Kyousuke
Dreamer
Senior
Tell me when, and why, you give or take Karma from me. Otherwise it is meaningless.
Posts: 271
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Post by Kyousuke on Nov 6, 2007 3:10:13 GMT 1
Recuperation they told him, treating him like glass, thinking he had become bodily weak. It was enough to infatuate anyone. When you treated Kyousuke like this you need a wall between you and him. Two nurses, one doctor, and Ketsren had made this mistake. Foolishly enough one after another. First a nurse would come in, gently encourage him attend physical rehabilitation.
He threw a tray of hospital food at her. The second had the distinct voice of a fifty year old battle ax who couldn't get laid if she tried. He charged her voice and she ran out of the room. A doctor tried, Kyousuke tried to throw him out of the room, only he didn't know where the doorway was so he ended up throwing the doctor into a wall. Ketsren got a fist swung at him, but was smart enough to at least know it was coming, and managed to step back in time to dodge.
All of this anger was finished by forcing Ketsren to drive him down to the gym he had been frequenting since he had started training with Odin. He had not spoken to anyone but his family, Ein, and Ketsren since the incident. He wondered if Odin even knew his reason for being absent from training for so long. It's not like they would make a public announcement in school.
Kyousuke now stood in front of a heavy bag, his fists wrapped, wearing no gloves, and still sweating from an hour of pounding the tread mill.
Already in a, mostly traditional, boxing stance he went through a combination. A fast jab popped onto the bag, it held no weight as it was merely to test range, and he felt his holder shift his hands. As was now instinct his left had snapped back into guard. As it was a combination he did not slow down and used the momentum of pulling his hand back into guard.
Kyousuke shifted his weight forward, slightly lifting his left foot, and simultaneously pushing off with his back foot while keeping it on the ground.The punch accelerated as he turned his shoulder with it, twisted his hips and pivoted on his right foot so his heel swung outwards to give him a smooth transfer of weight into the bag. The metal chains rattled at the impact.
Kyousuke's right snapped back to his guard position, to the left side. The left elbow raised up almost parallel to the grass so that the arm formed a hook shape. With his left fist, palm side down, at the same time as he formed the shape, he pivoted on the ball of his left foot, left heel facing outwards, which accelerated his left leg and torso into turning sharply to the right.
The arm once more did not move independently, it was powered by the leg, hips. and back, in a twisting motion. The hook had almost as much power as the cross, and the holder lost his hands on the bag, which caused it to go swinging to the right. One would think Kyousuke had weakened after such an ordeal. But all it had done is take his sight and enhance his anger. If only he could see to aim his anger and he would be punching a skull and not a bag.
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Post by Kyukaku on Nov 10, 2007 0:34:23 GMT 1
Another weekend in San Fransisco, and Kyukaku found himself with rather little to do on this one. With most people studying for the upcoming finals before graduation, Kyu was left with nothing to do. After all, he didn't study--ever. As such, Kyukaku found it it a good time to settle a few things.
He drove to the gym he knew Odin worked out at from time to time, looking to give him that rematch he wanted some time ago. So much had been going on that Kyu had unintentionally put it off. As Kyukaku entered the gym he took a long look around the room, searching for the boxer and mixed martial artist. There was no sign of Odin, but the gym certainly wasn't empty. One face in particular caught Kyu's attention.
Kyousuke, the man Kyukaku had first met in a tournament. Kyu had won the match, but Kyo had proven his potential. That made it all the more depressing when Kyu had heard about the "accident." The rumor went around school that Kyousuke had gone blind by some freak accident, or a slip. Kyukaku had known better however, for he was present the day it happend. He was there when Gilsin picked the fight with the Watcher's, though he didn't witness the punishments that came after--as he dealt with his own.
Mutiliation is at a high point for Genaht, isn't it?
Kyukaku tossed the thoughts of hearing Ein having his lips ripped off to the back of his mind. He began to walk over to Kyousuke, briefly wondering if the footsteps would be more audible. The senses were supposed to increase with the loss of one after all, but that could always have been a stretch of the truth. He came to a stop a few paces to Kyo's side, not getting any closer to the blind man's punches. He spoke up, also wondering if Kyo would be able to recognize his voice or not.
