The Samurai and The Pacifist (Haji/Open)

[Sanada Yukimura]

Within the Kofu region, in a large and rather secluded bamboo grove, the faint sounds of metallic tings as the air was sliced could be heard. Standing in the middle of the destroyed and dust covered ruins, a lone figure could be seen with a katana in hand, as the figure took up a stance.

Since the break of dawn, after completing his daily training, Yukimura had been working on mastering a new technique, though to say he had made progress, would be a lie. The technique was by no means easy to execute, even harder to master. It was said Sasaki Kojirou was spending his entire life mastering and perfecting the technique, to reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship at Yukimura's age, felt impossible, especially to him.

Launching immediately into the first strike, the first strike comes at the opponent with overwhelming speed, creating a circular arc to surround them. This isn't much trouble on its own, especially with the length of the blade, but the slightly slower second vertical strike meant to block off escape from above, and the third horizontal strike to keep the opponent from escaping to the side completely overwhelm the opponent. He could pull off all three strikes without any trouble, but it was pulling all three off in successive session that he was having trouble with.

He would continue to persevere though, and work at it for as long as it took to master pulling off the successive slashes one right after the other.

[Morei Haji]

Sometimes I got lost... because I always walk a straight path.

It sounded deep, but it really wasn't. I was just lost, my random wandering landing me in a bamboo grove that I had never seen before. It was a pretty place, to say the least. There were many sights to see outside of my home village, and this was another one. I decided to journey into it, feeling no need to have my guard up at the time. It felt peaceful here.

As I traveled deeper in, I soon began to hear sounds, sounded like someone else was around. Placing my hand on my sakabato's hilt in caution, I walked cautiously towards the source of the noise. Eventually, I came to a clearing, seeing a samurai moving fluidly, seemingly practicing fiercely. I made sure to stay out of his way, but observed him nonetheless. His form seemed refined, compared to mine being self-taught. The technique he was using was definitely not one I'd like to ever be on the receiving end of. And I could swear that I recognized the crest of the Takeda on his clothing...

That aside, I waited until he finished his third slash, seemingly the end of the technique, before I took a chance to speak.

"Wow, that was pretty impressive!" I said, looking genuinely intrigued. Because, well, I was.

[Sanada Yukimura]

Just as Yukimura had finished the third and final strike, having stopped counting how many times he tried to pull off the strikes in successive succession, he would hear a voice speak up from behind him, as he would quickly whirl around and see a young man with... white hair? standing off to the side.

His blade held up in front of him, slightly off to the side automatically, as it was naturally ingrained into him to enter into a ready stance at all times, he would relax slightly after seeing no sign of a crest signifying the young man's faction on him, though still on guard, the six coin crest on his headband signifying he belonged to the Sanada clan.

"... It was nothing impressive. I can manage to pull off all three strikes, but I have been unable to pull all three in successive succession. What brings you to the Kofu region?"

[Morei Haji]

I gulped a bit as the man looked at me, sword at the ready. I had hoped that I didn't just walk into a scuffle, but my fears subsided as I noticed he let his guard down. I made sure to keep my hands far away from my blade to show that I meant no ill will.

Curiously though, my eyes drifted towards the crest on his headband. It looked familiar... but I couldn't quite put my finger on it just yet. Nevertheless, I decided to respond to his inquiry.

"I am sure that as you hone your skills further, you'll be able to perfect that technique. As for me... I'm merely a wanderer, I guess I just got lost. I had no idea what region I was in. But it sounds like I'm in Takeda territory now, huh?"

At least I ended up in the territory of a guy with a good reputation. I had hoped that this samurai would only prove me right about Takeda Shingen's good nature and not be too far from that mark himself.

[Sanada Yukimura]

"... Perhaps. But if Kojirou Sasaki has dedicated his entire life to perfecting the technique, the chances of myself reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship seems highly unlikely. You are correct wanderer, this is Lord Takeda-sama's territory."

Placing his katana back into its sheath on his back, with his arms at his sides, he would formally bow to the young man at about 70 degrees, straightening up after a little while.

"I am Sanada Yukimura, one of the leaders of Lord Takeda-sama's army. May I humbly ask for your name?"

