatement. Mirumoto took his stance; Daigotsu seemed to be standing lax completely unaware the duel was beginning. The Dragon closed his eyes, he was focusing, and Daigotsu… she shifted her weight, putting her hand on her katana. Was she even taking part in this duel or did she just plan to stand there and let Mirumoto hit her? Mirumoto opened his eyes and took his steps across the space between Daigotsu and himself. Oh, this wasn’t going to be good, Daigotsu wasn’t ready at all.
Kyuzo cringed as the Dragon drew and slashed at the space Daigotsu had once been standing in. She had twirled around Mirumoto, drawing and cutting in a single movement, catching his outer thigh with her steel. There was an audible gasp from the crowd as the blood began staining the Dragon’s clothes. It wasn’t a deep gash, Kyuzo could tell that even from where he sat, but Daigotsu had still cut him. You weren’t supposed to cut them. There are many ways to strike an opponent without harming them, and she cut him.
“Match goes to Daigotsu Katsumi, Order of the Spider Monks.”
The crowd began murmuring and Kyuzo shook his head. The Spider group nearby snickered and giggled. He was pretty sure he heard one intake a deep breath, as if he was smelling the area. Mirumoto turned and bowed, Daigotsu returned it, and then the Dragon limped off the dueling grounds. Daigotsu, on the other hand, flicked the blood off her katana and spun it around in a rather fancy fashion before sliding it away. She tapped at her mon twice, the patch set over her heart, and pumped her fist towards the Spider group, most of whom had collected themselves. A few already jesting about the encounter. Dishonorable.
“Next match: Mirumoto Sahi, Kakita Yuki.”
Kyuzo stayed nearby, watching each duel. He had been looking forward to this day since he arrived at the tournament. He never tired of watching people duel, and he never tired of dueling. Everyone had a different way of performing. Even among the Kakita School no two duelists would be the same. It was as much an art form as painting was. No two people would paint a picture the same, so each duel brought a new experience to both participating and watching. The preliminaries wrapped up rather quickly, leading into the semi-finals.
“First match: Daigotsu Katsumi, Kakita Junpai.”
This wasn’t going to end well. Daigotsu may have won by a fluke against the Dragon, but Kakita wouldn’t make the same mistakes the Dragon had. Kakita made it into the semi-finals with a tie, so he would be doubly concerned with proving himself and taking his spot in the finals. Kyuzo leaned forward, interested to see how events unfolded. Kakita dropped into his stance, staring at Daigotsu. She was different than the last time, standing silently and looking over Kakita as well. She must be a quick learner to change so drastically from one match to the next in the same day, Kyuzo thought. She reached for her katana, Kakita started his attack, but Daigotsu was quicker. Kakita managed to draw his weapon, but by the time it was unsheathed he was already missing a piece of his sleeve. Daigotsu had done it again. This was starting to get impressive. Who would have thought a Spider could duel like the best of those in the Realm?
“Match goes to Daigotsu Katsumi, Order of the Spider Monks.”
Daigotsu turned and walked towards Kakita who offered a bow, Daigotsu only nodded her head in return. She twirled her katana the same as last time, sheathing it and repeating the same tapping and acknowledgement of her Spider group who had started taking over the end of the stands instead of standing. Most of the crowd had conveniently moved away from where they were standing earlier, and seats next to them also emptied. Kitsuki was sitting amongst them, acting as some sort of barrier between the rest of the Empire and the Spider creeping in. He was saying something about Daigotsu to a Phoenix next to him, the Phoenix nodded jovially. Kitsuki turned towards another person and they reacted in much the same manner.
“Next match: Kakita Yuki, Shiba Morasahi.”
Shiba took her position opposite Kakita Yuki, resting her hand on the hilt of her katana. Kyuzo watched the small Phoenix, wondering if she was going to come back with a vengeance. He was aware she was an excellent strategist, having been beaten by her in a Go competition the day before, or should he say three days before? Would the time spent in that strange place count as time passed, even if they were now repeating the days from that place? Shiba looked intense, Kakita the same. Kyuzo could have sworn it was quiet enough to hear a feather fall, though he was aware the crowd never really stopped conversing in hushed whispers creating a never ending rumble of noise. Shiba took a step, Kakita followed suit. They met with swords drawn, Shiba striking and Kakita realizing the match was over before her blade reached Shiba.