"I take it you won't be in the mood to hear any 'its all fun and games til you lose an eye' type jokes, are you?"
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Kyousuke
Dreamer
Senior
Tell me when, and why, you give or take Karma from me. Otherwise it is meaningless.
Posts: 271
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Post by Kyousuke on Nov 10, 2007 0:58:04 GMT 1
Kyousuke crushed in a left hook just after the voice came to him. He had spent the time he needed to hit the bag to decide who it was that had talked to him. It wasn't long until he placed it. Which didn't make the joke any more amusing, but it kept him from immediately trying to hurt the voice. Wouldn't stop him from a retort though. "Likely not. But if you want too I won't mind, it will give me a target to swing at."
His head did not turn so he could look at the voice, as he normally would have, and instead reached up his left hand and placed a little weight on the bag. "I doubt you are here for me, Kyukaku, so I'll let you know what you probably saw when you came in. Odin isn't here."
Kyousuke frowned slightly and turned to the right, not sure if he was going to walk into Kyukaku or not, and if he didn't find an obstacle in front of him he would crouch down and move his hands around the ground. After finding his gym bag he would fish out a towel and drop it over his shoulders, dabbing the white material over his face. "It's hard to remember, but I'm fairly sure that you were there that day. Only got level two, right?"
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Post by Kyukaku on Nov 10, 2007 1:15:41 GMT 1
Kyukaku smirked at Kyo's comeback. Whether or not it was in a sour tone, it was humor nonetheless, and that was important to keep in Kyu's mind. He was surprised by how quickly Kyousuke had placed his voice, but even more so on his reasoning for being here. The blind man turned in his direction, crouching down and reaching for his bag, which Kyukaku slowly used his foot to push towards him in hopes he wouldn't notice the assistance.
"Yeah, I was. Apparently I was only given a level two because there is only a certain amount of threes they can give out from day to day. Genaht took most of those as you can imagine, though Pain Killer and probably Zeniro did too. As of right now, I've had two level two beatings, and I don't imagine that list won't get larger in the future..."
Kyukaku sighed, his issue with Kai and the Watcher's refreshing in his mind as he recollected his thoughts before speaking up again.
"And you were also right--I was here for Odin, but I changed my mind. How are you doing? Don't give me a bullshit answer, I'm genuinely asking here."
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Kyousuke
Dreamer
Senior
Tell me when, and why, you give or take Karma from me. Otherwise it is meaningless.
Posts: 271
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Post by Kyousuke on Nov 10, 2007 1:31:22 GMT 1
Kyousuke had luckily not heard the bag being shifted toward him, thanks to someone taking up the bag behind him, and merely stood, vaguely having his head in Kyukaku's direction. "Hmph. Figures, Ketsren told me they were exhausted after they finished with me and Ein. Although that was just hear say from the others. None of us were exactly "lucid" at the time."
The quick exchange of information was refreshing. Let him feel like he wasn't the only one who had suffered if even more than just Genaht had been dragged into the punishments. His just ended up being more intense than had been intended, or exactly as intense as they wanted. Taunting them probably hadn't been the best idea.
"I knew you didn't attend this gym, I... had been training with him for a few months with him." He broke off for a moment, seemed to shake off the silence, and continued. "Heh, and here I was ready to tell you I was planning on opening a shooting range."
Kyousuke lifted the towel and dropped it over his head, hiding his eyes in shadow. It helped if he opened his eyes every once in a while, if he didn't he ended up feeling drowsy. "Before the year ends my Grandfather is probably going to die. I'll have to find a loop hole to get my cousin in my dorm room next year in between learning brail and finding out how to support her through college."
Feeling a bit amused, as this was probably more than Kyukaku wanted to know, and smiled bitterly under the towel. Well, he had asked, and Kyousuke gave up on secrets. "I haven't heard updates, since Ein is hard to understand and I've withdrawn from Genaht, my resources have been exhausted. Has there been any changes?"
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Post by Kyukaku on Nov 11, 2007 20:58:09 GMT 1
"We'll we could give you a shotgun. You'd be less likely to miss the whole target."
