A Reason to Fight

[13:14] Walking out into the middle of the Dojo, bare chested as he ever was, Kirai is once again wearing his smile like a mask. The loving father, the kind-hearted Dojo master, the gentle husband. These were all at least half truths that smiling facade made seem so very real.

He glances at the others in the Dojo, his wife Nori who seemed ever illusive. His prodigal daughter Aki, who had grown as a fine illusionist, to such a point she might even have been ready to take his place as Soke should he be imprisoned, or worse.

"Good morning, my beautiful Nori. I trust you have been well?" He'd ask, having known his wife to be sickly as of late, her condition seeming stable i nthat it was not life threatening but still enough to keep her bed ridden for months at a time.
(Kirai Kurokaiyo)
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[13:23] It was the first day in what seemed like forever that Nori's body did not ache in some way. Some foreign sickness inside of her that very well could have taken her life, though with right treatment she was slowly becoming herself again. Able to get out of bed now, with just the slightest of soreness lingering. She was getting back to herself now.

She had been standing in the dojo for a few minutes alone, but not for long. She was soon greeted by her husband, and she'd turn her head to focus her golden hues in his direction. A soft smile spreading across her features, as she brushed some of her black hair from her face then.

Her ears twitched in the slightest, tail twitching behind her all the while as she moved closer to him. Nodding her head, she shrugged.

"I am feeling much better, yes.....Now what have you been up to while I've been with sickness?"

She said squinting at him slightly, because knowing her husband,...He was always getting himself into something.

She puts a single hand onto one of her hips expectantly.
(Nori Kurokaiyo)
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[13:31] Aki yawns
(Aki Kurokaiyo)
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[13:33] Kirai's eyes shimmer like the ocean under the moonlight as he looks over his wife, considering her question and how to give it an answer. His smile growing a little more strained as he casts his gaze away from her and up to the shadowed rafters of the Dojo that kept the tremendous roof aloft.

"I wonder..." He'd say, trailing off, debating whether or not to tell her the whole truth, a half truth, or a little white lie to keep her content. He'd shift his gaze back down to her, a soft sigh leaving his lips. "...Nothing good, I'm afraid. Our little Asuka went and caused a great deal of trouble for all of us, resulting in our boy Akira losing a leg in a fight to protect Himari and our clan's honor, a fight against a man closer to your age than Akira's own..."

Pausing, he'd clear his throat and let his eyes wander from her stunning eyes to her well-formed lips, not wanting to see the look in those golden orbs whenhe spoke the words he had to offer next. "In a rage I took vengeance for our Son and our clan... I fought my way through a knight, two town guards, and a lowly alchemist to get to the man responsible. And then, I used my magic to... make him burn himself alive."

He's no longer looking at her, so much through her and to the memory of the past as he speaks. "The flames were beautiful, I'm sorry to say. His screams and those of the crowd... for there was quite the audience... formed a chorus that I still hear, at times. I made him burn until his legs turned to ash, his flesh crisped and flaked away, and his hair turned to cinders...."

A silence falls over the Dojo, and a shiver climbs up Kirai's spine as his eyes focus in on Nori again. "...The Exarchs want my head for it, so it seems."
(Kirai Kurokaiyo)
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[13:37] The teen wandered up the mountainside, climbing up ledges and jumping over creeks. Rumor has it that there was a family of powerful people residing in a dojo near the top --and he had to confirm it for himself.

He continued up his way, meeting travelers who headed in the opposite direction and warned him to turn around; yet, the young Tairin still pursued.

Eventually, he'd come across quite the large building, and after sucking in a deep breath, he'd place his hands on the doors and give them a good push.

Inside was spacious and well kept, the floors cleaned and furniture evenly spaced around. Not quite what he expected, but he continued nonetheless. He'd spot the trio in the center of it all, seemingly having a conversation.

"Hrm...Is...this the Dojo that everyone talks about?" A silly question, but one had to be sure.
(Luca Tairin)
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[13:47] The silence following Kirai's words was deadly.

The information taking a moment to process in her brain, which was still fuzzy from being bedridden for so long. Though her expression was grim, her lips pressed into a flat line on her expression. If he had glanced at her eyes, she would see they were practically on fire with anger. Bright with golden color, intense as she stared like a cat hunting its prey.

Staring at her husband, the troublemaker.

How had he let things get so uncontrolled while she was sick? Allowing Akira to lose a leg, then acting upon his rage in a way surely he knew had to have consequences.