“Match goes to Shiba Morasahi, Shiba Bushi Academy.”
The duelists turned to each other and offered a respectful bow.
“Next match: Shiba Morasahi, Asahina Kyuzo.”
Kyuzo rose from his seat and met Shiba on the dueling grounds. She had proven to be a contender, but he was sure of his abilities, and believed they would outshine Shiba’s. Shiba did end her first match in a tie, her opponent being beaten by Daigotsu, and Asahina was certain Daigotsu wasn’t nearly as trained as he was. Shiba wasn’t consistent in her dueling manner. The last match she was superb, but one doesn’t make you skilled. Besides, Kyuzo didn’t want Daigotsu to face off Shiba in the finals, they had some bad blood between the two of them, and only the Celestial Heavens knew what foul play Daigotsu may attempt. He still wasn’t sure she could be trusted, though proving to be an even better fighter than he had previously believed. And he already thought highly of her combat prowess.
They bowed and Kyuzo took his stance. Shiba adjusted accordingly. Their eyes met. Kyuzo could see the calculated calm inside Shiba, it was the same look she had when they were playing Go. It was tremendously different from the Shiba outside of these competitions. That Shiba mumbled and stuttered and struggled to find the right words. Kyuzo pushed the memory, the thoughts from the forefront of his mind. He listened to his breathing, keeping it steady. He felt the ground beneath his feet, the weight of the katana on his hip. Shiba touched the handle of her sword and they were both moving. He drew his blade, sliding it across the silk above Shiba’s heart, cutting through cloth but leaving her flesh unscathed.
Shiba’s mon gently fluttered to the ground.
“Match goes to Asahina Kyuzo, Kakita Duelist Academy.”
There wasn’t as much to this mon removing technique as Kyuzo had thought. Twice now, with little effort, he had managed to pull it off. He had been top of his class, but this was far surpassing head student status. He was about to win the Topaz Championship. He was about to be the lead student of the entire Empire. At this moment, Kyuzo didn’t think anything could stop him.
“Final match will be Asahina Kyuzo and Daigotsu Katsumi.”
Kyuzo watched Daigotsu make her way from the stands. He had expected some sort of murmur from the crowd about how ridiculous it was for a Spider to be one of two finalists, but instead it looked like people were just as excited as he was. He had spent two days with Daigotsu, two days where he had heard her breech of etiquette many times. Two days where she had shown a lack of focus except when combating with a pole weapon. Two days where he had believe she didn’t even know how to wield a katana, lacking the weapon as part of her outfit, let along compete and succeed at iaijutsu dueling. She was full of surprises, it seemed, and not all of them were ones he disliked.
The bonge unfurled the banners for each of their clans. Asahina’s a white background with the symbol of a crane in beautiful soft blue. Daigotsu’s was also white, but it looked to have been made just recently, and not of expert dying quality, a shape somewhat resembling a spider stained the middle of the sheet in black ink. It may have even still been wet. The stands were completely filled; people had surrounded the dueling grounds, encapsulating the two. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for.
Daigotsu bowed in a manner that showed true sincerity. “I am deeply honored to be competing against you, Asahina-san.” She paused and could only be smiling underneath her mask with the way her eyes crinkled and the way her voice took on a perverse tone. “I shall enjoy this.”
“Daigotsu-san, I am impressed that you made it this far and I intend to honor you with my full attention.” Kyuzo bowed back.
“Anything less would be unacceptable.”
Kyuzo dropped into his dueling stance, bringing his hand over his katana. Daigotsu spread her feet and mimicked him. Well, sort of mimicked him. The way a small child learns to eat from watching their parents is more akin to what Daigotsu just did. He wasn’t sure if she was mocking him by standing so awkwardly, or if she was had learned from her previous round, the Kakita, and was improving upon her technique. Her first round she had just stood there, her second she at least had a stance, this time she seemed to be posing. It was a little off-putting. Her technique was confusing as well, not repeating the same strike, or even step off. And now, even viewing her twice before, she was a mystery.