Despite Kyukaku's tone, a smile never flashed accross his face. He didn't think what happend to Kyousuke was funny in the slightest. While Kyu thought that joking around, albeit not too much, would help to lighten the overall mood, Kyukaku shown no amusement in it. Without Kyousuke's sight, he would never see the serious expression upon Kyu's face.
"I'm sorry to hear that. When my grandfather died I took it rather badly, so I know what its like. As for your cousin I'm sure it can get worked out. Through grants and scholarships it'll be doable."
Kyukaku paused, having more ideas of how to help flashing through his mind. However, Kyu kept quiet. He already felt guilty for helping Kyo find his bag, knowing that the student was trying to remain independent. He would help if asked or if absolutely needed of course, but he would have to fight his instincts to help for Kyo's own esteem. That was the best way he could help for now, he decided.
"Well, if you've talked to Ein its safe to assume you heard about what happened to him. Revelation beat Genaht, tearing off his lips and all. With Genaht out of the picture, it seems that I'm now the number one target for the Watcher's. I'd say Revelation would be, but with them it seems like the opposite. They go out hunting for Watcher's rather than the vice versa. Thats just what I hear, however, for they never leave any proof of them being the ones who did it."
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Kyousuke
Dreamer
Senior
Tell me when, and why, you give or take Karma from me. Otherwise it is meaningless.
Posts: 271
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Post by Kyousuke on Nov 11, 2007 21:29:58 GMT 1
Kyousuke huffed in light amusement of Kyukaku's joke. He wouldn't trust himself with a shotgun either, he would likely end up aiming the wrong way and shooting someone. After scolding himself for taking his own joke so seriously he pulled the towel back down and rested it on his shoulder. "In all honesty I am more concerned with my cousin. She's been my concern for some time. I had been planning to go into the ring for funds. Now I have to put pressure on the Dorm staff so next year she can stay with me on campus."
Kyousuke wanted to sit, rest a bit, after a good work out on the bag and running he deserved it. But he had lost his bearings and was had completely refused the thought of asking Kyukaku. He'd rather fight the other than do that. And it was actually something he had been thinking about a good deal as of late.
"Yes, I know about Genaht's defeat. If only because Ein would not have been wounded in such an odd way if they had won." A bitter huff came out again and Kyousuke moved his arms across his chest, showing a bit of muscle tone, and fatigue as his chest moved in a heavy rhythm. "I thank you for the information. But I feel the need to make an inappropriate request."
Kyousuke would turn his head toward the direction he believed to be the ring. And lacking sounds of gloves hitting damp flesh he had guessed it would currently be empty and usable. "If you wouldn't feel too guilty about playing a round of "Beat the Blind" I would like to see just how useless I am now as a fighter. And I suspect you're the type who wouldn't hold back or go too far in such conditions."
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Post by Kyukaku on Nov 11, 2007 22:17:55 GMT 1
"I, uh...are you sure that's what you want?"
Kyukaku asked, anxiousness in his voice. Of course he'd feel terribly guilty for beating a blind man. Kyu felt guilty when he hit anyone. It were reasons like this tht Kyukaku preferred the days of being the underdog. When getting stomped, you didn't have to worry about the other guy. Still, if Kyousuke had answered his question with any sort of a "yes" than Kyu would oblige. He'd give a nod and an "okay" to affirm that. He wanted to help Kyousuke, and if this was a way, so be it.
"But only on one condition. You let me help you with your cousin."
If accepted, Kyukaku would enter the ring, helping Kyousuke if he happened to get lost or ask of it. Both he doubted, since Kyo had nodded in the general direction before hand. Kyukaku would remove his shoes and socks, placing them in the corner just before rolling the cuffs up on his button down shirt. He wouldn't bother getting into stance for the moment, as he never fought a blind guy before.
"Tell me when."
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Kyousuke
Dreamer
Senior
Tell me when, and why, you give or take Karma from me. Otherwise it is meaningless.
Posts: 271
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Post by Kyousuke on Nov 12, 2007 0:26:15 GMT 1
"Better you, here, than someone else in Hircine." Kyousuke didn't see much need to elaborate further on this. His logic was after all pretty hard to look around. Kyukaku said OK and Kyousuke smiled faintly as he nodded his agreement to him in return. He hadn't expected to be offered help but with that but it was a nice offer all the same.
