Post by Cain on May 21, 2011 14:23:22 GMT -5
3,611 BBY | Coruscant | The Jedi Temple
Kyo awoke that morning, as he so often did, to an empty bunk beside him. Ryuu's bed had already been made, and his pajamas were folded neatly and placed onto the footlocker at the end of the bunk. The shelves on Ryuu's side of the dormitory were spotless, and all of the young man's personal effects were arranged in a neat and orderly fashion. There was almost no sign that anyone had lived there at all. In stark contrast to this was Kyo's side of the Jedi Temple dormitory which he shared with his twin brother. Clothing and personal items were scattered about the floor as if someone had taken Kyo's footlocker, opened it, and spun around rapidly, spewing its contents about the room.
Yawning loudly and scratching at his frazzled hair, Kyo observed his brothers bunk and pouted. Show off... Kyo thought to himself, sliding off his bunk and beginning the process of searching the floor for his Jedi robes. Upon recovering them, Kyo tested their quality with a few quick sniffs. Definitely passable.
After getting dressed, Kyo immediately had to make for the training room where class was being held. As per usual, having slept in Kyo had no time for breakfast. Truth be told, Kyo resented having to go to class at all anymore. He was twelve years old and still a Youngling. Kyo likely would not have minded this had Ryuu not been chosen by a Master to become a Padawan months ago. The very thought of Ryuu being ahead of him made Kyo seethe. Everyone thinks that Ryuu is so great... Ryuu this... and Ryuu that. What about Kyo!? Today I'll show them, Kyo thought, Today will be the day all the Masters, and even Ryuu, recognize how awesome Kyo is!
Kyo arrived in the training room about five minutes late. The other Younglings already were gathered around Master Quan, ready to begin the opening meditations. To Kyo's surprise, however, Ryuu was also in the room.
"Late again, Kyo?" Master Quan observed, shaking his head, "With this sort of work ethic you'll never pull up your grades.
Kyo frowned, "Good grades alone don't make a great Jedi..."
Master Quan sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly, "That may be true, but you're not doing yourself any favors being dead last in the class." The other Younglings began to chuckle, but silenced themselves quickly as Si Quan glanced over his shoulder.
"Don't worry about me, Master, I've got things under control!" Kyo announced, brimming with a confidence that only drew another sigh from Master Quan, "But more importantly, what's he doing here!?" Kyo asked, pointing at Ryuu.
Up until this point, Ryuu had not been paying much attention to Kyo's disruption, instead sitting in silent meditation. Ryuu gave no physical reaction to Kyo's inquiry, responding while still seated with his eyes closed, "I don't need to explain myself to you... dead last."
Kyo gritted his teeth, struggling to compile a snappy retort when he was interrupted by Master Quan.
"Settle down, Kyo. Master Dysar has a meeting today with the Jedi Council. I asked Ryuu to come here and help me with the day's lesson while he waits for Master Dysar. Now sit down and begin your meditations. It's one thing to be late, but it's quite another to disrupt the other Younglings."
"Hmph!" Kyo pouted and plopped himself down on the opposite side of the room from Ryuu. Once the opening meditations were complete it was time for lightsaber training. Kyo had come a long way with his Shii-Cho training, though all the other Younglings were more impressed with Ryuu, who took the opportunity to show off some of the more complicated saber forms he'd been practicing. Enough was enough. Today Kyo was finally going to prove he was better than Ryuu.
After saber practice was lunch hour. Kyo knew that Ryuu normally took his in the courtyard, and made sure to follow him there. Kyo marched up to his brother who was seated out in the grass, his training saber in hand, "Yo! Ryuu!" he called out.
Ryuu raised an eyebrow, glancing up at Kyo before taking another sip of his tea, "Move aside, dead last. You're blocking my sun."
Kyo's eyes narrowed and he gripped his training saber tighter, "Cut the arrogant act. I'm challenging you to a saber duel."
"Hmph... hahaha," Ryuu chuckled softly.
"What's funny?"
"You? Duel with me?" Ryuu scoffed, "I have no desire to embarrass you today. Why don't you run along, my tea is getting cold."
Kyo smirked, "You shouldn't underestimate me, big brother. I've been practicing a lot lately. I'm sure I'm much better than you are now, maybe even as good as Master Quan."
Ryuu ignored Kyo, giving no response aside from sipping his tea.
"Alright, that's fine. If you're afraid of losing, I understand." Kyo said, watching Ryuu carefully for his reaction.
Ryuu's eyes darted to the side, locking onto Kyo, "It's not worth my time to duel with novices like you," Ryuu responded, "It has nothing to do with being afraid."
"Prove it."
Ryuu sighed and set down his tea, standing up face to face with Kyo, "Very well. If that's how you want it."
Some of the other Younglings who had taken their lunches to the courtyard began to gather around the two brothers, anxiously anticipating the duel. The two separated and ignited their training sabers, both taking the opening stance for Shii-Cho.
Kyo couldn't help but grin. There was an electric excitement coursing through him as he prepared for the duel. If he could beat Ryuu here in front of all the other Younglings he might finally get some respect. More importantly, Ryuu may even recognize Kyo's abilities as a Jedi.
The duel began with the brothers locking sabers. Kyo knew that Ryuu was stronger than him, but Kyo had quickness on his side. If he could overwhelm Ryuu with a rapid offense, he might just be able to sneak in a body blow and steal a win.
Kyo immediately began raining slashed down on Ryuu, who was initially taken aback by the speed of his brother's attacks. Ryuu had underestimated Kyo, and it almost had cost him the duel before it even really started. Ryuu was forced to backpedal, and Kyo continued to press the attack. The other Younglings gasped with amazement that Kyo was able to hold his own at all. Kyo felt another twinge of excitement. He had him, he was going to win!
Even though it was for half a second, Kyo's lack of focus created a small opening that Ryuu recognized. Changing his style on the fly, Ryuu began to utilized Form V: Djem So in pushing the attack back at Kyo. Having no idea how to deal with the more advanced form, Kyo was sent into panic mode and desperately attempted to fight off Ryuu's new found offense. The match ended as Ryuu's training saber struck Kyo's wrist, causing him to drop his own weapon and leaving a nasty burn.
Following the duel, Ryuu said nothing. He simply turned off his training saber and returned to his lunch. The other Younglings mulled over the results, "Figures. There's no way that kid could've beat Ryuu." Kyo overheard one of them say. He had been soundly defeated, and what's worse he now had a saber burn on his wrist. How was he supposed to explain that to Master Quan? Kyo could picture the long, boring lecture Master Quan would give him now; about controlling your emotions and having respect for Jedi tradition. The thought made him cringe.
Si Quan didn't have to know. Kyo had learned about Force Healing in class, maybe he could heal the injury himself. Kyo attempted to concentrate on the wound, but the more he did the greater the pain he seemed to feel. It wasn't working, he was having trouble focusing. All Kyo could think about was how dumb he'd looked losing to Ryuu again. What is it Master Quan is always saying? Clear your mind... Kyo had never been great at that. With a heavy sigh he attempted again to clear his thoughts and concentrate on the injury. This time a wave of serenity washed over Kyo, and the pain in his wrist became secondary. He could feel himself drifting into a deep, relaxed state of meditation.
When Kyo came around again, he was surprised to find the pain in his wrist was gone, and the burn mark had all but disappeared. Maybe there was more to this whole meditation thing Master Quan is always pushing than Kyo had thought...
Taking notice of his surroundings, Kyo found that there was no one else in the courtyard. Crap! I'm late again! Quickly, Kyo jumped up and hurried back to class.