Without warning, Nori was in the air lunging herself at her husband. Completely ignoring the newcomer in her pure rage and frustration. Latching herself onto him, hoping to knock him back and onto the floor. She'd be aimlessly slapping at his chest all the while.

"WHY---YOU---....HOW DO YOU JUST DO THAT."

She yelled in frustration, though eventually her slapping would stop and she'd point a finger into his chest and furrow her brows at him.

"You can't just go and do things without thinking of the consequences!.."
(Nori Kurokaiyo)
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[13:48] Stunting
(Kirai Kurokaiyo)
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[13:49] Aki side eyes the new person in the dojo and just shook her head from side to side
(Aki Kurokaiyo)
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[13:53] Apparently he chose the wrong time to make himself known? What he thought to just be a normal conversation turned out to be quite the heated argument between husband and wife.

His eyes widened as her voice raised, and he'd look over to Aki who was just shaking her head from left to right. Acknowledging her warning, he'd take a step back and one in her direction --there was no telling what'd happen next if these were indeed the people he were looking for.

Luca lowers his tone a bit, now speaking to the younger female.
"Erm...what exactly is going on..?"
(Luca Tairin)
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[13:54] Kirai had expected this. Under other circumstances he might have tried to dodge, or simply punched his would-be attacker in the throat and then watched them drown on their own blood for their audacity. But this?

This was his wife.

He stood there without acknowledging Luca, the fool who had no idea how to read a room and know when it was a bad time. It's not as if Kirai could have, because in the next instant his wife's body, frail as it was, slammed into him and he allowed her momentum to carry him down to slam onto his back.

A small gasp leaves him as the air is forced out of his lungs by her weight.

Then, he lays there without much of an expression as Nori slapped her hands down on him again and again, looking not so much at her as at the ceiling. He'd had some regrets about the decision he'd made, for indeed it had been foolhardy and rash. It had been one spurred by years of pent up anger, frustration, grief and fear. Caesar taking his son's leg had simply been the straw that broke the camel's back.

He'd remain silent as she screamed and yelled at him, his eyes slowly returning to her as she pressed a finger into his chest. "I... knew what the consequences would be. I told them at the time, if they could stop me they were welcome to put me in prison..."

"They couldn't stop me, I'm sorry to say." He'd say, his tone rather detached. He'd dealt with quite a lot of blowback, and so far, managed to keep himself free despite the efforts of the Exarchs to make his life hell. The knight that he'd fought that night was testifying in his favor, and the city watch was too afraid of him to do anything...

Even many of the Exarchs seemed too afraid to act.
(Kirai Kurokaiyo)
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[13:56] Still facing toward the arena of the dojo her back turned against everyone else hearing those foot steps of the Luca. "This is the dojo...but you've come at a uh...odd time...though what is it you want."

She folded her arms within the sleeves of the kimono.
(Aki Kurokaiyo)
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[14:01] Kirai was slammed onto the ground and pummeled by his wife --really, just what was happening in here? It was clear that he'd get no answers from the adults in the room...seeing that they were in a bit of a brawl at the moment, but luckily Aki spoke up towards him. Or, well, at least it looked that way.

He moved closer to her, though slowly and even then he remained a good few paces away; after seeing what Nori just did to Kirai he didn't want to take any chances.

"Er...I noticed. Well, In short, I've come all the way up here in hopes that I'll be able to join you all as a student. I...don't really have much else to go so here I am."

It wasn't much of a request, and they probably encountered this hundreds of times a day --but still, he had to try.
(Luca Tairin)
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[14:03] There was a huff of frustration that escaped Nori then, at the simple response that was offered to her. Her expression turning more into one of worry and frustration, rather than the pure rage that was there beforehand. Taking her hands and rubbing them against her face as she took a deep breath, before letting them fall back down as she lifted herself up and off of Kirai then.

She shrugged her shoulders, and rested her hands onto her hips. She stared at the floor, looking as if she were deep in thought.

"Well lets hope we can think up a solution to this....As much as you piss me the hell off, I'd rather you keep sticking around." She narrowed her eyes at him then, before sighing.

"Do you have some sort of a plan?"
(Nori Kurokaiyo)
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[14:03] * You have been awarded 1 Roleplay Points! *
[14:06] "Well..."

Thinking for a moment as she wasn't usually the one to be asked these questions, she was always being asked to spar others when they came in just looking for a fight but Kirai was the one to handle these types of people that would come walking within the dojo.

"To become a student here you will have to win top three in our tournaments we hold every once in a while which is up to my dad over there." Turning now finally and pointing to him. She'd stare at Luca with her bright dullish eyes that seemed tired, lost, and filled with some sort of odd hate that was unexplainable.

