The Victorious Opposition Comes Home (Natsume thread)

[Midnight Sun]

"Yes, though I have my limits," she explains. "I can only use so much ki before I tire myself out, and all of the things I did today I gained through alot of trial and error. If I want to do anything new, it'll require alot of practice."

She dispels the small ki ball, even though she used a small bit of energy, with her current exhaustion it was already beginning to put a strain on her.

"All people have ki, but it seems only a few people have the awareness enough to control it," Natsume continues. "Probably all my years training in the martial arts gave me that awareness."

[Anastasia]

Kurumi simply nods, recalling all the training and work you've put into your art. Sinking down again into the bath, she closes her eyes and is silent, perhaps thinking about all of that.

It makes sense, otherwise those Senshi would probably be either out of business or a lot busier," your sister finally remarks. Thinking on it a moment, she shakes her head. "First all the martial arts, now going off on adventures and performing magic or close to it, and now today..."

Kurumi opens her eyes, smiling if resigned. "Guess I'm going to have to get used to my sister being a superhero..."

[Midnight Sun]

"Superhero? You think so?" Natsume asks, tilting her head to one side in thought. "Hm, all I would need is some flowery tights and a cape....."

[Anastasia]

"Or you could go for the schoolgirl look and just wear your sailor school uniform," Kurumi giggles brightly, the thought bringing amusement to her, of Natsume running around in and fighting crime in just that.

[Midnight Sun]

"Hmmm, well it wouldn't be a true senshi uniform...but it'd be close enough, and Juuban Middle could use the publicity," Natsume thinks outloud. "Fierce Juuban Middle Fighting Samurai School Girl! Natsume-chan!"

She waves around an imaginary sword for emphasis on the overdone title.

"Wow...that sounds like the title to a really bad shounen manga...."

[Anastasia]

Kurumi fails completely to stifle her laugh, almost doubling over at her sister's antics. "Hey, at least that would mean you'd find a boyfriend, too! The heroine wouldn't be without someone special!"

Shaking her head, Kurumi rises. "Let's go...if we keep like this, Grandfatherw ill be mad that we made a mess in the bath again."

[Midnight Sun]

"Hm...Tuxedo Shinobi maybe?" Natsume muses over her idle token male as she follows Kurumi out of the bath. "Though maybe he could do without the longwinded speeches..."

[Anastasia]

Thus, Natsume's very long day comes to a good end.

---

The next day starts nicely enough. The still roaring blizzard is dumping snow all about, so school is so cancelled again. Sleeping in late then having a large breakfast is nice, Grandfather asking you to come to the dojo after so. Doing just that, you find him waiting for you, sitting but not meditating. If anything, he's just passing the time until you arrive.

[Midnight Sun]

Natsume enters the dojo, bokken in hand, and sits down on her heels before her grandfather.

"I am ready to begin the training, sensei," she declares.

[Anastasia]

"Stand up, Natsume," he says simply, rising. With a clenching of his fist, his sword appears in hand. "Ready yourself...I will show you one of the three secret skills of our school.

If you learn these, you will be ready to both fight these demons and perhaps..." A small, momentary smile flickers, "be ready to master the school." Blade pointing straight ahead to you..."Natsume! On guard!"

* Shai`Hulud --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6-1 and gets 7."

* Shai`Hulud --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6+2 and gets 8."

Faster than you can even react to, let alone properly form a sword, your Grandfather is on you! His blade soars inches from your chest, glowing and vibrating! Thousand of slashes slice open your gi like rice paper, your entire front falling apart in a moment from chin to waist! Yet not a single cell of your skin was touched. As you gawk from that, Grandfather turns away.

"The 1,000 Horde Slash...a single blow will not phase a demon or oni. You must be able to plummel them to nothingness in an instant or be destroyed yourself." Grandfather speaks slowly, sharply, painstakingly. "When you can strike like the wind against a great mountain, perhaps you can triumph against even the dreadest spirit."

[Midnight Sun]

Natsume stands there completely aghast. So many attacks, and in less than an instant. That he could move with such speed was both awe-inspiring and horrifying...

"The Thousand Horde Slash. To master this technique is to strike like the wind...," says to herself. "Sensei, how does one train for such an incredible skill?"

[Anastasia]

"It is the mastery and manipulation of your life force and ki, Natsume," he replies. "You can already use it to forge a weapon, you must now take it and move beyond simply shaping a blade. Used properly, you can master this school of arts...

You have the skill and the talent to do so if you work at it, Natsume," he goes on, quietly. "You've learned the basics faster than I would have imagined...I never dreamed I'd be teaching you this while I was still alive...I had scrolls prepared since I thought it would take you well into your midlife to advance like this..."

Clearing his throat suddenly, "Now...go get another gi, Natsume, and we'll begin."

[Midnight Sun]

Natsume glances down, and immediately recalls that her gi had just been shredded in a second.

"AH!" she instantly covers up her...talent and rushes out of the dojo to acquire new garments, all while blushing madly. Her chest had been protected by wrapping, but it was still embarrasing nonetheless. "At least grandfather is an honorable man..."

[Anastasia]

Rushing out and plowing through the snow back to your house is something else when you're barechested.

Namely, it's fucking cold. At least Kurumi isn't around by the time you get to your room and change, so there isn't a question or commentary there. The only reassuring thought is that you at least have enough of something to worry about being topless...

Reclothed, it's a short trip back to the dojo. Grandfather waits, and nods on your arrivial. "Are you ready to continue, Natsume?"

[Midnight Sun]

"Yes, sensei," she says while bowing. Her grandfather said that mastery of the technique would require a method of ki control she had never attenpted before. What could that possibly be?