A way to become stronger (kimi)

[Hansame]

Noroi walked his way down to a training area, looking around nervously. he was on his way to the pawn shop to sell his wares that he found searching around the diamond district, but he had made a few wrong turns on his way there and somehow had ended up in the dojo. he had bought some instructions from a strange man near the alleyway where he lived. The man had said that it would cut the journey time from the diamond district to the red lights in half, but instead they lead him here to the dojo. Regretting his poor decision of buying the false instructions, Noroi decided that it wouldn't hurt to explore the area. maybe he would find some more things to pawn. Walking into a training room, he searched the area silently. there were various training equipment, including ankle weights, regular weights, and other forms of various gear.

Not finding anything at first and feeling a little downcast, Noroi headed over to a stone punching bag and began to practice some basic techniques he had learned because he was already in a training area and couldn't think of a reason not to. It wasn't like he had anything else to do. He began simple kicking and punching combinations. It hurt a bit with each punch, but Noroi tried his best to endure each hit and kick, hoping that he would gain something from punching, kicking, and various other techniques. After a few more minutes of steady kicking, he paused to scratch at the deep scar on his neck, breathing shakily. Pulling out a kunai out of his pocket, he began to scratch and slice at the stone pillar.

"c-c'mon N-n-noroi, do it s-so you can h-help others" he stammered nervously, loud enough to be heard nearby, but soft enough to be deemed as timid.

 

[Hoshirei]

Kimi stretched her muscles as she walked toward the training room. She had already trained some today, but she needed to make sure she could fight on her own. Her kidnapping had taught her, if anything, that sometimes there aren't any others around to help you and you had to get yourself out of the sticky situation. She was wearing her normal workout gear, what she wore underneath her mission clothes. They allowed her free movement and were extremely comfortable.

Stepping silently through the doorway, she saw a young man she recognized from the surface a month or so ago. He was going through his katas and striking at the unpadded punching block. Kimi couldn't help but wince. She remembered punching that thing when she was younger. The first time she nearly broke her knuckles; the final time she almost shattered the stone. Needless to say, but after that day she was no longer allowed to mess with the punching block. Kimi silently watched him keep moving and pushing himself, and noticed that he rubbed his throat sometimes. His breathing sounded a might shaky as well. Only when the boy spoke to himself, did she decide to speak.

"You know, Noroi, you can help people in a number of ways. Were you at the Steward's announcement the other day? There are more options open to you than just fighting and healing." She smiled at him, prepared to dodge if burgeoning reflexes had him fling his kunai her way.

 

[Hansame]

Noroi was about to finish up a combo he had taught himself, which consisted of two upward slices, then a powerful down slice, when a voice called out to him, calling his name. By reflex alone he hopped backwards, holding his kunai up with the blade pointed to the stranger, that is, until he saw who she was. lowering the blade and smiling nervously, he walked up to the familiar face with a small grin on his face. His body posture and expression were still a timid one though. "h-h-hello Miss K-Kimi!" he said shyly, looking at the ground and smiling timidly

At the talk about the steward and his announcement, Noroi shook his head, as if he was afraid he would get yelled at for not being at the announcement. He had heard about the event, but had chosen not to go, as he had some other ties to take care of. like making sure some of the goods he had stole weren't stolen from him. Some priorities were higher then others, and for a homeless street urchin like him, survival was at the top of the list. Though the part about other ways of helping people besides the salt and pepper fighting and healing method caught his attention. He wanted to get stronger, strong enough that he could protect people. Maybe that would make him a scapegoat, but that would be an ideal goal for Noroi if it meant he could make sure no one could get hurt.

“wh-what did th-th-the Steward s-say Miss K-kimi? Th-there’s other ways o-of becoming s-s-stronger?” he stuttered, his body posture relaxing as his eye contact moved from the floor to all over the place, only not really on Kimi, mostly out of nerves and intimidation.

 

[Hoshirei]

When the boy pointed his kunai at her, Kimi found herself smiling. At least he knew to be wary until he knew who it was. He walked up to her and she reached out to place a hand on his shoulder. If he allowed, she would steer him back into the training area and lead him to a bench. Once they were sitting, she would begin speaking.

The Steward has began an initiative to resurrect three ancient Orders. There are Journeymen who create tools, armor, and research new ways to create the things we need to perform at shinobi. Rangers are explorers who master their skill in stealth and nature. They are the ones who could traverse the diamond maelstrom with some ease. They could also seek out allies outside our borders. The final Order is that of the Oracles. They study the past and present to try and predict what may happen in the future. They are also those who uncover history that has been lost and help create new things to add to our culture." Kimi paused to let the information sink in a bit.

"I could be considered a part of two orders. By myself, I would be considered a Ranger. However, there are some things and experiences I have had that make me eligible to be an Oracle as well. I am in the best position to explain the origins of my clan, and some of the ancestry of the Toraono clan as well. Like I said before, you don't have only three choices in order to help those around us, to help our village grow and remain strong."

 

[Hansame]

Noroi still had a grip on the kunai, but he let it relax and loosen up when the hand was placed on his shoulder. He was trembling, and it would be felt on Kimi's hand. He obeyed the subtle turn of Kimi's hand and went over to sit down at a bench with her, though his posture was slouched in a nervous way.. He payed very close attention to what each order stood for and what they did to help support the village. After his small moment of thought, Noroi zoned back to the reality when Kimi began to speak again, about what she was classified as. 'A ranger…that sounds nice..' he thought as he fantasized the life of a ranger. Living out in the Wilderness, getting to go to other villages to talk and make friends and allies for the village. Looking back at Kimi Noroi scratched his throat nervously out of habit.

"um… Miss Kimi? May you t-teach m-me how to become a R-ranger? i-i think i-i could be good at th-that sort of th-thing.." He asked nervously. The worse that could happen was the answer no, so Noroi decided that he had nothing to lose by asking.

 

[Hoshirei]

Kimi could feel Noroi trembling under her hand and she wished that the boy wouldn't be so nervous around her. His silent contemplation was somewhat comforting as she knew he was really thinking about the Orders. The subsequent question, no matter how stuttered, made her smile. Kimi turned her body so that she was better facing Noroi.

"I most certainly can do that, and my friend Enzeru could probably help as well. He's a natural ranger and could teach you more than I ever could. I will teach you what I can," she paused and smiled.
"Enzeru and I will be leaving the village for a little while on Ranger duties. For now, I want you to work on being and remaining healthy. Remember that it's not just shinobi skills that you need to train. Your body needs to be trained, as does your mind. Study your maps and languages. Study survival skills for different areas of the world. And, if you ever need a place to unwind, which I recommend you do fairly often, my clan compound is open to you. My father can teach you a few things. He was a mednin and can teach you some basic medical jutsu and other first aid tidbits you probably will need along your way."