Kyuzo dropped into the widely recognized dueling stance belonging to the Kakita Duelist School and watched Matsu intently. She took her stance, hand on her katana; she must not be a fast draw Kyuzo noted. She had her right side forward, giving her more reach once she drew to make a strike, however, with her katana on her left, this left her entire right side open and closer if she didn’t draw fast enough, an easy target. Matsu’s feet were shoulder width apart, a good, solid stance for battle, but she wasn’t applying her weight in the right areas of her feet. Kyuzo could tell from the way her joints bent, and how she held herself.
He kept his breathing steady, now was time to connect to the void, the emptiness, the calm of life. He cleared his mind, pushing Matsu’s pretty face from it. Storing those sweet things she had said for later consideration. He felt the ground under his feet, the weight of his katana on his hip. He saw Matsu twitch, it was time. He was a blaze of movement, on her before she even drew. With an upward swing his blade brushed the silk above her left breast, cutting cloth and leaving the skin untouched. Kyuzo was now behind Matsu, katana pointed towards the ground, his back to Matsu’s. He slid his katana back into its sheath and turned towards Matsu with a bow.
“Match goes to Asahina Kyuzo, Kakita Duelist Academy.”
“Asahina-san, you honored me with your grace and experience.” Matsu gave a bow in response and walked off, leaving her mon on the ground.
Kyuzo tried not to show how pleased he was with himself as he moved towards the stands to wait for his next match. He had never attempted to remove a mon before, believing it took many more years than he had trained, and the experience from multiple duels in order to gauge the right amount of force to cut silk without piercing the skin. But he did it. He had looked over Matsu and focused and did it. Even if he hadn’t succeeded with many other competitions at the Topaz Championship, this was something he could bring back to his sensei.
“Next Match: Shiba Morasahi, Kakita Junpai.” The announcer introduced the next duelists.
Kyuzo watched Shiba take the field against the Kakita he had trained against. It was going to be a close fight, Junpai was talented. They assessed each other, then came the time allotted to center themselves. Both moved at the same time, their swords clipping the other instantaneously. They had hit at exactly the same moment. He knew it would be close. The flag holder raised both flags indicating a tie. At least Shiba would go into the next round, but so would Kakita. He was pretty sure he heard Shiba let out a sigh as she returned to her seat.
“Match is a tie. Shiba Morasahi, Shiba Bushi Academy and Kakita Junpai, Kakita Duelist Academy.”
“Next Match: Mirumoto Roshi, Daigotsu Katsumi.”
Kyuzo raised his brows, a bit surprised by the name. A Spider was going to participate in iaijutsu? That seemed almost blasphemous. Iaijutsu was the most honorable contest of strength and restraint for samurai, and although the Spider were a great clan, and were samurai by name, they weren’t the sort to live like a samurai would. They completely forsook Bushido, the code of the samurai. They showed no respect for the tradition of iaijutsu. And the stories that were told about them, it couldn’t all be lies. He had seen Daigotsu do some questionable things, and what she said wasn‘t any less appalling at times. This had to be a joke, a way for the Spider to laugh at the Empire more than they already were.
He watched Daigotsu and the Dragon, Mirumoto, take their positions. He half expected Daigotsu to walk out there with her polearm, he couldn’t recall seeing a katana on her belt in the days before, only a wakizashi. To say he was relieved that she appeared with a katana tucked in her obi would be an understatement. Mirumoto took his stance; Daigotsu seemed to be standing lax completely unaware the duel was beginning. The Dragon closed his eyes, he was focusing, and Daigotsu… she shifted her weight, putting her hand on her katana. Was she even taking part in this duel or did she just plan to stand there and let Mirumoto hit her? Mirumoto opened his eyes and took his steps across the space between Daigotsu and himself. Oh, this wasn’t going to be good, Daigotsu wasn’t ready at all.
