The Day of Thunder

Hikaru's own hand clenched down at his side. It almost hurt to see her hand, held aloft for him, the struggle evident in the twist of his handsome features. He could reach out, take her hand... So why didn't he? "I don't know." Hikaru answered both her and himself, shaking his head. "I'm sorry. It j...

"Unfortunate for him, then, that he does not like a smaller rock." Hikaru murmured. He nodded to Yukara. "But yes. You're right. Things are not as they should be. I have no particular spiritual gifts, but even I can tell it. Corruption, these dreams..." His frown deepened. "Lady Doji fights against ...

"If a single strike is not reliable, perhaps one needs more practice." Hikaru's lips pursed, approaching a smile, but not quite getting there. "But really, one must seek to make every strike perfect. Or, as perfect as we can attain." Just as with his painting, Hikaru expected that he would be practi...

"Yes." Hikaru agreed, smiling. "Finding the right song was a bit of a challenge. But even when I found the wrong song for... for this, it was right for something else. I think that the Crane and the Dragon should grow closer; they have much to learn from each other." In fact, they were rather close ...

"Perhaps so." Hikaru said dryly. He did listen, wearing an expression of polite interest, as Ranmaru went on. "Perhaps..." Hikaru said, although this time it was thoughtful. "In the Crane, we seek to perfect a single strike. To pour everything that we are into a single moment of steel." He pursed hi...

"Weight indeed." Hikaru murmured dryly. Crane did enjoy double meanings, after all. He shook his head. "I can't claim to understand the rock. Does it have a purpose? Is it supposed to mean something." Hikaru shook his head again. "That would be a question for him, or perhaps for other monks." "The K...

"So do you." Hikaru said, his voice soft. He looked down at his flute. "It was when I was last in Dragon lands. As I traveled, I sought out the music of your mother's people. I wanted to learn something..." He frowned. "I wanted to... to show..." He grimaced, shaking his head. There was tension visi...

D1ME Earth, VP | 4k4 ⇒ 26 (TN: 25) Hurray, a pass!

“If you’d like to. Though in Iai… I wouldn’t say I’m his best student.” She said with and smirk. Gently, Hikaru shook his head. "I suspect modesty. Regardless, I feel that practice should be done both alone and with a partner. The latter to test your skills, and the former to reflect on what you ha...

"That's true." Hikaru said, giving a slow nod. "However, wherever I go, I am Lady Doji's representative. While I need not behave exactly as I do in her court, I take care that my behavior does not deviate too much from that standard." "Niten..." Hikaru frowned thoughtfully, looking at the two swords...

Hikaru saw her curious smile; even as he played, the corners of his lips turned up, just a little, his pale eyes bright. If he saw the question in her smile, well, he certainly couldn't answer while playing the flute. It was written as a duet, the two instruments complementing each other nicely . As...

Hikaru nodded slowly. "Very strange indeed." He paused a few moments, his expression serious as he looked around. It somehow reminded him of a place he had seen before. Perhaps in a dream? The thought was unsettling. He turned back to look at his two companions. "It is my understanding that Shinsei ...

"Yes, I haven't yet come across any sign of a spirit or anything But it's just too odd to have a garden like this in such a small town." Kenji replied with a nod before shifting towards the other topic. "But yes, I traveled alone much like her." He gestured towards Yukara. "Word came too late for m...

Hikaru blinked. A Doji might interpret that correctly, but a Doji might also choose to pretend that it was nothing. "Very well." Hikaru said plainly, bowing. "Saru-san. I am Doji Hikaru. It is an honor to meet you." He frowned studying the other man. Specifically, his face. "Have we met before? I ha...

"Well... no..." Hikaru mostly conceded. On the other hand, even a Doji knew that if something was at least a little wrong, that also made it hotter... He pursed his lips, his expression serious as he considered very intently. Then he smiled. "Do you know this one?" The glint in Hikaru's eyes showed ...

Hikaru found himself drawn back to the garden. This wasn't surprising; where else would one find a Crane? After all, Lady Doji loved gardens... Hikaru's expression was pensive as he walked slowly through the area. However, this time, the garden had a new feature. A bare-chested man. His slow walk ca...

Anyone else who tried to touch Hikaru would have gotten, at best, a cold frown. Instead, he found himself swallowing as Satsuki leaned against him. He stiffened uncertainly, torn between what he was taught and what, well, what felt right . Finally, flushing (a point for Satsuki!), he let his arm set...

She looked out over the crowd as well. Sensing his trepidation she replied, “You’ll fit in just fine Doji-sama. If the Lady Doji trusts you… then you can trust your instincts too.” Hikaru sighed, but gave the strange woman a nod, some of the lines in his handsome features fading. "Of course. Thank ...

“Lot of fancy names here…” She said with a nod. “I hope the festival and whatever else this is can keep ‘em all busy.” "Many of the most famous in the Empire..." Hikaru agreed, then frowned, as he once again faced inner doubt over whether he belonged in that category or not. He shook his head, shak...