Paint it black

[Mirumoto Hitomi]

A long journey across a blanket of stars
A short walk upon a foreign land
But here she found herself
Looking for the name of one man

The soft spoken warrior
Looking for the Master of the blade
There were lessons to be learned
There were plans to be made

She now stood before the door
She held herself straight
Her eyes hid nothing
She could only do one thing, wait.

She knocked.

@[member="Masamune Tametomo"]

 

[Masamune Tametomo]

The sound echoed through the air
Of the dojo made of wood and paper.
A knock upon wood, there!
At the door a newcomer waited.

Masamune rose from his trance
And pulled the door aside.
His feet and his stance
Spoke only of curiosity and patience.

"How might I help you?"
He asked of the woman, fair.
"The look of a weary traveler, you do
Have about you. What brings you to my door?"

He knew the answer she would give
As he had seen it through his silent
Meditations that he did give
His focus upon so willingly.

Still, she needed to state
What he knew she would say.
Only then would first meet break
And allow for further understanding.

@[member="Mirumoto Hitomi"]

 

[Mirumoto Hitomi]

From under long lashes she looked up
There before her stood the one
Was he the one to toughen her up
Was he the master of the blade

"I seek a blade master, are you he?"
The journey had been long
The cost had left little to be
Would he accept her?

He stood there waiting
Her voice for a moment caught and disappeared
She bowed slightly to him then began stating
"I seek a teacher" the words fell out.

Her fist balled up discouraged that she had spoken
Still she stood still
Waiting.
This could be a bitter pill


@[member="Masamune Tametomo"]

 

[Masamune Tametomo]

"The one you seek resides here,"
Masamune said simply to her.
"You need not have fear,
None here will judge you.

Why is it you seek
A teacher to aid you?
There is no need to be meek,
Come inside, within these walls."

He then waved her within
The dojo so that they may talk
Further and soon begin
To understand her presence here.

@[member="Mirumoto Hitomi"]

 

[Mirumoto Hitomi]

Hitomi bowed and entered the dojo. She looked about quickly the tiny details that beckoned of her home. She was too far from there now to go back, she turned and bowed her head to Masamune.

A teacher I need
My skills are lax
My blade needs agility and speed
Would Master take another student?

She could only hope that he would take another student, to hone her skills.

@[member="Masamune Tametomo"]

 

[Masamune Tametomo]

"That is for the master
To decide, which he will
Do in his own time and no faster,
I think, for he prefers patience for such things.

Come, are you hungry? Weary?
You appear to have come a
Long way through dreary
Skies to arrive at this dojo.

Food or drink would you desire?
We have plenty of both, though
Of simple means as we do not mire
Our ways and tastes with excess."

He waited then, upon an
Answer from the woman.
Silently stood the man
Who had the patience of mountains.

@[member="Mirumoto Hitomi"]

 

[Mirumoto Hitomi]

"HUngry yes, weary some
The road was long, and the journey taxing
I would appreciate time for relaxing"

Hitomi put her hands together and bowed, "Food and drink are most welcome" She did not care whether what it was if it was filling and nourishment she would accept it.

The patience of mountains and the skill of tigers she needed to increase both.

@[member="Masamune Tametomo"]

 

[Masamune Tametomo]

A short bow and a turn
And he disappeared into the kitchen.
He returned with an urn
Each of rice and water.

He set them before
Her and bowed politely.
"Please, eat" he implored
To the young woman.

[member="Mirumoto Hitomi"]

 

[Mirumoto Hitomi]

She did not need to be invited twice, her appetite had grown in the time it took to find this Master.

"Your patience and hospitality are welcome, and appreciated" She dipped her fingers into the bowl.
Her dark eyes looked across watching him as he watched her, he was not so old.
She set the cup to the table, and then sipped of the water when she was able.

"How does a humble woman repay the Master of the house?"

[member="Masamune Tametomo"]