"Though...you can still come inside and ask for spars and what not...and maybe personal training if anyone ever wants to help you I guess."
(Aki Kurokaiyo)
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[14:10] He furrowed his brows a bit. He'd have to win a tournament? While the teen was somewhat confident in his movements, he wasn't sure if he could place very well in a tournament against others. Thus far, all of his training was, well, self taught. He was smooth for sure, but to clobber others who had received some training might be a little out there.

"Ah...I see." he began, now looking her in the eye. His own were of a sienna hue, almost a deep red in color and he'd get an odd read from her. That'll be brought up later though.

"Well, until you guys host another tournament, is it okay if I hang out around here? I don't really have much of a home down in Osrona and it was a long climb up."

It may have been a lot to ask for, but hey, you never knew unless you tried right?
(Luca Tairin)
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[14:11] Waiting patiently for his wife to lift herself off of him, Kirai would proceed to do a no-hands flip off the ground and onto his feet again, brushing himself off and shaking out his hair of any dust. He made a mental note to have the children clean the Dojo again, and soon.

Then, turning his gaze to Nori he'd nod solemnly. "Don't I always?" He'd ask, offering her that smile of his again.

"In truth, I've already dealt with the worst of the blowback, though I believe the Radiant is still looking for a reason. Any Reason. To come after me... The church is also calling me a witch, or at least practicioner of witchcraft... The town guard has been seeing asking around about me, even asking our children if I've been up to anything..." He'd say, sighing softly.

He'd tried so hard, for so long, to simply lead the life of a reclusive Dojo master. He'd stayed away from old contacts, far and away from political nonsense, and just focused on being a good father as best he could.

But this world...

It was always testing him. Testing his patience. Testing his resolve. Testing his true nature.

But he was in control, they would see that soon enough.

"If they continue testing me as they have, I'll be forced to go back to the old ways. Voices that speak my name too loudly will find themselves silenced. Swords that raise themselves against me and mine will find themselves broken..." He'd trail off, then say very quietly.

"I won't have this be a repeat of eight years ago. They won't take you away from me, like they took Saori."

"I won't let them."
(Kirai Kurokaiyo)
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[14:11] Aki Kurokaiyo says, "That's fine just do -not- interrupt when there is a lesson going on."
[14:14] Aki leans in close
(Aki Kurokaiyo)
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[14:14] Luca Tairin asks, "..?"
[14:14] Aki Kurokaiyo whispers something.
[14:14] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:15] Aki Kurokaiyo whispers something.
[14:15] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:16] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:16] Aki Kurokaiyo whispers something.
[14:17] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:17] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:17] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:17] Aki nods
(Aki Kurokaiyo)
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[14:18] Aki Kurokaiyo whispers something.
[14:18] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:19] Aki Kurokaiyo whispers something.
[14:20] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:20] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:20] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:20] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:21] Aki Kurokaiyo whispers something.
[14:21] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:22] Aki Kurokaiyo whispers something.
[14:23] Nori's expression softened, and she would just nod her head for a moment. Examining Kirai all the while, felinae ears twitching all the while. Hearing his last words caused her to frown slightly, and she'd make her way toward him once more. More so gentle this time, less hostile.

Small hands lift to the sides of her husbands face, just holding him in a gentle hold as she examines his handsome features. Her voice comes out soft now, more so understanding than anything else.

"No one will ever take me from you, Kirai. Let us worry not about that; okay?" She offers him a small smile then.

"Just promise me you won't go and get yourself killed, okay?...I trust you know what you're doing.."
(Nori Kurokaiyo)
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[14:24] He twisted his lip a bit at that information. While he didn't know a soul inside of the dojo and couldn't judge them, he did think that method of conflict resolution was a little odd.
(Luca Tairin)
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[14:24] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:25] Aki Kurokaiyo whispers something.
[14:25] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:25] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:26] Aki Kurokaiyo whispers something.
[14:26] Aki Kurokaiyo whispers something.
[14:26] Luca Tairin whispers something.
[14:26] Aki Kurokaiyo whispers something.
[14:32] Looking down at his wife's lovely features, Kirai would nod with his face pressed into her hands, his own far larger and more calloused digits reaching up to close over hers.

"Rest assured, I'm not going to die any time soon. I have too much still left to do. It's only a matter of time before Aki and Asu... Aki finds a husband, and Yami and Akira are both becoming splendid young men who I'll live into old age to watch prosper. Jericho and Asibana don't come to the Dojo much, but they are making their own ways in the world... Young Gendo has three farms, can you believe that? He'll be a wealthy merchant before he's our age..." Trailing off, Kirai would close his eyes and enjoy the warmth of Nori's touch.

