Kendo

OOC: Zanjutsu = Swordsmanship Kendo = Way of the Sword. Figured it made a cool title since I actually have a sword now: o

The day couldn't pass fast enough. The fact they would be getting a real weapon in their last class everyone was beyond excited. Everyone was anxious. The kido instructor was slightly annoyed, but he did try to stress that they would be doubly intense lessons to mirror their Zanjutsu classes. After much wait the lunch bell rung, ending the class. Many wolfed down their meals, and began chatting away about swords. Even some girls seemed to be worked up about it. The next bell rang, and it was time to go to classes. Some had left early and waited eagerly outside the door.

As Arawn walked up to the dojo, the door was already open. The students filed in calmly enough despite their inner giddiness. Inside the dojo the instructor stood. With him were two other men Arawn had never seen before. Behind them were places several tables lined with long boxes. The swords were in there? Some tried to crane their necks to see them better. The students lined up like normal for practices. There was a low murmur before the bell rang and all became quiet. The tension filled the room, as the instructor eyed the students. He pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve. “Everyone, sit!” he shouts. Everyone sits in seiza position on the floor. “Alright maggots, you’ve come far in your training. I say you dogs haven’t come far enough.” Takahata always did have a way with words. “But it’s time you take that step towards manhood.” There are some suppressed giggles, but they quickly fall silent. He eyes the students once more “When your name is called you will step forward and receive your asauchi. After you receive your blade you are to return to your seat.” The instructor looks around again fixing everyone with rather dark stare. He then begins calling names. Students stand and walk to the tables. The two men hand out the sword. One man has a clipboard and writes as the names are called, and the other opens the boxes and hands the weapons to the student. From the vantage point from the rear of the room Arawn can’t see much more. He sees the excited faces of the students as they return to their seats on the floor. “DanShir, Arawn!” His own name nearly startles him, but he rises quickly and heads to the tables. The first man has light bluish hair, which Arawn finds odd, he smiles warmly. The other man writes something down; too busy staring at the clipboard to acknowledge Arawn’s approach. The blue haired man walks over to the table and opens a box. He reaches into the box slowly and gently scoops out the sheathed sword. Arawn’s heart races, he swallows. The man walks back to face Arawn, the sword balanced upon his palms. Was the dojo always so quiet? He can hear every footstep so clearly. The man stops in front of Arawn with outstretched arms and nods. Arawn mirrors the man’s hand positions and grasps the sheath. As the man lets go the weight of the weapon is the first thing he notices. It feels so light, and yet it has a heaviness that he can’t explain. He nods back at the man turns and returns to his seat. Sitting down he examines the weapon. It’s completely black; the sheath a waxed wood. There is a cord wrapped at the top, probably for carrying the blade. The round tsuba is black as well as the tsuka-ito wrappings. His hand holds the sword below the hilt. Again his heart rate quickens, but then the teacher shouts. Apparently everyone has received their weapon. “Ok runts, now that you have your blade, I’m going to make you into killing machines. First thing is taking care of your sword.” The first part of class is maintenance of the sword, followed by how to tie the cord. He recommends that the students wear the weapon over their shoulders since at their hip, they might trip over it. After the brief instruction they are then told how to properly draw a sword. It all seems rather anti-climatic. Had they expected to start sparring with the metal blades instantly? Arawn had to admit a part of him had wished to. But upon looking at the naked blade a shiver was sent up his spine. The long silver blade was beautiful and pure. Arawn loved silver, both the color and the metal. This blade was probably some kind of sturdy steel blade, but it looked like it was formed from the precious metal. The instructor outlined the curriculum for the next classes; it was return to basics. Basic swings, blocks, parries, etc, it was like taking a step back. But it made sense; they knew the basics, but now it wasn’t a wooden blade. The sharp edge shone in the fading light, almost hypnotic. The bell sounded and Arawn, like the other students, strapped the sword on his shoulder. “Alright maggots a word of warning; if anyone, and I mean ANYONE, is caught using their sword in a personal manner, they will be removed from field trip and possibly the academy!” The warning fresh in their minds, the students make way to the cafeteria. The eating area is filled with students with sheaths on their back. Afew daring students wear them at their hips. None of the swords are drawn; apparently the warning was given to all students. After dinner he placed his weapon in the closet of his room. He notices there is small box on his desk, inside tools and a pamphlet on sword maintenance. He locks his room and heads to the bath. Afterwards he takes the sheath from the closet and draws the blade forth. He wonders if the other students are doing the same. The blade still feels heavy and yet light. He places the blade back and returns it to the closet hanging by it’s cord. He worried now about the field trip, if swords were necessary, there might be some danger. But it would be more dangerous once he was a full fledged shinigami.

Returning to basics after gaining a sword did feel like a step backwards at first. But Arawn found his swings and hold awkward. The wooden swords and shihai didn't feel the same compared to the asauchi. The sound as it cut through the air was captivating as it's shining blade. The basics didn't seem as long as it had when he first started learning Zanjutsu. They all knew the stances and proper form, they just needed to get accustomed to the weapon. The sharp edge and the flat back of the blade that made the weapon could be utilized in various ways. They learned how to block with the blade, but using your other hand on the back to brace it. Using the flat of the blade to parry and move in for the kill. The trickier lesson was to keep the edge pointed at the opponent. In the heat of battle letting the blade turn too much and missing a strike. They were instructed to hit practice dummies keeping the blade straight. As Arawn swung, the blade would shift little by little. He had never really focused on the edge when using the shinai. The class ended and they proceeded to their Kido class.