1 The Dragon, The Death Beast and The Storm [Inivite - NK - Social] Sun Apr 16, 2017 5:07 pm
Raiu Mizuki
Retired
Invites: Alwen Sangotatsu, Lin Katonrai
Sitting in seiza in front of the waterfall at Mt. Ikkyu with her trusted katana resting a fist length away from her as proper kenjutsu etiquette expected, Mizuki waited for her invitees. She had picked this place because it was secluded from the mainland, which made it a much safer gathering spot for Alwen, and because this is where Lin had invited them to meet the squad.
For the occasion, she had picked a simple blue dress with a split in the side, and a white blouse decorated with the purple petals of the clan's beloved jacaranda trees. It was a somewhat sober attire, but tidy nonetheless, as she didn't wanted to offend anyone by showing up in the dojo outfit she had been wearing just a little ago. In addition to her katana, Mizuki had brought a large umbrella as well, which would allow the three of them to sit sheltered from the sun.
Now, the roaring sound of the waterfall resonated through the area, its refreshing humidity spreading over the island like a living cloak of water. Mizuki remembered how Alwen had been hampered by the lack of water in the environment and, though the kunoichi had no idea how that was possible, she hoped 'golden eyes' would not suffer such strange draught at this spot.
As she waited for the two other girls to appear, she closed her eyes, allowing her senses to drift around the area like she usually did during her iaijutsu exercises. Even if there would be no raindrops or falling petals to cut in twain, the training of the five senses to reach a state of not-being was something of the highest importance in the perfection of many Raiu fighting styles - Ranton, Kenjutsu and Kyujutsu primarily.
The secret of this not-being, of being one with the Heavens, was not so much the five senses, but the development of the slumbering sixth sense which not only enhanced intuition and the sight of the unseen, but brought enlightenment of the Ranton nature - the creation of the clouds, how it subtly influenced magnetism and the roiling of the thunder above. To achieve perfection in Ranton, one had to develop a greater unity with the suiton chakra within that created the Heavens and the natural raiton chakra coursing in the Raiu's veins that allowed the Heaven's wrath to strike down all opposition.
And this training, so quickly performed, was what she was doing now again. Almost like a second nature these days. Every time she had to wait for someone or something, every time she was bored, even while enjoying a meal with her parents, Mizuki drifted into this meditative training of her senses.
From here, it felt as if she could walk on the storm clouds, reach out to touch the stars and catch their light in her palm. She could emphatically feel how rain clouds pregnant with drips broke to pour their content over the earth, and follow suit as she turned into a flash of thunder to reach back to the earth.
The soft wind around her brushed her skin, bearing the scent of ripe fruits in the distance, the vague smell of natural decay of plants and leaves, the odour of fur and animals. It carried the sound of crickets and the song of birds alike, mostly dominated to a hush by the roar of the waterfall and the murmur of the river nearby that had been formed by the waterfall. And it even bore the footsteps of an approaching individual, whoever that may be.
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