[Morei Haji]

Dedicating one's entire life to perfecting a single technique... it made me think of the dream my father had that he had bestowed upon me. To be the greatest swordsman to ever walk the land. I did not dedicate my entire life to training as I should if I wanted to achieve that. Yet to live only by the sword... it seemed like such a waste to me, but I could understand what climbing the summit of strength meant to some warriors.

I snapped out of my thoughts as the man introduced himself, and his name really did ring a bell. Sanada Yukimura! Even where I was from, they spoke highly of him. Respectfully, I bowed my head as well, my hands formally clasped in front of me.

"Ahh, forgive me! I did not know I was in the presence of someone of such importance. My name is Haji, of the Morei clan of Owari. I am honored to meet you."

[Sanada Yukimura]

"I am greatly honored to meet you as well Morei-san. And I am not that highly important, my father and older brother hold greater importance than I am. I am simply a part of Lord Takeda-sama's army."

Casually folding his arms across his chest, even though Haji said he was from Owari, he did not bear any crest of Oda Nobunaga, which meant he was not with the Oda faction, but was instead, a mercenary.

"You say you are from Owari, yet you are not with the Oda faction. Why is that, Morei-san? If you do not fight for Oda-san, then what is it you fight for?"

[Morei Haji]

Not that important? Yukimura was sure to have reached a station of importance already that I was sure I could never achieve even if it took the rest of my life. I came from a lowly, unknown clan, one that had so few members left and teetered on the brink of extinction. To bring glory to my clan... well, that sounded like something that my father would want me to do. I wasn't sure what I wanted for myself at this point in time.

My hand came up behind my head at his question. "I, well... you see... I simply do not agree with Oda-san. While I feel his idea to unite Japan is sound... I'm afraid the methods he will take won't be ones that I agree with. I am but a wanderer, looking for something to fight for, I suppose. A ruler should care for their people."

Oda, I had a feeling he'd be a huge problem for everyone later.

[Sanada Yukimura]

"It seems that is something we both can agree on. And that is your purpose for wandering? To find something to fight for? I think you have already found what or who you are fighting for Morei-san, you just haven't realized it yet. Is there someone you care deeply about and is close to you?"

Perhaps he was wrong, maybe Haji hadn't found someone that he would fight for. That he would protect fiercely and die for. Yukimura certainly hadn't yet.

"You remind me very much of my older brother. He is gentle and kind, and does not like to resort to violence unless necessary."

[Morei Haji]

Something I'm fighting for? For some time, what guided my actions was living another's dream. But someone I want to protect... I wanted to protect Katsumi. But was she what could be keeping me going, my whole reason to fight? I wasn't sure. I had no idea how to answer Sanada's question. I looked at the ground, thinking for a moment.

"I... there is someone I care for. I have not known her for long, but her safety is my utmost concern..."

I couldn't wander too far from her as a result. But nevertheless, I did have my own reasons to be wandering. I did not want to just sit around and let things pass me by, I needed to know what was going to happen in this country.

"I am honored that you would compare me to your brother, Sanada-san." I bowed again out of respect. "May I ask, is there a reason that you are fighting?"

[Sanada Yukimura]

"Then it seems you indeed found who you are fighting for. I am afraid I cannot say the same for myself. There is a girl I know, and I care for her, but not like you do, Morei-san. I would say I care for her more in a teacher and apprentice sort of way."

And it was the truth. He could not see her in any other way, and perhaps never will. Looking down at Haji, as he somewhat towered over him, Yukimura would look at him with the kind of eyes that looked through you and made you feel like you needed to pull a robe on over your brain.

"I'd like to... protect Kofu and everyone in it. I want to protect my older brother; my father; my sister-in-law; and everybody. But most of all, if I meet someone I end up caring about, I will protect her with my life..."

[Morei Haji]

Yukimura seemed very similar to myself in motivation. Fighting to protect what was dear to him. I smiled upon hearing his answer.

"Then it seems we are not so different, Sanada-san."

I looked away again though, eyes focusing on my weapon. I felt there was a huge difference between the two of us though. While we both wanted to search for something more, I felt as though Yukimura actually possessed the strength to protect that which he loved. Strength was something I felt lacking in.

"However... I do not think I am nearly so strong as you. I want to protect her, and yet... I feel like strength is not something I readily possess. I wish to get stronger, Sanada-san."

[Sanada Yukimura]

"It would seem so indeed, Morei-san."

