A New Face, A Royal Race

In the peaceful Mountain of Paozu, the clang of metal would cause the birds to flutter into the sky. The animals all on alert as they stared to the top of a particular ridge, the clang of metal coming from there. The battle taking place were two swordsman standing off, their blades pointed at each other. Barban stood in a traditional stance, Sensoa with his blade pointed forward with his right leg extended outwards in an Odachi stance. Barban stared the demon down, the two currently at a stand still while they waited for the others move. After a brief pause the two would dash at one another with lightning speeds, almost instantly appearing behind the other with their blades in different positions after a slash. A bloody slash appearing on Sensoa's chest which splattered on the ground before he turned to face Barban once more.

The butler demon would swing his blade to throw the blood from his blade to the ground, the green blood a stark contrast to the brown earth. He kept his eye on the large demon, his stance more lax but any good swordsman knew it was a bait for a counter. Slowly the two would circle one another, Barban walking slowly while Sensoa walked while in stance. Sensoa was faster, stronger but the problem was he didn't have the skill to outright beat his opponent. The Lupine's eye was glowing with a golden after trail, the butler currently using a his second seal to keep up with Sensoa. While the butler was weaker, he was a damn good sword master, one that made Sensoa look like a child. Even after one hundred and sixty years, Sensoa was not able to best Barban on even grounds with a sword. Barban was known as the Blood Hound of the Ghoun estate and for good reason. His blade had drawn the blood of countless demons, and there was a reason Sensoa along with his brother having followed Barban's authority.

They both came to a stop abruptly, before rushing in to clash blades once more, Sensoa defending from a left slash. It was also embarrassing to note that Barban was using one hand to swing his blade, just to add salt to the wound. On that note however, the Lupine would raise his hand in a fluid motion, pushing Sensoa's blade upwards by placing his hand on the bottom of the hilt. From there with his blade raised, the Lupine demon would pull his blade back before thrusting it forward, narrowly missing in an attempt to Impale Sensoa on his blade. The Lupine demon had made it perfectly clear that their training would cause injuries if Sensoa did not take it seriously. He did not go back on his word, that much was for certain. Now at a suitable distance, Sensoa got back into his stance, his blade pointed toward Barban. The Lupine demon simply lowered his blade from its failed attempt at stabbing Sensoa, golden eye watching carefully. After a brief pause the Butler would get back into a kendo stance, traditional but leaving not many openings but his legs. To which Sensoa knew better, if he didn't want to get a kick to the face he had better stay clear of low swings. The two did a stand off once more, staring each other down. 

After a brief pause once more, the two would exchange blades at a fast pace once more. Their blades clanging off it each other in rapid succession. It was when Sensoa went for a vertical swing that Barban side stepped and swing horizonal to try to cleave Sensoa's head from his shoulders. Sensoa was just fast enough to avoid the blade, the sword cutting him across the cheek. Sensoa's heart was beating fast, a bit of adrenaline rushing through his veins at that one. Had he been slower, he wouldn't be thinking much right about now. Sensoa was ready to go for more when Barban sheathed his sword and his aura died down.

"You need work... You've grown sloppy. Twenty years of sloppy. Its a pathetic excuse of sword play. If you say this Kayen beat you I understand why. You make to many mistakes, leaving youself open to counters left and right."

Barban's words were harsh, rough enough to cower the brute Sensoa at least. He felt his pride stung at his mentor's words, but knew it was true. He sighed heavily as he let his blade disappear from his hands, looking at the ground like a defeated child.

"We will work on the basics more later... for now lets clean your sorry excuse of a hide up."

Barban walked over, pulling a clean cloth from his pocket as Sensoa plopped down onto the ground and grunted in annoyance. Hyuki had been watching in the shade nearby, staring at the two but keeping watch as they trained. She wasn't surprised Sensoa had got utterly trounced, her husband was a monster with a sword. At least Sensoa walked away with only scratches this time, normally Barban went for the eyes. He was a ruthless teacher but thats why she loved him so much. He had a heart of gold, but if he got serious he was a real beast, which she adored both sides. Sensoa on the other hand was looking like a kicked puppy, his head lifted to the side so Barban could address the wound on his cheek and then the one on his chest. Within a few more minutes the demon would be stitched up good as new.