Kyuzo cringed as the Dragon drew and slashed at the space Daigotsu had once been standing in. She had twirled around Mirumoto, drawing and cutting in a single movement, catching his outer thigh with her steel. There was an audible gasp from the crowd as the blood began staining the Dragon’s clothes. It wasn’t a deep gash, Kyuzo could tell that even from where he sat, but Daigotsu had still cut him. You weren’t supposed to cut them. There are many ways to strike an opponent without harming them, and she cut him.
“Match goes to Daigotsu Katsumi, Order of the Spider Monks.”
The crowd began murmuring and Kyuzo shook his head. The Spider group nearby snickered and giggled. He was pretty sure he heard one intake a deep breath, as if he was smelling the area. Mirumoto turned and bowed, Daigotsu returned it, and then the Dragon limped off the dueling grounds. Daigotsu, on the other hand, flicked the blood off her katana and spun it around in a rather fancy fashion before sliding it away. She tapped at her mon twice, the patch set over her heart, and pumped her fist towards the Spider group, most of whom had collected themselves. A few already jesting about the encounter. Dishonorable.
“Next match: Mirumoto Sahi, Kakita Yuki.”
Kyuzo stayed nearby, watching each duel. He had been looking forward to this day since he arrived at the tournament. He never tired of watching people duel, and he never tired of dueling. Everyone had a different way of performing. Even among the Kakita School no two duelists would be the same. It was as much an art form as painting was. No two people would paint a picture the same, so each duel brought a new experience to both participating and watching. The preliminaries wrapped up rather quickly, leading into the semi-finals.
“First match: Daigotsu Katsumi, Kakita Junpai.”
This wasn’t going to end well. Daigotsu may have won by a fluke against the Dragon, but Kakita wouldn’t make the same mistakes the Dragon had. Kakita made it into the semi-finals with a tie, so he would be doubly concerned with proving himself and taking his spot in the finals. Kyuzo leaned forward, interested to see how events unfolded. Kakita dropped into his stance, staring at Daigotsu. She was different than the last time, standing silently and looking over Kakita as well. She must be a quick learner to change so drastically from one match to the next in the same day, Kyuzo thought. She reached for her katana, Kakita started his attack, but Daigotsu was quicker. Kakita managed to draw his weapon, but by the time it was unsheathed he was already missing a piece of his sleeve. Daigotsu had done it again. This was starting to get impressive. Who would have thought a Spider could duel like the best of those in the Realm?
“Match goes to Daigotsu Katsumi, Order of the Spider Monks.”
Daigotsu turned and walked towards Kakita who offered a bow, Daigotsu only nodded her head in return. She twirled her katana the same as last time, sheathing it and repeating the same tapping and acknowledgement of her Spider group who had started taking over the end of the stands instead of standing. Most of the crowd had conveniently moved away from where they were standing earlier, and seats next to them also emptied. Kitsuki was sitting amongst them, acting as some sort of barrier between the rest of the Empire and the Spider creeping in. He was saying something about Daigotsu to a Phoenix next to him, the Phoenix nodded jovially. Kitsuki turned towards another person and they reacted in much the same manner.
“Next match: Kakita Yuki, Shiba Morasahi.”
Shiba took her position opposite Kakita Yuki, resting her hand on the hilt of her katana. Kyuzo watched the small Phoenix, wondering if she was going to come back with a vengeance. He was aware she was an excellent strategist, having been beaten by her in a Go competition the day before, or should he say three days before? Would the time spent in that strange place count as time passed, even if they were now repeating the days from that place? Shiba looked intense, Kakita the same. Kyuzo could have sworn it was quiet enough to hear a feather fall, though he was aware the crowd never really stopped conversing in hushed whispers creating a never ending rumble of noise. Shiba took a step, Kakita followed suit. They met with swords drawn, Shiba striking and Kakita realizing the match was over before her blade reached Shiba.
“Match goes to Shiba Morasahi, Shiba Bushi Academy.”
The duelists turned to each other and offered a respectful bow.