Kyousuke asked him to just point him in the right direction and warn him if he was going to fall on his face and without much tripping he reached up and grabbed the ropes. Knowing where to slide in he pulled himself up, and slid between the top and middle rope.
Kyousuke sat on the edge of the edge of the ring and kicked off his shoes and socks, dropping them just bellow the edge, and then pulled himself up to stand. Two full steps back, turned to Kyukaku's voice, and set his stance. His left foot forward, just slightly under shoulder width, his left hand up at his collar bone with his palm open, his right six inches above his waist.
"I don't know what my instincts will push me to do. Or if I can even do anything. But I'm going be trying, so don't drop your guard too much. Lets try."
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Post by Kyukaku on Nov 12, 2007 23:34:36 GMT 1
Kyukaku briefly explained to which side the ring was, climbing into it after Kyousuke had. Once each of them had removed their shoes, Kyukaku turned to Kyousuke. He nodded at the blind man's words, habit causing him to forget that he wouldn't be able to see the motion.
"Alright, Kyo. Remember, I'm going to do my best to not hold back as well. Please, please keep me from regretting agreeing to this. Here I come."
A warning was the least he could offer in his mind. A few beats later, Kyukaku would push up in a quick but controlled two hops forward. With his left foot landing first, it would work as a fulcrum as the right foot came forward. Pivoting slightly to the left, Kyu's right arm would swing around in a wide arc from his right to left. Aiming to hit with the section between the thumb and wrist, Kyu's knifehand strike was thrown towards the left side of Kyousuke's neck.
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Kyousuke
Dreamer
Senior
Tell me when, and why, you give or take Karma from me. Otherwise it is meaningless.
Posts: 271
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Post by Kyousuke on Nov 16, 2007 7:37:15 GMT 1
Kyousuke took the warning to heart and started to listen intently, trying to gauge distance of each sound of forward movement, which wasn't as easy as he would have hoped. It was nearly impossible. He knew the sounds were getting louder, and his body was ready to snap into action, but he didn't know when he was supposed too.
But that ended up being irrelevant. With their height being close their reach was as well. His extended hand felt the faint tickle of cloth and latched onto it, just over Kyukaku's chest. Turning his back shoulder toward Kyu, pushing off his back foot, and concentrating a burst of speed to slide his leg next to Kyu's lead, feeling the dull pain of impact on his shoulder, spreading pain into his muscles.
Continuing the turn, gritting his teeth through the impact, Kyousuke reached back with his other hand and grasped onto what he thought would be cloth. Dropping his upper body down, simultaneously bumping the point of his hip into Kyuhaku, and started to pull Kyu over his hip and onto the ground by bending forward.
It was a technique he was hardly an expert in. But he had studied it enough to know the mechanics, and oddly enough had lost to Kyukaku by a similar technique. If things went well it still wouldn't do the same for him.
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Post by Kyukaku on Nov 16, 2007 7:53:50 GMT 1
Kyukaku was happy to see his knife hand strike the shoulder. However, it wasn't long until Kyukaku's left hand shot out from underneath his jaw, moving in a straight line towards Kyo's face. Kyukaku clenched his jaw, squinting his eyes as if attacking Kyo was giving him his own physical pain. At the last second Kyukaku's fist sunk, the fight snapping his elbow to the outside at the last second. The fist would strike directly into the sternum rather than the face, with a little bit of power loss as well from the elbow positioning.
While Kyu would rather not have hit the blind man at all, it wouldn't do to hold back on Kyousuke and he knew it. Still, he didn't regret refraining from knocking his head off. Either way, Kyukaku would honor Kyousuke by not allowing him to take him to the ground.
The punch to the chest would keep Kyo form moving forward, even if by a second or two. With both hands occupied, it was bound to hit the man who would literally never see it coming. As his left hand snapped back, Kyu's already returned right hand would move in a clockwise circle, forcing Kyo's left hand off his chest. Immediately following, Kyu's left hand would shoot back out, this time in a straight palm strike to the sternum once again, only this time with more force.
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Kyousuke
Dreamer
Senior
Tell me when, and why, you give or take Karma from me. Otherwise it is meaningless.