Internally though, even as he listed all of these reasons to live, even as he listed all these people he cared for so dearly. He was also listing reasons to fight. Reasons to kill.

The Church had taken a great deal from him, eight years ago.
Now the entire city was coming together to take even more...

He wouldn't let them.
He'd kill every last one of them, if they tested him.
He'd show them, once and for all.

Kirai Kurokaiyo was in Control.
(Kirai Kurokaiyo)
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[14:37] As Aki trailed off to rest, eventually his eyes would shift back to the mother-father duo of Nori and Kirai. It seems as though their arguing has calmed down a little, and turned into more of a casual conversation.

Thank the Heavens.

That didn't mean he could just casually enter as if he knew them though. While he wasn't focusing on what was being said, occasionally during his conversation with Aki he'd hear bits and pieces of what was being said. Something about someone losing a leg...another thing about killing someone and various other things. And that made him act cautious.

For now, he'd just stand off to the side in silence, respecting their conversation by focusing on other things.
(Luca Tairin)
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[14:49] Nori smiles a big genuine smile, nodding her head as she listened to Kirai speak. Those who resided in the dojo were growing fast, learning and sprouting into the people they were supposed to be. Her children, and even those children she did not birth, she still considered to be her children. She would help protect her family, should it come down to that....So could she really blame Kirai for being so angry?...

No, she couldn't.

Nori would lean in and give her husband a gentle kiss to his lips, before pulling gently away; content.

"...Suppose you'll have lots of weddings to pay for then." She said with a smirk, her tone turning playful all the while.

"Big daddy Kirai better have some big pockets too!"

Amused giggles filled the air then.
(Nori Kurokaiyo)
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[14:55] Kirai savored the brief touch of his wife's lips brushing against his own, and he couldn't help but feel his smile growing sincere as he wrapped his arms around her, seemingly oblivious to their company at this point. Indeed, she was right, he'd have a great deal to pay for in the coming days as his children grew into their own.

"Oh, don't worry about that... I've arranged a new job for myself and those of the Dojo interested. The Pelleaux boy he... wants us to be bodyguards." He'd say, choosing his words carefully. Though, he wanted to cringe at being called 'Big Daddy' in public.

He wouldn't reprimand his lovely wife for it though.

"I actually need to meet him, fairly soon, to discuss such business..." Trailing off, he'd seme to remember they had a guest as his eyes fell upon Luca. A pause, and Kirai would lean in to give his wife another tender, if fleeting, kiss. Then pulling awayfrom her, his fingertips lingering on her bare sides for a moment longer before falling away, Kirai would step past her and towards the boy.

"Can I help you young man?" He'd ask, his affectionate, warm tone remaining but sounding... different. Artificial. Like aspertane.
(Kirai Kurokaiyo)
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[15:00] The teen had been staring off into the distance, gazing around the Dojo and taking the environment in as they spoke to give them a sense of privacy. It wasn't until he heard a set of words directed towards him that he snapped out of it.

Turning around he'd meet Kirai face to face. As far as appearances go...there wasn't too much of note about Luca. He had dull red hues, lilac hair and a somewhat nice-looking shirt, but that was about it really.

He stared up at the man for a moment, nodding his head.
"Ah...well, firstly sorry for intruding; it's just that I spent a lot of time trying to get up here and I didn't want to just leave without getting a word in." he explained, maintaining eye contact.

"And secondly...You may be able to. See, I've heard rumors about this place that was stationed here in the mountains...and I want to join you guys up here! Aki told me what I had to do to be considered a student --so if you will, when you have time...can you test me?"

There was a determined look in the teen's eye, and his resolve was set. Now all he could do was wait to see the man's response.
(Luca Tairin)
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[15:07] Kirai considers the teen for several moments, taking in his garb, his statue, his physique and form. Then, narrowing his eyes slightly, Kirai would simply shake his head.

"No." He'd say flatly, leaving no room for negotiation or misinterpretation.

"If you truly wish to join the ranks of the Kageken, participate in the tournament tonight. We will hold our annual tournament to accept new students at that time... Place in the top three, and you will have proven yourself worthy of a place among us."

With that said, he'd glance towards the door and the other aspiring student that had come through it, Mathias. Had that boy come for the tournament as well?

Sighing, Kirai simply shook his head. How tiresome...

He wondered how many more years he'd hold this tournament, before closing the Dojo doors...
(Kirai Kurokaiyo)