Fighting Fate
Episode 1: Sensei
Guided by fate, the winds of change push those destined on the paths to greatness.
Setting: modern-day Japanese setting; however, feudal areas and traditional buildings still stand.
Shokei wandered the halls of the palace, searching for his friend, Tsuya. At the age of 11, Shokei could be described as a pretty boy, with medium length, wavy black hair, a slightly built figure due to his kendo training, and a regal smile. All the maids in the palace adored him and his friendly, respectable attitude.
His friend, Tsuya, was his attendant, being 13, tall and built, with short spiky hair. He would be considered handsome to the maids, some of which mistake him to be 16.
"Tsuya! Where are you?" Shokei yelled outside in the garden. "your father is supposed to teach us the advanced set today!"
Tsuya's father, Jiro, was both Tsuya and Shokei's kendo instructor, as well as Shokei's father's attendant. However, they are treated with some sort of dignity as nobles are.
"Tsuuuuyaaaaa-mmpphh!!" Shokei's yell was cut short as Tsuya appeared behind the wooden support beam and covered his friends mouth.
"shh!! Sho, you're too loud," he said, holding his mouth with one hand and wrapping his arm around Shokei's lanky body. Sho tried to struggle, but Tsuya was too strong.
After Tsuya let go, Sho hit him in the gut, quite weakly. "No fair! You know i can't beat you in wrestling."
"Well, you have Kendo, soccer, swimming, and speed sports. Something like pure strength is my only asset."
"where's Jiro-Sensei? We're learning new Kendo moved today, right?"
"nope. Dad said he had something brand new to teach us. Something he said we could practice with just me and you."
"Huh? He won't watch us?"
"let's just go, ok? It sounds interesting."
Sho and Tsuya headed towards the dojo that the palace built back web sho's father was still a child. The mats on the floor were sturdy and hard but the walls opened up to the garden if they wanted fresh air.
Sho and Tsuya changed into their baggy kendo shirts and hakama. They both wore black hakama and tabi socks, as well as white kendo shirts. They sat on their knees as they waited for their Sensei to arrive.
"Good morning, Sho!" bellowed Jiro-Sensei. "I see you're excited about today's lesson."
"of course, Sensei! All your lessons are always unique and fun."
Tsuya leaned close to Sho, "kiss-up."
"it's true!"
"now, Tsuya," said Jiro, don't be so stingy. After all, you and he are going to be spending plenty of time training together. Now come here Tsuya."
Tsuya stood up and went over to his father.
"today's lesson deals with a different sort of art," Jiro said as he produced a long coil of blue cotton rope. "Shokei, are you familiar with the term 'hojojutsu'?"
"No Sensei... What is it?"
"back in the late 1800's, in feudal Japan, just like our province, the police force had developed a special way to restrain villains and criminals. They would use intricate knots to prevent their movement. The more intricate the knots, the more socially prestigious."
"It sounds interesting, father," Tsuya said. "Is that what these ropes are for?"
"yes son," Jiro said, "exactly. However, me and Lord Tano have adapted this feudal art into a sort of game."
Shokei loved games more than he loved sports. "so we get to learn how to play a game?" he said with eyes beaming.
Jiro smiled and laughed at his student's enthusiasm. Tsuya was laughing too, and before he knew it, his father had him face down on the floor.
"Dad! What're you doing??" Tsuya said a bit startled. Jiro then wrapped the blue ropes around his son's wrists behind his back. Once they were tight enough, he sat on his sons back and wrapped up his feet in a similar fashion. Taking his ankles, he lifted them to his wrists and secured Tsuya into tight hogtie.
"are you ok, son?" Jiro said. "It's not intricate roping because this way is more secure."