“Next match: Shiba Morasahi, Asahina Kyuzo.”
Kyuzo rose from his seat and met Shiba on the dueling grounds. She had proven to be a contender, but he was sure of his abilities, and believed they would outshine Shiba’s. Shiba did end her first match in a tie, her opponent being beaten by Daigotsu, and Asahina was certain Daigotsu wasn’t nearly as trained as he was. Shiba wasn’t consistent in her dueling manner. The last match she was superb, but one doesn’t make you skilled. Besides, Kyuzo didn’t want Daigotsu to face off Shiba in the finals, they had some bad blood between the two of them, and only the Celestial Heavens knew what foul play Daigotsu may attempt. He still wasn’t sure she could be trusted, though proving to be an even better fighter than he had previously believed. And he already thought highly of her combat prowess.
They bowed and Kyuzo took his stance. Shiba adjusted accordingly. Their eyes met. Kyuzo could see the calculated calm inside Shiba, it was the same look she had when they were playing Go. It was tremendously different from the Shiba outside of these competitions. That Shiba mumbled and stuttered and struggled to find the right words. Kyuzo pushed the memory, the thoughts from the forefront of his mind. He listened to his breathing, keeping it steady. He felt the ground beneath his feet, the weight of the katana on his hip. Shiba touched the handle of her sword and they were both moving. He drew his blade, sliding it across the silk above Shiba’s heart, cutting through cloth but leaving her flesh unscathed.
Shiba’s mon gently fluttered to the ground.
“Match goes to Asahina Kyuzo, Kakita Duelist Academy.”
There wasn’t as much to this mon removing technique as Kyuzo had thought. Twice now, with little effort, he had managed to pull it off. He had been top of his class, but this was far surpassing head student status. He was about to win the Topaz Championship. He was about to be the lead student of the entire Empire. At this moment, Kyuzo didn’t think anything could stop him.
“Final match will be Asahina Kyuzo and Daigotsu Katsumi.”
Kyuzo watched Daigotsu make her way from the stands. He had expected some sort of murmur from the crowd about how ridiculous it was for a Spider to be one of two finalists, but instead it looked like people were just as excited as he was. He had spent two days with Daigotsu, two days where he had heard her breech of etiquette many times. Two days where she had shown a lack of focus except when combating with a pole weapon. Two days where he had believe she didn’t even know how to wield a katana, lacking the weapon as part of her outfit, let along compete and succeed at iaijutsu dueling. She was full of surprises, it seemed, and not all of them were ones he disliked.
The bonge unfurled the banners for each of their clans. Asahina’s a white background with the symbol of a crane in beautiful soft blue. Daigotsu’s was also white, but it looked to have been made just recently, and not of expert dying quality, a shape somewhat resembling a spider stained the middle of the sheet in black ink. It may have even still been wet. The stands were completely filled; people had surrounded the dueling grounds, encapsulating the two. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for.
Daigotsu bowed in a manner that showed true sincerity. “I am deeply honored to be competing against you, Asahina-san.” She paused and could only be smiling underneath her mask with the way her eyes crinkled and the way her voice took on a perverse tone. “I shall enjoy this.”
“Daigotsu-san, I am impressed that you made it this far and I intend to honor you with my full attention.” Kyuzo bowed back.
“Anything less would be unacceptable.”
Kyuzo dropped into his dueling stance, bringing his hand over his katana. Daigotsu spread her feet and mimicked him. Well, sort of mimicked him. The way a small child learns to eat from watching their parents is more akin to what Daigotsu just did. He wasn’t sure if she was mocking him by standing so awkwardly, or if she was had learned from her previous round, the Kakita, and was improving upon her technique. Her first round she had just stood there, her second she at least had a stance, this time she seemed to be posing. It was a little off-putting. Her technique was confusing as well, not repeating the same strike, or even step off. And now, even viewing her twice before, she was a mystery.
