Dojo Wanderings

[Yotsuba Shigure]

The Dojo was one of the largest he'd ever seen and also one of the most beautiful. From the rock pathway leading up to it Shigure could tell it was at least four times the size of the dojo he practiced in back at home in Sapporo and ten times as grand. Yet in his four years of junior high he had never once set foot on the dojo grounds. As he took the steps upward to its entrance he mentally kicked himself for not taking advantage of the space before. He had always just found quiet spots in the dorm or elsewhere on campus to practice his forms, all the while not feeling confident enough to take the next step and move to the dojo. But not anymore.

He removed his shoes outside the door and bowed as he entered. The wood beneath him was well worn from many generations of feet but was obviously lovingly maintained. He stepped inside and took a deep breath, getting a feel for the atmosphere of the place. There didn't appear to be anyone there at the moment but his spine still tingled none the less. Dojos always did that him. He fancied it was the power each buildings' occupants emparted to it during their workouts. He took another breath and caught the slight scent of old sweat and exertion, yet another sign that he had made the right choice in joining the Martial Arts club. A dojo without the smell of bodies wasn't a dojo at all. The well used pads on the far wall, the rack of boken, shinai, and bo staffs near the office door. It all spoke of a place well used and maintained in the manner of true martial artists. He smiled as he again bowed at the door. He would have to return later when he had the time. The porter was probably waiting with his trunk at the dorms by now.

[Ayako Fujiwara]

Ayako suppressed a sigh of disappointment as she saw the student exiting the dojo. She had seen him enter and had wandered over, ostensibly to check out the place, but really to see if he would do a little practice so she could watch unobtrusively. She was no martial artist herself - more of a dirty-fighting brawler, truth be told. Being raised by gang members might have something to do with that. She was curious to see some real martial artists at work, though.

She decided to speak up. "Not going to practice in there?"

[Yotsuba Shigure]

Shigure stopped and turned at the sound a voice behind him. He had thought for certain no one was in the dojo but sure enough there was a girl standing in the doorway he had just exited through. She was shorter than him by several inches but Shigure had learned to never assume too much due to height. Some of the best martial artists he'd ever met were much shorter than him. The fact that this girl was in the dojo at all meant she had at least a passing interest.

He bowed politely. "I'm sorry. I wasn't aware anyone was here at the time. But yes I will be practicing in there." He gave her a small lopsided smile. "I just arrived however and I haven't seen to my dorm room yet. I was simply lookin in on the dojo." He noted her slightly disappointed air. "Do you practice here as well?"

[Ayako Fujiwara]

Ayako bowed back, pleased with his quiet politeness. He appeared to be about her age, so he was probably her senpai. "I have never practiced here, no," she said ruefully. "I have never had any formal training in the Martial Arts. I just enjoy watching other people." She quirked a smile at him as well. "You're new here too? I just arrived as well. What do you think so far?" She almost whipped out her notebook at this point, but checking herself, she remembered he was trying to leave. "I'm sorry, you said you had to get back and see your dorm room. I won't keep you."

[Yotsuba Shigure]

Shigure shrugged slightly. In truth he wasn't in a real hurry. He wasn't exactly looking forward to unpacking at all. And it wasn't like his mother was here to hound him about doing what needed to be done.

Thus decided Shigure stepped back towards the dojo door. "No need to hurry I suppose." He bowed to her and introduced himself. "Yotsuba Shigure, first year. Hajimemashite." He righted himself and removed his pack and wrapped weapons in one motion. "This is my first year in High School here yes." He gestured casually at the grounds beyond the dojo. "And as for how I like it," he said with a widening smile, "It's not home but it is very nice."

[Ayako Fujiwara]

"Oaidekite ureshi desu," Ayako said with a smile and another bow. The politeness of Japanese culture never ceased to amuse her. She liked it. "Fujiwara Ayako. I am also a first year." She was delighted, really. He was possibly younger than she was, but not drastically so. She didn't feel nearly as out of place. "It is nice," she agreed, "better than any other school I went to, even the Wizarding school in America." She followed him into the dojo once more, bowing at the entrance. "Do you mind if I watch you?" She asked with a half-smile. "If my presence bothers you or anything, please tell me."