HH_mirror

There were times that Yukimura truly detested this place. The lack of his Juuyuushii save one, the closeness of the quarters, those he cared enough about and for that he would make promises that bound his own actions and the inability to most effectively deal with threats to those he cared for all added up so that, on some days, the rewards did not seem worth the sacrifices. Frustration welled up in him, kept carefully beneath a pleasant mask and laughing voice. He didn't speak of it to Kuronue, knowing that, at times, his demon lover had the same frustrations. While he truly enjoyed their mutual diversions, there were times he had to think about what aggravated him.

He could justify breaking his word. It would be simple to do, yet he had pleaded with Inari for the opportunity to fight Kurama for the same offense. He also didn't want to break trust with Kuronue. His lover had enough problems truly trusting him as it was, fears of abandonment still plaguing his sleep.

He wandered the halls, slowly working his way outside, when he saw the peddler sitting in the Great Hall. He went in, requesting tea as he did, and bowed. "May I join you?" he asked from across the table.
( To everything there is a season...A time for war a time for peace )

Yukimura walked directly out to the grounds from the Great Hall. The walls of the castle were too confining now. He needed to be outside. He needed to move. Preferably, he needed to fight something to work off this damned frustration.

OOC: Take your pick, the peddler or the samurai. And, "thanks to you" is "okage desu" which translates roughly to "because of your shadow (which is help/doing)"...it's almost equivalent to 'thanks for asking' but not quite...a bit difficult to explain and blame it on the culture.

((I actually had this done on Monday, and it's Friday in some parts of the world :D Anyways, Open RP which means you can RP out with either Mello or Yukimura or with each other. And, as long as you make it clear in your tag that you're talking to one of mine, I'll reply [doesn't need to be in the subject, in the narrative is fine]. Enjoy :D ))

It was too cold for idlers to be comfortable outside, though those who were active could ignore the climate. But, the purpose of this match was not to train, but rather as an exhibition type match for those watching.

There had been protests, which had been settled with a quick spar.

Though the stated reason for the exhibition was that the distraction of a crowd of watchers and the pressure of having to perform in front of them was vital, the real reason Yukimura had for wanting to hold this match was that Kuronue and the Baron had made mention of wishing to see such a match. Though, if one were to ask which mattered more and the samurai were to answer honestly, one would find out it was Kuronue’s influence that convinced him.

The only concession to Mello’s pride that had been made was that Yukimura would not use any ‘demon’ tricks on him. Many of the ‘tricks’ Mello called ‘demonic’ were the result of fighting hanyou rather than any demonic ability on his part. He had yet to subject Mello to anything approaching his full ability.

Which was not to say that Yukimura was taking it easy on Mello. He pushed Mello hard, forcing him to focus only on their lessons rather than the swarm of things that seemed to fill the boy’s mind when they trained. That, truly, seemed the most difficult thing for Mello to learn.

Yukimura would admit, though never to Mello himself, that the boy did have talent, for all he was unfocused. He’d watched the boy practice other forms and found his hand-to-hand combat impressive, though he lacked the same focus. Hand-to-hand, though, was a more flexible and fluid form than sword fighting. Or at least the form of sword fighting that Yukimura was working on beating into Mello’s body and brain.

An exhibition would also show Yukimura how much of his teaching had truly made it into Mello’s consciousness.

Yukimura relaxed against one of the pillars that appeared in the Room of Requirement when it became the dojo for their practice. He watched people filter in from his place within the shadows. He was dressed in a dark-colored Chinese-style fighting uniform, his bared arms crossed over his chest, his entire posture speaking of relaxation.

Mello was across the room, kneeling, his katana sheathed before him. His hands were fisted, resting on his thighs, close to his hips. It was the proper posture for a student, though it was obvious to Yukimura that Mello was not thrilled about taking it. He believed himself to be beyond a student. He’d barely become reconciled to the fact that Yukimura, a mere human, could easily defeat him.
( Ladies and gentlemen, the show of shows )