***
Katsumi smiled. This was going to be fun. She had observed Asahina and his ability to fight on previous occasions in Yume-do, where she had played Jashuwa‘s game in that dingy world. Impressed may not be the right word, but he was capable. She had even had the opportunity to see him dueling both Matsu and Shiba, and overcoming them easily. Katsumi didn’t doubt he would have. She was aware of Matsu’s weakness without her Hikaru; it wasn’t a surprise when Asahina had finished his attack before she even drew. Shiba was acceptable, but her strength was in teamwork, or at least that‘s how it seemed to Katsumi since Shiba was always delivering the final blow; one on one didn’t seem to be her strong suit. She was even certain Asahina would defeat her.
The katana wasn’t a weapon she had much experience with, and this was her first time even dueling. But she was a fast learner and proficient with most weapons; there wasn’t much you had to learn in order to kill someone with an item. You could murder with something as seemingly insignificant as eating utensils, a katana was much easier to apply the basics to since it was designed to damage. This wasn’t to say the previous matches she won had been flukes, just people less skilled than they believed, and she was quick. But Asahina was quicker, and Katsumi knew it. He was first to react, first to move, first to strike. This was to first strike, it would surely be in the bag for Asahina. Now, if it was to the death that was something she could weather. Growing up Spider came with certain advantages when it came to pain and tolerance. Asahina could be first all he wanted, but she would be last.
Asahina dropped into his dueling pose. She had seen him do this each time, and even the Kakita she had gone against repeated this stance. Katsumi took a breath and slid into something similar, attempting to mirror the Crane stance. It obviously had merit to it, with how many from the same school had made it to semifinals. She was aware her stance wasn’t quite right, perhaps her feet weren’t far enough apart, her hand was in the right place, she could see that.
“Ah, what a match of yin versus yang.” Katsumi heard Kitsuki orating from the crowd. “We have control and precision versus passion and fury.”
The crowd grew in volume, this was unprecedented. Not only because her clan had recently become part of the Empire, but because she knew what people believed about the Spider. Kitsuki just said what everyone was thinking. No one would expect a Spider, a Daigotsu, full of passion and fury, to have the centered control to best opponent after opponent in matches of strength and control. That’s where they were wrong, and she gained the advantage. They don’t know the training it takes to become part of the Order of the Spider. They don’t know the tenets of Shurido, where passion has no place. The Spider did away with Bushido and the emotional beliefs that went with it, and found a better path through self-reliance.
Katsumi took another slow, deep breath. There was more at stake here than just winning a tournament. Though the title was an objective for her clan, one they could gloat about for the remainder of the year holding over the heads of the rest of the Empire who believed themselves to be better than they, it was secondary. She was there to show the Empire the power the Spider held, the power that the Empire feared. To bring witness to the irresistible force that Rokugan changed to accommodate, for the Spider could not be resisted. The first steps in taking what was rightfully theirs. Something she had already accomplished by being a finalist here, today. Something that would be ever more prevalent if she could manage to bring Asahina down.
Asahina was moving. He was so fast. Katsumi drew her weapon and brought it up, cutting the air behind him. It was over before she even swung, she just hadn’t realized it. She looked down and her mon was gone, a crumpled piece of silk lying on the ground. The crowd was in an uproar. She spun to face Asahina; he had already sheathed his katana and bowed to her. She did the same.
Katsumi bent to retrieve her mon from the dust. He was skilled, that was certain. She hadn’t even felt the pressure of his sword as it had cut through her kimono. She glanced towards the Spider who had previously taken over an entire bench. The cluster of their dark colors now fanning out into the crowd, ready to spread the word of her accomplishments and how others could obtain that power, and more. Perhaps even win the tournament next year, when they had time to train in the ways of iaijutsu and prepare students suited for this championship. Yanagi sat on the corner, still watching Katsumi. He nodded his head before turning and disappearing behind the wave of people coming to congratulate Asahina.
Katsumi straightened out the piece of cloth. She dusted it off as best she could, the white silk had been soiled from hitting the ground, but at least the black spider hid most of the dirt. She made her way through the wall of people approaching Asahina; it wasn’t so difficult, she was still a Spider after all and most were still afraid of being tainted by their mere presence. Katsumi came in close to Asahina, tucking her removed mon into his obi, and passing by without a word. In this stampede of people, he would never find it and she didn’t want him to lose his trophy. In all the times she had been bested in a fight, this was the least painful. Second wasn’t so bad on this side of the Empire.