His eyes briefly glancing over to the weapon Haj had with him, a sakabatō, after seeing the young man look away again, his arms continuing to remain casually folded across his chest, Yukimura would regard him with a serious look.

"And what will you do when you become stronger, Morei-san? If you become strong and can protect her, then will your next goal be to be stronger? Wanting to protect and actually able to protect are two very different things."

As a samurai, Yukimura could respect Haji's desire to become stronger. But it would take more than simply saying it for him to acquire said strength.

"How do you plan to become stronger? Do you have an idea of how to go about getting it, Morei-san?"

[Morei Haji]

The desire to protect, and the ability to protect. Yukimura was right about them being different. As I wandered, I learned more about the land, but it did not allow me to hone my skills as I needed. I simply did not seek battle, but my pacifistic nature would get in the way of protecting what I held dear.

"My goal... talking with you, Sanada-san, I believe it is to become strong enough to protect everything. And yet... I am not sure how I can hone my skills. If I could train my body, my soul, my blade, I could possibly someday achieve that goal. But I am merely a wanderer with no destination."

I was ridiculed by many for my sakabato, but before this, I was wielding a regular katana in reverse. It threw my form off, but it got the job done. I wondered what Yukimura thought of my weapon, or if he thought my inability to kill someone was pathetic, but he did not seem the type.

"Sadly, my technique is more self-taught than refined."

[Sanada Yukimura]

"You are merely one man, Morei-san. One man alone cannot protect everything. But perhaps there is a way for you to hone your skills. You say you are a wanderer with no destination, but what if that could be changed? What if you could refine your self-taught technique? As one of the leaders of Lord Takeda-sama's army, I have taught countless soldiers under my command, and I could teach and train you in the way of the sword, even as you wield a sakabato. But as a mercenary, the chances of facing against you in battle, while slim, is still possible, as my loyalty lies with Lord Takeda-sama alone."

Yukimura wasn't asking Haji to join the Takeda faction. But with no destination, Haji could not expect to refine his technique simply from wandering around. That required at the very least, basic instruction in kenjutsu.

"We fear that which we cannot see... we respect that which we cannot see... thus the blade shall be wielded. If you wish to protect those who are close to you, you will eventually have to make a choice, to keep wandering, or decide where you want to end up."

[Morei Haji]

My eyes widened for a moment as I stared at Yukimura. Did he truly offer me such a thing?

"Sanada-san." I bowed my head. "It is an honor, truly. To make my home with your forces is more than I could ever ask for, but..."

My mind drifted to Katsumi. There was no way I was willing to leave her behind at all. This was not a decision to be taken lightly. The Takeda seemed like they definitely had the right intentions, so I felt I would be joining the right side, but I would never join any side without Katsumi being there with me. I did not want to ever run the risk of becoming her opponent in battle, nor did I want to leave her on her own for too long.

"I would have to speak to the woman I spoke of earlier first... Until then, I could not pledge my blade to the Takeda. But I assure you that as it stands, my intentions align with that of your army, and I will never stand against you."

I straightened back up, looking at Yukimura again. "But to receive your teachings with the sword... Sanada-san, I would be honored if you would spar with me."

[Sanada Yukimura]

"But of course Morei-san. This is something you, and only you can decide for yourself. But know both of you would be welcomed into the Takeda army. My lord would whole-heartedly accept her into his army, and I would consider it an honor to train both of you. That is good to know, Morei-san."

And it was true. Lord Takeda-sama would be absolutely thrilled to have another female warrior amongst his ranks, and under Yukimura's command, they would be taught and trained, improving upon the skills both of them already possessed.

"I may not be able to teach you now, but I can at least see what you have taught yourself, and what could be improved upon now. So, Morei-san,"

Drawing his katana from its sheath on his back, he would take up a simple stance, a completely serious look on his face.

"Show me what you are capable of."

[Morei Haji]

I would smile at Yukimura. "It is wonderful to hear that we would be accepted with open arms, Sanada-san. It is definitely something worth considering." I bowed respectfully before him. It was nice to know that there was a potential home waiting for Katsumi and myself.

Looking back up, I would see Yukimura draw his blade and adopt a stance. I nodded, drawing my own sakabato as I faced him. Gripping the weapon with both hands, I steadied my breathing. Against a well respected general of the Takeda army, I had no idea how feeble my skills would fare in comparison, but this was an opportunity to learn.