Posts: 271
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Post by Kyousuke on Nov 16, 2007 8:28:43 GMT 1
Kyousuke grunted as he felt the series of blows to his chest. It felt refreshing in a way, but at the same time he knew he was still practically helpless. At least he knew that he had someone he could trust to hurt him when he asked them too.
As his hand was smacked away, in a fashion he decided he didn't need to know, Kyousuke dug the balls of his feet into the mat and made a small leap back, giving distance that left him feeling the cloth on his chest being thin enough to gauge the distance between his sternum and the next blow.
Kyousuke raised his left hand and held it out in front of him, shaking his head, his right hand on the spot of the strongest impact. "Thank you. But that was enough to make it apparent." He said in a distant tone, his eye lids closed over sightless eyes, a faint smile upturning the corner of his lips.
"There's nothing I can do in this ring any more. It's time to look elsewhere it seems."
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Post by Kyukaku on Nov 16, 2007 8:43:22 GMT 1
"No."
Kyukaku stated it without hesitance, in the most blunt way he possibly could.
"I refuse to accept that, and so should you. I stood in this same ring as you. I fought that same short battle you did. What I saw wasn't uselessness, which I can understand how it hadn't made it to your eyes."
Despite the words, Kyukaku's tone and facial expression showed he wasn't joking about the blindness this time around. He was speaking in a more symbolic sense, hoping Kyousuke would be able to understand that and not take offense.
"What I saw, no, what I felt, wasn't a lack of ability--it was a demonstration of potential. You haven't been under this ailment long Kyo, but you were already able to pinpoint my location through memory and sound. You found two seperate handholds upon my body, without the use of your eyes. You have the foundation, and I refuse to see you come short of what you're capable of."
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Kyousuke
Dreamer
Senior
Tell me when, and why, you give or take Karma from me. Otherwise it is meaningless.
Posts: 271
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Post by Kyousuke on Nov 16, 2007 8:50:58 GMT 1
Kyousuke looked slightly surprised to hear Kyukaku tell him that he refused to accept Kyo's limitations. He frowned slightly and looked as though he did not understand in the least. Because he didn't. The joke didn't phase him, he hardly realized it was part of the statement, he was still trying to see what Kyu did.. And with a lack of confidence it was taking much of his concentration.
A flood of pessimistic thoughts moved in against Kyukaku's assessment and left him thinking he was just being kind. But since it was Kyukaku, who simply didn't seem the type, it didn't click quite right. "In here, yes, maybe against someone less skilled I could hold my own for a while." He started, not looking dejected, but only that he was explaining his logic.
"But when I return to Hircine I will not be able to tell when I am being attacked until I am already struck. How am I to defend myself then?"
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Post by Kyukaku on Nov 16, 2007 9:04:07 GMT 1
"I don't claim myself to be a master of all."
Kyukaku stopped short, not wanting to sound like a know-it-all as it seemed he had been giving lessons left and right lately, his humility refusing to allow it justify his own beliefs and opinions. He noticed Kyousuke's body language, however. Slumped shoulders, a grimace, both signs of a lack of confidence. Kyukaku took a deep breath, starting again.
"...but not everyone has been able to rely on their sight. Even without being blind, warriors have had to fight through thick fog, storms, and snow without the use of their sight. With more practice you can better rely on your hearing and sense of touch to be able to react faster. Both have quicker response times than sight, and given the time, I have faith in you. Perhaps a change in fighting philosophy and given the right excercises, you'll achieve it. Kyousuke, you're not alone in this if you don't want to be."
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Kyousuke
Dreamer
Senior
Tell me when, and why, you give or take Karma from me. Otherwise it is meaningless.
Posts: 271
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Post by Kyousuke on Nov 16, 2007 9:21:46 GMT 1
Kyousuke turned his head toward Kyukaku by habit, huffed at himself for the idiocy of it, and brought his left hand up to rub his hair. It was a little sweaty and made it easily manipulated. Rubbing his as though he was trying to massage away a headache. This left his hair looking a little foolish.
"I've been thinking on that actually, Kyukaku." He started, turned to his left, knowing no matter what direction he went he would hit the edge of the ring, and it didn't matter which. He just wanted to turn around and lean on the ropes. "My father and grandfather try to force me into in fighting. Aggressive, penetrating, devastating. It's never felt right."
