tampered | Log, complete

Current Mood: determined

Log, complete

When; April 1st, around noon
Rating; pg, tops
Characters; King Leonidus

a_crimson_ninja
Summary; Chibi!Kurogane wants to prove to King Leonidus that he is a good fighter in order to win his approval and perhaps become his pupil.
Log;

To say that Kurogane was nervous was an understatement. However, he did his best not to show it as he walked towards his and Leonidus-ousama's appointed meeting spot. In on hand, he held a katana, and in the other, four apples and a blind fold. The boy was barely seven and a half, and would probably only reach the Spartan's waist at best, but none the less, he was going to do his best to proove to the King that he could be a warrior. That he was a warrior.

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Leonidas gave the young boy a curt nod as he approached. This young boy reminded him so much of himself and other boys that he had known growing up, but most of all, Kurogane reminded him of his six-year-old son. No one could ever take his son's place, he knew, but Kurogane was a willing pupil, and with his determination to raise an army in the City, it would be beneficial to teach the boy. The more the merrier, after all.

A soft breeze rustled the crimson cape he wore, and his shield and spear lay nearby on the ground, his sword sheathed at his belt. Leonidas never went anywhere without his weapons; to do so would be foolish. His blue eyes appraised the sword the young boy held in his hand, and he gazed curiously at the other objects he brought along with him. However, he did not question him. He knew that this was something the boy had to do on his own, just as he had had to kill the wolf on his own.

"Boy." He gave him another welcoming nod. Leonidas never called a new pupil or soldier by their first name until they had proven themselves. "I see you have brought a sword. Good."

Kurogane lifted his chin just slightly as he approached, before stopping in front of the Spartan. Compared to himself, the man was a giant.

The boy bowed. "Leonidus-ousama. If you will permit, I would like to show you proof of my fighting abilities."

The boy was smaller than he had thought, but no matter. He could build him up to a strong boy with the traditions of his people without a problem. "Very well," he said, stepping back to allow the boy some room.

"Show me what you can do." He waited patiently, curious to see what this young child had in store for him. If he did not prove to be fit enough, he would teach the boy how to properly use a sword, and then set him to some type of task, and if he did prove to be satisfactory? Well, he would have a new pupil on his hands.

Kurogane straightened from his bow before he strapped the katana to his waist before retreiving the four apples.

"May I ask for Leonidus-ousama's assistance in this?" he asked, holding out the apples to the large Spartan.

Leonidas nodded, taking the apples from the young boy. He had the sudden memory of eating an apple while standing amongst the dead and dying Persians of Xerxes' first wave of attack at Thermopylae, but the memory quickly dissipated.

"What would you like me to do with these, boy?" He asked. He had an inkling of what Kurogane was going to attempt, and was very tempted to tell him not to cut himself, but decided on holding his tongue. The boy treated him with respect and he would do the same.

Kurogane took a couple steps back from the Spartan, before closing his eyes.

"Please throw them where ever you wish. I will cut each one into a half." The boy's hand rested on his katana, senses alert. This was the last thing his father had taught him before...before the bad things happened. He would not let his father down.

"All right," the king said in assent, not showing any of the surprise that he felt.

Let's see what you can do, boy, Leonidas thought, taking one of the apples in one hand. He drew his arm back, every ounce of training since the day he could walk mustering into this single throw, treating the apple as if it were a spear. The apple flew through the air directly towards the boy.

It was barely a semisecond, but his thumb flicked the katana out of it's hilt and in a second the blade was drawn, slicing through the air and cutting the apple into two perfect halves, falling to the ground. He stood, frozen, his sword still held out in the way he had drawn it out, one hand still on the sheath, the other extended.

"One." he counted.

Not bad, Leonidas thought, taking another apple in his hand and throwing it just as hard. That apple was quickly followed by another, and yet another. He's determined, this one.

Kurogane's senses pricked, turning, his feet moving in almost a pantomime of a dance as he moved his sword through the air, slicing first through one apple--

"Two."

--and then the other--

"Three."

--before he paused, hearing the peices fall to the ground, his muscles tense, preparing for the last one, eyes still closed.

With one last heave, giving all he got, Leonidas threw the apple. So far, so good. This would determine whether or not the boy would be strong enough to handle the training of ancient Sparta. The apple didn't even seem to fly through the air so much as cut it open; the fruit was one fast blur, rushing to its target.

The boy could practically feel the way the apple came towards him at a frightening speed, and he barily had time to swallow as he ducked out of the way, his right foot moving to spin himself around, drawing his katana through the air and slicing through the apple as it flew behind him.

He stopped, panting for breath as the last two peices fell to the ground, his muscles pulled taunt with nerves and exertion.

"Four."

Leonidas moved forward, bending down to pick up one of the apple halves that Kurogane had cut. He examined it with a critical eye. "...This is a clean cut," he observed. "Your blade is very sharp. You take good care of your sword...that is always a good habit." The king took a bite out of the apple, and began to chew thoughtfully.

"I have to admit that I am impressed by your swordsmanship," he admitted. "If I didn't know any better, I would say that you were a born Spartan like myself."

He took another bite, and swallowed, examining the boy. "Consider yourself my pupil, Kurogane. I will teach you everything I know."

Kurogane had moved himself to a standing position, his katana still held in his hand, his muscles tense as he listened to the Spartan's critique. However, he couldn't help put let out a "YATTA!" of trimph, pumping his fist into the air and leaping up as the King told him that he was allowed to be his pupil.

However, as he landed back on the ground, he realized how foolish that might've looked, and he sheathed his katana, and bowed. "Thank you very much, Leonidus-ousama. You won't be disappointed."

The tiniest, smallest, fraction-of-an-inch of amusement flickered through the Spartan's eyes at the boy's outburst. "I should hope not. I do not believe you would like very much what we do to punish disappointments." Leonidas gave the boy a look that meant strictly business, and began to circle his new pupil, his eyes narrowed.

"Hmm..." He began murmuring quietly to himself. "A bit small for a seven year old...too much hair, but that can be overlooked for now...could use some strength endurance..."

He stopped in front of the young ninja again. "I believe that you are well enough as far as swordsmanship goes that we can skip that part of training. However, there is still a lot of work to do. For now, go home, and get some rest. We start training as soon as possible, whenever you believe you will be ready mentally and physically. I'm telling you this now, boy: Spartans run a tight regime. We are proud of our skill as warriors, and it takes eighteen years for a Spartan boy to reach his true potential from the day he is born, and another five to gain enough strength required to father strong children. Obedience, respect, honor, and the fact that you try your hardest and improve is all I ask. Understood?"

Kurogane straightened as the Spartan began to circle him, and he stood errect under the harsh scrutany, listening to the Spartan's words draw out every flaw, and he listened intently to the instructions, his red eyes almost glittering with determination.

"Understood, Leonidus-ousensei."

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