I would quickly dash towards Yukimura, blade raised above me. With a yell, I would bring my blade downwards towards him for a simple slash to open with.

[Sanada Yukimura]

Giving Haji a small smile back while nodding his head slightly, his smile would soon fade as soon as he had drawn his blade. As this was simply a test of the skills Haji possessed, Yukimura would not be evading and counter, only blocking. As Haji drew his sakabato and faced him, before quickly dashing towards him and letting out a yell while bringing his blade down in a slash, Yukimura would quickly react and block the blade with his own, the sound of clashing metal ringing out through the bamboo grove.

"You have the will Morei-san, but not the drive! Imagine I am a rogue samurai and have captured the girl you care deeply about! Her life hangs in the balance, make it count, and hit me with everything you have!"

[Morei Haji]

My eyes widened a bit, pretend a rogue samurai had taken Katsumi and her life hanged in the balance? Such an image alone was enough to carry my blade for me. I wanted to protect her with everything I had, even at the cost of my own life.

No sooner had Yukimura finished speaking would I raise my blade again, bringing it down to my right side. From there, I would quickly strike horizontally at Yukimura's stomach.

[Sanada Yukimura]

Bringing his katana down in a vertical slash as Haji raised his blade once more and brought it down to his right side before quickly striking horizontally, his blade would collide with Haji's just before it reached his stomach, effectively halting the blade dead in its tracks and preventing him from slicing him.

"Good Morei-san! That is a good start! Now imagine I said after I eliminate you, I will take the girl you care for deeply as my own, use her as I wish and then discard her like she is nothing once I am done with her, slowly and painfully killing her, prolonging and agonizing her eventual death!"

Although it greatly pained him to say such a thing, it needed to be said, and Haji needed to hear it. This was to steel him for the possibility of such encounters in the future.

[Morei Haji]

What...? What the hell was Yukimura trying to put into my head? The idea of Katsumi being used and discarded, of dying slowly and painfully... it was too much. Just thinking about it filled me with a rage like no other.

"I WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN!" I shouted as I would pull my blade back, striking in the same spot again before bringing the blade above me, striking vertically at Yukimura again once more with all of my strength.

[Sanada Yukimura]

Adjusting his grip and the position of his katana as Haji's sakabato would slam solidly into his own, ensuring his katana was held firmly and steadily in his hands, he could see the rage behind Haji's strikes, and while it was apparent to Yukimura that Haji was willing to do whatever it took to protect the girl he cared deeply about, he wanted Haji to be driven, not enraged.

Quickly lifting his katana horizontally, to block Haji's vertical strike, resulting in a deadlock, he would try to snap Haji out of his rage by pushing back against him, to send him stumbling backwards.

"Focus Morei-san! Anger will only cloud your judgement! If you want to protect her and not let that happen, you can't let your emotions get the better of you! What good is it if you protect her, but lose your own life because your heart ruled your head!?"

[Morei Haji]

I would stumble backwards as Yukimura pushed me back, looking at him as he spoke to me. I was breathing hard, trying to calm down, but he was right. Anger would impede my better judgment, but the thought of Katsumi being left to die like that, hypothetical as it was, served as a trigger.

"Y-you're right, Sanada-san. I am sorry."

I would sheathe my blade, but I was not done sparring yet. I would adopt a ready stance before dashing forward quickly. I would perform a quick draw slash on Yukimura, aiming for his chest with the sakabato. I was hoping the additional speed from this strike would prove to him that I could be strong, even without being angry.

[Sanada Yukimura]

Bringing his katana back into a ready position as Haji sheathe his blade after stumbling backwards, Yukimura would watch the young man carefully as he took a stance, bringing his blade up to block the strike after Haji dashed forward and performed a quick draw slash. The two katanas colliding with one another, Yukimura would be sent back a little across the ground, his boots leaving slide marks.

"... Very good Morei-san. But the only draw back to that move, you leave yourself open to a strike. Had this not been a test and I was not solely blocking, you would've found a katana held at your chest if I had evaded your slash. Like so!"

Quickly sliding his katana along Haji's sakabato, he would deftly step to the right then towards Haji, as his katana would be thrust towards the opening on Haji's left side, stopping mere inches from his chest.

"Never give your opponent an opening to capitalize upon, or you will end up losing your life."