Kyousuke took a small pause and released a sigh of frustration. "I like being reactive, defensive, and able to counter effectively. Xing Yi Quan has a weakness in the locks I will likely need." He shook his head slightly. "And in boxing they are non existent. I see if I have any hope I need to rely on grappling after taking a hit."
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Post by Kyukaku on Nov 16, 2007 19:56:47 GMT 1
As Kyousuke moved to the ropes, Kyukaku pivoted to face him. It was a habit to look at someone when talking, and although Kyukaku realized it wouldn't have the same effect here, his voice would still carry to him better if it was straight on.
"That's a much more peaceful outlook, I can strongly respect that."
Kyukaku paused, contemplating on how to better help Kyousuke. He was primarily a Karate-ka, a practitioner of Isshin Ryu. However, Kyu had taken lessons in several other styles, and when one attained a deep understanding of one, the concepts of others were much easier to grasp. By reading philosophies and seeing the moves, Kyukaku could mimic it. If it wasn't exactly the same move, it was close enough to have the same effect more often than not.
"Tai Chi and Aikido sound right up that alley, then. With Aikido, you'll never have to guess and throw the first strike. You'll simply roll with whats given to you, using everyone else's attack against them. Tai Chi will help you find a balance of your other senses. Many people don't believe in the concept of chi, but the effects are the same whether you put a word to it or not. You'll be able to better feel your surroundings. You'll become more sensitive, and you'll learn to trust your instincts more. The styles compliment one another."
Kyukaku looked around, already thinking to himself that a gym isn't where Kyousuke should be training anymore. He didn't say anymore, however, for he awaited to hear Kyo's reaction to him. Given a little more time, Kyu was sure he could come up with an training schedule for Kyousuke. He would only do so if desired of course, though the more thought about it Kyukaku was all the more excited to help Kyousuke re-learn how to fight. Perhaps Kyukaku would do the same.
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Kyousuke
Dreamer
Senior
Tell me when, and why, you give or take Karma from me. Otherwise it is meaningless.
Posts: 271
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Post by Kyousuke on Nov 16, 2007 20:45:57 GMT 1
Kyousuke smiled faintly as listened to Kyukaku and inclined his head in thanks. He hadn't been seeking the respect actively, but welcomed it warmly. After fighting Kyu it was apparent that he was a kind hearted man who had matured enough not to irritate Kyo. It was a rare mix. It had never quite felt right, all those years fighting his instincts, attacking when he wanted to be the defensive one. The very short spar with Kyukaku just moments before felt far more natural and it left a calming effect.
"Kyukaku," Kyousuke leaned forward away from the ropes, placed both of his hands together in front of him, and bowed forward half a foot. "I thank you." Retracting from the bow there was a faint upturn of his lips, and the corner of his eyes also expressed this while still being closed. "Your confidence seems infectious. I find myself excited to stop the battle with my instincts and in strengthen myself by using them, finally."
"And my friend, chi, is merely an ancient word for what science confirms. Kinetic linking, peace with ones instincts. This is how I would view it, at least." Kyousuke, likely in a similar train of thought to Kyukaku, was already running his mind through how to change his training regiment to compliment a new set of skills. And where he would find both a Tai Chi and Aikido instructor.
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Post by Kyukaku on Nov 16, 2007 22:32:53 GMT 1
"In that case, that makes two of us."
Kyukaku place his right fist into an open left palm, holding them in front of his chest as he bent at the waist as he returned Kyousuke's bow. He once again realized that Kyo wouldn't see it, but the intent was still there. A few beats later, Kyukaku mentally reprimanded himself. He shouldn't be thinking of all the things Kyo wouldn't be able to see, and rather focus on what he can do. Kyousuke was no less of a man now, than he was before. This wasn't a crippling event as most would take it. It was a change, and all that was needed was adaptation. Nothing more.
"I couldn't agree more."
Kyukaku replied, agreeing with Kyo's view on chi. He had always personally believed that scientific evidence didn't disprove such things as chi, but merely brought a more modern view of its definition. In the end, it was the same whether one wanted to call it chi or not.
"I'm not a master of either of the two styles, by far, but if you'd like I could help instruct you in a few basic excercises of each."
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