Aimi & Yakunan: four

Aimi and Yakunan learn Jujutsu under Master Norato Yamauchi.

Aimi & Yakunan: four

Rishiri Island... Off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan a small group of children spent almost nine months training under the Jujutsu teachings of Sensei Norato Yamauchi. Originally being more than a hundred younglings, they were separated into several groups of six to eight. They would learn some basic and advanced techniques in various martial arts. This particular faction has been under Master Yamauchi since the first day. They surround Aimi Akiba and Eiji Funakoshi. The two children were sparring in the center of the dojo floor. As they combat, Norato says - "You will not be samurai! You may be taught by samurai, but you will learn to defeat them! Analyze, assimilate...! Learn! Grow!"

Eiji tries to grab Aimi's left wrist with both hands. She manages to grasp his hand instead and then pulls the arm upwards, placing her right palm over his left hip. Putting her left leg behind his, she bends Eiji backwards and throws him to the ground. "Excellent, 114!" - Norato said. He reffers to her as the numbering she was given. Gakushi Kyōdaina, a boy known by the number 112 admires Lady Akiba. He finds her beautiful. She defeats 110, Eiji over and over again. As he falls down for the last time, she gave him the back and began to walk away. He felt ashamed and becomes angry. Eiji stands up to attack her from behind. The rest of the children ran and quickly stopped him. They were holding back his fist, feet and arms. Gakushi tells him - "Calm yourself, Eiji-kun!" The boy realized his disgrace and lowers his arms. He kneels in fron of her. Before she could say anything, Norato steps in and says - "It is shameful!" He looks at Aimi. "It is shameful that you did not offer 110 your hand." He latter looks at Eiji. "It is shameful that you would lower yourself with that attack. Stand up!"

Norato tells Eiji to wait in a corner kneeled down to later deal with his punishment. "As for you, 114... You will spar against another. No rest." He selects 113, Yakunan to step foward. All of the other students whisper to each other as two of the best stand on opposite sides. They both bow to each other. As they prepare to engage, Norato signals the fight to begin. Aimi attempts to grab Yakunan's arm, but he pulls away. He keeps distance. They clash hands. Her right hand grabs his right wrist. She blocks his left hand attack, and then places her left hand over his right arm. As she tries to bring him down, his strenght pulls him away. She uses several techniques against him, but cannot take a hold. "I'm deffinetily faster, but..." - Aimi thought to herself. "...he's stronger. I cannot let him grab me."

He reaches out to her with his right hand. She hold his wrist and lifts up his arm. She pases her body between his arm and right flank, and then pushes her right elbow against his back while placing her leg in front of his. Instead of tiping him over, he firmly places the palm of his left hand on the floor. Yakunan uses the momentum to press his left leg against her neck and force her to break the hold. They both separate. Norato stops the fight. He congratulates them for their demonstration of skills, but adds - "113, that defensive attack was not part of the rules. Although I have to commend you in finding a way to escape the situation." He asks for all students to form a line in front of him. He tells them - "...that is the point of this experiment. You will learn basic and advanced techniques while implementing your own style of combat to survive and defeat any situation! I am proud of this group, and soon you will be escorted to your new destination and sensei." He bows down to the children. "You are our future!"

Late that night, Aimi sneaks out of the house without the Shinobi from the Kage Takasa Clan noticing. She has become very skillful at going outside unnoticed. She has less privileges being Lord Akiba's daughter. Near the coast, she looks across some bushes and discovers Yakunan practicing junutsu under the moonlight. She has always admired his determinantion and strength. As he practices, she mimics his movements from afar without him noticing. They both become syncronized.

To be continued...