A Fox Among Wolves 11/24/11

The Arms Master soon realizes that Brandychan’s defense is basic and more intermediate then advanced or masters. It might keep many foes at bay with it, but he was a Master and even with numb hands he was more than up to the task. The years of training that she needed were not there yet. He had no doubt that she could whirl a staff. She had to have had some kind of training in her past. He starts a more advanced attack to see. Brandychan starts to have problems blocking and she had to bend, duck, and jump blows from the staff the Arms Master was swinging. She realizes he was far superior to her skills. He would soon land a blow that definitely would hurt. The blocks she was using seemed to be to slow. She begins to counter as best as she could to keep him back and off balance. Then he changes tactics and makes a powerful sweep at her legs. She instantly realizes it is the same move she used on him earlier. Reacting she braces for the impact. The Arms Master spins with his staff and delivers the overhead blow. However his is not aimed directly at Brandychan. Rather it is aimed off to her right side. The staffs contact with a loud crack. She had braced for the impact. It was not where she had expected it to be. The center of her staff should have been where the blow landed. The impact is just past her right hand on the outside end of the staff. The impact forces the staff down and rips it from her hands. It cartwheels past Hitomi and Sakura surprising them as it does. It travels off the platform and onto the ground beyond. Brandychan grabs her right wrist and yelps in pain. “You are Dead!” The Arms Master stated in a tone that meant this part of the lesson was over. His shaft is now pressed against Brandychan’s breast armor where her heart was. She slumps to her knees and then bows. “Forgive me Sensei” she stated.

Removing his staff he places the end down on the matt and leans on it. “Sometimes the best lessons are leaned the hard way. Your attack is good and with a bit more practice you will be at a Master’s level. Your grasp of weight and motion is good on the opposite side of the coin or your Yang to your attack staff skills. Defense needs work and it is predictable and sloppy. Any Master would drub you till your unconscious. You knew I was using the same attack you caught me off guard with and yet you stood there bracing for the blow. Of all the options you could have used. You ended up picking the worst one. Dropping the end of your staff would have been the best move. Even attempting to move out of the way was better than taking a blow like you did. You were left unarmed and at my mercy. In Kitsume form I’d be holding you by the scruff of the neck” He explained. Bending down he checks out Brandychan’s wrist. He sings and glows for a moment. Nothing broken but will be sore for a while. Your Mother can heal it at the baths. Now go pick up your staff and place it on the rack.” He instructed. Getting up she starts to walk to the edge of the platform where the staff had landed. The Arms Master swings his staff and catches Brandychan across both cheeks of her butt. She flys forward and lands face down on the matt. The sting from the blow brought tears to her eyes. “Hurry up! Let this reminder teach you to not make the same mistake again. He said with a laugh.