The katana wasn’t a weapon she had much experience with, and this was her first time even dueling. But she was a fast learner and proficient with most weapons; there wasn’t much you had to learn in order to kill someone with an item. You could murder with something as seemingly insignificant as eating utensils, a katana was much easier to apply the basics to since it was designed to damage. This wasn’t to say the previous matches she won had been flukes, just people less skilled than they believed, and she was quick. But Asahina was quicker, and Katsumi knew it. He was first to react, first to move, first to strike. This was to first strike, it would surely be in the bag for Asahina. Now, if it was to the death that was something she could weather. Growing up Spider came with certain advantages when it came to pain and tolerance. Asahina could be first all he wanted, but she would be last.
Asahina dropped into his dueling pose. She had seen him do this each time, and even the Kakita she had gone against repeated this stance. Katsumi took a breath and slid into something similar, attempting to mirror the Crane stance. It obviously had merit to it, with how many from the same school had made it to semifinals. She was aware her stance wasn’t quite right, perhaps her feet weren’t far enough apart, her hand was in the right place, she could see that.
“Ah, what a match of yin versus yang.” Katsumi heard Kitsuki orating from the crowd. “We have control and precision versus passion and fury.”
The crowd grew in volume, this was unprecedented. Not only because her clan had recently become part of the Empire, but because she knew what people believed about the Spider. Kitsuki just said what everyone was thinking. No one would expect a Spider, a Daigotsu, full of passion and fury, to have the centered control to best opponent after opponent in matches of strength and control. That’s where they were wrong, and she gained the advantage. They don’t know the training it takes to become part of the Order of the Spider. They don’t know the tenets of Shurido, where passion has no place. The Spider did away with Bushido and the emotional beliefs that went with it, and found a better path through self-reliance.
Katsumi took another slow, deep breath. There was more at stake here than just winning a tournament. Though the title was an objective for her clan, one they could gloat about for the remainder of the year holding over the heads of the rest of the Empire who believed themselves to be better than they, it was secondary. She was there to show the Empire the power the Spider held, the power that the Empire feared. To bring witness to the irresistible force that Rokugan changed to accommodate, for the Spider could not be resisted. The first steps in taking what was rightfully theirs. Something she had already accomplished by being a finalist here, today. Something that would be ever more prevalent if she could manage to bring Asahina down.
Asahina was moving. He was so fast. Katsumi drew her weapon and brought it up, cutting the air behind him. It was over before she even swung, she just hadn’t realized it. She looked down and her mon was gone, a crumpled piece of silk lying on the ground. The crowd was in an uproar. She spun to face Asahina; he had already sheathed his katana and bowed to her. She did the same.
Katsumi bent to retrieve her mon from the dust. He was skilled, that was certain. She hadn’t even felt the pressure of his sword as it had cut through her kimono. She glanced towards the Spider who had previously taken over an entire bench. The cluster of their dark colors now fanning out into the crowd, ready to spread the word of her accomplishments and how others could obtain that power, and more. Perhaps even win the tournament next year, when they had time to train in the ways of iaijutsu and prepare students suited for this championship. Yanagi sat on the corner, still watching Katsumi. He nodded his head before turning and disappearing behind the wave of people coming to congratulate Asahina.
Katsumi straightened out the piece of cloth. She dusted it off as best she could, the white silk had been soiled from hitting the ground, but at least the black spider hid most of the dirt. She made her way through the wall of people approaching Asahina; it wasn’t so difficult, she was still a Spider after all and most were still afraid of being tainted by their mere presence. Katsumi came in close to Asahina, tucking her removed mon into his obi, and passing by without a word. In this stampede of people, he would never find it and she didn’t want him to lose his trophy. In all the times she had been bested in a fight, this was the least painful. Second wasn’t so bad on this side of the Empire.
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